kacollier

After watching Amazing Race, we are fascinated by that part of Australia (have been to Sydney, Melbourne, Barrier Reef). At first we were considering Darwin & Kimberleys only but most airlines fly into Perth and not Darwin (do not want to stop in Sydney but would rather fly from Singapore or Malaysia for a stopover). What are the options for getting from Perth to Darwin in this timeframe? Our thought is wine in Perth, adventure near Darwin Thanks!

wally34949

Last winter in December, I had planned to work my way from Perth to Broome but didn't make it all of the way. Expect to drive for hours without seeing anyone and make sure you only drive this one way--not roundtrip.

There are flights from Broome back to Perth.

lizF

Flights do go from Singapore to Darwin if not Malaysia to Darwin. I would not go from Perth to the top end but go from Darwin as there is a lot of absolute nothing north of Perth for a very long way. One way car rental would be prohibitive too as its not a particularly frequented route and you would not want to do it twice as Wally above said.

albaaust

You are trying to cover vast distances in a short space of time as other people have indicated.Even to get down to the SW of Western Australia (to places like Margaret River or Dunsborough) from Perth by car it is a 3hour drive.

You will find that flying within Australia is quite expensive-it might be cheaper to organise it through a travel agent.If cost was not a problem maybe you could do it.
These sites might be of some help in terms of flights.
http://www.zuji.com.au/web/content/au/index.html
https://securetsa.webjet.com.au/Webj...?framesetGuid=

Neil_Oz

The Top End of the Northern Territory, and the Kimberleys, are interesting, and I've heard the same about Broome, but not being a masochist I wouldn't drive from Broome to Perth if you paid me. Seeing it from a distance of 10 km (high) sounds pretty good to me.

albaaust, the completely unqualified statement that "You will find that flying within Australia is quite expensive" is rather misleading. All three domestic carriers have regular seat sales offering extremely cheap fares. The timing and routes may or may not suit kacollier, but they should have been mentioned.

albaaust

You're right Neil...but for me they don't come up often enough and I find that even the "cheap" flights are quite expensive from Perth whereas from the east there is plenty available-I suppose it is do with population.I made that comment just on the basis of the quick search using Zuji and Webjet so it wasn't completely "unqualified".
BTW notice that you have been to Vietnam..will be asking for your advice on this in the next couple of weeks when I get my other part of the trip sorted. You haven't been to Burma/Myanmar by chance?

albaaust

On reflection kacollier you could also subscribe to Flightcentre and Qantas and that way you could keep an eye on cheap seats that are available. What do you think Neil?

Neil_Oz

Sorry albaaust, I didn't mean I thought YOU were unqualified - I meant that you hadn't qualified (i.e. modified) your statement by mentioning the cheap flights. I hope that makes sense.

Sorry, haven't been to Myanmar but happy to help if I can with Vietnam (mind you, it's been 5 years).

fuzzylogic

Why don't you check out Royal Brunei Airlines? They fly from both departure points to Darwin via Bandar Seri Begawan.

Wine in Perth and adventure in Darwin? If that's all you want to do - simple. Fly into Darwin, see the must sees (1 week); fly to Perth - ditto.

If you really want something more, then I would suggest, with 2 weeks, Kakadu, Litchfield. Hire a 4 wheel drive for the trip to Broome - loads to see on the way. And then return to Darwin/Perth by air for flight out.

Or you could into Darwin - check out Kakadu - fly to Broome - take the bus down the west coast visiting Exmouth/Coral Bay; Shark Bay; Kalbarri, etc. etc.

But bus is maybe for people with more time. But then I wouldn't want to drive it in that time frame.

There are loads of possible combinations if you have the money.

But to answer your original question - 2 weeks from Darwin to Perth - could be done - even on a bus - but pushing it. In a car - well if you want to drive a lot and not take in anything much - why not?

wally34949

Have you considered Easyrider Packpacker Tours? They have tours from Perth up to Broome and Darwin.

lancefan

I'd be tempted to do Perth for a few days, then maybe fly to broome and then drive to Darwin from broome (or go on one of the many tours). Or, you could do perth/south west WA for a bit longer then fly perth to darwin and do darwin, kakadu, lichfield and with extra time go to katherine for katherine gorge.
I did a 3 week tour from Darwin - Broome and back (gibb river road on the return journey) and it was fantastic. the kimberley was amazing(particularly the gibb river road journey). if you're into outdoors and adventure, this is a great place. our days consisted mainly of walking and swimming - so if that's your kind of thing I think you'd like it. broome is a beautiful place, I could have stayed there for a month. also, coming from the eastern states, it was very nice to watch the sunset over the water!

Carrabella

A check just now on virginblue site has found a fare from Perth to Broome one way at A$195, compared with a normal fare of over A$400. Always worth checking out.

stormbird

The drive from Perth to Broome is actually sensational with some fantastic 'treasures' along the way. But I feel it is to be enjoyed leisurely and quite unrealistic to think about with only two weeks (we took about three months). IMHO Ningaloo Reef in the Cape Range National Park near Exmouth is absolutely fantastic and Coral Bay and 80 Mile Beach are all lovely places to visit.

But I agree with Lancefan that the Gibb River road and the Kimberleys are an absolute hoot for adventure. Places such as Windjana Gorge and Tunnel Creek just blew me away and I would recommend you concentrate on that part of the country and perhaps do Perth and the southern regions another time.

speckles

If you really want to drive cross country, why not try Adelaide - Darwin. I don't know if 2 weeks is feasible although I have a friend planning to do it. You could fly into Adelaide (only need 1-2 days max) then head north through the Barossa Valley wine region, on to the Flinders Ranges, Coober Pedy and up to Alice Springs & Ullaru (sp). Then up through Katherine, (maybe Kakadu) and on to Darwin. Another option: drive Adelaide to Alice Springs, then fly from there to Darwin.