Which way do we go????

So Chell, you've decided on what to get . . . congrats.

Sorry, cant help much with your questions, just wanted to say giday.

Oh yeah . . . Hema Maps are pretty good.

Hmm...Chell I've been pondering your question for a few minutes now and for the life of me I can't think of a single significant argument for or against going clockwise or anti-clockwise. Leaving Melbourne at the end of Feb means you'll still enjoy plenty of nice weather in the southern climes and gives you plenty of time to make your way north to avoid the coolest months.

You don't say how long you plan on being on the road so time may not be an issue for you. If it was me, I'd decide whether I wanted to explore NSW/southern Qld or southern WA/SA the most then head in that direction. Reason being that many, many travellers I've spoken to often tell me they spent more time than they anticipated here or there and end up having to make a run for home, missing many of the things they'd hoped to see on the last leg (good reason to go back someday anyway, LOL). Even if you plan your itinery down to the last day, its inevitable that there'll be places you'll spend a day or two or more longer than you planned and/or visit places that you never planned on in the first place.

:o) MelissaPetrol 4.5L GU Patrol &
Camprite TL8 offroad camper
http://www.users.bigpond.com/flatdog

Have already purchased a couple of books....discover australia sounds awfully familar. Have looked at so many, I forget the names of the books I have lol.

Oh please don't mention the GPS! If my partner has a say in it, we will have every contraption known to man on our trip!

Thanks, but think I will stick to maps.

Have used the GPS on a few business trips and Mary (what we call her) has sent us on a few wild goose chases due to road works she doesn't know about.

Its all fun :-)

Chell

Hi,

We did it a couple of years back and went anti clockwise. The reason for that was the wildflowers over in WA are out around Aug Sept so you get to see them as you come down the west coast.

If you do it that way don't miss the
Western Flora Caravan Park
Brand Hwy
Eneabba WA 6518
Telephone: (08) 9955 2030
Rating: **

You get your nights caravan park accomodation and a free wildflower talk and tour by the owner. And I don't get commissions

great value

Go anti clock wise... cause its shorter

Go anticlockwise as you will probably find work fruit picking in the Riverena that time of year. get the Hema road atlas it's great available from the site shop. Have a safe & enjoyable trip.( i'm jealous wish we could come)Regards Bob
Where to next

Noted.

Thanks Flappan!

Chell

Hi OzCamper,

Best thing I have ever done was to pack up & start travelling. Great also not to have a deadline (I planned on 3-6 months, it is now 2 years later and still going).

For work fruitpicking have a look at: http://www.jobsearch.gov.au/harvesttrail/default.aspx?WHCode=0&TextOnly=0

or google search for Harvest Trail. I have done a bit of fruit picking on the way and have to say I wouldn't rely on it for a good income, it is not hard work, it is damn hard work especially grapes in the heat of summer.

I think you will find that if you have the right attitude/friendly you can pretty much find work anywhere if you give it enough time. This is the case for both major cities (I am contracting in Perth for another 5 months), or small towns (working on a duck farm in Nhil).

As for the direction, going for more than 12 months negates the argument about missing weather etc as you can stay in south for summer then head north for a warm winter either way... though I decided on clockwise for a summer through S.A. into W.A., a Winter travelling in north W.A. across to Darwin and North QLD, then a Summer heading home to Sydney/Melbourne. Though if that is the hardest choice you have at them moment life is pretty tough ;-)

A lot of round-Australia travellers say anti-clockwise is best because of tailwinds, but other than that it shouldn't make too much difference which way you go. Certainly you wouldn't want to miss the WA wildflowers! By the time you reach NT the high humidity should be decreasing.

Have a fab trip

Dennis
Westport 18ft full van
Falcon AU sedan
www.damor.net

Chell,

I'm a newbie, but have found the Hema Road Atlas in combination with Camps 2 a good reference set. The camps 2 book identifies rest spots, some caravan parks and camping spots and tells you what facilities there are.

Cheerio
zj

These questions are raised every six months or so on this forum. Go in to the archives and have a look. Also search the internet for Australian weather patterns using Google.

I am still amazed that many people are somewhat unaware of our climatic conditions.

Drive anti clockwise around Oz otherwise you will constantly be driving into the wind and use mega litres of juice.

Hema Road maps etc are the best of a bad bunch. No map shows you enough detail unless you take a laptop and digital maps.

Enjoy your trip.

Cheers,
Willem

Always going somewhere

I did the round the block a few years ago starting off the same time and went clockwise. No winds and warm weather all the way, finished the trip in Tassie for Xmas and New Year

SA inc Kangaroo Is Feb, Mar
SW WA Ap, May.
West Coast May, June
Kimberly June, July
NT Aug, Sept
NQ Sept, Oct
East Coast Oct, Nov
& Tassie in Dec, Jan

34000k later done the lap. The only time it rained was in the SW of WA the rest warm and dry, but getting a bit hot up the Cape in October.

It depends on how far you want to travell - if you go clockwise the distance is greater than anti-clock wise (think about it for a second).

But really I dont think it really matters except for the weather - you really don't want to be stuck up north during the wet, but if your not in a hurry then I suppose that doesn't matter either.

Have a great trip.Everyone is entitled to have an opinion - just make sure that yours is correct.