Trip right around Australia - What to do, and what do I need to know?

XRGhia · 22-03-2011, 03:21 PM

Hey Guys..

Im really considering going around Australia with a few mates around November next year, but before I do so, What do I need to know when travelling?

I'll be taking this as a mandatory list:

two phones
5x500ml bottles of water
enough food to last me a few days if we break down in the middle of no-where
car oil and filter
coolant
spare tire
5L's of Petrol in a red jerry can
CB radio
Spare batteries
Jumper leads
Leather Jackets (also incase we break down)
small socket set

What else would there be? I'll also be taking the usual clothing etc that you would normally take on a road trip..

Plan is to go from Sydney-Melbourne-Mildura-Adelaide-Perth-Broome-Darwin-AliceSprings-MtIsa-Cairns-Mackay-HerveyBay-Brisbane-CoffsHarbour-PortMacquarie-Newcastle-Home again..

I plan on taking my time getting around the place..

Any ideas are welcome... Oh yeah, it'll probably be the EF going

2002au · 22-03-2011, 03:26 PM

maybe a gps? very handy. and some basic tools too

EFFalcon · 22-03-2011, 03:29 PM

cable ties
spare heater hoses/radiator hoses

XR6_661 · 22-03-2011, 03:34 PM

Metal putty

And windscreen cover on your insurance!

Yellow_Festiva · 22-03-2011, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xrghiawagon

Hey Guys..

Im really considering going around Australia with a few mates around November next year, but before I do so, What do I need to know when travelling?

I'll be taking this as a mandatory list:

two phones
5x500ml bottles of water
enough food to last me a few days if we break down in the middle of no-where
car oil and filter
coolant
spare tire
5L's of Petrol in a red jerry can
CB radio
Spare batteries
Jumper leads
Leather Jackets (also incase we break down)
small socket set

What else would there be? I'll also be taking the usual clothing etc that you would normally take on a road trip..

Any ideas are welcome... Oh yeah, it'll probably be the EF going

Triple your water, carry 2 spares plus a puncture repair in a can, current road atlas (book looking thing), petrol tank repair kit (or some minties lol), 20 litres of petrol, mirror, first aid kit (and decent book explaining what to do), Heaps of matches / fire lighters, space blanket (tin foil looking thing). and a more decent assortment of tools. Small tent, blue tarp, decent ropes. The best 'road side assistance' level.

Oh... get an EPIRB (emergency beacon) they can be bought or hired...

Leave a rough itinerary with someone back home and update them regularly.

There's probably more, but that's all I got for now.

Coyote mk3 · 22-03-2011, 03:36 PM

Duct tape, or wide fabric tape to hold broken panels, lights etc incase you have an accident with skippy. Or another of our fine animals that like to appear suddenly in front of you.

XRGhia · 22-03-2011, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XR6_661

Metal putty

And windscreen cover on your insurance!

already got it

Cheers guys, keep 'em coming..

Geez Louise · 22-03-2011, 03:44 PM

Australian Accomodation booklet.

I know the RACV has a hotel/camping guide booklet that covers Australia.
Don't know where you would get one in NSW though.

Bud Bud · 22-03-2011, 03:48 PM

Cover you front grille with light mesh, the locust are huge and plentiful in some parts at the moment

Bud Bud

XR6TOY · 22-03-2011, 03:52 PM

Ford brochure's to hand out to the Holden drivers who will be broken down on the side of the road........

XR6_661 · 22-03-2011, 03:53 PM

A woman or some smut magazines too for those lonely nights.

XRGhia · 22-03-2011, 03:56 PM

So would a car bra do instead of mesh?

Im planning on getting a carbra for the wags before it does anymore long trips anyway, so that would work fine wouldn't it?

and i doubt i'll be alone.. at this rate anyway

XR6_661 · 22-03-2011, 03:59 PM

Edit - Helps if I read things...

DELETE

XRGhia · 22-03-2011, 03:59 PM

CB is up there..

Coyote mk3 · 22-03-2011, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xrghiawagon

So would a car bra do instead of mesh?

Im planning on getting a carbra for the wags before it does anymore long trips anyway, so that would work fine wouldn't it?

and i doubt i'll be alone.. at this rate anyway

Car bra will do the trick yeah

they have mesh over the gaps.

I thought it was you and a few other guys going? :P

XRGhia · 22-03-2011, 04:01 PM

who says we cant take someone else...

we're planning on going as a group with whoever we choose to go in our cars..

**DJR-351** · 22-03-2011, 04:08 PM

Agree with the above suggestions, also grab a fire extinguisher....
I have had cause to use them 4 times over the years traveling around Aus, i always carry one.....

mac_man_luke · 22-03-2011, 04:19 PM

Id say you want litres of water and maybe even more fuel for some legs of the trip

SEZ213 · 22-03-2011, 04:24 PM

Honesty, I would be more than tripling water, particularly if you're going off yhe beaten track. Two x 20l jerry cans of water. One for the car and one for you. :-)

XRGhia · 22-03-2011, 04:26 PM

i'd be trying to stay on as much as possible considering the EF will be lowered on 19" BA GT's..

SEZ213 · 22-03-2011, 04:29 PM

Well in that case, stay well away from the Nullabor Plain!

Streets · 22-03-2011, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xrghiawagon

EF will be lowered on 19" BA GT's..

Bash plate for the NSW highways

XRGhia · 22-03-2011, 04:44 PM

I have to agree with you there... Even the local roads are ****..

18" could be a better option

nuthin' fancy · 22-03-2011, 04:51 PM

How long will you take? I remember a great article in Car Australia when the first VL Group A came out, three guys took 14 days to do the lap.

XRGhia · 22-03-2011, 04:53 PM

Im looking at taking my time... Probably around 2 months..

SEZ213 · 22-03-2011, 05:22 PM

All the way around in two months!? That's quick...took us three and we only went halfway round...not much time to sightsee :-(

XRGhia · 22-03-2011, 05:31 PM

hmm.... 6 months maybe?

either way, we're just gonna take our time..

SEZ213 · 22-03-2011, 05:43 PM

Six sounds do-able...there's some fantastic spots around australia that ate definitely worth a visit. If I had a spare six months and the cash would do it again in a heartbeat...!

Will you be camping out or living it up?

XR6TCraig · 22-03-2011, 05:45 PM

Mate, it looks as though you will not be leaving the major highway network, so really a credit card and the highest NRMA membership you can afford should see you around without too many issues. That and 10ltrs of drinking water just in case you do break down in an isolated area and have a half day wait for a breakdown service to get to you.

Tools are great to take, but they are heavy, take up precious space and it's usually Murphy's law that you wont have the spare part you need to get you going, even if you still have the tools you need to replace the part! So unless you are going to take half a car worth of spares, stick to a basic tool kit that takes up as small a space as possible.

Better to go over the car with a fine tooth comb before you leave. Get the cooling system checked. Service the auto, change plugs and filters, check wheel bearing, brakes for wear and tear, etc and then just go!

XRGhia · 22-03-2011, 05:48 PM

and get the gas tuned..

already got Gold NRMA membership thankgod (car is registered in parents name hehe) so that should be perfect..

im not really planning on leaving the main highways much, but im still gonna drive around the cities exploring and taking pics..