Brisbane to Perth at Christmas

[Melinda]

Hi...I'm starting to plan a trip to Perth over the summer break (approximately 8 weeks to play). I will be the solo driver and I'm wondering how much time to factor in for the trip over. I'll be traveling with kids and dogs and I expect to take things reasonably slowly. My concerns are safety and fatigue (and I've just added big winds to the list) By December I'll make sure both rig and vehicle are checked and safe. It's the human factor (my ability) that's the unknown but if I don't want fear of the unknown to stop our adventure before it begins. The last thing I want to happen is to find myself free camping alone with kids or am I letting scary stories spoil the adventure before it begins? Cheers...Mel

 

[Dobbie]

I'd add extreme heat to the list as well.

We did that trip last February and had over 45 deg days for quite a while. So much so, it affected where we wanted to camp as 240v became a necessity both for us and the fridge. Ok in the car though!

We did about 500kms a day on average but that was two drivers. Stops every two hours and a good walk around, a coffee etc made it easily achievable. I reckon fatigue with one driver, kids on board, animals etc would kick in by the 300 km mark though it would depend on whether there's another adult to share the kid and dog duties if not the driving.

There are some good low cost but not necessarily free camps on the way which would give you some comforts and relaxation.

And :welcome:

 

[Bluey]

Yes welcome as Dobbie said it will be hot you may want to stop at as many van parks you can for power for the aircon in van having said that not many parks will have dogs in busy times i think getting them fed at home and leaving them behind would be better if you can one less hassel and you will have to book ahead but many parks have a 7 day min booking at busy times heaps of parks at christmas have 95 % people rebooking can be hard to get in for parks on NSW coast we have to book in march or there full by now you have a lot of planing ahead what van and car do you have ? We leaft melb last year had 2 days driving in 45 deg to get to NSW its hard on everything in that heat

 

[Melinda]

Thanks guys, would love to leave the menagerie at home but our van is our home. My eldest is 16 but wouldn't let her tow (not even sure if it would be legal). This Chrissie gone we headed south to Goulburn (my home town), across to Blaney and back to Brissie via free camping at Sofala. I practised my backing...the Nullabor is a bit more daunting as it's beyond my experience. My ex was/is a mining engineer-run-off-eigh-his-secretary and I'm used to long haul adventures with my kids (we had a kimberley kamper that we lost in the divorce along with our home$. But this trip will mean more self sufficiency than I'm used to. I thought I'd join a 4wd club to learn to change tyres and Basic self recovery...but I refuse to let our girl status stand in the way of a good adventure. I can't believe what a great forum this is for research and your advice is much appreciated. I've lived in Broken Hill and Norseman (and written a novel about it) but never done the bit in between. Hopefully this Chrissie will change that

 

[Glen Bundesen]

Well it comes down to where you want to spend your holiday - on the actual trip or just at the Perth end. I'd suggest you look at all the sights on the way and that way cut your daily driving down to a few hours. Lots of sights to see even across the Nullabour. Servos every couple hundred Ks and all offer some sort of overnight parking facility. Check out the local museum at Bordertown. Once you get to Norseman, turn left and drive down to Esperance and keep to the coast as you travel further west. You might be able to do the inland part on the way back to the east if it is cooler.
Re tyre changing, etc - join the RAC and go on their highest rate, to cover any breakdown/towing etc.

 

[chartrock]

Hi @Melinda and welcome to the forum (although you have been a member for more than 6 months). My wife and I did that trip a few years back and spent 3 months doing it but we covered a lot more than just to Perth and did it around the July to October time. My wife wont dive and tow so I did all the driving and we did not have kids or animals so my trip would be very different to yours. If you are interested my report is here. Definitely do it and you will enjoy it and should have no problems as there are always people willing to help and I would think that members along your route would welcome you if you let them know when you will be passing.

 

[pauljygrant]

Good on you for considering this trip. Given other comments about the heat and needing aircon, do you have a generator to enable you to free camp and still run aircon?
At least for sections of the trip, there would be forum members local to offer help with basic mechanical issues should they arise. (Hopefully not required!)

 

[Smirke]

HI @Melinda . We did a trip like that Chrissy 2014 to pick up our van, left 13 dec and returned 6 weeks later. Even though hubby was with us, I would definitely do the trip with the kids on my own. There was quite a few travelers so you won't be on your own.....unless you want to be.
I've driven from Perth to kununurra and return twice, both during 2 week school holidays and three months apart. It's doable and I just stopped when I felt the need to. With 8 weeks you will have plenty of time, but I would suggest booking now for any parks you want to stay in, as lot will be booked out already. (Some are booked 2 years in advance, and some national park bookings are just as bad)

 

[Bluey]

All power to you never let anyone stop you doing what you want reversing will get easier just dont rush it are there any RAC towing corses where you live ???? If not im sure you will find some old falla to give you hints good on you as others have said many members ready to help if you need it

 

[1DayIll]

This sounds great. apart from the heat and maybe headwind, the roads are great. Also plan to take and carry lots of water as it is on short supply in some places you will visit. Have done the trip a couple of times and love it, the cliffs across the Nullarbor are amazing! As long as you are prepared and take your time, you will have a good time.
I concur with taking out the top level of RAC cover, we have RACV Total care and used it a couple of times for towing and a replacement car in Alice Springs when ours broke down. It gave us transport and meant we could still see around the area while waiting for our car to be fixed.

 

[Jimbo]

If you in/around Perth during summer, you should schedule a good bit of time in the Margaret River region. The weather is a couple degrees cooler then Perth and the whole region is special. Between Busselton and Dunsborough are quite a few caravan parks that would still be taking bookings for January. Most are on the beachfront. I can suggest Mandalay if you can get in, or Amblin as a cheaper alternative. 5 days in the area would be the minimum. Im sure a lot of people on this site would be around that neck of the woods in summer!

 

[bigcol]

hi @Melinda
it is not as daunting as it sounds this trip

how do YOU feel when driving......?
I would agree with stopping every 2 - 3 hours for a coffee / coke / walk around, just to freshen you up
when I was a kid (many eons ago) my mother used to have "Magic fruit cake" in the car at all times - and we do it as well
a couple of the "Black & Gold" Light Fruit Cake, sliced up & buttered, has a slice every now and again as you drive, say every 40 mins while driving, the sugar will give you a mild "hit" while your sitting there

also agree with take PLENTY of water with you, 1/2 doz of the 10L water bottle from Coles / wollies / etc
trust me (I'm a West Aussie) - 10L per person when its hot is a lot, but some need it, and some only need 1L per day

flesh out a rough itinerary, and let us all know
we can add or subtract things from it

care to play the Longest Gold Course in the world???? stretches over the Nullabor - Nullabor Links its called - once in a lifetime opportunity sort of thing
http://www.nullarborlinks.com/

 

[Dobbie]

If it helps, we took about six days to drive from Ceduna to Esperance ...in February...and it was really interesting the whole way.

In our case the temps were far lower along the Nullarbor and mid NSW was far hotter and far more boring.

Lots of animals being hit so, obviously, avoid dawn and dusk. It really makes a difference to fatigue levels if you get in relatively early in the day.

Also, we didn't need to book anywhere along the way, though Christmas time might make a difference.

As Col said, a rough itinerary would give us the opportunity to make some suggestions....helpful or otherwise...

 

[millers]

Hi @Melinda ,
Driving distances and times can vary from person to person and will always depend on conditions. For the long trips over several days I tend to like to have a spreadsheet (or table) that lists the places and distances between them so that I can check driving times and fuel stops. Some times you find that you can balance distances so that the days are balanced. I also calculate the driving time based on different speeds so I can take into account head winds or bad roads or just getting out and having a look.
As you are looking at free camping this may not be a big issue but could help with fuel.
Again animals can vary when travelling and you will know what distances are possible. We use one of the non-spill bowls for the dog and if he is asleep will go beyond a couple of hours. In the heat he is happy to stay in the car where it is cool.
Lastly be careful of fatigue over several days. I am happy to do 700+ in a day but if travelling 1000s of kilometres would drop that down as by the 4th day after driving setting up packing up and herding the "cats" you will not be on the ball and not enjoying the trip.
All will be good with good planning and a little flexibility.