brian and wendy

Has anyone out there got any useful tips. we are relocating to Perth. so furniture is going in a container and we are driving from Sydney to Perth. just ideas of experiences that you have or encountered that will help. We have just signed up to Big4 so if the camp sites are on route we will use them. but not camping in a tent. But if anyone has taken this trip, the costs and areas to avoid etc. all information greatly appreciated. What's the best map to buy. are there any out there that have all the camp sites or accomodation on. The list goes on

mulben

If your planning to drive mostly straight throu without a lot of detours , these are our times / distances (in December ,estimate 4hrs more light)
Renmark SA to Ceduna SA -920kms -10hrs with a few detours.
or go via Port Lincoln - seafood at its best.

Ceduna SA to Norseman WA -1220kms -12hrs (1.25hrs less on sun time )
with detour at Eucla
its light here at 6am so its still doable .

Fuel prices are up to 20c +/L dearer than Ceduna on the Nullarbor
Norseman fuel price 25/04/11
162.9 Diesel
160.9 ULP
fuel prices -first one is Norseman -further east ones not included
http://www.fuelwatch.wa.gov.au/fuelw...ickSearch.jspx

Just get your maps from NRMA -should be free ?
NRMA have accommodation maps -caravan parks , motels ,etc.

KJCherokee

How do you want to travel? Drive straight through (as suggested by previous poster) or take it easy?

From Sydney you want to head for Broken Hill, then down to Peterborough and across to Port Augusta (or Pordagudda as the locals call it). From there the direct route is the Eyre Highway across to Ceduna, the interesting way is down through Whyalla to Port Lincoln, then back up the west coast to Ceduna via Elliston.

Past Ceduna there are no options (unless you have a 4wd and are feeling adventurous) - it's the Eyre Highway or nothing. Avoid stopping at Yalata unless it's improved out of sight in the last 7 years, otherwise any of the roadhoses (Eucla, Madura, Cocklebiddy, Caiguna, Balladonia) are basic but OK. Once you get to Norseman you can either take the traditional route to Perth via Coolgardie or take the opportunity to head south to Esperance and work round the SW corner via Albany and Margaret River.

Enjoy!!

Steve Portelli

Join an Automobile club straight away. RAC if in queensland RACQ and use it to get cheap tickets to the Gold Coast Theme parks. All the maps etc can be gained from them at discount prices... As it is a first time take the southern states route. Between adelaide and Perth is pretty boring for 20 hours of the drive. Get the premium membership for your first year and drop back to standard after that.
Grab a laptop in Australia and get wirelss internet and use on your trip. $30 a month for 3 Gb should see you thru easily. You can then google your way thru. Regards, Steve

smidsy

Buy camp6 book, the travellers bible.

Its expensive $55, but worth every penny, as you can calculate distance for fuel etc.

Iv done a road trip from Melbourne to Cairns, to Darwin, Adelaide, back to Melbourne, in a little cheapie campervan.

The Camp 6 was used exclusively in the outback areas, nothing else came close. Busy areas, there's lots of info, but the outback has very few detailed maps, for road trips.

Actually, coincidentally. I quit my job, bought a caravan, and in 2 weeks im headed to Darwin, to complete Western Australia, see Perth, and settle, or head to Adelaide.