[6] The road was built as part of Australia's role in the weapons research establishment called Woomera which included Emu Field and Maralinga, both atomic bomb testing sites.

The first was to provide access for a future meteorological station which was needed to forecast upper winds prior to the testing of atomic weapons in South Australia.

The starting point was Victory Downs homestead just north of the border with the Northern Territory, and 24 km (15 mi) west of the Stuart Highway.

An interruption occurred after about 35 km (22 mi) when the grader's blade mounting bolts were snapped after hitting a submerged Mulga tree root.

The road reached Mulga Park on 2 December, where construction ceased for the year, as the bulldozer's starting pilot motor had failed.

[8] Beadell continued ahead on a ground reconnaissance, then on 7 December made an aerial survey which departed from a natural airstrip in the Mount Davies vicinity, and flew towards the Rawlinson Ranges where the future weather station was to be located.

With the knowledge gained, Beadell led a ground party of four Land Rovers to the site where a stone cairn was built on 12 December.

It was slowly towed to Giles by the grader, and on the fourth drilling attempt, suitable drinking water was discovered.

The extreme heat melted plastic parts of his instrument panel and radio transmitter, and loosened nails in his boots which caused the heels to fall off.

When clear of the ridges, some rocky hills led to his discovery of a small pool of water in a creek run-off, which saved his life.

After a delay caused by rain, building of the next section started on 22 March from Giles, keeping to the north and west of his earlier reconnaissance route, avoiding known obstacles.

The road passed close by the position where it was estimated that Alfred Gibson had perished, then turned south towards Warburton, which was reached by early May.

[8] Meanwhile, most of the GRCP returned to Giles, leaving the heavy equipment at a future turn-off (Jackie Junction) 69 km (43 mi) north of Warburton.