johannagoanna replied:

I think we will probably run into you somewhere. We are planning on going something like this:

Leave Sydney sometime May/June
Broken Hill
Marree
Oodnadatta track
follow old Ghan track up Finke
Ulura and surrounding areas
Alice
eastern Mac's
Plenty Hwy
? Birdsville
Strzelecki
CC
Home!

Noosa Fox replied:

The Shearers hall of fame in Hay is good for kids, not bad for adults either.
Flinders Ranges. need a week not just 1 day too many nice places to see.

Yulara. Make sure you see the Kings Canyon.

Alice Springs, Do day trips to east Macdonald and also the West Macdonald Ranges
About 70km south of Alice is Rainbow Valley. I think this is a must see at sunset.

Birdsville Track, Down the southern end between Mungaranie Pub and Maree is Claytons Wetlands. Great camping spot with toilets, hot shower and hot spa.

It is a Bugger when you have to try and fit so much into such a short time all because of the terrible word called "WORK."

Mad Dog (Australia) replied:

>Suggestions on places worth visiting

VICTORIA

no doubt about it, so good I decided to settle there.

We don't want too many invading our remote areas so keep it to yourself.

snailbait (Blue mntns) replied:

hi boo
i think you are little ambitish to do the iteriny you re propsining i would sugest you keep the ks below 300 ks per day you may find the kids and the adults will complain about getting into camp a late and if they are putting up a tent it will be tyring for the people with children
snailbait

Member - Duncs replied:

Kerrie,

That sounds reasonable to me. It is a bit rushed but as you say we only get so many days off. It will certainly give you a good taste of what is out there.

Can I suggest a couple of minor changes that may make it a bit mor comfortable.

Burra to WIlpena is a nice easy day but Wilpena to William Ck is a bit long. Also you may find you want more time in Wilpena especially if you enjoy walking.

If you get going early you should be able to make Coober Pedy to Yulara in one day. That will give you an extra one in Yulara which would be good.

Yulara to Alice is not too bad a drive but you won't have time to see much.

When you leave Alice heading for Dalhousie a stop over at Chambers Pillar is well worth it. Spectacular formation good camping and about the right position between Alice and Dalhousie for a night.

We camped at Mt Dare and spent a few hours at Dalhousie before moving on. We had a good look through the Simpson and camped three nights.

I figure you are planning to use Walkers Crossing to get from the Birdsville to Strz track, it is a lovely run but check with Ruth at the Birdsville Caravan Park about road conditions before setting off.

On the way from Cameron's to White Cliffs call in on hte Brown's at Reola station and ask to have a look at their sheering shed. They are in the Broken Hill phone book, sorry not at home so I can't give you the number.

You have not got much time in the Hill but I understand the time difficulty. Must see things are the Sculptures, at sunset, Silverton, Mundi Mundi Plain from the look out just past Silverton at sunset, Coffee on top of the mullock heap (Broken Earth Cafe) at sunset. I know not enough time for all those sunsets. Pro Hart's gallery, the Big Picture, (it is bigger than the one in Alice Springs) and Jack Absalom's gallery are all worth a look as is White's Mineral and Art Museum in Doe St.

Call at the Fire Station (Blende St Broken Hill if I am not there get them to call me) if I can I will show you around a bit or talk about options with you.

Lastly and most importantly, be prepared to chuck the itinery and do what seems appropriate at the time, be flexible. If it rains a lot of roads get closed very quickly so you may have to change plans at any time.

I reckon what you have planned looks Ok, depite making so many suggestions.

Have fun
Duncs

Member- Rox (WA) replied:

Boo I recommend most Highly a HF radio & VKS 737 good for a listen to "see" Who's in your neighbourhood & what the Rd conditions are like.

Member - Marilyn P (NSW) replied:

Dear Kerrie,
Rainbow Valley is an extra special place but to make the most of it you need to spend the night. Have been there twice - with and without water in the claypan - any photos that you see do not do it justice - an inspirational place.
Marilyn

Boo replied:

Thanks to everyone who has responded, I will do a bit more research into your suggestions and see if we can work them into the itinerary. We have all taken an additional week so that if we want to stay longer in any places or divert on the way we have that option.

As for those that suggested the mileage was too long each day and we would be setting up camp late, some of the days will be like that, but others won't. As for the kids they travel well, have game boys and in car dvd so when there isn't anything for them to see out the windows they can occupy themselves.

Then when we reach camp each day, they have helped set up camp many times and are old enough to know what needs to be done, we can have a one night stop set up in about 15 minutes with the CT, so whilst we may arrive late set up will take minimal time and effort so I don't expect that we cause too many concerns.

Regards,

Kerrie.

Barnesy replied:

It seems like you will be doing a lot of driving and not much relaxing and looking around. If it's what you like that's fine, but kids need to get out and explore places. Think of the fun they'll have running around free rather than sitting in the back of a car. I personally prefer trips where i may only visit a couple of area but really relax and soak in the atmosphere of the place.

Living near the Flinders I'm biased in saying you really need to spend more time at wilpena and the whole NP to do it justice. Lots of 4wding and bush walking around there. Turn east at Blinman and go the back way following the ranges north right up to Gammon Ranges NP and Arkaroola.

Whatever you do enjoy it.

Barnesy