Central Australia Adventure June 2012, Part 1 Pre-Trip

The final countdown has started , we have been talking about this trip for the last 18months, and now theres only three weeks to go, boy has that time flown by. We are all getting very excited now, I wish we were going tommorrow.

This is the first Blog I have ever writen so I apologise now for how it turns out, I hope there are some parts that are helpfull for anyone doing a simmilar trip, even if it is just learning what not to do. I am submiting this today and may make a few additions between now and the 16th June (departure date). Please free to comment, any advice would be appreciated.

WHO - Dave (Dad), Joanne (Mum), and the boys Nicholas (9 y/o) and Samuel (8 y/o)

WHY - Wanted to have a family holiday with a bit of adventure, see some of the amazing aussie outback, and get away from the big smoke. We have done a lot of camping as a family but nothing of this magnitude so we are expecting to learn alot along the way while hopefully having a great time.

HOW LONG - We have 4 weeks to complete our trip, which I hope will allow us to see everything we want to see without rushing.

VEHICLE - Hyundai Terracan 2.9 CRDi towing a MDC Offroad extreme camper.
I have spent many hours over the last few months getting the car and trailer ready for this trip, apart from a winch which I cant fit, I think we are as ready as can be, fully self contained for at least 5 days, ready for most emergencies, UHF communications, spare fuel, Tools, basic vehicle and trailer spares, basic recovery equipment, extra water, etc,etc.
On the wish list is a Sat Phone.





DEPARTURE - June 16th 0400hrs

PROPOSED ROUTE ( subject to change along the way) - Start at Rosewood QLD, Longreach via Toowoomba, Winton, Boulia, then Alice Springs via the Plenty hwy. Kings Canyon, and Uluru via Larapinta drive and the Mernie Loop.
Sturt Hwy to Oodnandatta Track, Oodnandatta, Dalhousie Springs (side trip), Cooberpedy (side trip), Marree. The Birdsville track to Birdsville, Innaminka, then head east through Thargomindah, Cunnamulla and St George to Home.
Approx 6500kl in all.

ACCOMMODATION - We have decided not to book anything too far in advance, we are going to use free camps as much as we can, but may try to book into some of the more popular places the day before if possible.