Driving from Melbourne - Darwin (Advice Needed)

[Devil505]

G'day All!
Im driving from Melbourne to Darwin (up the center) and am after some advice in regards to my VY Calais V8

Tyre Pressure
I have 19inch Rims with 235/40 rubber
-Whats a good tyre pressure to run at for this drive - Im running at 40psi atm
-Should I have nitrogen put in them?

Anyone got any general advice they could throw my way?

Regards
Dev

[Ripcell]

1. 40-42 id run, keep the rolling resistance as low as possible

2. nitrogen is a crock unless you own an R35GTR and circuit race it

3. radar detector, makes the trip hours quicker :p

[nikvyss]

I agree with the tyre pressure if ur going up the centre the roads get a bit rough and roo's out there are bad so keep a eye out if u have the room take few tools and zip ties incase u hit 1 enjoy the drive

[smokey777]

i drove bris-mandura & back. what a great drive it was in my VY V8 i just ran normal tyre pressures & she purred all the way averaging 9.8l & 105klmh on the trip comp for the trip (i was stunned at how accurate the VY speedo was in comparison to the GPS at all speeds). i was gonna get an trans cooler for auto but never got around to it. one thing ill tell ya though is get a carbra mine was covered in stone chips on return :( one of the reasons i traded it :) but best thing to do is enjoy it as much as ya can :woot:

smoke

[dazzrael]

dont fill up with that opal fuel shit they have in the outback. it will ruin your motor, be prepared to pay up to $2 a liter at some places for premium.

[Hos]

Make sure you have a good music collection, it's a long drive.

Usual stuff like get your car serviced or checked over before you go, making sure your air con is all up to scratch too. Rest well on the way up, share the drive if your able to.

I'd say watch out for Wedge tailed eagles aswell, as they often feed on the roadkill and can be very slow in getting out the way. Make sure to have a camera ready too, you'll see plenty of 'Kodak' moments.

Enjoy the drive, if you stop at Katherine, go to the Lower Level?? Caravan Park for dinner, they use to do the best Barra n chips in their onsite fish and chip shop.

Safe travels.

[mmciau]

Yes re the Eagles - they can only take off in the direction they are facing and with such a large bird, they will take at least four wing cycles to gain the height to clear your vehicle.

I had one come through the windscreen on the "Z" plate HR Holden in 1968 and it ended up on the back window parcel shelf. It took some getting out!!



Mike

[beno]

I've done that drive 4 times ...and it is a great drive.
Could be a idea to carry a Jerry can of fuel in the boot. Plan your stops for petrol also as some paces are not 24/7.check the mobil / bp website for list of stations.
I'm unsure if you have the time, but go to ayers rock if you can, and arrive there in the morning to ensure you don't run out of daylight to climb it.
Litchfield national park is a must also, great rock pools to go swimming in, and no crocs, that I saw!
Berry springs is another good place to visit for a swim, emerald green crystal clear water, take a set of snorkel n flippers with you. Berry springs is about 30km out of Darwin.

It was much better without any speed limits, Alice Springs to Tennant ck (500km) in 2hrs 35, including a fuel stop... Those were the days.

[BanPC]

The very first thing you should buy and install is a UHF radio, this will let you hear any road reports of trouble/drama/enforcement troops. Will also allow you to go around larger vehicles with greater ease if you just say gidday and let them know your are able to be communicated with - you will soon get a call around meaning safe overtaking without fuss.

Best radar detector I have ever had.....

[I Wish]

All depends on how long are you taking for the drive up here?

[HSV Listy]

Avoid driving at night too. Take a spare belt just incase and a basic tools kit, jerry can. Plan the fuel stops and accomodation well and take the valuables from inside the car to the cabin you are staying.
Get some dam good sunnies as the glare can be pretty bad

Watch the temp guage and check the oil atleast once a day. You can get away with up to 140km/h which is pretty comfortable speed in the NT but if the police really is having a bad day he may ping you. If you do more that 45km/h over the limit loss of licence and you may loose the car for a couple of days. It is very easy to wonder up in the speed. Use the cruise control where possible.

It is a good drive but is pretty long and you will be glad to get here. Watch for the weather too as some of the storms can be pretty severe and things like cross wind and hidden pot holes from water.

As we used to do before the silly speed limits were introduced drive to the conditions, your vehcile capability and driver skill.

[Jamolad]

The very first thing you should buy and install is a UHF radio, this will let you hear any road reports of trouble/drama/enforcement troops. Will also allow you to go around larger vehicles with greater ease if you just say gidday and let them know your are able to be communicated with - you will soon get a call around meaning safe overtaking without fuss.

Best radar detector I have ever had.....

+1 on the UHF, and might be able to get a decent hand held if you don't want to instal one in the car. Some of the road trains will apologise for their last trailer swinging wildly and near running you off the road on your way around (oh yeah, watch out for that).

I would also take water so you can top up the windscreen washer spray whenever/whereever you want, and even a squigy or whatever you use to clean the windscreen. Depending on where and when you are driving, there are times when you have to pull over to clean the windscreen rather than just wait for the next fuel stop.

Mate of mine that drives road trains between Adelaide/Darwin says make sure you drop the high beam early when coming up behind road trains (applies to all vehicles, but not many vehicles can light you up when you pass like a road train. And don't sit close behind road trains getting pulled along as they can feel the drag and will throw a few stones up at you to let you know they don't appreciate it.

[james2]

Fuel prices have gone over the top in some places : last week on trip home from Vic Mala $1.97 for 95 ,same at Erlunda and Jim's place ,Coober Pedy was in the high 1.70"s .Not sure what the prices are north of Alice atm. Try to not drive at night. Weather atm is HOT 39 yesterday 41 today .

[lowhsv]

certainly one of the bets drives to do, i did 3 yr ago and would do it again tomorrow... as stated plan fuel stops and accomadation.... highly recommend mataranka springs caravan park, and i think it was tennant creek have massive toasted sanga's at there servo haha...

have a good trip mate alot to see up the centre