Is it possible to drive around Austalia's outer perimeter ?

BT SNAKE · #1 (**permalink**) 09-12-2002, 09:21 AM

I don't have an Aussie road map so I was wondering if your highways go completely around the country. Would it be a real challenge in some areas ?
Here in the states there are a few compititons that circle the perimeter of the U.S.
One of these was the motorcycle event called the ironbutt. The other was old cars I think.

Hersh

mikiec · #2 (**permalink**) 09-12-2002, 10:30 AM

Oh...Gosh..

The GT40 is going home.

Mike

Clois Harlan · #3 (**permalink**) 09-12-2002, 11:24 AM

I sure would like to try. Of course I would need to buy a tanker truck to follow me with fuel.

But first I just want to visit for abut a month.

Clois

ac andy · #4 (**permalink**) 09-13-2002, 05:56 AM

G'day B.T, in answer to your question, yes, the Princes Highway runs all the way around Australia, and i am pretty sure it is asphalt all the way around. you may need some big fuel tanks though because there are some big distances between fuel stops!

boxhead · #5 (**permalink**) 09-15-2002, 03:18 AM

Hiya BT it is possable to drive around Australia but there are no sealed roads that cover the whole perimeter of AustraliaI have seen alot of Australia and lived in afew different places, I know as a fact that the sealed roads end at Cooktown in north queensland (the pointy bit on the east coast) Cooktown is several hundred klm from the cape.
The only sealed road goes from Townsville to Mt isa and across to Darwin, then you have to head south b4 getting to a road that goes to Broome (not sure if it is sealed yet) then you follow the coast south to Perth(mostly sealed) then you head across the nullabor plain to Adelaide, then you drive following the coast to Melbourne (some of the best driveing roads along the great ocean road) then you follow the princess highway around the coast to Sydney and follow the road north to Brisbane and then follow the Bruce highway north to Cooktown.
I know that the road from cooktown to Townsville is sealed and the road from Townsville to Darwin is sealed and also i know that the road from Perth to Cooktown is sealed along the coast road heading via Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Townsville.
Sorry about this letter being so long , just wanted to let you know.
I now live in a town called Alice springs, which is allmost in the centre of Australia, 1500kl south from Darwin and 1500 north of Adelaide.
The highways in the Nortern Territory have open speed limits

Alice springs is in the Northern Territory

Aussie Mike · #6 (**permalink**) 09-15-2002, 05:32 PM

The Weather in Alice is probably a bit more Cobra friendly than FNQ.

Friends of mine did the round Australia trip for their Honeymoon. The both took a year off work, loaded up the Landcruiser and went. They did a lot of camping, fishing and hunting on the way round. They went for a diesel 4x4 since they spent a fair bit of time off the beaten track. You can get diesel most places and it gives better economy than Petrol.

Cheers

BT SNAKE · #7 (**permalink**) 09-15-2002, 09:45 PM

Boxhead and Mike,
It seems to me that making a trip like that would be one hairy adventure. Not many servos and probably not too many Holiday Inns.

I think a good ole tent would be the ticket ar a small van camper.
I thought the sw area was the least populated. Is this so?
One day soon me and my wife will come there and drive part of that trip. Then we shall return another time and try to do some more .
It may take us five or six trips but it just appeals to me to see Your country that way.

Hersh

boxhead · #8 (**permalink**) 09-17-2002, 03:47 AM

G'day again BT
the least populated areas of Australia are the centre and west coast, the north east is almost not populated apart from communities and a few large towns ie: Broome take a look at a map on the net you will see just how big and bare Australia is

Sloth · #9 (**permalink**) 10-19-2002, 05:34 PM

MY brother and i rode our Harleys around, taking the route that Boxhead explained (give or take a few deviations..

)

His Fat Boy needed an extra 5 litres of fuel only. I think the largest distance b/w fuel stops was about 300km.

A lot of fun, and i recommend it to all. Watch the Drop Bears in QLD though

cheers.

OZVENOM · #10 (**permalink**) 10-21-2002, 05:23 AM

Hi hersh it is about 10 000 miles around OZ so be prepaired for a long drive i know a couple of guys that drove there cobras around OZ about 6 years ago to prove there reliability .
they made it i havent hered the full story but it was one hell of a trip .
I hope you can make it over it would be great to show some of my country as you showed me yours thanks again mate .

John McMahon · #11 (**permalink**) 10-21-2002, 07:43 AM

BT,

Leave the 40 at home!!!!

Since I am a Scuba Diver, I have always wanted to spend a week diving the Great Barrier Reef followed by a week in the Outback. This is one of the may "Fantasy Dive Trips" I've wanted to do for many year, plus I have an acquantance living in Melbourne.

Just takes $$$.

750hp · #12 (**permalink**) 10-23-2002, 05:06 AM

John,
You might want to get out here soon for a couple of reasons.

1. Your dollar buys LOTS of our dollars at the moment.
2. Blame it global warming if you want, but coral bleaching is a serious problem that the scientists are at a loss to overcome. If you like your coral colourful, and not a stark white, get out here ASAP.

Hersh,
Bring the GT40!!!!! I can just see it blasting along at 200mph LEGALLY in the Northern Territory. NO speed limit, and the roads are flat and straight for miles and miles. If Scott and I get our cars to the Fling and Run'n'Gun next year, bring yours over in our container. It'd get here for less money than your own airfare. Backloading (shipping back to the States in an otherwise empty container) costs very little.... Like JM said - it just takes $$$.

Oh, one problem - we don't have your brand of cigar over here!

wilf leek · #13 (**permalink**) 10-23-2002, 05:59 AM

Hey Hersh - if you wanna practice driving around a little island, let me know!!

750hp · #14 (**permalink**) 10-23-2002, 06:03 AM

Let's start him out somewhere even smaller.... Isle of Man??? Joey Dunlop territory in a GT40

John McMahon · #15 (**permalink**) 10-23-2002, 06:12 AM

Craig,

If I had the $$$ I'd be there right now...but unfortunately, it looks like I'll be spreading the long green for a new motor for McStang for 2003.

BT SNAKE · #16 (**permalink**) 10-28-2002, 09:05 AM

Gees ! I don't know how I missed these replies to my thread.
I would love to bring the forty over to Oz and I probably will someday. But for the first trip I think I will use a rental and get to know the roads and new driving techniques needed to get around on the wrong side of the road.

I seemed to recall a couple of Ozzies having some adjustment problems when they were over here. I'm sure I will have some
adjusting to do as well when I come over there.
Wilf, I also plan to be in your neck of the woods someday soon.
My brother has been to England many times but I haven't been there once.
JM, I can't scuba dive. My ears won't let me. When I went to get
certified I was unable to go lower than 15ft without excrutiating
pain. I went to the doctor and he said that it was something to do wityh the shape of my ear canals. They wouldn't allow proper pressure equalizing. I tried everything to no avail. My brother continued the diving course and he has since dived on two
treasure ships and was lucky enough to get a few monentos.
For the past ten years he has dived in many wonderful places.
At least I can see the pictures.

I don't mind 200MPH in a jet but I ain't never gonna do that speed in a car. I'm too familiar with my limitations and that is surely one of them.

Hersh

wilf leek · #17 (**permalink**) 10-28-2002, 09:25 AM

Hersh - you be sure to let me know if you come over to england. I need to work out when to book my holidays abroad anyway.

Wilf

boxhead · #18 (**permalink**) 11-12-2002, 05:16 AM

I have room for you and your car whenever you decide to visit, I am now living in Alice Springs so if your here let me know

BT SNAKE · #19 (**permalink**) 11-12-2002, 11:03 AM

Thanks Wilf and Boxhead,
I will surely give both of you fair warning upon my visit to
your respective countries. I really look forward to traveling
and meeting new friends.

Hersh

Bathrone · #20 (**permalink**) 11-26-2002, 06:02 AM

Hi. I was admiring your kit aircraft, Gt40 and the Cobra on your website! Im in Sydney and would welcome inviting you for a BBQ at my joint if you have the time when you come over. I have maps I could copy for you and I have alot of material on Australian roads and touring the outback......Actually my other car hobby is 4WDing and I know country Australia pretty well. Check out my 4wd at;

http://www.homestead.com/offroadrig/howartha.html

Also there is a video of some antics offroad at;

http://www.offroad.au.com/video/tardis_lake.mpg

Perhaps by the time your here I will a cobra kit in my garage heh.

Cheers