We live in UK but have family in Sydney whom we like to visit often - but not stay too long!
Fast running out of places to explore - except the big one - Darwin through to Broome/Perth.
Appreciate thoughts from experienced guys
- when is best (or impossible)?
- what vehicle/rig is advised?
- would we be able to rent and use off-road - or need to buy/sell?,
- is it feasible to tag a long with other Grey Nomads as too worried to go it alone?
- We'd have about a month on this one - is that enough?
mongrel said
08:03 AM Mar 4, 2014
Welcome to the forum Ian I I can't help you myself but I am sure you will get the answers you require..Very knowledgable lot on here and the answers will come thick and fast . Be patient and good luck..Alan..
Dougwe said
08:36 AM Mar 4, 2014
Welcome to the gang Wandering Brit, enjoy here and out in the playground.
_wombat_ said
09:46 AM Mar 4, 2014
Wandering Brit wrote:
We live in UK but have family in Sydney whom we like to visit often - but not stay too long!
Fast running out of places to explore - except the big one - Darwin through to Broome/Perth.
Appreciate thoughts from experienced guys
- when is best (or impossible)? Do not go during the wet season
- what vehicle/rig is advised? looks like you want off road, 4x4 and off road van
- would we be able to rent and use off-road - or need to buy/sell?, rent companies usually do not allow off road
- is it feasible to tag a long with other Grey Nomads as too worried to go it alone? no problem doing it alone, you will meet a lot of other vans
- We'd have about a month on this one - is that enough? if you can 2-3 months would be better, 1 month you will noy have time to see much
Wandering Brit
Evie n Rhys said
07:42 AM Mar 15, 2014
Hi Ian and welcome, I did it last year for three weeks and it was wondful. It was part of an around OZ trip but a girlfriend joined me for that leg and she had 3 weeks. We saw quite a bit but not everything of course and then again who does?? You will have a lovely trip and see things you won't see in oth countries or places. As far as renting, unless you are seasoned OFF OFF road people I suggest you don't need off road. I have a territory and a normal van and it handled everything very nicely. The Gibb River road and Tanamai etc are wonderful I'm told but even if the vehicle could go there I didn't want to go it alone as I don't have the practical experience and knowledge required and I think sometimes we can be more of a menace to other more seasoned travelleres doing that stuff. Don't k ow how you feel about hiring a motorhome and doing it. That seems to be the most popular option. I can't do that myself because I like the car to do other things when I'm camped somewhere (normally when im at a park not free camp). Some places you dont have the option of free camping, which I prefer. You wouldn't go off and leave your van at some of the free camps unless you had very good friends there to mind it for you. People on the road are on the whole are very friendly and I never felt unsafe while travelling alone. We are very fortunate in this country to have this option. I did a flight out of Kunanurra over Lake Argyle and bungle bungles etc and you really should do that. I stayed at lake argyle too and explored around there a little. Do the Katherine Gorge Dinner cruise it was just great. A little more expensive than the day but well worth it. The light for photos etc in the afternoon was wonderful. Food and wine good too. having longer to do these trips leisurely is ideal but not always available. Don't miss the opportunity I say. Well worth the visit.
Enjoy
Tess
Dunmowin said
01:39 AM Mar 21, 2014
_wombat_ wrote:
Wandering Brit wrote:
We live in UK but have family in Sydney whom we like to visit often - but not stay too long!
Fast running out of places to explore - except the big one - Darwin through to Broome/Perth.
Appreciate thoughts from experienced guys
- what vehicle/rig is advised? looks like you want off road, 4x4 and off road van
- would we be able to rent and use off-road - or need to buy/sell?, rent companies usually do not allow off road
- is it feasible to tag a long with other Grey Nomads as too worried to go it alone? no problem doing it alone, you will meet a lot of other vans
- We'd have about a month on this one - is that enough? if you can 2-3 months would be better, 1 month you will noy have time to see much
PS: the wet season that Wombat refers to is around October to April. May - September is classed as the "Wet" in the north.
Wandering Brit said
06:01 AM Mar 21, 2014
Hi Tess
Thanks for the advice. No-one else has offered any!
Seems we should allow 3-4 weeks; and could manage without 4WD - although we missed out a lot in Katherine Gorge, Kakadu, out west NSW with only a 2WD Britz motor caravan so probably would look to get hands on a tough vehicle ...
Assume would need tents to camp or do camp sites have cabins/or any motels?
We live in UK but have family in Sydney whom we like to visit often - but not stay too long!
Fast running out of places to explore - except the big one - Darwin through to Broome/Perth.
Appreciate thoughts from experienced guys
- when is best (or impossible)?
- what vehicle/rig is advised?
- would we be able to rent and use off-road - or need to buy/sell?,
- is it feasible to tag a long with other Grey Nomads as too worried to go it alone?
- We'd have about a month on this one - is that enough?
Enjoy
Tess
PS: the wet season that Wombat refers to is around October to April. May - September is classed as the "Wet" in the north.
Hi Tess
Thanks for the advice. No-one else has offered any!
Seems we should allow 3-4 weeks; and could manage without 4WD - although we missed out a lot in Katherine Gorge, Kakadu, out west NSW with only a 2WD Britz motor caravan so probably would look to get hands on a tough vehicle ...
Assume would need tents to camp or do camp sites have cabins/or any motels?
What is best time of year?