In 2021 we launched into an bold caravan journey from Darwin within the far central north of Australia to the Nice Australian Bight within the south. We name it an bold journey as a result of we had tried the identical factor a yr earlier which needed to be aborted, and nonetheless comparable situations remained as there was at all times the danger of COVID catching up with us and wreaking havoc on our plans.
Here’s a map of our journey, because it was deliberate and mainly the way it was accomplished (we solely missed the final couple of locations). Rob left Melbourne on Could twenty eighth, and arrived in Darwin on June 4th, as the remainder of the household flew into city. Fifty days later, we arrived again in Perth, July twenty second.
As anticipated, the pandemic was at all times looming over us, although fortunately our plans weren’t tremendously affected. As we left Darwin, that city went right into a lockdown, as did Alice Spring which we had been heading to. We needed to keep an additional evening on the Satan’s Marbles whereas ready for his or her lockdown to finish. All of the whereas we had been getting nearer to South Australia, ready for the restrictions to alter in order that we may freely journey throughout the border (which it did simply in time). Nonetheless, after a couple of days in Coober Pedy, there have been circumstances in South Australia, which prompted us to go to Western Australia as quick as we may. We made it over the border, simply earlier than restrictions had been introduced that might have meant we wanted to isolate for 2 weeks at residence. It was a rush residence, we missed a few spots in SA, however we had been blissful to be again residence, again to work, the youngsters again to highschool, having had a splendidly rewarding expertise in Australia’s topend and outback.
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The 22 Locations we stayed
We largely stayed in our Jayco van at campgrounds, powered and unpowered, free and paid, besides in Darwin at a good friend’s home, on a houseboat on Corroboree Billabong, and in an underground home in Coober Pedy.
- Casuarina, Darwin, in a home with pals
- Florence Falls Campground, Litchfield NP
- Home boat on Corroboree Billabong
- Kakadu Lodge Campground, Jabiru, Kakadu NP
- Mardugal 1 Campground, Kakadu NP
- Edith Falls Campground
- Katherine Gorge (Nitmiluk) Campground
- Little Roper Inventory Camp, Mataranka
- Daly Waters Pub
- Banka Banka Station
- Karlu Karlu / Devils Marbles Conservation Reserve
- Temple Bar Caravan Park, Alice Springs
- Ormiston Gorge, West MacDonnell Ranges
- Henbury Meteorites Conservation Reserve
- Kings Creek Station, Kings Canyon
- Ayers Rock Campground, Yulara
- Marla Traveller’s Relaxation
- Di’s Dugout, Coober Pedy
- Woomera Traveller’s Village & Caravan Park
- Nullabor Roadhouse
- Baxters Relaxation Space freecamp
- Boondi Rock Campground
Journey Particulars
Of the 49 travelling days from Darwin to Perth, we had been on the street for 23 of nowadays. We travelled a complete of 9002km, that’s on common 184km per day, and 391km per travelling day. We spent a complete of $1788 on gasoline, which is $36 per day or $255 per week.
We spent a complete of $2667 on lodging, which is $54 per day or $381 per week. Though we regularly paid between $30-50 an evening for a caravan park website, there have been instances we stayed at a free camp or with pals, and different instances on an costly houseboat or resort underground.
We spent a complete of $3522 on meals, which works out to be $72 per day or $503 per week.
Taking into account gasoline, lodging and meals, that’s $1139 per week. There have been different bills too, reminiscent of entries, excursions, items, souvenirs, repairs. We additionally had the price of the drive from Perth to Darwin, and flights for 4 individuals from Perth to Darwin.
