A. This sounds like a wonderful trip and some real adventure country once you get off the beaten track. As the Hay River
Track is not suitable for caravans, we have not been this way. I wish you a successful and enjoyable trip.
You will
need a $25 per person pass to visit the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park which covers three days. For links about this and
other regular passes, see Permits and Passes. The only other place I can see that you would need a permit is the Hay River track. The transit permit to travel through Atnetye Land on the Hay River Track. Details of permit application from Direct 4WD (not
cheap at $220 plus camping fees).
Only if your chosen route deviates to include going into the Simpson Desert in the South
Australian side of the border, you would also need a Desert Parks Pass. See Parks SA (currently $102).
In
general, any time you are transiting through Aboriginal Lands on Aboriginal business roads, or deviating from a public access road,
it pays to check if any local permits apply. Sometimes entering a settlement to purchase fuel or supplies is acceptable whereas
some communities require a permit to be obtained. Some areas and roads are closed to tourists. Enquire with the Aboriginal Lands
Council for that area, or the state Aboriginal Authority for that state.
Bear in mind that many Aboriginal communities
are dry communities; no alcohol allowed. However, in most cases for genuine travellers, having a small quantity of unopened
alcoholic beverages for your own use packed away whilst transiting is acceptable. See previous questions on this topicQ27 Far North Queensland and Q11 Central Australia. Being older questions and answers, some of the links given may no longer
work.
Binns track - Alice Springs to Plenty Highway
Plenty Highway to Jervois Station
Jervois Station to Birdsville via Hay River
Track
These photos of the Binns Track are from the East Macdonnell Range area, and not on the route planned which heads north fromArltunga where you may encounter narrow, stony or sandy sections of road, as we did on other parts of the Binns Track.