drive melb to darwin
I have driven a Mazda 121 bubble between SSY-ASP, via Broken Hill and PortAgutta. Then back to Syd via PortAgutta and Hay. Then back to ASP via the NewEngland Hwy and through Central Qld. Then ASP-DRW. DRW-MtIsa. Have never needed a jerry can. They only have a 40L tank... The car was packed to the gills. Take your camera, lots of CD's and a good travel companion.
BTW, my dog has proven that it is possible to drive from Alice Springs to Port Augusta without a piss-stop...
He was one relieved puppy after that!
BTW, my dog has proven that it is possible to drive from Alice Springs to Port Augusta without a piss-stop...
He was one relieved puppy after that!
What I find more amusing is that the dog didn't send you insane on those trips, 
.
That bubble goes places though, will admit.....
.That bubble goes places though, will admit.....
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Thanks fellas for the replys, i take it i shouldnt drive at night??
Capt. Claret, my fourby will do 110 comfortably, but thats about it. Would you plan on 4 days based on that?
And what sort of money could i expect to spend on the trip getting up there if i stayed in motels. Is it wirth getting a swag, and camping? Whats a litre of diesel worth out in the boonies?
Is there anything worth looking at on the way up? How far off track is uluru?
Sorry about the 20 questions i just want to be prepared for the trip.
Great info gents, much appreciated.
Capt. Claret, my fourby will do 110 comfortably, but thats about it. Would you plan on 4 days based on that?
And what sort of money could i expect to spend on the trip getting up there if i stayed in motels. Is it wirth getting a swag, and camping? Whats a litre of diesel worth out in the boonies?
Is there anything worth looking at on the way up? How far off track is uluru?
Sorry about the 20 questions i just want to be prepared for the trip.
Great info gents, much appreciated.
Dont even think of driving at night or you will hit a roo. They feed on thedge of the road and bounce out diagonality (if there is sucha word) when your lights get too close.
I speak from experience, be in the bar by 6.00 pm
Stay away from Cape Crawford. There is something funny going on there (drugs).
I speak from experience, be in the bar by 6.00 pm
Stay away from Cape Crawford. There is something funny going on there (drugs).
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Yeah i not long ago did the drive to. I took 5 days, going
Melbourne - Adelaide - Coober Pedy - Alice Springs - Tennant Creek - Darwin
Fuel i think was just under $500- for the trip (driving a v6 3.0ltr magna) but fuel economy is great once you're on the road, and if you've got cruise control it's even better. I found that my economy only decreased by 1ltr/100kms when i hit the NT border and started driving at 140kph.
To book hotels along the way, I would get on the internet the night beforehand, check out wotif.com and book there, cheap as chips, you **ALWAYS** save money by getting on wotif.com the night before. I only booked the night before, because if I had car trouble, and missed a booking or two I'd be out of pocket by $70- + (I think the most expensive night was $115) I dont think there will be any problems with vacancies at this time of the year.
Just make sure you dont drive in the dark, stay at the Bluestone motel in Tennant Creek (wotif.com dosent cover tennant creek, ARG) and DONT fill up at Barrow Creek (most expensive place in the territory!!, unless you're at a community).
It's a good drive, good roads, and friendly people, just dont drive at night, and try and drag someone along for the ride, even if it means subsidising their plane ticket home.
Melbourne - Adelaide - Coober Pedy - Alice Springs - Tennant Creek - Darwin
Fuel i think was just under $500- for the trip (driving a v6 3.0ltr magna) but fuel economy is great once you're on the road, and if you've got cruise control it's even better. I found that my economy only decreased by 1ltr/100kms when i hit the NT border and started driving at 140kph.
To book hotels along the way, I would get on the internet the night beforehand, check out wotif.com and book there, cheap as chips, you **ALWAYS** save money by getting on wotif.com the night before. I only booked the night before, because if I had car trouble, and missed a booking or two I'd be out of pocket by $70- + (I think the most expensive night was $115) I dont think there will be any problems with vacancies at this time of the year.
Just make sure you dont drive in the dark, stay at the Bluestone motel in Tennant Creek (wotif.com dosent cover tennant creek, ARG) and DONT fill up at Barrow Creek (most expensive place in the territory!!, unless you're at a community).
It's a good drive, good roads, and friendly people, just dont drive at night, and try and drag someone along for the ride, even if it means subsidising their plane ticket home.
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Like Tin and Capt said: don't drive at night. I think I told somewhere about on Pprune, but smartarse me did it a lot - until Skanky Skippy took on the Ultimate Scubbyroo - result was 4 flatspots to the metal on the tyres, and lumpy trip for the next 400ks or so .... and car damage. Probably very luck to still be here. Skanky Skip lost big time.
Take water with you. Lots. Take some spare fuel with you in a jerry can. Take a first aid kit of some description. If you have a portable ELT, take it with you. Preferably take a car that is common - ie parts will be readily be available. If your 1979 Saab turbo breaks down - well that's that. Looking cool - but still going no-where.
Just remember in some areas, it can be some time before someone stumbles across you or vice versa.....ie it is a long way for help. If it was me - my actions would be in accordance.
Probably the best thing I have learnt with age - is take your time and enjoy the trip. Contrary to much opinion, I always found a lot to see and do, as proper research prior a trip always revealed sites to discover.
The Rock is a bit of a hike off the hwy - couple of hours each way. As for swag etc - not sure what is like at this time of year, but I have been known to throw a matress in the back of the wagon - but then there was the mossies...... prefer business class with nice smooth red....
Ohh yeh - the big other killer on the outback roads is the road shoulder. Sometimes a wheel off the edge of the tar onto the dirt shoulder, and maybe a little gutter/lip on the edge of the tar.....some people try to yank the car back onto the road. Sometimes a bit too hard in too short a time and ends in a rollover. Generally high speed rollovers end in tears. One of the more common road accidents.
Take water with you. Lots. Take some spare fuel with you in a jerry can. Take a first aid kit of some description. If you have a portable ELT, take it with you. Preferably take a car that is common - ie parts will be readily be available. If your 1979 Saab turbo breaks down - well that's that. Looking cool - but still going no-where.
Just remember in some areas, it can be some time before someone stumbles across you or vice versa.....ie it is a long way for help. If it was me - my actions would be in accordance.
Probably the best thing I have learnt with age - is take your time and enjoy the trip. Contrary to much opinion, I always found a lot to see and do, as proper research prior a trip always revealed sites to discover.
The Rock is a bit of a hike off the hwy - couple of hours each way. As for swag etc - not sure what is like at this time of year, but I have been known to throw a matress in the back of the wagon - but then there was the mossies...... prefer business class with nice smooth red....
Ohh yeh - the big other killer on the outback roads is the road shoulder. Sometimes a wheel off the edge of the tar onto the dirt shoulder, and maybe a little gutter/lip on the edge of the tar.....some people try to yank the car back onto the road. Sometimes a bit too hard in too short a time and ends in a rollover. Generally high speed rollovers end in tears. One of the more common road accidents.
A lot of people are painting a bleak picture of driving the Stuart Highway. While I whole heartedly agree that driving most outback highways at night is like playing Russian Roulette, even during the heat of summer it is rare not to see 3-4 vehicles per hour heading in each direction on the Stuart. Obviously this time of the year is much more busy, as it is still relatively cool compared to say Jan-Feb.
Kangaroos and especially dark coloured livestock (that you will not see until waaaaay too late if driving much above 80km/h) are a very real threat.
I would be much more inclined to grab a cheap UHF handheld and keep tuned to Ch 40. Most people use 40 as an initial contact and then flick across to another pre-arranged channel. Many of the stataions also use UHF for their ringers and during bore-runs.
Morno, what pseudo didn't let-on here was during the last Sydney to Alice via Isa and the Barkly trip for the Bubble was the fact that as some low-life scumbag in Sydney had decided to break-in and remove the CD player from the dash (whilst of course trashing the centre of the dash) when the car was in Sydney basically meant that there was no music of any description for the entire drive to Alice. Do you know how many variations there are on "eye-spy" there are? The dog was funny, but for the most part just slept. It was essentially February and a bit hot outside.
I do not recommend doing that drive without a stereo. You'll go a bit, err...
The Rock/Olgas (and the third Tor.... who here also knows I wonder.... ) are most assuredly worth the diversion off the Stuart. You do not need to pay the exorbitant prices Voyager Resorts charge at Yulara, just pull up at Curtin Springs (a working cattle station about 80km to the east of Yulara on the Lasseter Hwy that also has cheap accom - dongas, or if you have your own swag/tent they have free camping in the camping area). Tell Old Pete, Ash and Stevie I said G'day (I used to work there a few years ago now). They've got a decent bar and you'll most assuredly find a "different" point of view and the odd "character" isn't as few and far between as they are in the city....
There is also a publication called something along the lines of "Driving the Stuart Hwy". Many of the southern end roadhouses should have a copy. It is very good for info regarding distances, amenities and available fuel stops.
Regards,
OpsN
Kangaroos and especially dark coloured livestock (that you will not see until waaaaay too late if driving much above 80km/h) are a very real threat.
I would be much more inclined to grab a cheap UHF handheld and keep tuned to Ch 40. Most people use 40 as an initial contact and then flick across to another pre-arranged channel. Many of the stataions also use UHF for their ringers and during bore-runs.
Morno, what pseudo didn't let-on here was during the last Sydney to Alice via Isa and the Barkly trip for the Bubble was the fact that as some low-life scumbag in Sydney had decided to break-in and remove the CD player from the dash (whilst of course trashing the centre of the dash) when the car was in Sydney basically meant that there was no music of any description for the entire drive to Alice. Do you know how many variations there are on "eye-spy" there are? The dog was funny, but for the most part just slept. It was essentially February and a bit hot outside.
I do not recommend doing that drive without a stereo. You'll go a bit, err...
The Rock/Olgas (and the third Tor.... who here also knows I wonder....
) are most assuredly worth the diversion off the Stuart. You do not need to pay the exorbitant prices Voyager Resorts charge at Yulara, just pull up at Curtin Springs (a working cattle station about 80km to the east of Yulara on the Lasseter Hwy that also has cheap accom - dongas, or if you have your own swag/tent they have free camping in the camping area). Tell Old Pete, Ash and Stevie I said G'day (I used to work there a few years ago now). They've got a decent bar and you'll most assuredly find a "different" point of view and the odd "character" isn't as few and far between as they are in the city.... There is also a publication called something along the lines of "Driving the Stuart Hwy". Many of the southern end roadhouses should have a copy. It is very good for info regarding distances, amenities and available fuel stops.
Regards,
OpsN
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a 2005 3.0 litre diesel Patrol comfortably sits on 130 to 140 kliks, all day. Never overheated.
I'll get me coat......
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The Rock/Olgas (and the third Tor.... who here also knows I wonder.... )
As has been said already, make sure you've got music, water and don't drive at night. Falling asleep is the biggest killer out there, I've had the unfortunate task of flying RFDS personnel out to the accidents! Don't try and do too much in one day.
CH
The Stuart Highway is not that isolated, take normal precautions for a long drive. It is the busy season up here, lots of traffic. (relatively) If you have a problem on the road I would be supprised if you don't see some one withing 30 mins to 1hr.
Accommodation this time of year is hard to get. I have had friends staying with me in Darwin cause they got kicked out of their hotel due overbooking and I had the same problem in Alice last week. Camping may be a good idea as a back up.
petrol stations every 300kms approx.
Accommodation this time of year is hard to get. I have had friends staying with me in Darwin cause they got kicked out of their hotel due overbooking and I had the same problem in Alice last week. Camping may be a good idea as a back up.
petrol stations every 300kms approx.
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I drove from Sydney to Adelaide and put my car on the Ghan a couple of months ago. It cost $999 for my Commodore, (Adelaide - Darwin) and unlike the truck companies you can put all the luggage you want in your car at no extra cost. It will cost more for a 4wd. I also had to pay my air fare to Darwin so it all adds up. From Darwin I drove to Kununurra along the Victoria Highway. I was doing 165km/h and got a tyre blow out right on sunset, not a good time with other drivers flying past at the same speed (moral to the story -drive slower and definitely have 2 spare tyres). Along the Highways moo cows pop up outa no where. You won't have time to stop if they stroll out in front of ya. So I gotta repeat what everyone else said "don't drive at night"! As for getting a swag and camping, you'll definitely save a lot of money. Accommodation in Darwin isn't cheap and you won't get much for your money. Camp sites are across the Stuart Highway from Darwin Airport and you can expect to be woken up by heavy jets and fighter jets at all hours of the night. If you go down this option make sure you have a very strong insect repellant. I stayed in a tent in Darwin and the mozzies are so huge I've got permanent scars. I also confirm that car yards are a big rip off up there but if you wanna fly up there and pick up a car, theres a vacant block of land across the road from Chillies backpackers on Mitchell Street where tourists sell their cars. Most of them are commited to sell their cars because their visa has expired so you can usually get a bargain and a lot of them have receipts for work done on their car -better still, take the car you know.
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guys,
I nearly met my waterloo in the middle of the day somewhere between 3 Ways and Mataranka when a white beef roast on legs was standing in the heat gaze in the middle of the road in broad daylight!
Please remember road kill is any size and any colour before it takes on that role!
Fatigue management is also essential .. plenty of leg stretching for 5-10 minutes every 3 or so hours won't go astray either .. roadhouses in NT offer free coffee for the driver ..
Clarrie
I'd add, don't drive outside of your abilities. Its a whole different world driving in the outback compared to suburbia and if it means you take 2 more days to make your destination, then so be it! At least you'll be there to do what you intended to before you left!!
Enjoy the adventure!
dark coloured livestock
Please remember road kill is any size and any colour before it takes on that role!
Fatigue management is also essential .. plenty of leg stretching for 5-10 minutes every 3 or so hours won't go astray either .. roadhouses in NT offer free coffee for the driver ..
Clarrie
if 110 kph is your limit, add a day to the travel time
Enjoy the adventure!
Originally Posted by Capt Hollywood
Aah yes, Mt Conner, know it well. I've landed on it quite a few times with clients!
As has been said already, make sure you've got music, water and don't drive at night. Falling asleep is the biggest killer out there, I've had the unfortunate task of flying RFDS personnel out to the accidents! Don't try and do too much in one day.
CH
As has been said already, make sure you've got music, water and don't drive at night. Falling asleep is the biggest killer out there, I've had the unfortunate task of flying RFDS personnel out to the accidents! Don't try and do too much in one day.
CH
Were your clients fixing that station repeater on top of the Mt?
I'm currently half way through a Darwin - Exmouth - Darwin road trip (3 days each way) and regularly drive the Stuart Highway. Alice - Darwin can be a day trip if you want to make it one.
Couple of points not already covered
The grey nomads are in plague proprtion on all major highways across the NT at present; cruising between 65 and 80 kph. They will always be found when approaching a bend or dip where overtaking is ill advised....so expect delays.
Secondly, no one has mentioned road trains (- think triple length semi trailers). They're long, long, long and usually restricted to 100kph. If you're overtaking one in a car with a maximum speed of 110kphm make sure you have very clear view of the road ahead....for at least 2 to 3 km.
It can become frustrating sitting behind a slow caravan or road train when you're trying to fit 1000 km into the daylight hours but just keep cool. There's always a chance the vehicle coming towards you when you pull out to overtake is travelling at 180 to 200kph. Don't risk it until you get a feel for the road conditions.
Have fun.
Couple of points not already covered
The grey nomads are in plague proprtion on all major highways across the NT at present; cruising between 65 and 80 kph. They will always be found when approaching a bend or dip where overtaking is ill advised....so expect delays.
Secondly, no one has mentioned road trains (- think triple length semi trailers). They're long, long, long and usually restricted to 100kph. If you're overtaking one in a car with a maximum speed of 110kphm make sure you have very clear view of the road ahead....for at least 2 to 3 km.
It can become frustrating sitting behind a slow caravan or road train when you're trying to fit 1000 km into the daylight hours but just keep cool. There's always a chance the vehicle coming towards you when you pull out to overtake is travelling at 180 to 200kph. Don't risk it until you get a feel for the road conditions.
Have fun.
Have done the Alice to Darwin trip before and travelled the Stuart many times. And would you believe it, at night too, 
. However, my tip is NEVER drive at night on the Stuart Highway, anywhere South of about Mataranka. I survived and so did my car, but I did hit a roo in Western QLD one night though, which resulted in a few minor repairs.
morno
. However, my tip is NEVER drive at night on the Stuart Highway, anywhere South of about Mataranka. I survived and so did my car, but I did hit a roo in Western QLD one night though, which resulted in a few minor repairs.morno
Things Can only get better
Driven Melb to Darwin twice.
1st time drove by myself and as I was crossing the Westgate Bridge the sony "Things can only get better came on" and they did.
2nd time around drove up with a friend.
Both times I stopped the car every hour from the time I left my drive way in Melb to the time I got to Darwin. I would take a photo of the road ahead. Put all the photos together and it shows a great story.
Enjoy Darwin
1st time drove by myself and as I was crossing the Westgate Bridge the sony "Things can only get better came on" and they did.
2nd time around drove up with a friend.
Both times I stopped the car every hour from the time I left my drive way in Melb to the time I got to Darwin. I would take a photo of the road ahead. Put all the photos together and it shows a great story.
Enjoy Darwin
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tips for the budget seekers..
I would never recommend staying in Coober Pedy unless you are on expenses as it it not the cheapest place to stay and it doesn't have the freindliest locals either. If you plan it right you can drive up past the NT border and stay in Kulgera where they have airconditioned (heated and coooled) cabins for 20 bucks a night. Also avoid Tennant Creek as well there is a small station just to the north on the left hand side of 'the track' that lets you pitch a swag / tent on soft grass for 7 bucks a night with hot shower. Also if you are really cheeky you can ask Captain Hollywood for his parents address in Alice Springs and get a nice feed and a cosy bed for nix..
I would never recommend staying in Coober Pedy unless you are on expenses as it it not the cheapest place to stay and it doesn't have the freindliest locals either. If you plan it right you can drive up past the NT border and stay in Kulgera where they have airconditioned (heated and coooled) cabins for 20 bucks a night. Also avoid Tennant Creek as well there is a small station just to the north on the left hand side of 'the track' that lets you pitch a swag / tent on soft grass for 7 bucks a night with hot shower. Also if you are really cheeky you can ask Captain Hollywood for his parents address in Alice Springs and get a nice feed and a cosy bed for nix..
