Exploring Len Beadell's Tracks Tour (21 days)
Len Beadell was one of Australia’s last great explorers and road builders. Commissioned to build roads in the 1950’s and 60’s across the vast deserts of South Australia and Western Australia, his work with his Gunbarrel Road Construction Party became legendary in the 4wd travel world.
His highways are mostly now just scratches in the sand of these remote deserts, but they provide a true pioneering spirit for those well prepared to explore them.
Commencing from Port Augusta & concluding at Uluru, this tour will cover a large part of Len’s outback road network including the Connie Sue Highway, the Heather Highway, the Gunbarrel Highway, the Gary Highway, the Talawana Track, a section of the Canning Stock Route, the Telfer Road, the Gary Junction Highway and the Sandy Blight Junction Road. We will also visit Forrest on the Trans Continental Railway, cross the vast Nullarbor Plain and camp overnight in Rudall River National Park in far western WA. This is an epic trip and well-prepared vehicles and not suitable for trailers.
One of our lovely regular travellers Sherry has penned a great pre review for this tour, see below:-
Len Beadell was an extraordinary man. In 1958 he was awarded the British Empire Medal for his work in building the Gunbarrel Highway across Central Australia. In 1987 he was made a Fellow of the Institute of Engineering and Mining Surveyors (Aust.) and the following year was awarded the Medal of Order of Australia. He wrote 8 books, 5 of which I have been able to read so far. As well as being a surveyor he was a bush mechanic, barber and dentist not to mention his excellent ability to draw caricatures and cartoons of people and events in the outback. It all started when he was a young man and asked to help survey to start a rocket range in SA. With his theodolite, he used the stars to establish trig points and start mapping one of the most isolated areas of Australia. His work continued on to being asked to select a suitable site for the initial atomic testing at Emu claypan and following that the site for Maralinga. His road making assisted in giving access through the desert areas which enabled further geodetic surveying of these isolated areas to be conducted by the Division of National Mapping.
I have travelled some of the Anne Beadell highway and the survey marks left by the Division of National Mapping can be readily located beside the track. Points of interest such as Vokes Hill (high point in the area) and the wreckage of a small plane are there to be seen. Not to mention the camels which will run ahead of you and not want to get off the track. This as a beautiful desert area with some nice camp spots available.
I am looking forward to following the Anne Beadell from Coober Pedy as it runs through the Emu claypan, near the historic site of the very early bomb test. Travelling north on the Connie Sue highway to Warburton brings you to a good place to camp. When Len did the recce for the Connie Sue, he had his wife and baby daughter with him, hence the name of the highway.
I am keen to get to the Gunbarrel Highway. The section we are able to traverse is just a part of the original highway. The other section of it is now within designated aboriginal land. Another interesting section will be the Talawana Track. When Len was doing this recce he came across and communicated with an aboriginal tribe who he believed had never seen a white person before. This would have been in the early 1960’s. Difficult to realize time has moved so quickly. I think this meeting probably occurred out towards the spectacular Rudall River area where Desert Queen Baths presents a beautiful string of waterholes spreading up the gorge.
Before we get to Rudall River National Park, I must make mention of Georgia bore. We camped here doing the Canning last year. Beautiful clear bore water. Travelling north from Desert Queen I am very keen to see Carawine Gorge with its big waterhole and red cliffs. Saw this on Pat Callahan’s show recently and it looked spectacular. Travelling beck across the Canning we will be calling into Kunawarritji for fuel. The store here was quite surprising as last year, I was able to obtain bread and a fresh fruit snack. This looks to be a great itinerary full of interest with some fabulous scenery.
Sherry Koina - Great Divide client for numerous trips.
Email info@4wd.net.au for a full itinerary and vehicle specification sheet.
Basic Requirements For This Tour
The 4WD
Suitable to 4WDrives with high and low range. Definitely No Trailers
Your 4WD should have recovery points located at the front and rear
All Terrain or Mud Terrain tyres with at least 50% of their original tread depth in LT or Light Truck construction, not Passenger (P) tyres
We recommend heavy duty springs and shock absorbers and a cargo barrier
This tour is not suitable for trailers
A full requirement list will be emailed upon application
A vehicle pre trip check prior to departure is essential
Fuel
You must be able to carry the following total capacity.
4 & 5 cylinder diesel engines 200 litres
6 & 8 cylinder diesel engines 240 litres
This tour is not suitable for petrol engines
Spares/equipment
A UHF radio – we can hire you a radio
Carry a snatch strap, rated shackles, bridle & recovery dampeners (see our shop if you need recovery equipment)
Spare fan belts, fuel filter, radiator hoses and clamps, air filter, oils and brake fluid, 1 extra spare tyre
Assorted fuses of 10amp, 15 amp and 20 amp to suit the vehicle plus spare fuses for UHF radio and fridge
Driver experience
Prior experience not necessary as we will assist you as we go or you might consider attending our driver training course. - Do you require Driver Training?
Food
This is a self catered tour, bring your own food and drink requirements, we supply a gas BBQ for your use in camp.
You need to be totally self sufficient for 25 days including 5 days of emergency food supplies
Each vehicle must carry 80 litres of water.
Camping gear
You need to supply your own camping gear, this is a camping tour there is no accommodation option. Carry warm clothing at all times.
Facilities
There will be very limited shower & toilet facilities on this tour.
More info – will be sent to you once you register with your deposit
Refund Policy
Great Divide Tours reserves the right to cancel or alter any tour or course at any time. Great Divide Tours will determine if any refund is due if this action occurs.
Deposits are non-refundable. If your booking can be reallocated to another participant, then the deposit can be transferred to another tour of your choice which must be taken within 18 months of the original booked tour. The full tour fee is payable 6 weeks prior to the tour and is not refundable after this time.
However, if you are unable to join us for reasons related to Covid, or we are unable to proceed with the tour due to Covid related restrictions, we will provide a full refund of your payment.
We strongly recommend that you take out your own travel insurance in case of your own ill health or other unforeseen circumstances which prevents you from completing your tour with Great Divide Tours.
