Trip around Australia

Submitted: Tuesday, Jun 12, 2012 at 08:01

ThreadID: 96204 Views:2042 Replies:6 FollowUps:4

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ferrarofilms

Some friends from South America are planning a trip to Australia in Sept 2013 and I will join them, the leader has done around 800k Km around the world in his Hummer. One to three hummers on the trip.
The route chosen so far is below. Since I've only been on Australia's east side I would appreciate some comments about it. The time planned is 30-40 days.
Thanks
Carlo

ROUTE
Brisbane-Roma
Roma-Emerald
Emerald-Winton
Winton-Alice Springs
Alice Spring-Yulara
Back to Alice Springs then Rabbit Flat Roadhause on Tanami Desert
Rabbit Flat Road- Koonge Park
Koongie Park-Kununurra
Kununurra-Windham
Windham-Derby
Derby-Broome
Broome-Cape Lavenque
Cape Lavenque-back same way-Port Headlamd
Port Headlamd-Marondo
Marondo-Coral Bay
Coral Bay- coastline toPerth (Carnarvon,Monkey Mia, Donham , Geraldton etc)
Perth-Albany por toda la costa
Albany-Esperance
Esperance-Norseman
Norseman-Port Lincoln
Port lincoln-Port Augusta
Port Augusta-Broken hill (Adelaide )
Broken Hill-Armidale
Armidale-Coffs Harbour BRISBANE

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Reply By: graham B9 - Tuesday, Jun 12, 2012 at 08:19

Tuesday, Jun 12, 2012 at 08:19

Sir,

I will be the first of many that will bring up as their first point Time. Several years ago ( when I was young and stupid), I did most of this route in 11 days. I drove around 19 hours a day and saw, well the highway.

In 2010, I did it again in 8 months and saw more but not what I would call anywhere remotely near enough. In 2000, I did the USA in 30 days and travelled 19000 kilometers and still cannot remember much of the trip.

Your route sounds good but you will need more time. This however may not be possible. I might forget Derby however as I could not see a single thing there worth the visit.

AnswerID: 488243

Follow Up By: ferrarofilms - Tuesday, Jun 12, 2012 at 08:36

Tuesday, Jun 12, 2012 at 08:36

Thanks Graham, I am aware of that, a trip this long should be at least 3 months but it is impossible for people working overseas, so the best would be to plan a number of stops to stay around for at least 4-5 days. What do you think.?
Carlo

FollowupID: 763459

Reply By: Ozhumvee - Tuesday, Jun 12, 2012 at 08:57

Tuesday, Jun 12, 2012 at 08:57

Are they aware of the very stringent rules re vehicle importation into Australia?
Customs have a website that explains it all but basically the vehicles have to be cleaner than new. Might not be viable for such a short period in Oz.

AnswerID: 488246

Reply By: Member - Graham N (SA) - Tuesday, Jun 12, 2012 at 11:01

Tuesday, Jun 12, 2012 at 11:01

Hi Carlo,
Just a quick look at the distances and roads I have been on I would reckon that it would take you 33 days driving to cover all that and you would see only the road unless you are going to put some big days in (10 to 14 hours) driving or exceeding the speed limit. I would be interested in how long it took the trip leader to do his 800k km maybe he doesn't want to see things just drive.

Cheers
Graham

AnswerID: 488262

Follow Up By: toffytrailertrash - Tuesday, Jun 12, 2012 at 15:33

Tuesday, Jun 12, 2012 at 15:33

Don,t forget that Rabbit Flat is now closed. Carry plenty of fuel for the Tanami section.

FollowupID: 763499

Follow Up By: Member -Dodger - Tuesday, Jun 12, 2012 at 17:20

Tuesday, Jun 12, 2012 at 17:20

To do that route in the time frame suggested one would want to be a drivaholic and not a sight see er.

I used to have a handle on life, but it broke.

Cheers Dodg.

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FollowupID: 763508

Reply By: Member - eighty matey - Tuesday, Jun 12, 2012 at 17:58

Tuesday, Jun 12, 2012 at 17:58

G'day Carlo,

I just did some figures; 15000kms in 30 days = average of 500 kms per day.
That's do able.

Not everyone's cup of tea but it's better than sitting at home watching tv.

You wouldn't spend much time sitting around but it would be a great adventure and you'd see a lot of things millions of people wish they could see.

Go for it.

Steve

AnswerID: 488289

Reply By: ferrarofilms - Saturday, Jun 30, 2012 at 16:11

Saturday, Jun 30, 2012 at 16:11

Now the trip has been rescheduled to 50-60 days.
I gess the best way to do it is to fix 5-6 stops where to stay for several days to tour around and the rest of the time would be travelling.
On your experience (route above) what would be the best six stops on it, looking for interactions with aboriginal people and natural landmarks?
Thanks

AnswerID: 489769

Follow Up By: Member - John and Val - Saturday, Jun 30, 2012 at 17:17

Saturday, Jun 30, 2012 at 17:17

You could certainly spend a few days around Alice Springs, looking around the town, east and west MacDonnell Ranges, Uluru etc. Also a couple of days in Karajini National Park. But elsewhere because of the distances involved its generally best to move from one particular site to the next. Really depends on what your friends want to see and do. We have been over most of the route you describe but have done it over the years, taking many months in total.

There is a back way from the Gibb River Road up to Cape Leveque that would save retracing your steps to and from Broome.

Cheers,

Val.

J and V
"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted."
- Albert Einstein

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FollowupID: 764897

Reply By: Gone Bush (WA) - Saturday, Jun 30, 2012 at 18:21

Saturday, Jun 30, 2012 at 18:21

If they are South American they should be very aware of their Mayan ancestors' advice that there will not be a 2013.

They should bring their trip forward and plan it to end on December 21st 2012, along with everything else.