travel questions [View all]

[Kali]

I understand I need at least a couple of years to actually see Australia but the first trip (because I already know I will have to come back to see the stromatolites LOL) is going to have to be limited to a few weeks.

We are thinking about driving from Adelaide to Darwin in August or September of next year (2016). My travel buddy was there for two intense academic trips in the 80's but otherwise we are not too familiar with things other than guidebooks and such.

Is that a trip that can be done in reasonable comfort in 3 weeks and still see some real things? Of course we will see the Uluru area and the big sites but I would live to know of anything else a local would recommend. We would love to go "off road" and may try to get a vehicle for that out of Alice Springs (or other location if that is possible) if the $$$ works out, otherwise I think it looks like one can do this in a regular vehicle with some camping and other regular accommodations fairly easily. Is that correct? Or do you think we should just plan to get a big camper-type vehicle for the whole route? I guess that is my biggest question. I hate to spend that kind of money if it is just as easy and probably cheaper to hit small motel type places and do a bit of camping.

Does anyone know the cost comparisons of eating/food purchasing between the US and there? Seems to be fairly similar from the books, but I wouldn't mind hearing anybody's take that has been both places. I expect the route we are thinking of may be a bit higher in cost, as it is away from population centers and coasts but I don't know for sure.

Is there anything fun from the US that would be good to bring as possible gifts that wouldn't be readily available? Packaged snack things or some other type of (light weight/non-bulky) product that is inexpensive but amusing and says "thanks from your new friend from the US" or "here is a funny representative item from the US for the party."

Last, is anybody near this route and want to meet up? That would be a real hoot to have a DU meet-up there, I think! (or Sidney, if that is where we end up flying into. I would probably want at least an overnight break from the sardine can)