2 Retired Poms discovering Aus.

Just keep on doing what you're doing mate, seems you've got a pretty good handle on it. 9 weeks is pretty tight for the sort of territory you're planning to cover - WA to Top End to SA - but do-able. ..get a book called "Camps Australia 3", worth its weight in gold. Has all the campgrounds right across Oz, including the freebies. Distances and a heap of other excellent information. You can use it to plan you entire trip.
Available at most camping & 4WD stores, & bookshops.Once you get on the road you'll get good info from other travellers.

Oh yeah Watch out for the Drop-Bears though. Make sure you've got a jar of Vegemite handy. If they're around, rub it in your hair and they'll leave you alone.

Have a great stay downunder.

Roy,

Ignore those bloody lunatics above. DON'T go anywhere near the water - any water. In fact. don't even drink the stuff. Stick with COLD beer.


ps It's "Camps Australia Wide 4" by the way.

Roy


My advice to you is that 9 weeks if not long enough to do the trip. About all you will see is the blacktop. I did a similar trip but took 4 months and still didn't see all I wanted.

You are welcome to call in when you get to Katherine.




Tjilpi

Roy it can be done comfortably but you will be on the run each day. We spent 10wks a couple of years back and most of our trip was on gravel or worse. You will see an awfull lot of the country but you won't have the opportunity to get your teeth into it. If flying in from the UK then go for it. If you reside in Perth now then do a small bit and take your time. Karajini is well worth the trip into, Kakadu and the other parks in and around Darwin also. Spend a few days in Darwin well worth it.
A couple of days around the Ularu and the Olgas is all you'll need. King's canyon again 2 days max.
Don't forget that if you've never travelled in Aus before travel distances between towns can be like travelling half way across Europe.
Park cabins in the Van Pks are good. Join up with the Big4 and get discounts and you can book ahead also that way.

Enjoy your trip. BTW our drop bears are bigger in WA.

You have a pretty epic trip planned for 9 weeks. People spend years covering that area. I suspect some huge planning effort will be required just to see some of the highlights. You will still have a good time aslong as you allow enough time at the end to get back to Perth. Do not be tempted to try and short cut back to Perth say on the Anne Beadell Highway as it is a track in the sand. The word Highway is loosely applied in some areas. That is some remote country and extensive preperation is required. Not to mention a fist full of tranist permits.

It can be done but I would have a hard think about the second half when you get to Broome.

Steve

Roy.
I agree with the others, you can not really see any thing except the roads in that time. If you are unlucky enough to hit a drop bear you could be held up a week getting the car fixed or replaced. Some of the places you named are several days drive apart. Eric.

Hi Roy - My advise to see as much of this beautiful country as you possibly can would be.........to move over here :-)
Happy Travels
Jason

Roy,

agree with most of these guys - cut the mileage down - we're all experienced drivers etc but although it sounds like stating the obvious, so many overseas visitors make the same mistake...i..t always looks easy/quick on the map. Enjoy less venues more instead of more venues less - you won't regret it