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Suggestions for a 4 week trip out of Sydney

4K views 27 replies 10 participants last post by  GMWK2 
#1 ·
My wife and I were discussing an overseas trip for this time next year, possibly Europe. But then she started thinking maybe we can save some cash and do a 4 week road trip in Oz. (Yeehaaaa!!!! I love it when she thinks that she thinks of these things first.)

So I'm thinking either ...

Up the coast to Cape York, or

A combination of the Darling River Run from Bourke down to Wellington, then through Murray Sunset NP and across to the Flinders Ranges, or

Straight up the centre from Adelaide to Darwin, or ...

When you start looking at options for road travel in Australia, we're absolutely spoilt for choice.

I'd love to get up to the Kimberly but I'm not sure if 4 weeks is enough out of Sydney.

So guys, what do you think? Any good suggestions?
 
#2 ·
Only 4 weeks, so forget the Kimberley.
Try:
Sydney - Dubbo - Cobar - Broken Hill - Pt Augusta - Woomera - Cooper Pedy - Ayres Rock -Olgas - Kings Canyon - Alice Springs - Devils Marbles - Tennant Creek - Mt Isa - Charters Towers - Townsville - Airlie Beach - Mackay - Rockhampton - Maroochydore - Rainbow Beach - Brisbane - Gold Coast - Byron Bay - Coffs Hbr - Newcastle - Sydney. 8512 klms / 85 hrs driving
 
#3 ·
East Coast up to Cairns. Great drive, still civilization along the way and less likely to hit animals. On the way back you can do the inland route and see places like Longreach, cooper peedey, etc. I had planned to do it back in 2000 when the Olympics were on, but ended up with too much work and could not go.
 
#4 ·
I've pretty much done the drive Allypally suggested before (in three weeks - but with a few 1,000km+ driving days, which out there isn't too bad as there isn't much else to do between some locations) - awesome trip!
I would change it somewhat to go through the Flinders ranges instead of woomera and then take the oondadatta and pop out at Cooper Pedy. I also assume that the drive from Kings canyon to Alice, Allypally, would suggest going through the West Macdonald ranges.
You could also add some time on Fraser island on your way back (cut out some of the things between Bris and Sydney, which you can easily do over summer holiday one-two week breaks anyway). Also instead of going due east from Isa, you could come south east through Winton and Longreach (be a bit quicker), but if you do that you'd miss out on Airlie beach, and the real reason to go there - sailing around the Whitsundays. The sailing there could be worth a separate trip or flight, and unlike something like Uluru, doesn't gain from the drive (the sence of vastness you get after driving for days in the desert ads to Uluru in my mind). You'd want 5 days sailing minimun, plus if you got a yacht, your wife will have to be ok in pulling her weight (or get a power boat and no work needed).
There are so many awesome places in this country to see. I've done the loop, but didn't get into the Kimberley (wrong time of year when we got there), so that is on the cards still (definitely too much for four weeks from Sydney).
 
#5 ·
"I would change it somewhat to go through the Flinders ranges instead of woomera and then take the oondadatta and pop out at Cooper Pedy. I also assume that the drive from Kings canyon to Alice, Allypally, would suggest going through the West Macdonald ranges."

Yep. Agree. The road from Kings Canyon to Alice is called the Mereenie Loop. It is a dirt road. The road from Oondadatta runs though what is known as the "painted desert". So there are 2 dirt road sections, with interesting topography on that route.
 
#8 ·
Thanks for the suggestions gents. It looks like we have a plan. Early days yet but here's what it's looking like ...


Day
1 Sydney - Dubbo
2 Dubbo - Cobar - Broken Hill
3 Broken Hill region (Desert Sculptures, Silverton, etc)
4 Broken Hill - Flinders Ranges
5 Flinders Ranges
6 Flinders Ranges - Oodnadatta
7 Oodnadatta - Painted Desert - Coober Pedy
8 Coober Pedy
9 Coober Pedy - Uluru
10 Uluru
11 Uluru - The Olgas - Kings Canyon
12 Kings Canyon
13 Kings Canyon - Alice Springs (Mereenie Loop)
14 Alice Springs
15 Alice Springs - Devil's Marbles - Tennant Creek
16 Tennant Creek - Mt Isa
17 Mt Isa
18 Mt Isa - Longreach
19 Longreach
20 Longreach - Rockhampton
21 Rockhampton
22 Rockhampton - Bundaberg
23 Bundaberg - Rainbow Beach - Maroochydore
24 Maroochydore
25 Maroochydore - Byron Bay
26 Byron Bay - Sydney

Total 8468kms, with the longest single day of driving being about 800kms. Now to start working on the finer detail.

I also need ARB to pull their finger out and get some gear for the GC going.
 
#10 ·
After mulling this one around a lot, we have finally agreed and locked in our itinerary for June/July 2013. The trip will be -

1 Sydney - Dubbo
2 Dubbo - Cobar - Broken Hill
3 Broken Hill region (Desert Sculptures, Silverton, etc)
4 Broken Hill - Wilpena Pound
5 Touring around Flinders Ranges
6 Wilpena Pound - Leigh Creek
7 Leigh Creek - Lake Eyre (Halligan Bay)
8 Lake Eyre - Oodnadatta
9 Oodnadatta - Dalhousie Springs
10 Dalhousie Springs - Oodnadatta
11 Oodnadatta - Painted Desert - Coober Pedy
12 Look around Coober Pedy
13 Coober Pedy - Uluru
14 Uluru / Kata Tjuta
15 Uluru - Kings Canyon
16 Kings Canyon
17 Kings Canyon - Glen Helen Gorge via Red Centre Way
18 Glen Helen Gorge - Alice Springs
19 Alice Springs - Devil's Marbles - back to Wycliffe Well (see if we have any alien encounters here)
20 Wycliffe Well - Mt Isa
21 Mt Isa - Boulia
22 Boulia - Birdsville
23 Birdsville and day trip out to Big Red and Eyre Creek
24 Birdsville - Windorah
25 Windorah - Longreach
26 Longreach
27 Longreach - Charleville
28 Charleville - Bourke
29 Bourke - Dubbo
30 Dubbo - Home

Something like 8900kms, of which about 2600 will be unsealed roads and tracks. We will have 2 vehicles, my GC and a Prado 150. The Prado occupants will be tenting it, we will be renting a Johnno's camper trailer.

Now to lock in some of the other details ... like a BULLBAR!!!!
 
#13 ·
Devils Marbles are cool.

Stay at the Outback Caravan Park in Tennant Creek. The other one, Tennant Creek Caravan Park, is a bit shit and is next door to the 24hr BP so there's constant foot traffic past and sometimes through it. Also, don't eat Rocky's pizza. The Memorial Club or Woks Up would be my pick.


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#14 ·
Of course officer, it will be a totally legal zoom. It goes without saying that I'd want to say hi to Studgun so will set that up as we get closer.

Thanks for the tips too. Its always good to get first hand info.
 
#17 ·
Even the best made plans can be shattered with one piece of news.

Looks like my daughter will be getting married this year, therefore will need to put this trip off. Dont get me wrong, I'm thrilled she's getting married. But dammit I was looking forward to this too.

I'm feeling like Steve Martin in "Father of the Bride" meets "Big Fat Greek Wedding".
 
#18 ·
It'll all still be there......when the bank balance recovers.
For fine detail don't miss the Desert Park in Alice, or the Stockmans Hall of Fame and Quantas in Longreach.
You'll have a bit more time to accumulate information.
 
#19 ·
What a shame. Are you sure she is really your daughter? It is not too late to deny all relationship and duck out the backdoor and head for the hills. Think of the money you would save. Alternatively, you could encourage her to elope, and share the honeymoon with you on the trip.
Damn. I was really looking forward to your photos.
Maybe I could do the trip for you?
 
#20 ·
It's okay, Savvas, you don't have to do that big trip just to see me, I'm in Sydney. Wish I'd brought the Jeep. I'm driving the gf's old 4 cylinder Sportage; and people complain about the V6 WK being underpowered. Apparently I'm buying her a Wrangler soon though. Hmm...


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#21 ·
Wow, sounds like that would be a spectacular trip, too bad about the daughter getting married.

Questions from a novice, how much experience at 4WDing do you need to complete a trip like that? What minimum set up in a GC would you need?

Looking to splash out on a MY14 GC and was wondering what minimum set up that I would need. Was going to get a loaded Ltd but thinking of just buying the Overland. I've already taken the advice of many on here, so it will be a CRD. What is the availability of diesel in remote areas?

Cheers.
 
#24 · (Edited)
We've got a Laredo CRD, QL, Yokohama AT tyres, side steps, UHF radio and a few other bits - ours would be ready to do that trip now. (We've had 7 previous Patrols and done lots of this country over the years).
Most of it is on bitumen, (some pretty poor bitumen), and dirt (that can be graded the week before you travel, or not since years).
Good all terrain tyres will cope with the surfaces (don't go on the standard tyres, they won't handle the rocks) and the side steps will stop a bit of the gravel rash up the sides and rear quarter.
A tyre pressure gauge and quality compressor will allow you to modify tyre pressure to suit conditions, and will be the best 4wd accessory you will purchase.
UHF (even handheld) will allow limited local contact - 3g coverage will mostly be there around the towns, but shouldn't be relied on. Sat phone would add to the security blanket if not in company with another vehicle.
You could add lots of other goodies depending on your wallet and space available. Food and water should be on board in any event, plus basic recovery gear - fit a front recovery point before you go.
All of those places are regularly travelled and in fact one of the biggest hazards will be rocks thrown at your windscreen from other vehicles who are doing a similar loop but in 5 days out of Sydney or Melbourne!
A 4WD training course would be a great start and amaze you at what the vehicle is actually capable of. Perhaps contact the 4WD association of NSW and ACT for their recommendation on DT or clubs that will provide professional standard DT. Four Wheel Drive - NSW & ACT Inc
 
#22 ·
Diesel is more readily available than petrol in the outback, so diesel is definitely the way to go if looking at that sort of touring. Especially when you get the longer range with diesel.
The Jeep GC does not need much special setting up to go bush. You might look at tyres, possibly a long range fuel tank if towing anything heavy, and an appertite to explore. If you are really venturing into the bush, you should consider the additions of recovery winch and suitable survival gear. The most common addition is to tour with another companion when going into remote areas.
The Jeep itself is a quite capable rig.
 
#23 ·
Thanks allypally,

When you say companion, do you mean another person or another vehicle? Also remote, those dirt tracks that have been spoken of, are they considered remote?

Thinking of doing a course to get the skills up, does anyone have a recommendation in the Sydney area?

Thanks.
 
#25 ·
Thanks John, really appreciate all that information, lots to consider. Final question, is QL essential? Just wondering from the basis of another thing to go wrong, ie too many moving parts. Or is the QL very reliable?

Thanks.
 
#26 ·

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#28 ·
Or is the QL very reliable?
I have QL but I was worried about this too when I ordered my GC. But I have not heard of any failures.

The extra ground clearance when off road, but not putting up with the poor handling of a 2" lift on road sold it for me. Best of both worlds.
 
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