Port Augusta to Katherine

Duh · Guru

Port Augusta to Katherine

Ginger · Veteran Member

Hello Everyone,

It has been a long time since I have posted. I have been busy travelling, no, not none stop, except for the Big One, that took a few months. I have been doing a month or so of travelling and then coming home and checking on my house, paying the bills and (groan) getting the garden back up to scratch, it doesn' take long for the house to look un-lived in, does it.

My next big trip I have planned is for early October, why October, well it seems to be the only time I don't have family committments this year. Weather wise it is fairly comfortable. I have a campervan and it does get pretty hot in summer and very cold in winter. I am a bit of a sook weather wise, I loathe the cold but do find it easier to get warm than trying to keep cool in the middle of summer.

Now I do have a few questions.

This trip from Port Augusta to Katherine, I have no idea of the road conditions, how are they. For some reason, I have a few heeby jeebies about travelling straight up the centre. The Nullabor didn't bother me, nor does other long lonely roads, all sealed of course.

I don't want to carry extra fuel in a drum / container etc. I am getting around 600 km on a full tank, give or take, depending of the conditions, wind does mess that up considerably. I have a Hi-Ace Hard Top. (Say no more eh).

So fuel wise, (roughly) how far are the fuel service stations apart. Yes, I plan on filling up at every Servo I come to.

I always free camp, I do have Camps 5, so that is the next question, is the any free camping you can recommend I mark in advance, to give me a rough idea of where to stop, oh, I have to add here, I DO NOT drive on dirt roads, the van is old and I don't want to push her more than I have to. Having said that, I must say I get her serviced regularly and to the best of my mechanic knowledge, she is in good condition but hey he is not a clairvoyant, and can not predict what may go wrong. So far, 180,000 odd kms down the track, I have been lucky and have not been stranded along the road. I guess there is always a first time, again no big deal, I carry plenty of food and water. If I let things like that worry me I would not drive out my front gate.

Is there any other advice anyone can give me for this trip from Port Augusta to Katherine. There is no time limit, although I would like to be back home for Christmas, I have young grandies.

I always travel alone, I do not tag, I did try that once and hated it.

Thanks in advance for any advice you may give me.

Happy travelling,

Ginger.

Gerty Dancer · Guru

Excellent road, fuel available at varying prices, groceries also. Wonderful scenery. You can get a lot of info from the visitor centre at Port Augusta, including a list of rest stops which have toilets. (most of them don't!)

The water at Coober Pedy is the best for a long way so fill your tank for $2. You can camp behind most service stations but they vary, and most charge a fee. Barrow creek was one place we wouldn't stay, it may be better now.

A few cautions:- Wildlife and cattle are on the road, mostly at dawn and dusk, so don't travel at those times. Its very useful to have a UHF radio. Don't freecamp within 15-20k's of a town. It will be getting HOT in Katherine in October!

-- Edited by Gerty Dancer on Saturday 24th of August 2013 09:43:06 AM

spida · Guru

After similar trepidation I did the trip in April and absolutely loved it. Excellent roads all the way to Katherine, inteesting scenery, lots of camps - Lake Hart, Bonbon, Ingomar, Marryat Creek, Taylors rest, Devils Marbles ($3.30 consession), and a couple south of Katherine.... Free camp before Uluru at Curtin Springs roadhouse. Get fuel at Elunda before you leave the highway - expensive at Curtin. Recommend the tour at Coober Pedy, Breakaways are a must. Daly Waters also but not free - great feed and enterainment though.

-- Edited by spida on Saturday 24th of August 2013 11:10:13 AM

shekon · Guru

Hi ginger, perfect road, plenty of fuel stops, as far as free camping I know there are lots of different spots but have not used them. Went that way this time last year and it was a blast. No dirt roads if you don't want to go there. Advice was not to free camp around Coober Pedy, but plenty of nice caravan parks. Loved the CP at Erlunda, not badly priced and clean. Not sure how the highway is from Alice up, but my guess it would be excellent also.

Beautiful country up that way and so interesting as the landscape changes constantly. Have fun.

jules47 · The Happy Helper

Hi - we are coming the other way - down to Port Augusta at the moment - have stayed mostly at free camps - though currently in Marla at the caravan park - $10 per head, and if you want power, it is an extra $10 per night per site. We chose not to have power - lots of sun out here!

Left Marryat free camp, just on the bridge - nice camp - water available (non drinkable) - quiet - and LOTS OF FLIES - the one thing I recommend is you get a fly net for your hat!!!!! They will drive you mad otherwise!

Most of the free camps are great - Finke River was excellent - saw a herd of wild camels! We stayed at a free camp near Mt Connor when we were travelling to Ayers Rock, Curtin Springs has free camping, (but someone said the flies are worse there).

Fuel is expensive, but with 600k to a tank, you will be fine - we are seeing heaps of wildflowers, everything is beautiful and green - loving the trip!!!!

Ginger · Veteran Member

Thank you so much for all your replies. I feel a lot happier now having read each one ...... Ginger.

Plodnalong · Senior Member

Longest stretch with no servo is about 250km in SA but you will see the signs. Most I paid was $2 a litre for unleaded petrol. I had some trepidation too but found the road great and the free camps (I also have Camps 5) generally fine. I didn't push myself too far each day and only stayed in places I felt comfortable at. Dislikes: Coober Pedy (the town just didn't feel nice to me) and flies - the advice to get a net is more of an instruction! Likes: West Macdonald ranges which is a detour west of Alice (apologies if you were in the crowd who came around the corner at Ormiston Gorge when I was skinny dipping ater the walk and had to get out before that family with kids came along), Devil's Marbles and the pub at Daly Waters (not free but just $7 a night single unpowered but so worth it - a great experience and the pool is most welcome). Drop into the pub at Larrimah just because it is Pink Panther themed, painted pink and has a free zoo.
In Katherine I stayed at Springvale Homestead for $10 a night unpoweredand it was only a short drive to town and had a nice pool.
I hope you have fun on the trip Ginger. I know I did.

Andy

Ginger · Veteran Member

Plodnalong wrote:
Longest stretch with no servo is about 250km in SA but you will see the signs. Most I paid was $2 a litre for unleaded petrol. I had some trepidation too but found the road great and the free camps (I also have Camps 5) generally fine. I didn't push myself too far each day and only stayed in places I felt comfortable at. Dislikes: Coober Pedy (the town just didn't feel nice to me) and flies - the advice to get a net is more of an instruction! Likes: West Macdonald ranges which is a detour west of Alice (apologies if you were in the crowd who came around the corner at Ormiston Gorge when I was skinny dipping ater the walk and had to get out before that family with kids came along), Devil's Marbles and the pub at Daly Waters (not free but just $7 a night single unpowered but so worth it - a great experience and the pool is most welcome). Drop into the pub at Larrimah just because it is Pink Panther themed, painted pink and has a free zoo.
In Katherine I stayed at Springvale Homestead for $10 a night unpoweredand it was only a short drive to town and had a nice pool.
I hope you have fun on the trip Ginger. I know I did.

Andy

Thank you Andy,

I don't understand why I have this trepidation but it is there, so much so that I thought I might give it a miss. I am a great believer in following my instincts. If I come to a free camping area/spot and it does not feel "right" I get straight back in the van and move on. I felt like that when I was doing the 'Big One' when I drove into Elliott. Wow, I thought that place was weird, to me it had very bad vibes. Others I have spoken to, did not feel like I did.

Anyway, I would like to do the Alice trip, my Aussie map on the wall needs that road straight up the centre to be highlighted, but not at the expense of my safety.

Ginger

JulieM · Veteran Member

Ginger, I just did this trip, turned off the Stuart Highway today! I enjoyed it very much. I'm a bit like you......get a bad vibe, then keep going! Fuel was $2+ in places but you get that!
Enjoy Cheers JulieM

Janno · Veteran Member

Ginger I'm about 150km north of Port Augusta having travelled down the Stuart Highway from Darwin. I travel solo and free camp most of the time. I have enjoyed every minute and never feel threatened. By mid afternoon people gradually start pulling in to rest stops for the night so be reassured that you will never be alone.

Ginger · Veteran Member

Thank you Julie and Janno for taking the time to post and reassure me.

jules47 · The Happy Helper

Hi Ginger - I'm not a solo traveller, but even as a couple, if we don't feel "right" we don't stay at free camp.

Yesterday we pulled into Matheson Bore, on the Stuart Hway, about 130k north of Coober Pedy - huge spot, with a water tank, rubbish tins and a table under shelter. We, along with Solo Steve, who is travelling with us, were the only ones there for about 2-3 hours, then they started rolling in, one after the other, reckon there were about 6 vans, us, and 1 or 2 other camper vans. The most interesting group to arrive consisted of approx. 12 young guys, along with some others, in a small bus, a small truck and a couple of cars.

Turns out they were from Holland, out here for two months with a solar car they have built (that was in boxes on the truck) - they are driving to Darwin to take part in a road race with the solar car all the way down to Adelaide!!!!
Interesting to have a chat with them.

Posted this info to show how interesting some free camps can be.

In my travels over many years, only two places have not felt safe - Halls Creek in WA, and Djarra in Qld - just bad vibes!

FrednCaz · Veteran Member

Two years ago whilst travelling to Darwin we over nighted at the burke and wills monument between Cloncurry and Mount Isa, only a small area, no other vans came in so we had the place to ourselves, my wife was not comfortable all night despite reassurances from me that all was fine. The next day we dropped into a friend of ours in the Isa to stay the night, when we told him were we stayed the previous night he informed us that several years before there had been a murder committed at the same location, just goes to show that some places do put out bad vibes.

spida · Guru

I understand your trepidation also but having done the trip in April solo - have no fear. I loved it! Did stay in a CP in Alice and Coober Pedy, but mostly camped. Did not feel threatened anywhere.

Ginger · Veteran Member

Jules:

Yes there are a lot of interesting people out there, lots of different stories to be told. My favourite past time is "people watching", wondering where they are from and where they are off too next. Body language gives a lot away. Happy people, sad people, confident people and yes timid people. All interesting. It is easy to spot the newbies, they look uncomfortable. It is never boring is it.

FrednCaz:

Thank you for your post. Funny how our instincts click in isn't it. I take notice of mine all the time, it never fails me. Not only with camping sites, but with people too. If I am uncomfortale with someone, I politely make an excuse and leave. Better safe then sorry.

Spida:

Thank you for your post also. I have been thinking of perhaps staying at caravan parks, which will be a first for me. In the 4 years I have been travelling I have never stayed at a CP. I will wait and see how I feel once I get on the road.

Once again .... thank you everyone who have answered this post. I appreciate all your advice.

Ginger.

milo · Guru

Hi Ginger, funny how you can get a feeling about a place,
one place we were going to stay at when we had the motor home ,cant remember where now
we decided to keep going... felt better at the next place

Ginger · Veteran Member

milo wrote:
Hi Ginger, funny how you can get a feeling about a place,
one place we were going to stay at when we had the motor home ,cant remember where now
we decided to keep going... felt better at the next place

How true that is Milo.

pawsoz · Senior Member

Ginger
Hi, I lived in Darwin for several years until my partner passed and whilst I was up there I travelled Darwin-Melbourne every 2nd year to keep in touch with my mates down here, always on my own (partner was disabled and did not enjoy m/home travel) never had a moments worry.
I had a hi roof hi ace to start with too I liked that van a lot! You do well to get 600k's!
Loads of good camps up that way, I prefer to free camp but when you have 10.00 with power sites, over night sites with real green grass at Banka Banka really cheap too, Marla, Cadney Park, etc all low fee with showers etc. I reckon it is worth the few Dollars!
Hi light camps for me on that stretch would be Lake Hart - no facilities but the view over the salt lakes - wow! Have also walked around edge for over half a day and not even 'scratched surface'-there is even telstra there now!
Cadney Park coz I don't like Coober Pedy much although Ribas just out of CP is not too bad at all. Marla as I can then run the dogs on the little town park and have a yarn with the townsfolk. Finke River rest area - beside the highway but for some reason I have always met friendly campers there! There are a couple of caravan parks in the Alice but I usually timed it to stop in the Alice for a short while and then move on up to Aileron Road House for an overnighter (that is the 10.00 with power and swimming pool camp ground) from there I would aim for Devils Marbles campground, others on the way to Katherine that are good are as I say Banka Banka, The Pebbles on the 3 ways side of Tennent Creek, Dunmarra Roadhouse is a cheapie as is the iconic old Daly Waters pub (not the Hi Way Inn) which is off the highway well signed and an ineterseting place. From there I have stayed at Mataranka cabins and campground especially to play in Bitter Springs but otherwise an overnight at the roadside rest area at King River will see you in to Katherine bright and early am.

Have a good trip!

Annie

jules47 · The Happy Helper

Got to agree with Annie (pawsoz) - Lake Hart is spectacular - we also walked for hours, and only got about 1/3rd of the way around - Finke River - great little stop, we went walking on the riverbed and saw a herd of wild camels - about 30 of them I reckon!!! Mathesons Bore is another good stop - plenty of room and off the highway. Marla is great - $10 per head per night, and if you want power it is an extra $10 per site per night. Restaurant is pretty good, as is the supermarket pricing.

Enjoy!!!!

pawsoz · Senior Member

Jules
Hi! yes I walked in the dry river bed at Finke too, gave the boys an off lead stretch there nearly every time I have driven down.....never seen camels but did get 'stalked' by a young dingo once, he tried very hard not to be seen but lucky I glimpsed him and put the wizzie whippets on leads!

Annie

Ginger · Veteran Member

pawsoz wrote:
Ginger
Hi, I lived in Darwin for several years until my partner passed and whilst I was up there I travelled Darwin-Melbourne every 2nd year to keep in touch with my mates down here, always on my own (partner was disabled and did not enjoy m/home travel) never had a moments worry.
I had a hi roof hi ace to start with too I liked that van a lot! You do well to get 600k's!
Loads of good camps up that way, I prefer to free camp but when you have 10.00 with power sites, over night sites with real green grass at Banka Banka really cheap too, Marla, Cadney Park, etc all low fee with showers etc. I reckon it is worth the few Dollars!
Hi light camps for me on that stretch would be Lake Hart - no facilities but the view over the salt lakes - wow! Have also walked around edge for over half a day and not even 'scratched surface'-there is even telstra there now!
Cadney Park coz I don't like Coober Pedy much although Ribas just out of CP is not too bad at all. Marla as I can then run the dogs on the little town park and have a yarn with the townsfolk. Finke River rest area - beside the highway but for some reason I have always met friendly campers there! There are a couple of caravan parks in the Alice but I usually timed it to stop in the Alice for a short while and then move on up to Aileron Road House for an overnighter (that is the 10.00 with power and swimming pool camp ground) from there I would aim for Devils Marbles campground, others on the way to Katherine that are good are as I say Banka Banka, The Pebbles on the 3 ways side of Tennent Creek, Dunmarra Roadhouse is a cheapie as is the iconic old Daly Waters pub (not the Hi Way Inn) which is off the highway well signed and an ineterseting place. From there I have stayed at Mataranka cabins and campground especially to play in Bitter Springs but otherwise an overnight at the roadside rest area at King River will see you in to Katherine bright and early am.

Have a good trip!

Annie

Thank you so much Annie,

I appreciate all those camp spots and CPs you have taken the time to write down for me. I have written all of them in my travel diary. $10 is great I certainly don't mind paying that.

I have spoken to many people about this trip and strangely enough, most of them disliked Coober Pedy.

Everyone I spoke to, said I would enjoy it.

At this stage I will be hitting the road around the first of October. My new grand daughter is been christened on the 29 September so after that I am free to go. Starting from Sydney. Once I reach Tennant Creek, it will be a matter of which ever way the steering wheel turns.

Once again, thank you everyone who has given me advice on this trip.

Ginger.