Just offered a new job!

[Hodge]

Well done on the new job mate.

[Agronaught]

I remember a meeting with the mayor in Alice many years ago when a company I was working for was looking to setup in town.

Apparently Alice Springs is closer to Every beach in Australia than any other city!...

[Stropp]

well done mate, i have worked there off and on when i worked for telstra, and i have rellies who have lived there their whole lives. great place with plenty to do and see and like most country towns a great social place once you get to meet a few locals,

[bishbashbosh]

Thanks all.. it is going to be one hell of an experience for me.. i got that knot in my stomach but think what I'm going to learn and experience along the way will be invaluable!

I got to now start thinking about the drive up there and where i'll stop along the way - want to head up a week or so before and camp along the way!

[threedogs]

Could go up via the Oodnadatta track easy drive just dusty and plenty of history on the track as well

[bishbashbosh]

dust and red dirt is what i love!

i'd be able to stop at lake eyre that way huh?

[happygu]

dust and red dirt is what i love!

i'd be able to stop at lake eyre that way huh?

Sure will Billy,

Where the track goes around the southern edge, you hardly need to get off the track to see it ... it is only around 400 metres away, and there is a waystop where you can pull off and walk down to the lake bed.

Mic

PS : If you go that way try to camp at Coward Springs - great stop off with Hot Springs to swim in ( not that you need it at this time of year, but great taking a dip in the evening )

[bishbashbosh]

What about if i took the Oodnadatta Track would I be able to drive through seeing Lake Eyre, Coober Pedy, Painted Desert, Uluru, Kings Canyon, MacDonnell Ranges and then into Alice Springs?

If so how long would that take if keeping in mind that i want to stop over at each location?

[threedogs]

Grab a big map of Australia some of your beer of choice and a black texta colour,
Lay the map on the floor and start marking potential overnight stops

[happygu]

What about if i took the Oodnadatta Track would I be able to drive through seeing Lake Eyre, Coober Pedy, Painted Desert, Uluru, Kings Canyon, MacDonnell Ranges and then into Alice Springs?

If so how long would that take if keeping in mind that i want to stop over at each location?

It takes around 24 Hours driving non stop from Melbourne to Alice ...... that is the shortest amount of time, but not recommended .... anything else is up to you.

If you have never done this drive before, then it will all be new, different and exciting, but seeing everything adds loads of time to the trip

You could plan on driving the following route :

Melbourne - north of Adelaide ( Port Pirie or Port Augusta ( 12 Hour drive ) if you start nice and early),
north of Adelaide - Coward Springs,
Coward Springs - Coober Pedy,
Coober Pedy to Painted Desert ( I still haven't been in there so don't know what it is like ).
Painted Desert to Uluru,
Uluru to Kings Canyon,
Kings Canyon to Alice .....

and that will be pushing it quite hard, as you want to take some time to see and absorb the surroundings too.