drive melb to darwin
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drive melb to darwin
Gday im thinking of driving from melbourne to darwin, I was just wondering how long it takes, how much money i should take. Any tips, info or experiences would be great. I am tossing up weather i should drive, fly and put the car on a truck, or fly and buy a car up there. Cheers
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I think driving by yourself would be lonely, flying wouldnt, but on the other hand you can stop at a lot of destinations in a car and maybe pick up a job. If you drive take mates but make sure you are in your car for convenience reasons.(eg. you get a job you have your car at hand, if they get a job they leave you stranded). Luggage fits better in a car, especially if you are taking most of your belongings. Have Fun JB
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I just did the drive not long ago by myself.
1. Melbourne to Alice takes 3 days.
Melbourne – Adelaide, Adelaide – Coober Pedy, Coober Pedy to Alice.
2. Alice to Darwin takes another 3 days.
Accomodation is reasonably priced, usual motels and single rooms for about $70. You can choose to stay at a backpackers for cheaper but after a long days drive you might want your own privacy and a good nights rest. Backpackers are hit and miss with people usually coming in drunk at all times of the night. Avoid the super large backpackers as they don’t really give a communal type feeling. There are a couple of smaller backpackers which promote a friendly atmosphere so its much easy to approach people and make friends.
Cost sharing – at every backpackers there are always people looking for lifts to go further up north. They are willing to split the cost of petrol which is around the $1.75 (average) mark around that way.
State of your car – Don’t worry so much about the state of your car, just do the usual service. If you get real worried then just stay at a backpackers and watch the crazy overseas travelers roll up in their late 1970’s cars which they bought for $500. It’s a real laugh, and I ended up traveling in convoy with some crazy overseas guys I met at the backpackers in Coober Pedy. As with breakdowns and stuff, well just bring heaps of food and luck…and don’t forget to watch Wolf Creek before you leave.
Boredom – yep after the first ten minutes of new scenery it gets real boring. Bring an Ipod or lots of CDs. You will go through your collection fast. Most of the scenery along the Stuart Highway isn’t that close to the road, so it’s not that spectacular to keep you awake.
Train option – FORGET IT! Its wickedly expensive and begins at Adelaide, so you have to drive to Adelaide anyway.
Driving is a good option as it gives you the freedom to travel around town when you arrive. Towns like Alice and Darwin have limited public transport.
Enjoy the adventure along the way.
1. Melbourne to Alice takes 3 days.
Melbourne – Adelaide, Adelaide – Coober Pedy, Coober Pedy to Alice.
2. Alice to Darwin takes another 3 days.
Accomodation is reasonably priced, usual motels and single rooms for about $70. You can choose to stay at a backpackers for cheaper but after a long days drive you might want your own privacy and a good nights rest. Backpackers are hit and miss with people usually coming in drunk at all times of the night. Avoid the super large backpackers as they don’t really give a communal type feeling. There are a couple of smaller backpackers which promote a friendly atmosphere so its much easy to approach people and make friends.
Cost sharing – at every backpackers there are always people looking for lifts to go further up north. They are willing to split the cost of petrol which is around the $1.75 (average) mark around that way.
State of your car – Don’t worry so much about the state of your car, just do the usual service. If you get real worried then just stay at a backpackers and watch the crazy overseas travelers roll up in their late 1970’s cars which they bought for $500. It’s a real laugh, and I ended up traveling in convoy with some crazy overseas guys I met at the backpackers in Coober Pedy. As with breakdowns and stuff, well just bring heaps of food and luck…and don’t forget to watch Wolf Creek before you leave.
Boredom – yep after the first ten minutes of new scenery it gets real boring. Bring an Ipod or lots of CDs. You will go through your collection fast. Most of the scenery along the Stuart Highway isn’t that close to the road, so it’s not that spectacular to keep you awake.
Train option – FORGET IT! Its wickedly expensive and begins at Adelaide, so you have to drive to Adelaide anyway.
Driving is a good option as it gives you the freedom to travel around town when you arrive. Towns like Alice and Darwin have limited public transport.
Enjoy the adventure along the way.
Not Melb. - Darwin, but Brisbane - Katherine. Did that years ago in about 3 days.
I had an extra spare wheel, spare alternator belt, can of Bar's Leaks, some tools for limited repairs, lots of water & a car loaded until it groaned. I also serviced it prior to leaving.
I kept a log of fuel consumption so I could ensure I never drove out of range of a fuel stop. In the beginning I refueled prior to half tank so I could always return to the previous place if there was no sign of fuel within range. It was a used car I'd just bought so wasn't familiar with its economy. Towards the end - when I had a good appreciation of its fuel use - I'd push on past 1/2 tank if I was confident there would be a fuel stop ahead.
I chose to camp beside my car for the two nights with my camping gear I'd brought along. Very peaceful in the middle of nowhere with a nice hot cup of billy tea.
Quite an easy trip, I thought. Boring though...
I had an extra spare wheel, spare alternator belt, can of Bar's Leaks, some tools for limited repairs, lots of water & a car loaded until it groaned. I also serviced it prior to leaving.
I kept a log of fuel consumption so I could ensure I never drove out of range of a fuel stop. In the beginning I refueled prior to half tank so I could always return to the previous place if there was no sign of fuel within range. It was a used car I'd just bought so wasn't familiar with its economy. Towards the end - when I had a good appreciation of its fuel use - I'd push on past 1/2 tank if I was confident there would be a fuel stop ahead.
I chose to camp beside my car for the two nights with my camping gear I'd brought along. Very peaceful in the middle of nowhere with a nice hot cup of billy tea.
Quite an easy trip, I thought. Boring though...
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I'm with Tinny, easy 3 days, or 38 hours without breaking any speed limits!
Done it in 3 towing a trailer too....
Done it in 3 towing a trailer too....
drive in the dark !
definately go the car option... as per what has been said above.... you can then have freedom at your destinations without relying on ****ty public transport that may or may not really exist.....
i did townsville to broome in three days.... 10 hours, 12 hours and 15 hours... wasn't too bad baring a bush turkey @ 150km/hr on the second day.... i'd advise sticking to 110 km/hr even in the unlimited zones..... you burn way to much fuel for crap all gain in time, plus theres the turkey factor....
....
just remember to take a large 10L bottle of water and food etc just incase... and an iPod or the like is definately a good idea... and stop, revive and shag a backpacker....er i mean survive...
i did townsville to broome in three days.... 10 hours, 12 hours and 15 hours... wasn't too bad baring a bush turkey @ 150km/hr on the second day.... i'd advise sticking to 110 km/hr even in the unlimited zones..... you burn way to much fuel for crap all gain in time, plus theres the turkey factor....
....just remember to take a large 10L bottle of water and food etc just incase... and an iPod or the like is definately a good idea... and stop, revive and shag a backpacker....er i mean survive...
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Thanks for the feedback guys, especially pilotdreams good run down of what i can expect. So i gather it will be safe to plan on 3 days and drive roughly 12 hours a day.
Woomera according to this site http://whereis.com.au/whereis/getDir...o?nref=homeDir its only 3763 kms. mmmmmm
bob55 i just rang up tnt and its going to cost $1903 to freight the car up there with no personal belongings inside it. Do you know another company thats cheeper?
What are the petrol stops like? My car only gets 500kms per tank will that acceptable, or should i get some jerrys just in case?
Woomera according to this site http://whereis.com.au/whereis/getDir...o?nref=homeDir its only 3763 kms. mmmmmm
bob55 i just rang up tnt and its going to cost $1903 to freight the car up there with no personal belongings inside it. Do you know another company thats cheeper?
What are the petrol stops like? My car only gets 500kms per tank will that acceptable, or should i get some jerrys just in case?
Silly Old Git
Petrol stops all along the way , its Australia mate not bloody Africa.
Take $$$$ munny.
Drive yer car dont put it on a transporter FFS unless its a total heap of ****e then why bother bringing it?
Plenty of cars for sale in Darwhine the 6 cylinders jobbies goin f cheap.
Take $$$$ munny.
Drive yer car dont put it on a transporter FFS unless its a total heap of ****e then why bother bringing it?
Plenty of cars for sale in Darwhine the 6 cylinders jobbies goin f cheap.
Did the same journey years ago ex Melbourne via NSW and Central QLD. Got to 3 Ways and headed for Katherine. Previous comment about not driving in the dark is spot on since I hit a roo just outside of Charlieville. No work available in Katherine or DRW so headed back to Melbourne via the notorious South Road between the NT border & ADL. Arrived Melbourne in financial tatters and car a mess. Two days later the phone rings - job offer at the Rock and this was through a letter I'd sent weeks before, all for the cost of a $0.50 stamp. Aviation is like that and all the best for the drive north.
Bottums Up
Hey Sunny Wooms, where'd ya get 5851km from? You weren't a cabbie per chance, were ya?
From one who has done it heaps of times, one direction or the other, 3700km.
Don't consider driving at night between Port-a-gutta and Katherine, way too many roos, unfenced roads with cattle, camels, the odd donkey, fewer emus, and mucho roos & wallabys (hopping kind not rugger players).
From one who has done it heaps of times, one direction or the other, 3700km.
- Melb to Port-a-gutta 1000km. Stay at the Standpipe Golf Motor Inn Ph (08) 8642-4033. It's on the corner of The Eyre Hwy & Stuart Hwy and the easiest entry is from the Eyre Hwy. Great Indian restaurant.
- Port-a-gutta to Alice 1200km. No speed limit for most of the last 300km from the NT border. Only seen one cop car north of Coober Pedy, and only once, though they do sometimes set up speed cameras between Coober Pedy and port-a-gutta.
- Alice to Darwin 1500km, mostly no speed limits, except for the few towns or communities.
Don't consider driving at night between Port-a-gutta and Katherine, way too many roos, unfenced roads with cattle, camels, the odd donkey, fewer emus, and mucho roos & wallabys (hopping kind not rugger players).
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Some good advice above.
I will repeat what a couple of others have said, don’t drive at night!! (I made that mistake once
) Also avoid the temptation to put the foot down when you get to the roads with open speed limits. 110km is a good speed. Funnily enough it’s generally the tourists that will fly past you at 160kmh….then you will cruise straight back past them when they pull over with an overheating engine or roll over when they swerve to dodge a cow, dingo, eagle or whatever else they played chicken with. It’s a long drive, but it’s a longer walk! Cars up north can be very overpriced at times. (Especially at royalty time!) If your car is reliable enough for the drive I would take it.
I will repeat what a couple of others have said, don’t drive at night!! (I made that mistake once
) Also avoid the temptation to put the foot down when you get to the roads with open speed limits. 110km is a good speed. Funnily enough it’s generally the tourists that will fly past you at 160kmh….then you will cruise straight back past them when they pull over with an overheating engine or roll over when they swerve to dodge a cow, dingo, eagle or whatever else they played chicken with. It’s a long drive, but it’s a longer walk! Cars up north can be very overpriced at times. (Especially at royalty time!) If your car is reliable enough for the drive I would take it.
Bottums Up
The Clarrie-mobile, a 2005 3.0 litre diesel Patrol comfortably sits on 130 to 140 kliks, all day. Never overheated. Only once drove at night on the roads in question and hit a $4000 roo and doesn't swerve for aminals.
If 110 kph is your limit, add a day to the travel time.
If 110 kph is your limit, add a day to the travel time.