Site Search
Print Page Setup Profile Login
Section Image

advice on TOP END TRIP

Submitted: Monday, Dec 09, 2002 at 00:00

Member - Julian

Hello everyone, in June 2003 we are preparing a Top End Trip of Australia. We are based in the Ivanhoe area of NSW. In our trip we hope to include Alice Springs, Darwin, Gulf of Carpentaria, Normanton, Cape York and follow the East Coast down to Brisbane. There will be 4 people and 2 veichles. We hope to see most of the attractions and do as much fishing as we can. My question is, we will cover about 11,000 km we have allowed 6 weeks for the trip. Looking foward to hearing from anyone with some advice.
ThreadID: 2558 Replies: 9
Views: 360 FollowUps: 7
This Thread has been Archived
Thread Summary
Thread Watch Back To Forum Alert Moderator FAQ
AnswerID: 9466   Submitted: Monday, Dec 09, 2002 at 00:00

EXTREME1 replied:

Julian
Sounds like an excellent trip just make sure you stay a night a The Lions den just near Cooktown. It's a pub set in the middle of nowhere with great camping down near a magic river (no crocs).

Duncan........
Reply 1 of 9
FollowupID: 4824   Submitted: Monday, Dec 09, 2002 at 00:00

Member - Julian posted:

Will do Duncan, Thanks for your info.
FollowUp 1 of 1
AnswerID: 9488   Submitted: Monday, Dec 09, 2002 at 00:00

lizard replied:

Well Julian , all going well we might see you , leaving Pinjarra WA early July to go to Cape York , via Gregory National park , Daly Waters pub (gotta have a beer there - didn't last time) Gulf country , Cape York , then home via Longreach , Birdsville , Dig Tree and a sprint across the Nullarbor - taking 10 weeks - with a Cavalier & GU Patrol 4500.
Reply 2 of 9
FollowupID: 4850   Submitted: Tuesday, Dec 10, 2002 at 00:00

Member - Julian posted:

10 weeks Lizard, you will have a great time. I have spent a night at the Daly Waters Pub, One of the best nights I have had, highly recommended.
All The Best.
FollowUp 1 of 1
AnswerID: 9496   Submitted: Tuesday, Dec 10, 2002 at 00:00

voxson replied:

wow.. Busy place... I am also leaving 07/07/2003 from Adelaide going through Birdsville, ( taking a look at big red ).to Cape York. I have 5 weeks and coming back through Innaminka, dig tree etc. Definately going to need traffic lights..
Reply 3 of 9
FollowupID: 4851   Submitted: Tuesday, Dec 10, 2002 at 00:00

Member - Julian posted:

Sounds like a good trip Voxson. As Lizard said, spend a night at the Daly Waters Pub (if you can) well worth a visit.
FollowUp 1 of 1
AnswerID: 9512   Submitted: Tuesday, Dec 10, 2002 at 00:00

Steve replied:

Julian; did the Gulf track to Darwin and then Kakadu Arnhem Land etc to Barkly Stockroute and back to Sydney via Birdsville , a couple of years ago....4 weeks and we hardly had time to stop... ( and that's only a bit of what you intend doing) ...I reckon you are biting off a hell of a lot and as for getting in a bit of fishing !!!! Hope you like driving from dawn to dusk and you will probably make it ...
Reply 4 of 9
FollowupID: 4852   Submitted: Tuesday, Dec 10, 2002 at 00:00

Member - Julian posted:

mmmm. Our trip will work out to be about 260 km per day on an average I think it is managable. Thanks anyway.
FollowUp 1 of 1
Activities Index
Winter Warming Pamper Treatment Winter Warming Pamper Treatment
Sydney - NSW
Don't let the cooler days darken your mood - enjoy the cooler days with our "winter warmer.
Harley Twilight Trike Tour For 2 - Sunshine Coast Harley Twilight Trike Tour For 2 - Sunshine C
Sunshine Coast - QLD
Put some passion into your love life with a romantic Harley Twilight Tour for 2 on the Sunshine Coas
Platypus & Rainforest Eco Safari Platypus & Rainforest Eco Safari
Mackay Region - QLD
Enjoy a full day tour through the beautiful Pioneer Valley.
Tall Ship Laser shooting with BBQ lunch cruise Tall Ship Laser shooting with BBQ lunch cruis
Sydney - NSW
Ready.. Aim.. Fire-arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh.......!!!!
Book Now - Things To Do
AnswerID: 9513   Submitted: Tuesday, Dec 10, 2002 at 00:00

Jeff replied:

julian, I believe six weeks is enough, i did 14000km through the kimberley in 2001, did long days to and from, but had a rest day about every 3 days, and a couple of stops of 3, 4 days. We also had camp set up about 4.30 of an afternoon.
Jeff
Reply 5 of 9
FollowupID: 4853   Submitted: Tuesday, Dec 10, 2002 at 00:00

Member - Julian posted:

Thanks for the advice Jeff. 14,000km what was your time frame?
FollowUp 1 of 1
AnswerID: 9522   Submitted: Tuesday, Dec 10, 2002 at 00:00

jeff replied:

Julian, The trip took 6 weeks, 8 days of that was getting there and back from Albury, and we went through ivanhoe on way home via menindee and Broken hill.
Reply 6 of 9
FollowupID: 4901   Submitted: Wednesday, Dec 11, 2002 at 00:00

Member - Julian posted:

Yeh the roads are shocking out this way, thanks Jeff.
FollowUp 1 of 1
AnswerID: 9527   Submitted: Tuesday, Dec 10, 2002 at 00:00

Tim replied:

Julian - we like BIG TRIPS ie kimberleys, cape york, simpson etc but the longest we've had is 18 nights - what we do is drive to a starting point as were from melbourne so we drive (42 hours) from melb. to cairns and have a top end holiday etc etc. We find it good with that big drive, swapping drivers (two of us) with the kids (11/13) in the back seat get to where we want to start/end and enjoy the biggest amount of time in our desired location and we thought we were strange but we have met many people on the road doing the same thing - have a good trip - regards tim ps. the kids have done this sort of trip every year since they were born, so its fair to say that they are aclimatised!
Reply 7 of 9
FollowupID: 4902   Submitted: Wednesday, Dec 11, 2002 at 00:00

Member - Julian posted:

That's a BIG drive Tim, way to go. Thanks for your advice.
FollowUp 1 of 1
AnswerID: 9531   Submitted: Tuesday, Dec 10, 2002 at 00:00

John replied:

I hope all you guy and gals have a great trip.
But if I had anything to say about it..........Take your time, pick less places and enjoy more of the places you do go to.
Trust me, a trip with not much but driving is not as memorable as one that is spent casually enjoying the places you stop and meet the people there.
You've always got next year or the year after to hit those other places.
The best part of the trip is the things you get up to away from the vehicle.....
I would expect that 6 weeks would be the minimum time just to enjoy the Cape.

Enjoy
Reply 8 of 9
AnswerID: 9548   Submitted: Tuesday, Dec 10, 2002 at 00:00

Member - Melissa replied:

Hi Julian,

sounds like a good trip. Try to fit in a couple of nights at least at Litchfield NP. If you like getting away from the hoards, do the Southern Access Track and camp at Surprise Creek. Not too difficult but fun just the same. Enjoy yourselves.

:o) Melissa
Reply 9 of 9

 Page Sponsors

WAECO Pacific Pty Ltd WAECO Pacific Pty Ltd Premium Listing
Portable refrigeration provider WAECO, is celebrating 10 years in Australia in 2009. Established in high-technology headquarters in Germany 35 years ago, WAECO has developed a wide range of mobile technology for people on the move.
1 JOHN DUNCAN COURT   VARSITY LAKES, QLD, 4227
Phone: 1800 21 21 21
More info | Website | Driving Directions
ExplorOz ExplorOz
Become a Member of ExplorOz; buy or sell in Trader; buy Maps, Books, DVDs, camping accessories, and ExplorOz wheel covers, shirts, hats and stubby holders from the ExplorOz Shop; and book Activities &Tours or buy someone a gift certificate from our Activities section. Become an ExplorOz Member for just $60 in your first year, and $40 when you renew.
PO BOX 967  HILLARYS, WA, 6923
Phone: (08) 9403 3737
More info | Website