Thread: Questions about touring

Originally Posted by brendon

Im in Rovers (scouts) and looking at completing the ramble badge which involved an leading an expedition on any kind of transport (or walking).
So my idea is a driving trip.
as follows
Train the 4wds from Sydney to Perth.
Drive to:
Steep Point (most western mainland point)
Lake Eyre (lowest point) via Uluru
South point (most southern mainland point) would include a short hike to actualy point
Mt. Kosciusko (highest point)
Cape Byron (seeing the trend yet??) Eastern
Cape York (Northern)

Works out to be a tad under 11,000km of driving, looking take about a month to do it. Will be happening in the early 2011 (april/may)

However being someone who's never owned a 4WD I've obviously got a bit of time to learn, but i have some questions that I'll need to answer soon.

1. What would the ideal number of vehicles be? I was thinking 3 with 2 people in each, for comfort, room and emergency situations.

Minimum of two. If you limit the number of people to two per vehicle, it leaves a lot more room for the (mostly unnecessary) junk that most travel with.

2. What would the best way to get (3) 4x4s from Sydney to Perth for the start journey? (I looked at the IP but would need to drive to adelaide before getting the train, started looking at containers).

I would look carefully at costs - it is likely that driving will be the cheapest by far, although you may be able to find truck loading (but then you need to consider your own fares)

3. What style (HT, AT) of tyres would be suitable to do the trip, mostly concerned with the cape york and central australia parts.

Most of your driving will be on bitumen or dry surfaces, so a highway type tread is probably the most suitable. But with the possibility of some wet areas, you could consider something with a bit better grip. As much of the offroad is likely to be rough with rocks etc, light truck rather than passenger vehicle tyres would be preferred.

4. How is getting fuel out in the sticks like, what are the chances of gettign LPG?

Most places have diesel and unleaded available, although it may be expensive in remote areas. There are very few places where a range in excess of 500km is needed, although having a longer range makes you much more flexible, and I would suggest a minimum of 100km in either tanks or jerricans. Forget LPG (available only in major centres), and also avoid any vehicle that needs premium unleaded as this may not be available. For this sort of trip the best fuel by far is diesel, because it is available everywhere and you travel further, often a lot further, for the same size tank.

cheers in advance

Hope this helps.

John

The bit where you intend going through Aboriginal reserves (Kalgoorlie to Ayers Rock) .... Great Central Road? .... Have checked out the "permission forms" on that one?

Sounds like it will be a great trip. I am an ex Rover and I never got one single badge

I think your biggest problem will be cost and your mates bailing out on you at the last minute because of it.

As for LPG, if you keep your normal petrol tank then just use LPG when possible (and cost effective) and petrol at all other times. Possibly use your petrol first in the long stints between stops and use your LPG as a reserve/long range supply.

Originally Posted by mike 90 RR

The bit where you intend going through Aboriginal reserves (Kalgoorlie to Ayers Rock) .... Great Central Road? .... Have checked out the "permission forms" on that one?

HAven't checked ealry phases I knew you need a permit, but unsure where to start looking at them

Originally Posted by Utemad

Sounds like it will be a great trip. I am an ex Rover and I never got one single badge

I think your biggest problem will be cost and your mates bailing out on you at the last minute because of it.

As for LPG, if you keep your normal petrol tank then just use LPG when possible (and cost effective) and petrol at all other times. Possibly use your petrol first in the long stints between stops and use your LPG as a reserve/long range supply.

Yeah I agree thats has been in the back of my mind..

Originally Posted by brendon

HAven't checked ealry phases I knew you need a permit, but unsure where to start looking at them

Grab a copy of the White Pages (Business) / Western Australia (local Post Office)

Look up in the front area under Government Section

Aboriginal Services

Ring up ..... Ask about permits on reserves
Leave a message to the appropriate person (cause they are never in)

They will send you a pack

Fill out the forms .... The timing of enter & exit is to be adhered to .... cause apparently this is all restricted access
You have to pay for a Local Guide ... Just to visit the corner marker of where the border of WA / SA / NT meet ... $100 .. Weekdays only // Don't bother em on weekends



OR .... Find a mate in Canberra

sounds a great rip your looking at.

Why couldnt you start it from syd and do it in reverse.

Uluru national park pass 3 days for $ 25 currently. I myself would not bother camping at Yulara (uluru camp ground) very expensive for a piece of sand. the rock and Kata juta can be done in a day. I suggest you stop at Curtain Springs its about 75 K's Alice side of the rock. Its free and u can fuel.

Anyway there was my 20 cents worth

I thought the central road was public access and just needed permits for most defiations
cheers
blaze