Rockhampton to Alice Springs

Bambi · Newbie

Rockhampton to Alice Springs

animalcarer · Senior Member

Welcome aboard you are sure to get lots of advice. Have been to alice springs, from chinchilla to alice springs, a long slog, very hot. especially in january, I am sure there will be other people going that way.

Elle on Wheels · Guru

Welcome Bambi - like Lyn I reckon it will be a little warm that time of year up North. Hopefully there will be some members travelling in that region around that time.

milo · Guru

welcome to the site , there's a solo travellers section too.. id love to go to Alice one day, will be on my own too
who knows... good luck.

blaze · Guru

If it were me in january I would travel south then east then up again at port agusta. We traveled melbourne to [erth in late january and early feb and experienced days of 45 degrees, didnt make for good travelling so I think the southern route would be the coolest
Enjoy your journey
cheers
blaze

NeilandRaine · Guru

If you really have to do it in January I agree with blaze go Southern via Broken Hill. January is the middle of the wet and you don't know what to expect across the top.
Also be aware that summer rain in NSW and Qld can cause a few problems also.

Cruising Granny · Guru

I agree with the advice about avoiding that part of the country in the hottest month of the year, and the wet season in the tropics.
You could get into all sorts of trouble with floods, cyclones and storms if you just cut across Qld from Rocky to the Alice.
If you could defer your trip until April - May, it would be much better conditions for you even if you do have aircon in your vehicle.
Sleeping in your rig would be so uncomfortable as well.
Heading south is your best but longest way to travel.
Check out ozcaravantagalong.com for travel companions or to register your plans.

milo · Guru

so whens a good time to go there?

blaze · Guru

milo wrote:
so whens a good time to go there?

Hi Milo

Via the top end I would think that may to august would be my choice. alice it self probable around the same time to get the cooler weather

cheers

blaze

jimricho · Guru

I concur with all the suggestions that this time of year is not the time to be travelling to Alice. Even the route via South Australia takes one through some of the hottest places in Australia especially Coober Pedy where the temperatures are in the high 40s and would be every bit as uncomfortable as the much shorter route via Mt. Isa. If towing a van you would need to ensure your vehicle is in tip top mechanical condition as the cooling system would be tested to its limit and and a breakdown due to overheating (or any other reason) would be very distressing (or worse) in those conditions.

The Mt Isa route from Rocky is 2500 kms and the southern route via Pt Augusta is 1000 kms longer. As suggested by Blaze, late Autumn to early Spring is the time to go to Alice when the day temps are usually very pleasant but don't forget to pack some winter woolies as it can get quite cool at night.

Alice Springs and the Red Centre is very scenic and should be a must-see on one's to-do list.

grumpy-j · Senior Member

I go to the NT most winters and agree 100% with jimricho & would not attempt it during the peak of summer.

If you must I would take the following into consideration -

1. Have your car in top mechanical condition with good tyres.

2. Travel in convoy with other travellers.

3. Fit a UHF radio with a proper aerial and learn how to use it correctly.

4. Take a good supply of good quality water.

(I would fill up at Port Augusta, Stay the first night at Glendambo and top up with rain water -Not bore water [only take what you need and dont waste it]. Purchase top up reverse osmosis water at Cooper Pedy and take on board enough to get you through to Alice).

5. Summer temps are usually 40oC+ so take breaks at the service centres along the way.

6. If planning to free camp there is not much shade and you run the risk of cooking until the sun goes down.

7. At dusk watch out for livestock and wildlife on the road.

Cheers,

John

Joe · Senior Member

I'll go against the flow on this one and say that the trip to the Isa and then across the Barkly to The Stuart Highway and turn left down to Alice is the best option.

I would be checking the weather and changing that plan if there has been a big wet season, but other than that it is easy enough.

I would definitely avoid the Plenty Highway at that time of year though - the chance of rain is too high and that makes it difficult and potentially dangerous.

If you are a Rocky resident you will be well enough acclimatised to the hot and humid climate you'll experience along the route and you'll probably (like we Darwin residents) prefer that to the very hot and dry atmosphere you'll get going in through Western NSW and South Australia.

Having said all that, I'd echo the thought that travel in that area is more pleasant during the dry season and the only negative to that are the huge numbers of other people making the same trip at the same time. My wife and I try to time our trips for the shoulder seasons and avoid the throngs - we'd rather be alone in many of the places than shoulder to shoulder with others.

jimricho · Guru

I'd avoid the Plenty Highway at any time of year unless you're a keen 4wd type and want to "tick that box"

Re the southern route, as I pointed out it's 1000kms longer and from Pt Augusta to the NT border would would be at least as harsh and hot as the route via Mt. Isa. I would suggest you don't even think about free camping in that area at that time of the year due to the very high temps and lack of any shade.

Maybe those who are suggesting that southern route aren't familiar with what conditions in northern SA are like in high summer.

Bambi · Newbie

Thank you all for your replies - much food for thought. I have to travel at that time and driving an extra thousand kilometres is not an option.

Looks like 'The Flying Kangaroo' is more of an option for me at this point!

jimricho · Guru

That would certainly the best option for you. Maybe you could crack a package deal from your travel agent or perhaps checkout some of the accommodation websites such as Last Minute or Wotif...sorry don't have the websites but a google search should find them.