Laverton Hall of Fame
Just outside of Laverton is the junction with the White Cliffs Yamarna Road with access to Coober Pedy and the South Australian border.The Outback Way adventure begins or ends at the Laverton Hall of Fame discovery and visitor centre and should NOT be missed. Pick up a few maps, brochures and have a cup of excellent coffee before you embark on the Great Beyond.
Deba Gnamma hole
Located about 38km from Laverton in the Adam Ranges just north of the highway.This is one of many water holes along the Outback Way that provided life-sustaining water to Aboriginals, early explorers and wildlife. It is in a rugged laterite rocky landscape – beautiful, but a bit hard on bare feet. Be careful and wear sturdy shoes when exploring this landscape.
Desert Central Breakaway
About half a kilometre to the east of the Jindalee junction, on the south side, is an unmarked spur track that provides access to Jindalee (Giles) Breakaway. This extraordinary breakaway landscape is stunning, but beware of undercut cliffs and rough jagged rocks near the lookout point. Use extreme caution here – stay well back from the cliff edge.About 52 km from Laverton, you will cross a cattle grid – notable only as a point of reference and because it is the first grid westbound and last eastbound for many hundreds of kilometres. Watch for cattle on the road on both sides of the grid!A Shire lay-by is located 55k from Laverton on the south side. There are no facilities, but there are a couple of nice shady desert gums. This is a good spot for a travel break, a cuppa and a little squiz around the Great Victoria Desert.Information on interpretive panel picture about Desert Central Breakaway, nearer to Warburton, explains the rock formation.
Cosmo Newbury & The Pines
The Lake Wells Road just west of Cosmo Newberry (85km NE Laverton)-heads north to De La Poer Nature Reserve and Prenti Downs Station, 110km.There are a number of places to stop and explore on this route. Keep your eyes pealed!Murrays Bore, mill and tank is about 101km from Laverton on the south side of road. Slow down, stop and have a look for eagles, emus, kangaroos, cattle and species of birds that come to have a drink. You might see an example of the natural foodchain in action here – life and death. Please don’t interfere with the function of the mill and beware of animals on the highway - both domestic and native.A Shire designated parking bay is located on the south side of road in a shady grove of trees at 111km from Laverton. It is a wonderful place to enjoy a short walk into the mulga landscape.The Pines is the perfect place to stop, have a picnic and enjoy the shady grove created by a ‘forest’ of Black Oaks. In fact the trees are part of the genus, Casuarina, and aren’t pines at all. The site is suited to short or overnight stays, as it is expansive, flat and has stable gravelly soils. There are no signs on the highway so keep alert for the tree grove on the south side of the Outback Way, about 9km east of the Shire rest bay and 30km west of the Yamarna Road junction.Two roads, about 7km apart, provide access to the Cosmo Newbury Aboriginal Community. The Cosmo Road is on the west side of the community, while the eastern entry track is unnamed. Visitors are welcome and a small shop has basic supplies and fuel. The shop is open Monday to Friday 10-12noon and 3-5pm and on Saturday from 10-12noon.Another Shire ‘oasis’ rest area with shady bays for picnics and camping is located about 195km from Laverton and 30k west of White Cross under shady Eucalypts. There are no facilities, but the mulga woodland is worth exploring and the Desert Gums provide welcome shade from the desert sun.Eurothurra Rockhole, 400m to the north, is located about 210km from Laverton and 15km west of White Cross. The junction is not signed. A superb breakaway ridge offers great views across a spectacular broad mulga savannah landscape. A rock cairn marks the rockhole but it is not permanent and may be seasonally dry. This very attractive site is known locally as Egg Carton Hill. The mulga woodland has bush camp potential. Of special note are a couple of nice metal ‘Holden and Ford’ sculptures on the way in.Two kilometres east of the Eurothurra Rockhole junction, a dirt track leads to an abandoned mine and quarry on the south side. This large disturbed area is located in a mulga woodland where camping occurs. While there are no particular attractions, it could provide a welcome shady rest area and a nice place to stretch the legs.
White Cross
About 78km west of Tjukayirla and 225km east of LavertonWhite Cross is one of the more intriguing attractions along the Outback Way. It is located in a splendid small gorge landscape with a rocky uplifted range, caves and seasonal waterhole. Rev Ron Williams, Geoffrey Stokes and local area Aboriginal Christians erected the cross in January 1991. This site is well worth exploring for its historical, geologic and ecologic interest and for the view.Around 500m east of the White Cross junction, on the south side, is a minor track into a glorious Savannah valley. A the ridge offers an intimate look at a stunning breakaway landscape with extraordinary botanical diversity. The tracks are sandy, narrow and overgrown in sections. This is a good place for amateur botanists and zoologists to explore. Look for bush tucker here, but don’t eat unless you are certain that it is safe!For various other off the track places refer to the HEMA guide book.
Tjukayirla Roadhouse
Tjukayirla Roadhouse is a welcome reststop. The Roadhouse was established in July, 1994 and is owned by the nearby Community. The name comes from the ‘Tugaila’ rock holes. You will certainly enjoy a break here. The Blackstone Aboriginal Community are your hosts.The roadhouse is a friendly place noted for its historical information and well presented facilities. The choice of accommodation options include camp sites; campers kitchen; toilet/ablution block; picnic sites; rooms, units and powered sites. Basic supplies such as ice, fuel, ice cream and light meals are provided. Check out the historical ‘wallpaper’ in the roadhouse and the local walk trail to a nearby waterhole. Inquire also at the roadhouse about guided tours to a nearby cave/art sites.
