Australian adventure

[disco_fever]

I'll be studying at a school outside Sydney from July to December. Theres a 10-day break and I would love to do some exploring/camping in the Outback or on the beaches. I'm just starting my research and know there are some guys from Oz on the board.

Any suggestions for resources?
4x4 rentals?(would prefer Land Rover. Have found some with Cruisers)
maps of outback tracks?

thanks guysatriot:

 

[merrion13]

You have to make the trip up to Fraser Island. It is a huge island that is essentially the world's largest sand dune, yet it has a very complex ecosystem. Beautiful beach, rainforests on the interior, and a bunch of freshwater lakes that have never risen above the water table, so you swim in them and visibility is over 50 feet underwater. Simply incredible. And as a bonus, you can rent Defender 130's with the TDi because there are no roads on the island, only trails and sand.

 

[bri]

Google. There is a cool place that rents 110 campers.

 

[Nargun]

Remember that Australia is roughly the same size as continental USA and the "outback" (Gunbarrel Highway, CSR, Birdsville track etc) is in the middle. Its a long way to travel for 10 days without multi lane freeways, but it can be done.

There are excellent topographic maps prepared by various Government Departments, but Hema and Gregory's produce OK maps for route planning. They also produce weekend away books, trips that can be completed over a weekend within a few hours drive of the major cities. These cover the major 4WD areas around the cities.

Fraser Island is the Mecca for sand driving...a beach which has a posted speed limit of 80 kph, and inland tracks of 2nd low range. You can hire ex army Defenders fitted with knobbly skinny tyres. You can watch the tourists get bogged with amazing regularity

Southern NSW and into Victoria you have the High Country (Great Dividing Range). There are some excellent trips through there in both state forests and national parks with a wide range of driving terrain

Have a look at the Overlander 4WD magazine website as it does have maps and travel reports of different areas. Other magazines are Australian 4WD monthly and 4x4 Australia

Hire companies seem to like Toyotas, but I've never had to enquire about hiring one so I don't really know.

There's an awful lot of off roading available not far from any of the cities, so you should be able to find something to pass your time

Enjoy (and remember...we drive on the left)

Garth

 

[David T]

It depends on when your break is if you want to travel. Remember the seasons are the opposite to what you would be having in the USA.

Depending on when and where you want to go you might be stopped by snow if we get some this year or you might be getting into the start of the extreme heat that can be experienced in the "outback" if travelling there in December

As said earlier it is a big country and travelling times can eat into your exploring time

Try this site (there are others as well if you look) http://www.travelmate.com.au/MapMaker/MapMaker.asp to get some idea how far it is and how long it may take to get there and back

Remember if travelling you have different hazards like kangaroos etc and other feral or native animals to contend with as well especially at night

Also take care when swimming.........