ACROSS AUSTRALIA
Steep Point to Cape Byron

Australia’s Westernmost Point to Australia’s Easternmost Point

EXPEDITION PLAN

A three-vehicle, 6300 km 4WD journey across the breadth of Australia, from Steep Point in Western Australia to Cape Byron in NSW, from 5-21 June 2027.

1. Executive Summary

Across Australia is a multi-vehicle 4WD Expedition between Australia’s westernmost and easternmost mainland points. The route covers ~6300 kilometres across Western Australia, the Northern Territory, South Australia, Queensland, and New South Wales.

The Expedition team comprises four participants travelling in a Suzuki Vitara modified trayback, and two Suzuki Jimny Wagons.

The human-interest angle of a mature-age team undertaking one of Australia’s great geographic traverses in small, ageing vehicles is considerable, proving that adventure is not the exclusive domain of the young.

The key challenge in this undertaking is to keep the vehicles roadworthy for a sustained period in difficult conditions. Foremost in this challenge is tyre damage, dirty fuel, wild animals, suspension failure, and overheating.

The date of the Expedition is 5-21 June 2027. It has been scheduled to coincide with Australia’s biggest off road event, the Finke Desert Race.

The estimated cost of the trip is about $20,000. Food is not included in this costing as it is considered an every day cost regardless of location/activity.

The Key Risks in undertaking this venture are the age of the vehicles, the age of the participants, the remoteness, and the duration, distance and time constraints of the trip.

Terminology – the section from Steep Point to Cape Byron is termed the Expedition. The entire journey from Perth to Steep Point to Cape Byron to Perth is referred to as the Road Trip.

Three independently equipped 4WD vehicles carrying satellite communications, PLBs, comprehensive recovery equipment, first aid capability, and sufficient fuel and water reserves to operate independently in remote areas for up to 72 hours and crewed by competent personnel provide the Expedition with a great chance to succeed in the cross continent challenge.

Success would be seen as completion of the traverse of Australia from Steep Point to Cape Byron while maintaining participant safety, and vehicle serviceability, all within budget.

2. Overview

2.1 The Start Point at Steep Point

Steep Point, within the Shark Bay World Heritage Area, is Australia’s westernmost mainland point. It is the departure point for this Expedition for a number of practical reasons:

Short run to the start point through familiar country.
Travelling west to east means the team drives into the morning sun on early legs, not the setting sun on afternoon runs — a safety and comfort advantage on long daily drives.
The ~1100 Simpson Desert dunes have a gentle western slope and a steep eastern face. Travelling west to east provides an easier windward climb that is far more manageable than the reverse.
The return route to Perth from Byron Bay passes through a greater concentration of locations through which participants are unlikely to have travelled. There is more time to see these POIs (if desired) that would not be available on a time sensitive schedule to get to the Start if the reverse direction was selected.

Steep Point is accessible by 4WD only.

Full tanks at Overlander are sufficient for the Overlander-Steep Point-Overlander round trip (370 km).

2.2 The Expedition Route

The Expedition Route from Steep Point to Cape Byron is divided into 24 Legs covering a distance of ~6300 kilometres. Generally, the end of each Leg coincides with fuel availability and/or an important POI.

More detailed information about each Leg.

2.3 The Finish Point — Cape Byron

Cape Byron, near Byron Bay on the New South Wales north coast, is Australia’s easternmost mainland point. The cape is marked by the Cape Byron Lighthouse (1901) and sits within Cape Byron Marine Park and the Cape Byron Headland Reserve. Vehicle access to the lighthouse area is available.

3. Route and Itinerary

3.1 Overview

The Road Trip is scheduled to depart early June 2027, timed to coincide with the Finke Desert Race (FDR) in Alice Springs.

Date	Event / Milestone
2 June 2027	Depart Perth.
4 June 2027	Arrive Steep Point — layday.
5 June 2027	Depart Steep Point.
5 – 11 June	Legs 1–11: Steep Point to Alice Springs.
Friday 11 June	Finke Desert Race Scrutineering.(Friday night)
Saturday 12 June	Depart for Hermannsburg Tour.
Sunday 13 June	Hermannsburg Tour.
Monday 14 June	Spectate/camp at 30 km Viewpoint on the return leg of FDR.
15-21 June	Legs 13-24: Finke to Cape Byron – formal completion documentation.
22 June	Layday in Cape Byron before commencing Liaison to Perth.
23 June	Continue with Road Trip Option A – southern route to Perth or Option B – northern route via Gibb River Road to Perth.

3.2 Liaison Pre Start

Depart Perth and stop overnight at Nerren Nerren.

The convoy moves north, refuels at Overlander Roadhouse and continues to Shelter Bay. Camping accommodation is available at Shelter Bay, seven kilometres distant from Steep Point, and while difficult to secure it is not impossible – particularly 12 months out. The Team will spend two nights/one day at Shelter Bay in prep for the start.

3.3 To Alice Springs

The biggest challenge of the Expedition is remoteness and the first example of this is at the Start Point. Providing the three vehicles leave Shelter Bay by 0730 there should be sufficient time to reach Murchison Oasis in daylight on Day 1. The distance travelled on the first day following this strategy would be 374 kilometres.

This means that refuelling at Murchison Roadhouse (very slow) does not eat into the schedule as it would if we were to camp somewhere on Butchers Track (before Murchison) and have to refuel during the early morning at the Roadhouse.

The biggest challenge in this part of the Expedition is the Gunbarrel Highway. The Expedition will drive this iconic outback track only to Heather Highway which leads to the Great Central Road. The ongoing sealing of this road (part of Australia’s longest shortcut) does not detract from it being a great outback drive.

3.4 At Alice Springs

Friday	Arrive Alice Springs. Finke Desert Race (FDR) Scrutineering at the race precinct. Accommodation: Caravan park in Alice Springs.
Saturday	Depart for Glen Helen Gorge (132 km west on Namatjira Drive) via the Red Centre Way. Overnight at Glen Helen. Red Centre Way information.
Sunday	Overnight at Palm Valley camp.
Monday	Return to Alice Springs via Larapinta Drive. Arrive in time to spectate at the 30 km mark of the race course as competitors return from Finke (Apatula). Camp at this location. Resume Expedition on Tuesday morning from this location.

3.5 After Alice Springs

Camp at the 30Km Viewpoint (main spectator location) and next day drive to Dalhousie Springs to prep for the journey across the Simpson Desert. The time and distance figures show the desert crossing can be achieved in one day, however, an extra day is available if required.

After the desert trip head east to Haddon Corner and stay overnight at Innamincka. Drive south to Cameron Corner and on to Tibooburra. Then follow the Darling River from Bourke to Brewarrina, Walgett, Collarenebri, and Mungindi to Goondiwindi. A one day run to Cape Byron.

3.6 Liaison Post Finish

Option A – Southern Route ~4200 km.

Cape Byron – Tamworth – Broken Hill -Port Augusta – Ceduna – Norseman – Hyden – Perth

Option B – Northern Route via Gibb River Road ~7300 km.

Cape Byron – Toowoomba – Dalby – Roma – Barcaldine – Longreach – Winton – Mount Isa – Camooweal – Barkly Highway – Stuart Highway – Daly Waters – Larrimah – Mataranka – Katherine – Timber Creek – Kununurra – Gibb River Road – Derby – Broome – Hedland – Exmouth – Carnarvon – Geraldton – Perth

3.7 Permits

The course of the Expedition passes through numerous regions for which Permits and Passes are required.

4. Navigation

4.1 GPX Route Files

GPX files have been prepared for:

Route — full Expedition route with all legs
POIs — points of interest along the route
Fuel — all confirmed fuel stops
Hospital / Medical — nearest medical facilities by leg
Towns — all service centres along the route

4.2 Navigation Apps/Tools/Maps

ExplorOz	Primary MMS App. Laptop and iPad.
GaiaGPS	Secondary MMS App. Laptop and iPad – will be run simultaneously with EO.
iPad	ExplorOz App
Hema HX-2 GPS Navigator	Off-road navigator. Load GPX files via microSD card. Will be run simultaneously with EO.
Hema Explorer App	Secondary device. Download all offline maps for WA, NT, SA, and QLD before departure. No mobile in much of the route.
Google Maps / Waze	On phones.
Hema Australia Road Atlas	Have.
Digital maps	On laptop.
Paper maps	On board.
Download all offline maps, GPX files, and road condition information before leaving.

4.3 Track Condition Sources

ExplorOz — track conditions, road closures, and community notes
FB Group (e.g. Simpson Desert)

4.4 Live Tracking

Live tracking of the Road Trip via the ExplorOz Tracker app.

5. Participants

Name	Decision Making Roles	Notes
Kim Epton	Coordinator/Planning Navigation Media	Pre – Route Planning During – Navigation, Diary Post – Photo essay
Cliff Hills	Vehicle Preparation/Mechanic	Pre – Vehicle preparation, Tools During – Vehicle Maintenance Post
Greg Barndon	Campsites/Route Planning	Pre – Route Planning During – Campsites, Vehicle Maintenance Post
Rod Dally	Catering/Medical/Insurance	Pre – Catering, insurance, medical During – Cooking, Relief Driver Post

Emergency contacts
Identification documents

6. Vehicles

Vehicle 1	Suzuki Vitara, Series 1,1600 cc, inline, 4 cylinder, petrol	Kim Epton/Rod Dally	Ute
Vehicle 2	Suzuki Jimny, 1600 cc, inline, 4 cylinder, petrol, replacement engine.	Cliff Hills	1600
Vehicle 3	Suzuki Jimny, 1800 cc, inline, 4 cylinder, petrol	Greg Barndon	1800

6.1. Vehicle Preparation

Minimum preparation for all three vehicles:

All-terrain tyres with three-ply sidewalls
730 km fuel range at 11L/100 km
80L tank (700 km range)
Snatch strap, rated recovery point, MaxTrax, rated bow shackles/soft shackles
Dual-battery system with DC–DC charger and/or solar for camp power
Handheld UHF CB radios for inter-vehicle communication
Starlink in Nav vehicle and Sweep Vehicle
GME MT610G PLB
Spares Kit/Tool Kit/Tyre Repair Kit – CH to organise
Water storage: minimum twenty litres per vehicle beyond drinking supplies
2 x 20-litre jerry cans.

7. Refuelling

7.1 Fuel Requirement

The vehicles will be heavily laden. The surface on which they will be travelling is mostly unsealed.

The ‘base’ fuel usage is 11L/100 km.

It is posited that additional fuel will be required when driving these Legs:

Gunbarrel Highway +50%
Simpson Desert +90%

7.2 Calculations

Section		Distance Km	Burn Rate L/100km	Need Litres	Reserve
Liaison Pre Expedition
	To Start	910	11	100	40 L or 360 km each leg.
Expedition
	Legs 1 – 6	1269	11	140	40 L or 360 km each leg
	Leg 7	490	17	83	37 L or 218 km.
	Leg 8 – 16	1780	11	195	40 L or 360 km each leg.
	Leg 17	443	20	90	30 L or 150 km.
	Leg 18-24	2308	11	252	40 L or 360 km each leg.
	Total	6290
Liaison Post Expedition
	Option A	4200	11	462	40 L or 360 km each leg. Reserve not critical.
	Option B	7300	11	803	40 L or 360 km each leg. Reserve not critical.
TOTALS	Option A	910+6290+4200=11400		1314
	Option B	910+6290+7300=14500		1655

7.3 Fuel Locations

LOCATION	PHONE	PETROL	24hr	CASH/CARD
Overlander
Murchison
Cue
Meekatharra
Wiluna
Carnegie
Warburton
Warakurna
Docker River
Yulara
Curtin Springs
Erldunda
Alice Springs
Hermannsburg
Mount Dare
Birdsville
Innamincka
Tibooburra
Bourke
Brewarrina
Walgett
Goondiwindi
Cape Byron

Contact all refuel locations to determine availability, fuel type, and payment method

More detail in the Operations Plan.

8. Catering

8.1 Meals

Participants to prepare their own breakfast and lunch. Dinner will be prepared by Rod for everyone. Rationale is that Cliff will be working on vehicles, Greg will be preparing camp and assisting Cliff, Kim will be preparing the next day’s route/activities and working on the diary of the day’s activities just done. This strategy uses less water in washing up, requires fewer gas bottles to be transported, needs fewer gas stoves, and provides better, higher standard meals for all participants.

8.2 Cooking

Propane not butane. Storage of gas bottles outside vehicle cabin.

Only one x two burner gas stove and 2 x bottle needed. Greg and Cliff need supply only what they require for non-cooked breakfast (bowl and spoon) and non-cooked lunch. Hot water for coffee/tea in the morning, mid-morning, lunch, mid-afternoon will be provided by Rod.

8.3 Cooking Equipment

Group stove, windbreak, pans, pots, spatula, cutting board, paper towels, kitchen knives, washing up bowl, detergent, scourers.

Individual plates and cutlery.

9. Equipment

9.1 Group Equipment List

Communications equipment

Medical equipment

Navigation equipment

Tools and spares

Group power tools will be constrained to one brand (Ryobi). Need only one blower.

9.2 Individual Equipment List

Recovery equipment

Camping equipment

10. Pre-Expedition Checklists

Vehicle Preparation

Navigation

Communications

First Aid/Medical

Food and Water

Fuel

Recovery gear

Camping equipment

Personal gear

Documentation

Emergency contacts

11. Communications

Communications Priority

UHF Radio
Mobile Phone
Starlink
PLB

Method	Use
UHF	Routine convoy communications
Mobile	Normal communications where coverage exists
Starlink	Remote communications and emergency support
PLB	Immediate life-threatening emergency

11.1 UHF CB Radio

5 W UHF radio installed in each vehicle.
5 W handheld UHF radio in each vehicle.

11.2 Mobile Phone

Although connectivity is absent for much of the Route outside populated places, the use of mobile phones is still preferred method of communication after UHF radio.

11.3 Starlink

Starlink satellite internet is the communications platform that will be used for contact outside the Expedition when mobile coverage is not available in remote locations. Starlink provides broadband for content uploads, social media, weather and road condition research, voice and video calls, and emergency communications support. The Starlink Roam plan allows use while travelling.

11.4 Personal Locator Beacon

Fourth in the communication hierarchy is a GME MT610G PLB. The PLB is for if/when out of vehicle or if Starlink is inoperative for whatever reason.

Communication Procedures.

Radio check on departure.

Loss of visual contact with vehicle.

Stop.
UHF call.
Return to last known position.

12. Accommodation

Bush camping is the preferred option.
Caravan parks as available every two to three days.

Details of all Accommodations Options during Expedition.

13. Vehicle Recovery Plan

The knowledge, skills and expertise among the team is sufficient to overcome most mechanical issues.

Level 1 Minor roadside repair.

Level 2 Vehicle towed by expedition members to nearest settlement. This would generally only occur when parts or specialised equipment/tools are required and it is considered more efficient to move the vehicle to a workshop rather than attempt to effect repairs in the field.

Level 3 Catastrophic issues that prevent a vehicle continuing with the Expedition and requiring recovery present a logistical challenge that is exacerbated by the general remoteness of the area of operations. This has the potential to be very expensive. Vehicle abandonment is not an option unless completely destroyed (e.g. burnt out).

A Vehicle Recovery Plan has been devised to deal with vehicle mechanical/recovery issues.

The expedition is capable of self-recovery from most foreseeable incidents. Nevertheless, formal recovery procedures have been developed for circumstances should self-recovery be non-feasible. So although the Recovery Plan is graduated, it should need to be effected only in extreme circumstances.

Some possible recovery triggers are:

Engine failure.
Transmission failure.
Chassis damage.
Vehicle rollover.
Fire.

14. Media and Publicity

Platform	Proposed Use
Adventures.net.au	Primary long-form content hub. Photo essays per leg.
ExplorOz	Use the ExplorOz Tracker app for live Road Trip tracking and cross-platform audience engagement.
Facebook — Adventures 4×4 Touring, Camping and Boating	Primary social media community channel. Day-by-day updates and photos.
Instagram	Establish and build a presence. Photo-led daily content.

15. Finance and Funding

15.1 Budget Categories

Fuel
Accommodation
Food
Medical/Travel Insurance
Comms
Recovery
Contingency

15.2 Funding Strategy

Participants fund their own:

vehicle preparation costs.
fuel usage costs.
mechanical breakdown/repair costs
insurance costs

Group costs split equally among participants.

16. Daily Operating Procedures

Morning Routine

Vehicle inspection
Fuel check
Water check
Route briefing

Evening Routine

Vehicle inspection
Refuel before camp and where possible

More detailed Routines and Procedures are in Operations Plan.

17. Medical Plan

A detailed Medical Plan has been prepared.

Each vehicle will carry a first aid kit.
One trauma kit will be carried.
Participants are responsible for their own prescriptions medications.
Medical conditions that may affect the outcome of the Expedition are disclosed and managed.

Importantly, each participant will complete a first aid course /refresher in March prior to the Expedition.

Response to Injury

Minor injury
Treated by expedition members.

Injury beyond ability of Expedition members to treat
Patient transported to nearest medical facility.

Life-threatening injury
Activate PLB and satellite communications while first aid is administered.

Local Travel Insurance is available for participants under 75 years of age and needs further investigation.

18. Risk Register and Risk Management Plan

The entire Road Trip has been subject to a risk audit and a resultant Risk Register and Risk Management Plan has been formulated.

An example of some possible risks:

Risk	Likelihood	Consequence	Control
Tyre failure	High	Medium	Tyre repair kits, spare tyres
Fuel contamination	Medium	High	Fuel filtration
Vehicle rollover	Low	Extreme	Driver discipline
Medical emergency	Medium	Extreme	Medical plan, evacuation
Wildlife collision	Medium	High	Daylight driving
Heat illness	Medium	High	Hydration procedures

The Risk Register and Risk Management Plan will be updated before departure.

19. Go/No Go Criteria

Pre-Departure No-Go Criteria

Participant medically unfit/dies and cannot be replaces.
Critical permits not obtained.
Vehicle preparation incomplete.
Insufficient funding available.

Postponement is not an option as the departure date is scheduled to allow arrival in Alice Springs prior to the commencement of the Finke Desert Race.

Track closures are the most likely impediment and in these circumstances the Expedition will be re-routed.

The timeliness of Vehicle Preparedness and Permits may appear to be issues, however, 12 months lead time obviates this potential concern.

During Expedition

Expedition modified or halted if:

Two vehicles become non-operational.
Medical emergency occurs.
Route closure prevents progress.
Fuel availability becomes uncertain.

20. Operations Plan

The Operations Plan is how the Expedition will run. It drives all other actions and procedures.

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ACROSS AUSTRALIA Steep Point to Cape Byron