Hi Brian & Barb Three of us have just completed a return trip Perth - Ayres Rock - Perth last month... on Kawasaki's :shades: . We did the Gunbarrel heading east and the entire Great Central Road coming home. The GCR was in quite good condition, being excellent in some parts with grading happening west of Tjukarilya and east of Docker River. From previous trips I've done on the GCR (Prado + camper trailer), the road does detiorate somewhat (ie corrugations) with the increased tourist traffic over the winter period. That said, it still shouldn't present a problem for your Phoenix. As J & J said, camping is not officially permitted along most of the GCR though it seems to be tolerated and from my own observations most people do seem to discretely camp along the way. If you plan to have a Q.L.D. (quiet little drink) in the evening, make sure you are very, very discrete. Quite rightly, the communities are absolutely against alcohol in their lands. May I suggest empties are probably best disposed of at Yulara and not at fuel servo's on the GCR. I agree that Warburton has a good camp ground behind the fuel servo. Good luck with the trip. Shane W. (First post! I'll do an intro next post)