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Location Date South Australia 1404687600 Western Australia 1404255600 Northern Territory 1402095600 Victoria 
1398034800 -
Location Date Little Desert National Park 1398034800 Beaumaris
1397862000 Blairgowrie 1395964800 Melbourne 1395360000
One more sleep! We're mostly packed and ready to go - just a few more bits and pieces to throw in the car tomorrow, tidy up the house, and off we go.
This next part probably won't interest anyone bar those also into planning trips, but there has been an awful lot of organisation over the last few months.
The Car:
Land cruiser 100 series 2005 - have replaced the stereo with one that is ipod compatible and has Bluetooth; upgraded whole exhaust (apparently the factory standard is not fantastic), new shocks and suspension upgrades; installed a cargo barrier; roof racks and basket; and general service; and also bought a roof top bag for extra stuff..
We've not been able to find a second hand rim so going with an extra tyre and an inner tube for emergencies. Have bought a compressor to pump tyres back up after going offroad too. No fridge (camper fridge should be enough), but will keep an esky in the back.
The Eagle
Jayco Eagle Off-road 2007 - recently serviced (last week!) and had a stone guard and pole carrier installed on the front. Decided against roof racks as we don't have much weight allowance for the roof left after the Fiamma awning and bag flies.
Inside, we've put down marine carpet matting (good ol' Bunnings); shoe organiser for the robe; some hooks to hang a small kitchen pantry for plates and stuff - giving us an extra cupboard to play with; bought a privacy screen to attach to the awning instead of an annexe; 2-drawer storage box kept under the table for the kids' paper and pens etc etc.
The Plan
Whilst spontaneity is the spice of life, I've pretty much booked all accommodation between the Barossa and Broome in order to avoid the inconvenience of stuffing around if places are full. We'll have 2-3 nights in between the main stops to play it by ear. The way home we'll take more as it comes, though will probably need to think about it a bit as July is the peak tourist season in the north. We'll either come home the way we came if we feel we've missed seeing lots, come down the west coast, or plan c is to come home via central queensland and nsw. Plenty of time to choose.
First stop tomorrow and Monday night is a free camp at Horseshoe Bend in the Little Desert National Park - around 4.5 hours drive from Melbourne and right next to the Wimmera River. Hopefully the Easter crowds will be on their way home, but we'll wait and see.
This next part probably won't interest anyone bar those also into planning trips, but there has been an awful lot of organisation over the last few months.
The Car:
Land cruiser 100 series 2005 - have replaced the stereo with one that is ipod compatible and has Bluetooth; upgraded whole exhaust (apparently the factory standard is not fantastic), new shocks and suspension upgrades; installed a cargo barrier; roof racks and basket; and general service; and also bought a roof top bag for extra stuff..
We've not been able to find a second hand rim so going with an extra tyre and an inner tube for emergencies. Have bought a compressor to pump tyres back up after going offroad too. No fridge (camper fridge should be enough), but will keep an esky in the back.
The Eagle
Jayco Eagle Off-road 2007 - recently serviced (last week!) and had a stone guard and pole carrier installed on the front. Decided against roof racks as we don't have much weight allowance for the roof left after the Fiamma awning and bag flies.
Inside, we've put down marine carpet matting (good ol' Bunnings); shoe organiser for the robe; some hooks to hang a small kitchen pantry for plates and stuff - giving us an extra cupboard to play with; bought a privacy screen to attach to the awning instead of an annexe; 2-drawer storage box kept under the table for the kids' paper and pens etc etc.
The Plan
Whilst spontaneity is the spice of life, I've pretty much booked all accommodation between the Barossa and Broome in order to avoid the inconvenience of stuffing around if places are full. We'll have 2-3 nights in between the main stops to play it by ear. The way home we'll take more as it comes, though will probably need to think about it a bit as July is the peak tourist season in the north. We'll either come home the way we came if we feel we've missed seeing lots, come down the west coast, or plan c is to come home via central queensland and nsw. Plenty of time to choose.
First stop tomorrow and Monday night is a free camp at Horseshoe Bend in the Little Desert National Park - around 4.5 hours drive from Melbourne and right next to the Wimmera River. Hopefully the Easter crowds will be on their way home, but we'll wait and see.
- comments
Cathy Are you there yet??? : ) Had to ask! How was your first night in the desert? was it wild and windy? We drove back at a very very late hour last night and it was wild and woolly as we ventured over the West Gate Bridge towards home. We had the most awesome weekend at Second Valley - swam every day - but could only jump off the jetty on the last day as the jetty was covered in fisherfolk before! Really awesome bakery just as you come towards Clare - if you are on that road from Tanunda ....The Little Red Grape - at Sevenhill - just 6 ks before Clare. Enjoy.