Lonely Planet Books - For OZ

Yes, we've just used the NT/SA book as one of the guides to our trip to the Centre and the Flinders R.

It's pretty good on attractions, food etc and it's nice to get a bit of background (history, culture etc). It's not so hot on caravan parks - what's there and their facilities.

It's more focussed on the needs of backpackers and car drivers.

I bought one from eBay entitled Outback Australia a year of so back. I bought it for about $6.50 and the cost of postage was included at - $7.00 with the post pack and when I got it was a new book. It had been out of print for three years I think.

The book has a good overview of all areas about the Outback and gets into detail in some areas. Makes it a good start point if you don't know a particular area as there can be a lot of detail. Not into areas that travellers don't go though. That is where you need "other" knowledge, but then you can ask that here.

Dear Lynz & Nath,

I recently did a month trip from Sydney up to Cape Tribulation & went through the "East Coast of Australia" Lonely Planet book before I left. By the time I had finished it had nearly more post it notes than pages! It was great for attractions, costs, bushwalks & out of the ordinary attractions. As mentioned above, not really good for camp sites as they more centre on backpacker lodges & cheap motels.

I also used the Victorian & Tasmania ones for road trips over the past couple of years. Wouldn't suggest using them as the only source of research for a trip, but are definitely worth having a read of. Accompanied with a Camps Wide book - your set to go! :)

I envy your trip planning.........

Handy to have, but by far the best way to find your way around is to stop and yarn to the travellers coming the other way. They love to tell you what 'not to miss out on' and how to get there and sometimes even have spare passes and tickets to share!