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Lightning_Silver_RX wrote:A week would be HEAPS to make it to Alice and I suppose you lot would want to look at the rock and stuff ?? Its not really that exciting imho.
Boggy hole could be worth a look - http://www.exploroz.com/TrekNotes/RedCtr/Boggy_Hole.asp
As could be the likes of kings canyon
http://walkabout.com.au/locations/NTKingsCanyon.shtml

My plans are up in the air with a possability of a new job, yay and boo at the same time. So I will have to wait and see. Should know fairly soon.

I can tell you the trip through Boggy Hole is good, lots of sand to show the subarus in their element, good place to rest up if equiped - ie fridge for cool stuff. There were NO facilities there when I was.
Travel thru to Palm Valley, where theres good Park Camping, hot showers and stuff.
Been there with the ole faithfull L series.

Kings Canyon is fairly much a tourist resort.....still its a good walk ing experience there.

I'm interested in this trip....

Any one that is considering coming to Finke please ensure that your car is capable of driving 5000+ klms on and offroad with out drama. Of course there is going to be some thing that goes wrong some where, but the more we can eliminate before we leave the better.

This post is directed to no-one in particular but directed at every one overall.

If you have any concerns re the above just ask us. As the loosely planned route goes along the plenty highway, make sure your tyres are suiteable, your carrying the appropriate spares and tools.

BYB-01 wrote:Any one that is considering coming to Finke please ensure that your car is capable of driving 5000+ klms on and offroad with out drama. Of course there is going to be some thing that goes wrong some where, but the more we can eliminate before we leave the better.

This post is directed to no-one in particular but directed at every one overall.

I think the Hilux would make it no worries.Won't be taking the L on this one.

Pppfffttt. Lisa said you can have an outback after christmas so that gives you at least 5 months to do a lift tyres and bullbar. You'll be fine

Outbacking in a outback it will be.Won't be quite as new smelling as Bretts ,but not to far off.Bring on the new year.

I spent last night looking at some old touring maps with my dad and came up with a rough itinerary for the trip to work out how far we will really be driving. Obviously this is just my guess at a route... I am sure you guys have other ideas.


Start Brisbane

Warrego Highway - Toowoomba, Dalby, Roma, Morven
Landsborough Highway - Blackall, Barcaldine

Longreach 1200km 14hrs

Landsborough Highway - Winton
Kennedy Developmental Road - Boulia
Plenty Highway
Stuart Highway

Alice Springs 1400km 16hrs

Finke, Ayers Rock, The Olgas, Kings Canyon, Palm Valley

Alice Springs 1000km ??

Stuart Highway - Barrow Creek, Wauchope, Tennant Creek

Three Ways 500km 6hrs

Barkly Highway - Dalmore Downs
Tablelands Highway - Burnette Downs, Anthony Lagoon
Calvert Road - Cresswell Downs, Calvert Hills
Savannah Way

Wollogorang Station 700km 12hrs

Driving at Wollogorang 500km

Savannah Way - Doomadgee, Nicholson
Wills Development Road - Gregory Downs, Four Ways, Taldora
Flinders Highway

Julia Creek 700km 9hrs

Julia Creek Kynuna Road - Kynuna
Landsborough Highway - Winton, Longreach, Barcaldine,
Capricorn Highway - Emerald, Blackwater, ogango
Burnett Highway - Biloela, Monto, Gayndah, Tansey
Kilkivan Tansey Road - Kilkivan
Wide Bay Highway - Gympie
Bruce Highway

End Brisbane 1700km 21hrs


Total kms = 7700

Over 3 weeks thats 360kms / day

At 12L / 100km thats 920L of fuel

Average $1.50 / L for fuel thats $1400 in fuel cost

Couple things....

Are you planning to do those stages in a day?
ie. Julia Ck to Brisbane. I don't think so Tim! (not in a convoy anyway).

You must have some old maps. The main (sealed) road hasn't gone past Taldora in at least 25 years. Be a good alternative to the highway though. The road from the Burke & Wills Roadhouse (what you call the 4 ways) goes directly to Julia Ck now. 230km from memory. The road from Julia Ck down to Kynuna isn't fully sealed either. Quickest route to Brisbane from here is via Cloncurry. Still have to go through Kynuna so watch out for the local copper.

Not sure but I think your fuel allowance is a little low. eg. I sell fuel for $2/litre. I "think" Barkly Homestead is $1.85

Be aware that between Boulia and Alice Springs along the Plenty H'way fuel is not always available. Carry enough to get through. It's about 940km.

While I'm here....

For those who are coming to support me at the Finke Desert Race, I'm staying at the Macdonnel Range Holiday Park and that's where the car will be. They have different styles/budgets of rooms plus camp grounds. Plenty of racers stay there so it fills up fast. Book now if you want it. Downside is that you will have to pay for it now too so you have to be sure you're coming or you'll end up like me last year with $1000 worth of accom I didn't use.

Look here http://www.macrange.com.au/index.php?op ... e&Itemid=1

Proper crook.

The plenty can be a one day trip but i would like to budget two days for it. There was fuel available at jervis station (good spot to camp but watch the fuel bell ) and tobermorey last June, but it pays to check. We did Alice to Tobermorey in one go but the last couple of hours it was dark and we were dodging wildlife ALOT. Wildlife includes cattle and I'd hate to see any of the subies hit something that big. Plenty hwy.....plenty of nothing.

As for accomodation, there is free camping in the dust bowl at stuarts well which I think was about 40 minutes south of Alice. Toilets and showers with a bar/bistro. Or there is the actual track with plenty of dust, cold nights but great camping if thats your style and your self sufficient.

We should have a get together of interested parties and see what everyone has as a must do on their list and work out things from there.

So you're going to be camping Wilbur?

Are you staying in Alice, driving to Apatula (Finke), of setting up a campsite somewhere out on the track?

I don't actually know what I'm doing yet. I'm pretty easy to be honest. I'm guessing you and Jim will be there with Jims ute and that bohemoth trailer of yours ?

What do you need 'pit crew' to do ?

Those new lights are leaving here today.

Just Jim and I again this year. The couple I gave my villa to last year have another one booked for this year.
You camped last year didn't you? Did you freeze? Some years it actually rains as well. I remember sitting at the start line a few years ago when it came over the PA that it was -6deg. I had the windows up and the heater on full but the buggy drivers were shivering.

Pit crew? Well, nothing at this stage. In a perfect world, the car would be all ready and we could just relax, catch up with friends, go out to dinner, get an early night etc.......but it hasn't hapened yet. There is always last minute running around and stuff to do.

Wahoo on the lights.

I think we are towing the camper so I had better book a site in a camping area. Any suggestions as to where.. .. .. be nice now.

Yeah I camped last year. I think it was -3 or 4 on the track but my swag was comfy as. Something to do with 2 sleeping bags and a thermal liner. Wasn't it 2005 that is pissed down and turned into a mud race ?

Doesn't look like my new job is going to be, so I think I'll start working on the boss letting me have three weeks off.

If you need crew to run/work out some plans, like if something should bugger up (geez I hope not) and you needed someone to drag the trailer out and pick you two up just let me know. Never know I might even have something that can legally drag that trailer by then

subiwidow wrote:I think we are towing the camper so I had better book a site in a camping area. Any suggestions as to where.. .. .. be nice now.

Click on the link of Stuarts on the previous page Megan

Meagan - If you can get a site at the Macdonnel range it would be great.

Wilbur - Are you upgrading? Buy a new 70 series V8TD. I hear they're real good on fuel (not). What was the new job? You've been hinting at it for weeks. Perhaps you could send me an email, I'm getting a little off-topic.

Stuart, Megan's just booked the cabin opposite you. We asked for one real close so we can annoy you.