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Aust trip in winter

Submitted: Sunday, Mar 02, 2008 at 17:32

ss--ss

Hi , I'm trying so organise a holiday for our family (2adults + 8yo & 6yo kids) with a camper trailer , something like a jayco & will be towing it with a territory awd. We are in Sydney & for use the only real time I could do this would be from last week of June until mid Oct nearly 4mths.

Not exactly sure where we will go but will probably through qld & NT also Alice springs. My concern is would it be too cold to go swimiming & living the outdoor life.. Also any other tips appreciated..
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AnswerID: 290440   Submitted: Sunday, Mar 02, 2008 at 17:44

Kiwi & "Mahindra" replied:

Wont be too cold! The nights can be a little on the cold side but the days are beaytiful!
Are you going to be totally self sufficient, or almost self sufficient???? That will depend on how far away from town you can travel.
make sure that you have lots of time, which by the sound of it you do, in plenty of different places to really get a glimpse of life out there and dont be afraid to do things you might not normally do...ie...stop in communities - even if its just to get fuel, say g'day and get a drink.....
Places to visit are all the touristy places in Alice...there are heaps and heaps of places...telegraph station, anzac hill, all the gorges along namajira dr...

What ever you do, make it an adventure!!

Have fun planning!!!!
The GPS!!
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Reply 1 of 7
AnswerID: 290441   Submitted: Sunday, Mar 02, 2008 at 18:16

Member - Barnesy replied:

Check out the bureau of meteorology website, bom.gov.au, to find the average monthly temperatures for where you will be going. Night temps in the desert can get cold, sometimes minus, but as soon as the sun comes out it warms up.

Barnesy
Millstream NP spring WA
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Reply 2 of 7
AnswerID: 290452   Submitted: Sunday, Mar 02, 2008 at 19:21

Member - Oldplodder (QLD) replied:

Thats when we do our travelling through those areas.

Plan for plenty of layers.

Can be 0 to 5 at night, sometimes under 0, and usually about 25 during the day, matbe up to 30.

So we usually wear 3 to 5 layers. T shirt, shirt, light jumper, heavier jumper or jacket.
First layer is off by 8am, and down to t shirts for lunch.

Back to full layers by 8pm.

We usually have a corner in the car to stow things, and easy to find later in the day.

Good swimming in the afternoon if the water is not too cold.

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John C - aka Oldplodder
In touring mode, the way it should be.
Reply 3 of 7
FollowupID: 555820   Submitted: Sunday, Mar 02, 2008 at 19:42

Mike Harding posted:

>Plan for plenty of layers.

Absolutely! Layers are ideal. Each layer traps heat in the air between them so you'll be much warmer with two thin jumpers rather than one thick one.

In the Vic High Country where it can often get to -5C or more I use 1 shirt, 1 thin jumper and 1 heavy jumper and, if the wind is blowing from the south, 1 windproof jacket - adjust as necessary.

As others have said; the inland deserts, in winter, will vary between about -5C and +30C - 3 or 4 layers should see you OK.

Mike Harding

PS. Take a hat (beanie for sleeping) - makes a _big_ difference to your warmth factor.
FollowUp 1 of 2
FollowupID: 555964   Submitted: Monday, Mar 03, 2008 at 16:32

Member - Oldplodder (QLD) posted:

When our two boys were younger, about your children's age, we used to use a sleeping bag rated for 0 to 5 deg, and if cold put hem in track suits to sleep in when cold.
If they got an arm out or wriggled out a little, they didn't feel the cold as much. Also better in the morning as they had some warm clothes for the first bit around camp, just put a jacket on. Not many kids like changing into cold clothes first thing on a cold morning :o). If it is a warmer night, just the sleeping bag with a cotton liner is fine.

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John C - aka Oldplodder
In touring mode, the way it should be.
FollowUp 2 of 2
AnswerID: 290476   Submitted: Sunday, Mar 02, 2008 at 20:36

ss--ss replied:

Appreciate the feedback..
Now I have to convince my employer & start planing on where to visit & how to go about it all

Thanks !
Reply 4 of 7
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AnswerID: 290613   Submitted: Monday, Mar 03, 2008 at 16:49

Steve63 replied:

There are plenty of places to go in that time frame. At that time of year most of the swimming holes are very cold. In some areas there are thermal pools :-). Temperatures can be very misleading. You can count on having some cold evenings and nights (<0) and you can count on a few hot days. Have had a few 40+ in May. Northern WA is well worth the effort. The sea water in northern WA can be 30+ in a few spots. If you are worried about it being cold issue everyone a set of thermals. They are thin, light and pack small but very effective. As others have said, layers is the go, you can add and peel depending on how cold you feel. Just remember to put the thermals on before it gets too cold.

Steve
Reply 5 of 7
AnswerID: 290646   Submitted: Monday, Mar 03, 2008 at 18:56

Holden4th replied:

Just be prepared for temps of up to -10 out in the centre and you'll be OK. The mornings are very nippy but usually warm up to a healthy 20+ degrees. A beanie is mandatory for those nights around the campfire under the stars as is a good polar fleece jacket. If it gets really cold you can sleep in them along with your woolly socks. Go for it and enjoy the company you find out there!
Reply 6 of 7
AnswerID: 290652   Submitted: Monday, Mar 03, 2008 at 19:19

Mick_B replied:

We (2 adults + 6yo) are planning a similar trip with a similar time frame. Leaving Coffs early July and heading up the Qld coast, across to Darwin via the savannah way, then down to Alice & Uluru. Back through central Qld during Sept.

Having looked at high and low daily temperatures, we figured this to be the best fit to stay warm, especially at night.

Mick
Reply 7 of 7