Outback adventure trip planning help?

by Ursula
(Melbourne)

I'm having a lot of trouble with planning this Aussie outback adventure & would be relieved if someone can help me out, at least a little bit! Here's the scenario:

I have a group of 10 European "backpackers" coming next April & I need to organise an outback adventure trip for them.

Locations include: Sydney, Melbourne, Western Australia (ie Broome, the Kimberley, Karijini NP), Darwin & Alice Springs.

Time frame: about 2-3 weeks.
Main question: How on earth can I fit all this in within 2-3 weeks?!

I was thinking of booking a one way flight from Sydney-Melbourne (to save time). Then hiring a mini bus (12 seater) from Melbourne and start the road trip from there and move west, or maybe to the NT first?

Or should I get them to arrive in Perth or Darwin first, start the outback adventure from there, then somehow make our way towards Melbourne & Sydney?

I'm really dedicated to getting this trip right, as well as making it a budget trip (ie we'll be camping in WA, using backpacker's hostels in Sydney etc). I've just started doing research and planning, so the idea is still fresh.

If anyone's interested in helping me out or just giving me some practical advice (any advice is welcome as I'm already in a mode of panic) then you can even contact me on:
kangurek07 AT yahoo DOT com

Thanks :-)

Response to:
Outback adventure trip planning help?

Hi Ursula,
By "next April", do you mean April 2009 or in a few weeks time? If all you have to get this organised is a few weeks then you should be in panic mode... That is VERY little time.

Ok, some more constructive help.

Your main question is how to fit all that into 2-3 weeks. Frankly, I think that it will be a bit much. You would be spending ALL your time in that bus, driving, driving, driving.

To see what's possible I would suggest search for both outback tours and self drive itineraries for Melbourne—Darwin trips and Perth—Darwin trips. Both are available online. Tour operators often list their detailed itineraries on their websites.

Between all those itineraries you will get a realistic idea about what's possible in that time. You will also get very good guidelines on how to structure the individual days, where to stop and what to do etc.

If you decide to fit ALL of that in I would drive either Melbourne—Darwin—Perth or Perth—Darwin—Melbourne. I would definitely NOT drive Melbourne—Perth at all. Fly, if you need Perth on the itinerary.

Another thing you want to keep in mind is that April is the tail end of the wet season up north and that you will be limited in what you can do. Especially across the Kimberley you would be very limited.

To find out more about the Kimberley and also about the wet season up north you can read the free guide on my Kimberley site.

Hope those suggestions allow you to make a start on your planning. Good luck!