Any good roadtrip novels?

Submitted: Monday, Feb 03, 2014 at 11:17
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We're heading on a 3mth trip later this year and I'd like to read a novel concerning a road trip around Australia. Something like Jack Kerouac's On The Road. Any ideas?
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Reply By: Ozhumvee - Monday, Feb 03, 2014 at 12:09

Monday, Feb 03, 2014 at 12:09
Do a search for novels by Evan Green an Aussie motoring writer who also wrote novels, mostly with outback themes and including lots of iconic places. He passed a way a while back.
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Follow Up By: The Stathams - Monday, Feb 03, 2014 at 12:26

Monday, Feb 03, 2014 at 12:26
Thanks Peter; appreciated.
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Follow Up By: Bob Y. - Qld - Monday, Feb 03, 2014 at 21:24

Monday, Feb 03, 2014 at 21:24
X 2 for Evan Green.

I was given a book by Alan Marshall, the title escapes me at the moment, about his travels with a number of other well known blokes, across northern Australia. Sorry to be a bit vague but it's over 30 years since I read it.

Do remember that they would "knock" an emu every few nights and dine on emu steaks.

The Ion Iddrieus(spelling?) books are worth a read, about tropical parts of Australia, buffalo hunting, pearl diving and other subjects.

Bob.

Seen it all, Done it all.
Can't remember most of it.

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Reply By: Member - Bruce C (NSW) - Monday, Feb 03, 2014 at 13:45

Monday, Feb 03, 2014 at 13:45
Have you read any of Len Beadell's books yet.

I promise you that once you have started you will not be able to put them down.

Not only are they fascinating but also very historical.

I have the set of six in one box. Brilliant.

Cheers, Bruce.
At home and at ease on a track that I know not and
restless and lost on a track that I know. HL.

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Follow Up By: Member - John and Val - Monday, Feb 03, 2014 at 17:38

Monday, Feb 03, 2014 at 17:38
x2 for Len Beadell's books.

Tim Bowden, ex ABC journo has written 3 very readable accounts of his journeys with his wife Ros and their camper Peneloppe.
"Peneloppe Goes West" is the first in the series.

Another couple of books that come to mind - if you are interested in mining and minerals, Geoffrey Blainey's "The Rush that Never Ended" and "Mines in the Spinifex" are worthwhile. There are a couple of books about Daisy Bates, one I have read recently and found interesting was "Desert Queen" by Susanna de Vries. Then there are the old favourites about journeys and early development of northern Australia "We of the Never Never" by Anneas Gunn and "Kings in Grass Castles" by Mary Durack (imho essential reading before a trip to the Kimberley).

Cheers,

Val.
J and V
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Reply By: Member - Alan K (QLD) - Monday, Feb 03, 2014 at 18:15

Monday, Feb 03, 2014 at 18:15
http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Spinifex_and_Sand

This is the electronic version of Spinifex and Sand written by David Carnegie regarding his trip from Kalgoolie to Old Halls Creek in 1896 and his return trip in 1897.

The ultimate road trip - no roads.
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Reply By: Member - Chris_K - Monday, Feb 03, 2014 at 18:40

Monday, Feb 03, 2014 at 18:40
The ultimate "road trip" that I read a few months back was called "The Dig Tree". About Burke & Wills...and a good read!

Cheers

Chris
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Follow Up By: Member - Rob D (NSW) - Monday, Feb 03, 2014 at 20:46

Monday, Feb 03, 2014 at 20:46
The Dig Tree by Sarah Murgatroyd is an excellent book and fascinating in its detail, I only wish that I had read it before I did my Simpson Desert trip and my visit to the dig tree.

I have the audio book version, which you can listen to while you are driving. I find audio books much easier on my eyes.

I have another audio book on the Oodnadatta Track which talks you through the track as you are doing it.

If you relax at a faster pace you can get more relaxation in for a given time.
Regards Rob

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Follow Up By: Quickboats - Wednesday, Feb 05, 2014 at 13:33

Wednesday, Feb 05, 2014 at 13:33
The audio book seems like a cool idea.
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Reply By: Phil B (WA) - Tuesday, Feb 04, 2014 at 10:41

Tuesday, Feb 04, 2014 at 10:41
If you want something 'solid' to read there's a few interesting books about Leichardt that were published recently.

There is a lot of difference between
‘Human Being’ and ‘Being Human’.





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Reply By: Member - Graeme W (NSW) - Tuesday, Feb 04, 2014 at 11:53

Tuesday, Feb 04, 2014 at 11:53
Hi,

I'm currently reading Surfari by Tim Baker. It's about a family who take an 8 month surfing holiday around Australia. It's available in the Exploroz shop. I'm only about 100 pages in but so far it's a good read.

I also enjoyed Bill Bryson's book Down Under.

Graeme

Lake Eyre 2011

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Reply By: The Stathams - Tuesday, Feb 04, 2014 at 12:08

Tuesday, Feb 04, 2014 at 12:08
Thank you all for your great contributions. At this stage, I have ordered The Dig Tree and Bryson's Down Under. Much appreciated.
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Follow Up By: Member - John G - Wednesday, Feb 05, 2014 at 11:37

Wednesday, Feb 05, 2014 at 11:37
Thanks Stathams

A great question that has generated lots of reading leads. They will keep me out of trouble and out of the garden for some time.

Have a great trip.

Cheers
John
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Follow Up By: Member - John and Val - Wednesday, Feb 05, 2014 at 12:08

Wednesday, Feb 05, 2014 at 12:08
Agree John, certainly makes a pleasant change of topic.

I came across the "Goodreads" website about a year ago and have used it to construct a list of the books I have read over the years. It has many lists so these were a good memory prompt to help me recall all the 500 or so books I now have on my personal list. Those same lists eg Australian authors are a good way to find new books that I haven't read. Its also got a great search facility if I'm looking for a particular book. And best of all I can build a "Want to read" list which is very useful when we go to the Lifeline bookfairs here in Canberra.

Cheers,

Val
J and V
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Reply By: get outmore - Thursday, Feb 06, 2014 at 00:28

Thursday, Feb 06, 2014 at 00:28
"Is that thing diesel"

by paul carter
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Follow Up By: The Stathams - Thursday, Feb 06, 2014 at 09:17

Thursday, Feb 06, 2014 at 09:17
Mine? Yes, diesel. Landcruiser Sahara diesel 2011.
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Follow Up By: get outmore - Thursday, Feb 06, 2014 at 09:53

Thursday, Feb 06, 2014 at 09:53
LOL

no thats the name of the book

http://www.pcarter.com.au/books/is-that-thing-diesel/
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Follow Up By: The Stathams - Thursday, Feb 06, 2014 at 10:00

Thursday, Feb 06, 2014 at 10:00
hehehe. This one hey:http://www.bookdepository.com/Is-That-Thing-Diesel%3F-Paul-Carter/9781741757026

Looks good; thanks Paul.
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