Trip from WA to eatern state(s)

PauSum

PauSum

Forum Member
Joined
Aug 1, 2008
Messages
321
Location
Perth Australia
Car Year
2005 and 2015
Car Model
Forester and Outback
Transmission
5 speed manual and 6 speed CVT
Planning for a driving trip with my Forester from Perth to NSW and/or Tas next April/May. Has anyone done similar things before? What needs to be prepared? :lol:
 
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Id say the bank account the way the price of fuel is!

Its sealed the whole way, unless you want to look for dirt.
Otherwise I dont think you need to do anything special.
Obviously if you are planning to "live" out of the Forester you might want some stuff like a fridge, a stove, swag etc.

Certainly let us know if you are getting near Sydney, Im sure the locals could buy you a meal and/or show you some local sights.
 
Thanks Mr Turbo and Dicknose,

As we are going with young kids (4 and 2), I don't intend to go "off road" at this stage. We might do some camping when available though.

As my forester is very stock, I might need to at least get the roof rack and storage box etc. Do you think GPS is really needed?

We are still planning where to go, when we have decided our destination, I'll definitely let you locals know about it.

Cheers
PauSum
 
I'm looking at going from Sydney to Australind in October, then back again - we should compare notes lol

By GPS do you mean navigation? I'd say not as you have a human navigator! Although getting around cities is a lot easier with them.
 
GPS in the cities are worth every cent these days as Syd - Melb and to some extent Bris, roads change so quickly these days and don't forget to update the Satellites before leaving if you have a TomTom.

Extra water for crossing the Nullabor would be one of my considerations along with a vehicle service (if nearly due) and all over check prior to departure.
Another thing to consider are some games etc to occupy the kids whilst driving as they will be easily bored on the road and also some window shades to keep the heat & glare off them.

Have a great trip and take plenty of happy snaps.
 
Yep GPS is worth every cent for in city navigation these days. I take mine on every trip. Nothing better than flying in to a city, jumping in a hire car (and not having to work out how to use the built in GPS if it has one) and driving straight to where you want to be. Interstate routes not so useful though I still had mine on when I drove down to the GOR earlier this year but it was really only of use once I got to around Geelong and even then I could've coped without it.

As for preperation I don't think there's much required. I like to carry clamps, fuses, bulbs, zip ties, gaffer tape and fencing wire and a basic tool kit on any trip and for longer trips add things like rad hoses, belt/s and oil. Water is always a good idea to carry as well. Service before leaving and let them know that you've got a big drive coming up so hopefully they'll actually do what they're supposed to. Check and adjust tyre pressures including the spare. FAK (First Aid Kit) is a good idea also along with the knowledge on how to use it. Otherwise stock up on snacks, CDs and stuff to keep the kids happy and off you go.

Roof pod or basket could be useful. Work out what you plan to take and see if you can fit it all in. If not then looking at hiring or buying the roof gear.
 
I did the Nullabor back in 1989. Biggest problem was WA police, who hassled us quite a bit. They were a problem all the way from about Southern Cross to Eucla, and even though we tried to stay out of trouble, they wanted to make it. Even when we went to them for assistance, they gave us a hard time. They were particularly bad at the WA/SA border. ( I might add that it has only ever been the WA Police who have ever been a problem in our interstate travels)

The towns along the Nullabor are just glroified service stations, with a caravn park tacked on out the back. Fuel was expensive- although obviously I would gladly pay those prices today that we did then. Points of interest to check out include:

1) The caves on the Nullabor which we did not see
2) The Telegraph station which we did stop for. Mostly covered by sand, it gives you an idea of what they dealt with.
3) The Nullabor Cliffs. Once into SA, you will start coming across tracks that shoot off to the right on your way east- they will take you to the cliffs, but there are quite a few from memory and we just found one that took us there for the most outstanding view I have ever seen.

I would take standard outback provisions, such as second spare if possible. Depending on the time of year, you need to consider water, etc. Once you leave Eucla there is no service for a very long way- maybe 1000km- i forget, but you get the idea.

Of all my trips, the Nullabor is the least interesting I have done, but even so, I am glad I did it. The speed limit is way too low, and the WA police just made the journey miserable. SA was a joy by comparison which is just as well since that is where most of the Nullabor is.
 
It all started the minuted we crossed the border. Pulling out of the servo, the cops pulled three of our cars over, for no reason. They asked the drivers for licences, as well as the passengers. When they found out the girls were from overseas, they then demanded passports. They then found out one of our group were ahead of us, they made us radio him to come back.

Later on, we were travelling back east and heard of possible flooding ahead of us. We went to the local police station to see if the road ahead was closed. The constable there said it was clear to the next town and to check with the police there, which we proceeded to do.

Arriving at the next town, we went straight to the police station, but found it empty. As we walked back up the driveway to the road, we saw a police car arrive, so we went to ask him. But it was the copper from the last town. He then asked for ID and demanded to search our cars. He found nothing.

On the last night in WA, we were travelling along at night when I saw a police car go buy. I checked my mirror and saw him hit the brakes, turn on the blues and toots and come after us. I was second in the convoy, which was made up of 4 cars, but with the second group a mile or 2 behind.

The cop overtook me and pulled my frined over, then me. One of them was the same guy who pulled us over the first time at the border. He immediately told us to tell the other 2 cars to pull over. Again he demanded ID from everyone, but forgot to return one of the licences and for which my friend had to go running back after when he realised.

The next morning we woke up to find that the police had camped within sight of our camp. I was convinced by then that they would try and plant something on us, because they had been non stop in hassling us. We were never booked or arrested for anything, but it was pretty intense and in my view harassement. Crossing the border was certainly a relief.

I have since spoken to a number of people who have had similar experieces at Eucla, and I heard one hire car company executive was gaoled because she resented the treatment. Later I saw on a TV a segment on the cops who patrol this area and how they did their work. Maybe having WA plates on is the answer?

Here is a picture I took at Eucla with one of the cars and the police concerned

scan0001.jpg
 
Hiya PauSum. If you pass through Adelaide, give us a call. I/we should be able to spend some time [at least] with you if you want. If you think you might do that, send me a PM and I'll give you my contact details.
 
Thanks PaulK,

PM sent.
 
hoadie said:
I'm looking at going from Sydney to Australind in October, then back again - we should compare notes lol

By GPS do you mean navigation? I'd say not as you have a human navigator! Although getting around cities is a lot easier with them.
Click to expand...

Hoadie, good idea to compare notes...lol....think I might get more from you though as your trip is in October, but mine will be in next April/May...
 
Rally said:
Once you leave Eucla there is no service for a very long way- maybe 1000km- i forget, but you get the idea.
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I doubt its 1000km - very few cars could do that stretch on a single tank!
Even 500km is a long way without a fuel stop.

Generally any place thats going to be the last fuel for more than 200km is going to have a bloody big sign telling you that, so they get your business.

I gather from your photo that you dont have a turbo, so you dont have to fuss so much about premium.
I generally take a fuel can with me, just gives you a bit of peace of mind.
 
That was not my car-we all had cars that ran leaded fuel in those days. While fuel was available, there were no mechanics if something went wrong. Like you, we took the precaution of taking extra fuel. My car ran a 125 litre fuel tank as well.
 
dicknose said:
I generally take a fuel can with me, just gives you a bit of peace of mind.
Click to expand...

Yeah dicknose and Rally, I intend to bring a fuel can with me as well. Thanks for suggestion.

Just wondering if the incident that Rally had at the border was just an once off, or have many people encountered that as well? Seems a bit concern especially if we are on our own when we cross the border....
 
Rally was talking about 20 years ago.

Its a good chance that the style of policing has changed.

I have read about big police presence on the border when bikie groups came thru, but Im guessing that is a bit different to a guy and his family in a family wagon!
 
dicknose said:
Rally was talking about 20 years ago.
Click to expand...

Oh yeah.... 1989 .... missed that, no wonder the car in the picture wasn't a Forester :biggrin:
 
G'day everyone,

My bro and I did the trip to Perth and back to Central Vic last december. We had no trouble with the constabulary in either direction. At certain points you'll be stopped for quarintine reasons - points on the SA and WA border, usually when headed West.

We took a 20 litre bottle of water and travelled with 5 jerry cans - to aviod the expensive fuel stops, only buying minimal amounts when needed. Also remember that mobile contact is not always available. I'm with optus and remember loosing reception after Port Augusta with a little bit in Ceduna before loosing it again til Norseman.

Service, yes, have one done and the car checked for piece of mind. My old '88 L broke down due to a homemade un-tested mod, we had to partly strip the engine in the middle of no-where, place the half moon retainer clips back into the valve spring assembly and put it all back together and hope it ran ok - which it did. Not having mobile reception was an amazingly awful feeling as we've all grown acustomed to having it there...

Do some research and get maps for the places of interest - we found one of the caves but it was caged off where we found the entrance. Our trip was cut short from a crushed finger - turned out to be a flesh wound. Which reminds me - pack the 1st aid kit and update your qualification if need be. I now have my Advanced Leader's Wilderness First Aid Certificate due to some of my work.

Enjoy the ride, don't drive at night - we were told East of Norseman at night was a no-go due to wildlife. We did anyway cos we have quite a bit of experience with this. We found though, that it was the dead wildlife all over the road that was the problem - we didn't see any live animals at night, just during the day...

I'd love to do it again, but take it easier the next time around - we were in perth 2 and a half days after leaving home, including breakdown time. On the way back we took 3 days as we dropped in on rellies in the city of churches.

We didn't think about taking a second spare - found out through some good friends that its an unwritten rule of "outback" travel...

Cheers

Bennie
 
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