Thread: Five Week Tour of Australia

Glad the "winch bitch" found a name

Hello and welcome, Barbara.

Originally Posted by 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

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.

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

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).

M

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.

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

Originally Posted by 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

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

Originally Posted by leeds

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..).

Originally Posted by leeds

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.

Originally Posted by leeds

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.

Originally Posted by leeds

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...

M