What would u pick!!!! July or September

July

The weather in July when we were in Alice Springs was just great , I would imagine that September would be a bit warmer/hotter , could be easier on the youngsters .You have lots to see in just 4 weeks ...cheers

July......
Cold nights but cool clear days. Not too many flies.

September.....
Warmer temps but the winds can blow and blow that time of year for weeks at a time. Constant winds and dust can become very "draining" after a short time.

Cheers
Stephen J.
Don't die wondering !!

We did pretty much the trip you describe 2 years back in September - followed a wet winter in the region. Weather was damn near perfect throughout and the flowers in the outback blew us away - like a botanic garden. They have had reasonable rain this season I think - outback travel is always a gamble of course - you could hit paydirt (keeping in mind that the rain that produced our outback flowers bonanza would have stranded some travellers or at least cancelled their plans) ! Have a good ún.
Gotta have red sand on those boots !

Hello Tania

Late July is better for most of the reasons already given as the kids usually travel better if its a little cooler, though this is mostly overcome with A/C these days.

Don't know if they still run it but the Gap caravan Park at Alice used to (1998) hold a free reptile and damper cooking show for campers and you could opt for the meal at little expense. My kids loved the show and got to hold snakes & lizards in a safe environment. Adults had a great time too.

Enjoy

Not sure if this helps but I did a quick trip from Brisbane to Toowoomba and return on Saturday morning (2 Aug). Must have seen more than a dozen cars heading west set up for long distance "off tar" travel. Seems August is a popular month.
I personally prefer early September. I have crossed the Simpson in late Sept and it was starting to warm up (over 40 deg).
Peter

Tania, it also depends on the place you are leaving: Melb in July is a good place to leave, while in September you'd be at the footy. So I'd go north in July.

Some good thoughts above and really it's a case of 6 of 1....

For my money tho we prefer september because the 15mth old wants to be up and about at 6 (read 5 degrees or less), yes you can stay warm in bed etc at -2 but when someone who you can't reason with wants out of the tent, well guess who wins! It all results in reddish - blue hands and not a very happy camper!
Last year for a week in July it was -6 overnights.

G'day Tania,

My wife and I did the same trip in July, 2002, we had a ball. Watch it on the Oodnadatta Track, we towed a trailer and didn't have our stone guard on and it cost us(rear window). Apart from that we had one of our best trips yet, great time of year, you'll be surprised with the blooming vegetation ie Sturt Desert Pea. We had days of 24-26c most of the time, mornings were cold until 9am, after that glorious days.The Track was slow because of corrigations in some areas. 200kms a day was enough,and things to see.
Keep on the road
MightyQ
ps go for July it starts to get hot in Sept

Hey Tang,
we did the trip 9 years ago in september it got too hot then in 2001 we went in july, beautiful weather until we spent two days in Alice next day rained and rained we left that day didn't stop raining until just outside Erldunda (or howeva its spelt).
But July is the best pick!
have fun Nooka :P