Topend Tour – A Break up Down the Center in 2021 – This Journey Life

In 2021 we launched into an formidable caravan journey from Darwin within the far central north of Australia to the Nice Australian Bight within the south. We name it an formidable 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 principally 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 vastly 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 night time 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 vary in order that we might freely journey throughout the border (which it did simply in time). Nonetheless, after just a few days in Coober Pedy, there have been instances in South Australia, which prompted us to go to Western Australia as quick as we might. We made it over the border, simply earlier than restrictions had been introduced that will have meant we wanted to isolate for 2 weeks at dwelling. It was a rush dwelling, we missed a few spots in SA, however we had been pleased to be again dwelling, again to work, the children 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 principally stayed in our Jayco van at campgrounds, powered and unpowered, free and paid, besides in Darwin at a buddy’s home, on a houseboat on Corroboree Billabong, and in an underground home in Coober Pedy.

1. Casuarina, Darwin, in a home with associates
2. Florence Falls Campground, Litchfield NP
3. Home boat on Corroboree Billabong
4. Kakadu Lodge Campground, Jabiru, Kakadu NP
5. Mardugal 1 Campground, Kakadu NP
6. Edith Falls Campground
7. Katherine Gorge (Nitmiluk) Campground
8. Little Roper Inventory Camp, Mataranka
9. Daly Waters Pub
10. Banka Banka Station
11. Karlu Karlu / Devils Marbles Conservation Reserve
12. Temple Bar Caravan Park, Alice Springs
13. Ormiston Gorge, West MacDonnell Ranges
14. Henbury Meteorites Conservation Reserve
15. Kings Creek Station, Kings Canyon
16. Ayers Rock Campground, Yulara
17. Marla Traveller’s Relaxation
18. Di’s Dugout, Coober Pedy
19. Woomera Traveller’s Village & Caravan Park
20. Nullabor Roadhouse
21. Baxters Relaxation Space freecamp
22. Boondi Rock Campground

Journey Particulars

Of the 49 travelling days from Darwin to Perth, we had been on the highway for 23 of lately. 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 gas, 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 frequently paid between $30-50 an evening for a caravan park website, there have been instances we stayed at a free camp or with associates, 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.

Considering gas, lodging and meals, that’s $1139 per week. There have been different bills too, akin to entries, excursions, items, souvenirs, repairs. We additionally had the price of the drive from Perth to Darwin, and flights for 4 folks from Perth to Darwin.

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