FISH N TRACK OUTBACK - TAG TOURS replied:

Hi Rohan,
As for your fishing equipment l would like to suggest a baitcaster, approx $200.00 should get you a rod and reel that you will do all you want and take plenty of lures.
This will allow you to fish most locations except the beach and you already have that rod and reel.
As for books, pick the best one that suits you as you don`t want to double up as it all weighs and room is a premium.

Steve replied:

Rohan, May I suggest you organise your trip so that you can do a 1 day basic 4wd course on arrival. There is nothing like "real" experience compared to books. Most capital cities have such course close by, and many are held in quite spectacular areas.

Bob & Katy replied:

Rohan.

We are also planning to tour Australia, starting from Brisbane next May June.
we have just purchased the Camps Australia book, which gives all campsites, free bush camps & van parks.We also have the Hema touring book, which gives a reading like a street directory.
If you need any more info send us an email Cheers.

All Terrain 4WD Adventures replied:

Hi Rohan,

Well where to start....first of all are you from the UK or are you Australians living in the UK. I ask this for the purpose of ascertaining your knowledge of Australia.

You state that you are travelling around Oz for 6 months, I would ask if your intent is to travel on primary, secondary, gravel or rough tracks and depending on your answer depends on your choice of literature and maps.

Have you choosen a vehicle to use and are you hiring or buying? The answer will lead us to inform you on a whole other range of issues. Do you drive a 4wd in your home country at present? What parts of this great country interest you the most...outback, mountains, coastal etc or all of the above? Do you have an itenary in mind yet as we all might comment on length of time to travel, what to see, how long to stay in each place etc.

Your question raises allot of other questions and I am sure we are all only to glad to answer these.

Stuart
All Terrain 4WD Adventures

Michelle - ExplorOz replied:

Hi Rohan, it seems some of this qn is probably directed at me for a response. Of course, I would like you to spend all your money on all the books that we stock but realistically in terms of trek notes I don't think you gain much by purchasing another book. (You are welcome to print off our trek notes, or if you prefer to save time you can purchase the eBook formats). I would however suggest you stock up on some good quality maps. The Australia Touring Atlas is excellent as it contains good quality Hema maps, but you could also look at purchasing individual paper maps for relevant areas. In many respects the trek notes are designed to give you some planning info and a general overview of the area and what to expect. Then once you're in the region you will find that you pick up lots of local info by talking to people. That sort of info is priceless, but you have to ask for it. Always stike up a conversation with other travellers and with the person behind the counter in the pub, the kiosk, the servo, the store - these people are the real heart of it, and not just for the info but also their characters.Regarding fishing - yes the Discover Fishing is a great book but you could put your $ into a good barra rod and spend some $ on a fishing tour rather than buying a book. Barra are one of the most frustrating fish to catch and they really test your patience and stamina. There is very little luck with this fish and lots of skill and knowing where and when to fish. Each location seems to have its own tricks and what works in one area will not necessarily work in another. ie. Barra can be caught right across the top of Australia from FNQ through to the Kimberley and some areas lures are best and others live bait. You'll spend a fortune on different coloured lures and then in the Kimberley the locals use cast nets - and learning how to use one of these is a whole new skill in itself! Most fishing books will summarise each area and identify locations and the range of species, but nothing beats local info. Half the battle is knowing what the right baits are and what species is running at the time - drop into the local tackle shop in each area for a chat and get the local tide and a moon chart. If you still have money left to spend, buy yourself a gps unit. I hope this was of some help.