Darwin Travel Forum

Hi!
Im packing up my car and driving from Melbourne to Darwin early January for a new life. I was just wondering what people thought of a young female driving in the outback by herself.
My friend was going to do the trip with me but pulled out!!! I will need my car in Darwin so this is why I want to drive up there. Driving is also cheaper than putting it on the Ghan (Way too expensive)and I can pack more stuff to take with me.

My trip is roughly as follows (Im flexible depending on what happens)

Day 1: Melbourne - Port Augusta

Day 2: Port Augusta - Jims place (just south of Alice although I will try to make it to Alice Springs if I can but doesn't seem likely)

Day 3: Jims place - Mataranka

Day 4: Mataranks - Darwin

I will be sensible and take days off or shorter days if I need a rest. My only concern is driving in isolated areas by myself. I will take extra petrol and water and if i break down dont go away from my car... I have had the lecture!

What do you guys think?

Anna

Hi Stick to the main highway, never go off onto side roads or dirt tracks, never pick up hitch hikers or stop for people, even if it looks OK. Do some research and find out how far the next petrol station is. Take plenty of water and do not drive at night.Have your car serviced before you leave, tell the serviceman where you are driving to so he can do a detailed check, also have him check the water hoses in the car, radiator etc as these parts can be under pressure when driving in extreme heat. These are all simple things and not problems, it should be a smooth trip. Do you know how to change a flat tyre?
Good Lucl, Mike

I agree with Mike....summer is hotter than you can imagine so extra water and dont forget to be extra careful....if your not sure dont do it! Most Service Stations will have tourist driving thru, so you can always follow one of them.

If your car needs to be well checked and carry a extra spare or that foam refill stuff:)

Enjoy your trip and stick to the highways...

Hayden

One thing that I was told when I planned to drive a few years ago was to not drive at dusk or before dawn as there are lots of kangaroos on the road.

I was also told never to stop for anyone, even if they are laying on the road or look dead etc. Drive to the nearest town, find the cop shop and report it. People have had cars stolen from stopping to help.

Also, spread the trip out a bit more. It is a very long drive, have you done distances like that before? I planned to take I think 6 days to drive up, I would have to look for it, but still have the map with the planned stops on it if youare interested? Dont drive more than 8 hours a day, you will get fatigued.

Port Augusta to Alice is a very long way, probably 12 hours or even more, not sure on the exact distance.

Thanks for your responses. I appreciate it!

My car is currently in for a service at the moment and they know of my plans. I have been previously warned about the animals at dawn and dusk. I heard that they are attracted to the car lights so only day light hours for me! I ahve also printed out detailed maps from the internet so I can follow my journey.

Since I posted my question, I have had an offer from a person I barely know in Darwin who is coming down to Melbourne. They have offered to drive back up with me for the company. They are very handy with cars and repairs and things like that so makes sense and then we can share the driving. I feel safer driving with someone but the thing that is bothering me is that I don't know them very well. They are an acquaintance of an acquaintance. I have his contact details which I can leave with friends and I also know where he works and lives. We have spoken a few times on the phone so I know someone when I get up there. What do you guys think of this new development? He seems nice enough but as a young female I have concerns -possibly irrational,possibly not but what if he is a weirdo and stalks me when I get to Darwin? Im just unsure if I should do the drive alone or take this person up on their generous offer.
Anna

Oh and I forgot to write in my last entry that he has done the trip 6 times previously and enjoys the drive so this is another reason he has offered

Anna

I can only say, meet with him first. If you keep in regular contact with your parents, say call them at the same time everyday while you are driving im sure you will be fine. As for him becomming a stalker - you can always contact the police. Im sure you will be fine, I think I would take up the offer. your friends wouldnt have put you in contact if they didt think it was safe.
What are you going up there to do if you dont mind me asking ?

Hi How well do you know the aquaintance who knows the propective driver, how old is this driver, why does he come to Melbourne often, is he married etc etc.
My final advice is if you have any doubts , do not accept the offer. You can do it on your own, just take a few extra days so you do not get overtired.
Good Luck

As long as you are careful I wouldn't hesitate driving from Melbourne to Darwin alone.Being careful means not picking up anyone hitch hiking, also making sure you fill up with petrol all the time.
I did this trip in June, Melbourne to Adelaide, stayed 2 nights in Adelaide at a backpackers in Glenelg( Spelling??)then we drove to Coober Pedy, stayed in a wonderful underground house there stayed 2 nights, then from here to Alice Springs, stayed at Annies backpackers here, great.From Alice we did Uluru etc and then back to Alice, from Alice to Tennant Creek.Then to Katherine. We left very early in the morning, around 5.30am and I never drove after around 4 in the afternoon.
I made a huge mistake and forgot to get petrol in Port Augusta, I will never do that again, I fill now even if the tank is a 1/4 empty.
Put an esky in the front with you, have plenty of cold water in it and some snakc food. You are on sealed main highways all the way, there is traffic on these always, so don't panic if anything happens with the car...stop and put your bonnet up so people know you are in trouble.
Make sure you have a spare tyre, and that you can change this alone.
I have found that most people that are travelling these roads are friendly and helpful.Just use your common sense and you will be fine. A great adventure:)
PS..what ever you have heard, Coober Pedy is a great town, wonderful to have a look around, even though it will be at boiling point.
Also if you stay at Backpacker places you will probably find someone that is going your way, share petrol.

I see no reason why you cannot do the trip alone. it is not the safety angle that will threten but the feeling that some people get of wide open spaces and long distances. Melbourne to Port augusta is a long drive for the first day so if you get to port augusta the next day you should moderate your plan to go from Port Augusta to Coober Peedy only. I have done this trip several times and Coober Peedy is a great stopover with plenty of options.You will feel like a stop here particularly in your situation. There are a number of roadhouses that provide petrol on the Stuart hwy and they are well spaced. Coober peedy to alice is a comfortable day trip for you given daylight travelling hours only. You will make better decisions all round if not overtired. I would then aim for Tennant Creek (short day)and then Katherine or even on to Darwin. Trying to get there in the least possible time will not make it safer.
Contary to what you hear people are helpful if you get into difficulties on the Stuart Hwy so keep cool if you break down etc. Treat it as a well planned adventure and not with the mindset of putting your head down and rushing to get there as if this somehow means less road time and safer. The fact that you have asked these questions suggests you will be confidently cautious. I would go on my own if not 100% plus sure of my passenger.That at this point is you biggest immediate danger to assess. I would go with your basic instincts on this ( not the easy option) and say no.You can do it. Have a great trip, forget the stories you hear, get some taped books, favourite music and go for it. The old trick of having a dummy in the seat alongside you at certain points on the trip does make some women more comfortable and has some logic.
The dangers are overblown. Best of luck on your new life in Darwin and trust your instincts and relax. You will have a great trip
best wishes.

I so agree with Gerry, the dangers are blown out of proportion.

I've done that trip quite a few times and I think you'll be surprised at the amount of traffic along the Stuart Highway, although at that time of year it's less crowded. But I think you're pushing it on the timetable you're setting for yourself. Remember there are lots of roadtrains along that stretch and passing them is more difficult than you might think. Tiredness will be your biggest danger. You'll be better off doing it in smaller sections.

A few years back I met a girl travelling alone along the Birdsville Track in January. She was going to continue around Quilpie way and then circle back to Innaminka and back along the Strzlecki Track. Now that's "outback travel".

Wow! lots of great advice! Thanks guys.

Suzy, I will be teaching in Darwin and I can't wait. I need to be up there by Jan 22 and would like to be settled in for at least a week, if not longer before I start. The advice from many of you has made me feel better about driving up there alone. If I leave earlier, then I can take my time and have more stops along the way- see how I feel each day. I have already loaded my ipod with so many songs and books on tape so I will be ok for the entertainment (although I think I will need to burn these onto CD because no radio frequencies to play my ipod on)
The guy who offered had done the trip many times because he is originally from Tassie and prefers to travel by road than air. He is not married, 34 years old and was seeing my acquaintace for a while. They are nto seeing each other anymore and he needs to pick up some belongings from her house down here in Melbourne. He was going to fly both ways but then offered to drive back with me.
I know if he is a 'bad sort' i can easily get the help of the police once Im in Darwin and he seems nice enough. We have had a few more conversations about the trip and I have voiced my concerns also. Due to work, if he drives with me, we need to do it in 4 days which he says is easy to do.
Well Im making up my mind over the next few days so I will let you know what I decide and how it all goes once I reach Darwin. Thansk for the support!
Anna

Hi,
I'm moving to Darwin from Melboune in early Feb, for lifestyle change and warmer weather of course, my boyfriend already has been up there working for a couple of months. I am female and driving up in the car, lucky for me my friend has agreed to drive up with me, and i have already booked her a flight back (so there's no pulling out now!) We are also bringing my dog, but he's usually pretty well behaved.
My friend and I have driven up the middle before about 4 years ago. The drive is fairly easy, the roads are quite good. There are plenty of servo stops ie.every 200-300 kms. Most of the petrol stations/roadhouses have accomodation (camping or motel) and bars some also have swimming pools! We found staying overnight at some of those was fun, people ther are really friendly and like to chat. Cadney Park, Waucoupe and Daly Waters are great over night stops.
Although lots of people rave about Coober Pedy, we were quite horrified by the place - it reminded us of after the bomb - its dusty and dry and quite scary in fact. So going through is good for a look but i wouldn't reccommend staying there.
We did our last trip up there in about 5-6 days taking pretty it easy - at that time it was an unlimited speed, now it has a limit of 130kms and hour, which is still pretty good. Most of the truckies and big road trains will flash thier right indicator when its safe to over take them, which is lovely.
So good luck and i'm sure you'll be fine and have a fabulous time.
Kristy