Outback Way

Outback Way is a 2,700 kilometre iconic route from Laverton in WA to Winton in QLD via Alice Springs – often referred to as ‘Australia’s Longest Shortcut’.

Over 1,400 km of the route remains ‘unsealed’, including 736 km of Great Central Road which forms the WA section of the route. Sealing is planned to be completed in stages through to 2032.

The first Work Package, a 40 kilometre section east of Laverton, was completed under an Alliance Contract between Main Roads, CareyMC and Central Earthmoving Company in September 2021. Named the Wongutha Way Alliance (WWA) (’Wongutha’ means the broad group of local Aboriginal people that reside in the area), the objective is to maximise Aboriginal employment and business opportunities to help benefit local communities.

Upgrade and seal more the Great Central Road between Laverton and the WA/NT border.

The scope of work includes:

• Construction and sealing of the road to a 10-metre wide on a 10-metre formation including parking bays and rest areas
• Floodway and off-road drainage construction
• Installation of culverts
• Installation of all signs, pavement markings

Main Roads is committed to ensuring Aboriginal participation opportunities, both in terms of employment of Aboriginal people and procurement from Aboriginal businesses, continue throughout the delivery of the project.

Training Opportunities

The WWA delivered a construction training program to 20 local Aboriginal people in road construction and plant operation. On-the-job training was coupled with theory classes in Laverton as participants worked towards completion of a Certificate III in Construction.

 Project Updates

• Project Update - June 2021 - PDF (2.25 MB)
• Project Update - October 2020 - PDF (3.58 MB)

 Media Statements

• Sealing progresses on Great Central Road in Western Australian Outback - 31 July 2020 

 Video

• YouTube: What Outback Way means to the community

 Funding

 Wongutha Way Journey

Our logo was designed by local Wongutha artist, Noni Bonney. It is the story of the journey of the project.

The lines represent the road and the tracks of the people who are engaged with and for the project along the way.

The road connects each community as it passes through. Meetings take place with all stakeholders where they yarn to plan the works then celebrate as they move forward on the journey to the next destination.

The shape of the lines and locations of the communities is the map of the journey.