The Great move is on soon to Tassie (Any Road Advice?)

[CairnsDuc]

G'day all

As many of you would be well aware (And getting sick of hearing about  ) The big move to Tassie is only a month or 2 away, I am planning my Road trip by following this Path.
1. Cairns to Rockhampton
2. Rocky to Goondiwindi
3. Goondiwindi to Melbourne
About 3059k's (According to Google Maps)

So Coast road to Rocky then go inland from there to take the Popular Highway 39, I'm not going to try and drive this in massive long stints, I want to take regular breaks, stop earlier in the
afternoon and get a decent nights rest, I intend to leave on a Monday, and be in Melbourne for the Spirit of Tasmania Ferry by 9PM on Thursday night, So I figure about 800k's a day and then a final 600k's to arrive mid arvo on Thursday in Melbourne. I am trying to stick to main roads that are well travelled and well known so getting help should anything happen should be pretty easy.

I will be taking my 09 Hyundai Getz (The Screaming Buzz box) and the wife will be in the 07 Corolla, I will leave first and the wife will follow about 2 weeks later, I have set up both cars with
- Cruise Controls
- Window Tinting (For Privacy, Less chance of Sunburn, and also holds the windows together a little better in case they are struck by a rock, plus the car look better!)
- Bluetooth (We don't expect many calls, if any, but at least I/she won't be trying to find a place to pull over in a hurry on Unfamiliar roads or Highways)
- An Emergency Pack (Tow Rope/Torch/Jumper leads/Mini first Aid kit/small Jerry can with 10L of fuel/Fan belts/Spare Oil for Top ups)
- Tom Tom XXL540 with Safety Camera locations and the latest maps all loaded up and ready to go.
 
Now I am starting to go into some of you fine folks regular territories and ride areas, so I wonder if you guys would mind advising of anything I should keep an eye out for, any roads/Towns to avoid, or do you have any suggestions for a better way to go?

Any Advice or Suggestions you can offer will be most appreciated. 

[heatherp]

Don't forget to pack jumpers & thermos.  It's going to be very cold, possibly foggy/frosty in the mornings on the inland roads through NSW and Vic.

[roxy696]

mmmm snow to 600mtrs last night CairnsDuc

[CairnsDuc]

Going to buy a set of Thermal underwear in the next couple of weeks, mind you trying to find them
up here in Tropical Cairns has been fun, but I finally found a couple of places that keep them.

I have been keeping an eye on the Temps down there, Totally opposite to what I'm used to up here.

But after 30+ years of melting every summer, I can't wait for the Cold, It sounds odd, but I prefer the
cold, Loved it the USA a couple of years back in the middle of winter. Love it every time I go down south
in the winter time, I should have done this years ago.

[vossy]

my only advice is drive safe, meet as many people as you can on the way, take note of any funny stories on your journey and maybe a few pics.

Most of all take care of yourself and your wife.

[FIFO]

Hey
Don't forget the EPIRB, HF radio(flying doctor),UHF radio,
Satellite phone, gps.

2 near new cars should be no problem.

But on a serious note make sure the missus can change a flat tyre.
Those electric rattle guns  from autobahn etc for about $80 are real good.

And make sure the jerry can of fuel is empty for the ferry trip as they won't let you take it, trust me.

I personally don't think you will need it.
Whats the range in those cars 450/500 klm on a trip?

I found with all my travels fuel is never more than 350 klm apart.
And that is enough driving to stop rest and refuel

That route looks good just be aware were you park your car in Moree and Dubbo the local indigenous people like GPS devices and any thing else of value these places are hot spots.

 Telstra NextG mobile for the bush, if you haven't got it allready, prepaid are only $90, you could post it back for the missus.
But i have found voda phone and optus reception all good on the main routes,  not sure about QLD.

Be aware of the roo's and stock sunrise and twilight you would want to hit a roo in the buzz box.

Ps Don't for get the Banjo

[CairnsDuc]

Thank for the info Rob,
The Wife and I need new phones, so I will switch us from GSM to Next G (We are with Smelstra anyway)

Still debating the Fuel Idea (Carrying a Jerry Can) both cars get about 600k's from a tank, plus with the Tom Tom, it
will find you the nearest fuel also, so I'm still not 100% convinced I will need it.

The wife has already put in her request for a training session on the Corolla, Changing Tyres, Checking Oil and all the rest of that sort of stuff.

As far as hiding everything every night, I always do, Having seen how many GPS/Nav's we replace at work every month due to Insurance claims
I figure it's the smart option, now I just have to drum that into the wife, she is a shocker for leaving things in the car. But that is also
where the Tinting helps, makes it just that little bit harder to see into the car.
I also intend to get a large Bag that I can load up our 2 PS3's, the Mac computer and anything else of great value and carry that into the Hotel
room with me each night, that way if they do break in, there only getting boxes of cables, an old microwave and some clothes (And if anyone
has seen my Fashion sense, the Clothes would be returned in under 2 hours!)

And as far as hitting a Roo in the Buzz box, I assume the Car would be written off, And the roo would bounce away think a Mozzie had just
bitten it!  

And haven't the Tassie Jokes started, in the last couple of month's of heard em all
Which side is the spare head going to grow on?
Am I taking my Brother so my Wife can have 2 husbands?
As you drive closer to Tassie, the Banjo's will get louder!
Do I like to Squeal like a Pig? (Maybe that question was for something else.......)

[Yellow Meanie]

How about a Tassie song?   

Island State of Mind

[FIFO]

How about a Tassie song?   

Hey i heard a few parody's of that song and that's a cracker
 



 I will Put that up i the utube thread

[CairnsDuc]

That's piss funny! 

One thing I will say I find Fascinating about this road trip, When I tell people I'm driving to Tasmania, I get the usual comments
of should be a fun trip, long drive, Etc, Etc.

When the Wife tells people she is driving down about 2 weeks after me, they look all shocked and surprised about a woman driving
by herself across the country, She get's told I should fly back up and drive down with her, A woman should not drive that sort of
distance alone, It's dangerous and silly.

She's in the better bigger car that loves the highway work, I get the Screaming Buzz box (Getz)   

and there worried about her!!

[heatherp]

Yes we females really are very incapable aren't we??    

[Jukie]

that is soooooo funny and alot of it is true, but im not gamed to say which parts

[bikeless]

come on jukie i got some mountain oysters for you to try next 

[Jukie]

Ohh no I can't do oysters

[CairnsDuc]

Wish I hadn't googled Mountain Oysters just now 

That's just wrong Bazz!