Our 2024 Great Central Road itinerary. Great Central Road Oodnadatta Track Mereenie Loop Kings Canyon Uluru Perth & The Nullabor. This is going to be a big one! We are going on a Central Australia trip of a lifetime. 10,000km and about 3,500km of that will be on red dirt.
We are going to visit and in a few cases re-visit some epic locations. Epic bucket list roads will include The Great Central Road, Oodnadatta Track, Mereenie Loop, Ivanhoe Menindee Road and The Nullabor. We plan on travelling the full length of each of these.
Some of the locations we will be visiting are, Menindee, Broken Hill, Farina, Marree, Marla, Oodnadatta, William Creek, Alice Springs, Petermann, Kings Canyon, Uluru, Kata Tjuta, Warburton, Laverton, Leonora, Kalgoorlie, Perth, Esperance, Eucla and Ceduna plus a whole heap I have missed. Here is our approximate itinerary set up in WikiCamps. Please follow us along!
Great Central Road Itinerary
Great Central Road Itinerary + Oodnadatta Track & The Nullabor
Below is a list of all the campsites on our Great Central Road Itinerary that we plan to stop in at along with approximate dates. We are hoping to hit at least the first half on schedule as we are booked in at a couple of caravan parks. We don’t often stay in caravan parks however sometimes your options are a bit limited. Plus we’ll need to do some washing and top up water tanks or things will get quite thirsty and smelly.
1. One Tree Hotel
To kick off our Great Central Road itinerary it’s quite fitting that our first stop is not really a camp site but we know a place off in the scrub on crown land where nobody bothers you. It’s nice and peaceful and no we won’t disclose the exact location! We always have the free camp at Booligal available to ius as an option if we can’t camp at One Tree for whatever reason.
Date: 10/08/2024 Saturday
Type: Bush Camping
Cost: Free
Location: One Tree NSW
2. Burke & Wills Camp Site (Menindee)
We’ve camped here loads of times and it’s one of our favourites. This free campground offers toilets. It is dog friendly. It is accessible to motorbikes, RVs, camper trailers, caravans and big rigs. Camping in tents is allowed.
Date: 11/08/2024 Sunday
Type: Free Camping
Cost: Free
Location: Main Weir Rd, Lake Pamamaroo, New South Wales
GPS: -32.304623°, 142.497912°
3. Orroroo Rest Area (Orroroo)
The Orroroo free camp is not a long way off the highway but the road doesn’t see a lot of traffic. Last time we camped here it got very cold down to -2 in the early hours. It is accessible to motorbikes, RVs, camper trailers, caravans and big rigs.
Date: 13/08/2024 Tuesday
Type: Free Camping
Cost: Free
Location: Willowie Rd, Morchard, South Australia
GPS: -32.734575°, 138.537682°
4. Farina Camping Grounds (Farina)
We always camp here either before travelling the Oodnadatta Track or after we have finished it. It’s an absolutely awesome campground in the Ghost Town of Farina. Hot showers and flushing toilets are available.
Date: 14/08/2024 Wednesday
Type: Bush Camping / Campground
Cost: $10 per person per night or $20 per car per night
Location: North Tce, Farina, South Australia
GPS: -30.062407°, 138.274768°
Phone: (08) 8675 7790
Email: info@farinastation.com.au
Web: https://www.farinastation.com.au
5. Curdimurka Railway Siding (Oodnadatta Track)
An abandoned railway siding on the old Ghan Railway alongside the Oodnadatta Track. We’ve camped at other sidings on the track before but never at Curdimurka.
Date: 16/08/2024 Friday
Type: Free Camping
Cost: Free
Location: Oodnadatta Track, South Australia
GPS: -29.476580°, 137.084610°
6. Algebuckina Waterhole, The Peake (Oodnadatta Track)
This is on the opposite side of the Oodnadatta Track to the Algebuckina Bridge. We’ve camped at Algebuckina Bridge a few times before but this time we’ll go across the road and try the other site for a change.
Algebuckina Bridge was built over the Neales River to allow the Ghan train to cross during floods. The Algebuckina Bridge is easily accessible from the Oodnadatta Track by foot. A campsite has been established on the eastern side of the Oodnadatta Track approximately 1 km over the road from the bridge.
- There are no facilities at this campground.
- Please remove all rubbish and bury human waste well away from the water hole.
- 4WD is required to access this site.
- Do not attempt to travel when the Track is wet.
- It is advisable that in the event of rain developing make your way to the nearest township due to river rises.
- There is no camping allowed bridge side.
Contact Williams Cattle Company, The Peake directly if you wish to travel further east along The Neales. williamscattlecompany.com.au/the-peake
Date: 17/08/2024 Saturday
Type: Free Camping / Bush Camping
Cost: Free
Location: Oodnadatta Track, Algebuckina, South Australia
GPS: -27.897280°, 135.821374°
Dundas Lake West Side Dundas WA
7. Coongra Creek (Oodnadatta Track)
Fairly flat spot next to the creek with easy access. Travel further along the track if there are people camped up the front. There is plenty of room for everyone. Also don’t cut branches off the trees. There is [lenty of dead wood lying around. This is a free campground with no facilities. Dog friendly. Be responsible and take out what you take in.
Date: 18/08/2024 Sunday
Type: Free Camping / Bush Camping
Cost: Free
Location: Oodnadatta Track, Oodnadatta, South Australia
GPS: -27.177435°, 134.320392°
8. National Road Transport Museum (Alice Springs)
We’ve stayed here before and really like the place. It’s a bit out of town so that makes it nice and quiet. Alice Springs camping ground at the National Road Transport Museum is a surprisingly good hidden gem. It’s in a securely fenced area with full amenities and all for a great price. We highly recommend it if you’re looking for camping in Alice Springs. Showers and flushing toilets as well as a washing machine are all provided. The amenities are old and a bit run down however they are clean and tidy and do the job well.
Date: 19/08/2024 Monday
Type: Paid Campground
Cost: Powered $25 night / Unpowered $15 night (as of 02.08.2024)
Location: 92 Norris Bell Ave, Alice Springs, NT, Northern Territory
GPS: -23.777656°, 133.868216°
Phone: (08) 8952 7161
Email: office@rths.com
Web: https://www.roadtransporthall.com/camping
Alice Springs Camping Ground National Road Transport Museum
9. Discovery Parks – Kings Canyon
Situated in the shadows of Kings Canyon and offering uninterrupted views, guests camping or pulling in their caravan for a few nights truly have some of the best seats in the house. Powered sites for caravans and motorhomes and the introduction of sites with ensuites sees this part of the campground busy all year round. On the grassy area of the site, up to 100 campers can pitch their tents under the stunning southern sky and in the shade of the surrounding native bush land. The resorts bars and restaurants, convenience stores and petrol station are available to camp ground guests. Check In for the campground is at Kings Canyon Resort reception 100m south of the campground.
Date: 22/08/2024 Thursday
Type: Caravan Park
Cost: Powered $85 night / Unpowered $65 night (as of 02.08.2024)
Location: Luritja Rd, Petermann 0872, Northern Territory
GPS: -24.250331°, 131.511170°
10. Yulara Overflow – Uluru
Yulara Overflow offers a convenient location within Ayers Rock Resort. It gives you access to local amenities and attractions. It is only open when Ayers Rock Campground is full. Located in Yulara this campground is close to the visitor centre and cultural centre of Ayers Rock Resort.
- Facilities: Showers, toilets, camp kitchen, swimming pool.
- Accommodation Options: Powered and unpowered sites.
Date: 24/08/2024 Saturday
Type: Caravan Park Overflow
Cost: Unpowered $60* as at June 2024 (varies according to season)
Location: Yulara, Northern Territory
GPS: -25.233358°, 130.989135°
In The Caravan Park At Uluru Ayers Rock Campground Yulara
11. Docker River Camping – Docker River Great Central Road
Here we go our Great Central Road itinerary is really getting underway now!
- This unpaid campground no longer offers toilets or showers.
- It is dog friendly.
- It is accessible to RVs, camper trailers, caravans and big rigs.
- Local community (shop and diesel) closed to other than residents.
- Camping in tents is allowed.
- Telstra reception
NOTE: store/fuel at Docker River NOT OPEN SUNDAYS
Date: 27/08/2024 Tuesday
Type: Bush Camping
Cost: Free
Location: Tjukaruru Rd, Docker River, Northern Territory
GPS: -24.865080°, 129.061564°
12. Yarla Kutjarra Camping – Between Warakurna and Warburton Great Central Road
This is a free campground. It is accessible to motorbikes, RVs, camper trailers, caravans and big rigs. Camping in tents is allowed. It’s dog friendly. Telstra reception. Continuing right along with our Great Central Road itinerary!
Date: 28/08/2024 Wednesday
Type: Bush Camping
Cost: Free
Location: Great Central Rd, Between Warakurna and Warburton, Western Australia
GPS: -25.610328°, 127.223357°
Gravel Pit Pull Over South Kumminin WA
13. Desert Surf Central – Great Central Road
This is a free campground. It is accessible to motorbikes, RVs, camper trailers, caravans and big rigs. Camping in tents is allowed. Heaps of room for a few camps, good firewood around and caves to explore.
Date: 29/08/2024 Thursday
Type: Bush Camping
Cost: Free
Location: Great Central Road, Western Australia
GPS: -26.836652°, 125.658008°
14. Giles Breakaway – Laverton, Great Central Road
This is a free campground. It is accessible to RVs, camper trailers, caravans and big rigs. Camping in tents is allowed. This is the last night of our Great Central Road itinerary that has us camped on the GCR.
Date: 30/08/2024 Friday
Type: Bush Camping
Cost: Free
Location: Great Central Rd, Laverton, Western Australia
GPS: -28.279715°, 122.702441°
15. Gwalia Ghost Town – Gwalia
Visitors can explore over a dozen buildings in the Gwalia ghost town, including miners’ cottages, single men’s camps, Patroni’s Guest House and Mazza’s Store. Up on the hill in the Mine Precinct, there are the Mine Manager’s House (now Hoover House Bed & Breakfast), the Assay Office, the headframe and winder and many fascinating outdoor exhibits. Highlights include ‘Midland’, one of three steam engines that worked on the woodlines supplying the Sons of Gwalia mine with timber and fuel.
Visitors with RVs can enjoy the expansive view from the FREE RV site outside the Museum gates. Please register your vehicle at the Museum if you wish to stay overnight before 4pm. Visitors MUST have an approved, sealed grey water container.
Please note: This is an RV site only. NO camping. NO non-compliant vehicles.
Date: 31/08/2024 Saturday
Type: Donation Camping
Cost: Donation
Location: Tower Street, Gwalia, Leonora, Western Australia
GPS: -28.914482°, 121.332676°
Phone: 0419 958 199
Email: museum@gwalia.org.au
Web: https://www.gwalia.org.au/
16. Discovery Parks Boulder – Kalgoorlie WA
This paid caravan park offers toilets, showers, drinking water, swimming, a dump point and power hookups. It is dog friendly. It is accessible to limited RVs, camper trailers, caravans, big rigs, dongas and cheap accommodation for FIFO workers. Camping in tents is allowed.
Date: 01/09/2024 Sunday
Type: Caravan Park
Cost: Cost: Powered $55 night / Unpowered $45 night (as of 02.08.2024)
Location: 201 Lane St, South Boulder, Western Australia
GPS: -30.791614°, 121.488597°
Phone: (08) 9093 7550
Email: boulder@discoveryparks.com.au
Web: https://www.discoveryholidayparks.com.au/caravan-parks/western-australia/lane-st-kalgoorlie-boulder-boulder
17. Discovery Parks Woodman Point – Perth
Less than 15 minutes from the charming port city of Fremantle, take a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life at Discovery Parks – Woodman Point (formerly Big4 Discovery Parks – Woodman Point). Boasting comfortable accommodation and outstanding park facilities, Discovery Parks – Woodman Point is the perfect oasis for those looking for a weekend getaway or a relaxing holiday for the whole family. Entertain the kids with our bouncing pillow, playground or swimming pool or head to Woodman Point Ammo Jetty for a day. Once you’ve explored the park, make sure to visit Fremantle, famous for its Victorian and Georgian era and bustling with cafés, restaurants and stunning historical landmarks.
Date: 03/09/2024 Tuesday
Type: Caravan Park
Cost: Cost: Powered $56 night / Unpowered $49 night (as of 02.08.2024)
Location: Cnr 132 Cockburn Rd & Magazine Ct, Munster, Western Australia
GPS: -32.129095°, 115.767230°
Phone: (08) 9434 1433
Email: woodman@discoveryparks.com.au
Web: http://discoveryholidayparks.com.au/caravan-parks/western-australia/cockburn-woodman-point
18. Gravel Pit Pull Over – South Kumminin WA
This is a free campground. It is accessible to motorbikes, RVs, camper trailers, caravans and big rigs. Camping in tents is allowed. It’s dog friendly. Telstra reception.
Date: 07/09/2024 Saturday
Type: Gravel Pit
Cost: Free
Location: Hyden-Mount Walker Road, South Kumminin, Western Australia
GPS: -32.278422°, 118.815716°
19. Dundas Lake West Side – Dundas WA
Free bush camping on the west side of Lake Dundas. 4WD is required to access this site. Reasonable track in but boggy in winter. Enjoy salt lake views.
There are no facilities at this site. Campers need to be self-sufficient. Take all rubbish with you and leave no trace.
Date: 08/09/2024 Sunday
Type: Bush Camping
Cost: Free
Location: Unnamed Rd, Dundas 6443, Western Australia
GPS: -32.347871°, 121.816622°
Great Central Road Itinerary Caiguna East Bush Camp Cocklebiddy WA
20. Caiguna East Bush Camp – Cocklebiddy WA
Unofficial bush camp.
Date: 09/09/2024 Monday
Type: Bush Camping
Cost: Free
Location: Eyre Highway, Cocklebiddy, Western Australia
GPS: -32.249542°, 125.542926°
21. Seaweeds Camp – Eucla WA
This free campground offers swimming. It is dog friendly. It is accessible to RVs, camper trailers and off road caravans. The road has some sandy points DO NOT ATTEMPT to go to the site if it looks like rain, or has rained. The track in can be impassable if it rains & damages the track for the next traveller & locals.
Date: 10/09/2024 Tuesday
Type: Bush Camping
Cost: Free
Location: Eyre Hwy, Eucla, Western Australia
GPS: -31.734712°, 128.852117°
22. Koonalda Homestead Nullabor National Park
Located in the Nullarbor National Park Wilderness Protection Area, Koonalda offers unpowered camping with toilets near the homestead. The homestead is 16km off the Eyre Highway via unsealed road. Camping fees apply and sites must be booked prior to arrival. Collection of firewood within National Parks is prohibited. Dogs are not permitted in this park. There is no mobile phone coverage in the park except in the immediate vicinity of the Head of Bight Visitors Centre and adjacent to roadhouses.
Date: 11/09/2024 Wednesday
Type: National Park
Cost: $14 Per Night
Location: Old Eyre Hwy, Border Village, South Australia
GPS: -31.456249°, 129.858574°
Phone: (08) 8625 3144
Email: DEWEPOnlineBookings@sa.gov.au
Web: https://www.parks.sa.gov.au/parks/nullarbor-national-park/booking/85981
23. 133 Marker 1.5km West Of Bunda 2 – Bunda Cliffs SA
Unofficial bush camp.
Date: 13/09/2024 Friday
Type: Bush Camping
Cost: Free
Location: Bunda Cliffs SA
GPS: -31.583886°, 130.372631°
24. Wudinna Wattle Grove Rock Campground – Wudinna SA
Facilities include a flushing toilet, donkey shower and rubbish bins. There are designated areas for open fires (in season and weather permitting only). Camping is available by donation, with self registration upon arrival. There is a maximum stay of 3 nights. Well behaved pets are permitted. No need to book, on arrival you will see a self registration box with all the information you will need for your stay. It says donation here but based on fees it SHOULD SAY $20/nt. That is not donation.
Date: 14/09/2024 Saturday
Type: Donation Campground
Cost: Donation
Location: Wudinna, South Australia
GPS: -32.972144°, 135.546574°
25. Worlds End Reserve At Burra Gorge – Burra SA
Free camping beside the Burra Creek on the Heysen Trail, Scenic spot with level sites, some shade available. Facilities include drop toilets, picnic tables, rubbish bins and fire pits (BYO firewood). Fire ban applies from 15 November. There is no phone reception at this site. Pets are permitted.
Date: 16/09/2024 Monday
Type: Free Camping
Cost: Free
Location: Worlds End Gorge Rd, Burra, South Australia
GPS: -33.831244°, 139.044117°
Great Central Road Itinerary Wudinna Wattle Grove Rock Campgound
26. Free Camping Near Robinvale On The Murray River
Free camping near Robinvale at Happy Valley Landing on the Murray River. It’s a nice, quiet secluded spot. I found it on WikiCamps not that far from Robinvale VIC. I’m not going to tell you the name of it or exactly where it is suffice to say it’s on WikiCamps. You can look it up for yourself.
It’s such an awesomely great spot that I’m not going to plaster it’s precise location all over the interwebs. Otherwise the nice quiet secluded spot could be overrun with people. Running generators 24/7 and blasting about on their quad bikes scaring the sheep. Send me an email if you are interested and I will give you the exact location.
Date: 18/09/2024 Wednesday
Type: Free Camping
Cost: Free
Location: Near Robinvale
27. Pinkers Beach Carrathool – Carrathool NSw
This free campground offers toilets, drinking water and swimming. It is dog friendly. It is accessible to RVs, camper trailers and caravans. Camping in tents is allowed. You must be fully self-contained.
Date: 20/09/2024 Friday
Type: Free Camping
Cost: Free
Location: Carrathool, New South Wales
GPS: -34.438393°, 145.428665°
