Australia - any tips?

[lost in london]

My girlfriend and I are off to Australia a week on Saturday for a month. Flying in to Perth, a couple of days there, and then driving to Darwin. We've only got the camper for 24 days, so there are going to have to be a few pretty serious driving days.

At the minute I think we're hoping to spend a few days in Coral Bay / Exmouth, a couple in Broome, and maybe a 3 day canoeing trip near Kununurra. Has anyone done the trip before, and do you know of anywhere that might not be in the guide books that is worth checking out?

Cheers

Tom

 

[B.M.F]

I have only been to the otherside mate but it sounds fantastic so have a great trip. I am well jealous.

 

[Buffalo Seagull]

Haven't been up the west coast either, but it's pretty isolated out that way and even though it's winter it can still get really hot. Make sure your car is always well stocked with plenty of food and water. Take a first aid kit with you as well.

 

[Nemesis]

Haven't been up the west coast either, but it's pretty isolated out that way and even though it's winter it can still get really hot. Make sure your car is always well stocked with plenty of food and water. Take a first aid kit with you as well.

And always look in the dunny before sitting down. If a pair of eyes look back at you-run like hell mate

 

[Bry Nylon]

Its really big

 

[Bry Nylon]

Oh, and get yourself a copy of this excellent book:

..and do you know anything about basic vehicle mechanics? A toolkit, some spares and handbook for your camper would be good news.

 

[lost in london]

I know nothing about cars / massive campervans, took me ten miunutes to find the place where to put more water in for the windowscreen the other day on my clio. Think roadside assistance comes with the rental cost though

I watched a Ray Mears epsiode on Oz a while back, and I know now that if I ever find myself stuck in sand in the middle of a dried up lake, the girlfriend should walk off and try and find someone. She'll die, and then they'll find her body, and eventually me. Or I could just let the tyres down a bit.

 

[Buffalo Seagull]

I watched a Ray Mears epsiode on Oz a while back, and I know now that if I ever find myself stuck in sand in the middle of a dried up lake, the girlfriend should walk off and try and find someone. She'll die, and then they'll find her body, and eventually me. Or I could just let the tyres down a bit.

 

[Norman Baker suck my lozenge]

buy a gun if your travelling in a camper ,there's some strange fuckers on them outback roads.

 

[Wozza]

Wolf Creek is ESSENTIAL viewing before any road trip in Oz.

 

[driller]

that is a very long drive!!

check out the whale sharks(largest fish in the sea and very tame/harmless) on ningaloo reef. This is north west oz on your route. Most divers will be jealous of you if you say you have snorkled or dived with one.
Should be the right season so guarenteed a sighting of this very rare fish. the ozzies send up spotter planes so you go to the right area.

 

[Barrel of Fun]

No idea about the West Coast, but if you come across any bush etc. make sure there are not Spiders with webs across an opening. I had a close shave with a spider, when I nipped into some bushes for a pee. Always be aware of what is around you!

 

[lost in london]

I've heard that the whale sharks are a pretty special experience, apparently if you book on one of the guided tours you get to go for free the next day if you don't see them. Cheers for the confirmation though.

I think we're looking at a good 4000 miles. I'm banking on maybe 6 or so days when we do 500 miles, and then the rest in bits and bobs. I am mildly concerned though that this could end up being the most expensive drive in the history of poorly planned holidays.

Western Australia is apparenly approximately the size of India.

 

[GNF on Tour]

Don't stop the van, even if you see a Aborigine lying in the road, drive around him.

Just trust me on this one.

 

[Tyrone Biggums]

Ok the places of most interest up that way are:

Monkey Mia: this is where you can stand in knee deep water while bottlenose dolphins swim around you.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monkey_Mia

Broome: It's pearl industry is well worth checking out

The Kimberlys: some magnificent sights.

http://www.avalook.com.au/wa/kimberly.htm


When you get to NT don't no matter what swim in any waterholes.

Full of crocs.

Kakadu is the must see in the NT.

http://www.northernterritory.visitorsbureau.com.au/attractions.html

As someone mentioned if an aboriginal tries to flag you down or steps in front of you or is lying on the road ignore them, even if you hit them.

Just when you get to the next town/station report it to the police.

 

[severnside gull]

My girlfriend and I are off to Australia a week on Saturday for a month. Flying in to Perth, a couple of days there, and then driving to Darwin. We've only got the camper for 24 days, so there are going to have to be a few pretty serious driving days.

At the minute I think we're hoping to spend a few days in Coral Bay / Exmouth, a couple in Broome, and maybe a 3 day canoeing trip near Kununurra. Has anyone done the trip before, and do you know of anywhere that might not be in the guide books that is worth checking out?

Cheers

Tom

Stop off at Monkey Mia for the dolphins at the end of your first long day's drive- naff but they really do come right in to the beach - but beware the water is bloody cold!. The canoeing is fantastic. Keep plenty of time for the top end after Broome and Exmouth - not the best roads in the world and the distance between places takes longer than you think. Be ready to take some side turns (especially towards the sea) whenever you feel the urge - great forests, fantastic views, kangaroos on the beach.......but stick to the roads. I bust all the cupboard door locks (including the bog) on a rutted path and spent ten days with everything held half shut with bungee ropes.

I'm jealous.

PS check out your camper hire - there are places in NT where your insurance doesn't cover you

 

[Les Biehn]

What will happen if you stop?

 

[severnside gull]

Stories abound of people getting hi-jacked and robbed but I've never met anyone who actually had it happen and or knew anyone it happened to....it always seems to be a friend of a friend of a friend, or "it was in the papers (but no I didn't actually read it". Aussies hate aboriginals! Have to say most of those I've ever seen have been drunk in bars, drunk in the street (most normal because the bars dont let them in), or in prison as a consequence of what they did when drunk...tragic and says a lot about the way they have been excluded from (white) Australian society

 

[Wozza]

Stories abound of people getting hi-jacked and robbed but I've never met anyone who actually had it happen

That's because they're now DEAD, obviously.

 

[severnside gull]

That's because they're now DEAD, obviously.