Top End Tour or Hiring 4WD?

by Leonie
(Kent, UK)

I am hoping to travel to Australia end of June, through July & possibly into August 2009, as part of a RTW trip with my 3 children (12,16 &17), funds permitting. As at that time it'll be your winter, I thought it best to arrive into Darwin.

I'm thinking of spending a couple of days in Darwin, then taking a 'Top End' tour for a few days. I would also love to visit The Kimberley, so not sure whether to incorporate the both into one tour, or fly to Kununurra, hire a 4WD & attempt the Gibb River Road independently, which is what I'd prefer to do, but worried if I'll be able to cope with it.

Researching your site, I note that you advised another lady that driving the Gibb River Road was not too scary & to definitely consider it. (Although I'm still a little nervous as I've never attempted anything like this before.)

If you have the time, I'd be grateful for any advice/comments on my proposed trip.
I'm very impressed & encouraged by your site .. it's been most helpful. Many thanks for that.

Best wishes,
Leonie

Comments for Top End Tour or Hiring 4WD?

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Don't do a tour unless you love tours
by: Birgit

Hi Leonie,
A RTW trip with three teenagers? Respect! What a great thing to do.

Well, rather than write an epic here, I suggest you go to my other website, the Kimberley Travel Guide, and download the free booklet there.

It will give you a good overview of the Kimberley, of the issues involved in travel up there, and it also addresses the question of how nervous you need to be about the Gibb River Road :-).

I think you will find it very helpful.

To summarise my opinion of your trip:

Don't join a tour unless you love tours. (It doesn't sound as if you do.)
I don't know why you want to do a tour of the Top End. If I was you, I'd hire a 4WD and do the lot independently.
As for "coping" with the Gibb River Road... Do you have a driver's license? Then you'll cope :-).
I understand that you are nervous, because you don't know what to expect. We fear the unknown... Seriously, there is nothing to it.

But do download the free guide, read everything about the Gibb River Road on my other site, and then you will have a much better idea of what to expect. If you then have more questions left, just ask them over there.

Hope that helps!

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