Planning trip to the Kimberly from the southern highlands of NSW.
Submitted: Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 11:52
ThreadID:
102294
Views:
2597
Replies:
4
FollowUps:
21
This Thread has been Archived
Stuoow
Hello, I have a desire to do this trip in the next couple of years, have atleast 2 years to plan everything.
I have a standard 08 Nissan Narvara STX 2.5 turbo diesel with about 90,000 ks on the clock. Am looking for information on what essential mods I'd need to do to it to be more capable of doing such a trip.
Planning on camping out most of the way, then indulging in a bit of comfit at destination.
Hoping not to have to spend a fortune on mods, more so wanting to know what I'd really need?
Quite possibly doing the trip on my own, as my partner does not wish to go, may have to find a mate to tag along with me.
Reply By: Member - PJR (NSW) - Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 12:13
Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 12:13
Hi Stu
The
Kimberley is not one would say a rugged area in comparison to what you may have seen the the
Snowy Mountains and across the border in the
Vic high country and even
Bendethera would be about the worst you will strike unless you go to those rugged tracks in
Home Valley Station.. So as far as
suspension and lift is concerned get yourself a good set of shockies and don't worry too much about a lift. We took our standard cruiser there and up the
Mitchell Plateau, the Bungles. And also the gorges of
El Questro and the karunji track. I could have driven the Kingswood there. But the standard Kingswood's
suspension wouldn't be worth much when we got
home. The Nav will go to the Bungles without a worry.
Tyre pressures will need changing so a compressor would be very handy.
You can pick your own camping. We used a tent and it did us
well. We also stayed at
Home Valley in a spa room to "rough it". Don't stay at
El Questro though. The entry and fees came to $66 for one night unpowered tent site in a heavily crowded area and freezing cold showers. Shower early is best before the bus loads hit the showers.
UHF radio, a
first aid kit and a fire extinguisher wont go astray. Mainly for the drive there and back. Fuel was readilly available when we went.
Over to others for their ideas.
Phil
AnswerID:
511375
Follow Up By: Stuoow - Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 16:52
Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 16:52
Hi Phil, thanks for your reply, already have all that gear in the Nav, plus a Wacoe fridge freezer, possibly put a long range tank in also, as I say it will be a couple of years before I go (long service leave coming in sept 2015) but no point waiting to the last minute to have the vehicle ready.
Planning on heading out through Lightening Ridge and then on to
Alice springs then across that way.
Any other suggestions will be taken onboard.
FollowupID:
789606
Follow Up By: Member - PJR (NSW) - Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 20:06
Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 20:06
I don't know how long you have but if you are talking about
Lightning Ridge and
Alice Springs the consider this.
Lightning Ridge, Tibuburra,
Cameron Corner,
Walkers Crossing,
Birdsville,
Simpson Desert, Dalhousie, Mt Dare, Finke, Ols South Road to
Alice Springs, Tanami Track to
Halls Creek, Bungle Bungles,
Kununurra (visit Ord
Dam with boat ride back). Then to the
Gibb River Road and your
Kimberley adventure.
Or would that be a dream time drive. Any company or on your own. Any desert/sand skills etc etc. A lot of that stuff would be necessary for the Simpson and extra spare for the corrugated and stony tracks. More thought for that drive methinks! Am I right???
Phil
FollowupID:
789629
Follow Up By: Stuoow - Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 20:34
Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 20:34
Yes Phil more thought for that drive, that is the dream drive, but maybe not for the first one. More then likely going on my own, my partner now tells me she might like to go.
What other way would you suggest on going?
FollowupID:
789631
Follow Up By: Member - PJR (NSW) - Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 20:41
Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 20:41
Instead of
Lightning Ridge head west from
home through
Hillston and the dirt road through
Menindee to
broken Hill. Then head towards
Adelaide to the little town of
Yunta and swing north towards the Flinders, Wilpeena Pound and Arkaroola. Then across to
Leigh Creek and up the
Oodnadatta track through
Marree to
Oodnadatta and on to meet the Stuart Highway at
Marla. Swing north to Alice and then north east on the Tanamai Track to
Halls Creek and up to
Kununurra via the Bungle Bungles. Your choice of the
Kimberley if you cannot look at the Ord then skip it.
Getting do-able yet??? She will love it and you will enjoy the company. Do not dare deter her.
Phil
FollowupID:
789632
Follow Up By: Stuoow - Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 21:07
Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 21:07
Yes mate starting to sound better and more do-able for the first drive.
Time wont be any issue as I'll have 8 weeks to fill in.
I've been out as far as
Broken Hill carting livestock years ago with Finemore Transport.
FollowupID:
789636
Follow Up By: Member - PJR (NSW) - Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 21:24
Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 21:24
You should know the black dirt way through Ivanhoe to
Menindee and
Broken Hill then. Did you live in Wagga then?
We have met before I believe. Something about me underestimating your car and skills. True?? Ha.
Is this the touring that you were thinking of back then? Good idea. It was our first big one and we did it in a standard 100 series.
Good stuff mate
Phil
FollowupID:
789640
Follow Up By: Stuoow - Monday, May 20, 2013 at 10:29
Monday, May 20, 2013 at 10:29
Yes I did Phil, now in
Goulburn and yes wasn't sure wether the Nav would be capable of a trip over there, myself, I'll have a go at anything and if it or I don't work I'll find another way around.
FollowupID:
789677
Follow Up By: Member - PJR (NSW) - Monday, May 20, 2013 at 11:46
Monday, May 20, 2013 at 11:46
What are you using for navigation?
FollowupID:
789686
Follow Up By: Stuoow - Monday, May 20, 2013 at 22:03
Monday, May 20, 2013 at 22:03
Will have Hema Maps running through either a laptop or iPad.
FollowupID:
789729
Follow Up By: Member - PJR (NSW) - Monday, May 20, 2013 at 22:56
Monday, May 20, 2013 at 22:56
That will be enough. I use Ozi myself but in a dash mounted 2 din box. Don't forget a paper copy as
well in case the boxes go flat or belly up.
We actually purchased the Toyota from your little town and I went to college in that place up on the
hill. That was fun!!!
If you need anything feel free to drop me an email to "vk1dx@bigpond.net.au".
Provided that you maintain the nav properly it will be fine for that trip.
Most of the route that I mentioned is
well travelled. The only light traffic section is from
Yunta to the Flinders and maybe the Tanami, so if you break down just sit around, make a cuppa and someone will come along. In time I expect you could quite likely be self sufficient. If you really need phone access you can hire satellite phones. But then again what's the rush.
Phil
FollowupID:
789736
Follow Up By: Stuoow - Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at 20:39
Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at 20:39
Hi Phil, I already have the Hema touring map atlas which is also the latest edition.
Being an old school truck driver I'm already self sufficient, so running repairs and stuff like that won't be an issue.
FollowupID:
789796
Follow Up By: Member - PJR (NSW) - Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at 22:30
Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at 22:30
Excellent. We carry that one as
well. Plus a few "local" maps. I bet you haven't got a compass in the car!! I wouldn't go bush without one.
Repairs are not in my itinerary. I have a problem with strength and even lying on my back under a car makes me nauseous. I can just change a tyre. So we pay heavily for good maintenance and hope all is
well. Plus are prepared to pay for remote recovery. Beats sitting
home. The sat phone was requested by my oncologist.
Just watching Silverado. Good old western. I am waiting for
John Cleese to do his "goose step".
Catchya
Phil
FollowupID:
789805
Follow Up By: Stuoow - Monday, May 27, 2013 at 12:09
Monday, May 27, 2013 at 12:09
What time of the year would you recommend going over there?
FollowupID:
790228
Follow Up By: Member - PJR (NSW) - Monday, May 27, 2013 at 12:42
Monday, May 27, 2013 at 12:42
One of the must see
places up there are the
Mitchell Falls. The two roads to get you there lead to all the other
places that are a must see. So I would suggest their opening after the wet as your guide. And if you would prefer less visitors then avoid school holidays. Another parameter to take into account is water crossings. You will encounter some so if you are a little unsure or do not have a hugely lifted car then you may want to wait a bit longer. But then there is less water over the falls.
We went in July but mainly because of work restrictions.
I would suggest earlier rather that later so IF the roads were to open mid May then would look at the first week in June.
I hope this helps. Have a read below.
Phil
Gibb River Road conditionsKalumbaru Road conditions
FollowupID:
790230
Follow Up By: Stuoow - Tuesday, May 28, 2013 at 16:57
Tuesday, May 28, 2013 at 16:57
Hi Phil, you say we've met before, any idea where or when?
My partner said she is going with me now, reckons she can't go 8 weeks without seeing me...lol bugga.
May be taking an off road camper with us now.
FollowupID:
790301
Follow Up By: Member - PJR (NSW) - Tuesday, May 28, 2013 at 17:10
Tuesday, May 28, 2013 at 17:10
In a previous thread where I took you the wrong way.
All okay though.
Good on her.
I would suggest that you make sure it is a good solid one because the ordinary run of the mill so called off-road caravan will have problems.
Catchya
Phil
Cool morning last weekend at the club property up near
Cooma:
FollowupID:
790304
Reply By: Kris and Kev - Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 14:45
Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 14:45
Agree with Phil except for
El Questro. We stayed there for 4 nights in a private
bush camp beside the
Pentecost River. Absolutely loved the place. The place was busy when we were there but still heaps of hot water? But each to their own, just don’t write the place off. Just don’t put the trip off too long, just get there, allow heaps of time and try and do it all.
It is truly a magic place. And if you want a real treat, do the Horizontal Waterfalls trip, the overnight stay one! Kevin
AnswerID:
511381
Follow Up By: Member - PJR (NSW) - Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 15:49
Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 15:49
Kevin just reminded me of something.
If you really want to have a look at the
Kimberley oceanside at
places like the Horizontal Falls do a cruise like we did. It's a long way back to see it again. I am in
Canberra. We did the
Broome to
Broome cruise with:
MV Diversity II And blowed if out of the six passengers there was a couple from Queanbeyan that knew my wife through their work. Small world. But start saving though because it's six star prices and worth every penny.
And do not miss out on a visit to the Ord
Dam and a return ride down the
Ord River to your
camp ground at
Kununurra.
Down the Ord River to Kununurra
FollowupID:
789600
Follow Up By: Motherhen - Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 17:07
Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 17:07
Hi Stuoow
I also vote for including
El Questro, as the cost is insignificant considering the cost of getting to the
Kimberley from New South Wales.
We also took a private riverside
campsite. We could have used the showers back at the 'village', and some private sites have a pit
toilet nearby. Otherwise it is "be discreet and do the right thing".
Emma Gorge, although on the other side of the
Gibb River Road, is part of
El Questro and
well worth the visit and walk. The 'Pass' fee applies to all features on
El Questro. Zebedee Hot Springs (open to the public in the mornings only) is another stand out. We did not see everything in our three days touring, staying two nights, but
El Questro Gorge is another I recommend. My
Blogs for 2008 cover the
Gibb River Road - the best of all our trips.
Motherhen
FollowupID:
789608
Follow Up By: Member - PJR (NSW) - Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 18:58
Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 18:58
I would like to point out that it was only the accommodation at
El Questro that I was saying should be avoided. We stayed up the road the next few nights and went back to
El Questro to see the
places there and don't forget the Karunji Track. Great drive all around the
Cockburn Range. Top drive and follow the sun to get great photos with the sun behind you.
El Questro is worth a visit, yes, but not in our opinion the best accommodation in the area.
Phil
FollowupID:
789620
Reply By: MEMBER - Darian, SA - Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 14:55
Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 14:55
If the car is maintained in good overall order, you can take off now Stu ! Just ensure you have decent light truck tyres. Wet weather aside, outback gravel roads are generally in good overall condition to cater for the peak tourist season. IF you wanted to cover some of the roads that are notorious for their bad corrugations (such as the Tanami road -
Kalumburu /
Mitchell Falls etc. roads) , it would be best to fit new robust shockers and take a couple of the old ones as field spares. Once mobile up there, your greatest asset will be a sensible driving attitude for the conditions ! Most folks who have horror tales to tell often travel on town tyres, may be overloaded, and / or go too fast and don't watch for those particularly nasty sharp stones that lay in wait for all of us :-o).
AnswerID:
511382
Follow Up By: Stuoow - Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 16:59
Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 16:59
Thanks Darian, would love to go now but will be a couple of years before I can go.
FollowupID:
789607
Reply By: Member - John and Val - Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 22:01
Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 22:01
Hi Stu
We did a couple of
blogs on a trip that we did to the
Kimberley in 2008. The first one is
here. Its a magical part of the world and very do-able, just a long drive from
home. Im sure your partner would love it.
The route that Phil suggested is a good one for a first go with plenty to see and do along the way, and your 8 weeks will go by very quickly. Apart from tyre plugs and a compressor a standard 4x4 that is
well maintained is all that you need. More important is to get
well organised for camping so that that side of things doesnt become a chore. With two years to plan and prepare you should be able to set out in a very
well set up rig!
Cheers,
Val
| J and V
"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted."
- Albert Einstein
Lifetime Member My Profile My Blog Send Message |
AnswerID:
511420
Follow Up By: Stuoow - Monday, May 20, 2013 at 22:07
Monday, May 20, 2013 at 22:07
Thanks Val I will have a read of the blog.
FollowupID:
789730