Floods force road trains supplying Kimberley to detour extra 7,400km via SA and NT

Trucks normally travel direct from Perth to Fitzroy Crossing but new return trip halfway across Australia is equal to a one-way trip from Paris to Vladivostok'

• Authorities struggle to deliver essentials to towns stranded by WA floods
• Follow our Australia news live blog for the latest updates
• Get our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcast

Triple road trains delivering essential supplies to Western Australia's flood-stricken Kimberley communities face week-long 12,000km return trips from Perth as they are forced to detour halfway across the country due to washed-out roads and bridges.

Instead of travelling directly from Perth to the Kimberley region - a 4,600km return trip - trucks will be forced east to Port Augusta in South Australia, before travelling the length of Australia to Katherine in the Northern Territory, then heading back west to WA.