Perth to Melbourne

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

Hi all,

Planning to take the Prado across the Nullabor to spend Xmas with the family, with the new bride, new Swan Eagle Outback (still to order) and dog.

I haven't done the trip before, but flown over it a million times or more.

My planned itinerary is as follows:
Perth to Belladonia
Belladonia to Ceduna
Ceduna to Barossa (2 nights)
Barossa to Port Fairy
Port Fairy to Mornington Peninsula via the Queenscliff-Sorrento

https://goo.gl/maps/sCH3n

Does anyone have any comments based on past experience?

I figured I'd have a couple of rough days at the start and let the days get shorter as we move east.

Only interested in driving in daylight hours.

Look forward to hearing from you guys...

[pjorek Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close pjorek]

Looking at this thread as I'll be doing the same trip late October.

I'll have around the same amount of days to do it in however I'm thinking of spending an extra day at the Nullarbour as who knows when will I get another chance to drive it again. Barossa, Great Ocean rd etc can be done over a long weekend (when based in Melbourne).

Also, I'm assuming you're doing Port Fairy to Melbourne via Great Ocean Rd?

[Drift Member Find all posts View Profile Close Drift]

Feasable for sure. I did a quick dash a while back. Day one Dubbo to Port Augusta, day 2 Port Augusta to Border Village via Streaky Bay, Day 3 Border Village to Perth with a little sightseeing in Eucla first thing in the morning. I simply didn't have the time to spend any longer doing it but found plenty of places along the way that I'll stop at when the opportunity comes up to do it again.

[Rusty62 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Rusty62]

Have a look at this on the way over.


http://www.exploreaustralia.net.au/S...d-camping-area

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

Also, I'm assuming you're doing Port Fairy to Melbourne via Great Ocean Rd?

Yes, I plan to.

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

found plenty of places along the way that I'll stop at when the opportunity comes up to do it again.

That's what i hope to discover so we can hopefully take a little longer on the way back and make different stops.

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

Have a look at this on the way over.


http://www.exploreaustralia.net.au/S...d-camping-area

Interesting. I think I'll need to check that out. I am planning to get Hema for my iPad mini before I leave so I hope that place is on there.

[GeoffJ Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close GeoffJ]

A couple of fairly long days when you're pulling a van, and have to set it up, and pack it up as well.

[sweetpea Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close sweetpea]

A couple of fairly long days when you're pulling a van, and have to set it up, and pack it up as well.

I agree.

And I can't imagine the new bride is going to be ecstatic at 12 or more hours on the road each day.

If you are going to have more time to sniff the flowers on the way back, I would probably not push as hard coming over.

For a start, if I was stopping for wine I would choose the Coonawarra rather than the Barossa but you can buy your wine at Dan Murphy's. Use your time for unique things on the journey.

I would also leave the Great Ocean Road for the trip back when you can spend more time and be relaxed. No point driving it if it is just a blur.

If you drop the day in the Barossa and the Great Ocean Rd you end up with about 3,600 km over 6 days which is a leisurely 600k per day.

Alternatively, put your car and camper on the train for the trip east and just drive the Adelaide to Melbourne leg and be nice and relaxed when you get here and take it as slow as you can on the way back.

Good luck,

S.