Broken Hill to Darwin

Submitted: Friday, Jan 09, 2009 at 12:58
ThreadID: 64958 Views:4394 Replies:6 FollowUps:2
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Hi All,

Long time lurker here, great site for everything do to with travels.

I wanted to get some advice on where to stop on a drive I've got coming up soon.

I'm driving from Broken Hill to Darwin, looking at stopping at the following places;

5hours driving to: Port Augusta

6hours to: Coober Pedy

8hours: Alice Springs

6hours: Tennant Creek

8hours: Katherine

4hours: Darwin

So looking at it taking 6 days all up.

I've got the camping gear to go in the back of the ute (yes, camping in the wet season), and was hoping an experience traveler could suggest some places to camp along the way, as opposed to staying in motels the entire time. Even just general advice on the destinations would be fantastic.

Thanks all!

Steve Papa
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Reply By: Cruiser 2091 - Friday, Jan 09, 2009 at 13:31

Friday, Jan 09, 2009 at 13:31
Camps 4 Australia book would be a good idea.

Have great trip
AnswerID: 343407

Follow Up By: Cruiser 2091 - Friday, Jan 09, 2009 at 13:43

Friday, Jan 09, 2009 at 13:43
My book shows the nearest to Port Augusta as being at Horrocks Pass near Wilmington.
Then one right at Coober Pedy.
No toilets at either of these sites however plenty of other free camps along the way, this is why I suggest getting the book where you can plan your stops according to the available places to stay
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FollowupID: 611245

Reply By: Lotzi - Friday, Jan 09, 2009 at 13:55

Friday, Jan 09, 2009 at 13:55
G'day Steve Papa,
Here is my penny's worth, shame about the six days. Depending on the month, if Feb - Mar, just watch the weather above Ten Ant, Top End is usually prone to rain and flooding, some years haven' had a problem.

Port Augusta, Spear Creek Station, at the bottom of Horrocks Pass, good spot, shady trees, great people, ring first.

Coober Pedy, Plenty of places, but I like to stay at Oomoona Opal Cave, ring first, then Pizza at Johnnos opposite.

Alice Springs, Only one place for me and thats at the Heavy Tree Gap Resort, good camping, shop, Pub and fuel, you must visit the Transport Hall of Fame....

Tennant Creek, Ten Ant is ok, but I like to stay at Wauchope Pub, now owned by Bruce from Daily Waters Pub, very good camping out the back, great sunrises. Will make the next day a bit longer....Hmmm.. 6 days... your now on Territory time.

Katherine, I always stay at Knotts Crossing but have stayed at the park on the Kununurra rd a couple of times, there are hot springs there.

Darwin... Jeez, not much close to town but you should be right by now, but Leigh Points not bad.

PS.. If camping north of Ten Ant .. don't forget to throw a rope from the li lo to a nearby tree, saves floating to far away... lol

Enjoy
Lotzi
AnswerID: 343413

Reply By: Willem - Friday, Jan 09, 2009 at 14:03

Friday, Jan 09, 2009 at 14:03
Steve

Just before you enter Horrocks Pass turn left to Hancocks Lookout. Good camp overlooking Spencer Gulf and way off the main road.

There's a good camp site just past the Pootnoura Telstra Tower. This is 80km plus minus north of Coober Pedy. Get off the main road and drive past the tower for about 500metres. Track drops down into a gully where there is a secluded camp as you cannot be seen from the road.

You can camp at Rainbow Valley 21km in off the Highway and 70km south of Alice or a short way in to Owen Springs Reserve at Redbank Creek.

Nowhere safe around Alice unless you know where to go.

Camp at Camp area just shy of Aileron RH on the left about 200 metres off the roadf, or at Devils Marbles.

Camp at Churchills Head on Old Stuart Hwy north of Three Ways

There is a good wide open camp at Helen Springs Station turn off

Camp at Gorrie Airstrip north of Larrimah (used to be able to)

Camp under the Railway Bridge at Edith River (river might be up and running a banker now though)

Anyway there are some camps off the top of me head.

Cheers
AnswerID: 343415

Follow Up By: Lotzi - Friday, Jan 09, 2009 at 16:36

Friday, Jan 09, 2009 at 16:36
G'day Steve
As Willem says, Horrocks Pass, do the lookout, nice drive up, shady tree, sensational view.
Seems there is enough there to keep you going for a while.
Cheers
Lotzi
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FollowupID: 611274

Reply By: Member - Fred B (NT) - Friday, Jan 09, 2009 at 15:48

Friday, Jan 09, 2009 at 15:48
Gooday Steve,
"Camps Australia Wide 4" will steer you pretty straight. A very good spot is about 74Km north of Three Ways, Banka Banka Station. Darwin'ites often use this spot to break their journey as it's cheap and clean... NO FUEL though. Fuel up in Tennant Creek at the Central Servo/store (right in the middle of town). You can compare prices with United at the northern end of the town, but they are usually more expensive since it changed hands sometime last year. If you email me I can send you an widows excel file with all the mileage between towns/stops enroute from Adelaide to Darwin if that will help.
Fred
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AnswerID: 343434

Reply By: sweetwill - Friday, Jan 09, 2009 at 17:19

Friday, Jan 09, 2009 at 17:19
hi steve
plenty of free camps on the way, but dont drive past daily waters pub it is so laid back, clean,and good grub,it is on the left hand side as you travel up. about 500 meters of the hwy oh theres camping there also cheers bill.
AnswerID: 343442

Reply By: stevepapa - Friday, Jan 09, 2009 at 21:50

Friday, Jan 09, 2009 at 21:50
Thanks for all the replies. I wasn't expecting so much information so quick. I'll have to rethink accommodation at almost every stop.

Just goes to show how much better forums are than tourist centre information guides!

I was thinking of spending a couple of days at Alice Springs and Katherine, see the sights at a more leisurely pace. Maybe the same if I find a camping spot with decent fishing on way I'll stay a few days there.

Looking at 7-9 days all up.
AnswerID: 343492

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