Any suggestions as to which way to head off on our maiden trip to Darwin? We are hoping to head off mid April from Port Stephens area in New South Wales. We have a 22 foot Jayco off road van and Triton ute. Since purchasing the van we have done 3 road trips as test runs...2 to Kangaroo Valley NSW and one in November 2017 to Coolum in Queensland. We are not sure whether to head up through Queensland again and then back down through the centre or up through the centre and back through Queensland. Obviously it will be busy with other travellers but we are keen to try free camping a bit as well this trip. Any advice appreciated.
adreamer said
06:07 PM Jan 15, 2018
Well there are only two ways up to Darwin. One up through SA, Pt Augusta straight up the Stuart Highway, through Alice Springs etc.
The other one is through Mt Isa, down to Three Ways turn right then up through Katherine to Darwin (Stuart Highway).
Take your pick, but coming from Queensland to Mount Isa seems would be the most sensible.
Have fun
Helen
Peter_n_Margaret said
06:55 PM Jan 15, 2018
John did not ask for the shortest way, so there are actually dozens of ways to get to Darwin and it really depends on how much time you have and what road surfaces you are happy to drive on with your "OFF ROAD" van.
Most are more interesting that the 2 mentioned so far.
Cheers,
Peter
adreamer said
07:53 PM Jan 15, 2018
Peter_n_Margaret wrote:
John did not ask for the shortest way, so there are actually dozens of ways to get to Darwin and it really depends on how much time you have and what road surfaces you are happy to drive on with your "OFF ROAD" van. Most are more interesting that the 2 mentioned so far.
Cheers, Peter
Well Mr know- it- all how about mentioning them!! If you mean over the Sandover or the other's you will need to mention the Road conditions and what is actually out there to see or do or fuel or water etc.
And if are dozens? maybe new ones must have popped up since I lived out there. lol
Helen
-- Edited by adreamer on Monday 15th of January 2018 07:58:59 PM
wendyv said
08:23 PM Jan 15, 2018
It does appear that you have yet to tackle much off tar work with your van.
Perhaps this trip could give you some chance to do some of this, before tackling really long and serious dirt routes?
I'd suggest going via Mt Isa and across to the Stuart Highway. You should aim to get to Darwin before it gets really busy, before mid June on. That timing would also allow you to visit Kakadu before the crowds. You could visit Litchfield as a circuit route - using the unsealed road from Wangi back via Berry Springs.
Once you have explored the Top End, you could vary the route south by going east to Borroloola nad visitng Lorella Springs - if they say their road in will be ok for your van by then.
If you come south through the Centre, after the Top End, you are reaching Central Australia when it is a bit cooler and therefore conducive to active exploring.
adreamer said
09:02 PM Jan 15, 2018
wendyv wrote:
It does appear that you have yet to tackle much off tar work with your van. Perhaps this trip could give you some chance to do some of this, before tackling really long and serious dirt routes? I'd suggest going via Mt Isa and across to the Stuart Highway. You should aim to get to Darwin before it gets really busy, before mid June on. That timing would also allow you to visit Kakadu before the crowds. You could visit Litchfield as a circuit route - using the unsealed road from Wangi back via Berry Springs. Once you have explored the Top End, you could vary the route south by going east to Borroloola nad visitng Lorella Springs - if they say their road in will be ok for your van by then. If you come south through the Centre, after the Top End, you are reaching Central Australia when it is a bit cooler and therefore conducive to active exploring.
Thanks Wendy, Mr know-it-all above seems to thinks there are dozens of ways to Darwin from Qld. I have been on all of them as I was born and bred out at a Station over the Sandover and I would not recommend these roads to a 'newbie'. Besides I am waiting for him to name the 'Dozens'. I must have missed something in my 60 years of living out there lol.
Even after they have been graded they are some of the most dangerous Roads in Australia unless you really know them.
Helen
Hey Jim said
10:27 PM Jan 15, 2018
Peter_n_Margaret wrote:
John did not ask for the shortest way, so there are actually dozens of ways to get to Darwin and it really depends on how much time you have and what road surfaces you are happy to drive on with your "OFF ROAD" van. Most are more interesting that the 2 mentioned so far.
Cheers, Peter
Hi peter & Margaret,
They did not ask to take the Back Roads Either. They did ask which would be the the right way with a 22 foot van, to be towed by a triton ute.
You should know better been a seasoned traveler In you go anywhere rig.
We to travel roads less traveled then most on here, for weeks at a time. Knowledge is power.Their tow unit, would do the job if the weather is with them on the blacktop. Add water and as you know, they would be up Sh...T Creek.
This couple want a start up. Not a Retrevel. Please contribute or Shut Up.
Why attack Helen. What did she do to You?????
JIm & Lambie
Warren-Pat_01 said
04:21 PM Jan 16, 2018
An alternative from doing the Barkly Highway - Stuart Highway trip is to head north from Barkly Homestead & stop at Cape Crawford. Elvis is a "hit" there as you'll see from the name of the pub; the caravan park is good. This is the gateway to the Lost City, gives you the opportunity to buy cheaper fuel at Borroloola & see the outsides of the controversial McArthur River mine.
The road is bitumen, narrow in places with the odd road train taking supplies north. Bird watchers can see plenty of birds with the white-plumed & grey-headed honeyeater & chances to see the long-tailed finch near the water tanks. If you fill a small container with water, you'll have oodles of thankful birds coming to enjoy a drink.
Warren
NeilandRaine said
12:51 PM Jan 17, 2018
To avoid mountains and busy places and to see a bit more of the country I would go, from Nelson Bay, via New England to Werris Creek, Gunedah, Narrabri, Lightning Ridge, St George (QLD) Augathella, up through Blackall (the road is a bit of a roller coaster here but not bad) Longreach, Winton. If you want a real adventure go from Winton to Mt Isa via Boulia. Once you hit Mt Isa its over the Barkley tablelands to Three Ways.
This all depends on how much time you have of course. We did this from the Central Coast NSW and really enjoyed the trip
PeterD said
03:38 PM Jan 17, 2018
John, do you want to get a little adventurous and look at some gravel roads on the way up? If so consider heading for Bourke, take the Dowling Track up through to Hungerford to Thargomindah. From there go through Windorah to Birdsville and up to Mt Isa. From there follow the crowd to Darwin.
Any suggestions as to which way to head off on our maiden trip to Darwin? We are hoping to head off mid April from Port Stephens area in New South Wales. We have a 22 foot Jayco off road van and Triton ute. Since purchasing the van we have done 3 road trips as test runs...2 to Kangaroo Valley NSW and one in November 2017 to Coolum in Queensland. We are not sure whether to head up through Queensland again and then back down through the centre or up through the centre and back through Queensland. Obviously it will be busy with other travellers but we are keen to try free camping a bit as well this trip. Any advice appreciated.
Well there are only two ways up to Darwin. One up through SA, Pt Augusta straight up the Stuart Highway, through Alice Springs etc.
The other one is through Mt Isa, down to Three Ways turn right then up through Katherine to Darwin (Stuart Highway).
Take your pick, but coming from Queensland to Mount Isa seems would be the most sensible.
Have fun
Helen
Most are more interesting that the 2 mentioned so far.
Cheers,
Peter
Well Mr know- it- all how about mentioning them!! If you mean over the Sandover or the other's you will need to mention the Road conditions and what is actually out there to see or do or fuel or water etc.
And if are dozens? maybe new ones must have popped up since I lived out there. lol
Helen
-- Edited by adreamer on Monday 15th of January 2018 07:58:59 PM
Perhaps this trip could give you some chance to do some of this, before tackling really long and serious dirt routes?
I'd suggest going via Mt Isa and across to the Stuart Highway. You should aim to get to Darwin before it gets really busy, before mid June on. That timing would also allow you to visit Kakadu before the crowds. You could visit Litchfield as a circuit route - using the unsealed road from Wangi back via Berry Springs.
Once you have explored the Top End, you could vary the route south by going east to Borroloola nad visitng Lorella Springs - if they say their road in will be ok for your van by then.
If you come south through the Centre, after the Top End, you are reaching Central Australia when it is a bit cooler and therefore conducive to active exploring.
Thanks Wendy, Mr know-it-all above seems to thinks there are dozens of ways to Darwin from Qld. I have been on all of them as I was born and bred out at a Station over the Sandover and I would not recommend these roads to a 'newbie'. Besides I am waiting for him to name the 'Dozens'. I must have missed something in my 60 years of living out there lol.
Even after they have been graded they are some of the most dangerous Roads in Australia unless you really know them.
Helen
Hi peter & Margaret,
They did not ask to take the Back Roads Either. They did ask which would be the the right way with a 22 foot van, to be towed by a triton ute.
You should know better been a seasoned traveler In you go anywhere rig.
We to travel roads less traveled then most on here, for weeks at a time. Knowledge is power.Their tow unit, would do the job if the weather is with them on the blacktop. Add water and as you know, they would be up Sh...T Creek.
This couple want a start up. Not a Retrevel. Please contribute or Shut Up.
Why attack Helen. What did she do to You?????
JIm & Lambie
The road is bitumen, narrow in places with the odd road train taking supplies north. Bird watchers can see plenty of birds with the white-plumed & grey-headed honeyeater & chances to see the long-tailed finch near the water tanks. If you fill a small container with water, you'll have oodles of thankful birds coming to enjoy a drink.
Warren
This all depends on how much time you have of course. We did this from the Central Coast NSW and really enjoyed the trip