Shattered Hopes and Dreams

[mrapocalypse]

We are planning our Simmo trip in July. Can't get too much time off so thought we'd do it one way and truck Landy back the other!

Just got off the phone from Car Carriers. Quotes to get landy from Alice to Brisbane, All around $1300, and Ceva, or TNT as they Used to be called, want it completely empty.

Time to rethink plan A

DOH!!!!!

[weeds]

how much time do you have off

i did my simpson desert trip over two weeks and that included going upto chambers pillar......i two didn't have a lot of time off either

[mrapocalypse]

We have two weeks but My Mrs hates me driving fast off-road!

I kind of wanted to spend more time in the desert than commuting between Brisbane and outback!

[weeds]

i cruised across in 2nd gear high and didn't spill a drop of beer;)

you could do which was one of my many plans

brisbane - birdsville 3 days
birdsville - mt dare via rig road 3 days
mt dare - birdsville via one of the other tracks 3 days
birdsville - brisbane 3 day

thats six days in the desert with four days up your sleeve

[loanrangie]

We are planning our Simmo trip in July. Can't get too much time off so thought we'd do it one way and truck Landy back the other!

Just got off the phone from Car Carriers. Quotes to get landy from Alice to Brisbane, All around $1300, and Ceva, or TNT as they Used to be called, want it completely empty.

Time to rethink plan A

DOH!!!!!

Ceva were previously Eagle Global Logistics, i deal with them everyday. What about the rail or Toll ?

[TwoUp]

Take your time,
The will be other occasions/ chances. What about a lay day in the desert? It is a long way to go to rush home, enjoy it. It is no fun for passengers when you drive hard every day.

Regards,
PeterW

[p38arover]

We are planning our Simmo trip in July. Can't get too much time off so thought we'd do it one way and truck Landy back the other!

Just got off the phone from Car Carriers. Quotes to get landy from Alice to Brisbane, All around $1300, and Ceva, or TNT as they Used to be called, want it completely empty.

I'd be happy to drive it back for you - if I could get to Alice.


Just spoke to my wife, she'd do that, too. It might be a possibility you might want to explore. Me or someone else.

[awabbit6]

I'd be happy to drive it back for you - if I could get to Alice.


Just spoke to my wife, she'd do that, too. It might be a possibility you might want to explore. Me or someone else.


I'll put in an offer here too! Get me out there and I'll drive it back. Depends on the dates in July. I have holidays in the first half of the month.

[Michael2]

We did our Simpson trip (East - West) and included Central Aus in 2 weeks - to/from Melbourne. We covered 6,000km and that was in a SIII with some breakdowns. East - West the Desert itself only took 3 days.

I'm sure you could do it, or take Ron up on his offer. I heard someone say there was some condiseration into closing the Desert to East-West traffic in the future and making it a one-way affair. Not really a fair solution, and who knows how true such hearsay is, but you may as well do it while you can.

[mrapocalypse]

I'm starting to feel good about this again people!

There and back, let's say seven days gentle touring.

Then a nice long gentle seven days actually in the desert taking lots of Pics and relaxing.

Nice. I like it.

Would still like to get up to Alice.... So I will keep offers of transport in mind....

[cartm58]

due to thefts from vehicles being transported whether its rail or truck the golden rule is they want it empty of all contents.

[JohnF]

Looks as if I am too slow of the mark. I would be available to drive it back as well. Offered once before on another forum, and may be driving a peugeot to Adelade soon and getting airfare back home.

[mrapocalypse]

yup, just got off the phone from The Friendliest and most helpful guy from Toll..... he said that was the reason they want them empty. he even got the yellow pages out to help! What a top guy. But all transport companies want it EMPTY!

And why so expensive.....

Basically the deal is that anything that gets collected in Alice springs has to have the spot booked from Darwin, and will go Via Adelaide. Which is also why it would take three weeks to get back to me in bris!

I can work around this, come back via Boulia! I'm sure it's nice there!

[weeds]

mate i was in the same position, not a lot of time (work, kids, school holidays, $$, etc) but really wanted to do the trip, figured if i put if off i may never get out there

not sure if you have kids but plenty of families out there are limited to two weeks......most tag along tours are around the two week mark...plenty of time to experience the outback

[mrapocalypse]

That's right Weeds.... If i don't go this time it could be curtains..

It's 1600K from My house to Birdsville. 600K/Day. Three day. Easy
Alice to Brisbane is a different story.... 3000Km. That's a full blown five day slog!

What's another route from Mt Dare side of the Desert back to Brissy bia the screnic route... Maybe Via Alice, Boulia and Charleville... been to those places and would hardly call them Scenic! ....

[BradM]

Hi,
I am a Brisbane boy who went up the Territory for 16 years. 8 in Alice and 8 in Darwin all up.

You are biting off a lot of travelling in 2 weeks for "A Holiday". Sounds more like it might be a nightmare trip. You are not going to enjoy what the Outback has on offer pushing yourself like that for the two weeks.

There is just so much to see around Alice Springs itself, you need a week there. Delhousie Springs is another must see if you are venturing out in the Simpson.

Beware the Plenty Highway if you intend to go back through there. For the effort you are better off going via Tennant creek, Mount Isa. I did the Alice Springs - Brisbane trip a few times. You can do it in three days, not driving at night but they are long days. Do not drive the Barkley at night, you are a 50-50 chance of hitting either a roo, horse, donkey or pig.

I hope you have a great holiday whatever you decide.

Regards,
BradM

[p38arover]

Do not drive the Barkley at night, you are a 50-50 chance of hitting either a roo, horse, donkey or pig.

Yes. I made the mistake of not stopping at some godforsaken place (Halls Creek?) in WA and pushed on to Fitzroy Crossing. The drive at night was a nightmare. You cannot see those bloody cattle on the road even with driving lights on.

[CraigE]

We went through similar with car carriers a while back and there is not one that will take your car with anything other than a bare car. They will allow things like roof racks, spare tyres, spare parts, coolant oil etc but that is it. Everything else has to come out. Absolutely stupid even though our car insurer said that they would cover the contents in the car.
:mad:

[BradM]

The real reason is the price of deisel. Less weight, less fuel used by the prime mover.....more profit. The bottom line. That is why they also do not want you to even have a full tank of fuel onborad when they transport.

BradM

[CraigE]

The real reason is the price of deisel. Less weight, less fuel used by the prime mover.....more profit. The bottom line. That is why they also do not want you to even have a full tank of fuel onborad when they transport.

BradM
Not quite, we even asked that question and were quite prepared to pay more based on weight. None of the companies we spoke to would even consider it. One wanted the car taken to Perth from Kalgoorlie either by them for additional cost or by us. Same in reverse coming back, even thought the carrier passed through town.:mad:

[p38arover]

Qantas have a special on fares to Alice for April-June and end-July-Sept of $198