I agree with Madcow. You should be right, take your time. We do have a long-range tank and I reckon they are a good idea. I would rather have that than the need for jerry cans, each to their own but with the Canning on the cards next year I'll need it. With Rabbit flat now closed you just have to take advantage of the last stations out of Alice rather than wait till the half way mark (sort of) and then also fuel up at the end. We had friends go through a Month ago and it was in great nick.
Lets us know when the times gets closer and we can also give you a few tips as we live up here. We also have good contacts into the communities and surrounds (stations) as the mob I work for support I supply all the telecomm needs up here and the wife runs the visitors centre.