Suggestions on places worth visiting

Submitted: Saturday, Jan 14, 2006 at 17:33
ThreadID: 29692 Views:2556 Replies:9 FollowUps:7
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Hi all,

We are well into planning our trip for mid this year and thought that by posting our itinerary people who have already travelled the same areas may be able to offer advice where to visit along the way. We've been reading other posts and books but there isn't anything better than other peoples first hand knowledge.

We will be travelling in convoy (4 vehicles - 8 adults and 2 kids aged 10 & 12yrs), any suggestions or advice welcome.

Itinerary:

20/05/06 - Leaving Canberra/Nowra/Sydney
21/05/06 - Hay
22/05/06 - Burra
23/05/06 - Wilpena Pound
24/05/06 - William Creek
25/05/06 - Coober Pedy
26/05/06 - Coober Pedy
27/05/06 - Bush Camp - Stuary Hwy
28/05/06 - Yulara
29/05/06 - Yulara
30/05/06 - Alice Springs
31/05/06 - Alice Springs
01/06/06 - Alice Springs
02/06/06 - Alice Springs
03/06/06 - Painted Desert
04/06/06 - Dalhousie Springs
05/06/06 - Dalhousie Springs
06/06/06 - Simpson Desert
07/06/06 - Simpson Desert
08/06/06 - Simpson Desert
09/06/06 - Birdsville
10/06/06 - Birdsville
11/06/06 - Birdsville Track
12/06/06 - Strzelecki Track
13/06/06 - Cameron Corner
14/06/06 - White Cliffs
15/06/06 - Broken Hill
16/06/06 - Broken Hill
17/06/06 - Hay
18/06/06 - Home

Regards,

Kerrie.
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Reply By: johannagoanna - Saturday, Jan 14, 2006 at 18:46

Saturday, Jan 14, 2006 at 18:46
I think we will probably run into you somewhere. We are planning on going something like this:

Leave Sydney sometime May/June
Broken Hill
Marree
Oodnadatta track
follow old Ghan track up Finke
Ulura and surrounding areas
Alice
eastern Mac's
Plenty Hwy
? Birdsville
Strzelecki
CC
Home!
AnswerID: 148557

Follow Up By: Boo - Saturday, Jan 14, 2006 at 19:20

Saturday, Jan 14, 2006 at 19:20
Hi,

Very likely will see you somewhere along the way. Have you been through these areas before or is it your first trip?

Kerrie
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Reply By: Noosa Fox - Saturday, Jan 14, 2006 at 19:00

Saturday, Jan 14, 2006 at 19:00
The Shearers hall of fame in Hay is good for kids, not bad for adults either.
Flinders Ranges. need a week not just 1 day too many nice places to see.

Yulara. Make sure you see the Kings Canyon.

Alice Springs, Do day trips to east Macdonald and also the West Macdonald Ranges
About 70km south of Alice is Rainbow Valley. I think this is a must see at sunset.

Birdsville Track, Down the southern end between Mungaranie Pub and Maree is Claytons Wetlands. Great camping spot with toilets, hot shower and hot spa.

It is a Bugger when you have to try and fit so much into such a short time all because of the terrible word called "WORK."
Brian
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AnswerID: 148560

Follow Up By: Boo - Saturday, Jan 14, 2006 at 19:18

Saturday, Jan 14, 2006 at 19:18
Hi Brian,

Thanks for the info, your right about trying to see as much as possible in a short time, unfortunately work is a necessary evil, without it we wouldn't be able to afford to travel at all.

However whilst this may be our first venture to this area, I'm sure it won't be our last.

Kerrie
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Reply By: Mad Dog (Australia) - Saturday, Jan 14, 2006 at 19:17

Saturday, Jan 14, 2006 at 19:17
>Suggestions on places worth visiting

VICTORIA

no doubt about it, so good I decided to settle there.

We don't want too many invading our remote areas so keep it to yourself.
AnswerID: 148566

Follow Up By: Noosa Fox - Saturday, Jan 14, 2006 at 20:29

Saturday, Jan 14, 2006 at 20:29
You would have to be joking Ray, spent 50 years there and glad to be able to retire to the Sunshine Coast.

Brian
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Follow Up By: Mad Dog (Australia) - Saturday, Jan 14, 2006 at 21:16

Saturday, Jan 14, 2006 at 21:16
well as they say the grass is greener on the other side and we both come from other sides, it's southern Vic for me, not hot, not cold, not humid. not wet, not windy, no cockroaches, so much 4x4'ing and camping in every direction its hard to choose, great bush, just great people, I could go on and on.....my choice, If I didn't think it was the best I'd move again......enjoy the sunshine coast brian.
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Follow Up By: Member- Rox (WA) - Sunday, Jan 15, 2006 at 01:05

Sunday, Jan 15, 2006 at 01:05
Mad dog that's why (+ meeting my Wife) I chose to leave Vic for WA So much 4WDing to be done & we can drive on beaches over here.
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Reply By: snailbait (Blue mntns) - Saturday, Jan 14, 2006 at 20:07

Saturday, Jan 14, 2006 at 20:07
hi boo
i think you are little ambitish to do the iteriny you re propsining i would sugest you keep the ks below 300 ks per day you may find the kids and the adults will complain about getting into camp a late and if they are putting up a tent it will be tyring for the people with children
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AnswerID: 148574

Reply By: Member - Duncs - Saturday, Jan 14, 2006 at 22:55

Saturday, Jan 14, 2006 at 22:55
Kerrie,

That sounds reasonable to me. It is a bit rushed but as you say we only get so many days off. It will certainly give you a good taste of what is out there.

Can I suggest a couple of minor changes that may make it a bit mor comfortable.

Burra to WIlpena is a nice easy day but Wilpena to William Ck is a bit long. Also you may find you want more time in Wilpena especially if you enjoy walking.

If you get going early you should be able to make Coober Pedy to Yulara in one day. That will give you an extra one in Yulara which would be good.

Yulara to Alice is not too bad a drive but you won't have time to see much.

When you leave Alice heading for Dalhousie a stop over at Chambers Pillar is well worth it. Spectacular formation good camping and about the right position between Alice and Dalhousie for a night.

We camped at Mt Dare and spent a few hours at Dalhousie before moving on. We had a good look through the Simpson and camped three nights.

I figure you are planning to use Walkers Crossing to get from the Birdsville to Strz track, it is a lovely run but check with Ruth at the Birdsville Caravan Park about road conditions before setting off.

On the way from Cameron's to White Cliffs call in on hte Brown's at Reola station and ask to have a look at their sheering shed. They are in the Broken Hill phone book, sorry not at home so I can't give you the number.

You have not got much time in the Hill but I understand the time difficulty. Must see things are the Sculptures, at sunset, Silverton, Mundi Mundi Plain from the look out just past Silverton at sunset, Coffee on top of the mullock heap (Broken Earth Cafe) at sunset. I know not enough time for all those sunsets. Pro Hart's gallery, the Big Picture, (it is bigger than the one in Alice Springs) and Jack Absalom's gallery are all worth a look as is White's Mineral and Art Museum in Doe St.

Call at the Fire Station (Blende St Broken Hill if I am not there get them to call me) if I can I will show you around a bit or talk about options with you.

Lastly and most importantly, be prepared to chuck the itinery and do what seems appropriate at the time, be flexible. If it rains a lot of roads get closed very quickly so you may have to change plans at any time.

I reckon what you have planned looks Ok, depite making so many suggestions.

Have fun
Duncs
AnswerID: 148624

Reply By: Member- Rox (WA) - Sunday, Jan 15, 2006 at 01:11

Sunday, Jan 15, 2006 at 01:11
Boo I recommend most Highly a HF radio & VKS 737 good for a listen to "see" Who's in your neighbourhood & what the Rd conditions are like.
AnswerID: 148657

Follow Up By: Member - laura B (NSW) - Friday, Jan 20, 2006 at 20:50

Friday, Jan 20, 2006 at 20:50
curiosity.....whats this vks thingy????laura
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FollowupID: 403242

Follow Up By: Member- Rox (WA) - Friday, Jan 20, 2006 at 23:18

Friday, Jan 20, 2006 at 23:18
http://www.vks737.on.net/
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FollowupID: 403266

Reply By: Member - Marilyn P (NSW) - Sunday, Jan 15, 2006 at 10:32

Sunday, Jan 15, 2006 at 10:32
Dear Kerrie,
Rainbow Valley is an extra special place but to make the most of it you need to spend the night. Have been there twice - with and without water in the claypan - any photos that you see do not do it justice - an inspirational place.
Marilyn
AnswerID: 148716

Reply By: Boo - Sunday, Jan 15, 2006 at 11:43

Sunday, Jan 15, 2006 at 11:43
Thanks to everyone who has responded, I will do a bit more research into your suggestions and see if we can work them into the itinerary. We have all taken an additional week so that if we want to stay longer in any places or divert on the way we have that option.

As for those that suggested the mileage was too long each day and we would be setting up camp late, some of the days will be like that, but others won't. As for the kids they travel well, have game boys and in car dvd so when there isn't anything for them to see out the windows they can occupy themselves.

Then when we reach camp each day, they have helped set up camp many times and are old enough to know what needs to be done, we can have a one night stop set up in about 15 minutes with the CT, so whilst we may arrive late set up will take minimal time and effort so I don't expect that we cause too many concerns.

Regards,

Kerrie.
AnswerID: 148723

Reply By: Barnesy - Monday, Jan 16, 2006 at 01:04

Monday, Jan 16, 2006 at 01:04
It seems like you will be doing a lot of driving and not much relaxing and looking around. If it's what you like that's fine, but kids need to get out and explore places. Think of the fun they'll have running around free rather than sitting in the back of a car. I personally prefer trips where i may only visit a couple of area but really relax and soak in the atmosphere of the place.

Living near the Flinders I'm biased in saying you really need to spend more time at wilpena and the whole NP to do it justice. Lots of 4wding and bush walking around there. Turn east at Blinman and go the back way following the ranges north right up to Gammon Ranges NP and Arkaroola.

Whatever you do enjoy it.

Barnesy
AnswerID: 148848

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