SYD to KNX
Done Katherine to the East Coast on many occasions. As long as you stay off the road between dusk and dawn, travel in the dry season and avoid a place called the "Star Inn Accommodation for Single Men" in the Isa, really shouldn't have any problems! Carry plenty of water - you can never have too much, approach emus with caution and fill up any jerry cans before leaving QLD (fuel prices jump dramatically when the roadhouse generates their own power onsite). Unless you really wanna go exploring, the most direct ways follow busy Interstate truck routes so you'll not exactly be alone out there. They have done a lot of upgrades in recent years so the roads are generally an easy drive.
Be sure to plan a stop in Elliott for a truly "unique" experience. And visit the Hoochery once you get to Kunnas!
Be sure to plan a stop in Elliott for a truly "unique" experience. And visit the Hoochery once you get to Kunnas!
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As CF says, the 'grey nomads' are everywhere and well equipped. They normally use UHF Ch18.
Again, a six-pack is a good way of being able to say 'thank you'.
Also, a car radio with the AM band is most desirable.
ABC regional and local services broadcast on that.
An excellent source of local news, weather, road conditions and other info.
Additionally, you might like to take an airband scanner with you - for entertainment's sake.
Incidentally, earlier this evening up at the 'local', the subject of insect repellents came up.
There were a number of firm opinions as to which of them is most effective.
I know what I use, but the experience of others would be interesting to hear.
.
Again, a six-pack is a good way of being able to say 'thank you'.
Also, a car radio with the AM band is most desirable.
ABC regional and local services broadcast on that.
An excellent source of local news, weather, road conditions and other info.
Additionally, you might like to take an airband scanner with you - for entertainment's sake.
Incidentally, earlier this evening up at the 'local', the subject of insect repellents came up.
There were a number of firm opinions as to which of them is most effective.
I know what I use, but the experience of others would be interesting to hear.
.
Last edited by Stanwell; 16th Feb 2016 at 11:22.
Actually, it looks like you don't need to bother taking food, water, hell don't even worry about clothing or fuel!
By the sound of it, if you need it then someone else will be able to just give it to you!
Bugger it, if you lads want to rely on the goodwill of someone else just happening to pass by and the RAC to help you out then go for it.
I guess I prefer to be a little more capable and self-sufficient, less complacent that "times have changed and it's all better now", and give a crap about the welfare of others because crikey I stop to help your useless lot out numerous times on the road!
When someone stops and gives you some help, at least give them appropriate thanks, don't be a prick by offering something stupid. Hopefully I stop to offer help to you one day, realise who you are, because then I'll drive off smiling knowing that you could have fixed it so simply yourself, or I could have done it myself, but I've left you there stranded because you deserve it.
By the sound of it, if you need it then someone else will be able to just give it to you!
Bugger it, if you lads want to rely on the goodwill of someone else just happening to pass by and the RAC to help you out then go for it.
I guess I prefer to be a little more capable and self-sufficient, less complacent that "times have changed and it's all better now", and give a crap about the welfare of others because crikey I stop to help your useless lot out numerous times on the road!
When someone stops and gives you some help, at least give them appropriate thanks, don't be a prick by offering something stupid. Hopefully I stop to offer help to you one day, realise who you are, because then I'll drive off smiling knowing that you could have fixed it so simply yourself, or I could have done it myself, but I've left you there stranded because you deserve it.
I did it in 1995 in a 1982 Ford Laser. There was a few longish days but really, truly, it's a national highway in a (mostly) 1st-world nation.
...as it was 20 fkn years ago when I did it.
The third-world sh*thole conditions don't start until you get out to the communities.
Eh this is Warringarri Radio - here's some slim dusty comin your way!
...as it was 20 fkn years ago when I did it.
The third-world sh*thole conditions don't start until you get out to the communities.
Eh this is Warringarri Radio - here's some slim dusty comin your way!
I drove Brissy to Katherine in the early '90s in a 10yo Honda Accord. It took 3 days, only stopping to sleep & get fuel, and eating while driving. I stuck to the highways but still made sure I had tools, two spares, alternator belt, a can of Barrs Leaks, water etc. Even though there was some traffic, I didn't want to be stuck for something so easily repaired.
I had camping gear & chose to camp beside my car for the two nights needed. There are plenty of places where you can pull off the road. I rather liked my overnight on the Barkly Tableland.
For the return, I stayed overnight at a large truck stop in Mt Isa. Nothing fancy, but it was cheap. You got a single room, communal shower block and a typical truck stop restaurant.
Bring music, snacks & water.
I had camping gear & chose to camp beside my car for the two nights needed. There are plenty of places where you can pull off the road. I rather liked my overnight on the Barkly Tableland.
For the return, I stayed overnight at a large truck stop in Mt Isa. Nothing fancy, but it was cheap. You got a single room, communal shower block and a typical truck stop restaurant.
Bring music, snacks & water.
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Jeeze, here I was thinking you 'strayans might have still been bitter about the rugby. And cricket. (That last test was a sham)
Cheers for all the advice, I had no idea really what to expect as 4000kms will get you from the top of NZ to the bottom. Twice.
I'm gonna shoot up through Charleville, Mt Isa, Katherine. I'm looking to smash it out in as few days as possible without wearing myself out too much, as I will hopefully get some time at the end of the year to go exploring.
I think because I am planning to do a bit of 4x4ing through the Kimberly, I'll invest in a UHF, jerry can, a few spare hoses, probably some lights up in Kunners, a basic first aid, tools and lots of water. Depending on how expensive that all is!
I'll let you guys know how it all goes!
Cheers for all the advice, I had no idea really what to expect as 4000kms will get you from the top of NZ to the bottom. Twice.
I'm gonna shoot up through Charleville, Mt Isa, Katherine. I'm looking to smash it out in as few days as possible without wearing myself out too much, as I will hopefully get some time at the end of the year to go exploring.
I think because I am planning to do a bit of 4x4ing through the Kimberly, I'll invest in a UHF, jerry can, a few spare hoses, probably some lights up in Kunners, a basic first aid, tools and lots of water. Depending on how expensive that all is!
I'll let you guys know how it all goes!
Good thinking, AlexWCD. Obviously, if you are buying a Pajero or Landcruiser, you are going off the bitumen at some stage if not on your initial trip to Kununurra and will need a lot of what I and others have mentioned in the previous posts.
Proper tools will last a lifetime and buying some for your 4WDing now will not be a waste of money.
I did have a flat battery in the Tanami Desert, while checking a creek for depth on my return trip from Wolf Creek meteorite crater and had to camp there for the night - lovely spot under the stars as it turned out. Car wouldn't start and I had no room between it and the creek to clutch start it. 6-7 hours later at about 11.00 p.m. the first car came along, a landcruiser from one of the distant properties in the desert, and kindly towed me up to the top of the hill so I could clutch start it in the morning(I certainly was not going to attempt a flooded creek crossing in the dark with a flat battery!). Back in Hall's Creek, by mid-morning the following day, I bought and had fitted a new battery from a bloke who had batteries by the pallet load stacked from floor to ceiling in his shed. He was doing a roaring trade in selling them to people from the city, whose batteries had just given out.
So, even if you are not leaving the bitumen, a new battery and a few basic spares from your local Repco in Sydney would be a good idea.
I fail to see how an emergency windscreen would be needed in this day and age. While I also did need to use an emergency windscreen at Winton in 1981, this was back when laminated windscreens were only an option and cars still had toughened glass as standard equipment which exploded into tiny fragments when hit by a pebble with your name on it. A laminated windscreen will stay in place after even a big hit. Despite the cracks and bullseyes, you will be able to see through it and if necessary hold it in place if it starts to sag a bit.
Proper tools will last a lifetime and buying some for your 4WDing now will not be a waste of money.
I did have a flat battery in the Tanami Desert, while checking a creek for depth on my return trip from Wolf Creek meteorite crater and had to camp there for the night - lovely spot under the stars as it turned out. Car wouldn't start and I had no room between it and the creek to clutch start it. 6-7 hours later at about 11.00 p.m. the first car came along, a landcruiser from one of the distant properties in the desert, and kindly towed me up to the top of the hill so I could clutch start it in the morning(I certainly was not going to attempt a flooded creek crossing in the dark with a flat battery!). Back in Hall's Creek, by mid-morning the following day, I bought and had fitted a new battery from a bloke who had batteries by the pallet load stacked from floor to ceiling in his shed. He was doing a roaring trade in selling them to people from the city, whose batteries had just given out.
So, even if you are not leaving the bitumen, a new battery and a few basic spares from your local Repco in Sydney would be a good idea.
I fail to see how an emergency windscreen would be needed in this day and age. While I also did need to use an emergency windscreen at Winton in 1981, this was back when laminated windscreens were only an option and cars still had toughened glass as standard equipment which exploded into tiny fragments when hit by a pebble with your name on it. A laminated windscreen will stay in place after even a big hit. Despite the cracks and bullseyes, you will be able to see through it and if necessary hold it in place if it starts to sag a bit.
Road Service, a First Aid Kit, AND a new battery !
Driven solo from Cairns to Darwin (September) and back (in January) in 4 days, and another trip helping a mate move from Brissie to Darwin in 3. The solo trips were only done during daylight, and you would see the dead critters that had been cleaned up by the road trains during the night. The Brissie - Darwin trip involved some driving after dusk - and before dawn (not my idea) - and we never failed to have something cross our path..... fortunately not too close.
The solo trip to Darwin was a doddle, but the trip back was "interesting".... I ended up leaving Darwin driving according to the temp gauge and not the speedo (old carby petrol 4WD) - well it was January ! While doing the "daily" at Renner Springs Roadhouse (the pool was OK then) I had the bonnet come off the hold open rod and split me open on the back of the scone. The "Grey Nomads" camped nearby couldn't even OPEN the First Aid Kit I handed them - let alone find a bandage ! I opened up the FAK and they got the bandage out of the packet - then had to apply it myself ! The option of going to Tennant Creek Hospital for stitches didn't appeal to me (160 k's, and several Pale Ales), so went to bed (swag) with a sore head, but nothing a few more Pale Ales at the Roadhouse didn't fix. Early next morning it was time to tackle the challenging left corner..... (Three Ways).
Driving into Cloncurry late the next day I was hearing a helluva racket from the top end. Rolled into the RACQ servo in Cloncurry and checked the oil - bone dry (turns out I had probably dropped a ring on the end of the first day, and as there was no noticeable oil loss at Renner Springs). No real choice but to nurse it closer to the Coast where recovery would be getting cheaper as I got towards Townsville (and that WAS the advice of the RACQ bloke too).
I kept the speed, revs and temp down over the next two days, then ended up dropping a cell on the (12 month old) battery refuelling at the BP at Innisfail..... Fortunately there was a SuperCrapAuto up the road, so 10 minutes later....
Made it all the way to the outskirts of Cairns (just past the Hambo Hotel) before she dropped the piston altogether..... Only 20 k's on the RACQ flat bed truck "home" then !
With me also I had fuel, water, oil, spares (hoses / clamps, alternator, belt), tools, UHF radio.... and PLENTY of CD's.....
The solo trip to Darwin was a doddle, but the trip back was "interesting".... I ended up leaving Darwin driving according to the temp gauge and not the speedo (old carby petrol 4WD) - well it was January ! While doing the "daily" at Renner Springs Roadhouse (the pool was OK then) I had the bonnet come off the hold open rod and split me open on the back of the scone. The "Grey Nomads" camped nearby couldn't even OPEN the First Aid Kit I handed them - let alone find a bandage ! I opened up the FAK and they got the bandage out of the packet - then had to apply it myself ! The option of going to Tennant Creek Hospital for stitches didn't appeal to me (160 k's, and several Pale Ales), so went to bed (swag) with a sore head, but nothing a few more Pale Ales at the Roadhouse didn't fix. Early next morning it was time to tackle the challenging left corner..... (Three Ways).
Driving into Cloncurry late the next day I was hearing a helluva racket from the top end. Rolled into the RACQ servo in Cloncurry and checked the oil - bone dry (turns out I had probably dropped a ring on the end of the first day, and as there was no noticeable oil loss at Renner Springs). No real choice but to nurse it closer to the Coast where recovery would be getting cheaper as I got towards Townsville (and that WAS the advice of the RACQ bloke too).
I kept the speed, revs and temp down over the next two days, then ended up dropping a cell on the (12 month old) battery refuelling at the BP at Innisfail..... Fortunately there was a SuperCrapAuto up the road, so 10 minutes later....
Made it all the way to the outskirts of Cairns (just past the Hambo Hotel) before she dropped the piston altogether..... Only 20 k's on the RACQ flat bed truck "home" then !
With me also I had fuel, water, oil, spares (hoses / clamps, alternator, belt), tools, UHF radio.... and PLENTY of CD's.....
