help with heading north?

Submitted: Friday, Apr 22, 2005 at 16:01
ThreadID: 22289 Views:1810 Replies:5 FollowUps:19
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Hi folks, Im planning a one-way trip in the next few weeks from Brisbane to Kununurra, and was looking for any tips on the safest and cheapest way to get there. I have a very solid and reliable 'cruiser - just need a few tips on the route. I was thinking train it to Cairns, then follow one of the many tour buses overland to Katherine or Darwin, then on to the Kimberly. Any thoughts or ideas would be appreciate. Cheers, Emmet.
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Reply By: Moose - Friday, Apr 22, 2005 at 16:14

Friday, Apr 22, 2005 at 16:14
Mate, why would you want to follow a tour bus? Training to Cairns I wouldn't expect to be particularly cheap, but have never done so myself so can't offer any real advice on that aspect.
Anyway, if you're trying to get to the Kimberley why go via Cairns? - that's not exactly the most direct route! Maybe you should provide a bit more detail as to what you aim to do if you want any useful advice.
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Follow Up By: emmetguy - Friday, Apr 22, 2005 at 16:30

Friday, Apr 22, 2005 at 16:30
Ok I should have been a bit more direct. Basically I start a new job in the Kimberly in a couple of weeks, and I just need advice on the best way to get there from Brisbane. I dont need to go to Cairns, I just thought that would be the safest way, as I will be travelling alone. I dont intent to do any major sightseeing along the way - just have to arrive in one piece. As for following the tour bus, just a thought as it would be safer if i had any problems.
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Reply By: Rod W - Friday, Apr 22, 2005 at 16:25

Friday, Apr 22, 2005 at 16:25
Brisbane to Isa via Longreach etc, Isa to Katherine on the Barkly Hwy, Katherine to Kununrra on the Victoria Hwy.
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Follow Up By: emmetguy - Friday, Apr 22, 2005 at 16:31

Friday, Apr 22, 2005 at 16:31
Cheers Rod - sound advice mate - any idea on the price of diesel (avg) out that way?
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Follow Up By: Rod W - Friday, Apr 22, 2005 at 16:36

Friday, Apr 22, 2005 at 16:36
Wouldn't have a clue mate, I'm in Perth. Last time I travelled that route was in about 1975. This site should give you up to date info like that or someone will pop-up and tell ya. Have a good trip.
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Reply By: emmetguy - Friday, Apr 22, 2005 at 16:27

Friday, Apr 22, 2005 at 16:27
Ok I should have been a bit more direct. Basically I start a new job in the Kimberly in a couple of weeks, and I just need advice on the best way to get there from Brisbane. I dont need to go to Cairns, I just thought that would be the safest way, as I will be travelling alone. I dont intent to do any major sightseeing along the way - just have to arrive in one piece. As for following the tour bus, just a thought as it would be safer if i had any problems.
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Reply By: Jolly - Friday, Apr 22, 2005 at 16:58

Friday, Apr 22, 2005 at 16:58
Mate...You definetly wont be alone....Tourist seasons started and there are people everywhere......You can't go anywhere these days without passing a car every 5 minutes...You'll have no problems mate...
I work to the south of Kununurra and the roads are getting bussier by the day...

Have a good trip...

Jolly..
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Follow Up By: emmetguy - Friday, Apr 22, 2005 at 17:09

Friday, Apr 22, 2005 at 17:09
Jolly, you dont work at the Argyle mine do ya? Thanks for the reply.. Emmet
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Follow Up By: Jolly - Friday, Apr 22, 2005 at 18:02

Friday, Apr 22, 2005 at 18:02
Nah Mate..
Work at Sally Malay...Nickel mine about 50kms to the south..
No a few people that work there though...is that where your off to..??
Jolly..
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Follow Up By: Member - Kimberly Kruiser (WA) - Friday, Apr 22, 2005 at 22:03

Friday, Apr 22, 2005 at 22:03
Emmet

Diesel $1.40 per litre and rising for the tourist season at Kununurra.
Should imagine it will be the same everywhere along the route your taking, rising as the vehicle traffic increases I mean.
You won't have any dramas in a few weeks time, they'll be getting thicker on the highways as each day goes by.

Cheers
Wal.
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Reply By: emmetguy - Friday, Apr 22, 2005 at 18:12

Friday, Apr 22, 2005 at 18:12
Its my ultimate goal, but ill have to settle in Kununurra for a bit first and keep my ear to the ground. Itchin to get up that way though.
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Follow Up By: Jolly - Saturday, Apr 23, 2005 at 14:50

Saturday, Apr 23, 2005 at 14:50
Argyle are looking for people...After Kununurra locals so as long as you have a house and post office box you should be ok...Life of the mine is up in the air a bit at the moment...So anything could happen...Could close end of 06-start of 07 at worst i believe...

Jolly..
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Follow Up By: emmetguy - Saturday, Apr 23, 2005 at 16:42

Saturday, Apr 23, 2005 at 16:42
Really mate, could close that soon? Is that fact or just the word gettin around?
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Follow Up By: Jolly - Saturday, Apr 23, 2005 at 17:03

Saturday, Apr 23, 2005 at 17:03
It all depends on weather they are going to go u/g or not...I saw a write up in the West Australian a few weeks ago and Rio Tinto were saying that they will require the state gov't to give them subsidies/tax breaks etc to enable the place to continue...Can't remember exactly how it went...Check out the Rio Tinto web site...Should find a bit of info..

Jolly.
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Follow Up By: Jolly - Saturday, Apr 23, 2005 at 17:04

Saturday, Apr 23, 2005 at 17:04
What do you do ....This place are looking for people..??

Jolly
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Follow Up By: emmetguy - Saturday, Apr 23, 2005 at 17:11

Saturday, Apr 23, 2005 at 17:11
Well ive got a mate working at Argyle driving a truck that carts the ore, and shes on pretty good $$, so im keen to get into that. Havent got my ticket, but you get them there so im told. What do you do?
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Follow Up By: Jolly - Saturday, Apr 23, 2005 at 17:18

Saturday, Apr 23, 2005 at 17:18
Im a Process Tech, Work in the mill were we process the ore, Have been out here since the placed started up last july...
Not to bad a place...I know Roche mining who have the contract for the open pit are looking for truck drivers but they are in and out of Darwin or Broome...Not sure of what they get payed
Have you operated a grader..??..The company are doing there own u/g mining and have just bought a new 14h and maybe looking for a operator...Not sure how you would go living in Kununurra though..
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Follow Up By: emmetguy - Saturday, Apr 23, 2005 at 17:26

Saturday, Apr 23, 2005 at 17:26
Im prepared to move anywhere mate, just thought of Kununurra because of my mate there, and I know that they train you on the machinery. Havent operated a grader as such, but Im a quick learner on that sort of thing. Can operate an articulated excavator no worries (no ticket though). Im just keen to get a stable career in a mine and get away from the $550 a week rat race. No chance to earn enough in my town for a house etc. You know what im talking about? By the way, I appreciate the info Jolly.
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Follow Up By: Member - Kimberly Kruiser (WA) - Saturday, Apr 23, 2005 at 22:12

Saturday, Apr 23, 2005 at 22:12
There is no guarantee's Arglye will stay operating and rumours are rife either way of the bet. Mind you not many companies would spend 80 plus million on an exploritory decline for no specific reason.
Me finks it'll go a bit longer yet.
Just bear in mind that over the next few years that the required workforce will lessen as open cut closes and underground takes over!

Cheers
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Follow Up By: emmetguy - Sunday, Apr 24, 2005 at 11:52

Sunday, Apr 24, 2005 at 11:52
So you reckon my chances of landing a job at Argyle are pretty slim?
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Follow Up By: emmetguy - Sunday, Apr 24, 2005 at 11:54

Sunday, Apr 24, 2005 at 11:54
Jolly, id like to stay in touch with you as you seem to have a lot of info on the situation of the mines up there - you got an email address? Cheers, Emmet
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Follow Up By: Member - Kimberly Kruiser (WA) - Sunday, Apr 24, 2005 at 12:11

Sunday, Apr 24, 2005 at 12:11
Emmet

No not all mate. There is a quite a bit of work on the go at the moment,
but as Jolly said for Kununurra based people. Just be aware that the style of the mine from open cut to underground will take place over the next couple of years.

Cheers
Wal
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Follow Up By: Jolly - Sunday, Apr 24, 2005 at 13:12

Sunday, Apr 24, 2005 at 13:12
Yeh Mate...

jjohnson@kimberleynickel.com

Jolly..
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Follow Up By: emmetguy - Monday, Apr 25, 2005 at 12:32

Monday, Apr 25, 2005 at 12:32
Beauty fellas, thanks heaps for the info - I appreciate it. May run in to you guys up there for a cold one in the near future. Cheers, Emmet
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