melbourne to darwin drive ----stewart's highway
Discussion
We're not long back from driving a small bit of Oz. We drove from Brisbane to to Melbourne in a camper van. My girlfriend bought a book with camp sites, fuel, rest stops, general information of the area in. Many camp sites were marked on the map, one's that they had visited had reviews, but they'd not visited all, just a good percentage. They also had the rough costs and facilities. The maps also and gave a bit of information about each leg of the trip, (the authors have gone right the way around Oz in a motor home).
It seems a new version of their book is coming out.
If you are planning on diving off the main route like we did, you'll need a good atlas of each and every section of your journey, e.g. NSW, Queensland, etc..
It seems a new version of their book is coming out.
If you are planning on diving off the main route like we did, you'll need a good atlas of each and every section of your journey, e.g. NSW, Queensland, etc..
I did this exact trip with my brother and his GF around 9 years ago, fuel was (I think) about 20% cheaper then but we bought, and then sold, a campervan so can't help with the hiring side. I don't know how long you've got, we spent a couple of months travelling staying a few days at places that we liked, there's plenty to do!
Bells Beach is worth a stop, every Easter time there's a major surfing comp that you may be able to catch part of. It's also where some of Point Break was filmed. The Great Ocean Road is stunning, you'll know when you're on it as you have to pass under a large wooden road sign that spans the road. You can't, and shouldn't, miss The Twelve Apostles, one of the many breathtaking stops along this road. The Grampians and Flinders Ranges are very much worth driving inland for if you enjoy walking/hiking, the Wilpena Pound is quite something, both areas offer incredible views if you're prepared to put the effort in. You'll see quite a few kangaroos out that way as well, some of them may even venture into your campsite. There are a number of wine regions that way of Oz, Barosa, McLaren Vale and so on, loads of "cellar doors" to visit and all of them, in our experience, happy to help and provide tasters and some impart some wine related knowledge. Adelaide was OK at best, at least the part we stopped off for a night at, and Port Augusta is, I think, where the Stuart Highway starts. If you can (some hire companies don't like people taking their vehicles "off road") go up the Oonadatta Track instead of the SH, it's a compacted stone road that runs roughly parallel, there's quite a bit of history to the road and you'll pass through and stop off in towns with official populations of low double digits. Stop at the William Creek Hotel overnight and leave a souviner pinned on the walls or ceiling of the bar. From here you can get back to the SH and Coober Pedy, a proper Oz dustbowl of a town but well worth a stop as it's the "Opal Capital of the World". Alice Springs is worth a day or two, there's quite a bit of history hear as well, and you must visit the School Of The Air where you can sit in on a live lesson, a real eye opener as to how large Oz is, if driving it doesn't do that anyway! Uluru and Kings Canyon are both absolute musts and, if you can, stop off at the Olgas as well. See Uluru at dawn, dusk, walk around it and up it. From Alice to Darwin for us was a bit of a sprint and we only stopped to rest so I can't recommend anything to do for that leg of the journey and I ended up staying in Darwin for the best part of 4 months and got to know it quite well. Visit the museum, learn about how Cyclone Tracey nearly wiped Darwin from the map in Christmas '74, visit Mindil beach market, gamble in the casino, eat fish and chips on the jetty, ultimately it's a regular town but it was home for me for a while!
Bells Beach is worth a stop, every Easter time there's a major surfing comp that you may be able to catch part of. It's also where some of Point Break was filmed. The Great Ocean Road is stunning, you'll know when you're on it as you have to pass under a large wooden road sign that spans the road. You can't, and shouldn't, miss The Twelve Apostles, one of the many breathtaking stops along this road. The Grampians and Flinders Ranges are very much worth driving inland for if you enjoy walking/hiking, the Wilpena Pound is quite something, both areas offer incredible views if you're prepared to put the effort in. You'll see quite a few kangaroos out that way as well, some of them may even venture into your campsite. There are a number of wine regions that way of Oz, Barosa, McLaren Vale and so on, loads of "cellar doors" to visit and all of them, in our experience, happy to help and provide tasters and some impart some wine related knowledge. Adelaide was OK at best, at least the part we stopped off for a night at, and Port Augusta is, I think, where the Stuart Highway starts. If you can (some hire companies don't like people taking their vehicles "off road") go up the Oonadatta Track instead of the SH, it's a compacted stone road that runs roughly parallel, there's quite a bit of history to the road and you'll pass through and stop off in towns with official populations of low double digits. Stop at the William Creek Hotel overnight and leave a souviner pinned on the walls or ceiling of the bar. From here you can get back to the SH and Coober Pedy, a proper Oz dustbowl of a town but well worth a stop as it's the "Opal Capital of the World". Alice Springs is worth a day or two, there's quite a bit of history hear as well, and you must visit the School Of The Air where you can sit in on a live lesson, a real eye opener as to how large Oz is, if driving it doesn't do that anyway! Uluru and Kings Canyon are both absolute musts and, if you can, stop off at the Olgas as well. See Uluru at dawn, dusk, walk around it and up it. From Alice to Darwin for us was a bit of a sprint and we only stopped to rest so I can't recommend anything to do for that leg of the journey and I ended up staying in Darwin for the best part of 4 months and got to know it quite well. Visit the museum, learn about how Cyclone Tracey nearly wiped Darwin from the map in Christmas '74, visit Mindil beach market, gamble in the casino, eat fish and chips on the jetty, ultimately it's a regular town but it was home for me for a while!
I'm off to OZ on Sunday for 2 months. I am going up the east coast in a CamperVan, and then an organised trip from Alice Springs to Melbourne. Haven't quite decided the best way back to Sydney yet!
I did quite a lot of research into Camper Van hire and this site was the cheapest for me (you have to watch some companies that sting you on the one-way rentals) http://www.motorhomerepublic.com/ .
One thing to look out for is some cheap CamperVan companies rent with only an Eskey (cool box) that you have to buy ice for. If you are on a budget (as I am) these guys seem good and have fridges, and bizarrely are cheaper booking through the site linked above than direct??!? http://www.hippiecamper.com/
Hope this helps!
I did quite a lot of research into Camper Van hire and this site was the cheapest for me (you have to watch some companies that sting you on the one-way rentals) http://www.motorhomerepublic.com/ .
One thing to look out for is some cheap CamperVan companies rent with only an Eskey (cool box) that you have to buy ice for. If you are on a budget (as I am) these guys seem good and have fridges, and bizarrely are cheaper booking through the site linked above than direct??!? http://www.hippiecamper.com/
Hope this helps!
Thought I'd bump this thread to see if the OP or any other reads can shred some good viewing and tips along the route. My girlfriend and I have to go to Oz, so we thought that we'd make 2 weeks of it and see a few places that we haven't seen.
We have settled on driving Darwin to Adelaide via a campervan.
Is it best in a 4x4? I know a lot of companies that hire out standard campervans stipulate that you must stay off unmade roads, but some are still passable even if it could get you in trouble. But are there things to be viewed that would require a 4x4?
Any stories, experiences to share of doing this route or similar would be great.
David
We have settled on driving Darwin to Adelaide via a campervan.
Is it best in a 4x4? I know a lot of companies that hire out standard campervans stipulate that you must stay off unmade roads, but some are still passable even if it could get you in trouble. But are there things to be viewed that would require a 4x4?
Any stories, experiences to share of doing this route or similar would be great.
David
Blimey, I thought I had written cardshark's post. It's almost exactly what I'd have said!
Good on you for choosing a route less travelled. Have you been to Oz before?
Darwin to Adelaide is an easy drive and has plenty of potential for the bizarre. The road is excellent and depending on what time of year you're going you're only likely to get held up for flooding or bushfire.
Darwin's big draw is Kakadu national park which I didn't get to but everyone raves about. Bear in mind that although it's one of Darwin's attractions, it's the best part of a day's drive away
A lesser known place closer to Darwin is the Mary River where you can hire a boat and do a spot of fishing, or just plod along and enjoy the wildlife. Perfect place to spot crocs.
Litchfield National Park is less well known but you practically pass it as you leave Darwin. It's rather nice and a reasonably safe place for a swim as they try and keep the crocs away.
Katherine is your next big stop. The town isn't much but it has Nitmiluk / Katherine gorge. You can jump in a canoe and spend the day on the water:
There are a few places with hot springs such as Mataranka, and they're far enough south to be free of saltwater crocs (still some freshwater ones but they're no bother) so they're great for swimming. One of the oddest things I've experienced is walking from 37 degree air temperature into 37 degree water.
Nearer the middle you've got lots of rock formations. The Devil's Marbles are pretty much on the highway so you won't miss them and you can turn off the highway for a few hours drive to get to the big ones - Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon. They have to be ticked off the list of course. Btw, if you have 4x4 you can take the Mereenie loop road route to these. It's not particularly exciting drive but you have to get a pass from the Aboriginal people and it makes a change from the tarmac, so it does feel a bit more adventurous.
Further south we took the Oodnadatta track and that was excellent. It's difficult to explain the appeal of seeing this for hours and hours:
But I loved it. Also a great place to see stars filling the sky from horizon to horizon too.
Coober Pedy is worth a stop, a town where a large proportion of the population lives underground to escape the heat. There's even an underground campsite
Within striking distance of Coober Pedy is the painted desert which is also worth a look.
And the moon plains:
The last rural stop before civilisation is the Flinders Ranges which is worth a trip, but again you need 4x4 really.
Although it just looks like a massive straight road on the map, we drove all the way round Australia and this was one of my favourite parts. You constantly stumble across the unexpected. For example, we were chatting to these blokes who drove along the highway clearing debris and rubbish. While we chatted, an emu wandered over from a nearby caravan park and started trying to shag one of their chairs.
And we stopped at one campsite to be greeted by dozens of peacocks, of all things.
Hope that's of some use.
Good on you for choosing a route less travelled. Have you been to Oz before?
Darwin to Adelaide is an easy drive and has plenty of potential for the bizarre. The road is excellent and depending on what time of year you're going you're only likely to get held up for flooding or bushfire.
Darwin's big draw is Kakadu national park which I didn't get to but everyone raves about. Bear in mind that although it's one of Darwin's attractions, it's the best part of a day's drive away
A lesser known place closer to Darwin is the Mary River where you can hire a boat and do a spot of fishing, or just plod along and enjoy the wildlife. Perfect place to spot crocs.
Litchfield National Park is less well known but you practically pass it as you leave Darwin. It's rather nice and a reasonably safe place for a swim as they try and keep the crocs away.
Katherine is your next big stop. The town isn't much but it has Nitmiluk / Katherine gorge. You can jump in a canoe and spend the day on the water:
There are a few places with hot springs such as Mataranka, and they're far enough south to be free of saltwater crocs (still some freshwater ones but they're no bother) so they're great for swimming. One of the oddest things I've experienced is walking from 37 degree air temperature into 37 degree water.
Nearer the middle you've got lots of rock formations. The Devil's Marbles are pretty much on the highway so you won't miss them and you can turn off the highway for a few hours drive to get to the big ones - Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon. They have to be ticked off the list of course. Btw, if you have 4x4 you can take the Mereenie loop road route to these. It's not particularly exciting drive but you have to get a pass from the Aboriginal people and it makes a change from the tarmac, so it does feel a bit more adventurous.
Further south we took the Oodnadatta track and that was excellent. It's difficult to explain the appeal of seeing this for hours and hours:
But I loved it. Also a great place to see stars filling the sky from horizon to horizon too.
Coober Pedy is worth a stop, a town where a large proportion of the population lives underground to escape the heat. There's even an underground campsite
Within striking distance of Coober Pedy is the painted desert which is also worth a look.
And the moon plains:
The last rural stop before civilisation is the Flinders Ranges which is worth a trip, but again you need 4x4 really.
Although it just looks like a massive straight road on the map, we drove all the way round Australia and this was one of my favourite parts. You constantly stumble across the unexpected. For example, we were chatting to these blokes who drove along the highway clearing debris and rubbish. While we chatted, an emu wandered over from a nearby caravan park and started trying to shag one of their chairs.
And we stopped at one campsite to be greeted by dozens of peacocks, of all things.
Hope that's of some use.
durbster said:
Further south we took the Oodnadatta track and that was excellent. It's difficult to explain the appeal of seeing this for hours and hours:
But I loved it. Also a great place to see stars filling the sky from horizon to horizon too.
Ah yes, the Oodnadatta Track... Definitely worth a drive, would do it again in a heartbeat. Was very washboard like though when we drove it But I loved it. Also a great place to see stars filling the sky from horizon to horizon too.
, and the bulldust got everywhere 
I'd post photos myself but I don't have a scanner
Is the termite mound in materanka still singing?
Did Perth > broome > Darwin > Alice/Ayres > Adelaide > Melbourne > Sydney > Brisbane > Cairns back in 2000/1 and just Alice > Ghan Darwin > broome a few years ago.
The best thing for washboard road though is to put your foot down, as the faster you go the less you go down the holes lol, the roads are getting relatively busy so it shouldn't be long before someone comes along if you break down, although it may be getting to the stage no one stops! Be sure to check you have usable spares and jack before you set out, and carry enough water, we brought enough bottles for all and as we drank them refilled with tap water for emergencies, and yep you come across some weird s
t in the outback, although most of that was in WA
Did Perth > broome > Darwin > Alice/Ayres > Adelaide > Melbourne > Sydney > Brisbane > Cairns back in 2000/1 and just Alice > Ghan Darwin > broome a few years ago.
The best thing for washboard road though is to put your foot down, as the faster you go the less you go down the holes lol, the roads are getting relatively busy so it shouldn't be long before someone comes along if you break down, although it may be getting to the stage no one stops! Be sure to check you have usable spares and jack before you set out, and carry enough water, we brought enough bottles for all and as we drank them refilled with tap water for emergencies, and yep you come across some weird s
t in the outback, although most of that was in WAEdited by ViperDave on Saturday 8th June 02:59
Just got back from OZ. 3 1/2 months in a safari Mazda LWB campervan that we bought. Sydney down and round the coast to Melbourne, up n down the coastal roads to Adelaide, up n down Yorke/Eyre peninsulars, up the Murray river then str8 up to Toowomba-Airlies beach, back sarf to Brisbane and coast rd to Sydney. Sold "SYD" to a coupla jocks and flew home via China
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