Hello all and thank you for accepting us onto the forum.
We are from the U.K. and have visited Australia a few times, loving every minute. Now that we are retired we have decided to do the Perth to Darwin road trip but we are combining it with the Singapore F1 Grand Prix so will not start until around September 21st. I have read in lots of places that May to Sept is the best time to do this if starting at Perth and I wanted to check that getting to Darwin around 20th October would be OK weather wise.
Advice is welcomed please. If we have to we can go Darwin to Perth but a) flights are cheaper the other way and b) thinking about wildflowers and wildlife
Are We Lost said
11:57 PM Apr 20, 2023
You would be unlucky to be troubled by rain, as October typically does not have much rain in Darwin, or anywhere on that route.
As you are from UK I am guessing you are not acclimatised to hot weather. I find Darwin gets too hot for my comfort and I have not been there as late as October. The climate stats show October is the hottest month, although humidity is well below January and February at least.
Darwin to Perth would help with weather comfort. By October some tourist sites around the top end may close down.... but someone more familiar with the area might comment on that.
What sort of vehicle do you plan to travel in? If it's a motorhome and you plan to mainly stay in caravan parks, at least you can run the air conditioner.
The best guide for planning stops is Wikicamps. It lists sites to stay, points of interest and much more. The licence is about $8 (once only) for each platform you install it on .... Windows, Android or Apple and for that you can install on multiple devices.
-- Edited by Are We Lost on Friday 21st of April 2023 12:01:29 AM
Possum3 said
06:43 AM Apr 21, 2023
Welcome to the Forum Liz & Mick.
Most tourists leave Darwin during October each year until about March, it is the "Wet Season" and can tend to become a bit humid with Cyclones possible/probable around the Arafura Sea from December to March.
Perth has the better temperature ranges around the time of your visit.
As you have been to Oz before you would be aware of the uncertainties of Australian weather systems.
Your suggested timing should be OK for Perth to Darwin or vice versa.
Here is link to WikiCamps as suggested by A.W.L. www.wikicamps.com.au/ Totally recommended if traveling by road vehicle and you require affordable/free camping along the route.
Enjoy your visit, (Don't forget your insect repellant and Drop Bear Spray).
Cuppa said
02:52 PM Apr 21, 2023
Bearing in mind what has already been said, if you can handle the October heat up north (we have for a few years now, but it is a harsh heat - when you walk anywhere you learn to take the route with most shade rather than the possibly shorter direct route.) I would prefer the south to North Route mainly because I feel as a generality that the country gets better & better as you head north. Some great country in SW WA (stunning beaches & wonderful biodiversity) but not being a northerner I find it more stunning & very different. And nothing like the west coast sunsets!
Best thing is when you are reading up on what appeals to you is to make your decisions on what you are most looking forward to. For us the entire Kimberley region & Karijini in the Pilbara are major drawcards , & on a journey like yours I would want to experience them at their best time -June/July - In June waterfalls are likely to still be running & the place still green & lush. Later in the year the billabongs further north in Kakadu will have dropping water levels which makes it the best time to visit when every type of wader & other waterbirds gather in huge numbers & stretch to the horizon. Pick your 'must do's' & work around them as best you can.
Tony Bev said
12:32 AM Apr 28, 2023
A warm welcome from me also, Liz and Mick
You did not say what type of transport you would be using
If you are going to hire a car, and stay in accommodation
Just be aware that the Aussie Spring school holidays are from 23 September to 8 October
During this period, a lot of accommodation is booked out by families
So it may pay to pre book yourself
If you are hiring a self contained RV (recreation Vehicle), then there will be plenty of camps, on the side of the road
It is also a bitumen road, from Perth to Darwin, so unless you wish to go off road, to see some places, you do not require a 4X4 vehicle
Hope that you have an enjoyable road trip
LizandMick said
12:59 AM Apr 28, 2023
Thank you Tony. That is very helpful as we hadnt realised this. We are hiring a camper, so hopefully will be OK, although we may book a couple of sites then as we may be in the Monkey Mia/Exmouth region when it is still school hols.
Everybodys posts have been very helpful and I think we are anticipating the heat, but will have come from Singapore so pretty similar heat and humidity I think.
Thanks again everyone.
Greg 1 said
02:15 AM Apr 28, 2023
October through to December in Darwin are known as the suicide months due to the rise in temperatures and humidity. The suicide rate does go up during that period.
Personally it is not the time of year to do the top end. Darwin is not fit for human habitation at that time of the year IMHO.
Mid year is much better.
Most people are heading south around the time you are wanting to travel.
LizandMick said
03:51 AM Apr 28, 2023
Thank you. As I said at the beginning this is driven (!) by visiting the Singapore Grand Prix before hand so we shall be doing the trip September 20 to Oct 20. Hopefully the other members helped us make the right decision as we have now booked flights that mean we shall finish in Darwin rather than start there.
Hello all and thank you for accepting us onto the forum.
We are from the U.K. and have visited Australia a few times, loving every minute. Now that we are retired we have decided to do the Perth to Darwin road trip but we are combining it with the Singapore F1 Grand Prix so will not start until around September 21st. I have read in lots of places that May to Sept is the best time to do this if starting at Perth and I wanted to check that getting to Darwin around 20th October would be OK weather wise.
Advice is welcomed please. If we have to we can go Darwin to Perth but a) flights are cheaper the other way and b) thinking about wildflowers and wildlife
You would be unlucky to be troubled by rain, as October typically does not have much rain in Darwin, or anywhere on that route.
Here is the climate data for Darwin
As you are from UK I am guessing you are not acclimatised to hot weather. I find Darwin gets too hot for my comfort and I have not been there as late as October. The climate stats show October is the hottest month, although humidity is well below January and February at least.
Darwin to Perth would help with weather comfort. By October some tourist sites around the top end may close down.... but someone more familiar with the area might comment on that.
What sort of vehicle do you plan to travel in? If it's a motorhome and you plan to mainly stay in caravan parks, at least you can run the air conditioner.
The best guide for planning stops is Wikicamps. It lists sites to stay, points of interest and much more. The licence is about $8 (once only) for each platform you install it on .... Windows, Android or Apple and for that you can install on multiple devices.
-- Edited by Are We Lost on Friday 21st of April 2023 12:01:29 AM
Most tourists leave Darwin during October each year until about March, it is the "Wet Season" and can tend to become a bit humid with Cyclones possible/probable around the Arafura Sea from December to March.
Perth has the better temperature ranges around the time of your visit.
As you have been to Oz before you would be aware of the uncertainties of Australian weather systems.
Your suggested timing should be OK for Perth to Darwin or vice versa.
Here is link to WikiCamps as suggested by A.W.L. www.wikicamps.com.au/ Totally recommended if traveling by road vehicle and you require affordable/free camping along the route.
Enjoy your visit, (Don't forget your insect repellant and Drop Bear Spray).
Best thing is when you are reading up on what appeals to you is to make your decisions on what you are most looking forward to. For us the entire Kimberley region & Karijini in the Pilbara are major drawcards , & on a journey like yours I would want to experience them at their best time -June/July - In June waterfalls are likely to still be running & the place still green & lush. Later in the year the billabongs further north in Kakadu will have dropping water levels which makes it the best time to visit when every type of wader & other waterbirds gather in huge numbers & stretch to the horizon. Pick your 'must do's' & work around them as best you can.
You did not say what type of transport you would be using
If you are going to hire a car, and stay in accommodation
Just be aware that the Aussie Spring school holidays are from 23 September to 8 October
During this period, a lot of accommodation is booked out by families
So it may pay to pre book yourself
If you are hiring a self contained RV (recreation Vehicle), then there will be plenty of camps, on the side of the road
It is also a bitumen road, from Perth to Darwin, so unless you wish to go off road, to see some places, you do not require a 4X4 vehicle
Hope that you have an enjoyable road trip
Thank you Tony. That is very helpful as we hadnt realised this.
We are hiring a camper, so hopefully will be OK, although we may book a couple of sites then as we may be in the Monkey Mia/Exmouth region when it is still school hols.
Everybodys posts have been very helpful and I think we are anticipating the heat, but will have come from Singapore so pretty similar heat and humidity I think.
Thanks again everyone.
Thank you. As I said at the beginning this is driven (!) by visiting the Singapore Grand Prix before hand so we shall be doing the trip September 20 to Oct 20. Hopefully the other members helped us make the right decision as we have now booked flights that mean we shall finish in Darwin rather than start there.
Time will tell