Another Newbie

robandjum · Member

Another Newbie

scratchy · Member

We thought we had a plan. So many things to see and do your plan will soon fall to pieces.
Unless you have time constraints forget the plan it seems to take all the fun out of it.
If you like the idea of plans take a guided bus tour.

Silver Fox · Veteran Member

Having a very loose plan is okay (such as head north between May - September, head south in October) but anything more detailed than that certainly can bog you down. If you're heading to Broome, we've heard that it gets extremely crowded in August and you may struggle to find a caravan park then. We went there in September and found that nearly everyone was leaving (or had left) to follow the wildflowers so things were a lot less frantic.
If you're heading into the NT, there is a great website to look at which details all the rest areas by region and not only lists all the facilities there and whether camping is allowed, it also shows a picture of it so you can see whether you'd like to stay there. The link is http://www.nt.gov.au/transport/ntroads/roadside/restareas/index.shtml.
We didn't join any caravan park group as we tend to stay in National Parks and bush camps as a general rule. For some people the schemes are good, however, Big4 caravan parks are often the most expensive van parks in town (I'm not too sure about the other van park groups).

robandjum · Member

Thanks Silver Fox,
We will be in Darwin for most of July and was hoping for Broome in August, travelling to Perth September and home end of October. Have heard about Broome & parking outside parks at 5.00am to get a spot if someone leaves, doesn't sound like a lot of fun. We may pick up so useful info from others on the road, will wait & see what happens there.
Will look at the site, sounds a handy one to have.

Regards

Rob

robandjum · Member

I agree about the bus tour mentality, hence a caravan.
I was feeling guilty that we were just taking off without a real agenda, my mind is now at ease as will the rest of me when we get mobile.

Rob

speedy sue · Veteran Member

What a great trip you've got ahead of you! Just a quick word of advice about Broome - is your van 4WD? If so, there's some great free camping about 40 km north of Broome at Quandong Point. The road is a bit sandy and sometimes corrugated but, when we were there, it wasn't too bad. There are no facilities but the beach is gorgeous and lots of people were catching fish.
I would also recommend going up to Middle Lagoon (camping and scenery is fantastic) which is a bit further up the coast via a sandy 4WD track and Cape Leveque (camping is expensive but the clear blue sea and contrasting red cliffs are beautiful!)

robandjum · Member

Thanks Speedy Sue,
I am getting excited at all the adventures ahead. I will certianly go to your suggestions, that is the beauty of a forum like this one, sharing information between like minded people. Cheers

bininj · Member

Don't forget to visit the Pinacles, north of Perth, enjoy the sunset there fantastic experience!

Nenie23 · Member

Hi Rob
We have taken the trip from NSW through Winton, Longreach, Mt Isa up to Threeways to Darwin, Kakadu, Litchfield, then returning through Alice, Broken Hill and home. I had a general mud map of where we were going and what week we would be there - just so I allowed myself time to get home. Thats not to say we stuck to that. I used to research a few days ahead of where we were, what to see, what to do, where to camp, pick up brochures etc, but didn't have a real good plan after that.

Sometimes I thought towns would have heaps to see and we were finished in a day, and others that I thought wouldn't take 5 minutes ended up entertaining us for weeks. Just talk to people in pubs, caravan parks, laundrys and papershops.

Good luck with your trip. We are planning too! Taking off for 12 months with our 2 kids.
Take care
Nenie