2WD around Oz

A falcon wagon will have no problems with the Birdsville track or in fact any of the roads like it, these days they are all well graded and maintained except when it is wet you would have no problem driving to the condiitions.

Hi lj-eco

While there are many roads than you can travel with a 2wd, we choose to go outback. While we don't often need engage 4wd, this has been necessary on several roads, and more often, high clearance has been needed.

There are adventure tour 4wd coaches that cover the Gibb River Road and places such as Jimjim and Twin Falls in Kakadu.

Rural roads in agricultural areas are well maintained for all vehicles, but roads such as the Gibb River Road (in particular depending on the depth of water crossings), and some of long inland dirt road routes in the Northern Territory may have patches you would have difficulty with.

It would be feasible to drive around with your Falcon, and take commercial tours in key locations. When hiring a 4wd for dirt road use, you can expect to be paying higher fees than when the hire agreement is black top only as most are.

Motherhen

Hi

Your previous tread is here Got 7-8 months - around Oz?

Re: comment "I take it most places a 4WD will go" - please send videos! it will be a great watch :) Just kidding - I think you mean you go places people with 4WD's also go (e.g. shops:), any type of gravel road with a bit of sand and the occasional rock). Lots of places you actually need "4WD" (broad definition), though having said that some people do exagerate degree of difficulty of some tracks/locations so many "4WD" destinations are easy as...good to see some one having a crack at it - thats the main thing. Have fun.

Cheers
Greg

El Questro, off the GRR, has all 4WD tracks with clearance and deep creek crossings the problem.
Not much to see if you don't go on the tracks and the walks.

I went round the block in 2010 - 2011 and took in most sights. Used 4WD for peace of mind mainly. Some sandy tracks were tight and inland WA roads were used by mines so all in good condition.

Bill

G'day,
We have travelled Australia extensively in a kitted out Hilux. I also own a Falcon Wagon for my interstate work related travel.
There are many roads in the outback that I would take my Falcon on. The outback road conditions change from week to week so you need to get ÚP TO DATE local info when you get to an area you wish to travel in.

I remember one trip on the Gulf road that the road condition was awful. It was washed out with rocks strewn around & the creek crossings were deeply eroded. Midway through the road we came across the road repair crew coming in the opposite direction & after that the road become a gravel hwy due to the recent works.
So it all depends?

Cheers
Stu

I guess i'm simply coming to a somewhat better informed version of the idea that i came here to this thread with. Can be done, don't 'need' but better with 4x4. And not just a soft-roader, but something with high clearance.... if you want to get to those few 'best spots'.

Looked at the cost of hiring for a 6-7 day venture into Kakadu, at least $1300 before adding any higher premiums for being on dirt (always baffled me that one about hiring 4x4).

If i hired 3 or 4 times in different places i'd be half way to a beaten up old 4x4 already.. maybe this thread should have been 'if i want to buy a cheap used 4x4 what should i look for'! Assuming diesel is way to go for longevity on that front.

Is a shame, but part of the adventure i guess.. that you can do 90%, but to get to 'those spots' you do need it (high clearance 4x4). That's ok, i do enjoy my work 4 wheeling be nice to have it for the weekends too i suppose!

Thanks for all the thoughts so far all

A: Do you have a limited slip dif yet ?

B: have you considered larger offroad tyres for your trips ?

Just a suggestion :-)