Top 5-10 Destinations in Each State

Submitted: Friday, Mar 24, 2006 at 11:02
ThreadID: 32104 Views:3539 Replies:17 FollowUps:10
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Hi

Our family (my wife and I, son 8 and daughter 10) are travelling round Oz for 6 mths - leaving after Xmas and coming back end of June 2007.

Will travel antip-clockwise to miss wet season.

We have Patrol, off-road CT and 12ft dinghy - we love our fishing. Other than that, we will not be spending too much time doing tracks just for the 4wd experience - more if there is a destination at the end of it - like Cape York.

We could of course spend much longer but only have 6mths - so we must be a little careful with our itinerary. We don't want to choose so many places that we don't have time to see anything well. With kids, we can't be constantly in the car, moving on etc. I would rather choose less spots and spend a bit of time in these.

The itinerary will also be flexible - given travelling with kids, and the possibility of hitting a few great fishing spots!

We are from WA - and will not be spending much time in areas north to Exmouth or south to Albany.

Anyway - given the background of everyone on this forum - from all areas around Oz - I was wondering if people could provide their Top 5-10 places to see in each state. Everyone will be different - but that is what it makes it great. This will give us some places to investigate to arrive at our rough itinerary.

When we get a rough draft, I will probably post it and get some feedback on allocation of number of days.

Thanks

Alan
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Reply By: Rick (S.A.) - Friday, Mar 24, 2006 at 11:13

Friday, Mar 24, 2006 at 11:13
South Oz - in no particular order:

1. Robe - Beachport - Carpenters Rocks - the beach run & camping & fishing.
2. Flinders Ranges from Hawker to Arkaroola - the pick of it being Warraweena. Station.
3. West Coast - Ceduna to Port Lincoln
4. Innamincka/corner country. perhaps a loop up teh Birdsville track, over to Innamincka/Coopers Cree, return via Strzelecki tarck & Flinders ranges, or return via Cameron Corner, Tibooburra & Broken Hill.
5. Adelaide city & environs - maybe a wine region like the Barossa Valley, Clare or Mclaren vale regions.

Have fun dreaming & planning
AnswerID: 162625

Follow Up By: Patrolman Pat - Friday, Mar 24, 2006 at 14:01

Friday, Mar 24, 2006 at 14:01
Pretty much what I was going to post except Oodnadatta track to Dalhousie in there somewhere.
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Reply By: Member - Craig D (SA) - Friday, Mar 24, 2006 at 11:17

Friday, Mar 24, 2006 at 11:17
South Oz...again.

Deep Creek Conservation Park (Sth of Adelaide)
Robe
Mambray Creek - Mt Remarkable/Alligator Gorge
McLaren Vale
Tantanoola Caves
AnswerID: 162626

Reply By: flappa - Friday, Mar 24, 2006 at 11:24

Friday, Mar 24, 2006 at 11:24
Trout Fishing in the Snowy Mountains.

Lakes, Thredbo , and Eucumbene , and Thredbo River.

See the sights of the Snowies while you are around.
AnswerID: 162627

Reply By: Member - Des - Friday, Mar 24, 2006 at 11:40

Friday, Mar 24, 2006 at 11:40
Note not confined to 4WD destinations.

Victoria (not in order of priority, roughly west to east):
1. Great Ocean Rd/Otways
2. Central Vic goldfields - Bendigo, Ballarat, Daylesford, Castlemaine, Maldon etc (base in one spot and do day trips for a few days)
3. Sth Gippsland - Phillip Island, Bass coast, Bunurong, Cape Liptrap M&CP, Wilsons Prom, Nooramunga M&CP, Strezleckis (eg Tarra-Bulga NP)
4. High Country - everywhere! Walhalla/Baw Baw, Cambarville-Lake Mtn, Howqua/King R/Mt Stirling/The Bluff area, Alpine NP Wonnangatta-Moroka, Wabonga, Bogong and Cobberas-Tingaringy sections.
5. East Gippsland - Mitchell R NP, Snowy R NP (e.g. Jacksons Crossing, Deddick Trail, MacKillops Bridge), Marlo/Cape Conran, Croajingolong NP, Errinundra NP

Would have included Vic "outback" and Murray area (eg Murray Sunset, Hattah-Kulkyne, Wyperfeld, Little Desert), but you will have covered that kind of country elsewhere.

Would have included Grampians but for recent fires.

Plenty of fishing in places listed (other than central Vic).

If other special interests, plenty of other destination: eg for wineries, Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula, Rutherglen, Heathcote (world's best shiraz); Melbourne for sporting events, shopping, museums, etc.

Lots of info on national parks at www.parkweb.vic.gov.au - brochure on almost every park in Vic. Or in more compact form, Victoria's National Parks book (green cover).
AnswerID: 162629

Follow Up By: GaryInOz (Vic) - Friday, Mar 24, 2006 at 20:10

Friday, Mar 24, 2006 at 20:10
Snowy Mountains: Suggan Buggan - Willis [camping by the Snowy River] - Jindabyne
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Follow Up By: GaryInOz (Vic) - Friday, Mar 24, 2006 at 20:11

Friday, Mar 24, 2006 at 20:11
Interesting way of getting from Mel to Can.
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Follow Up By: Member - Des - Saturday, Mar 25, 2006 at 10:24

Saturday, Mar 25, 2006 at 10:24
Agree Gary. Snowy River Rd/Barry Way from Buchan to Jindabyne is fabulous. For a through trip up the Snowy, I would probably say to go Marlo/Orbost/Buchan/Tulloch Ard Rd/Running Ck Tk/Jacksons Crossing/Yalmy Rd/Deddick Trail/side trip up Mt Tingaringy/MacKillops Bridge/Little River Gorge/side trip up Worlds End Spur/Snowy River Rd/side trip up Ingeegoodbee Tk to Mt Meenak (or continue for circuit MacFarlanes Flat/Cobberas Trail/Native Dog Flat/Limestone-Black Mtn Rd if time permits)/Barry Way/Jindabyne. It is wonderful country, although very hot and dry in peak of summer.

From Jindabyne, quick trip to Kosciusko, then go to Tom Groggin, ford the Murray and get back into Victoria asap!!

But if determined to waste time in NSW, head east to Eden and the Sapphire coast.
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Reply By: Notso - Friday, Mar 24, 2006 at 11:58

Friday, Mar 24, 2006 at 11:58
WA,

Coral Bay
Karajini Nat Park
80 Mile Beach
South west, great wineries, beautiful scenery, trees.
AnswerID: 162632

Follow Up By: cloughie - Friday, Mar 24, 2006 at 19:49

Friday, Mar 24, 2006 at 19:49
Cape Range NP and Cape Leveque should aslo come under consideration for WA. Save up for Coral Bay.
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Reply By: Member - Bware (Tweed Valley) - Friday, Mar 24, 2006 at 12:25

Friday, Mar 24, 2006 at 12:25
NSW

climb Mt Warning
Waterfall Way between Armidale and the Coast
the Nth Coast is all about sun and surf. If you like deserted beaches try the section of coast between Port Macquarie and Sth West Rocks or Yuraygir NP.
Tweed scenic Rim
Hunter Valley wineries
Barrington Tops
Anywhere along the Great Dividing Range esp the NP's
AnswerID: 162636

Reply By: seqfisho - Friday, Mar 24, 2006 at 12:39

Friday, Mar 24, 2006 at 12:39
I'll put a couple of obvious ones in for QLD

Fraser Island, despite the hordes of backpackers still fantastic.

Cape York, a must no matter what.

Birdsville and surrounds, a great desert experience. Also Camerons Corner.

A camp along the Cooper creek is also one of the must do's.

Then there is the Gulf country, especially if you want to fish.

Throw in Lawn Hill, Cania Gorge, Stockmans Hall, Daintree etc

Well that'll do or you will never get out of Queensland for 6 months.
AnswerID: 162637

Follow Up By: seqfisho - Friday, Mar 24, 2006 at 12:44

Friday, Mar 24, 2006 at 12:44
Forgot to add the Dinosour Fossils up Winton way and the Undara lava tubes, the kids will love them.
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Reply By: Brian B (QLD) - Friday, Mar 24, 2006 at 13:23

Friday, Mar 24, 2006 at 13:23
Alan,

Ditto to what seqfisho said plus these few more QLD locations which are not all 4x4 spots:

Moreton Island
North Stradbroke Island
The Gold Coast
The Sunshine Coast
Rainbow Beach/Double Island Point

Have a great trip
AnswerID: 162641

Reply By: Alloy c/t - Friday, Mar 24, 2006 at 14:25

Friday, Mar 24, 2006 at 14:25
All of the above ,but you really need more than 6mths just in Qld alone ,impossible to pick just 5 destinations that would give a true perspective of QLD diversity.
AnswerID: 162651

Follow Up By: Joe King - Friday, Mar 24, 2006 at 15:48

Friday, Mar 24, 2006 at 15:48
Yeah, I agree, in the Dalrymple Shire alone (West of Townsville), you go from Tropical Rainforest to Desert in an area the size of Tassie, depends what you wanna look at.
if you like touristy stuff, stick to the coast, if you want to see out of the ordinary, inland is the way to go, eitherway you are gonna miss out on a lot
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Follow Up By: Member - Norm C (QLD) - Friday, Mar 24, 2006 at 17:35

Friday, Mar 24, 2006 at 17:35
Does that mean you are from Dalrymple Shire Joe? If so, where?
Norm C
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Follow Up By: Joe King - Friday, Mar 24, 2006 at 20:08

Friday, Mar 24, 2006 at 20:08
G'day Norm, I live in Clownsville (Townsville) but was born & bred in the Towers & still spen a lot of time in the Daly shire shooting, a lot easier now the hearveys range rd is all sealed out to the lynd, sounds like you're from the area mate, did you spend some time here...
JK
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Follow Up By: Member - Norm C (QLD) - Friday, Mar 24, 2006 at 23:06

Friday, Mar 24, 2006 at 23:06
Yes Joe. Born in the Towers myself. Wasn't everybody?
Left at age 15 to join the Army (a long time ago), but mum and a sister still live there. Haven't been back for a few years now, but will drop in on my way back from the Kimberley later this year.
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Reply By: Member - Brian (Gold Coast) - Friday, Mar 24, 2006 at 16:28

Friday, Mar 24, 2006 at 16:28
As stated above, Qld is a big place to pick 5 destinations.

My favourites would be Fraser Island, Cooloola Shire/Teewah Beach, Rainbow Beach/Inskip Point, Bundaberg and surrounding beaches etc, Hervey Bay,
AnswerID: 162666

Reply By: Bros 1 - Friday, Mar 24, 2006 at 19:06

Friday, Mar 24, 2006 at 19:06
Alan,
If you go to Cape York on the development road, come back through Lakefield National Park and onto Bathurst Bay. You say you will be home again in June 07. The Cape may be out of your time schedule if there is a big wet next year. Then there is the drive out through Emerald, Barcaldine, Longreach, Winton, Boulia, Bedourie, Birdsville etc etc. Boy oh boy have you got enough time.
Cheers,
Bros.
Work is the curse of the down and out bludger.

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AnswerID: 162688

Reply By: Brian B (Mackay Qld) - Friday, Mar 24, 2006 at 21:52

Friday, Mar 24, 2006 at 21:52
Mackay and the Whitsundays, North Queensland
AnswerID: 162729

Reply By: 1812 - Friday, Mar 24, 2006 at 22:56

Friday, Mar 24, 2006 at 22:56
Hi Alan,

Here is a few in NSW,

Tamworth, the Country Music Capital of Aus. Music festival on the week before Australia Day.

Dubbo, It has a great free range Zoo.

Port Stevens, Is a bit touristy but great fishing.

Jervis Bay, Great fishing.

Lightning Ridge, Opal mines.

Broken Hill, The mine but also a lot of artists in and around town.

Hope this gives you some where to start,

Have a great trip.

Scott
AnswerID: 162748

Reply By: Turbo - Saturday, Mar 25, 2006 at 00:25

Saturday, Mar 25, 2006 at 00:25
HI,ALAN DONT FORGET YORKE PENINSULA IN S.A...HAVE FUN, DAVE....
AnswerID: 162762

Reply By: froomey - Saturday, Mar 25, 2006 at 02:31

Saturday, Mar 25, 2006 at 02:31
hi alan
if going to cape leveque,on the way up call into middle lagoon, great place great people , good fishing.
also gibb river river rd and up to mithell falls, if enough time time, get to kalumburu and go to honey moon bay you stay with a local family ,les & ruth, they will take you fishing, great experience.
further east all gibb river rd is a must see, road can be little rough but ok, check road conditions.
lake argyle also very interesting.

ps , go to trek notes under trip planning on this site, some great places

froomey
bunbury w.a.
AnswerID: 162770

Reply By: Greiglin - Saturday, Mar 25, 2006 at 09:17

Saturday, Mar 25, 2006 at 09:17
Qld: 1- Fraser Island, 2- Lawn Hill NP, 3- Anywhere north of Cairns, 4- Noosa - Rainbow Beach (Cooloola NP), 5- Blackall Ranges.
Vic: 1-Great Ocean Road, 2- Goldfields area from Ballarat - Bendigo, 3- Grampians (not at the moment though cos of recent fires), 4- Bellarine and Mornington Peninsulas, 5- High Country
SA: 1- Flinders Rangers, 2- Streaky Bay, 3- Oodnadatta Track, 4- Barossa Valley, 5- Mt Gambier
NSW: 1- Kosciusko NP (Khancoban), 2- Port Macquarie and surrounds, 3- Eden and surrounds, 4- anywhere along or off the New England Hwy (Great Divinding Range) 5- Any road out of Sydney.lol
NT: 1- Uluru/Olgas/Kings Canyon, 2- Palm Valley (Fike Gorge NP), 3- East & West MacDonnell Ranges, 4- Cobourg Peninsula, 5- Tanamai Track
WA: Every where......... Pick a spot it will be great. SE WA (Esperance- Albany - Augusta - Perth) , Broome, Cape Leveque & Middle Lagoon, Chapman Valley when the wild flowers are out that out from Geraldton, GRR, all the gorges, Mitchell Falls, Horizontal Falls, Bungles, Kalbarri NP, the list goes on and on and on. Ah.....to win tattlsotto.... and some say they have to go back to work........ Bloody idiots. Get out there see what you can.
have a good trip.
AnswerID: 162781

Reply By: Member - Alan (WA) - Sunday, Mar 26, 2006 at 10:37

Sunday, Mar 26, 2006 at 10:37
Thanks to everyone who responded. Some great ideas - I have plenty of homework.

6 months is definitely not enough to see everything - but sure better than nothing!! :)

Cheers

Alan
AnswerID: 162943

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