The dream shared by many of seeing Australia’s longest short cut – the 2,800-kilometre Outback Way – fully sealed, is one that is slowly (very slowly) being realised.
The route from Laverton in the northern WA Goldfields, through the Northern Territory, to Winton in Queensland is said to offer real hope for regional communities still coming to terms with the mining downturn.
The ABC reports that supporters want to see the remaining 1,700 kilometres of gravel road sealed as soon as possible … and tourism boosted.
Outback Highway Development Council general manager Helen Lewis said about $200 million had been committed to the project over the next three to five years.
“Currently we’ve got about 160 kilometres sealed,” Ms Lewis said.
The ABC Reports that the council is reportedly still in the process of spending $75 million of funding from 2014, after which there will be close to 270 kilometres sealed.
The chairman of the Outback Highway Development Council is Laverton Shire president, Patrick Hill. He says the potential long-term benefits are obvious
“When Western Mining pulled out, we went from about 2,000 people down to a couple of hundred people here at that time,” Mr Hill told the ABC. “So we were looking at all opportunities, and tourism was the best objective that we could see.”
Mining in the Laverton Shire is and will continue to be a big part of the local economy, but Cr Hill’s vision extends beyond his lifetime.
“Tourism, if it’s done properly, can get better every year, whereas your mining comes and goes with resources prices,” he said. “Mining is the icing on the cake. Tourism is what we’ve got to concentrate on, and that’s what we’re looking at.”
Unfortunately so many want to get there. in comfort.
Not the old way.
The physical,Travelling part and what you saw on the way
was the real bonus. Arriving was just. Arriving.
What’s next?
When I first came here we did the Nullabor, around 60% paved in those days.
Arriving in Pord Agudda. Was the Anticlimaxof dodging all those potholes
and roos and everything else that moved.
Great.
EVERYBODY had a RED car. Inside and out.
My Green EH was never the same again. nor was it’s suspension.
But we loved it.
Unfortunately. What people call adventure nowadays. Is not. really adventure.
just mainly the end of another bitumin road.
I hope they try to keep a couple “original”.
Just for nostalgia’s sake hey..
Since when has “Outback” been a bitumin road.
The sign says it all.
Says he, sadly crying into his beer in the background.
Chuckle.
Unfortunately our grandkids and theirs will NEVER see Australia when it WAS Australia.
I agree Mack,
I being a solo female went from Alice through to Lenore in 1990 with a little green Torano and never even had a flat tyre.
I loved the adventure, even sat in the ‘gold’ cave. Can’t remember how long the trip was.. The people at Warburton thought I was a bit strange traveling on my own.
Glad at least I got to do it!!
Helen
Yes girl.
I’ve been solo all my life. travelled round on bike. camper. sailed round and several vans.
Love the country (Australia) do NOT love what it’s becoming.
Bitumin tourist routes you can do with a push bike
Mind you those euro tourists you see pedalling round and up the Stuart.
at least THEY are adventurers. Actually DOING it. Physically.
That’s the reason webeen spending ourtime Overseas last 7 yrs or so.
It’s not an adventure anymore.
and after around 9 laps. everywhere getting a bit ho-hum.
Nothing new anymore.
I spend my time here. fishing dams. or Watching movies b4 they released in this country.
Retired in ’94. expected to be dead 20 yrs ago (bone cancer scare). still whinging.
Enjoy it girl till you get bored. as you will.
Too much same old. same old.
O’S does have a lot more varieties in there.
Last trip was Canada.US. Mexico. Peru. Santiago. and 10 days in North island (NZ) to wind down and fish b4 coming home.
People that say Aust has everything. Have never been anywhere
People that came from elsewhere. Know differently.
Have a great one kid.
Life is good. till it stops.
I love the way you townies all say we need some dirt roads to drive on but live in towns and cities with plenty of paved roads.
How about you swap the paved roads for the dirt and let the poor buggers who live out there with the rotten roads have the tar.