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Driving in the outback???

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Need a bit of advice...
17 years ago, February 9th 2007 No: 1 Msg: #10615  
Hello, me and my friend (two females) have just arrived in Australia, have bought a car and are planning to drive up the east coast, then down the centre past Uluru. I'm a little scared, since lots of people have said we're crazy for doing this. Are we crazy? Is it that bad driving in the outback? The roads are fine - all tarmac, but just a bit worried about the axe murderers out there. Please let me know if my fears are justified? Reply to this

17 years ago, February 11th 2007 No: 2 Msg: #10660  
When I was driving in Australia I did not have any problems - but then again I am male. You will be surprised how few and far between gas stations are. You need to be very aware of your gas gauge and fill up whenever you can. Carry a phone (although here are some places where you will be out of range) and don't expect all the towns on the maps to be actual towns - some are nothing at all. Some of the localswill tell you you're crazy (Why don't you fly?), but if you are aware of the distances (2 long days drive from the east coast to Uluru for example) and are used to traveling in a car all day, you should be fine. Reply to this

17 years ago, February 14th 2007 No: 3 Msg: #10725  
I highly recommend this one, you better check this site, www.whoisintown.com. You'll meet here your fellow travellers that could give you more tips and suggestions on your plan to travel. Have a safe and nice trip Reply to this

17 years ago, February 15th 2007 No: 4 Msg: #10756  
Where are you leaving from in the East Coast? Sydney ? Brisbane? it takes 12 hours to drive between those 2 alone - but of course the obligitory stops at byron bay, gold coast etc! From Brisbane -> Rockhampton you're looking at about 8-10hrs if i remember correctly then up to Townsville which is 7 or so?.. you can keep heading north or cut across from Townsville -> Richmond (6 hrs) -> Mt Isa (another 6 hrs) then into the NT where you will come across Port Keats then you can keep going to the centre - i cant remember how long that bit takes as i was little when we went there...

You have to be very careful of Roo's... and would recommend getting a bullbar on the car - what year/make is it? You really do want one that is pretty reliable as when you cut through from Townsville-> Centre NT you are looking at 2/3 hrs without any servos or anything

It would be worth popping into the RACQ (in QLD) and grabbing road maps etc this way you can map your journey... let me know if you need any more info as i've driven a lot in the outback roads when i lived in oz Reply to this

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