Darwin Travel Forum

Hi,
I'm moving from melbourne to darwin in early feb 08, I am driving up with a friend (who will fly back) and my dog. Because i have driven up the center a couple of times we are thinking of going NSW coast to Qld and cutting through to Daly Waters. We are driving a 01 Toyota Camry V6. I am thiking of starting to cut through just before Brisbane, to go through Mt Isa etc. Is this safe this time of year?
Kristy

Travel is safe enough in a well maintained car on the bitumen roads that you will travel on in outback Qld and the Northern Territory, through places like Miles ,Roma,Mitchell,Tambo, Blackall, Barcaldine, Longreach,Winton, Mt Isa and across the Barkley tablelands to three ways then on up the stuart hwy . There was a bit of flood damage on the bitumen road between Camoweel and barkley homestead when we travelled through a few monthe ago but was being repaired and road pretty good all the way. It will be exceptionally hot so carry many litres of extra water and keep hydrated. You are certainly going the very long way around...at least 2to 3 extra days over the more direct Stuart hwy route up from Port Augusta, but you know that. It will take you at least 7 to 8 days of relatively solid driving. Best wishes and take your time.

There's a lot of different ways you can go between Melbourne and Darwin. I've done most of them, same as you, looking for variety. I've done it via Cairns, via Broome, via Birdsville, via Tibooburra, via Alice Springs, and on just about every western Queensland road. If you've got the time, any one of those are great for a change. Even Birdsville is okay for 2WD if you don't get rain. But as pointed out, during the wet season the section between Mt Isa and the NT border can be flood prone. The area around Winton as well. But the wet season can also affect any of the other low lying, flatter areas. Wet season access along any roads can't be guaranteed, but 90% of the time there wouldn't be any problem.