Camden NSW to Darwin

Submitted: Thursday, Aug 13, 2015 at 15:00
ThreadID: 129977 Views:2120 Replies:6 FollowUps:3
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Hi guys,
We are planning a trip to Darwin in September Next year with a jayco flamingo, wife and two kids,7 and 4.
Camden to Mildura 1night
Mildura to broken hill 2 nights
Broken hill to port Augusta 2 nights
Port Augusta to Coober Pedy 1night
Cooper pedy to Yulara 2 nights planning to do kings canyon and bungle bungles
Yulara to Alice springs 2nights
Alice springs to tennant creek 1night not sure what is there?
Tennant creek to Katherine 1night again not sure
Katherine to Darwin. 2weeks
1week to drive back ( is it possible?)
We have 5 weeks any suggestions would be appreciated.
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Reply By: Member Andys Adventures - Thursday, Aug 13, 2015 at 15:26

Thursday, Aug 13, 2015 at 15:26
To help you out for the last part, 7ks north of Tennant Creek is the Pebbles. It is free camping and plenty of room for vans. And you can get phone coverage.
As for Katherine, Edith Falls just north (42km) great for kids you can walk the Katherine Gorge from there.
Cheers Andy

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Reply By: Member - Mark (Tamworth NSW) - Thursday, Aug 13, 2015 at 18:24

Thursday, Aug 13, 2015 at 18:24
You can always spend more time "everywhere" and most places you compromise, but I'd consider one day less at Port August and a full day (2 nights) at Coober Pedy

I think you mean the Olgas instead of Bungle Bungles, and 2.5 to 3 days is adequate for Uluru & The Olgas. Can do it in less, it will allow you to tick it off the list but not necessarily appreciate it
Kings Canyon is a Full day (+ half day getting there).
Kings Canyon to Alice is 2 days without really doing the West Macs any justice, (I think you could take another day in the West Macs, staying at Glen Helen "resort" or Ellery Big Hole or Ormiston).
Sorry I'm inexperienced north Of Alice.

For our family, your itinerary looks a little rushed, not enough time to relax, kids need some downtime where they can clown around, play in the sand/mud. You also need to factor in a flexible lay day or 2 in case something goes wrong with the vehicle or someone's health.

Search on member "MotherHens" Blogs, there are some great ideas for those areas. Admittedly they had more time and mightn't have had kids but it is a really good guide.

Mark
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Follow Up By: OBJ - Thursday, Aug 13, 2015 at 20:05

Thursday, Aug 13, 2015 at 20:05
Agree with Port Augusta. Justr drive through, get fuel and carry on. But 50km before you get to Pt Augusta is Mt Remarkable NP, which could be worth a 2 day stay. You need to book in advance but it is a nice place with quite a few interesting things to see and explore.

Mt Remarkable Website

Google will also throw up many more sites.

OBJ
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Follow Up By: OBJ - Thursday, Aug 13, 2015 at 20:08

Thursday, Aug 13, 2015 at 20:08
As an addendum to my previous post .. I stay at the Mambray Creek camp. Tarred road all the way in and plenty of sites for caravans.

OBJ
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Reply By: Rober B - Thursday, Aug 13, 2015 at 21:25

Thursday, Aug 13, 2015 at 21:25
Make sure you buy all your supplies from Coober pedi iga before going on to Uluru as everything is very expensive there and stay at big 4 in Coober
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Follow Up By: Zippo - Friday, Aug 14, 2015 at 13:09

Friday, Aug 14, 2015 at 13:09
And for fuel, to save $$ avoid the main street outlets and go to OME (Opal Miners Enterprises ftw) depot in Watertank Rd off Umoona Rd.
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Reply By: Motherhen - Friday, Aug 14, 2015 at 00:21

Friday, Aug 14, 2015 at 00:21
With only five weeks and travelling with little ones, I can only suggest you spend more time enjoying yourselves and less time driving. Do you need to go all the way to Darwin this time? You will miss out on so much.

We spent five weeks in and around Alice Springs in 2008 and returned in 2009 to continue to Darwin over several weeks.

Do you need to have a structured plan? If not, travel at leisure, spend more time where you enjoy it and see places thoroughly instead of burning fuel to head up a bitumen road just to cross the country. That way you can turn around when you have enough time to make it home, even if you haven't gone all that far. At least you will have had a relaxing holiday and seen a whole lot more while not just driving long distances.




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Reply By: Michael H9 - Friday, Aug 14, 2015 at 06:25

Friday, Aug 14, 2015 at 06:25
Camden to Mildura, that's a big drive. You'll see nothing in Mildura if you are off to Broken Hill the next day so why go there? You'll save 200kms by driving straight to BH via the Barrier Hwy. Split the drive by staying in Nyngan or Cobar.
Broken Hill and Silverton are interesting places, tick.
Two nights in Port Augusta? Phttt....You've driven past the Flinders Ranges
Port Augusta to Coober Pedy will take most of the day, then Coober Pedy to Yulara is a big drive. You won't see much of CP. CP is fairly unique with interesting shops and displays. Tick.
You've got the Bungle Bungles in there. They are way over near Halls Creek in Western Australia? It's a longish drive from Yulara to Kings Canyon (3.5 hours?) so you'll need to stay at Kings Canyon to be able to do the walks. It's a long drive from KC to Alice as well, maybe 4.5 hours.
Two weeks in Darwin seems a waste when you have world heritage national parks near by. Darwin is ok but in my opinion a few days is enough.

If it was me, I'd be cutting it short, stopping at Alice Springs and not going any further and doing the Flinders Ranges on the way. Anywhere you have a 2 night stay above really means you have 1 full day to see the place. You can't see the Rock, Olgas and Kings Canyon in 1 day...well you can see them as you drive by. :-)

How far is it? Keep in mind it's around 28 hours driving time from Sydney to Alice Springs. That's 4 x 7 hour days in the saddle not including breaks for the trip home. Don't come home needing a holiday.
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Reply By: Bilbo B - Monday, Aug 17, 2015 at 18:43

Monday, Aug 17, 2015 at 18:43
I think it's all realistic for both time and distance while being enjoyable. You might find you only spend a week in Darwin and use the time to stop at alternate places on the way back such as litchfield, Edith falls, mataranka, etc.
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