Thread: Guide book recomendations...

Hi Dave
Cant help much in the way of books but 6 weeks wont be enough time to drive around australia, most likely not enough time to cover any 1 state or teritory. You will get half a look at Tasmania in 6 weeks and we are the smallest state
cheers
blaze

Originally Posted by disco-dave

Hi,

I wasn't sure where to post this...
I am going to be moving to Australia (east coast) from the UK in January next year and I am bringing my beloved '96 Disco 300tdi commercial with me. Rather than shipping it all the way I am first driving it to India (via Mongolia and Egypt) then shipping from there. For the final part of the journey I am going to spend about six weeks driving round Aus and want to make the most of having the 4x4, letting me se and do thing that most people don't get to.
In addition to the compulsory Lonely Planet I have been looking for a guide book more specific to what i will be doing in Aus. I have been looking at Explore Australia by Four-Wheel Drive: 1997/1998 but it is now 10years old. Can anyone recommend a more up-to-date alternative (or even any good routes) or is this my best bet?

Cheers for your help,

Dave

6 weeks ???? the Disco might still be in customs
Might need to stay in Kings Cross

As the others have said, 6 weeks will get you from Darwin to Sydney via Adelaide and Melbourne, but you wont see much.

To give you an idea I'm trying to work on driving from remote NT to Melbourne and back in 4 weeks, round trip is 8500km without going anywhere else. Its going to take me 10-12 hours just to get to the Stuart Highway. If I was to stop off at the Rock there's another days drive as from memory its 280km off the Stuart Highway.

If you come in through Darwin, I'd look at going to Kakadu and Litchfield, then down to the Stuart Highway to Mataranka, across to Roper Bar, Boraloola, Bourketown, down to Lawn Hill, Mt Isa, Longreach and down to Brisbane. You'll see enough dust and outback to see you through your first year.

This is all a bit freaky...

You must be the evil twin to DiscoDave on the east coast with the same vehicle!

cathy savage and craig lewis produce good trip books accurate gps references and good trip notes re. fuel usage and track conditions search www.boilingbilly.com.au

Thanks for the replies,

I would like to do more than the six weeks but there is two of us and my mate has to get back to the UK for work, I will have a chat, see if I can get him to put it off a bit longer!
I wasn't planning to do ALL of Australia, mainly just doing a few select bits of the east coast and maybe heading into the centre. I will have to save Western Australia for another time and I guess at that time of year anywhere far north is best avoiding to!
I am taking the car in on a Carnet for the time being as I only have temporary residence at the moment I permanent is needed to import it. Hopefully this means it won't take as long in customs!


Dave

Another source of trip info is 4WDing, Camping & Caravanning around Australia @ ExplorOz

Originally Posted by disco-dave

...I wasn't planning to do ALL of Australia, mainly just doing a few select bits of the east coast and maybe heading into the centre. ...

You should avoid the centre at that time of year. Stick to east coast, but not north Qld.

6 weeks is about what you need to see the Vic high country. And at that time it even there can be too hot for a couple of blokes fresh from UK winter.