Will driving from SYD to Kununurra kill me?
Nrma/rac
Definetly go with that but,
MAKE SURE ITS THE HIGHEST COVER!!!!
Having the low or mid range option is no good. If it really goes bad you'll get the first 120k's or so of a tow free plus a rental car and accom if it's more than a few days repair.
Not sure about NRMA but RACQ Ultra Care only costs $150 a year, far less than you'll spend on the above if you breakdown.
MAKE SURE ITS THE HIGHEST COVER!!!!
Having the low or mid range option is no good. If it really goes bad you'll get the first 120k's or so of a tow free plus a rental car and accom if it's more than a few days repair.
Not sure about NRMA but RACQ Ultra Care only costs $150 a year, far less than you'll spend on the above if you breakdown.
Seasonally Adjusted
dont forget to watch 'wolf creek' before you go.
.
Moderator
I drove right around Aus in a battered Datsun 1200 back in the eighties. Brilliant adventure.
A lot of good advice above. Reiterate:
Water
Aerogard
Swag
Torch
Hammock (more comfortable than sleeping in the car)
Matches
Fire extinguisher
Camp oven
Baseball bat
A lot of good music to be played VERY loud ...doof doof doof...
EPIRB (406 of course!) and make sure someone knows where you are going and when you'll expect to get to the next place
DON'T GO OFF ROAD AND ONLY DRIVE IN DAYLIGHT!!!!!
Never mind the creepy DVDs, watch some Russell Coight All Aussie Adventures before you go!
A lot of good advice above. Reiterate:
Water
Aerogard
Swag
Torch
Hammock (more comfortable than sleeping in the car)
Matches
Fire extinguisher
Camp oven
Baseball bat
A lot of good music to be played VERY loud ...doof doof doof...
EPIRB (406 of course!) and make sure someone knows where you are going and when you'll expect to get to the next place
DON'T GO OFF ROAD AND ONLY DRIVE IN DAYLIGHT!!!!!
Never mind the creepy DVDs, watch some Russell Coight All Aussie Adventures before you go!
Bottums Up
Late January could possibly, might be, a problem. The low pressure system that was Charlotte should have passed by then but who knows what other systems might be lurking.
It is not uncommon for the Stuart Highway to become impassable due flooding any where from the Barkly Hwy to Darwin. The Barkly Hwy from Isa to TFC (Tenant Fcuking Creek) is reported to be closed for up to three weeks.
The Victoria Hwy closes, every year it seems, at the Vic River Crossing, due flooding.
Don't be tempted to drive the Buchanan Hwy through Top Springs to Timber Creek, it's a dirt road, 4wd only at this time of year.
Read RENURRP's advice.
It is not uncommon for the Stuart Highway to become impassable due flooding any where from the Barkly Hwy to Darwin. The Barkly Hwy from Isa to TFC (Tenant Fcuking Creek) is reported to be closed for up to three weeks.
The Victoria Hwy closes, every year it seems, at the Vic River Crossing, due flooding.
Don't be tempted to drive the Buchanan Hwy through Top Springs to Timber Creek, it's a dirt road, 4wd only at this time of year.
Read RENURRP's advice.
A phone with next G should do the job
You won't need multiple jerry cans - far too dangerous. There are plenty of fuel stops along the way. I don't know your vehicle fuel range but plan ahead and take a small fuel container "just in case". (My diesel Prado comes standard with 1,800 km range!)
The 'roos aren't too bad in the wet, but in the dry and drought they were thick along the edges of the road getting the last green pick. Watch out for emus during the day. They are absolutely stupid and will do the same damage to your car as a 'roo.
Multiple punctures is a possibility. I carry two spares on unsealed roads and always carry a couple of those compressed tyre repair cans. If you get a flat tyre, never pass the first place you can get it repaired.
Take one of those $20 tow straps and a couple of shackles.
Don't follow close behind cattle road trains.
A trip like that is no big deal to a sensible person exercising normal caution. I do similar trips every few weeks (2,500 trouble free Outback kms in air conditioned comfort in the past two weeks.)
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Doing "The Track"
Been up and down that so often I gave up counting when I ran out of fingers and toes and I'm about to do it again.
Everything said above is good advise.
Barkly is out till about 1/2 Feb at best guess, maybe longer if it rains a heap more.
If you think you may need fuel when coming into some little town, YOU DO.
DON'T try to pass a road train if you cant see a LOT of road ahead. They're 55Mts and more.
New Vic River bridge is sposed to be open now so it may not trap you there if the river comes up a bit.
Going the Buchanan via Top Springs is a NO NO. Vic River at Dashwood crossing is metres deep. We gave it a miss in a 4X4.
Lots of luck. It can be a pain up here but I love it, so might you.
Everything said above is good advise.
Barkly is out till about 1/2 Feb at best guess, maybe longer if it rains a heap more.
If you think you may need fuel when coming into some little town, YOU DO.
DON'T try to pass a road train if you cant see a LOT of road ahead. They're 55Mts and more.
New Vic River bridge is sposed to be open now so it may not trap you there if the river comes up a bit.
Going the Buchanan via Top Springs is a NO NO. Vic River at Dashwood crossing is metres deep. We gave it a miss in a 4X4.
Lots of luck. It can be a pain up here but I love it, so might you.
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My main concern are the floods if I was to drive Alice to Katherine to Kununurra this time of year. Has anyone been caught out in these floods and would the trip from SYD to Kununurra still take 5 days?
Yes, it's all about timing.
On my 3rd Melb/Darwin trip I got caught south of Alice Springs/NT border by floods, racing up North for a position I knew was going. Spent the night at the Marla road house, as did many others so it was a boon for the Roadhouse and a top night at the bar
. Missed the job... others came though.
Melb/Darwin after a few trips I was doing in 3 days (knowing the road/roo's and traps). I drove Sydney/Darwin once, which is longer through Blackall/Fug-all/Longreach/Mt Isa - 5 days... and the roads not as good (as per Hasselhof's mention previously).
First trip was in 1990 in 1969 Ford Cortina (2 door Sports!
)... broke down in Tennant Ck, needing a new engine due overheating (caution the afternoon temps!)... jammed in another 2nd hand sort from the wreckers... muffler came off around Katherine so it sounded like a truck, entering the township. It got me to Darwin though, where I finally sold it because it still had a good set of Kumo's on it. If I didn't put a mesh over the front grill for bugs it wouldn't have cooked the engine, never-the-less it was all character building, networking and provided top opportunities to spread the CV and meet companies along the way.
Out of 5 trips, I was caught once by floods. Lived in Timber Creek for awhile too (between Kath/Kunn) and that does flood abit in many parts and isn't up to scratch like the Stuart Highway up the centre is. Good time to have a break Barra fishing with the locals though, if trapped there!
Lots of good advice to heed on this whole thread. Only thing I could add is to keep tuned to ABC National Radio. It's nationwide and keeps you up to date with news/road warnings etc... as well as "ABC Grandstand" - broadcasting sports results all day saturdays too (!!!) and "Macka around Australia" on Sunday mornings.
Mobile phone coverage has improved dramatically on the major roads with the carriers but a cheap Dick-Smith's UHF radio may be an idea, just to keep a listen out if the truckies are hitting Roo's or not. If plenty of rain, they will be off the road side-strip grasses and out in the scrub though.
Give it a run and take time to enjoy the whole experience, it's characters and what this huge country is about. I know you'll be the better for it.
As the Buddhists say 'Life is in the journey, not the destination."
Yes, it's all about timing.
On my 3rd Melb/Darwin trip I got caught south of Alice Springs/NT border by floods, racing up North for a position I knew was going. Spent the night at the Marla road house, as did many others so it was a boon for the Roadhouse and a top night at the bar
. Missed the job... others came though.Melb/Darwin after a few trips I was doing in 3 days (knowing the road/roo's and traps). I drove Sydney/Darwin once, which is longer through Blackall/Fug-all/Longreach/Mt Isa - 5 days... and the roads not as good (as per Hasselhof's mention previously).
First trip was in 1990 in 1969 Ford Cortina (2 door Sports!
)... broke down in Tennant Ck, needing a new engine due overheating (caution the afternoon temps!)... jammed in another 2nd hand sort from the wreckers... muffler came off around Katherine so it sounded like a truck, entering the township. It got me to Darwin though, where I finally sold it because it still had a good set of Kumo's on it. If I didn't put a mesh over the front grill for bugs it wouldn't have cooked the engine, never-the-less it was all character building, networking and provided top opportunities to spread the CV and meet companies along the way.Out of 5 trips, I was caught once by floods. Lived in Timber Creek for awhile too (between Kath/Kunn) and that does flood abit in many parts and isn't up to scratch like the Stuart Highway up the centre is. Good time to have a break Barra fishing with the locals though, if trapped there!
Lots of good advice to heed on this whole thread. Only thing I could add is to keep tuned to ABC National Radio. It's nationwide and keeps you up to date with news/road warnings etc... as well as "ABC Grandstand" - broadcasting sports results all day saturdays too (!!!) and "Macka around Australia" on Sunday mornings.
Mobile phone coverage has improved dramatically on the major roads with the carriers but a cheap Dick-Smith's UHF radio may be an idea, just to keep a listen out if the truckies are hitting Roo's or not. If plenty of rain, they will be off the road side-strip grasses and out in the scrub though.
Give it a run and take time to enjoy the whole experience, it's characters and what this huge country is about. I know you'll be the better for it.
As the Buddhists say 'Life is in the journey, not the destination."
A useful site
Flooding can last well into March, particularly on the Stuart Highway between Daly Waters and Tennant Creek, as I found out to my cost.
Flooding can last well into March, particularly on the Stuart Highway between Daly Waters and Tennant Creek, as I found out to my cost.
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hey mate,
I just did the drive from sydney to darwin 2 weeks ago (just before the floods), and it was a great drive. All the roads in qld have now been fixed so you wont have any dramas around the QLD/NT border.
Ensure that when you are going through mid QLD towards the NT you ask the servo's and even truck drivers what the road conditions are like, they will be the best source of information in terms of flooding and surface condition.
the advice given above regarding only driving at day is spot on, Roos and Cows come out on the road at night and believe me - you dont want to be hitting one of them in the middle of nowwhere.
i've also noticed a few people talking about dodgy towns.. when i did the drive the places I'd recommend to stay would be Mt Isa, Cloncurry, and then Katherine.. no where in between is really worth it, as it will be below average, and expensive.. not to mention uncomfortable - which will spoil your rest for big days off driving.
another key bit of advice if fuel, if possible make the most of QLD fuel prices, the best thing you can do is fill up the car and a few jerries at Mt Isa and then smash accross to 3 ways.. its possible in a mazda 3 with 2 additional jerries. but in saying this, dont take any chances with fuel, make sure you do the maths and you know you can make it.. also when doing the calculations, ensure you add 10% - 15% when travelling on the barkley between camowheel and three ways as the head wind (and ability to speed) can dramatically reduce your economy.
have fun with the drive mate.. if you want any specific information on the trip send me a PM..
I just did the drive from sydney to darwin 2 weeks ago (just before the floods), and it was a great drive. All the roads in qld have now been fixed so you wont have any dramas around the QLD/NT border.
Ensure that when you are going through mid QLD towards the NT you ask the servo's and even truck drivers what the road conditions are like, they will be the best source of information in terms of flooding and surface condition.
the advice given above regarding only driving at day is spot on, Roos and Cows come out on the road at night and believe me - you dont want to be hitting one of them in the middle of nowwhere.
i've also noticed a few people talking about dodgy towns.. when i did the drive the places I'd recommend to stay would be Mt Isa, Cloncurry, and then Katherine.. no where in between is really worth it, as it will be below average, and expensive.. not to mention uncomfortable - which will spoil your rest for big days off driving.
another key bit of advice if fuel, if possible make the most of QLD fuel prices, the best thing you can do is fill up the car and a few jerries at Mt Isa and then smash accross to 3 ways.. its possible in a mazda 3 with 2 additional jerries. but in saying this, dont take any chances with fuel, make sure you do the maths and you know you can make it.. also when doing the calculations, ensure you add 10% - 15% when travelling on the barkley between camowheel and three ways as the head wind (and ability to speed) can dramatically reduce your economy.
have fun with the drive mate.. if you want any specific information on the trip send me a PM..
Re reading some of this stuff makes it sound like you are doint the trip on a camel.
Its simply not that hard. Its a sealed highway all the way, except the part the washed away recently!!
People do this drive every day for goodness sake.
There is plenty of traffic, you will see other cars every 1/2 hr or so.
5 days from sydney? only if you stop at every pub. 2 1/2 days from Darwin - Sydney via ISA, just under 2 days from Darwin - Adelaide both trips only during daylight hours.
Be sensible, water food and I forgot the music, check the roads and weather and just do it.
Oh yes, forget the nonense about crocs, you will not even see a croc driving, Simply nonsense. even when you get there they won't be an issue unless you intend swimming in the local Top end rivers and creeks.
As for Wolf Creek, forget that as well, better watching the "End of the World" just as much relevance.
Having said that I did meet Murdoch or his brother driving between Burketown and Normanton whist carrying out some running repairs
Its simply not that hard. Its a sealed highway all the way, except the part the washed away recently!!
People do this drive every day for goodness sake.
There is plenty of traffic, you will see other cars every 1/2 hr or so.
5 days from sydney? only if you stop at every pub. 2 1/2 days from Darwin - Sydney via ISA, just under 2 days from Darwin - Adelaide both trips only during daylight hours.
Be sensible, water food and I forgot the music, check the roads and weather and just do it.
Oh yes, forget the nonense about crocs, you will not even see a croc driving, Simply nonsense. even when you get there they won't be an issue unless you intend swimming in the local Top end rivers and creeks.
As for Wolf Creek, forget that as well, better watching the "End of the World" just as much relevance.
Having said that I did meet Murdoch or his brother driving between Burketown and Normanton whist carrying out some running repairs
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I know someone who did that trip in an old Holden Barina. He had no problems. The secret was not to use the air conditioning at all. The engine then worked perfectly. Aircon puts a big strain on the engine and that is the last thing you want on a long trip like that.
Seasonally Adjusted
P76, great choice Atlas....but you want something that has spares lying on the side of the road....something that the Bush Mechanics can help you with.
Bottums Up
Aircon puts a big strain on the engine and that is the last thing you want on a long trip like that.
One compressor failure, hit one roo, hit two trees in the one episode, 3 blow outs, one busted 5th gear, 3 different 4wd and one Volvo (remember that one RENURRP?) but touch wood, I'm still waiting for the engine failure and I've avoided approximately 5300 hours of discomfort, driving in temps up to 50+ degrees with no air-con!
I don't remember much about the volvo. I do remember the hat wearing volvo driver 
I thought you were supposed to turn air cons on when it got hot
and heaters on when it was cold
I thought you were supposed to turn air cons on when it got hot
and heaters on when it was cold