Prepping for a trip to the outback

[Dauphin]

Watch out for camels too. Saw a video on YouTube the other day of about 20 camels running across a highway in outback Australia in front of a truck.

[Vesper Martini]

Originally Posted by NTF6

And some of these!

I think they Drink Mangoes up there

[Sabantien]

Thanks guys!
Interview seemed to go well, so fingers crossed.

I think upgrading my RACQ from Ultra looks a good idea. Ultra is fine for SEQ, but the longer distances between towns could be an issue if something happens.

I might skip the beers though. Blergh. ;)

I asked about needing a 4wd to get out and do things up there. 4wd seems recommended for most things, even if 2wd is doable. And thanks Whynot for the NP guide. Definitely making me lean towards selling the Falcon and getting something a bit more capable.

Price range seems to include 10ish yr old Pajeros with about 200km on them, or 20-30yr old Patrols and Landcruisers with 400-500km.

[Mercury Bullet]

Are you planning on driving back to see your girlfriend?

If so keep the Falcon. Nothing eats up Australian highways like one.

You'll make friends where you go, team up with them and travel in their 4wd when needed. No need for a new car.

[lra]

Originally Posted by Dauphin

Watch out for camels too. Saw a video on YouTube the other day of about 20 camels running across a highway in outback Australia in front of a truck.

Not many camels around Longreach these days. The drop-bears in the Bladensburg National Park jungle ate them out during the 1990s, but there is a chance that a wedge-tail eagle could drop a camel on your car if they get tired of carrying it from Kings Canyon.

PS. Those little black shoo-roos or hopperstoppers ....... Yep, good advice. I've haven't hit a roo with a car that had them, but I took two seperate hits in my HQ about 15 years ago, and it did not have them, and that was in the suburbs. Placebo effect ? Maybe, but I'm convinced.

[Pis-ton broke]

and don,t forget the airoguard

[ronwest]

Originally Posted by lra

PS. Those little black shoo-roos or hopperstoppers ....... Yep, good advice. I've haven't hit a roo with a car that had them, but I took two seperate hits in my HQ about 15 years ago, and it did not have them, and that was in the suburbs. Placebo effect ? Maybe, but I'm convinced.

I'm not sure what to make of them.

At one stage I thought they'd be a good idea but I found a Choice article which de-bunked them.

That'd be ten years or more ago so it might be different now...

[LG17]

Originally Posted by ronwest

I'm not sure what to make of them.

At one stage I thought they'd be a good idea but I found a Choice article which de-bunked them.

That'd be ten years or more ago so it might be different now...

I don't really know how good they are either but, I do have them on my dual cab and haven't hit one since having them on - about 3 years.

[ronwest]

Originally Posted by LG17

I don't really know how good they are either but, I do have them on my dual cab and haven't hit one since having them on - about 3 years.

For the price of them I 'spose there's nothing to lose.

[paulie]

Driving a stretch of road over the years (touchwood) ive not hit one roo using them.
But. A mate who doesn't use them has hit 4 roos on same stretch of road.

For about $5 ill keep using them lol

[cro142]

I also tried the little plastic hopper stoppers, but found that they had absolutely no effect on the many many mobs of roos that I have encountered.

I drive the Hughenden to Muttaburra road about twice a week, where there have been hundreds of roos along the road each time, and they simply do not respond to the hopper stoppers at all.

Even so, for $5 you can't do much damage to the wallet.

[Sabantien]

If i go, the girl is planning to come out for a few weeks. She's got craploads of rec leave.
I wouldn't get enough time off to drive back to Brisbane.

It seems 50/50 whether people think the roo repellers work. There's also the theory that if it does make noise that annoy/startle the roos, they may react by hopping in front of your car.

I think I've heard either no difference/big difference, so worth a shot.

Even if I don't get the job, lots of good advice for future trips.

[EB#]

A few things I always include for a long trip:
check the car over thoroughly, inc oil, fluids etc prior to leaving
6 litres min water
nuts, fruit, crackers
tea, coffee and uht milks
thermos and/or small gas burner and a pot
state map, the old fashioned type
a few basic tools, cable ties and duct tape
t'paper
rain coat
towel
folding camp chair
sleeping bag just in case an over-night breakdown occurs
pillow for above and the power-nap option

[ronwest]

Originally Posted by Sabantien

It seems 50/50 whether people think the roo repellers work. There's also the theory that if it does make noise that annoy/startle the roos, they may react by hopping in front of your car.

I think I've heard either no difference/big difference, so worth a shot.

The science says they don't work but there's enough anecdotal evidence to suggest they might.

At least until you hit a roo

[Pis-ton broke]

nobodys said a fire extinguisher, i,ve carried a 2kg one for years

[Sabantien]

Got the job! \o/

Still don't know I particularly want to sell the G6E, but I do want to make the most of my time out there. Will have a look at what's around. But agree with Mercury Bullet, I'm likely to meet people there with 4wds who will probably want to do some exploring too.

Will definitely max out my RACQ membership!

Will be taking all my camping gear and some food, so any unforeseen stays on the way hopefully won't be too big an issue.

[ronwest]

Originally Posted by Sabantien

Got the job! \o/

Congrats

Always good to have new challenges in life.

[damo03]

Originally Posted by whynot

The road out to Winton is generally good. The Falcon was built for such highway runs. I would not worry too much about not having a full size spare provided I was sticking to the highways. The “space saver” on the Falcon is good enough to get you out of trouble in a pinch. Kangaroos and emus are definitely more of a concern. Unless you have a bulbar, I would aim to be off the road about an hour before sunset and don’t be too eager to be on the road until an hour after sunrise. Before leaving on any long road trip, I always do a quick check of the car. Check tyres for any cuts in the sidewalls and that the tyre pressure is set for highway. Look under the bonnet to check for unusual leaks or weeps. Check the condition of the belts and hoses for unusual cuts or bulges. Obviously check all fluid reservoirs, including battery. Every time you fill up, keep an eye on oil level for the first 1500km of highway driving (particularly if the car has been doing city runs), until you have figured out oil consumption. My road kit has 5l of water, gaffer tape, a LED torch, a socket that can undo wheel nuts and a long handle, set of screwdrivers, and a cheap set of spanners. If you are with Optus or Vodaphone, consider getting a Telstra pre-paid sim. Also included in my road kit are toilet paper, soap, alcohol hand cleaner, and a first aid kit (a large one as my wife is a nurse). Count on getting a few stone chips in the car from passing vehicles.

The Winton Jundah track out to Lark Quarry is a different story. It is quite passible in the dry and the Falcon will have no troubles with the road. However, it does have sharp rocks in some sections, so at least be prepared for a tyre change at some point if you are doing the road daily for an extended period. It does not take much rain on the track to make it impassable for 2WD.

You might like to check out this page https://www.npsr.qld.gov.au/parks/pd...al-west-vg.pdf

Originally Posted by EB#

A few things I always include for a long trip:
check the car over thoroughly, inc oil, fluids etc prior to leaving
6 litres min water
nuts, fruit, crackers
tea, coffee and uht milks
thermos and/or small gas burner and a pot
state map, the old fashioned type
a few basic tools, cable ties and duct tape
t'paper
rain coat
towel
folding camp chair
sleeping bag just in case an over-night breakdown occurs
pillow for above and the power-nap option

I'd second this regardless of the car you have. Especially in summer, carry lots of water for drinking in-case you are waiting for a tow for hours. Add a tarp for shade and if you break down stay with your vehicle is the general rule. Also make sure you have adequate roadside assistance in case you need a tow of >100km.

If it were me, I'd wait till you have sussed out how much off road driving you will be doing and how likely you would be able to get through even with a 4x4, before going down the path of a 4x4. A G6E is a great car for long distance driving. Check your comprehensive insurance incase you hit a roo and good luck with the new job.

[GasoLane]

Another thing to check would be how much coverage your Phone company has on the route you're taking.

Not much good if you have top cover with NRMA, or whoever, if you can't contact them

[Sabantien]

Tarp for shade is a good idea. Will be taking one anyhow, part of my camping gear. I was actually thinking about roof racks to tie it to the car on one end. Probably a bit pointless though.

And yeah. With Virgin. Have to see if i can suspend my payments (at least the phone connection part of it) and get a telstra sim.

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by Sabantien

Tarp for shade is a good idea. Will be taking one anyhow, part of my camping gear. I was actually thinking about roof racks to tie it to the car on one end. Probably a bit pointless though.

And yeah. With Virgin. Have to see if i can suspend my payments (at least the phone connection part of it) and get a telstra sim.

Yeah, Virgin use Optus. not too crash hot outside of main towns.

You could always buy a $40 phone with a Telstra pre paid.

[malazn mafia]

Originally Posted by GasOLane

Another thing to check would be how much coverage your Phone company has on the route you're taking.

Not much good if you have top cover with NRMA, or whoever, if you can't contact them

Went to uluru and back from melbourne. North of Port Augusta not even Hellstra could get 100% reception out there .

[Mercury Bullet]

Originally Posted by GasOLane

Yeah, Virgin use Optus. not too crash hot outside of main towns.

You could always buy a $40 phone with a Telstra pre paid.

It would pay to check first.

I'm on Optus because Telstra have no service out here.

Telstra Country service is a joke. We had been telling them for 20 years there is no service out here and then Optus turn up and build a nice 300ft tower.

[Sabantien]

I have checked, there's only Telstra out there.

[Burnout]

Originally Posted by cro142

I also tried the little plastic hopper stoppers, but found that they had absolutely no effect on the many many mobs of roos that I have encountered.

I drive the Hughenden to Muttaburra road about twice a week, where there have been hundreds of roos along the road each time, and they simply do not respond to the hopper stoppers at all.

Even so, for $5 you can't do much damage to the wallet.

The main problem with them is insect block them up as you go along.... then they are no use at all.

[EB#]

Originally Posted by Sabantien

...I was actually thinking about roof racks to tie it to the car on one end. Probably a bit pointless though....

Not pointless at all. Roofies, a tarp and a couple of camp poles works well.

[mcflux]

Originally Posted by EB#

Not pointless at all. Roofies, a tarp and a couple of camp poles works well.

He's going to Winton, not Wolf Creek.