Westy's trip to the top

It's interesting reading everyone's responses, just go's to show we all travel differently ! We have a basic plan of where we want to go , we never book ahead in the outback , I want to be able to relax and enjoy ( we are normally on a four week time frame )with the outback being what it is things can change in a hurry, weather road closures etc .
On the kid side of things we let them decide when we are stopping for a day or 2 , if they aren't happy the whole trip will be unhappy !

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Originally Posted by MudRunnerTD

Coward Springs is a good over night stop on the way up mate. Hot Springs. Showers. Clean Camp site. Not Big.

Argibukina Bridge is also a great stop.

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Will check them out..

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Originally Posted by happygu

It is always good to have a plan because you need to know where you want to get to, and how much time you have to spend, but add in some flexibility too, as when you talk to fellow travellers they will tell you about great spots you never heard of before you left, having some flexibility helps to accommodate this new information into the schedule, and there is nothing worse than finding a fantastic spot, to leave cause you 'have to stay on plan' and drive 80 k's up the road to the next spot you 'have to camp at', and find it totally full, trashed, or horrible. If you find a great spot, and everyone is happy, a bit of flexibility means that you can stay an extra night, and enjoy it.

As you have the kids with you, you will need to plan for down days anyway, as the kids won't want to travel 400 k's every day for 5 weeks. If you schedule in some Rest Days along the way ( 3 or 4 ), then these can be used to stay longer at fantastic spots, or give the kids a bit of a break from the constant travel.

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Yea planning to have 4 extended stops..
Ularu the first, then lake argyle, Litchfield and then kakadu if we make it..
Still planning on doing finke, chambers pillars and Lamberts center on the trek home but again not critical.

When touring with my kids i have a Rule. we Eat on the move. When we stop for a Lunch break it is for Movement. get out, run to the top of that sand dune. whatever you like. No sitting in the car. No Electronics. Enjoy. make their lunch and they eat when they get back in the car and your rolling again.

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Originally Posted by MudRunnerTD

When touring with my kids i have a Rule. we Eat on the move. When we stop for a Lunch break it is for Movement. get out, run to the top of that sand dune. whatever you like. No sitting in the car. No Electronics. Enjoy. make their lunch and they eat when they get back in the car and your rolling again.

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See we are all different, once on the dirt we are early risers, start rolling early get a couple of hours in stop about 9 for about a hour , give the rig a once over while the mrs makes breaky/brunch kids burn around, stop again at lunch for another hour or so , give the vehicle another once over kids burn around again , finish the day around 3 or 4 , works for us and is the reason we travel solo , i hate schedules 😉

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Originally Posted by gaddy

the reason we travel solo , i hate schedules 😉

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We are alike .... :smiley_thumbs_up:

Another reason I don't like to plan is that you will meet so many travelers and grey nomads on the road who will give you ideas of places to check out. We found some really amazing places which we would have missed if we stuck to a plan.
Anyway you will have a ball and good on ya for taking the plunge.

Just remember it is very addictive and you most probably will not want to come back. If that's the case sell everything and keep going :)

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Originally Posted by MudRunnerTD

Coward Springs is a good over night stop on the way up mate. Hot Springs. Showers. Clean Camp site. Not Big.

Argibukina Bridge is also a great stop.

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Just looked these up.
We've dropped onnadatta from this trip mate.
Bitumen to Ularu via Glendambo, Coober Pedy and Marla

Ive never travelled to a plan as so many things can change, stopping for a bit of fishing may turn into
2-3 days of trophy fish. A simple walk to some waterfalls may lead to more days exploring the area.
Throw the alarm clock away youre on holidays arent you, Just go and most of all enjoy, Uluru is very expensive
you used to be able to get PPLs passes at the servo at the turn off as the 4 day pass was too long for some.
They may have knocked that on the head, others may know more, sounds like a great trip lol

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Originally Posted by threedogs

Ive never travelled to a plan as so many things can change, stopping for a bit of fishing may turn into
2-3 days of trophy fish. A simple walk to some waterfalls may lead to more days exploring the area.
Throw the alarm clock away youre on holidays arent you, Just go and most of all enjoy, Ularu is very expensive
you used to be able to get PPLs passes at the servo at the turn off as the 4 day pass was too long for some.
They may have knocked that on the head, others may know more, sounds like a great trip lol

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Ey TD good to see you about again.
Yea I'd love to do a unplanned trip, but this one needs some guidelines with work commitments and school..
Later on we'll just set off with no plans.

5 weeks is plenty of time to 'hang loose'. When are you going?
Welcome back TD.

Hey Westy I have a couple of apps for you that are pricless.

First one is Wikicamps. It looks like google maps but with every thing from roadside camps, to bush camp sites, to caravan parks. It has so much information about each different one. Also has a comments section for more info.

Second app is called Fuel map by wikicamps.
This one tells you what the fuel price and brand is at any servo you will come across. It relies on people updating the price when they are there so in more remote areas it is not quite as good but will still give you an idea. An example would be to seach Glendamo. It will say BP $1.57.9 2 days ago. Saved us a bit of money when we went to uluru. Big roadhouse at Urldundra which is the turn off to Uluru was 2 bucks a litre but little roadhouse 50ks further down the road was 1.60. It also has a cool feature which you put in your details when you fill up and it calculates your economy, averages and totals for your liters and dollers.

FYI mate we did 6,500kms, averaged 17/100 and spent $1400 on fuel.
Hope this helps a bit mate

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Originally Posted by Cuppa

5 weeks is plenty of time to 'hang loose'. When are you going?
Welcome back TD.

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End of June and all of July.

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Originally Posted by Dannyboyz

Hey Westy I have a couple of apps for you that are pricless.

First one is Wikicamps. It looks like google maps but with every thing from roadside camps, to bush camp sites, to caravan parks. It has so much information about each different one. Also has a comments section for more info.

Second app is called Fuel map by wikicamps.
This one tells you what the fuel price and brand is at any servo you will come across. It relies on people updating the price when they are there so in more remote areas it is not quite as good but will still give you an idea. An example would be to seach Glendamo. It will say BP $1.57.9 2 days ago. Saved us a bit of money when we went to uluru. Big roadhouse at Urldundra which is the turn off to Uluru was 2 bucks a litre but little roadhouse 50ks further down the road was 1.60. It also has a cool feature which you put in your details when you fill up and it calculates your economy, averages and totals for your liters and dollers.

FYI mate we did 6,500kms, averaged 17/100 and spent $1400 on fuel.
Hope this helps a bit mate

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All over those apps Danny.
Been using fuel app for a while now..
Both awesome..

Ah yeah. Probably should have asked if you knew of them before writing that novel. Ha ha. Ah well. Might be news to someone else who reads it. The wife and I stayed at uluru 4 nights and that was plenty. Keep in the back of your head that the pass into the park itself you only have 2 options. 3 days or 12 months. It was 25 per adult for the 3 day or 40 for the 12 month I think. Cant remember how much kids were as we left ours at home :-) Definitely allow a full day for the olgers. Out there for the sunrise. Do the valley of the winds walk if your feeling fit ( well worth it ) That leaves you with 2 more days for Uluru which was plenty for us. We then did 2 nights at kings canyon which was absolutely amazing. Cant recomend it enough. We were there start of july this year and the weather was just spectacular so you have picked a great time to go IMO. Thats as far north as i can help you mate as we started home towards the kids after that. All i can say is its a shame you have had to cut out the oodnadatta tk. But it is time consuming so best left for when the time allows. I plan on going back up to go look at things we had to drive past because we didnt allow enough time.

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Originally Posted by Dannyboyz

Ah yeah. Probably should have asked if you knew of them before writing that novel. Ha ha. Ah well. Might be news to someone else who reads it. The wife and I stayed at uluru 4 nights and that was plenty. Keep in the back of your head that the pass into the park itself you only have 2 options. 3 days or 12 months. It was 25 per adult for the 3 day or 40 for the 12 month I think. Cant remember how much kids were as we left ours at home :-) Definitely allow a full day for the olgers. Out there for the sunrise. Do the valley of the winds walk if your feeling fit ( well worth it ) That leaves you with 2 more days for Uluru which was plenty for us. We then did 2 nights at kings canyon which was absolutely amazing. Cant recomend it enough. We were there start of july this year and the weather was just spectacular so you have picked a great time to go IMO. Thats as far north as i can help you mate as we started home towards the kids after that. All i can say is its a shame you have had to cut out the oodnadatta tk. But it is time consuming so best left for when the time allows. I plan on going back up to go look at things we had to drive past because we didnt allow enough time.

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All good mate. Hopefully it does help someone..
Planning 3 nights at Ularu and one along kings somewhere.
We'll have my Olds with us for this bit so should be able to ditch the kids with them for a few hours to check out valley of the winds..

Yea I was a bit against cutting Oodnadatta track aswell but they have just redone the maree man so might plan to do that in the next couple of years as a 2 week dedicated trip.

So for those who care this is still happening..
2 weeks time we are off..
Its getting real now.
Unfortunately things havent gone to plan and some unexpected expenses have eaten into our back up..
But owell.
Thats life..
We will hit darwin..
Might just have to work a few nights on the corner yo get home... 🤣

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Originally Posted by bigguwesty

So for those who care this is still happening..
2 weeks time we are off..
Its getting real now.
Unfortunately things havent gone to plan and some unexpected expenses have eaten into our back up..
But owell.
Thats life..
We will hit darwin..
Might just have to work a few nights on the corner yo get home... 🤣

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yoiu woin't earn a dime standing on a corner mate,we've seen your pics....

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Originally Posted by Avo

yoiu woin't earn a dime standing on a corner mate,we've seen your pics....

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Yea i play the pitty card..

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Originally Posted by bigguwesty

So for those who care this is still happening..
2 weeks time we are off..
Its getting real now.
Unfortunately things havent gone to plan and some unexpected expenses have eaten into our back up..
But owell.
Thats life..
We will hit darwin..
Might just have to work a few nights on the corner yo get home... 🤣

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Just turn it off, and coast down the hills:smiley_thumbs_up:

5 more sleeps

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Originally Posted by bigguwesty

5 more sleeps

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Enjoy mate, I'll give you two days and you won't want to come back!
Relax and take it all in mate

Btw. Best experience for the kids as well, who need school[emoji3]







................on the road

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Originally Posted by Maxhead

Enjoy mate, I'll give you two days and you won't want to come back!
Relax and take it all in mate

Btw. Best experience for the kids as well, who need school[emoji3]







................on the road

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Cheers mate. Unfortunately been a stressful week.
Had a varicose vein rupture friday lol..
Fkn timing ey..
Anyway long story short its a work cover cas thats been dragging on since march last year and its gotten worse..
Anywho..
On the brighter side..
If had an extra week prepping lol

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Originally Posted by Maxhead

Enjoy mate, I'll give you two days and you won't want to come back!
Relax and take it all in mate

Btw. Best experience for the kids as well, who need school[emoji3]


................on the road

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I agree. I still have great memories of our 2 month trip when I was a kid in 1983 when the old man took long service leave. At the time my parents insisted my sister and I keep a daily diary which we hated doing at the time, but now I'm 44 I still have it up on the book shelf and still pull it down for a read from time to time. Glad they made us do that now. Brilliant memories and a landmark family trip no doubt.

Have a great trip Westy!

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Originally Posted by Plasnart

I agree. I still have great memories of our 2 month trip when I was a kid in 1983 when the old man took long service leave. At the time my parents insisted my sister and I keep a daily diary which we hated doing at the time, but now I'm 44 I still have it up on the book shelf and still pull it down for a read from time to time. Glad they made us do that now. Brilliant memories and a landmark family trip no doubt.

Have a great trip Westy!

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Our girls have a diary each and so does the wife..http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...017/06/154.jpghttp://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...017/06/155.jpghttp://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...017/06/156.jpg

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Originally Posted by bigguwesty

Our girls have a diary each and so does the wife..http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...017/06/154.jpghttp://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...017/06/155.jpghttp://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...017/06/156.jpg

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Sensational! They will be very special books for your girls in years to come!

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Originally Posted by Plasnart

Sensational! They will be very special books for your girls in years to come!

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Thats the wifes book.
Shes got skills ey..
Apart from the van pics, that's all hand drawn

I am very jealous, totally fed up with the cold and we are only 15 days into winter.
Make sure Nissa keeps the diary up to date so you can use it for a trip report on here.

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Originally Posted by TPC

I am very jealous, totally fed up with the cold and we are only 15 days into winter.
Make sure Nissa keeps the diary up to date so you can use it for a trip report on here.

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Haha..
Yea keen to boycott this cold..
But its been bloody sunny this year..
Ill be doing a video blog too.
Go pro on hand

yeaqh i reckon you'd be a good couight....have fun numnuts

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Originally Posted by Avo

yeaqh i reckon you'd be a good couight....have fun numnuts

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Haha.
You never know

I think you definitely have time for Chambers Pillar and Rainbow Valley ...... gotta rewrite the book cover

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Originally Posted by happygu

I think you definitely have time for Chambers Pillar and Rainbow Valley ...... gotta rewrite the book cover

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Haha yea well.
This trip is all about up north..
Everything around alice, macdonald ranges etc is a 2 week trip for us from mt gambier..

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Originally Posted by bigguwesty

Haha yea well.
This trip is all about up north..
Everything around alice, macdonald ranges etc is a 2 week trip for us from mt gambier..

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OK - I get it .... make sure you spend plenty of time in the Bungle Bungles then as I think you will end up having time and you will love it .... I would even re-think about adding the Kimberley into this trip then, and skip some of the lower Terriitory hot spots ... just a brief taste

As you have 5 weeks, that will be plenty of time to add a taste of the Kimberley into your trip, and there are some magnificent spots to see and camp.

My rough plan for a trip like this would be:
Five days to Katherine .... 4 Days in Litchfield .... 4 Days in Kakadu .... Edith Falls, Berri Springs, Howard Hot Springs 1 day each ... 1 in Darwin .... 10 Days in the Kimberley ....2 Days in the Bungles ... 2 on the Tanami ... 2 around Uluru and Kings Canyon, then home

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Originally Posted by happygu

OK - I get it .... make sure you spend plenty of time in the Bungle Bungles then as I think you will end up having time and you will love it .... I would even re-think about adding the Kimberley into this trip then, and skip some of the lower Terriitory hot spots ... just a brief taste

As you have 5 weeks, that will be plenty of time to add a taste of the Kimberley into your trip, and there are some magnificent spots to see and camp.

My rough plan for a trip like this would be:
Five days to Katherine .... 4 Days in Litchfield .... 4 Days in Kakadu .... Edith Falls, Berri Springs, Howard Hot Springs 1 day each ... 1 in Darwin .... 10 Days in the Kimberley ....2 Days in the Bungles ... 2 on the Tanami ... 2 around Uluru and Kings Canyon, then home

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The Kimberly is just to far north west for us this trip.
Were dropping into lake arygle after the tanami for a few days as its a must do for the wife.
But also with the kids being young we want a more staggered trip..
When the kids are a bit older we can push more of a touring trip but this one is more a setup and explore style trip.
Thus wht uts 3 nights at uluru and ulgas.
3 nights on tge tanami
3 niggts at arygle
And then the rest is as we see fit..
Are planning a few nights in darwin though to see the city and the markets..
Got plenty of time to see aus..
Im half way to long service so when that hits ill have a lot of time up my sleves...

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Originally Posted by bigguwesty

The Kimberly is just to far north west for us this trip.
Were dropping into lake arygle after the tanami for a few days as its a must do for the wife.
But also with the kids being young we want a more staggered trip..
When the kids are a bit older we can push more of a touring trip but this one is more a setup and explore style trip.
Thus wht uts 3 nights at uluru and ulgas.
3 nights on tge tanami
3 niggts at arygle
And then the rest is as we see fit..
Are planning a few nights in darwin though to see the city and the markets..
Got plenty of time to see aus..
Im half way to long service so when that hits ill have a lot of time up my sleves...

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My opinion, you would be better off skipping Lake Argyle and going to Bungle Bungle instead, that was one of the hilights of our trip and you are going past it.

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Originally Posted by TPC

My opinion, you would be better off skipping Lake Argyle and going to Bungle Bungle instead, that was one of the hilights of our trip and you are going past it.

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Maybe dropping into the bungles..
Maybe.
It really is an open trip.
Unfortunately still have a time frame..

Lake Argyle is just that ... a lake, of which standing on the bank and looking out means you don't see that much. Yes, there are some nice things to see and do around Kununurra itself so you can spend three days there easily enough, but it all depends on whether the girls will like walking around, as some of the highlight spots involve a bit of shanks ponying to get amongst it.

The Bungles is different ... still a lot of walking to do to totally experience it, but it is totally different to anything else you will see around, and some of the walking is at least done in the shade which makes a big difference in the heat.

So anyone else stress out before trips like this..
Everything i do im questioning is it needed?
Were is it needed and how often.
Will it survive there..
Ive got the roof bag on with blow moulded table, portable solar pannels and eunsuit tents on top.
Foam mats are wet so once they dry will be in there too..
Reason being these buts will onky be needed on extended stays..
Im now thinking i should have mounted my pannel up front of the rack and had it connected to the second battery at all times..
To late now..
We've pushed D day foward to tuesday now..
So well take the south road into uluru..

@AB @Clunk @Avo
Its been a while..............http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...017/06/186.jpg
@TPC i finally got a meassure for you.
Its smack in 2m to the top of the rack

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bigguwesty

So anyone else stress out before trips like this..
Everything i do im questioning is it needed?
Were is it needed and how often.
Will it survive there..
Ive got the roof bag on with blow moulded table, portable solar pannels and eunsuit tents on top.
Foam mats are wet so once they dry will be in there too..
Reason being these buts will onky be needed on extended stays..
Im now thinking i should have mounted my pannel up front of the rack and had it connected to the second battery at all times..
To late now..
We've pushed D day foward to tuesday now..
So well take the south road into uluru..

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NO.....as long as everything is serviced you shouldn't have to much to worry about,maybe a flat or a bearing but we can be prepared for that...we do big km every year to see my daughter,sometimes up to 10000 km round trip depending on way home....sometimes the hardest thing is hoping the track you are taking is the one you are meant to be....

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Originally Posted by bigguwesty

@AB @Clunk @Avo
Its been a while..............http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...017/06/186.jpg
@TPC i finally got a meassure for you.
Its smack in 2m to the top of the rack

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is that a REDBACK ROOFTOP BAG @AB