Ideas wanted for places to visit on a (relatively) short trip...
2-Smiths said
08:51 AM Jan 22, 2019
So, we've decided to move into our place on the coast later this year (August, most likely). I finish my current contract at the end of March, and won't be renewing. In the mean time, we are busily packing our stuff, ready for it to be stored between ~April and August.
For the time between April-August, we would like to take a bit of a road trip. Noting that we'll only be travelling in a Grand Vitara (not towing anything), we'll need to stay in CPs or other accommodation, which is no issue.
We were debating where we would go and what we would do, and this is where you good folk come in...
The first thought was to leave from Canberra, take a leisurely trip across the Hay Plains to SA, have a look around there, and travel "up the guts" to Darwin, stopping to look around in places like Coober Pedy, Uluru and so on. We'd spend some time in Darwin, as the wife has family there, and then continue into QLD, visiting one of her sisters in Mackay, and - maybe - going past our place to Brisbane to visit friends there, before moving into our place in August.
Or...possibly travelling down to Victoria via the Princes, jumping on the ferry to Tas. (as I've never been there), and from there continuing across the SA and then taking the rest of the trip as per the above.
Questions are:
1) Which overall trip would you guys recommend (noting the relatively limited time frame, and
2) There would have to be a metric tonne (or even an imperial ton) of things to do and see either of those routes. Any recommendation of things we could put into a combined route/accommodation/per-day trip distance type planning "thing"? (i.e. we'll travel "x" distance to get to place "Y", stay there for "Z" days, and do "A", "B" and "C" while we're there etc.)
Who better to ask than people who've likely been there and done it (most likely several times)?
Thanks in advance.
Meredith said
10:04 AM Jan 22, 2019
Very cold and wet in Tasmania at that time of year. Personally I would head for the warmth and Darwin, but I don't do cold well. If you are going to end up around the Uluru area during the Easter school holiday period in late April you will need to book before getting there as it will be very busy there, but apart from that you you just wander without booking, though I would ring and book a Darwin park somewhere a few days ahead. Certainly lots to see along that route, but quite doable without rushing in your time frame.
Possum3 said
11:12 AM Jan 22, 2019
Seriously consider an awning tent or roof top tent (they do come in sizes to fit your Vitara)- in the Territory and all along the Savannah Way there are fantastic places to camp. An entirely new experience awaits if you are able to camp out - Ensure you have wikicamps on your device www.wikicamps.com.au/ and a copy of Camps 10 www.campsaustraliawide.com/
2-Smiths said
11:18 AM Jan 22, 2019
Cheers, appreciate the replies. we do have a tent, which we were intending to take along just in case. I'll also get hold of the Wikicamps app.
Thanks again!
wendyv said
09:34 PM Jan 22, 2019
At that time of year, I'd go north from Canberra - along the coast, if you must - then head west. Definitely visit Lawn Hill/Adels Grove, then go on either via sealed road through Barkly Homestead RH, or via Savannah Way if the wet season has ended early enough for road to have been graded.
That will get you to the Darwin/Top End area while it is still nice and green, and before the tourist hordes of mid-June onwards. Kakadu and Litchfield Nat Parks should be great to visit then.
Come home via Centre. Nights might be a bit cold, but worth that in order to see the far north at its best.
Aus-Kiwi said
09:41 PM Jan 22, 2019
The peninsula down SA this time of the year . If you like GOOD sea food even more so . Fantastic from an unbiased Kiwi lived 40 years in NSW 2759 .edit Oops I didnt see your dates . Yes go north
-- Edited by Aus-Kiwi on Tuesday 22nd of January 2019 09:45:38 PM
Gaylehere said
08:11 AM Jan 23, 2019
In SA I liked the Eyre Peninsula. Loved the rugged coastline on the western side, travelled over to Penong to see the windmill Museum then back to Port Augusta via Kimba (silo art, sculptures) then up through the centre. Cober Pedy - the Breakaways, Painted Desert, Uluru, Alice Springs area - gorges, lookouts, history/museums. There is so much to see and it depends what you like doing/seeing, what the weather is like at the time also. (We holidayed Eyre Peninsula in May then started up through the centre from early June 2017) and weather was good. Cheers and enjoy.
Dickodownunder said
08:34 AM Jan 23, 2019
Aus-Kiwi wrote:
The peninsula down SA this time of the year . If you like GOOD sea food even more so . Fantastic from an unbiased Kiwi lived 40 years in NSW 2759 .edit Oops I didnt see your dates . Yes go north
-- Edited by Aus-Kiwi on Tuesday 22nd of January 2019 09:45:38 PM
If you do decide to visit the Eyre Peninsula it is usually April that will herald the change in the season.
The months of Feb March and April can be very pleasant with a lot less wind, particularly on the west coast of the EP.
If you are chasing the warmer climate then as Aus Kiwi has said....go north.
Enjoy your travels whichever way you go.
2-Smiths said
09:04 AM Jan 23, 2019
Thanks for that. Must admit, I hadn't thought about going "the other direction". Thanks again for the advice!
Aus-Kiwi said
11:29 AM Jan 23, 2019
Found in SUMMER months its hell nice down there . Not the population like Surfers etc . Nice and quiet . We went from Darwin down the centre on way back in WINTER ! Tell you that was a shell shock . Bought out all my old arthritis injuries. I like the dryer warmth in summer . EASY free camping . Heading back in a few weeks actually . Did I say I like my sea food ? Lol Little fish shop near Wyalla is calling .
So, we've decided to move into our place on the coast later this year (August, most likely). I finish my current contract at the end of March, and won't be renewing. In the mean time, we are busily packing our stuff, ready for it to be stored between ~April and August.
For the time between April-August, we would like to take a bit of a road trip. Noting that we'll only be travelling in a Grand Vitara (not towing anything), we'll need to stay in CPs or other accommodation, which is no issue.
We were debating where we would go and what we would do, and this is where you good folk come in...
The first thought was to leave from Canberra, take a leisurely trip across the Hay Plains to SA, have a look around there, and travel "up the guts" to Darwin, stopping to look around in places like Coober Pedy, Uluru and so on. We'd spend some time in Darwin, as the wife has family there, and then continue into QLD, visiting one of her sisters in Mackay, and - maybe - going past our place to Brisbane to visit friends there, before moving into our place in August.
Or...possibly travelling down to Victoria via the Princes, jumping on the ferry to Tas. (as I've never been there), and from there continuing across the SA and then taking the rest of the trip as per the above.
Questions are:
1) Which overall trip would you guys recommend (noting the relatively limited time frame, and
2) There would have to be a metric tonne (or even an imperial ton) of things to do and see either of those routes. Any recommendation of things we could put into a combined route/accommodation/per-day trip distance type planning "thing"? (i.e. we'll travel "x" distance to get to place "Y", stay there for "Z" days, and do "A", "B" and "C" while we're there etc.)
Who better to ask than people who've likely been there and done it (most likely several times)?
Thanks in advance.
Thanks again!
That will get you to the Darwin/Top End area while it is still nice and green, and before the tourist hordes of mid-June onwards. Kakadu and Litchfield Nat Parks should be great to visit then.
Come home via Centre. Nights might be a bit cold, but worth that in order to see the far north at its best.
The peninsula down SA this time of the year . If you like GOOD sea food even more so . Fantastic from an unbiased Kiwi lived 40 years in NSW 2759 .edit Oops I didnt see your dates . Yes go north
-- Edited by Aus-Kiwi on Tuesday 22nd of January 2019 09:45:38 PM
If you do decide to visit the Eyre Peninsula it is usually April that will herald the change in the season.
The months of Feb March and April can be very pleasant with a lot less wind, particularly on the west coast of the EP.
If you are chasing the warmer climate then as Aus Kiwi has said....go north.
Enjoy your travels whichever way you go.