In a conundrum.which way to go>>>>

For how long Steven? Would you be towing? eg Gunshot yes/no.

Phil

I would definitely be looking to explore the Pilbara and Kimberley regions in April/June - before the real crowds reach the area in the middle of the year. Then go across the top - unfortunately, that area will be busy in the mid year school holiday period and you may need to phone ahead a few weeks to get in to accommodation. Then on to the Gulf Country, Tablelands, coast to Daintree in August/Sept.
If you do it the other way round, you will be in northern WA when it is hot, dry, dusty and much less pleasant. Northern Qld is not so much affected by these conditions.
Suggest cross Nullarbor, go to Kalgoorlie. From there you can either go to the coast via Leonora, Sandstone, Mt Magnet, Geraldton and then north uip the coast. Or if you want to focus on the north, go up the inland highway to Newman and thence into the Pilbara.

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What's the towing capacity of a "Conundrum"?

Hi Stephen,
If you drive anti clockwise you will save a little fuel, :-), but I would do the Kimberley first and beat the school holiday travellers.

regards
Marcus

Wedid four months last year. Left Mackay on June 19th and went up to Townsville, savannah way, Gulf, Katherine, Kimberley, around to Perth. Then to Esperance across nullabor to Streaky bay and Port Lincoln, Adelaide, Robe , Albury, Brisbane, Mackay home 20th September.
We wish we went the opposite direction by leaving Mackay in march to get the warmer weather down south.
Regards

Head to Perth first, then by the time you get to the Kimberley, the weather up there will be good, and most of the roads will be opening. Heaps to see up there, as well as around the Darwin area.

Then if you're running out of time, you can come straight down the Stuart H'way, and home.

Think you'll find there's so much over in the lower Cape too, that you'll need an extra trip over there too. Once you get the family to Cairns they mightn't want to go back to Adelaide. :-)

Bob

We are doing a similar trip and the early stages also at the same time.
See "Around Oz 2016" in Menu/Members/ Trips& Gatherings/Current.

If you don't mind traveling with a group then join us for at least the Perth to Broome stage; 19 days and getting you there by May 12th in time to do the Kimberley at its best as others have said, & before the big rush. We have about 20 people and 11 vehicles.

We will be at Hallett "Wildongoleechie Hotel" (and camp ground next door) on Friday night April 15th and making a quick trip to Balladonia 18th. Then five days of unstructured time so people can visit the goldfields or WA South West or Perth. Then we meet at Gingin pm 25th ready for an early start on the 26th April.

Our plan for Broome to Katherine is 21 days but I suggest that even though our route might help you, that much more time can be spent at places. We have chosen this route to minimize the water crossing depth. Add extra places of course. Like wise for the Savannah Way; Mataranka to Mareeba section.

The following is a summary of our trip.
1. Sydney, Hay, Hallett, Ceduna, Eucla, Balladonia, 5days free
2.Gingin, Geraldton (2nights) via Pinnacles, Kalbarri (2n) via Hutt Riv, Denham (2n), Exmouth (3n), Tom Price (3n),
Millstream NP via Wittenoom, Roebourne Via Mining Road,Dampier & Cossack, Pardoo Stn via Pt Hedland, Broome (2n).
3. Cape Leveque (2n), Birdwood Downs Stn, Windjana Gorge, Fitzroy Crossing (2n), Purnululu (2n), Wolfe Creek Crater, Wyndham, Drysdale River Stn, Kalumburu (or Mitchell Falls) or Mornington, Drysdale, Manning Gorge, Kununurra (3n), Victoria River RH, Katherine (2n).
4. Roper Bar via Mataranka, Borroloola, Hells Gate, Adelle's Grove (2n), Normanton, Croydon, Undara, Mareeba, 5 days free.
5. Townsville, Emerald, St George, Coonamble, Sydney.

If you want to know more I can sent you the email pack which includes basic info, map and updates and accommodation arrangements.

Just have fun.

I agree with the Wendy's post and reasoning re time to travel. One thing to think about. Do you want to do the Kimberly circuit and go across the bitumen to Broome then return along the GRR or do you want to do just one crossing over the north west, in which case you go across the Great Australian Bight/Nullarbor, up the coast or up north from Kalgoorlie. I'd definitely take a plane from Derby to the Horizontal waterfalls if you can manage it. I'd advise going across the Bight, if you haven't done it before. I'd only go north up the coast if you want to take in Perth. The Pilbara is a must.
Mike

Not sure of cost. We did it a few years ago and thought it was worth every cent, but certainly, it costs. The views on the flight are excellent and really, the only way to take that country in. If you Google you will find the current cost of the flight. If you stay overnight, you get a better look at the falls as they can pick the optimum time. If you fly in and out, you just have to take what's running. Can be worth picking your time to coincide with high tide period if you decide to spend the $ on the flight. You might as well get as much bang for your buck as you can.
Mike

The Kimberly as soon as you can get there.
Go via the Gary Junction Road and use the Pilbara as the "buffer" for the opening of the GRR.

Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 Motorhome.

You can also do a flight to the Horizontal Falls from Broome - flies over the Dampier Peninsula too. Yes - costly, but everyone I have known who has done it says is worth the money. (I do not "do" little planes!)
You will find that everything in the Kimberley is costly! They must make their money in a fairly short window of time each year, and infrastructure is very dear up there. There is virtually no "free" camping allowed any more along the GRR - too many previous travellers did the wrong thing re rubbish, polluting waterways etc. So you will need to pay the fees at the campgrounds - and some of these are very pleasant.

The Mitchell Falls camp ground is a very large one - but a fair few people go in there, too. Last time, we set up well away from others - but there is always that later comer, who must set up close!!!! With a noisy generator.
A lot of people camp at the beautiful King Edward River - great place and can swim there - and just go into the Plateau for the day. But, in my view it makes for a very pressured day and because the road is usually pretty poor, hurrying can bring drivers to grief. While we were last there a day tripper took a corner (they are not signed) too fast, bounced off a tree and an oncoming Ranger's vehicle - did much damage and was up for a very costly retrieval.