Advice please

mel · Newbie

Advice please

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Welcome Mel.
Rather than going "around Australia", why not decide on the places that you really want to visit first, then choose a vehicle, then link the places up into a trip (perhaps this is what ou have done?).
We meet too many people "going around Australia" but not really seeing anything much on the way.
The type of vehicle that you choose (car, 4WD, caravan, camper, tent, motorhome) will determine where you can go and what you will see and experience.
For us a 4x4 is essential to see this country, but that is not everyone's choice.
The Savannah Way is best with 4x4, but there are lots of choices.
If you are not sure, I would recommend starting with a second hand diesel Landcruiser and a small/mediun size, good quality tent and camping gear. That way your initial investment is not too big, but you can go anywhere and will work out what you enjoy and where to spend more $$$s (if you want to) as you go.
Don't make the mistake of trying to see 'everything' in the first trip. Pick a couple of areas, take your time and explore.

A great adventure awaits.
Enjoy,

Cheers,
Peter & Margaret

dave06 · Guru

Hi mel and welcome to the site, great trip you have planned, done it myself a few times and I can tell you that in a lot of places you will need a four wheel drive, the savannah way can be nasty if you havent a four wheel drive particularly in the wet,as with the gibb river road off shoots and many other adventurous routes, if thats the way you want to do it then grab a four wheeler and I would suggest a camper trailer, particularly one that gets you off the ground, up in those areas particularly, the "snapping handbags" are still active and you wouldnt get me in a tent for quids, and then you have to store all your "stuff" do the top on your first trip ( you lucky buggers) and then decide what you want for the circular route, if you are happy with the off road thing then stick with it, dont set out to " get around" in one go, set out in a series of pre planned trips taking in the things that interest you in the particular region that you are in at the time, go from one interesting spot to another and then another, criss crossing the country as you go and then you will wake up one day and say " hell we been around and I'm ready to go again", as you go things of interest will arise ( they always do ) and you will realise that the first couple of times around you wont have seen a quarter of what there is to see, take your time, rushing is for fools

Wombat 280 · Guru

Don't go in the wet just flew over the area and the road looks wet and sticky and it's only the start of the buildup to the wet . April May should see it passable depending on how much wet they get. I to recommend 4X4 and a driving course if you haven't got experience behind the wheel of a beast , it's a long walk out. Take Fuel, Water and a good 2 way radio one with a bit of grunt . If you do break down stay with the vehicle help will find your vehicle long before a lone walker.

Have a good trip you will love it

dave06 · Guru

dont even think about going in the wet season, I assumed that went without explanation, even so you may get the odd shower now and again, thats when I advise caution

Basil Faulty · Guru

As a bloke who has done this road a 4x4 is essential, IF YOU TOW MAKE SURE WHAT EVER YOU TOW IS DIRT ROAD CAPABLE. The Savanah Way from Normanton to Boorooloola has a lot of dirt, is quite isolated but not too corrugated and a sort of an "adventure". Next time I go this way it will be Normanton, Mt Isa, across the Barkley Hwy to the 3 Ways (now all cleaned up and modern) then north on the Stuart to Darwin.... Or via Cape Conran...
There is a lot of "country" out there and not much traffic on that road. As others have said simply forget it in the wet.

ROAMIN · Veteran Member

Basil Faulty,
                From Normanton to Burketown then down to Gregory Downs.
Would i need 4x4 in dry season.
Would like to try is in a 2 wheel drive towing a Avan Camper.

                  Roamin.

dave06 · Guru

john, I reckon there was a couple of bad creek crossings in there, cant remember properly and cant find a decent reference in my log, for some reason the crossings stand out

twobob · Guru

Mel
What you plan is a very exciting trip, but as the other's have said - the best of it is not on the main drive.

The biggest trouble is ground clearance. A 2wd will do it, as long as you are capable, but you may have the added disadvantage of a trailer. The bottom line is to see the best of it, you need the ground clearance and grunt.

The river crossings (wet or dry) can be steep in and steep out, plays havic with the underneath, and causes concern re ability to pull up the other side. The damage bill, may not be worth not getting a 4wd, to do the same. Most times you will not know until you are in that position.

If it is 2wd for you, and a first trip, just do the easy stuff, and get an understanding, there will be enough fun and adventure, but more learning of what you want to do and what vehicle combination is the best for you.

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

This is a slide show that includes some Savannah Way pics north of Borroloola.
Make up your own mind Mel...., but I think the advise above is worth listening to.

Cheers,
Peter

mel · Newbie

Thank you all for the advice, I really appreciate it. We have travelled a fair bit in Australia, and flown over even more, so we are well aware of the size of the country and the task in hand. We have driven from Cairns right round to Adelaide (not all in one trip). Been up to Coober Pedy, Alce Springs and Uluru. We want s to spend some time in the Top End now. Maybe travelling the whole of the Savana Way is too ambitious, we will have to see.
Peter, I really enjoyed looking at your slide show, it reminds me why I want to do it.
Thanks again folks, happy travelling.

dave06 · Guru

savanna way can be done easily enough just take some precautions, as with all travel, just enjoy the trip, it will be great, was for us

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

ROAMIN wrote:

Basil Faulty,
                From Normanton to Burketown then down to Gregory Downs.
Would i need 4x4 in dry season.
Would like to try is in a 2 wheel drive towing a Avan Camper.

                  Roamin.

Roamin, we did this route (in the oppisite direction) many years ago in a Holden1 tonner with a slide-on camper. I don't think that you will have too much trouble if you take it quietly. Just check the road conditions just before you go via Explor Oz.

Cheers,
Peter

ROAMIN · Veteran Member

Peter n Margaret.
Thank you for the reply yes as i have done in the past i shall always err on the side of caution.
I have thought of doing it in the opposite and will check any imformation i can get.

Thank You Roamin.

ROAMIN · Veteran Member

Hi dave06.
Thank you for your answer as with any trip i take i always err on side of caution regardles of where i want to go.

Roamin.

Basil Faulty · Guru

ROAMIN wrote:

Basil Faulty,
                From Normanton to Burketown then down to Gregory Downs.
Would i need 4x4 in dry season.
Would like to try is in a 2 wheel drive towing a Avan Camper.

                  Roamin.

Yep I'd take it very easy, the AVan may not like it though unless it's an offroader

dave06 · Guru

with that attitude john you wont have a problem, just watch the clearance, especially through the creeks dry or not, we didnt have any worries with the hi-lux and the roads are better now, the a vans arent a bad little van seem to be strong enough but it may let that damn dust in, try to tape all vents and around doors and windows, that stuff gets in EVERYTHING and after a couple of days of sleeping in dirty sheets and having to wash all the cooking gear before starting the meal the women get a bit grumpy and I cant blame them, great trip ahead whichever way you go, we will take our motorhome over there again as soon as we retire