Off to Darwin tomorrow 28th Mar

[p38arover]

I'm flying up to Darwin tomorrow morning. I'm going with my ex-BIL who is hoping to buy an OKA that is for sale up there. If all goes well, we'll be driving back, leaving on Monday about midday.

We'll be on QF842.

Our return route is not decided so some suggestions would be gratefully accepted.

[Bundalene]

Have a nice trip Ron - hope you stay dry.:D

Regarding the return route....
how quickly do you want to get home?

The quickest route by far is via: Katherine - Three Ways - Mt. Isa - Cloncurry - Winton - Longreach and from there down to Charleville, Bourke, Dubbo, Sydney...do-able in 4 days with 2 drivers and daylight driving only.

The alternate route from Longreach to Augathella/Mitchell/St. George/Moree/Narrabri and then across to the New England Hwy MAY be a bit dodgy at present as there has been road closures due to flooding. Check road conditions in the SE Qld area.

A few days ago the road between Blackall/Barcaldine was cut as well.


The other alternative, of course is straight down to Pt Agusta and then...well you know the way from there:p

Safe driving.

Erich & Sheila

[rovercare]

I'm going with my ex-BIL .

:eek:

Enjoy the trip, sounds like a good ride:D

[marko66]

Hi All

Hi p38 :) I'm in Adelaide River about 100km South of Darwin an my number is 0409722581 call me if you want to say hi, have a coffee or tea or if you need a spanner, forklift or want to see the collection:D ,and have a good time - hope to see you

Regards Mark

[LSBob]

The Adelaide River Pub has good fish and chips worth a visit and also pay your respects to Charlie who is now stuffed. If the OKA breaks down then Mark066 has a tow truck!

[banjo]

RON is it realy a good idea that you go looking at a vechile..
And if he does buy it how many FLAT tyres do you recon use will get...
LOL:p;)

[p38arover]

Thanks gents. We may go via Fraser Island and spend a few days there. My ex-BIL needs to be back here Wednesday after Easter.

I only found out this afternoon that he was going so I rang him to see if he needed a co-driver.

My mobile 0408 483 269

Ron

[Gooseneck]

Stick it on transport. Really cheap going south from here. Spend a couple of days checking out the sights and fly back with days to spare.

I'm getting old; don't enjoy hectic road trips anymore.

[Hoges]

hope it's a good deal and that you have a great trip Ron... and am really impressed that "ex-BIL" doesn't mean "ex-mate" ... :thumbsup:

"long live secret men's business" :p

cheers

Hoges

[p38arover]

hope it's a good deal and that you have a great trip Ron... and am really impressed that "ex-BIL" doesn't mean "ex-mate" ... :thumbsup:

"long live secret men's business" :p

cheers

Hoges

I'm still friends with all 5 of my sisters' ex-hubbies. Their split-ups had nothing to do with me so I never got involved. No reason to and no reason to not be friends.

His biggest problem is that he hates Land Rovers so going camping with him (and my nephews) can be painful as they continually rubbish them.

[Narangga]

I'm still friends with all 5 of my sisters' ex-hubbies. Their split-ups had nothing to do with me so I never got involved. No reason to and no reason to not be friends.

His biggest problem is that he hates Land Rovers so going camping with him (and my nephews) can be painful as they continually rubbish them.

Fellow here in Gove has a Defender, a Series 3 AND an OKA!

[p38arover]

Fellow here in Gove has a Defender, a Series 3 AND an OKA!

A true glutton for punishment! :D

[dmdigital]

Fellow here in Gove has a Defender, a Series 3 AND an OKA!
Not quiet right Dale, he has a Defender, 2 County's (one with the art work is a mongrel of a few things), a series 3, an OKA and a S1 (in Brisbane)

I'm surprised he hasn't mentioned an OKA was for sale in Darwin. Will have to check if he knows anything about it.

One thing is for sure Ron won't be driving in here on the way back home and I'm very glad we didn't have to go winch out a Cruiser this weekend!

[p38arover]

Stick it on transport. Really cheap going south from here. Spend a couple of days checking out the sights and fly back with days to spare.

I'm getting old; don't enjoy hectic road trips anymore.

Normally I'd agree but as I've never done the trip by road nor seen that part of Qld.......

[p38arover]

I'm surprised he hasn't mentioned an OKA was for sale in Darwin. Will have to check if he knows anything about it.

One thing is for sure Ron won't be driving in here on the way back home and I'm very glad we didn't have to go winch out a Cruiser this weekend!

Maybe his OKA? It's a camper, I believe.

I hope the roads are passable the way we are going.

I was lying in bed this morning and it dawned on me - will I be able to climb into the OKA without using my left arm which is still recovering from surgery?

[p38arover]

Is it cold enough at night in NT/western Qld to need jeans or jacket? I normally wear shorts year 'round.

[Bundalene]

Is it cold enough at night in NT/western Qld to need jeans or jacket? I normally wear shorts year 'round.


Shorts will be fine Ron...don't change your dress habits:D It doesn't really start "cooling down" till around the end of April.

[p38arover]

Thanks Erich. I wonder if I'll need a jacket on Fraser at night?

The temperature/humidity forecasts don't indicate it. However, a sea breeze can be a tad cool.

[87County]

Thanks Erich. I wonder if I'll need a jacket on Fraser at night?


if that's you only worry.....:)... just throw a polarfleece in your daypack :)

have a safe trip Ron... sounds like it will be an experience :)

[easo]

It was bucketing down in Gove Friday night when we flew through.

Ron PM sent.

Easo

[Narangga]

It was bucketing down in Gove Friday night when we flew through.

Ron PM sent.

Easo

Now starting to ease (or was that easo???) off this morning as the low heads down toward Groote.

[dmdigital]

Maybe his OKA? It's a camper, I believe.

I hope the roads are passable the way we are going.

I was lying in bed this morning and it dawned on me - will I be able to climb into the OKA without using my left arm which is still recovering from surgery?
Well the one in town was converted in to a Camper but I hadn't heard it was for sale and it was still around town two weeks ago:confused:

As for getting in that will depend on whether the owner has changed anything on the steps. I'd say it will be difficult at the worst though, not impossible.

As for road conditions, watch the Stuart and Barkley Highways as it will really depend on what this tropical low does over the coming 48 hours. Its presently a severe rain depression and went right over here last night (no winds despite the Cyclone Warning). If it heads down to the bottom of the gulf and goes inland far enough it could cause flooding on the Barkley. Likewise if it swings in west from the Gulf and heads inland you could see flooding below Katherine down to 3 ways. I think both are probably unlikely but you never know.

[Treads]

Is it cold enough at night in NT/western Qld to need jeans or jacket? I normally wear shorts year 'round.

If you're coming back through this way you'll be pleasantly surprised with the weather here too :) Minimums of 12 and Maximums of between 21-25, we don't quite know what's going on! :p

[Bundalene]

Just had a message from Ron.

He asked me to post that they are flying back today, rather than coming back by OKA:(

Apparently when Ron's BIL made telephone enquiries about the vehicle he was told "no visible rust".....but upon inspection it seems this was not so.

Erich

[p38arover]

now at Darwin airport using free internet via my PDA so don't expect a lot! The OKA had too much rust in it. It lookes good until you look closely. Oh well, never mind.

[drivesafe]

What a bummer.

Nice trip anyway.

[dmdigital]

Bad luck Ron (though I can better your bad luck yesterday :().

I'll let the guy over here with one know as he may be able to check it out for parts.

[Disco_owner]

Have a safe Trip Ron. :)

[Narangga]

now at Darwin airport using free internet via my PDA so don't expect a lot! The OKA had too much rust in it. It lookes good until you look closely. Oh well, never mind.

At least now you can get home to turn the lights off. ;)

[p38arover]

Bad luck Ron (though I can better your bad luck yesterday :().

I'll let the guy over here with one know as he may be able to check it out for parts.

It's too good for parts but there may be a fair bit of work fixing the rust. The seller wants about $52K for it.

Now to hunt down what happened yesterday, Derek.....

Did the cyclone hit you?

[p38arover]

At least now you can get home to turn the lights off. ;)

Bloody wife didn't turn them on! :mad:

[easo]

Hope you still enjoyed your stay.

Text recived, no worries.

Easo

[dmdigital]

It's too good for parts but there may be a fair bit of work fixing the rust. The seller wants about $52K for it.

Now to hunt down what happened yesterday, Derek.....

Did the cyclone hit you?
$52K :eek2:

Cyclone? What Cyclone? No where are still here and I had a "Ron day" and broke a very expensive camera lens yesterday :BigCry:

[p38arover]

Oh dear! Sorry to hear that. I can but imagine how you feel!