Darwin bound
Submitted: Tuesday, Nov 28, 2006 at 18:42
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Member - TPM (SA)
Hi,
I am moving to
Darwin 2 days after Xmas.
Has anyone got recomendations of
places to stop or avoid on the way to
Darwin from
Adelaide ( Diesel refuelling, food etc. ) basically trying to do the drive as quick and safe as possible. Staying in Alice one night with friends.
Its been a few years since we last did the drive and we were shocked at the quality of some of the
places that used to be better. Not looking for 5 star or anything, just good service or cheap prices.
Single car with spouse and dog, no trailer or caravan.
Any suggestions would be appreciated
Many thanks
Reply By: Davo_60 (ACT) - Tuesday, Nov 28, 2006 at 18:52
Tuesday, Nov 28, 2006 at 18:52
It will be very hot all the way. If you are going through
Adelaide maybe worth stopping in Pt
Augusta.
Coober Pedy is a good spot for fuel as it is a good distance from Alice. Then
Tennant Creek and
Katherine for fuel.
AnswerID:
207368
Follow Up By: Member - Stephen L (SA) - Tuesday, Nov 28, 2006 at 19:18
Tuesday, Nov 28, 2006 at 19:18
The cheapest place in
Coober Pedy for fuel, at times 6 cents per litre cheaper that the
Ampol on the way in is Bull's Depot, right at the end of the Main Street.
Cheers
Stephen
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Tuesday, Nov 28, 2006 at 22:31
Tuesday, Nov 28, 2006 at 22:31
The other good place for diesel is the Shell depot - just turn right at the drive-in, just past Bulls, and then right again. It used to be cheaper than Bulls but that may have all changed. Only hassle is that the depot is shut Sundays.
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Andrew W (SA) - Wednesday, Nov 29, 2006 at 10:19
Wednesday, Nov 29, 2006 at 10:19
I think you're right Phil,
Seems it is not such a given that Bulls will be cheapest any more ...
FollowupID:
467426
Reply By: Hairy - Tuesday, Nov 28, 2006 at 19:06
Tuesday, Nov 28, 2006 at 19:06
Knotts Crossing Resort at
Katherine is a great stop over ( cabins) excellent service and cheaper than the motel!
Cheers
Hairy
AnswerID:
207374
Follow Up By: G&R - Tuesday, Nov 28, 2006 at 23:48
Tuesday, Nov 28, 2006 at 23:48
G'day. I second the
Knotts Crossing suggestion! I live in
Katherine, and I haven't actually stayed in the units, but I have eaten there plenty of times!
Also I suggest Cinema Cafe for an honest, solid,
well priced feed.
Fuel is usually cheaper in
Katherine than
Darwin, so fill up.
Good luck!
Greg
FollowupID:
467374
Reply By: Footloose - Tuesday, Nov 28, 2006 at 20:01
Tuesday, Nov 28, 2006 at 20:01
Do you have a fridge in the vehicle ? We found that buying drinks along the way was horrendously expensive for a family of four. Better to buy at a
supermarket and not the little stops. Make sure you have PLENTY of liquids when you get above the Alice, you'll need em.
Good Luck
AnswerID:
207387
Follow Up By: Member - Jiarna (NT) - Tuesday, Nov 28, 2006 at 20:44
Tuesday, Nov 28, 2006 at 20:44
I'll add my bit too:
Get your air conditioning serviced before you leave - you will be in big trouble if it packs up on the way!!
Good luck with the move
John
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Follow Up By: Member No 1- Wednesday, Nov 29, 2006 at 07:59
Wednesday, Nov 29, 2006 at 07:59
we have all turned into softies...what ever happened to winding the window down. :)
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Follow Up By: Footloose - Wednesday, Nov 29, 2006 at 08:05
Wednesday, Nov 29, 2006 at 08:05
No 1, if you'd been on that road at that time of the year, you'd know exactly what happened to "winding the window down "
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Reply By: Member - MrBitchi (QLD) - Wednesday, Nov 29, 2006 at 09:11
Wednesday, Nov 29, 2006 at 09:11
DON'T stop at Three Ways. Bloody rip-off merchants.
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: demented - Wednesday, Nov 29, 2006 at 17:48
Wednesday, Nov 29, 2006 at 17:48
I'll second that. Payed over 10c a litre more at three-ways than anywhere else on that drive in August. We didn't get off the main highways but did do
Canberra to
Darwin and
Darwin to
Brisbane so we saw some pretty expensive fuel :) Three ways were more expensive than all three directions from their
intersection!
Also a little suspect about the Hi-way Inn. In both directions (gave them the benefit of the doubt) the amount of fuel per km I had to put in the
tank there was significantly more than anywhere else (11-12l/km as opposed to no more than 10 elsewhere). I know this could theoretically be explained by bad winds, but in both directions?
Cheers,
Demented
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Reply By: Willem - Wednesday, Nov 29, 2006 at 09:42
Wednesday, Nov 29, 2006 at 09:42
And don't forget that your dog will have to go on to Heartworm tablets immediately when it arrives in
Darwin
Enjoy the perspiration :-D
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Truckster (Vic) - Wednesday, Nov 29, 2006 at 19:23
Wednesday, Nov 29, 2006 at 19:23
Nice tire Mr, what happened.. Some quality there..
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Follow Up By: Willem - Wednesday, Nov 29, 2006 at 19:37
Wednesday, Nov 29, 2006 at 19:37
Ahhh yes...I was tsting out Davids new Rig Pic stuff and needed a pic. THGis one happened on October trip to Warraweena in the rough stuff. Tyre has gone to heaven
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Reply By: Member - TPM (SA) - Saturday, Dec 02, 2006 at 17:42
Saturday, Dec 02, 2006 at 17:42
Thanks to all for the suggestions,
The pooch is already on the heart worm tabs
Only 20 thou on the car so the a/c should be up to the heat.
Got a Engel fridge and always buy at supermarkets for cheap.
Just got to plan the fuel stops as only 760 km range with a loaded vehicle. May carry some fuel in jerry cans for some fuel stop flexabillity.
I lived in
Darwin previously and dont mind the heat or sweating : )
Actually looking forward to getting out of SA and away from the crowsvertiser news and resist change attitude. I like footy but its all a bit much sometimes. Mind you the NT news is a shocker of a paper, always some croc or snake attack front page !!
Plus all the great
camping spots in the NT will be a bonus
Thanks again
AnswerID:
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