Faced with the prospect that I had to be in Victoria by the 11th February 2019, my wife and I looked at all options to travel and have a hire vehicle when we got there and realizing the expense we decided to travel down in our 2009 Toyota Tarargo with a 6 x 4 trailer in tow instead. We figured that the bonus of doing a trip in this way was that we got to see a lot more of Australia, although limited by time factors and financial status, and we end up being set up to begin a future of camping with all the gear we now own (tent, cookers, eskies, etc).
154 Reed Road, Cairns, Queensland, Australia
Leaving home on the morning of the 31st of January to be in Ballarat by the 8th of February 2019. meet with Alan on the 11th of February 2019.
Due to wet weather and flooding we left home on what was to be a 6hr drive to Charters Towers via Townsville that resulted in a change of plan to avoid the flooding. We left home at 10;30am to be at the big4 by 5.30pm (allowing for 2 x 30min stops) however due to being forced to travel over the table lands the trip ended up taking 11hrs, with breaks, that's a 8hr driving with 3hr stop overs. Arrived at Charters towers very late. Note, traveling via the table lands meant slower travel speeds due to rougher, windier roads requiring high levels of caution due to cows, Kangaroos, Emus, etc on the road.
This Big4 is located at Charters Towers. 6hrs non stop driving, so with at least 2 stops of 30 minutes each = 7hrs + 30mins for traffic. So arrival at 2.30pm. Plan is to relax at the big4, letting the kids have a swim, play on the play ground and unwind before bed. Leave for next leg of journey at 10;00am. Cost is $71 per night.
6hr journey, Start travel at 10;00am and Arrive on the 1st February at 4;00pm having had 2 x 30 min breaks along the way. At Emerald we can visit the Aquatic center which is located just next door as well as do some sight seeing in the town. Possible sites being the Lions park and or the Botanical gardens. See what else to do at the Central Highlands Visitor information centre located at; 3 Clermont St, Emerald QLD 4720.
6hr journey, Start travel at 10;00am and Arrive on the 1st February at 4;00pm having had 2 x 30 min breaks along the way. At Emerald we can visit the Aquatic center which is located just next door as well as do some sight seeing in the town. Possible sites being the Lions park and or the Botanical gardens. See what else to do at the Central Highlands Visitor information centre located at; 3 Clermont St, Emerald QLD 4720.
5hr journey with 1 hr in smoke breaks (total 6hrs) it is planned to arrive in Roma on the 2nd of February at 3.00pm. Plan is to set up base and just let the kids go for a swim in the pool and or play in the park. This is just a stop over as there isnt anything much to see in Roma. Leave for lightning Ridge at 9;00am. Cost per night is $75.
Opal Caravan park is in Lightning ridge. Arrival on the 3rd of February. We plan to stay for 1 day / 2 nights. Travel time from Roma to Lightning Ridge is 4.5hrs. 4.5hrs pluss 2 stops of 30 minutes means a 5.5hr trip. Arrival time 2.30pm. First stop will be the Lightning Ridge Visitor Information Center to make our plans. There is a walk in mine tour, Amigo's Castle tour of building, Artesian Bore Baths for swimming, fossick for Opals at the Caravan Park, Black Opal Tours (Opal jewelers shop, lunch and seating area, actual working mining site area). Leave on the morning of the 6th at 9;00am to head to Dubbo.
Arrive in Dubbo on the 5th. 4 hr journey pluss stops = 5hrs meaning we get there at 2;00pm. The cost of accommodation is $55 per night, thats $110 for 2 nights. Things to do include; Old Dubbo Gaol, Dubbo Regional Botanic Garden, Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo Observatory, Western Plains Riding Centre. Possibly stay 2 nights so we can spend a full day at the zoo and looking at other attractions. Leave Dubbo on the 7th at 9;00am.
Trip takes 3hrs plus breaks = 4hrs. Arrival 1;00pm. Arrive on the 7th of Februray. Things to do include; Holland Park Swim Center (great for Logan), Wyalong Museum, Exclusive Hot Glass (Bonnie I think you might find this interesting, its glass products that they make). Leave on the 8th at 9;00am to arrive at Shepparton on the 8th. Cost per night $57.
4 and 1/4 hr trip pluss breaks is 5 and 1/4 hrs. Arriving on the 8th at 2.30pm. Things to do in Shepparton include; Shepparton Motor Museum, Australian Botanic Gardens Shepparton, SPC KidsTown - Adventure Playground, Aquamoves (with water slides), Cost $90 per night (fee already paid). Leave 9;00am on the 9th.
From Shepparton to Ballarat is 250km. With breaks and traffic delays this means approximatly 3.5/4hr trip time.
