Darwin to Alice

Submitted: Wednesday, Apr 06, 2011 at 21:15
ThreadID: 85474 Views:1932 Replies:4 FollowUps:3
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Hi Everyone,
The family and I are looking at towing our 25ft Jayco from Darwin to Alice/Uluru. We have about 12 days to do the round trip and are looking for advice of where to stay and not to stay on the way there and back.
I normally like to stick to about 300ks for a trip but understand that we may need to extend that for this trip.
Any feedback gratefully received.
Happy Travels
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Reply By: Member - Joe n Mel n kids (FNQ - Wednesday, Apr 06, 2011 at 21:52

Wednesday, Apr 06, 2011 at 21:52
there is a few that do it in 2/3 days for work .....
If you have not done anything around Darwin go out to Jabiru/Kakadu and across/down to Pine creek and when you come back you go back up the Stuart Hwy and see Litchfield..
Devils Marbles are an interesting sight, Materanka, Douglas Daly hot springs...... you must stay at least one night at Daly Pub, it is worth a look ...
When are you leaving as that will change a little bit, not much though i guess..
Enjoy it eh
AnswerID: 450539

Follow Up By: Clint & Chell - Wednesday, Apr 06, 2011 at 22:10

Wednesday, Apr 06, 2011 at 22:10
Cheers Joe n Mel n kids.
We have been in Darwin for the wet. Pretty much since September. We have seen Litchfield, Kakadu, Devils Marbles. Spent a night at the infamous Daly Waters Pub. And loved it all.
The Top End in the Wet. Gotta love it !!!
We are now trying to get to the Red Centre for a few days before we head across to WA.
Thanks for the feedback
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Follow Up By: Member - Joe n Mel n kids (FNQ - Wednesday, Apr 06, 2011 at 22:32

Wednesday, Apr 06, 2011 at 22:32
Thought that must be the case, are you going down, back up and then across from Katherine, you can cut across from the Stuart Hwy to Top Springs and Timber Creek via the Buchannin Hwy, Top Springs to Timber Creek is a nice drive
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Reply By: Member - Mfewster(SA) - Thursday, Apr 07, 2011 at 07:31

Thursday, Apr 07, 2011 at 07:31
Mataranka is good, but better is Bitter Springs. A couple of Km north of Mataranka, to the east of the highway (there are turn off signs-- it's close to the highway. These are the springs in their original form. A wonderful, safe waterway of the clearest possible warm water, rather than the concrete pond at Mataranka. Take some swimming goggles with you and just drift along in the slowly running water. It's not deep, quite safe and the view underwater is sublime. All sorts of interesting things to look at. There are changing sheds there. You go around in a sort of a loop, then you get out and do it all again.
We used to travel Darwin/Alice regularly and this was our absolute top place for a break. But take those swimming goggles.
The Devil's marbles are also excellent with OK camping facilities. They are at theiir best at sunrise. and sunset. I'd recommend getting there an hour before sunset. then get up early with your camera. Then you have about 4 hours to Alice.
AnswerID: 450552

Follow Up By: rooster350 - Thursday, Apr 07, 2011 at 18:49

Thursday, Apr 07, 2011 at 18:49
If you wait till an hour before sunset to get to the Devils Marbles you are doing yourself a disservice , get there early..get a good camp spot and have a good look around , there is quite a bit to see....do not get toooo close to the loos and definitely upwind from them...cheers
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FollowupID: 723077

Reply By: nickoff - Thursday, Apr 07, 2011 at 11:51

Thursday, Apr 07, 2011 at 11:51
I would also recommend the Gem Tree just 70 north and then 70 k east of Alice Springs. Fossicking for gemstones, great fun. Went there for a night and stayed a week!
AnswerID: 450569

Reply By: Off-track - Thursday, Apr 07, 2011 at 15:04

Thursday, Apr 07, 2011 at 15:04
Doing what many would consider large kays (say around 800+) is very easy on 'the track' as it is an excellent highway, pretty straight and level with very few towns in between.

Renner Springs has alway been a good oasis in the past, not sure about recent years though. Devils Marbles is good but plenty of Grey Nomads.

Plenty of parking bays on the way but make sure they arent dedicated for the truckies.

Tennant and Katherine I probably wouldnt bother.
AnswerID: 450587

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