Melbourne to Darwin mid Jan
Submitted: Sunday, Jan 03, 2010 at 11:27
ThreadID:
74838
Views:
3749
Replies:
3
FollowUps:
0
This Thread has been Archived
puzzlemonkey
Hi,
I'm hitting the road in mid Jan to travel from
Melbourne to
Darwin. I plan on going inland to
Adelaide then hitting cruise and heading north. I am travelling in a Golf, solo at the moment. I would be very happy to hear about the following;
Would you like to join me? Space for one or two people with limited luggage. I'm doing this trip to see the sights and get my car up north so I won't have heaps of stuff but it is a small car.
What should I see? I will be working throughout the NT once I start my job so I don't have to see everything or go far off the route but I'll need to stretch my legs along the way so where should I aim to have a break?
Where should I stay? I am pretty self sufficient with tent and stove, but maybe in January the weather isn't good for
camping or are the
places few and far between. Are there good motels/quirky overnight stops I should try and check out?
Fuel, do I need to carry jerry cans?
Is it safe? What precautions should I take? Is the road busy enough that someone would come along within half an hour if I break down? Is it wise to have call ins with a friend in the city or is that overkill? Should I rent a sat phone for emergencies (I'll be flying back to Melbs within 2 weeks so could easily return handset). Any advice appreciated.
I look forward to any info you can offer! Thanks.
Reply By: Member - John - Sunday, Jan 03, 2010 at 12:17
Sunday, Jan 03, 2010 at 12:17
G'day, hi, is it safe, yes. Make sure your car is in good nick, repairs etc out there can be expensive. I would take a set of belts and hoses. The road is busy enough, sometimes too busy. Lots of road trains. It will be hot that time of the year and can be wet up the top end. No need for a sat phone in my opinion.
How many days do you have to do the trip, that will dictate what you see etc on the way. As you will be working in the NT, I would suggest you see as much as possible in SA on the way.
If time is not a problem, I would go from Melb to
Mildura,
Renmark,
Burra,
Peterborough,
Melrose,
Port Augusta,
Woomera,
Coober Pedy,
Marla,
Kulgera, Ayres Rock, Kings Canyon, Alice, then head North.
Burra is a great place to spend a few days, train museum in
Peterborough, Out back centre in
Port Augusta, rocket museum in
Woomera,
mine tour etc in
Coober Pedy, and what ever takes your fancy along the way.
Accommodation gets pretty basic past
Port Augusta, most roadhouses have dongas and
camping areas, depends on the weather what you decide on.
Have a look at a good map and you will see that the roadhouse are fairly regular, so no need for a jerry can etc, only adds more weight to your small car.
I am sure others will give you some other
places to see etc. It all depends on what you like.......... Have fun and enjoy your trip. John
AnswerID:
397429
Reply By: Member - Royce- Sunday, Jan 03, 2010 at 14:56
Sunday, Jan 03, 2010 at 14:56
Easily done.
My daughter hopped into her little RAV4 and did the trip earlier this year....worked in Arnem Land teaching for 6 weeks and drove home without incedent.
It will be very hot and sticky up north at this time.
Make sure that you have all the normal spare parts and maybe a few extras like fuel filter [
mine died on my way up this year!]
Sign up for RACV Total Care. Next G works near settlements. NT drivers will stop and help you.... others will but in my experience not so often!
If you are sticking to the black stuff, then dangers are pretty much the same as any other country drive.
I hope your air-con works... enjoy.
AnswerID:
397445
Reply By: D200Dug- Sunday, Jan 03, 2010 at 16:07
Sunday, Jan 03, 2010 at 16:07
Get your aircon serviced before you head off. When you think it is not working just open the window a crack and feel the blast furnace outside :-)
It will be hot !
Make sure you carry
drinking water with you inside the car and keep hydrated.
( check the colour of your urine to make sure it is not dark yellow and you are getting enough fluids Icky but it works :)
I would look at airconditioned motels or the like for sleeping if possible, long hot sleepless nights and long driving stretches do not mix
well at all.
Have a good trip, it may be too hot for much site seeing as it is mind bogglingly hot out there !!!!!
AnswerID:
397452