Course IntroductionA 3,000km adventure across the Australia Continent!

Control Stops No.01

Katherine

Katherine is 300km from the start.Teams will still be relatively close together as seen by the fact that Katherine Control is only open for one day.
Teams must arrive by the end of day one - even if that have to carry thier car on their trailer. A teams inability to complete this first sector in the given time will mean that they will no longer be considered in a competitive class but may continue in the Adventure Class.

Katherine is within the tropical foreast region. Vegitation grows very fast and everything is green.
"Historic pioneering township" "Nitmiluk National Park, home to the spectacular Katherine Gorge and other dramatic escarpment and waterfall landscapes."

Control Stops No.02

Daly Waters

Daly Waters is the second control and the long stretches of savanna country will challenge those who are starting to weaken! The strong teams will enjoy the long open roads with very little traffic.

A true 'Australian Outback' town, with a strong history with the indigenous population and the 'Dreamtime' legends.
"A tiny hamlet built around the Territory's oldest pub."

Control Stops No.03

Tennant Creek

Tennat Creek is the palace to stock up on those dwindling supplies!

Tennant Creek is the captial of the Barkly Region. Cattle country and a busy regional outback town. A major crossroad for northern Australian road traffic "gold rush history" with "heritage sites and fossicking and panning for gold."

Control Stops No.04

Barrow Creek

Half way between Tennant Creek and Alice Springs, the last control stop before Alice Springs. The closest to the geographical centre of Australia.

"Hard Country" - the landscape is on gibber rock (loose shale) which makes it impossible to dig and very difficult to cultivate. Pretty much the only thing that grows is spinifex grass. It is a very low rainfall area and the groundwater is of poor quality. A tiny town with a rich history from the hardships experienced by the first European explorers and settlers.
Barrow Creek was named by Stuart, and chosen by Todd for a telegraph repeater station. The area was developed in the 1940's wartime as a staging post as it was the first overnight camp north of Alice Springs.

Control Stops No.05

Alice Springs

Alice Springs is the half-way point. Largest town along the race route,with plenty of opportunities to stock up on supplies, pick up spare parts, and replace broken tools, the Event has always had a stop here. The premium sports venue Treager Oval, is used as the venue.

Alice Springs, is named after the wife of Charles Todd, the telegraph engineer who built the original repeater station. The spring can still be found at the base of the cliff on the east of the highway just north of the current town centre.
"Alice Springs sits between the capital cities of Darwin and Adelaide" "about 16 hours from Alice Springs to either city" "Surrounded by red dirt and hauntingly beautiful mountain ranges you'll find Alice Springs, a city of arts and events. Alice Springs – known to locals as simply "Alice" – is the beating heart of Australia's Red Centre. It's a great base for exploring the natural wonders of the Northern Territory's outback, including Uluru, Kata Tjuta, Kings Canyon, the West MacDonnell Ranges and their iconic Larapinta Trail, the red sands of the Simpson Desert and the haunting sight of the Devils Marbles. It's also a fascinating spot to explore Australia's Aboriginal culture." Enjoy "Aussie bush feast, where the menu includes emu, crocodile, camel, barramundi, beef and kangaroo."
"The world's largest open air classroom and the outback medical service of flying doctors. Climb to the top of Anzac Hill for expansive views over the town. Then explore the plants, animals and habitats of the Central Australian Desert in the Alice Springs Desert Park. If you’re feeling adventurous, race through red dunes on a quad bike or on the back of a Harley. Learn about Aboriginal art in one of the many galleries and art centres."

Control Stops No.06

Kulgera

Over half way but still a long way to go! When teams cross the border the clocks change by one hour, but the event time remains the same. To avoid confusion, both "local" time and "event" times are published.

Severe conditions throughout the race.
Teams must accomplish their journey through various severe conditions.
Heat and dust during the day, decrease in temperature after the sunset.
The critical hazards of wild animals might also be a crisis to teams.
Teams may come across livestock as well as Australian native animals along the way.

Control Stops No.07

Coober Pedy

Coober Pedy has always been an interesting town, but it was after the development of the sports oval that a control stop could be staged.

The town is much tamer than it was even 20 years ago.
9 hour drive from Adelaide. "An underground town in the Outback desert, Coober Pedy is one of Australia's most unusual places." "Quirky opal mining town" "locals from across the world live and play underground to escape the searing heat. Visit the underground homes, churches, shops and hotels. Above ground, you can see a grassless golf course, an opal mine, opal fields and an opal cutting demonstration."
"Lunar-like landscape, which has been the backdrop for many movies, including Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and Red Planet." "Coober Pedy is also known as the Opal Capital of the World, and there are plenty of opportunities to purchase the pretty gemstones – or even find your own."

Control Stops No.08

Glendambo

Sheep and cattle country with wide roads. As teams descend from the Central Australian Plateau, there is the chance for sole long downhill runs, however, they must watch out for the speed limit!

Control Stops No.09

Port Augusta

End of the desert crossing and entering the busier real world. The mail highway carries east-west traffic as well as those headed north! No time to be complacent. If you get here late, you will be required to trailer to Adelaide!

Location to sample fresh South Australian seafood caught in the Gulf.
"The gateway to the rugged Flinders Ranges and South Australian outback", "the hills that once marked the territory of the Nakuma Aboriginal tribe."