planning the trip (novice)?
Submitted: Wednesday, Sep 12, 2007 at 19:22
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Ben G
hi there.
am after advice on a trip that we have planned. we have a rough itinerary and time-frame but would love to hear if it's realistic and if there is anything i should be aware of.
it would be a two month trip in a 3 berth high-top campervan (mid-jan depart).
planning to start at
alice springs, down to port agusta (via
coober pedy). then the long stretch to
albany (WA) along the nullarbor.
am thinking that would be 3-4 weeks with the remaining trip being all the way up to
broome along the west coast.
we would plan to stay in campsites along the way.
is this a realistic venture and are we missing out by not having a 4WD? are there any recommended campervan companies that would have a good deal for 2 months rent?
would be grateful for any advice and any pointers in the right direction.
thanks,
ben
Reply By: Willem - Wednesday, Sep 12, 2007 at 19:40
Wednesday, Sep 12, 2007 at 19:40
Ooooo....it is going to be a bloody hot time of the year for travelling.
No you won't need a 4x4 unless you want to venture into the rough stuff.
Britz Rentals, Maui or Apollo, Thrifty, are some names that I have heard of and they are reputedly respectable companies.
Cheers
AnswerID:
261759
Reply By: Member - Duncan W (WA) - Wednesday, Sep 12, 2007 at 20:55
Wednesday, Sep 12, 2007 at 20:55
Ben you coming from overseas or are you Oz based? As Willem say wrong time of the year to be crossing over. Around the south of WA will be cooler and you can always rely on
Albany to be cold and miserable. (
Well it is every time I've been no matter what time of the year). It's do able but depends on what you want to see and do. You may get to
Perth and never want to leave?
AnswerID:
261780
Reply By: Frenez - Wednesday, Sep 12, 2007 at 22:34
Wednesday, Sep 12, 2007 at 22:34
Ben my advice is don't spend all your time driving and sleeping. Get to know the
places you are visiting, so if you never go back you can always remember them, take your time.
Your trip sounds like you will be burning a lot of fuel without seeing all there is to see.
You certainly can do it without a 4WD.
Enjoy
AnswerID:
261806
Reply By: Trevor W(Brisbane) - Thursday, Sep 13, 2007 at 07:59
Thursday, Sep 13, 2007 at 07:59
you are planning 2 months (8 weeks)
break it down this way
fly into Alice and Hire camper van
allow this
1.5 weeks around Alice-West Mc Donalds,Kings Canyon,Ulara
1 week Ulara via
Port Augusta to
Streaky Bay near
Ceduna.
1 week accross the Nullabor
2 weeks
Norseman ,
Albany and Hug the Coast around to
Perth
2.5 weeks
Perth to
Broome
Fly out of
Broome
Thats your 8 weeks gone- you will see some spectacular country and there will be a lot to see on your next trip,we spent 4 weeks from
Perth to
Perth around the coastline in a Britz 2 berth Hightop 2 wheel drive and enjoyed the trip. Make sure when pricing hire that you get insurance as you will be charged for any sctatches or dents or chips in windsceens.Take photos of rental unit before you drive it out of their yard so that you have some proof of prevois damage as they will try and charge you for any damage on vehicle.Buy some
camping chairs and a shade tarp with some poles at Alice when you arrive so that you have then with you on your travels. Have fun.
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Ben G - Thursday, Sep 13, 2007 at 19:24
Thursday, Sep 13, 2007 at 19:24
this is great - thanks. will def investigate.
cheers
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523397
Reply By: Lochmonster - Thursday, Sep 13, 2007 at 08:31
Thursday, Sep 13, 2007 at 08:31
Too bloody hot mate! By the time you get to
Broome you may have experienced up to 45 degree's during the day! Especially around the
Pilbara. Cyclone season too. Too hot at night, no breeze, no sleep, cranky and tired, miserable trip. There are some terrific floods up there too, cuts roads for days. I had vapour locks in the (petrol) fuel line one January somewhere between Nanutarra RH and Rollalogalong (scary). Even the ocean
water gets uncomfortably warm. If you can, delay it to no earlier than mid-May, winter is absolutely beautiful over that way. It's up to you ol' mate, after all, it's just advice you were after.
Tally Ho!
AnswerID:
261846
Follow Up By: Smudger - Thursday, Sep 13, 2007 at 13:36
Thursday, Sep 13, 2007 at 13:36
Agree with Lochie',
If you're on a strict timetable, the floods should be your major concern. Stay away from the top of WA at that time of the year. Your could easily get stuck for 2 or 3 weeks. If you insist, maybe go up as far as
Carnarvon and you'll get a tatse of the heat and the wet, and avoid the floods. Crossing the Nullarbour will test you out too - it was 48 degrees in the shade of the verandah at
Yalata on our last trip over to
Perth for Xmas. Otherwise, spend more time in the other areas you've mentioned. tae your time comming down the Centre, the South West is a stunning region and the country around
Geraldton is magnificent.
FollowupID:
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Reply By: Ben G - Thursday, Sep 13, 2007 at 19:22
Thursday, Sep 13, 2007 at 19:22
ok - thanks to all that replied. responses really give food for thought. much to consider. i can't change my time-frame unfortunately so will just have to plan carefully to avoid the heat etc. to answer duncan w, am oz based (for last 3 yrs anyhow) but this is my last hurrah before heading back to live in uk.
thanks again
AnswerID:
261941