Tony replied:

I went clockwise, leaving the ACT in Feburary getting back in November and I think we only had about 5 days of rain the whole time that was in the SW of WA.

Early in the year you don't get the head winds across to WA and you are getting back the end of winter.

So for me clockwise early in the year.

Sand Man (SA) replied:

Hi Fanbelt,

If you are starting off in April, my suggestion would be to head west around the southern coastline first. The main reason for this is that the "wet" season in the tropic areas to the north, generally go til late April, or even well into May.

You would thus spend the "Autumn" months exploring the southern part of Oz first, then head north after the rainy season has (hopefully) finished.

6 Months hey? WOW!!! Good luck and have a great trip.

scottp replied:

hi fanbelt,

finding myself in a simmilar situation to yourself, and will be interested in reading some other points of view.

I think the number one thing is the weather. You don't want to be in the far north in summer because of the wet season, and you don't wan't to freeze the gonads off in the winter down south. (too hot or too cold or too wet is not much fun in a tent).

The other thing that ive been thinking about is what is on and when in the places you want to visit. eg: Darwin regatta, Cunnamulla Eulo lizard races. Events like these when you visit I am sure wil be talked about for years, at home and around the camp fire.

best of luck with the trip and the planning.

scottp

Bonz (Vic) replied:

Friend of mine did the same but went WA first. He went clockwise too, theres HEAPS more to see on the west coast than the east coast and as you say its easier to get east coast trips off the ground. Go west first young man

Member - Jay Gee (WA) replied:

As we drive on the left hand side of the road - travelling clockwise means you actually travel further as you will always be on the outside track.

Notso replied:

We did it Anti Clockwise and if you want to see the wildflowers on the West Coast you need to be on that bit of road around August Sept.

Prevailing winds are westerly down South and Easterly up North so anti clockwise gets more tail winds than clockwise???

Member - John (QLD) replied:

go west first it blitzes the east coast as far as being rugged and untouched - see Jan Holland's WA book. or Western Belle's website - google both

we might bump into you coming the other way.

What vehicle and setup are you taking?

John

Member - Glenn D (NSW) replied:

Hows it going Fanbelt,

I did the same trip last year from Sydney , July-November. I had the same thoughts about the East coast and drove hard to Cairns and then slowed down.

I had made a detailed ittinerary , actually how I found this site , but this soon went out the window. I think you should list some highlites that you want to see , but keep your options open , some places are a disappointment and some are a surprise ,plus other travellers /locals will tell you about places to see as well.

As someone else mentioned ,the winds at that time of year surprised me, we were pretty loaded up and had a lot of stuff on the roof rack, this ruined fuel economy.

I dont know what vehicle you have ,but if you do the west coast first you will be in the top end later in the year and the water crossings should have dropped.

We went from Cairns to Broome as much off road as possible via The Cape and Darwin

I am very envious, I would do the trip in a second if I had enough leave from work.

Glenn

Reva Best replied:

As well as less distance travelled by going anti clockwise, you have the advantage of a downhill run right down the west coast...will save heaps of fuel also! Whoopie!
cheers JJ

big fella replied:

fan belt i suggest that you go west first for the same reason your friend said my wife and i did the same thing but where going for a year and ended up being 3 years mind you we only saw half the country now doing the east coast when have holidays and the best advice is listen to what other people say is worth a look the best places i saw where from this advice
regards bigfella

Fanbelt replied:

Thanks everybody for your responses, looks like a pretty resounding West answer to me, even though it'll add extra kms...

In answer to some of your questions about the rig, we have a 2004 Navara 3.0TD with carryboy canopy on back and the usual options of bullbar, lights, UHF, dual battery, fridge and shelves. Took it across the Simpson in July from East to West as a test run and did fantastic.

Thanks again everyone, mucho appreciatio.