sunshine

iTrader: (3)

Hi everyone,
I'm about to get married to the best girl in the world, and the two of us have always wanted to go on safari and visit australia. So, I figure our honeymoon would be a great way to combine both those and have an amazing time.

So, my request from you guys is...I need some help finding a business that will provide us with the type of tour we want. I want to rent a Defender, or Toyota 4x4 and join up with a guided caravan of vehicles. The key is I want my vehicle to myself (and my wife). I did some google-ing and all I could find was tours in a bus/van. I would prefer the group to be smaller, but I also want to have some privacy on our safari. Anyone hear of anything like this?
Any info, links, business names would be appreciated!
Thanks,
-Alex

bumpstart

its a big place,, where exactly where you heading , or at least starting from?

it may be better to ask this one on an aussie 4wd forum
as they are the people who will direct you to the best of the hidden spots
- and also likely be the people willing to take time out to guide you around
- many businesses will rent you exactly what you are after
if you are willing to go out on your own
but those guys on those 4wd forums will know best



i am from western australia, and there is many bus/ OKA /HUMMER tours for the various attractions
- but also for wildflower tours---world unique in WA
something that has to be seen in season ( july- november ) to believe

and also for astronomy, whale watching, dolphin swimming, prospecting,, you name it

if you want some WA links, let me know, i will have a little squizz for you
- though i cant guarantee the convoy tour your after

PS
its along way between drinks anywhere in north WA,,
but its well worth trek to see the unique and spectacular sights
plan your trip around the journey getting there... not just in being there,,
take your time, take it easy is the motto

REVERE

Agreed, big place… plan well.

Sounds like you might enjoy the Alice Springs area, though just about everywhere in Australia is stunning, if you know where to look.
if you can provide a more details (amount of days, specific land marks and attractions) as to what you are after I may be able to fine something closer to what you are after.

Here are a few links to see if anything strikes your fancy.
http://www.direct4wd.com.au/
http://www.ossies.com.au/about.php
http://www.adventure-tours-australia.com/
http://www.kakadu4wdsafaris.com.au/
http://stayz.godo.com.au/activity/AUAT100

• I am not associated with or have any experience using any of these companies.

billyboy

Time of year might be in some small way pertinent, especially in the north from both a comfort and safety perspective.

WAS:12A

iTrader: (4)

Yup.

When it's cold in the southern end of Aus it's summer and warm up the top end.

And when it's summer and warm down the southern end of Aus it's warm and raining/flooded in the top end making it hard to get around anywhere...

Cam...

Jobro

iTrader: (2)

I would just go alone.

ser158

Go on a rotary cruise for your honeymoon...lol

sunshine

iTrader: (3)

Guys,
Thank you for all your replies. Sorry it took so long to get back here to respond. I think we have narrowed our plans down a little bit, but now we need to dive into the detail planning. And yes, I will be the first to admit my ignorance, but I have quickly learned that making the statement "Im going to visit australia" is almost the same as saying "Im going to visit the USA." We would be going in late September.

So, we will most likely have two weeks to explore around. We think we will be flying into Sydney, spend a few days there, then head over to Kangaroo Island for a few days (not sure if we will fly or drive - I think it should be a day's drive). Then from KI, head over to the Great barrier reef for a few days for some scuba diving before we either go back to Sydney to fly home, or maybe fly directly home from the reef area.

That is the tentative plan. It does not involve as much "safari-ing" as I would have liked, but it should still be fun. I need to see if we can drive a rig around Kangaroo Island, or if thats not allowed. I also need to see if it makes sense to off-road on the way from KI to the Reef. That drive would be about 2-3 days depending on how much off-roading/exploring the national parks we do on the way.

What do you guys think? Any comments/suggetions/ideas?
Thanks again!
-Alex

billyboy

Unfortunate timing, late September will probably overlap school holidays over here, so prices of accommodation/flights/car rental will most likely be jacked-up and be harder to come by unless booked well in advance....a campervan rental might reduce the bed for the night costs - not an exciting prospect for the distance you are contemplating though.

Sydney to Adelaide/Kangaroo Island can be done in a very long day direct, probably 1500~1600km ~1000 miles...wouldn't envy you doing it in a 4wd/van on the wrong side of the road with a bit of fatigue thrown into the mix. The Hay plain gets very boring at posted limits, sort of like parts of Kansas, but probably flatter and usually policed fairly heavily. Seems there is some sort of water affinity, the long way round using the coast roads south over a few days might be more relaxing.

Can't say I've done Adelaide to Nth Qld by road, someone from that way may have some thoughts. Up the centre to Tennant Creek then to Mt Isa at a pinch could be doable, in again, an extremely long day.....(additional time if a stop at Uluru is included). Then the following day to the coast. Through outback NSW/Qld is probably more direct, what passes as a road out there should keep you awake. Wouldn't imagine you getting much opportunity to sightsee, other than what passes by (and hopefully not through) the window in the alloted time myself.

Then you've got a couple of long days at least to get back to Sydney if that's the departure point. Painting a tedious picture here I know!

sunshine

iTrader: (3)

Well, we dove into the details...and there is simply not enough time to safari the way I first envisioned it. The plan for now is to fly into Sydney, spend the night, fly to Adelaide, coach to Cape Jervis, ferry to KI, rent a 4x4, and drive to the hotel. explore KI for 4 days, then back to Adelaide to catch a flight to Gladstone. Then ferry to Heron Island and spend 3 days there scuba-diving and relaxing. Then catch the tilt train/XPT back to Sydney (overnight train), and fly back home the next day.
Im really looking forward to this trip. I havent been this excited to travel since I went to Prague/Amsterdam 5 years ago!
-a