First time caravaner, young family, doing a trip right around Oz. Meeting plenty of great people each night when we pull up and plenty of great advice. Quite a few have spoken of trouble spots around Tennant Creek / Alice Springs due to Aboriginals breaking into things and I just wanted to know of any areas that I should avoid, be wary of etc. We will be going through those areas and most likely stay in a van park and not leaving the van except for when we go to Ayres Rock but will be back in the van for night time. Any tips or information on what or places to look out for would be great.
(Just wanted to say that its only word of mouth that has said it was Aboriginals who are causing damage I dont want to be thought of as trying to stereotype any culture could be local people doing damage who knows, this is just how it was put to me was all)
Don't miss Alice Springs Xplora. Don't free-camp near there, but stay at a good C/P, and put stuff away, lock vehicle and van. We've been there several times, love it.
Cant comment on other places, but in general don't free-camp closer that 15 k's to a town. The hoons may come out to play.
Thanks Gerty - So its better to free camp further out of town? I have no problem staying in a caravan park but was told that they still get alot of break ins within the caravan parks (i guess because they are in town and easily accessable?
I lived in the NT for over 25 years, travelled all over with work etc.
No one group causes all problems.
If you plan to be in CP's then lock your valuable OR ATTRACTIVE stuff up in tug and van when not there, pretty straight forward, and this minimises risk.
I would be more concerned with things like coupling lock on van etc,, so if worst comes to worst and van is stolen you can demonstrate to insurance company you tried to secure van.
Don't want to be alarmist,,, but best advice is to speak to other travellers wherever you are about what's going on. Also ask CP owners about security if concerned.
It IS RELATIVELY SAFE ON THE ROAD ,,, except for road accidents and the others aimed at you on the road.
Enjoy, be aware, not alarmed.
As an aside many locals everywhere are friendly,,, biggest risk emerging IMHO is drugged people,, in cities, towns and remote areas,, but really don't see too many out bush.
Hope this gives you some relevant info.
Cheers Baz
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Why is it so? Professor Julius Sumner Miller, a profound influence on my life, who explained science to us on TV in the 60's.
Hi Xplora,
Yep, I agree with Baz, you could get paranoid if you worry too much, just take the necessary precautions.
We do Katherine every year (from QLD) with the occasional trip down the centre, never had any problems, but not to get blase' though.
In Alice we have stayed in the Top Tourist and Big 4 parks, both OK, and felt secure, tennant Ck has a good cara pk and we stayed there twice, no problems, we stayed in Elliott a couple of times, was nice and quiet, but last time we gave it a miss, not the same anymore, we stayed at Aileron once, that was OK, safety in numbers if you're free camping, circle the wagons, but really, the locals are OK, you just need to lock up and be aware, same as one would in the big city. (actually the riff raff are mostly in the cities, out in the bush they are a much different folk.)
Drunks and drugs would be the main concern, and the police are very diligent in these areas.
Any/all of the road houses along the Stuart are good camping spots, they all have caravan camping grounds. Three Ways is a very good and very popular one, there are heaps of good spots, do your research, you will love the journey.
Have a great journey and enjoy this wonderful country, we've been at it now for 13 years, well over 200k with the van attached, and never once had any scary moments.
Bevan
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Bevan
Friendship is not a relationship with someone whom you've known for a long time, but with someone you trust, under any circumstances.
i have just spent over a month around alice and tennant
just use commom sense and put things away out of sight
the only drama i have seen was at daly waters pub (rodeo weekend)
some drunks (white) stole the people next doors chairs which they had left outside
don't ruin your trip by listening to the scaremongering of a few, i even stayed in wilcania late last year........it's a lovely place
relax and enjoy your trip
Ooh, Solo Nomad I recognise my working camp spot. I've spent several nights parked there with the big load and other pilot.
Take places as you find them. Be tolerant and open-minded but not foolish with your valuables. Chain the portable fridge to the caravan if you leave it outside. Take the same precautions as you would in the shopping centre car park at home. I give the towns (except Coober Pedy) a 20 km wide berth to free camp. What's is a hazard to one will be a welcome diversion to others. I do a lot of travelling on my own, with the caravan and now with "Betty Benz". I haven't had a scary experience yet, since 2006.
Just enjoy safe and happy travels.
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20ft Roma caravan - Mercedes Benz Sprinter - SA-based at the moment. Transport has no borders.
Management makes the decisions, but is not affected by the decisions it makes.
Understand your concerns with a young family and you've been given some great advice. We free camp where possible but sometimes feel more comfortable leaving the van in CP's. Up that way we'd stayed at Kings Creek Station, Curtain Springs station and in Alice, G'Day mate CP which I really recommend . The only place we've been advised to lock up 'completely' is Mt Isa.
Xplora, like so many on this forum i too have stayed at Tennant Creek, Three Ways, free camped at Curtin Springs, stayed at G'Day Mate c.p. Alice Spings (very good park) and have never had a problem. Just take some common sense precautions and relax enjoy what you do. Most set backs are just that set backs hardly ever life threatening. Enjoy it.
You have been given some good advise from all of the above. We never free camp on our own, I get very nervous but I know some people don't worry about it at all.
When we are free camping we lock everything up, no chairs, tables etc left out at all . In Cps we chain everything up at night. In some free camps we have unhitched and gone out for the day, depends on how many people are there during the day and we always lock the tow hitch and put a wheel clamp on. Never had a problem.
in Alice we stayed at the Big 4 and had no troubles at all. never stayed at Tennant Creek but went onto Banka Banka, lovely stay for around $20 night.
We have free camped all over Australia and have never been scared or had any trouble. We just don't do it on our own, safety in numbers.
If there is a water tank at any of the free camps/rest stops you stay at in the drier areas, you may get visitors just on dusk. They usually stop to fill their plastic cordial bottle water containers from the tank, maybe spend an hour or so, then head off again. It happened to us a couple of times but there was never a problem.
