Thread: Driving from Syd to Alice Springs ...

We did it from the Shire in 1985,(remember that far back Bushie) . Went via Broken Hill, through the Flinders to Maree and up the Oodnadatta Track then Alice. If I recall it was about 2600 klms. We did it over 5 days.

I'd go the Bourke - Finke route.
Less towns and people.

PS: would me bunny slippers be considered as hair on me foot ?

Once past the Corner I would prefer the trip to take about two months
before thinking about coming home after a day in the Alice !

Come back via the Flinders, that's always worth seeing. It will absorb as many days as you've got spare.

18 hr days are crazy. Asking for trouble in twilight / dark.

Realistically it's 2.5 days at the speed limits. About 12 hrs to Broken Hill. 1/2 day to Peterborough, then a full day up. You could stretch the 2nd day to Cooper Pedy, but not without booking ahead. I wouldn't.

You gain 1/2 hr (1 hr? can't recall) going over, & obviously lose it coming back. You're not, but its tough coming back in a hurry when you lose time. Broken Hill is on Central time too.

Another trap when leaving Alice - the grog shops don't open till the afternoon. Stock up the day before if that's your thing.

Can't overemphasise the roo thing. You're not covered by NRMA for a roo-strike, its not mechanical damage. The tow, for example, from Woomera to Pt Augusta was $300 about 10 yrs ago. That roo did $9000 worth of damage. Carry plenty of cash for the towies..

Regards
Max P

Originally Posted by Tusker

Come back via the Flinders, that's always worth seeing. It will absorb as many days as you've got spare.

18 hr days are crazy. Asking for trouble in twilight / dark.

Realistically it's 2.5 days at the speed limits. About 12 hrs to Broken Hill. 1/2 day to Peterborough, then a full day up. You could stretch the 2nd day to Cooper Pedy, but not without booking ahead. I wouldn't.

You gain 1/2 hr (1 hr? can't recall) going over, & obviously lose it coming back. You're not, but its tough coming back in a hurry when you lose time. Broken Hill is on Central time too.

Another trap when leaving Alice - the grog shops don't open till the afternoon. Stock up the day before if that's your thing.

Can't overemphasise the roo thing. You're not covered by NRMA for a roo-strike, its not mechanical damage. The tow, for example, from Woomera to Pt Augusta was $300 about 10 yrs ago. That roo did $9000 worth of damage. Carry plenty of cash for the towies..

Regards
Max P

I did Sydney to Dampier (5700kms) in 3.5 days, so 2600 should be ok

I would have thought a roo in the engine would be covered, its mechanically unroadworthy due to the roo stopping the engine moving! .. I am a gold + member though and get unlimited KMS. I got it before I went to dampier.

Thanks for all the input guys keep it coming!

Originally Posted by numpty

We did it from the Shire in 1985,(remember that far back Bushie) . Went via Broken Hill, through the Flinders to Maree and up the Oodnadatta Track then Alice. If I recall it was about 2600 klms. We did it over 5 days.

Yep,

And I seem to remember I did it from Maree (really Nyngan) without an alternator And then carried your bullbar around for a while


Martyn
(see you at Shortys next month)