I was fortunate to first ride a motorcycle (maybe a first !) across the Gunbarrel in mid 1970's whilst in the SAS Regiment, and the road was in much better condition in those days as there was virtually no Great Central Road. Am seriously thinking of going out there again. This video has inspired me, thanks.
You will find it quite busy these days! We just travelled the David Carnegie and Gary highways this year, we really enjoyed those. The videos are on our chanel th-cam.com/video/-0EowYkcEjQ/w-d-xo.html
As you are aware, so many people how put up videos on utube, showing their advantages and 4x4 travels, including all matter's of what an not to do, but you're presenting a different kind of story, it was more raw an down to earth, well done, but if I may the music was a bit loud, Stay safe and I look forward to seeing more of your posts.
Thankyou for your feedback Wayne, we are still working out the finer details of the editing program, and have tried to lower the music in more recent clips. We don't want to tell people what they should or should not do, other than they should get out and see the country! We don't believe you need all the fancy gear, but if that's what makes you happy, and you can afford it, knock yourself out. We just want to share our trips with family and friends, and anyone else who might be interested. We are a couple months off a trip around the Gascoyne, so if you keen for that area, stay tuned. 😁
I did the Gunbarrell in july 1985 The sign was at the beginning of Wells st Wiluna. I'm looking at the photo I took now. It reads from the top, GUNNBARRELL HWY. then Carnigie 353, Warburton 853, then Giles 1077, WA/ NT border 1163, then Ayres rock 1421, Stewart hwy 1687, last Alice springs 1886. The solitude, and the silence, and the peace, and the stars will never leave me.
It would have been awesome back then, so much quieter than now! We recently did David Carnegie Road a small section of the Gunbarrel then the Gary Highway, the only cars we saw were about 10 on the small section of the Gunbarrel!
Interestingly, even back then I was anxious to get out there before the "rush". It was only a slight track there were no fresh tyre marks visible. We had a Highlux with 300 litres of fuel on board and made it to Ayres Rock without seeing another vehicle. For a city boy the solitude at night almost had gravity. Bob. @@cheetsoutnabout
Thanks heaps for putting this up. So little info about this road. The Gary hwy and Gary junction road. Is put out and so much about the great central road canning ect and they must all drive past this area
If you think there is little about the Gunbarrel, try finding info on the Connie Sue! We really struggled to find videos that showed the road, the sites etc, without being all about the people travelling. Our videos probably aren't that popular, but they are what we would want to find when researching. Good travels!
Hi Aussie Drifter, to traverse and camp on native title lands in Australia you need transit permits, they are free for most areas of WA, Im not sure about other states. We recommend you go to the WA government website for all the up to date info and links for this state. Try this address, hopefully I have got it right! www.wa.gov.au/service/aboriginal-affairs/aboriginal-heritage-conservation/apply-permit-access-or-travel-through-aboriginal-land If you have any issues, let me know! Im not great at it, but Ive done a few now so might be able to assist.
I was interested to see from your video that the worst section was that closest to the Heather Hwy turnoff. I have travelled on a small section of the Gunbarrel from Heather Hwy turnoff to a nearby Len Beadell tree blaze. The road was exceptionally rough in that section and for that reason I was a bit put off going any further. But your video shows that it does get a bit more even and easier to drive on further west. So I might put up with the rough conditions knowing there is some smoother sailing once I get past that point.
We found when we were researching the gunbarrel that most videos showed the bad section, but didn't mention that the western end is usually in decent shape. We tried to put together the information and clips that we wanted to find when we were researching. I hope we have helped you! Thankyou for taking the time to watch and comment. Jo
Amazing!!! I've subscribed. Looking at doing the Gunbarrel solo in June. I've just applied for permits however it states transit permits are "3 days". Don't think this is possible as I'll be coming from Sandy Blight Track. Nonetheless, I have a question... how were the conditions, and how long was the turnaround time for permits? I ask as I can see you've traversed during Covid and "technically" Covid will still be around once I get out there! I'm so jealous!! Thanks again for putting this together and safe travels.
Hi mate, I got a reply pretty fast on permits, there are two ways to apply, one way I never heard back (directly to the central land council) the other way I had a reply in days. The 3 days is for the section the permit applies to, and is approximate start and finish. So we choose the date we were most likely to arrive at the section that needed the permit. So for each permit you require, put in the relevant approximate dates, it should be doable. Wiluna to Warburton was a comfortable 3 days.
@@cheetsoutnabout Hi mate, Very quick process, my permits for Sandy Blight, Central road and Gunbarrel were approved. Might I be better off applying separately so I get 9 days? How were the conditions when you went? Looks amazing !!
@@danieljohn589 yes, I would apply separately for 3 days for each area. Just reapply with the amended dates. They tend to be quite good about permits unless you have to enter a community at the moment
i've heard that gunbarrell is most corrugated and roughest track, do u agree that? and is that ok to cross solo with dirt bike as long as well prepared?
It isn't the most corrugated track we have been on! It has a steady stream of traffic, so I don't think you would have many issues with a solo crossing. Apply for your permits, sort of fuel, food and water, and your good to go.
@@cheetsoutnabout that's sounds new to me there are other traffics as well! Have u been to other 4wd desert tracks as well? I want to cross connie sue and Ann beadell hwy as well
@@chsd3694 we have done the Connie Sue, part of the Anne Beadell (both are on our Chanel( on our current trip we have travelled the David Carnegie, Gary highway, Gary Junction, part of the tanami, and we are currently camping in East Arnhem Land.
@@cheetsoutnabout cool, enjoy your trips. For my first desert trip, i'm thinking either gunbarrel hwy or ann beadell hwy, whcih one was easier to you??
Unfortunately, the over loud elevator music drowned out the commentary so put us off after a few minutes. Ruined for us what could have been amazing scenery. The music should be “background” music, not in your face blow your ears out.
If you check out some of our newer clips, you will find we have learnt! The programme I was using when making these earlier clips was very limited and I have since upgraded. Thank you for taking the time to let us know how we could improve. 😊
I was fortunate to first ride a motorcycle (maybe a first !) across the Gunbarrel in mid 1970's whilst in the SAS Regiment, and the road was in much better condition in those days as there was virtually no Great Central Road. Am seriously thinking of going out there again. This video has inspired me, thanks.
You will find it quite busy these days! We just travelled the David Carnegie and Gary highways this year, we really enjoyed those. The videos are on our chanel
th-cam.com/video/-0EowYkcEjQ/w-d-xo.html
Another Gem. I really like the way you provide a good overview of the road conditions. Much more important than the sights along the way to me.
When researching the trip we struggled to find anything that gave a realistic overview of road conditions.
Wonderful drive, lots to see and many stories of ship wrecks to hear about......
Thankyou.
This is great information, looking at doing same trip in reverse later in the year and great to have some idea of the track.
Thankyou for watching! We touched on a small section of the gunbarrel again in 2023, and it honestly had not changed a bit! Have an awesome trip!
This scenery is amazing, and I now have added this to my bucket list
thank you for posting this for us
Thankyou for feedback. It's a fantastic drive, I'm sure you will enjoy it. 🙂
As you are aware, so many people how put up videos on utube, showing their advantages and 4x4 travels, including all matter's of what an not to do, but you're presenting a different kind of story, it was more raw an down to earth, well done, but if I may the music was a bit loud, Stay safe and I look forward to seeing more of your posts.
Thankyou for your feedback Wayne, we are still working out the finer details of the editing program, and have tried to lower the music in more recent clips.
We don't want to tell people what they should or should not do, other than they should get out and see the country! We don't believe you need all the fancy gear, but if that's what makes you happy, and you can afford it, knock yourself out.
We just want to share our trips with family and friends, and anyone else who might be interested.
We are a couple months off a trip around the Gascoyne, so if you keen for that area, stay tuned. 😁
I did the Gunbarrell in july 1985 The sign was at the beginning of Wells st Wiluna. I'm looking at the photo I took now. It reads from the top, GUNNBARRELL HWY. then Carnigie 353, Warburton 853, then Giles 1077, WA/ NT border 1163, then Ayres rock 1421, Stewart hwy 1687, last Alice springs 1886. The solitude, and the silence, and the peace, and the stars will never leave me.
It would have been awesome back then, so much quieter than now! We recently did David Carnegie Road a small section of the Gunbarrel then the Gary Highway, the only cars we saw were about 10 on the small section of the Gunbarrel!
Interestingly, even back then I was anxious to get out there before the "rush". It was only a slight track there were no fresh tyre marks visible. We had a Highlux with 300 litres of fuel on board and made it to Ayres Rock without seeing another vehicle. For a city boy the solitude at night almost had gravity. Bob. @@cheetsoutnabout
Thanks heaps for putting this up. So little info about this road. The Gary hwy and Gary junction road. Is put out and so much about the great central road canning ect and they must all drive past this area
If you think there is little about the Gunbarrel, try finding info on the Connie Sue! We really struggled to find videos that showed the road, the sites etc, without being all about the people travelling. Our videos probably aren't that popular, but they are what we would want to find when researching.
Good travels!
Jealous. I was puffing by the time you got to the top of the hill. Thanks.
Trust me, so was I! 😂
G'day mate, what are the permits you mentioned for ? & where do you get them & how much do they cost please.
Hi Aussie Drifter, to traverse and camp on native title lands in Australia you need transit permits, they are free for most areas of WA, Im not sure about other states. We recommend you go to the WA government website for all the up to date info and links for this state. Try this address, hopefully I have got it right!
www.wa.gov.au/service/aboriginal-affairs/aboriginal-heritage-conservation/apply-permit-access-or-travel-through-aboriginal-land
If you have any issues, let me know! Im not great at it, but Ive done a few now so might be able to assist.
I'll be doing a similar trip to this next week
Have an awesome time!
Cheers
I was interested to see from your video that the worst section was that closest to the Heather Hwy turnoff. I have travelled on a small section of the Gunbarrel from Heather Hwy turnoff to a nearby Len Beadell tree blaze. The road was exceptionally rough in that section and for that reason I was a bit put off going any further. But your video shows that it does get a bit more even and easier to drive on further west. So I might put up with the rough conditions knowing there is some smoother sailing once I get past that point.
We found when we were researching the gunbarrel that most videos showed the bad section, but didn't mention that the western end is usually in decent shape. We tried to put together the information and clips that we wanted to find when we were researching. I hope we have helped you!
Thankyou for taking the time to watch and comment.
Jo
Amazing!!! I've subscribed.
Looking at doing the Gunbarrel solo in June. I've just applied for permits however it states transit permits are "3 days". Don't think this is possible as I'll be coming from Sandy Blight Track.
Nonetheless, I have a question... how were the conditions, and how long was the turnaround time for permits? I ask as I can see you've traversed during Covid and "technically" Covid will still be around once I get out there!
I'm so jealous!! Thanks again for putting this together and safe travels.
Hi mate, I got a reply pretty fast on permits, there are two ways to apply, one way I never heard back (directly to the central land council) the other way I had a reply in days. The 3 days is for the section the permit applies to, and is approximate start and finish. So we choose the date we were most likely to arrive at the section that needed the permit. So for each permit you require, put in the relevant approximate dates, it should be doable.
Wiluna to Warburton was a comfortable 3 days.
@@cheetsoutnabout Hi mate,
Very quick process, my permits for Sandy Blight, Central road and Gunbarrel were approved.
Might I be better off applying separately so I get 9 days?
How were the conditions when you went? Looks amazing !!
@@danieljohn589 yes, I would apply separately for 3 days for each area. Just reapply with the amended dates. They tend to be quite good about permits unless you have to enter a community at the moment
@@cheetsoutnabout Cheers mate!!
What camera are you using, DSLR if you get a polarised cap your photos would pop.
I have contemplated getting one of those, I really should!
excellent video colour brilliant audio could have been a little better but overall most excellent
Thabkyou for your feedback, we are learning more each trip we do!
i've heard that gunbarrell is most corrugated and roughest track, do u agree that? and is that ok to cross solo with dirt bike as long as well prepared?
It isn't the most corrugated track we have been on! It has a steady stream of traffic, so I don't think you would have many issues with a solo crossing. Apply for your permits, sort of fuel, food and water, and your good to go.
Also, sorry we didn't reply earlier, we are on another remote tour.
@@cheetsoutnabout that's sounds new to me there are other traffics as well! Have u been to other 4wd desert tracks as well? I want to cross connie sue and Ann beadell hwy as well
@@chsd3694 we have done the Connie Sue, part of the Anne Beadell (both are on our Chanel( on our current trip we have travelled the David Carnegie, Gary highway, Gary Junction, part of the tanami, and we are currently camping in East Arnhem Land.
@@cheetsoutnabout cool, enjoy your trips. For my first desert trip, i'm thinking either gunbarrel hwy or ann beadell hwy, whcih one was easier to you??
Just come across your channel and subscribed straight away cheers 👍🍻🇦🇺
Thankyou so much!
We are heading out on a short get away tomorrow so new content coming soon!
I want to ride this on electric vehicles. Using solar to charge during the day and riding at night nice and easy!
Keep us informed on how you go with this dream, it would be interesting to follow!
it is a shame that the music is drowning your voice
Yeah, I've changed editing programmes and have tried to do the music volume on the newer videos it's learning process.
Unfortunately, the over loud elevator music drowned out the commentary so put us off after a few minutes. Ruined for us what could have been amazing scenery. The music should be “background” music, not in your face blow your ears out.
If you check out some of our newer clips, you will find we have learnt! The programme I was using when making these earlier clips was very limited and I have since upgraded. Thank you for taking the time to let us know how we could improve. 😊
@@cheetsoutnaboutmusic is nice.
@@geraldperyman6535 thankyou!