Five Week Tour of Australia

[leeds]

Am planning on shipping my 110 to Oz in 2008 to watch the Outback Challenge then tour some of Oz for upto 6 months.

The winch bitch can only join me for max of 5 weeks end of July and all of August.

So if you were going to recommend places/routes for that 5 week period what would you suggest.

Am sure I will be asking lots more daft questions of the how long is a bit of string variety.

Regards


Leeds

[camel_landy]

Where are you starting from??
What time of year??
What is your/her "Must see" list??

I shipped my 110 in from the UK & toured for 6 mths in '05 so I've got a fair idea of where you're coming from. ;)

M

[Blknight.aus]

depends on what you want to see and exactly when your comming...

edit..

ID do the coast of queensland about then... say from cairns/townsville down to the brissy area...

The southeast (vic/nsw) will be in winter and are about due for a rough one if they dont cop it this year (people have been saying that for years tho)

The north will be dry but that in itself can be pretty spectacular.

Id count most of the south west out as a lot of the tracks and parks will be closed for the winter months. but start at say ,mandurah and head north up the coast then across to darwin and you'll get a nice selection from some nice forrestry stuff through the desert into the wetlands. IF you have the time to cut back down and out you could get some rainforrest in as well by coming back down the east coast.

a week and a bit up the west coast, a week at the top end and a couple of weeks down the east, a sampler of australia.

But no matter where you are your not far from some other landy lover who will help out locally.

[LRHybrid100]

July / August 2008 time we SHOULD be in NT / WA region also.

From what I have been told this is the best time for the Kimberly region and the West Coast.

LRH

[D110V8D]

West coast is very windy and hot in the summer months which makes fishing a pain in the arrzz.......As LRH said, go in the winter.:cool:

Also summer is bad for cyclones (flooded roads) etc of course in the north.

[camel_landy]

For 5 weeks, you could take the track from Perth to Cairns... That'd give you a fair intro to the outback. Then drop down the east cost, Fraser & then the big cities.

Otherwise, something like the Oodnadatta & Tanami followed by the Gulf route to Cairns.

In that short time frame, I wouldn't bother with Cape York but you must get over to Fraser.

M

[Ken]

Bungle Bungle, West Aus
Cable Beach Broome, West Aus
Litchfield Park, Northern Territory
Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory
Fraser Island, Queensland
Just a few suggestions

[leeds]

Thanks folks,

I will be in Oz for about 6 months but unfortunately Barbara can only be there for five weeks as she has to work LOL! (Someone has to keep me (and my Land Rovers) in the manner we have become accustomed to)

Camel Landy can you give me any clues/info about shipping a 110 out to Oz?


Regards


Leeds

[JamesH]

It depends where you head out from but I go from Perth, WA to Broome then accross Gibb River Road into Northern Territory and back to Perth in 4 weeks but that involves driving 8 days out of 10.

It's a big place and matters such as do you need to be back where you started at the end etc make a big difference. If you could head out from one city with your wife and then she flies back home from another city 5 weeks later that means you can see a lot more. July/August I definitely think the Top End (Northern WA, NT, Northern Qld) is what you're after.

cheers

J

[camel_landy]

Thanks folks,

I will be in Oz for about 6 months but unfortunately Barbara can only be there for five weeks as she has to work LOL! (Someone has to keep me (and my Land Rovers) in the manner we have become accustomed to)

Camel Landy can you give me any clues/info about shipping a 110 out to Oz?


Regards


Leeds

Oh yes... Got loads of info. ;)

1 - Get yerself a copy of the "Vehicle Dependant Expedition Guide" by Tom Shepherd & published by Desert Winds.

2 - Give Terry at Expedition Freight (http://www.expeditionfreight.co.uk/) a call & tell him that Mark Phillips sent you. ;)

3 - Fill out the form on the DOTARS site to apply for a temporary import license.

4 - Drop me a PM coz there's loads more detail I can send over...

M

[leeds]

Hi Folks,
Thanks for advice so far. Barbara has ordered various books and maps from Oz but am not sure which ones so far.

There i no problem with Barbara starting at one city and finishing at another city.

Could someone give me a ball park figure for internal flights in Oz, say from Perth to Sydney, or Cairns to Sydney

OK a how long is a bit of string question, what would you budget per week/month for a trip around Oz., mixed camping/medium motels/hotels.

I have set myself a budget which I hope is more then realistic but would be interested in peoples opinion.

Also what would people consider as essential equipment for Oz travel.

The 110 is pretty well set up for travelling in Europe but am aware conditions wil be slightly different.

Camel you have a pm
Regards

Leeds

[Scallops]

Glad the "winch bitch" found a name:eek:

Hello and welcome, Barbara.

[Blknight.aus]

Hi Folks,
Thanks for advice so far. Barbara has ordered various books and maps from Oz but am not sure which ones so far.

There i no problem with Barbara starting at one city and finishing at another city.

Could someone give me a ball park figure for internal flights in Oz, say from Perth to Sydney, or Cairns to Sydney

OK a how long is a bit of string question, what would you budget per week/month for a trip around Oz., mixed camping/medium motels/hotels.

I have set myself a budget which I hope is more then realistic but would be interested in peoples opinion.

Also what would people consider as essential equipment for Oz travel.

The 110 is pretty well set up for travelling in Europe but am aware conditions wil be slightly different.

Camel you have a pm
Regards

Leeds


Let me know your addy and where you think youd like to go and I'll cut out some ozie exploreer maps and even put in the main highway junctions as waypoints.

When you get closer Im sure if you go near anyones fave play spots we can arrange to have them send the track files in ozi format.

reasonable motels cost about 50-100 a night depending on your definition of reasonable....

but a lot of us are happy to have fellow rovernauts crash overnight if it helps them see more. Im one for starters.

[camel_landy]

Our budget was approx Au$120 per day for a family of 4.

Get yerself down to Stamfords and have a look at the maps there. I found that the Hema range were probably the best allround and most up-to-date.

HTH

M

[camel_landy]

As for essentials, I carried the usual stuff that you'd expect (bearings, hoses, fluids, belts, rockers, seals, etc...). I also carried assorted bits & bobs (wire, metal strips, nuts, bolts, riv-nuts, etc..), basically enough to get you out of the poop. Extra water & fuel (compared to Europe), top notch first aid kit (in a bright orange Peli case) and a sat-phone (for when it all goes pear-shaped).

I usually carry enough bits to do a service. However, I try to get to a specialist LR place or main dealer & try to do it there. That way, I can buy the parts rather than breaking into my spares. (Sound familiar Big-Jon ;) )

I gave my truck a full overhaul before going but these are the bits of note that took a good pounding!!!

1 - Rear pads!!!
2 - Bearings.
3 - Bushes (Replaced panhard & trailing arm-chassis ones while travelling).
4 - Wheel rims!!! (Broke 3x 130 rims - Tyres OK). :eek:

M

[dmdigital]

Couple of additional points to add to Camel_landy's post.

SatPhone's a good essential for remote areas but you may be better off hiring one for a short stay. Also look at getting an EPIRB (get the new one with the 406MHz frequency e.g. http://www.gme.net.au/epirb/mt410.php)

Anything you don't want dust to get into put in a Pelican case!

If your traveling in the northern areas also get a large tarp (I usually use a 6mx4m) and poles, ropes, pegs etc for shade when camping. Get it with one side "silver" (reflective) coated and the other side dark as this makes it much cooler during the day.

Also another useful item is a large Camelback (or similar) hydration pack. Mounted between the front seats (back of cubby) it means you've got water to drink as you drive.

[leeds]

Thanks folks.

A couple more questions for you all.

CB Radio. Is a UK?European one legal/compatible with systems used in Australia?

Currently running Tom Tom 910 for European street navigation and a Garmin 276C when off the black stuff. What GPS models do people use in Aus?


Any particular rules/regulations regarding wild camping in Aus? Am used to leaving campsites clean/tidy and understand need for care re fires/cooking etc.

Do Aussies prefer roof tents or ground tents? My personal preference is for ground tents.

What are peoples opinions on a Pom in a solo vehicle heading off into the outback?

Any websites etc where people agree to get together to do certain trails?


Thanks for all your advice and information

[Reads90]

Our budget was approx Au$120 per day for a family of 4.

Get yerself down to Stamfords and have a look at the maps there. I found that the Hema range were probably the best allround and most up-to-date.

HTH

M


Manly because Hema in Aus are the same as ordinance survey maps are in the Uk. IE they are the main map company
They are the best to get. Go and get yourself a file with all the maps of Aus in there. Cheaper than buying them one by one

[camel_landy]

CB Radio. Is a UK?European one legal/compatible with systems used in Australia?

Don't bother with your CB... They use UHF rigs in Oz. Well worth getting as they're used a lot more in Oz than CB is in Europe. I found one quite handy but you won't be able to buy one in the UK (unless you want to buy my one..).



Currently running Tom Tom 910 for European street navigation and a Garmin 276C when off the black stuff. What GPS models do people use in Aus?

I used the Garmin 176C & it was perfect. :cool:



Any particular rules/regulations regarding wild camping in Aus? Am used to leaving campsites clean/tidy and understand need for care re fires/cooking etc.

Do Aussies prefer roof tents or ground tents? My personal preference is for ground tents.

My preference is for ground too & I didn't have any problems in Oz.



What are peoples opinions on a Pom in a solo vehicle heading off into the outback?

Any websites etc where people agree to get together to do certain trails?


www.aulro.com... :D

M

[Reads90]

Thanks folks.

CB Radio. Is a UK?European one legal/compatible with systems used in Australia?

I was told they are illegal in Aus hence why i got rid of mine before coming to Aus



Do Aussies prefer roof tents or ground tents? My personal preference is for ground tents.


What are peoples opinions on a Pom in a solo vehicle heading off into the outback?

No problem at all as you will be seeing more of Aus than about 90% of most Aussies any way. Just be good with Banta:D :D . And the **** taking for having Land Rover :D
Plus you will meet many Poms and Europeons around Aus doing the same thing anyway.

[Reads90]

As for essentials, I carried the usual stuff that you'd expect (bearings, hoses, fluids, belts, rockers, seals, etc...). I also carried assorted bits & bobs (wire, metal strips, nuts, bolts, riv-nuts, etc..), basically enough to get you out of the poop. Extra water & fuel (compared to Europe), top notch first aid kit (in a bright orange Peli case) and a sat-phone (for when it all goes pear-shaped).

I usually carry enough bits to do a service. However, I try to get to a specialist LR place or main dealer & try to do it there. That way, I can buy the parts rather than breaking into my spares. (Sound familiar Big-Jon ;) )

I gave my truck a full overhaul before going but these are the bits of note that took a good pounding!!!

1 - Rear pads!!!
2 - Bearings.
3 - Bushes (Replaced panhard & trailing arm-chassis ones while travelling).
4 - Wheel rims!!! (Broke 3x 130 rims - Tyres OK). :eek:

M

Same here
I gave my 90 a full MOT before it left the Uk. Did not need one but . did it because of two reasons
I knew it would then pass the roadworthy in Aus and second was that it would tell me what was wrong with the truck. But i also got a mechanic that Jules uses to look over the car . He found a few things that were wrong and changed them. Need to fibnd a good Land Rover person to check it. As most garages will only do what you tell them to do, and not anything else.