Request Trip idea or info

Submitted: Wednesday, Apr 11, 2007 at 05:49

ThreadID: 44186 Views:2408 Replies:3 FollowUps:5

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Member - Jim N (QLD)

Hi all

We will be around Melbourne in a week or so, and head from there to Alice Springs.
We intend to leave Melbourne about April 26-28 and like to ask if there is anyone who has got ideas for a nice route to take to Alice. We need to be in Alice no later than 7-8 May where we join a tag-along tour up to the Kimberly's.

We have a fully decked out Troop carrier with plenty of fuel & water as well as all safety & recovery equipment.

I don't know that stretch at all so all info is appreciated.
Cheers Jim

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Reply By: Robin - Wednesday, Apr 11, 2007 at 08:16

Reply By: Member - Jim N (QLD) - Wednesday, Apr 11, 2007 at 08:31

Reply By: Crackles - Wednesday, Apr 11, 2007 at 20:16

Wednesday, Apr 11, 2007 at 20:16

Jim what previous desert experience have you had? With respect to Robin's excellent trip up through the North Simpson, the Hay River is probably not the route one would normally take on their own 1st up.
Cheers Craig.............

AnswerID: 232834

Follow Up By: Member - Jim N (QLD) - Thursday, Apr 12, 2007 at 14:36

Thursday, Apr 12, 2007 at 14:36

Hi Craig
Can't say that I had any. I have been 4X4 tour guiding on Fraser Island for a couple of years that's about it .

Cheers Jim

FollowupID: 493819

Follow Up By: Crackles - Thursday, Apr 12, 2007 at 18:04

Thursday, Apr 12, 2007 at 18:04

Jim as a 1st time central Oz trip I'd suggest heading up through Mildura. Can normally get to Renmark or Morgan in a full day. (Quarentine station on the SA border for fruit & Veg). Head up to Burra (Historic mining town), then Peterborough (Historic rail town). A comfortable day will get you to Hawker at the heart of the Flinders Ranges. Probably not enough time to do this area justice so head north again up to Leigh Creek. This is the start of the Oodnadatta track which is probably the most interesting outback trek you can do in Australia.
Copely Bakery, Talc Alf, Farina, Ochre pits, Marree, Lake Ayre south, Old Gahn railway line, Coward springs, The Bubbler, William creek (flights over Lake Eyre), Peake Ruins, Algebuckina Bridge & Oodnadatta are all interesting places worth a stop (among many others). It can be transitted in a day or better done in 3 while looking around.
There are a couple of good options from here. To head up to Dalhousie springs, Mt Dare, Old Andado, Finke, Chambers Pillar to Alice Springs on a more remote tour (rough but not difficult driving) or to cut back accross to Coober Pedy then up the tar to Ayres Rock, Kings Canyon, Mereenie loop, Palm Valley, Standley Chasm to Alice on a tourist route of the main central Oz attractions.
Either way leave a couple of days in Alice to look around & service the car before your next leg.
Cheers Craig..................

FollowupID: 493856

Follow Up By: Member - Jim N (QLD) - Friday, Apr 13, 2007 at 07:17

Friday, Apr 13, 2007 at 07:17

Hi Craig

Thank you for the info- I will study all the options to us. It sounds like a safe way to get to Alice with not too many problems along the way.
I have received some bad news yesterday, and I'm not sure if we can travel to Melbourne on Monday as planned-

We may have to stay in Hervey Bay until we have a "legal" car to drive- the company that modified our truck is causing us a lot of problems- ever since we gave them the truck in early December. ( only had it back home since 29th of march and has had to go into 2 4X4 shops to get repairs done on original work--long story

Cheers Jim

FollowupID: 493909