Comment welcome. Planning trip to NT, and Kimberlys next year

Submitted: Sunday, Apr 24, 2011 at 08:00

ThreadID: 85826 Views:4724 Replies:9 FollowUps:8

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Making Your Itinerary

Before you embark upon the logistics of planning for your trip (vehicle setup, camping gear) it is essential that you have made some sort of an itinerary.

Member - Rick H (QLD)

Originally posted this in Blogs by mistake. Picked up by John and Val - thanks guys, I deleted the Blog when I realised my error.
OK, This is really just the first pass. Currently planning on a trip beginning around April next year, duration unknown, but probably 3+ months. Will be doing the trip in our GQ Patrol, no van or trailer, just a touring tent. The aim will be to take our time, no major time schedule, but just check out everything at our leisure. We have camped in the past with a previous camper trailer, up through the Bloomfield track to Cooktown and various western Qld towns. Doing this trip in a tent will be different but should be just as enjoyable. Itinary is still very much up in the air but this is a thought of what we may be doing. First, from Nanango (home) across to Alice via the Plenty Highway (or Outback Way) to Alice Springs. Check out all the local attractions including the rock, then head up the Tanami Track to Halls Creek, around the Kimberly area including the Gibb River Road then back to Darwin, check out Kakadu, then across to the Gulf and Normanton via the Gulf Track and possibly Roper Bar then head south through Charter Towers and into Townsville to visit friends then back home. Plan on bush camping wherever possible. Just one restriction, and I know this may bring some comments, but we will be travelling with my wife's companion dog as the trip just would not happen if we had to leave it at home. Am gradually preparing the Patrol for this and other trips. Has a Bushmans fridge installed, extra 110AH Gel battery, solar panels, storage drawers, cupboards etc..... Comms not a problem as I am a ham operator and have UHF, VHF and HF (HF radio club) installed. One problem may be fuel, as the Patrol is a TB42e and I only get about 350KMs to a tank and plan on making a jerry can holder mounted on the rear for an extra 40 , or maybe 60 litres of fuel and or water. The proposed route is just that, proposed. Questions I have are best time of year, direction of travel - as above, or the reverse etc..
Tanks to all who reply.
Rick

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Reply By: Motherhen - Sunday, Apr 24, 2011 at 15:32

Sunday, Apr 24, 2011 at 15:32

Hi Rick

I hope your three months is very elastic. The Kimberley (Gibb River Road), Tanami and Alice Springs took us three months doing a loop from SW of WA.Check my Blogs for 2008 here or in more detail on Travelogues.

My 2009 trip which took us north from Alice Springs including Kakadu and Litchfield NPs has not been loaded as yet. Dogs not permitted in the NPs. You do say companion dog; if it is an authorised guide dog such as for the blind or deaf, these are generally permitted.

You shouldn't have any issues with fuel until you go remote. The Tanami is one problem area, with Rabbit Flat now out of the picture. Nothing between Tilmouth Wells RH near the Alice Springs end and Halls Creek, unless you go into the communities such as Billiluna which is not that far from Halls Creek, or Yuendumo which is near Tilmouth Wells anyway. The Savannah way has some long stretches too. Can you fit a larger or add an auxiliary fuel tank under the Patrol?

Motherhen

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Reply By: Member - Rick H (QLD) - Sunday, Apr 24, 2011 at 16:46

Sunday, Apr 24, 2011 at 16:46

Thanks Motherhen,
Yes, fairly elastic. Thanks for the heads up on the Tanami Track. Will definately look at a larger fuel tank as will probably need one. Failing that, a small trailer to carry extra fuel in may not be out of the question, but would prefer not to. Unfortunately the companion dog is not a guide dog, but a disability support dog and these are not permitted in NP's. As with most companion dogs they are just that, a small human with four legs that will not leave my wife and visa versa. If it came down to it, if we could not take the dog the trip would not be on.
Rick

AnswerID: 452189

Reply By: Jolly - Sunday, Apr 24, 2011 at 18:22

Sunday, Apr 24, 2011 at 18:22

It's the Kimberley...There is only the one.

AnswerID: 452196

Reply By: Member - Barry P (VIC) - Sunday, Apr 24, 2011 at 19:19

Sunday, Apr 24, 2011 at 19:19

too rick h met people in queensland a few years back they had a permit for a companion dog from national parks in sa and queensland ;it was very difficult to get ;the husband had some kind of neurological problem ;nps made it very difficult for them too get it .first they denied it was possible after phone calls and written reports from their doctors permits were obtained; they also told me that only 1 or 2 permits have been issued in sa and queensland;wish i could help more ;have a look on national park websites ;could be something there on companion dogs for people with health problems ;beside companion dogs for the blind and hearing impaired ;keep trying it will take time bye barry

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Reply By: Member - Barry P (VIC) - Sunday, Apr 24, 2011 at 19:23

Sunday, Apr 24, 2011 at 19:23

make sure that you have the paperwork for your wifes disability before you approach nat parkes bye barry

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Reply By: Member - Rick H (QLD) - Sunday, Apr 24, 2011 at 21:13

Sunday, Apr 24, 2011 at 21:13

Thanks, will check with her doctor and see if we can get supporting paperwork from him first then contact nat parks. Dont think it will be a problem though, nat parks may be a different issue.
Rick

AnswerID: 452212

Follow Up By: Member - John and Val - Monday, Apr 25, 2011 at 11:44

Monday, Apr 25, 2011 at 11:44

Hi Rick,

Just had a look at what policies there might be concerning companion animals. here is a link for Qld. Page 2 looks promising. Something similar here for NSW, about p3. I would think that other states have similar policies for bona fide companion animals where a doctors certificate can be provided. Might take a bit of digging but good luck.

Cheers,

Val

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Follow Up By: Member - John and Val - Monday, Apr 25, 2011 at 12:09

Monday, Apr 25, 2011 at 12:09

Rick, more possibly useful links here. It seems that the definition of "assistance animals" goes beyond guide dogs these days.

Cheers,

Val

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Reply By: Member - Rick H (QLD) - Monday, Apr 25, 2011 at 14:15

Monday, Apr 25, 2011 at 14:15

Thanks Val,
Will definately be chasing this up, will keep everyone posted re the outcome. Don't expect any action until at least July as are about to head out and wont be back until then. BTW, checked out some of your Blogs, great work, good reading, you have certainly done a great job setting up your troopy. It look ideal for a touring vehicle, just about everything covered.
Regards
Rick

AnswerID: 452257

Follow Up By: Member - John and Val - Monday, Apr 25, 2011 at 16:38

Monday, Apr 25, 2011 at 16:38

Thanks for your comments Rick, glad you enjoy our blogs. Its fun writing them and brings the memories back. As for Troopy - he is a work in progress, and despite now being of quite venerable age, does what we want.

Cheers,

Val

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Reply By: Jazzie - Monday, Apr 25, 2011 at 16:15

Monday, Apr 25, 2011 at 16:15

Hi Rick,

I saw this today and signed up especially to reply to you. Always happy to help someone else with an Assistance Dog!
The laws can be a bit confusing, especially when you first get an Assistance Dog. There are federal laws covering all of Australia, and then sometimes states have their own laws too.

Myself and my Assistance Dog have travelled a lot together with no problems. I just wanted to ask a few things first so I give the right advice.

You called the dog a companion dog. The term 'companion dog' means 'pet' and not an Assistance Dog that helps someone with a disability, so it's not covered under disability discrimination laws. Is the dog a companion dog, or an Assistance Dog?

If it's an Assistance Dog, do you have an official vest and ID card from the trainer/training organisation? This type of ID will likely be needed when you travel.

Assistance Dogs that meet certain criteria are covered under federal laws, the same as guide dogs (guide dogs are one type of Assistance Dog, but there are many others.)

Hope this helps.. let us know if you have the ID card etc from the trainer/organisation and we can go from there.

Jaz

AnswerID: 452268

Follow Up By: Member - Rick H (QLD) - Tuesday, Apr 26, 2011 at 06:46

Tuesday, Apr 26, 2011 at 06:46

Thanks Jaz,
Well, good and bad news. He is really a companion dog, under the definition as has not been trained by official parties, but in reality he is an assistance dog for my wife. Apparently, under some circumstances you can get your own dog classified as an assistance dog, some additional training may be required. Will be calling people re this and hopefully going out to see them in the next week or so. Fingers crossed.
Rick

FollowupID: 724987

Follow Up By: Jazzie - Tuesday, Apr 26, 2011 at 15:01

Tuesday, Apr 26, 2011 at 15:01

Hi Rick,

Yes you can have an owner trained Assistance Dog under some circumstances.

To be covered under the DDA you would need to have proof that the dog has been trained to behave appropriately in public. If you could get a trainer to take your wife and the dog through a Public Access Test and then give her documentation saying that they have passed, that will help.

The dog also needs to be trained to mitigate your wife's disability. A doctor's letter would also be helpful. The dog will need to wear a vest while it's in 'no pets' areas. There are a few other stipulations.

The law your wife might be able to be covered under is the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 http://www.comlaw.gov.au/ComLaw/Legislation/ActCompilation1.nsf/0/75A9AC46A3C6C8A1CA25768E00127EC3/$file/DisabilityDiscrimination1992_WD02.pdf

You can contact the Australian Human Rights Commission and they can explain the DDA to you and can advise if it might apply to your wife and her dog. http://www.hreoc.gov.au/complaints_information/index.html

For trainers to take the dog through the PAT you can contact one of these organisations or trainers. http://www.communities.qld.gov.au/disability/key-projects/guide-hearing-and-assistance-dogs/for-trainers there may be others not on the list who can help, but I'd go with one of the ones on the list if you are in Qld, as that could also lead to your wife and her dog being covered under state laws.

I hope this helps. Good luck with everything :)

FollowupID: 725018

Follow Up By: Jazzie - Tuesday, Apr 26, 2011 at 15:03

Tuesday, Apr 26, 2011 at 15:03

Sorry, I don't know why my links aren't working. Try copying and pasting them in to the URL bar.

FollowupID: 725019

Follow Up By: Member - Rick H (QLD) - Sunday, May 01, 2011 at 19:26

Sunday, May 01, 2011 at 19:26

Thanks to all for the advise,
Have followed this up and have been advised that all should be OK. Will not go into details here but surfice to say that by the time my trip happens we (our dog, my wife and I) should be fully certified and assessed and should have no problems getting into national parks. We have been assured that all going well our existing dog should meet all the assistance dog certifications and assessments.
Rick

FollowupID: 725709

Reply By: Member - Graeme M (VIC) - Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011 at 19:26

Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011 at 19:26

Hi Rick
We leave in four weeks for the Top End, Kakadu and the Kimberley. I found a website and books which I subsequently purchased invaluable for planning and getting and idea of distances and attractions in this region.

Log on to www.Kimberley australia.com/destination-kimberley.html you will find a wealth of information. The books (there are 2) one for the Top end and 1 for the Kimberley. They are "E books downloadable after a small cost.

You also get regular emails of blogs by travellers and their experiences.

The authors name is Birgit Bradke who I believe lives in Kununurra.

Enjoy the trip

AnswerID: 452485

Follow Up By: Member - Rick H (QLD) - Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011 at 19:39

Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011 at 19:39

Thanks for that, I have already downloaded the free pocket guides from the writer you mentioned, but have also ordered several other books in from an author "Jan Holland" who was highly recommended to us. When they arrive, I will post my comments.
Rick

FollowupID: 725164