Road Trip from Sydney to Darwin and Back Again. 6 Weeks in Darwin. Leaving Next Week

itsdougie on 27/07/2018 - 14:00

I am visiting Darwin for about 6 weeks. Leaving next week and driving from Sydney via Brisbane and through qld in a new 4x4 towing a trailer. Bought several bargain items C+C along the journey that i could not find in Sydney - thanks to the ozbargain community. This is my first trip to Darwin on a holiday other visits have been for work and usually overnight. The drive back will be down the middle and will visit the rock.

Planned to do:

Camping in Nitmiluk, Kakadu, Litchfield amd kata Tjuta on separate occasions.

Sightseeing including fish feeding, Darwin Festival, fishing charter, jumping crocs, sunset Cruise and all the markets. Snagged a cheap 4 day return trip to Darwin-Bali too.

The GF was local and very relaxed about the whole journey, do the Darwin oz-bargainers have anything that they can add to the her recommendations? Many bargains in the Top end? Places to avoid? she said to avoid a place called Palmerston like i would Mt Druitt, I am sure there are 2 sides of the story. For those that have experience with the long journey, any tips for the trip? The car is standard except for bullbar + winch, tow bar, roof rack, AT tyres (spare is oem), SCA recovery kit, esky, fridge, 10L diesel can, 10L water, swag, cooking gear. We will stop overnight along the way

Travel

Comments

  • TheBilly on 27/07/2018 - 14:56

    Good luck, sounds like a cracker of a trip.

    Palmerston like i would Mt Druitt

    I grew up in Mt Druitt, it's actually a very normal place. More normal than the Sydney CBD. It is actually a cross section of the wider Australian society, the Sydney CBD is a cross section of south east Asia.

    What type of trailer is this? a camping trailer or caravan?

    Also I would add to that, the following items:

    • UHF radio - hand held
    • Tyre puncture repair kit
    • Spare coolant hoses, spare fluids
    • Tool kit - think adventure kings bush mechanic tool kit
    • NRMA road side assistance
    • Make sure spare tyre is same rolling diameter as the AT tyres
    • Spare for trailer?
    • Rechargeable head torch
    • First aid kit
    • Fire extinguisher (small)
    • Another 10 L water can - at least

    Edit:

    • A box of miscellaneous nuts and bolts. Complete assortment of lengths and sizes.
    • itsdougie on 27/07/2018 - 16:32

      Looking forward to it too, my first trip through the interior of Australia, I've done other countries but not my own.

      We are relocating a camper for her family, apparently cheaper to buy one down here and ship it to Darwin. It will be filled with things so may rule out the ability to camp in it until we reach destination Darwin.

      Good tips, will definitely get some of these recommendations. We have basic road side assist that comes with the car. The spare is the same size but side by side the AT does kind of look bigger. Trailer has a spare.

      My car was broken into at the shops in Mt Druitt and not only were my belongings stolen the scumbags dropped a wet turd on the steering and drivers seat. I have been jaded since

      • TheBilly on 27/07/2018 - 21:52

        The spare is the same size but side by side the AT does kind of look bigger. 

        Should be sweet as long as the numbers match wouldnt worry about the looks - plus this is only an issue when they are significantly different by inches, minor differences won't matter. The only other thing I can think of is a pre start check on your vehicle but more importantly the trailer. As it is new, just give the wheel lugs, suspension bolts and any critical components a good once over with a spanner. I have heard of wheels or suspension arms falling off on corrugated dirt roads because the factory forgot to tighten all bolts etc.

        dropped a wet turd on the steering and drivers seat.

        Admit it though, you laugh about it now.

        • itsdougie on 28/07/2018 - 20:36

          Yeah it is a laugh now but the long drive home at the time wasn't

  • Ryanek on 27/07/2018 - 15:59

    Protection… lots of protection.

    • itsdougie on 27/07/2018 - 16:34

      Discount condoms or riot kit?

  • melay0326 on 27/07/2018 - 17:48
    +1

    Stop at Katherine.. the gorge is beautiful! :)

    • itsdougie on 27/07/2018 - 18:26

      Definitely spending a couple days in the park on the way up :)

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