Road Drive around Australia

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  Davo1111 on 16/07/2014 - 21:14

  +6

  If you drive anti clockwise, you'll save money in fuel as you'll be on the "inside"

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  Davo1111 on 16/07/2014 - 21:39

  Should I be hiring a car or drive my own

  Keep in mind, most hire car companies will have a maximum daily limit in kilometres. It's also going to cost you quite a bit. I'd use my own car if i was going to do it.

  Any other issues I should considers

  Are you going to camp? sleep on the side of the road? or stay in hotels?

  If the latter you'll probably need to set aside $100/night.

  • 

    na8an on 16/07/2014 - 21:54

    I would probably camp and few nights in hotel, does hiring caravan does the trick?

    • 

      Davo1111 on 16/07/2014 - 22:23

      +1

      Hiring a caravan would be expensive (looks to be 2-4k for a month), and would probably be a similar price to just staying in hostels. Also you need to weigh up the costs of petrol with the bigger vehicle. EDIT: they may also have the limited kilometre issue, so you need to double check.

      You're not technically supposed to camp on the side of the road either see here for more info. Plus you'll want access to toilets and or showers on occasion.

      If you're running a big caravan you'll need access to power/septic tank dumping every so often, so be aware of some drawbacks of driving a big vehicle.

      If i was going it, i'd just camp everywhere, and expect to use a hostel every few days.

      • 

        na8an on 16/07/2014 - 23:57

        Thank u that narrows lot of doubts for me, hertz offers unlimited kms for car rentals, I'm thinking of spending about 1.5k for a week depending on area and days i cover.

        And i just had this plan I am alone onboard at the moment, once I have clear plan I would be able to get few of my pals aboard and will be able to share expenses.

        Fuel is deal breaker I have considered that, does anyone provide Gas car rentals by your knowledge?

        I will consider hostel stay and also look for any groupon deals once I get to route plan

        Much appreciate your inputs Davo1111

      • 

        Davo1111 on 17/07/2014 - 18:22

        does anyone provide Gas car rentals by your knowledge?

        Not to my knowledge. What's your current car anyway? If possible use what you've got, it will be cheaper.

        Unsure about those "relocation" sites, they want the vehicle quickly and don't want you "exploring".

        According to google, you will do 24,000kms. So you can work out your approximate costs off that - It's going to be $4k source. That's a fair distance. You might want to start small.

        If i was going to do it, i'd make sure it takes 2 minutes to set up my sleeping gear.

      • 

        na8an on 19/07/2014 - 14:08

        @Davo1111:
        I drive a Hyundai 2005, its reliable but it would not be so comfy for long drive.

        Relocation deals sometimes tend to give few additional days for transporting it, maybe it would pan out for shorter distances.

        That's way above my budget, probably I should consider your option of small travel first, rather than rushing into things… Thanks mate!

    • 

      FreezingQLD on 16/07/2014 - 22:33

      Your best bet will be a camper trailer… a lot easier…

      Or a roof-top camper, but you cannot carry much with you.

      The big lap always a challenge if you just drive by your own.

      if you are in Adelaide area, I might give you some ideas.

      • 

        na8an on 17/07/2014 - 00:04

        Thanks Sean26, I'm based in Melbourne, VIC. I have looked at few of those also found few relocation deals on them.

        Yes it definitly is, previously I have taken long drives but not more than 700-800k together and not in Oz.

        I will defiantly go by Adelaide, pls share your ideas..

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  Geewhizz on 18/07/2014 - 06:37

  +1

  How much time do you have? If you're talking a few weeks, forget it. It's absolutely pointless doing a trip like that without giving yourself plenty of time.

  I'd be inclined to buy a car or take your own rather than renting. At $1500 per week that's $6000 per month, some of which you could recoup afterwards from reselling.

  • 

    na8an on 19/07/2014 - 14:12

    I have not taken annual leave for 18 months, and planning to take about a 35-40 days depending on distance I want to travel.

    I have got the same thought, to buy a car from auctions about 12k for a 2013 government car and sell off once I am done with it.

    what do u think about the climate should I plan for September?

    thanks Geewhizz!

    • 

      Geewhizz on 21/07/2014 - 05:35

      For heading off? September at the latest, and early September at that. It can get quite hot very early in the Season in the north. It's generally warming up quite considerably from about mid August, and in some places October is quite uncomfortable outside already.

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        na8an on 21/07/2014 - 22:56

        Thanks mate, ill try to avoid those times…cheers