Travel Around Australia

Submitted: Friday, Jan 16, 2009 at 17:53
ThreadID: 65185 Views:3394 Replies:11 FollowUps:14
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Hi,
This is a VERY big topic but being of grey nomad age with the urge to hit the road in a year or so I am starting to put together all the places I want to go.

There seems to be a million books around the place but you can't read them all and can't afford them either. I also know there is heaps of very specific trips on this site and I will use it t later.

But for now I am looking for, if one exists, a book or books which can get me going.

One that provides advice on what to see, when to see it accommodation etc.

I found "Driving Around Australia By Car & Caravan" which may be OK. I need to check it out further.

I have a 4wd and an offroad camper and want to go to out of the way places as well.

I use Oziexplorer and have started a way point list where I put a way point on a place I hear about in my readings. eg Chambers Pillars sound like an interesting place.

There are many web sites as well and I am hunting through those.


Thanks in advance for any assistance,
Richard
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Reply By: Willem - Friday, Jan 16, 2009 at 20:22

Friday, Jan 16, 2009 at 20:22
Richard

Before you go wandering read the history of Australia first so that you may have a better perspective of the values of each place you visit.

You can buy any number of books about places and I really cannot suggest any which stand out in the crowd.

This site has a large content of Places and Trek Notes which are constantly updated and together with a Road Atlas and Oziexplorer, Natmap Rasters and Hema Maps, you can work out where your interests lie and what you would like to see.

Enjoy the journey


Cheers
AnswerID: 344692

Follow Up By: richard - Saturday, Jan 17, 2009 at 19:28

Saturday, Jan 17, 2009 at 19:28
Willem
I think you last line was the key point ' Enjoy the journey'

I have found that when I have over planned I am traveling long distances to be in specific places and missed the journey - not always but I know at times I have.

I will try

Richard
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Reply By: Member - John & Sally W (NSW) - Friday, Jan 16, 2009 at 20:24

Friday, Jan 16, 2009 at 20:24
Hi Richard,
Yes this is a huge topic. Jot down some things that interest you eg., bird watching, national parks, deserts, coastlines and go from there. Major book stores or sites on internet have so much information. More than a lifetime of reading. We started out on trips to a certain destination such as the Flinders and explored various interesting towns there and back. One basic book that covers many places, accommodation, tracks and side tracks is the Lonely Planet book on Outback Australia. This gives a brief overview, history, geography everything. Ron and Viv Moon have books on certain areas. Australian Geographic books are good too. Part of the fun of going on a trip is research and planning (I think). Everyone on here will be able to help you if you have specific questions about certain places. Good luck.
John and Sally
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Follow Up By: Member - JohnR (Vic) - Sunday, Jan 18, 2009 at 18:08

Sunday, Jan 18, 2009 at 18:08
John & Sally, I second the suggestion of Lonely Planet's Outback Australia. I bought one of these 'out of print' for $6.99 on eBay. The cost of postage was $7.00 from elsewhere in Victoria. I found about it at Google Books online, but you can just read a few pages. The book I bought had not been opened much and was in great order.

I was surprised at the detail on areas like gem fossicking at Mud Tank in the NT, but also so much other detail.
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Reply By: richard - Friday, Jan 16, 2009 at 23:52

Friday, Jan 16, 2009 at 23:52
Thanks for the replies.

I do have a copy of the Lonley Planet book and many others on specific areas. It is a tough book to read cover to cover though.

You are right about fun planning the trip. You sort of live it through your expectations even though if it is down the tack a bit.

I didn't expect there was one definitive book for this but was hoping for a starter book - the ones I have seem to miss what I am after.

I think I should revisit them though and keep my eye out for any new ones as well.

I have read about many other peoples trips and where they went and I wander how they knew about the places they visited. Some is decided on the road I expect. I know some of the best places we have gone have been done based on a snap decision.
For example we were on our way back from Perth and heading down the Eyre Peninsula in SA and it was raining.

My wife said why not just go spend a couple of days in the Flinders Ranges (I had never been there before). Well need I say more. I have been back there two more times and will go again.

Once again thanks,
Richard

AnswerID: 344717

Reply By: Member - Royce- Saturday, Jan 17, 2009 at 09:31

Saturday, Jan 17, 2009 at 09:31
Although it's part of the excitement to plan places to go and things to see, possibly the best way to attack it is to prepare equipment and funding for the trip and then just ... head off.

Plan a week or two ahead. Ask locals and other travellers what's good and explore oz. That way you don't get dissappointed that you missed out on something you thought at the start was essential.

After all, you can always do the trip again.
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Follow Up By: richard - Saturday, Jan 17, 2009 at 11:06

Saturday, Jan 17, 2009 at 11:06
Royce,
Totally agree.

I always over plan and end up doing something different as you either try to see everything or are disappointed.

My initial objective, with this, is to have a basic outline with a list of things I would like to see plus some other good advice.

I reckon if you planned your trip around OZ to what you were going to do every day then you have missed the point and may as well have stayed at work :).

I am trying to get my gear sorted out. I am considering upgrading to a caravan for the extra comfort but our Cub Camper has so far gone every where I want and is fairly comfortable for the 1 month trips done so far.

Once agian to all thanks for replies,
Richard
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Follow Up By: Member - Royce- Saturday, Jan 17, 2009 at 13:24

Saturday, Jan 17, 2009 at 13:24
Another way of attacking it is EVENTS...

Work out some festivals, events or friends to visit with dates.

That gives you a framework and then catch the sites as you travel. I think that transforms you from a tourist to a 'traveller', which strangely IS different.

I like the more rudimentary travel.. camper etc. but it always hangs on SWMBO!!!!
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Reply By: Dunco (NSW) - Saturday, Jan 17, 2009 at 10:44

Saturday, Jan 17, 2009 at 10:44
I agree 120% with Royce.

Having just completed a 5 month trip, all I did was get my gear ready and then made a decision on which way to start off...then made plans everytime I stopped after speaking to people about their travels. That way you won't plan on going somewhere that isn't worth the effort.
AnswerID: 344747

Follow Up By: richard - Saturday, Jan 17, 2009 at 11:09

Saturday, Jan 17, 2009 at 11:09
Dunco,
I suspect I will end up doing something like this - even if I spend a year planning (see my comments above).

But I think to some degree you have to go through the planning process so you just don't get on the road and then relaise you have missed something.

Richard
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Reply By: Member - John and Val W (ACT) - Saturday, Jan 17, 2009 at 11:19

Saturday, Jan 17, 2009 at 11:19
I think there is a balance between planning and doing.

Sure you can do heaps of reading and background research, but there are soo many places to see and things to do that you just wont be able to do them all. How do you choose?

On the other hand there are many great places that don't show up in books or on the web - you only find them by word of mouth or just by stumbling across them. Often these are the best ones, they are your own discoveries, and often are not crowded with too many people - which can happen at the heavily promoted places.

My preference is to have a general idea of which direction to go, then head off with enough flexibility to explore places as you travel. But if you aim to go really remote then you do need to do more planning - for permits, safety etc.

There is a heap of info on this site, and Google is very useful - search on a town or a district and you will find more info than you can poke a stick at!

Cheers,

Val.
J and V
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Reply By: Motherhen - Saturday, Jan 17, 2009 at 14:19

Saturday, Jan 17, 2009 at 14:19
Hi Richard

I agree with the others who have said just get out there and talk to the locals and other travellers. That way you find the interesting things you'll never find in the tourist books. Just work out the approximate direction and go. If you have a time frame, when half way through, find another way out and do the same on the homeward run.

If you researched every place, you could spend three months at your first destination. Not a bad idea either - sure saves on fuel compared to doing a lap and seeing a bit here and there.

Willem would be one of the most travelled members here over a long period of time (particularly outback), and he put his map on a thread about maps not so long ago, and he still has some regions not covered.

For certain places that really excites you, ask about how accessible for your rig, as we have some members who really do the hard stuff.Check out the Blogs; Mick O has recently put a lot of interesting ones on.

Motherhen

Wanting to go to so many of those exciting places.



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Reply By: richard - Saturday, Jan 17, 2009 at 17:38

Saturday, Jan 17, 2009 at 17:38
Once again,
Many thanks for the replies.

It will be awhile before I can do this so the planning is all have at the moment.

As mentioned above I am sure I am going to over plan but I also know when I start I will or hopefully do as has been suggested ie choose a direction an go for it.

Richard
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Reply By: Neil & Pauline - Saturday, Jan 17, 2009 at 18:52

Saturday, Jan 17, 2009 at 18:52
Richard
We started on an around Australia trip for 12 months on the basis of many books. On the way we met people and got more information so now we have 15 to 20 years of additional places that the books don't have.
If you have time just slowly follow your nose. Every road and every town has things to see and the ones not in the books seemed more interesting to us.


Neil
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Follow Up By: Motherhen - Saturday, Jan 17, 2009 at 19:19

Saturday, Jan 17, 2009 at 19:19
True, and i have a philosophy if we take a wrong turn, continue. It is just another road we haven't seen either, and you never know what delights you'll fill find on the 'unplanned' route.

Mh
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Follow Up By: richard - Saturday, Jan 17, 2009 at 19:25

Saturday, Jan 17, 2009 at 19:25
Neil,
I had not planned to do it at a day by day level but your comment and those above are very encouraging and will I hope change the way I approach this trip.

Even though planning can be fun I have a tendency to over do it and it becomes stressful and very time consuming trying to make sure you see everything every one else has.
In reality, as I always find, it just is not possible.

I will keep reading stuff and checking out websites and if something interesting comes up I will take note. I am going to try and not do what i have done in the past :)

Before the big trip I am looking at some smaller ones which will be a test - One to Victoria and one up north some where. These do need a bit of planning as they are short but not over planned.

Thanks all,


Richard
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Follow Up By: Motherhen - Saturday, Jan 17, 2009 at 19:34

Saturday, Jan 17, 2009 at 19:34
Richard, you are so right that keeping to plans is stressful. Deadlines are for work. Holidays are to relax. No deadlines, stay if you like it, move on if you don't, and just follow whims. The only deadline may be the month you need to return home, and at worst, you can get home from almost anywhere in a week or so if you really push it.

Motherhen
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Reply By: Member - Alanc - Saturday, Jan 17, 2009 at 20:17

Saturday, Jan 17, 2009 at 20:17
Richard, we have just got back from a three month tour around "the block" - it was too rushed but we only had a limited time frame to work within . We have a small offroad CV and found Camps 4 book invaluable for finding a camp spot. No affiliation with the book just found it good value. Regards Alanc
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Follow Up By: richard - Saturday, Jan 17, 2009 at 20:54

Saturday, Jan 17, 2009 at 20:54
Alanc,
I have camps 3 - I believe 5 is due out soon, may be 6 by my time.

I would be interested in the route you took - at a high level :).

I am not sure how much time I will have but when I do it I will be retired and time will not be as big an issue.

I am old enough to retire now but can't hit the road yet and am staying at work till I can but it would not take much to say stuff it and go.

I am also interested in how you found traveling with a CV for that period. As mentioned we have considered upgrading to a caravan but the exta $30,000 or what ever is a bit off putting.

Our Cub has an awning but no external enclosed area but can get one for about $2000, we have not found it an issue for the trips we have done. In fact we enjoy it and you do meet more people if you are sitting out there.


Richard
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Follow Up By: Member - Alanc - Sunday, Jan 18, 2009 at 10:01

Sunday, Jan 18, 2009 at 10:01
Richard
Our route (briefly) went from Perth to Kalgoorlie (to buy some gear we (make that "I") left behind) , across the Nullarbor ,Eyre Peninsular, Southern Flinders, Barossa, Mildura, Bathurst, Wisemans Ferry and then generally up the coast to Cooktown. Coming home was via the Barclay/Stuart Hwy to Darwin then Kununurra and the coastal Hwy back to Perth. Where possible we stayed off the main Hwys and for the first 2 months it was easy to do and just a case of taking each day as it came. One highlight of our trip was discovering the Murray river, its history and current problems- Coming from WA we don't see many (any) fresh water rivers that flow all year round. We came across the Murray at Blanchetown and followed it up into the Murrumbidgee, the history and camp sites along these rivers is just great.

We did own a camper (soft floor version) and toured WA in it but after a disastrous trip (we were flooded out) I agreed with my other half and it was sold to purchased a 2nd hand caravan. Its great, its main advantage for us is protection from the elements and set up time is minimal. Being a 4.45mtr poptop its relatively easy to tow and handle, the first month of our trip (we left 1/8/08) was generally wet and cold and in the camper it would have been very very testing. The van at least provided a dry warm place to retire to. Space wise its tight but after a week on the road you work out your systems, it certainly makes you a tidy person if you are not already. We took far to many clothes and food. If the weather is reasonable you don't really need very much in the way of clothes and I finally convinced my other half that yes there were supermarkets and shops in the East so there was no need to take provisions for three months- support the local community and buy it as you require it. Yes, sometimes a bigger van would be nice , the missus would like a toilet and shower but that means a much bigger van for bigger $'s and I'm not comfortable with towing a much bigger van .

I agree with your comment about sitting outside and meeting people, how many caravan owners do you see pull up and disappear into their vans never to be seen until its time to leave. We have an enclosed awning but have only used it once in the last 3 years, if the weather is OK we will sit outside to eat/relax under the rollout roof. I have made up some shadeloth walls which go up should we require a little privacy or wind/sun break

Retirement wise I'm in a similar boat. I did pull the pin to do this trip , as planned, (we decided to do it before the price of fuel went through the roof ,it was a $1.45cpl when we left its now about $1.00cpl - thats my luck for you) however with the downturn I'm now back working part time as I don't want to drawdown our capital base.

Regards

Alanc
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Follow Up By: richard - Sunday, Jan 18, 2009 at 14:25

Sunday, Jan 18, 2009 at 14:25
Alnac,
Thanks for the reply.

I will try the camper first as do not want to out lay to much additional $ at this time.

The longest we have been away is probably about 4 weeks (Canberra to Perth and back) in it. We probably need a longer one to decide if this is the way to go or not.

The financial collapse last has not helped at all in the decision when to go or it may be a good excuse for me to delay the final day.

Richard
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Follow Up By: Matt Watson - Wednesday, Jan 21, 2009 at 08:59

Wednesday, Jan 21, 2009 at 08:59
Richard,

I have it on good authority, that Camps 5 is going to hits the stores in Feb.
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Reply By: Axel [ the real one ] - Sunday, Jan 18, 2009 at 10:20

Sunday, Jan 18, 2009 at 10:20
The hardest part is the question posed at the end of your diveway , to go left or to go right ,,everything else falls into place sooner or later , adventure IS the journey not the destination.
AnswerID: 344893

Follow Up By: richard - Sunday, Jan 18, 2009 at 14:27

Sunday, Jan 18, 2009 at 14:27
I am lucky - going left or right end up at the same place !

You are right about the journey and as mentioned earlier it is something I am learning to appreciate


Richard
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Follow Up By: HGMonaro - Monday, Jan 19, 2009 at 14:12

Monday, Jan 19, 2009 at 14:12
haha! so would I!

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