Big Red Dirt Adventures: Prepping Our 200 Series Land Cruiser and Design RV Stryker for the Uluru Run via the Plenty Highway

The countdown is on! In July 2025, we’ll be hitching up our Design RV Stryker, climbing into the trusty 200 Series LandCruiser, and pointing west from Coolum Beach towards the red heart of Australia—Uluru, then on to Kings Canyon and finishing at Palm Valley before heading home. But we’re not just taking the bitumen path. We’re going full outback, cutting through the wild heart of Queensland and the Northern Territory via the legendary Plenty Highway.

It's the kind of trip you don’t just dream about—you prepare for. So, here's a behind-the-scenes look at how we're getting ready for one of the most unforgettable road trips on the Aussie map.

The Rig: Our 200 Series Land Cruiser

The 200 Series we call "Thor" is a beast— purchased fit for purpose, it's exactly what you want when you're heading off-grid. Before we set off, we’re doing a full service and inspection:

• Suspension check & upgrades: The corrugations on the Plenty can shake your fillings loose. Thor came with heavy-duty shocks and beefed-up suspension, as well as a GVM upgrade.

• Fuel range: Thor also came with a long-range tank to ensure we’ve got enough juice between fuel stops (because on the Plenty, they’re few and far between).

• Tyres: All-terrain tyres, rated for outback conditions, with two full-size spares—non-negotiable.

• Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS): Installed the Icheck TPMS to keep an eye on tyre pressure in real time — critical for adjusting to changing conditions on the Plenty Highway.

• Digital Tyre Inflation System: Packed a high-quality digital air compressor and pump setup, making it quick and accurate to reinflate tyres after dropping pressures for rough tracks.

• OBD2 Reader – Car Scanner App: Connected an ELM327 adapter into your car's OBD-II port. This allows the Car Scanner OBD reader to monitor engine performance, scan error codes, and keep an eye on real-time vehicle diagnostics while remote.

• Essential Maintenance Tools: Included a comprehensive tyre repair kit and basic tools — vital for DIY fixes far from help.

• Comms & safety: Thor came with a UHF radio fitted, and we’ve paired it with the newly added Starlink Mini mounted on the roof rack (and can extend to our van) our lifeline for weather updates, emergency comms, and staying in touch when there's nothing but red dirt for hundreds of kilometres.

• Adventure Pump: Thor also came with a water tank underneath, but for refilling from rivers, tanks, or wherever we find water, especially needed for the van, we purchased the Adventure Pump, for flexible refueling and cleaning on the go.

• Solar Blanket: For added power flexibility, we’ve also got a solar blanket that’ll help top up the car’s battery system when we’re stationary for extended periods, reducing the load on the alternator and powering the fridge.

• Engel 60L Fridge: We’ve added an Engel 60L fridge/freezer to keep the essentials cold—frozen meat and pre-cooked meals, fresh food, drinks, and the odd treat. The Engel is the perfect size for the 200 Series and complements the full-size fridge/freezer in the van; it runs efficiently off both 12V and solar, so we can keep things cool without worrying about power.

• MSA Fridge Slide and Drop-Down Table: Fitted an MSA fridge slide with a drop-down table — makes accessing the fridge effortless and adds a convenient surface for quick meals or prep on the go.

Thor (200 Series) & Stellar (Design RV Stryker Van) - "Stelltor"

The Home Away from Home: Design RV Stryker Caravan

This caravan is built tough, and that’s exactly what you need for a track like the Plenty. Here’s how we’ve prepped the Stryker:

• Underbody protection: Checked and reinforced—stone protection is a must.

• Stone Stomper: We’ve installed this legendary bit of gear to protect the van and rear of the Cruiser from flying rocks and road debris. It’s a real game-changer for gravel roads like the Plenty.

• High-quality water tanks: Upgraded to durable, food-grade tanks for safe, reliable water storage—even in harsh desert temps. Combined with the Adventure Pump, we’ve got water flexibility covered.

• Solar setup: Upgraded the battery system and solar panels to keep us powered up for days off-grid.

• Dust management: Seals checked and upgraded. The red dust gets everywhere if you're not careful.

  
  

Planning & Logistics: Fuel, Water, Maps & Budgeting

Trips like this aren’t ones you wing. The Plenty Highway is remote and rugged—you need a plan.

🧭 Mapping the Trek

We’ve mapped the route in detail using a combo of ExploreOZ Traveller Maps & Navigation, offline GPS apps. Mobile service is patchy to non-existent after Boulia, so that's where the Starlink Mini Roam comes in to keep us online. Waypoints include:

• Fuel stops

• Rest areas and camp spots

• Emergency contacts

• Potential river crossings and station gates

⛽ Fuel Requirements & Economy

We’ve done a deep dive into our fuel economy towing the van—we average around 20–23L/100km fully loaded, depending on terrain and wind. With the Plenty Highway's rough conditions and no guarantee of fuel at every roadhouse, we’ve calculated:

• Total fuel for the off-grid stretch (Boulia to Alice via Plenty): ~750km

• With margin: we’re planning for at least 1,000km range

• Long-range tank + jerry cans = peace of mind

We’ll top up wherever we can, not just where we need to.

💧 Water Planning

With long stretches of no potable water, we’re carrying extra onboard. Between our upgraded high-quality tanks, portable containers, Stryker inbuilt water filtration system, and the Adventure Pump, we can carry enough water for:

• 5–7 days of off-grid living

• Drinking, cooking, washing

• We’ve also marked likely refill points (stations, roadhouses), but assume they may not be available

💰 Budgeting for Fuel & Water

Fuel isn’t cheap out bush. We’re budgeting $2.40–$3.00/L, depending on where we fill up. Water might cost a few dollars at some stops—or nothing at all—so we’re erring on the safe side. Estimated total fuel budget for the round trip:

• ~$1,800–$2,200, depending on road conditions, detours, and headwinds

• Add buffer for unexpected costs: punctures, maintenance, or the occasional wine/cold beer in Alice Springs!

🛣️ The Route: Coolum Beach to Uluru via the Plenty Highway

We’re breaking the journey into manageable stages and enjoying the ride as much as the destination.

Key Stops (subject to road/weather conditions):

• Coolum Beach → Longreach – Our last ‘big town’ before heading bush.

• Longreach → Boulia – Heading deeper into the outback.

• Boulia → Tobermorey Station – This is where the Plenty begins in earnest.

• Tobermorey → Jervois Station – Sparse, rugged, and beautiful country.

• Jervois → Gemtree – A tiny outpost before hitting the Stuart Highway.

• Gemtree → Alice Springs → Uluru – Back to bitumen and on to the iconic red rock.

• Uluru → Kings Canyon - Uluru to Kings canyon From the majesty of Uluru, we’ll head to Kings Canyon via Luritja Road—a sealed route, but still remote and full of jaw-dropping landscapes. We’re allowing a few days here to hike the Kings Canyon Rim Walk, soak in the views, and enjoy some quieter bush camping away from the crowds.

• Kings Canyon → Palm Valley - This stretch is where things get properly adventurous. Heading south to Hermannsburg, then tackling the rough track into Palm Valley in the Finke Gorge National Park—high clearance is a must, and the Land Cruiser will earn its keep. We’ll drop the van at a base camp and take the cruiser in solo to explore the surreal, prehistoric beauty of the valley.

  
  

Final Thoughts

This isn’t just a road trip—it’s a rite of passage. From the blue hues of the ocean to the ochre of the desert, this journey is about reconnecting with country, simplicity, and the raw beauty of Australia’s interior. We’ll trade sand between our toes for red dust under our boots, and the hum of the surf for the silence of the outback. It is one last and extremely epic adventure with my youngest (16-year-old daughter), Sheannah, before she finishes school next year and flies the nest!!

Stay tuned—we’ll be sharing stories, photos, and tips along the way. The Land Cruiser is packed, the Design RV Stryker van is loaded, and the desert is calling.