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  • Australian Geographic

    Under a desert sky

    Oct 30, 2019 5 minutes
    Story and photography by Justin Walker

    KEEN OUTBACK HISTORIANS and travellers will immediately recognise the name Sandy Blight Junction Road. It’s one of the famed outback highways constructed by legendary surveyor and road builder Len Beadell and his Gunbarrel Road Construction Party in 1960 (see page 119). Yes, the road’s name is odd but relevant, because poor Beadell was suffering a nasty eye infection while surveying the area.

    Beadell described Sandy Blight Junction Road as a “scenic deviation” compared with other tracks he constructed, for which the most effective road-making method was often straight over difficult terrain. Instead, he allowed the Sandy Blight route to wander and weave through a beautiful landscape.

    Beadell’s foresight has resulted in a fantastic desert touring adventure that ensures travellers experience all the attractions of this spectacular arid landscape, which kept drawing him back long after his road-creating days were over.

    Sandy Blight

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