Northern WA heat
Submitted: Sunday, Feb 18, 2007 at 00:40
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We are off on our great Oz trek in July. We want to spend a month or two with our daughter at
Karratha and then move on to
Middle Lagoon for a month. After that the plan was to head up to
Halls Creek and down the Tanami Rd to the Centre.
Trouble is after reading about the
Gibb River Road in other posts, we are thinking about having a crack at it. It will still only be the build-up (early October) but we are concerned about how hot it will be around that time (both in terms of the vehicle stress and our comfort). I have worked at Kunnunarra in October but that was 15 years ago and I was staying in an airconditioned hotel, so my memory is fading.
We have a campertrailer, not a caravan, so airconditioning is out. Has anyone else left it until October to tour this part of the country...or am I being stupid?
Reply By: Member - Doug T (W.A) - Sunday, Feb 18, 2007 at 01:47
Sunday, Feb 18, 2007 at 01:47
I went through GRR in December 2005 and really enjoyed it, though I must admit I don't do the touristy things , usually on a mission to get
home for the next job but still the raod was graded and I had the whole place to myself
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Follow Up By: Member - Doug T (W.A) - Sunday, Feb 18, 2007 at 01:48
Sunday, Feb 18, 2007 at 01:48
ROAD
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Reply By: barney rubble - Sunday, Feb 18, 2007 at 02:04
Sunday, Feb 18, 2007 at 02:04
No worrys at all in october mate good time to go most of the tourist stuff is starting wind up so its not so crowded anyway after a month in karrathas humidity youl be glad of some dry heat Enjoy
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Reply By: Member - Davoe (Nullagine) - Sunday, Feb 18, 2007 at 03:36
Sunday, Feb 18, 2007 at 03:36
Heat Pffft so what after 2 weeks at 46-48 unless it is nudging 50 it actually feels cool will be back up North soon - cant wat to get out of miserable cold rainy
perth
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Follow Up By: nissnut - Sunday, Feb 18, 2007 at 08:39
Sunday, Feb 18, 2007 at 08:39
Not me bro, theres nothing like the crunch of frost under my feet, the feel of rain running down the back of my ruggars and a beer thats still cold 23 seconds after opening. Anything over 25 degrees sucks the life out of me. But, I must admit, the ol' bones don't creak as much when in the 30's. ...........Lionel.
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Reply By: Member - Banjo (WA) - Sunday, Feb 18, 2007 at 09:18
Sunday, Feb 18, 2007 at 09:18
Went
Perth to Kunnunara and back October - December.
As Dave said could be 45+, but what the heck it's an experience.
Barney's bit about tourists being thin on the ground is spot on too. Which means that everywhere you go you will have less competition for the good camping spots.
Also means that you can see the attractions with a bit of peace and quiet. Less vehicles on the road makes it easier as
well.
If you speak a European language you won't be too short of company though.
Have fun.
Banjo (WA)
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Reply By: Member - andrew B (Kununurra) - Sunday, Feb 18, 2007 at 09:38
Sunday, Feb 18, 2007 at 09:38
Its hard to say, as once you are used to it the heat isn't to bad - I was on The shovel and wheelbarrow preparing for some concreting at midday yesterday, I wouldnt have dreampt of that a few years ago......October shouldn't be too bad, you may strike it lucky and get an early storm, which could even see you stranded for a few hours which only adds to the fun!
Have a good trip, make sure the aircon and cooling system in the car are in good nicki
Cheers andrew
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Reply By: MEMBER - Darian (SA) - Sunday, Feb 18, 2007 at 09:40
Sunday, Feb 18, 2007 at 09:40
While on the western half of the Gibb RR last August it was about 35 C - despite dire warnings here, the Bureau of Met lists 36.5 (Nov) as the highest average temp for that region ! Bom suggests the build up to the wet peaks around 36 then backs off for the summer to around 34 - the main issue would be wet roads - no ?
Annie at www.drysdaleriver.com.au has a spiel on seasonal travelling in that region.
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Reply By: Member - Howard P (WA) - Monday, Feb 19, 2007 at 15:52
Monday, Feb 19, 2007 at 15:52
Hi there
We did the GRR in October last year with 2 kids in a Camper Trailer. Yes it was hot - about 40 - 42degs but it made those swims in the gorges just that much more appealing! We headed off on the walks early in the morning and drove during the heat of the day. There weren't too many people around either!
One thing we have bought since then was a 12v fan from the 12volt
shop, just to keep the air circulating as it was quite uncomfortable sleeping even with all the windows unzipped.
Have a great trip -
well worth doing - we'd do it in October again - it wasn't unbearable.
Regards
Howard and Diana
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Reply By: Member - Beatit (QLD) - Monday, Feb 19, 2007 at 16:05
Monday, Feb 19, 2007 at 16:05
We did a trip in Sept and like the others found it OK. Just one issue for you is the fuel along the Tanami. When we were there the guy selling at
Wiluna said he was packing it in because there wasn't enough traffic (late Sept) - so something to
check if you are counting on buying fuel somewhere.
Kind regards
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