Newby's setting out for 8 weeks
Submitted: Wednesday, Jun 01, 2011 at 18:05
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Member - Bill & Ang (VIC)
Hi all, we are new to the
forum and have enjoyed following the many posts especially trip planning. Our rig is a 2010 Pajero towing 21ft Crusader - So far we have done about 5000 kms, so we consider the shakedown phase complete (we hope) - everything so far has gone
well. We are pretty
well self contained although new to vanning and not looking to go off-road. Now planning our first extended 8 week trip for July Aug 11 leaving Melb heading FNQld general area. We would like to
free camp & are OK to stay in CP's every so often. A question to the more experienced travellers: what route would you suggest for first timers, we thought heading north using a more inland route or should we head straight up the Newell? Any suggestions/advice would be very much appreciated. Bill & Ang
Reply By: Baz&Pud (Tassie) - Wednesday, Jun 01, 2011 at 19:36
Wednesday, Jun 01, 2011 at 19:36
Bill & Ang
Firstly welcome to the
forum.
We have travelled the area you have mentioned a couple of times now, and the answer to your question is really which way do you wish to go, and how fast do you want to get there.
We find that you have to travel the main freeways/highways at times, but you get pushed along by the trucks, and other fast moving vehicles, and don't get time to look around, therefore we take the minor roads as much as possible and enjoy the trip more.
We head off in a few weeks and will start with the Newell as far as
Seymour, then start looking for the minor roads.
Hope this helps.
Cheers
Baz
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Smudger - Wednesday, Jun 01, 2011 at 20:31
Wednesday, Jun 01, 2011 at 20:31
Half your luck Bill & Ang, wish we could be on the road same time.
You will find off roading a doddle with your outfit, so don't even worry about it. Frankly, there's not much need to go off road between Vic and FNQ. It depends how far north you want to head. There's really no dirt until
Cooktown and you can go around that if you want to keep going north. If you take a few side trips along the way you might meet meet the odd
sign that says "Not Suitable For Caravans", usually to do with sharp bends on narrow roads, a good idea to take the alternative route. Apart from that you should be pretty comfortable with the Paj & Crusader.
As to which route, do some internet research about what's out there and "What's On in .." and go where it looks most interesting to you. 8 weeks will give you heaps of time to wander around and live the dream. The Dinosaur Trail is pretty interesting (
check it out.. www.australiasdinosaurtrail.com), we love the
Daintree. How far are you planning to go? The sunsets at
Karumba are to die for and you might even get to see a "Morning Glory" (If you don't know what that is Google it ).
You won't see everything, simply because there's so much to see, but you'll see heaps in 2 months and when someone says "Did you see so and so.." you'll have plenty of reasons to do it all again.
Safe travels.
AnswerID:
456104
Reply By: Member - Bill & Ang (VIC) - Thursday, Jun 02, 2011 at 17:48
Thursday, Jun 02, 2011 at 17:48
Thank you for your replies, much appreciated. We were tossing up going from Melb say to
Mildura -
Broken Hill than head north from there. Would that be good compared say to staying closer to the east coast. Quite happy to avoid heavy traffic using lesser roads plus we are not in a hurry. Will it be busy out there July Aug, possibly hard to get good spots or cp's maybe? Thank you in advance Your thoughts/advice is appreciated.
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