Am trying to put together a "road trip" to Australia this summer, and would like to be able to meet up with folks from on here, while there. Or get a travel companion while there, if anyone retired or otherwise free to go. I am trying to decide where to fly into, as want to see the NT so have to go to Darwin, and figured I'd go there and tour up there, then fly out to somewhere else and tour the rest, as a friend who lived in Aus. said if you rent a car in NT not allowed to take it out of there.

You do realise that Australia as a land mass is bigger than Continental US? A road trip in northern Australia is going to be a seriously tedious adventure - its a long way between interesting scenery.
Check with your rental car supplier - I am sure you can rent at point A and drop off at point B with all the major companies.

Muzza you can pick at point A and drop off at point B as long as both are in the NT. I asked my friends who own a car Rental Franchise. This is what I was told. We have rented a LOT of cars of this firm so believe it to be true.

Pete

quote:

Originally posted by tysue:
Am trying to put together a "road trip" to Australia this summer, and would like to be able to meet up with folks from on here, while there. Or get a travel companion while there, if anyone retired or otherwise free to go. I am trying to decide where to fly into, as want to see the NT so have to go to Darwin, and figured I'd go there and tour up there, then fly out to somewhere else and tour the rest, as a friend who lived in Aus. said if you rent a car in NT not allowed to take it out of there.

How much time do you have?
Best to land somewhere other than Darwin first ie. Sydney or Brisbane. Hire a car and take a look around NSW or Queensland and then fly out to Darwin where you would hire a 4WD. Driving between states here will be too time consuming for you. Darwin is remote and thousands of kilometres from any other Australian city.

My last active duty military job was at the embassy in Canberra. We did a lot of road trips while we were there and I am not sure what you are after seeing but I can make some good recommendations.

A campervan (there are quite a few options) is a good vehicle to rent. Some of them are pretty small, and make a nice place to stay.

We rented one for my parents and they picked it up in Sydney and made a big loop for about 40 days. It was expensive, but not much more expensive than 40 days worth of hotels.

Cross-state car rentals are tougher to work out.

All of Australia is worth seeing if you want a big adventure.

My parents did Sydney to Darwin, across the top and down to Alice, and then came back across. They ran out of time, as they were only doing 300-400 K per day, and spent a few days in more scenic places like Daintree, Alice, Ayres, and their rental vehicle died in Wagga on the way home, so they had a couple days being stuck in Wagga.

Have Bakes take you fishing! But bring a GPS, a headlamp, and some food.

We drove to Qld and NT last year and I have to report that Muzza is correct. (Fortunately, my wife is one who can just drive all day without fatigue.)

I would offer to show you Melbourne but her at the coffee shop wants to go to North Queensland July/ August

I just looked on Britz, the most expensive camper van you can hire coming in Australian winter (July) is $3000 for the month. Makes a pretty cheap hotel.

quote:

Originally posted by AnotherAZWriter:
Have Bakes take you fishing! But bring a GPS, a headlamp, and some food.

You get lost one time.......

It's alright Bakes, Obstropolopoulous had the same problem with 1 goat.

Pete

This Tysue is the guy I've been trying to make the trip over for buff with the past six years. Then I've had to cancel out due to health problems. Don't look like anyone wants to join him here. Real shame.

George