Trip plan from Perth Kimberly’s and maybe beyond.....

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

Hi,

I am after some information on the best data , books , websites , maps , campsites , caravan parks , best time to depart etc that people have used in there travel's . I am in the process of trying to put some trip ideas together as would like to depart from Perth , head north ,Karijini , kimberly's , over to cairns and then come back around to Perth......

there will be me/wife and 4 year old son , Prado 150+jayco outback swann.

looking at 3-6 months to do this trip if it comes off.

Derek11 write up has been great info.

regards,

[sunchaser Member Find all posts View Profile Close sunchaser]

G'day noahboy,
Wow what an awesome trip planned! I think you'r going to need the full 6 months to get across the top and back. Back in 2000 took long service leave for 4 months and only got as far as Darwin and back home to Perth. There's so much to see and do along the way!
I would suggest leaving april and coming back by Aug/sept. With the jayco swan you'll get to most places with it if you're carefull. These days I hear the Gibb is very well graded and like a main road and vans like your's can make it through ok. Though if you want to get up to Mitchell falls I suggest leaving it at Drysdale and taking a tent the rest of the way.
A good map is by QPA Quality Publishing Australia, North West Australia. One side has Perth to Port Hedland and the other side is PH to just East of Darwin including Kakadu.
When you come out from Karijini past port hedland is beach camping at Cape Keraudren, then just before Broome is a great station camp called Barn Hill. The Gibb River Road is a must do ( don't miss the Zebedee Hot Springs in Elquestro ) and Katherine is a beaut town.
Heading up to Darwin Edith falls is nice and make sure you go in to Umbrawarra Gorge np up further near Pine Creek, go past Copperfield dam all the way to the end and enjoy the camp and gorge. Butterfly gorge, Douglas hot springs and Litchfield are also great spots. Kakadu's great if you like aboriginal art work, which is spectacular at Nourlangie rock and especially at Ubirr.
Pushing East you'd have to go along the Savannah Way across the top and stop in explore Lorella Springs Station and just about any river side or beach camp along the way!
And on the way home I think if time permits a trip into the red centre via the" Outback Way" from Cairns to Winton, Boulia, Alice Springs, Yulara, Warburton and Laverton. Half is sealed the other half upgraded gravel roads, and see the East and west MacDonnell ranges, Ayres Rock and do the Merenie Loop, Palm valley, Finke gorge, Ormiston gorge etc

It's a big job planning it all but that's half the fun

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

I am interested in following this tread as it is part of my planned trip next year.

I will post a little on Darwin/ Cairns later but Karumba and Lawn Hill were highlights of that part.

Cheers

Alan