Alice Springs Travel Forum

shall be visiting Australia in June '05. After seeing Sydney, Brisbane and Cairns I plan to fly to Alice and hire a 4wd to travel to Darwin. I shall be travelling on my own and my plans are for:- 2 nights Alice - 1 night Tennant Creek - 2 nights Katherine - 2 nights Jaburu then 3 nights Darwin before flying to Singapore.
Am I wise/safe making this journey alone? Also, if anyone has any advise it would be much appreciated. Have been warned not to drive at sunrise/sunset because of the dangers of animals on the road, so what are normal daylight hours at that time of year?

Lol yes you will be safe. As long as you have a reliable vehicle. Dont worry the road is busy enough that if you run into any trouble with your vehicle their would soon be a truck or another tourist dropping in to help. Definately dont drive close to sunset. The cows and kangaroos can be thick at times.

I would suggest you research somewhere else than Tennant Ck to stay. Now that the major mines in the area have closed down the town is nothing special. Most people who travel the road alot stay at Three Ways which is about 20km out from Tennant. It has a small tourist village and demountable cabins for rent.

Katherine is fine to stay in. Recommend the Katherine Hotel Motel which has a reasonable bistro/bar for a few drinks. Dont miss the Katherine Gorge. Canoe it if you can. Also drop into Edith River Falls for a swim. Its about 50km North of Katherine. Nice swimming hole

thanks a lot for info, nuch appreciated. approx what are the times of sun rise/sun set in June? Also - wasn't looking fo much in Tennant but seems like a long drive from there to Katherine - best part of 7 hours i reckon.
What speed can i reckon on averaging - say 60 mph?
Any further info will be much appreciated.
Cheers,

brian

haha average speed of 60MPH you say. Did you know there is no speed limit on this section of highway. Most people will average 120-130kph between towns. I like to sit on 160kph :P

for sunrise sunsets

DARWIN Lat=-12°27'00" Long=+130°50'00"
TIMES OF SUNRISE AND SUNSET
(for ideal horizon & meteorological conditions)
Time zone: +9.50 hours
01/06/2005 Rise 0701 Set 1828

TENNANT CREEK Lat=-19°33'00" Long=+134°14'00"
TIMES OF SUNRISE AND SUNSET
(for ideal horizon & meteorological conditions)
Time zone: +9.50 hours
01/06/2005 Rise 0700 Set 1802

ALICE SPRINGS Lat=-23°42'00" Long=+133°52'00"
TIMES OF SUNRISE AND SUNSET
(for ideal horizon & meteorological conditions)
Time zone: +9.50 hours
01/06/2005 Rise 0709 Set 1755

Another tip for you if you are driving is to NEVER stop for anyone, no matter who they are. There have been stories of people being bashed, cars stolen and even murdered on that stretch of road. Just be very careful!!

Oh get over it. If everyone did that how many people do you think would be stranded on that stretch of road for life. No mobile phones. 100-200km between towns. I hope i'm not broken down when your driving past

Bottom line is if it looks suss keep going. Otherwise stop and help out

I thought this forum was to give your own opinions. I dont need to get over it, just using common sense. My advice is good for someone travelling by themselves. Not asking you to take it.

And im saying your advice is not good. It is based on hearsay and isolated incidents. I think it is important that the person travelling is informed with the facts not paranoid suspicions.
If you can back up your reasons for advising someone not stopping for ANYONE then fine do so.
I'd hate to think that because of your advice someone in urgent need of assistance was left on the side of the road waiting for help

Im not saying that nobody shouldnt stop for someone stranded on the side of the road, but for someone making their first trip it wouldnt be a good idea. Of course people stop. Im going by the advice I was given before I drove it, and what I also was guided by in the road maps that I had. For a chick travelling by myself, I certainly wasnt going to stop. And that goes for anywhere in Australia, not just the top end. Its Common dog. but as I said, there is no need to judge me, this is an open forum, and everyone has their own opinion.

I have stopped many times for people during driving, most expierences where rather pleasant. Some drunk aboriginals without gas where an other topic! But all that time I travelled with more people.
You could fetch yourself in Alice into a backpackers hotel, and see if anyone needs alift towards Darwin, more people more fun and cheaper.
Nice stretch of road you are travelling!
Tennant Creek is not mtch to do, Katherine has it beautiful gorge and surroudnings. Cooinda lodge at Kakadu is wonderfull. And at the end of the Stuart Highway just before the esplanade a good and cheap motel can be found, close to the city!

Enjoy!

have a look at
http://www.ntholidays.com.au
this is the northern territory tourist commission site