Talawana Track is a rough and often corrugated drive in the center of Western Australia. This track is extremely remote.
The main portion of the track was constructed in 1963 by Len Beadell and the Gunbarrel Road Construction Party. This development was integral to establishing a network of connecting roads intended to support the operations of the Woomera rocket range in South Australia.
This track is one of the most spectacular desert experiences. It is 596 km (370 mi) long, running from Windy Corner on the Gary Highway to Newman.
The road is totally unsealed and has severe corrugations, washouts, soft sand, salt pans, and sometimes mud. To prevent road surface damage, weight restrictions apply, and the track is in poor condition with average speeds of 20 - 30 kilometers per hour. The drive is shocking as corrugations make any speed uncomfortable. These corrugations must be the result of sustained travel by the trucks. It is often closed after rains.
This isolated desert track is extremely remote and needs to be driven with extreme caution. You will need to be self-reliant, and traveling alone is not recommended. Supplies are very limited, and facilities along the track are nil. By any standard, this is a long and tough haul through very remote territory. Its isolation requires travelers to be totally self-sufficient with water, food, and fuel.