Travelling alone to Darwin

Submitted: Tuesday, Oct 18, 2016 at 23:20
ThreadID: 133622 Views:3804 Replies:7 FollowUps:6
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Hi Travellers,
I'm travelling alone to Darwin, my plan is leaving from Perth to Mt Magnet up to Newman then Nullagine and on to Marble Bar. I'll head off to Broome and then via Fitzroy Crossing and on to Darwin. I've got a Black Wolf tent, and travelling in a fully equipped manual 4.8 Patrol. I've travelling in the outback before - but not alone. Questions for you - any general hints about the route and camping spots along the way. I've got radios, 4wd gear, water, fuel, etc - any hints or advice on travelling by myself. I plan to leave in very early November (it's the only time I can travel and yes I know it's the wet season) and reach Darwin around the 20th so I've got time to stop off along the way.
Appreciate your help.
Safe travels to you all.
cheers, Uppy
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Reply By: Member - Alan H (QLD) - Wednesday, Oct 19, 2016 at 07:34

Wednesday, Oct 19, 2016 at 07:34
Take an extra chair and leave it around so you do not advertise that there is only one person in the camp

Alan
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Follow Up By: uppy - Wednesday, Oct 19, 2016 at 09:25

Wednesday, Oct 19, 2016 at 09:25
Good idea , 2 cups on the table kind of thing.Thanks Uppy
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Reply By: Baz - The Landy - Wednesday, Oct 19, 2016 at 07:45

Wednesday, Oct 19, 2016 at 07:45
It sounds like you have most of it covered.

Enjoy!

Baz - The Landy
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Follow Up By: uppy - Wednesday, Oct 19, 2016 at 09:27

Wednesday, Oct 19, 2016 at 09:27
Just wanted to check out that I`ve got everything covered.Thanks Uppy
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Reply By: Ozi M - Wednesday, Oct 19, 2016 at 10:14

Wednesday, Oct 19, 2016 at 10:14
You mention you have radios but do you have a PLB ?
If you get into strife much better to unwind the aerial and wait, at least you know someone is coming :)
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Follow Up By: uppy - Thursday, Oct 20, 2016 at 09:25

Thursday, Oct 20, 2016 at 09:25
will check them out .
thanks Uppy
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Reply By: Dean K3 - Wednesday, Oct 19, 2016 at 20:05

Wednesday, Oct 19, 2016 at 20:05
PLB is useful to have as mentioned earlier

I did similar as far as WA border alone back in 2014 no issues at all free camped where i could and just told folks where i was going and when i was expected back in comms (didn't have sat phone on order but arrived 2 months after i left)

4.8 is that the petrol hoep not as willd rink it fairly quickly -as does the v8 diesel in cruiser for that matter.

fuel always check out a unmanned sites if your running diesel as its often far cheaper than the manned sites -as long as you have a active credit card to pay for fuel - meekatharra 135 vs 145-150 cpl as example - when I was there 4 weeks ago

kununurra similar deal 199.9 cpl for both petrol and diesel 179.9 at ord river co-op back in 2014

24 hr main roads rest stops useful to use at least the have a eco-loo and sullage dump point but gets bit rubbishy Europeans/asian backpackers tend to leave litter behind from my observations -note white washign but from i have seen first hand.

Bilyn pool 70 odd kms north of meeka and 12 kms west of GN HWy good spot for few nights stay remember wild cattle do use this as a regular watering hole.

de grey river 80 kms east of pt hedland also nice spot -popular also

halls creek is one place best staying at caravan park and ensure everything is locked away out of site been a few issues there of late

BOM tour also interesting book in advance with tourist info in town - nice spots nearby china wall saw tooth gorge (nice camping spot) and palm springs -nice for a dip as long as you don't mind having little fish nibbling at your legs -maybe fresh water crocs at both locations

always keep eye out for cattle never drive at night they even harder to see at night than daytime
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Follow Up By: uppy - Thursday, Oct 20, 2016 at 09:39

Thursday, Oct 20, 2016 at 09:39
Thanks Dean, some good advice there . Yes my Patrol is petrol . Ive been told petrol is available on the route that I`m taking.Are the caravan parks going to be open that time of year? and yes I`ll be keeping every thing under lock and key .What about jerry cans of petrol on the roof ? if you know what I mean, regards to Halls Creek. Cheers Uppy
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Reply By: Dean K3 - Thursday, Oct 20, 2016 at 11:56

Thursday, Oct 20, 2016 at 11:56
they will be open -you might be the only occupant however compared to the dry season -roads can be closed at moments notice so follow up fair bit on mains roads website(WA) and NT variant unknown to me and local govt for latest road conditions.

esp as its during wet they already have closed off tanami track due to rain in area, and if its flooded forget it still alot of low lying bridges on GN hwy and Victoria hwy
AnswerID: 605232

Reply By: Wayne B16 - Tuesday, Nov 01, 2016 at 17:05

Tuesday, Nov 01, 2016 at 17:05
Hi Mate, this time of year why don,t you go up through Newman,Karijini and across to the coast it will be stinking hot and you can stay on the beach in a few spots for a few days at a time, happy travels .
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Follow Up By: uppy - Wednesday, Nov 02, 2016 at 11:28

Wednesday, Nov 02, 2016 at 11:28
thanks will think about that route
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Reply By: Robin Miller - Tuesday, Nov 01, 2016 at 17:54

Tuesday, Nov 01, 2016 at 17:54
What made a huge difference to our flexibility was when I made our 4800 patrol so that we could sleep inside it , took a bit of work but it can carry a lot more , you can even squeeze (just) 4 jerries along the back doors.

Presume you have a way to cope with flat battery , only other thing to carry is spare fuel pump , unlike diesel ones they are cheap at $75 and good insurance for doggy fuel.

Presume also that you know you can roll start that car but it will only fire up when you turn key to start after dropping clutch with an almost dead battery.

Also worth getting a spare key cut ($10) but without the electronics in it.
This enables you to drive car a few meters, or rotate the engine, without the engine starting. (Saved me a couple of times)














Robin Miller

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Follow Up By: uppy - Wednesday, Nov 02, 2016 at 11:40

Wednesday, Nov 02, 2016 at 11:40
Thanks Robin , Yep i know how to jump start a car. Born in the 50s, will take a extra key .My truck is 2005 manual,2 batteries ,Will need to carry fuel on the roof (60 Lts ) and 40 Lts water . Sphere wheel and tool box,Fridge 60 Lts with 20 lts of water ,food ,and beer are inside ,will sleep inside when I don`t feel like putting my turbo tent.Will check out a fuel pump.Was that the price for a 2nd hand one .Cheers Uppy
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