Comments on: Has anyone recently road-tripped around Australia? http://www.remotemt.com/remote-mt/has-anyone-recently-road-tripped-around-australia remote mt Thu, 09 Sep 2010 01:59:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: oldemystic http://www.remotemt.com/remote-mt/has-anyone-recently-road-tripped-around-australia#comment-227 oldemystic Wed, 20 May 2009 22:25:20 +0000 http://www.remotemt.com/remote-mt/has-anyone-recently-road-tripped-around-australia#comment-227 I have done something similar several times, by going through the centre from different directions. Obviously you have studied maps and will realise that Melbourne to Townsville will pose no probs (ensure that you fill up however, at Rockhampton as there is little between Rockie & Sarina. You should not count on Marlborough which is not really a town, just a servo - which on occasion does NOT have petrol, in which case a slight diversion off highway to Clairview would be necessary. One assumes you're thinking of Barkley Hwy from Townsville to Tennant Creek. Make sure you fill up at Camooweal. Don't let anyone talk you into a 'short cut' from Boulia to north of Alice via the Plenty Highway unless you take extra petrol and are prepared to not see any other vehicle or civilisation of any kind all day. Go that way if you are adventurous and want to see the real outback. Beware however, of getting lost by following some of the station tracks which sometimes look more 'worn' than the 'highway' and can end up in lots of backtracking. If you stick to the main drag south from Tennant Creek, you will find roadhouses regularly spaced (unless you are driving a petrol guzzler). "Tenting it" all the way with the occasional hire of an onsite van/cabin would be your cheapest option. Most remote roadhouses have a camping area of sorts out the back and are generally run by very friendly folk. Budget for some of the more remote roadhouses charging up to 50 percent more for petrol compared to east coast. So take a fuel efficient car (I have done it in a Landrover Mark 111A with an extra built-in fuel tank; a Suzuki Stockman, and a Camry). If you are travelling alone I strongly suggest you invest in or rent a satellite phone. Any vehicle you travel in should be relatively 'common' with standard size tyres. You will understand why if you break down somewhere and have to wait around for a week for a part or a tyre to turn up from Sydney. Incidentally, travelling at 'the end of the year' is not a good idea for that area, being the hot wet season.<br><b>References : </b><br> I have done something similar several times, by going through the centre from different directions. Obviously you have studied maps and will realise that Melbourne to Townsville will pose no probs (ensure that you fill up however, at Rockhampton as there is little between Rockie & Sarina. You should not count on Marlborough which is not really a town, just a servo - which on occasion does NOT have petrol, in which case a slight diversion off highway to Clairview would be necessary.

One assumes you're thinking of Barkley Hwy from Townsville to Tennant Creek. Make sure you fill up at Camooweal.
Don't let anyone talk you into a 'short cut' from Boulia to north of Alice via the Plenty Highway unless you take extra petrol and are prepared to not see any other vehicle or civilisation of any kind all day. Go that way if you are adventurous and want to see the real outback. Beware however, of getting lost by following some of the station tracks which sometimes look more 'worn' than the 'highway' and can end up in lots of backtracking.

If you stick to the main drag south from Tennant Creek, you will find roadhouses regularly spaced (unless you are driving a petrol guzzler).

"Tenting it" all the way with the occasional hire of an onsite van/cabin would be your cheapest option. Most remote roadhouses have a camping area of sorts out the back and are generally run by very friendly folk.
Budget for some of the more remote roadhouses charging up to 50 percent more for petrol compared to east coast.
So take a fuel efficient car (I have done it in a Landrover Mark 111A with an extra built-in fuel tank; a Suzuki Stockman, and a Camry).

If you are travelling alone I strongly suggest you invest in or rent a satellite phone. Any vehicle you travel in should be relatively 'common' with standard size tyres. You will understand why if you break down somewhere and have to wait around for a week for a part or a tyre to turn up from Sydney.
Incidentally, travelling at 'the end of the year' is not a good idea for that area, being the hot wet season.
References :

]]> By: jpturboprop http://www.remotemt.com/remote-mt/has-anyone-recently-road-tripped-around-australia#comment-226 jpturboprop Wed, 20 May 2009 16:43:10 +0000 http://www.remotemt.com/remote-mt/has-anyone-recently-road-tripped-around-australia#comment-226 First, I have not done that exact trip, and can only respond to the question based on other travels around Australia. ' I would not consider doing the trip alone, under any circumstances. Travel the route you have suggested in a well equiped Ute. Carry water and Petrol. Assume you are going to have problems finding both going from Mt Isa to Uluru, although you probably will not. Err on the side of caution. Fill with petrol every chance you get on the outback portion of the trip. Budget 100 a day plus petrol. camp with a tent most of the time, but settle in to a pub on occasion for a beer and a shower. Allow a minimum of 30 days, and enjoy! book your ferry crossing to KI well in advance, and be aware that it is pricey to take your vehicle to the island.<br><b>References : </b><br> First, I have not done that exact trip, and can only respond to the question based on other travels around Australia. '

I would not consider doing the trip alone, under any circumstances. Travel the route you have suggested in a well equiped Ute. Carry water and Petrol.
Assume you are going to have problems finding both going from Mt Isa to Uluru, although you probably will not. Err on the side of caution. Fill with petrol every chance you get on the outback portion of the trip.
Budget 100 a day plus petrol. camp with a tent most of the time, but settle in to a pub on occasion for a beer and a shower. Allow a minimum of 30 days, and enjoy!
book your ferry crossing to KI well in advance, and be aware that it is pricey to take your vehicle to the island.
References :

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