Bobby,
Its not set in concrete yet, but we're doing BH, CC and possibly up to Innamincka, then back down the Stez to the Flinders over Easter, so keep your eyes peeled out for us guys.
Ours too will be a fairly time poor trip, although for us, its only a days drive up to BH to "the start" of our trip.
I most certainly will, Chops. I shall probably get quite overexcited if I see another Defender out there, if my normal reaction in the Lower North Shore is anything to go by. My girlfriend thinks it's hilarious.
Still no detailed route set in stone so once I've decided it, I'll post it and perhaps if our trips cross we can meet up for a beer and a camp.
Incidentally, what does everyone do for firewood out there?
I've had this discussion before.....go to a servo and buy your own and take it in with you. We have to STOP tearing down local shrubs so we can have a campfire. If your going near the old Ghan railway line you can break up some old sleepers for firewood.
Daniel (Mulgo) posted a pic on his Expedition Centre Facebook page of Monty without a roof as the pop top is being built and it spun me into gear so I thought I'd get the maps out and start trip planning again.
West to East crossing seems sensible - avoids afternoon/ evening sun in the eyes and might be easier going on the dunes.
So, I was thinking....
SYD - Broken Hill - 1 long day
Broken Hill to Cameron Corner - 1 day
Cameron Corner to Marree - 1 day
Marree to Oodnadatta - 1 day
Oodnadatta to Dalhousie - 1 day
Dalhousie to Birdsville - 3 days
Birdsville to Sydney - 3 days
That's 11 days total and as we have 13 days to play with, it gives us more time for some sightseeing.
We want to be back for ANZAC Day but if there are vehicular particulars to slow our return then that's 2 days of additional contingency before it's back to work.
Am I still biting off more than I can reasonably chew?
What are the places worth saying at for longer?
What are the places I haven't included that people have found awesome (all I've done is look at a map so far)
What are the places really worth enjoying?
What are the best pubs to stay at? SWMNOBOBAFAR has demanded a couple of nights spent in outback hotels so she can get a decent shower and a proper bathroom.
Dalhousie to Birdsville in 3 days may be a stretch depending on which route across the Simpson you intend on taking.
At the end of last season the French Line was so chopped out that we averaged 14kmh while moving i.e. 10 hrs of straight driving without a break to cover 140km.
PS I had a look at Monty yesterday - went to Mulgo to look at his red pop top. I'd say there's a chance I'll get your old roof!
PPS stop at Coward springs and if you can get there at dawn or dusk, take a look at the Painted Desert NP. I did the trip you're planning last September and made it to Uluru in two weeks two days - it was great but a bit too rushed. My next Simpson crossing will take at least a week, the deserts where I want to be, not the on the road!
See you out there if you're crossing the French line mid April.
Maroon Disco. Probably towing a Prado
SHould be easy to do in two weeks.
Sydney to Coober Pedy you should be able to do in two days. It's all sealed, just hunker down and get there - 1000km per day. Then a day to say Hamilton Station, then Dalhousie, then 4 days across to Birdsville then 2-3 days home. That's 11 days. Three days to spare poking up around Innamincka area before hitting the bitumen home. Keep those days up your sleeve until you've crossed the Simpson if your arrival time back in Sydney is critical. You never know when you might need them (rain, hangovers at Birdsville etc).
OldBushie
Originally Posted by The Cone of Silence
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