choosing a track for August

[mardoc Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mardoc]

hi all.
thinking of tracks offers in WA, i've lost the sleep.
me and friends (4 cars) are trying to choose one great track where spend August 2012 and based on it, choose arrival destination from Italy.
Men 'd love afford CSRout, wives dream kimberly, sons.. nobody knows what are thinking...
Anyway, riding on line, i discovered almost 20 tracks we would love to do, so we are really confused.......
any suggestion for 25 days journey , including good off-road drive, natural wonders, history, and no too much tourists?
cheers
Mario

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

Re: choosing a track for August

What vehicles do you plan on using? Hire vehicles could pose a costly option and I'd stay away from CSR or anything else where tyre damage could be a certainty.

If it's private vehicles which are properly prepared, and the trip is planned, then the CSR could occupy you for around 7 - 10 days. This would give you time to head up further north and do Gibb River Road, Mitchell Plateau, Kununurra, Broome, etc.

The ladies will probably be disappointed on missing out on the chardonay strip (Margaret River) but you won't need a 4WD for that.

[mardoc Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mardoc]

Re: choosing a track for August

I started a new topic for choosing a good car rental, as well.
we certainly want to get a great off-road track, so Land Cruiser 7 series or 10 series will be preferred.
I tought CSR required 15 or more days, but if it's possible to get it in 10 days, everything could go better for all of us.
so what do you think about a journey like this:
Perth-CSR (S to N) kunnanurra and neighboring areas, then south to AliceSprings, Hayers Rock and back to Perth?
how many days, could requires a journey like this?
thanks for info.

[AlenP Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close AlenP]

Re: choosing a track for August

Mate, I did the CSR last year and we took 25 days to see everything I know of people who have done it 14 but 10 is probably a waste of your time and energy. Then there are the fuel issues Capricorn roadhouse is no longer delivering to well 23 which means you have to have at least 1140 KMS in the tank to get to Kunawarrtji where you will pay top dollar for fuel (we paid 3.29 a litre) you will need 860 in the tank to get to Billiluna where we paid 2.52 a litre then its only 270 KMS to Halls Creek but if you want to go to The Alice you wont go there you will turn right down the Tanami track. I understand Rabbit Flats is closed so once again you are going to need a lot of fuel to get to the next port of call. I'm sorry but I think you had better go another way.
Alen

[Bankrupt Member Find all posts View Profile Close Bankrupt]

Hi Mario

Can I offer you the following points to consider:

Point 1 - 25 days is not a long time when exploring Australia. Often people underestimate the distances and end up spending the majority of their holiday driving. This can often be quite boring with 1000's of kms which are very similar.

Point 2 - There are a lot of hire companies in Australia that rent 4wds, but they are often prohibited from going offroad and are not equipped to handle the terrain. I'd suggest someone like Britz as they are fairly popular but they are expensive (Aus $1000-1500 per week) and I'm not sure they they would have a vehicle that would suit 4 people. I'd also consider the fact that you may have to tow a trailer given your luggage load and number of occupants.

Point 3 - Some travellers have found it cheaper to purchase a vehicle through a dealer with an agreed buy back option at the completion of the trip.

Personally I'd fly into Darwin, get the vehicles / trailers etc and head to Kakadu national Park in the Northern Territory and then head West to Kununurra and head South to Purnululu (Bungle Bungles) for a week then back to Kununurra before travelling West along the Gibb River Road...visiting the numerous gorges and the Mitchell Falls along the way. Once at Derby head south to Broome for a few days to soak up the beaches.

Then fly hiome from Broome or if time permits fly to Perth for a few days before heading home.

Hope this helps.

Jase