jacknscoob

Hi guys

We are thinking of touring Australia, maybe in a fifth wheeler. Anyone got one, they look quite spacious.

We are looking to tour half of Australia from QLD, up north, Darwin, back through Alice and back up to QLD thru Sydney.

Any advice re where to stop or not.

Are there any good websites?

All help appreciated.

J x

manc1

Hi jacknscoob, my wife and I travelled around oz many years ago in a VW campervan. We had a readers digest motoring guide to Australia book that was a going away present from friends. This book was fantastic as it gave us maps and distances between places of interest plus, a write-up of places of interest at each destination. Have a great trip.

jimbo_d

if you don't do the west coast you're missing out on 50% of the most beautiful scenery in the world. (and a lot of nothingness too mind you)

Gems

During some holiday dates, popular places North of Perth like Ningaloo are booked out. Also some camp sites require minimum of one week during holiday periods. So some planning and advance booking may be needed.

We havent toured but plan to in the future. Its very popular as we see loads North of Perth.

Gems

timlux

should be good fun, but you're exploring the wrong half !! Sydney is the most overrated city in the world and the weather's crap. I'd do ayers rock/ alice, top end, 4x4 camper across to the Kimberley and on to Broome. then down the west coast to perth and the south west. if you still fancy seeing sydney, i recommend flying there, seeing it and flying on to alice or darwin. And the real fun is off-road.

sciencemonitor

Check out www.exploroz.com for lots of advice on where to go / what to see / where to stay

spartacus

The English cricket team. Very much cons.

The O'Neills

We landed in Darwin, did Kakadu - stunnning, then bought a '79 Ford Falcon. We loaded it up with spare wheels on the roof, 2x20 litre jerry cans of fuel and the same of water. We bought a tent, a stove a frying pan and a billy, and we set off for the West coast.

Went to :

Litchfield National Park, arguably more beautiful than Kakadu

Kathering Gorge (lost our camera overboard!)

Lake Argyle - WoW - 50 million gallons an hour evaporates from Lake Argyle, so that will give you an idea of the size of the place. Brendan lost his hat off the side of the boat, and dived in after it - croc infested!!! - idiot!

Then accross to Broome. We were only supposed to stay in Broome for one night, but the place was beautiful so we ended up staying a week.

We then did all the major towns and beaches down the coast, including Monkey Mia, where the Dolphins come to bask in the shallows, and 80 mile beach. We also went to see the Stromatolites, which was a surreal experience. We saw the Pinnacles and Wave rock etc etc.

We then crossed the Nullabor (narrowly avoiding Adelaide - which I now regret)

Then headed back North through Cooper Pedy and Uluru and Alice Springs - all very strange places. After a couple of weeks recovering in Darwin, we headed back down the road to Melbourne, and then up to Sydney.

Our 4 weeks in Melbourne and Sydney do not compare with Broome, Chittering, Darwin or any number of other places we visited. They are both stunning cities and great for a holiday, but I would not change my itinerary for the world, it was the experience of a lifetime, and even now, I would return to the West Coast before I discovered Queensland.

Having said all that, it very much depends on the type of people you are. The west coast is VAST, and the drive between places can be VERY boring. If you prefer something with a faster pace, then the East Coast is obviously better.

Have a wonderful trip, I hope its everything you want it to be.

Nic

P.S. Off road is hilarious fun, and hair raising in an old Ford Falcon thats fully laiden, but be warned - We were stranded a couple of times, and it was only through the generosity of the locals that we even survived the trip. I'm not exaggerating, we were bogged in deep sand on a 'corrugated' road, and we had to pray for a passer by with a 4x4 to tow us out!!! - luckily we got one. Another time our engine blew up. We had $10, a bag of potatoes and a can of corned beef and we were 150 miles from nowhere! On another occasion we needed both spare wheels !!!!!

JR230898

It is the 'nothingness' that makes it 'something' special....

jacknscoob

Hi Guys

Thanks for the tips.

How did people go with using the internet whilst travelling.

We have a laptop, can u get a signal when on the road / at campsites? I think I would be lost without the internet for 6 months. Is there a way to get full internet access? And with whom would be a good company to go with.

Also, did many people have a CB radio?

Cheers

J

nickyjohnt

A work mate of mine has a "King of the road" fifth wheeler and is massive, be aware of the weight of these 6+tonnes and some you need a heavy good license for,

Good Luck John

sciencemonitor

Again, ExplorOz.com probably has the answers:

http://www.exploroz.com/OntheRoad/Co...s/Default.aspx

timlux

Good point re. 4x4s. It is a serious issue, the Outback is not a lane in Surrey. Offroading with a Falcon probably ain't a good idea. I once had to tow out a local Aussie and his girlfriend who thought they could drive a V8 Commodore through the sand dunes at Lancelin. Der. If you are contemplating going offroad you need a properly equipped 4x4. Landcruiser's make up about 80% of them, then Patrols 80% of the remainder. Forget about the Chelsea Tractors, they're not robust enough and too complicated to get fixed in the middle of nowhere. We have a Hyundai Terracan, which is fantastic value for money, as tough as old boots and great offroad. Particularly good on sand, its an auto V6 which keeps the power on all the time. Preferably travel in convoy. UHF radio is a must, but also take an EPRB (emergency beacon) and maybe even rent a satellite phone. Extra fuel, onboard water tanks etc. etc. "Check-in" with the rangers before heading down a trail and "check-out" with them when you reach your destination. Its something you need to take seriously, don't muck about with it, if you get stuck in the middle of the Outback and nobody knows you're there, the likelihood is you won't get out alive. If you are renting, all the hire companies rent 4x4s, usually Landcruisers. So, be prepared, and enjoy, its fantastic fun.

timlux

t'internet ???? We can't get broadband internet in one of Perth's prime west coast suburbs ! Have to use a (very expensive) 3g mobile card. There are internet cafes in towns, and you'll be able to use a 3g card where there's a mobile signal. In the sticks, not a chance.