Strategy Gunning the Nullabor

[basashi]

Now that we are a big show of finishing finishing top 4,with that it increases our chances of making the GF.

I don't want to commit to buying a flight and seats for the GF,so this means gunning east across the nullabor.
I've done it once before many moons ago,can't remember how long it took drive from Perth to Adelaide.

How long would you want to give yourself on driving over to Melbourne?

Last time I did it this way:

Day 1 - Perth to Kalgoorlie in a morning. Spent the arvo having a look at a few things around town...like the pub. (only 600km or so)
Day 2 - Kalgoorlie to Nullarbor Roadhouse (over 1000)
Day 3 - Nullarbor roadhouse to Adelaide (over 1000)
day 4 - Adelaide to Melbourne (700 or something - its a nothing drive... almost suburban)

I just like that pattern because you can do those two really big days in the middle without having to deal with any busy areas or really having to slow down much. The two shorter legs (on each side) are the more congested portions.


Edit - Oh, this plan is for if you are NOT sharing the driving.

 

[scon]

I'll be spending the 1st night at Hyden;will provide bloody good launching pad for the drive.

 

[13then7]

If we make it, I will be making the trip from Texas. With the time difference, if I leave 6pm on Wednesday (Texas time), I would arrive in Melbourne on Friday morning. A close race with anyone driving across the country.

Traveling through LAX or SFO? Will be doing the same. Maybe GilG will join us.

 

[Alfonz]

Traveling through LAX or SFO? Will be doing the same. Maybe GilG will join us.

Maybe LAX, maybe DFW. Depends on what is cheapest/quickest. Doubt it would be SFO. Though any excuse to be in San Fran is a good one.

 

[GilG]

Traveling through LAX or SFO? Will be doing the same. Maybe GilG will join us.

Thanks for thinking of me! I'm starting to explore my options. LAX to Oz is easy, transport-wise, with several airlines to choose from. I'm a Qantas frequent flyer, but don't have the points. Ideally, I'd want to leave on a Tuesday to arrive by Thursday morning, have a day to get acclimated to the time change, go to the parade on Friday, then the game Saturday, fly back Sunday and regain the lost day, arriving back in LA on Sunday.

 

[FyfesBoot]

Has anyone looked at chartering a bus?

I looked into this a few years ago (2010?). A 42 seat coach with driver came out to about $500 per head return. I may have to look into again.

I booked accommodation in Melbourne for GF night ages ago, so that's a few less at Seppo's place. I was going to wait until we at least get in and the extra flights are announced to see what price they are offered at, with a backup of driving across and sharing the driving between four of us. Taking a bus would at least mean less likelihood of spilling my beer swerving around a wombat.

 

[Nickos66]

Thanks for thinking of me! I'm starting to explore my options. LAX to Oz is easy, transport-wise, with several airlines to choose from. I'm a Qantas frequent flyer, but don't have the points. Ideally, I'd want to leave on a Tuesday to arrive by Thursday morning, have a day to get acclimated to the time change, go to the parade on Friday, then the game Saturday, fly back Sunday and regain the lost day, arriving back in LA on Sunday.

The parade, man that'd be an experience for freo fans. It'd be great to get there but i'm not sure I could justify leaving the newborn and little monster with the missus for that long. Let alone the cost.

 

[estibador]

I looked into this a few years ago (2010?). A 42 seat coach with driver came out to about $500 per head return. I may have to look into again.

That's a lot better than the daylight robbery the airlines would be trying to pull on us.

 

[GilG]

The parade, man that'd be an experience for freo fans. It'd be great to get there but i'm not sure I could justify leaving the newborn and little monster with the missus for that long. Let alone the cost.

Forgot one minor detail: being part of the celebration in Melbourne -- the likes of which have never been imagined -- to follow our Grand Final victory, from Saturday afternoon until the Sunday flight home

 

[Quokka]

If Freo were to make the GF GilG and co will get it cheaper then anyone here waiting until the last week, and that's not even joking.............. Actually can one of you guys pick me up a copy of Adobe on your way out as well

 

[masai]

I looked into this a few years ago (2010?). A 42 seat coach with driver came out to about $500 per head return. I may have to look into again.

I might have to have a good look at hiring a mini bus ( coaster type ), drive it yourself with a "B" class licence. Should keep the costs down.

I've done this trip many times ( mainly bang in the middle of summer heat !!! ), travelling to sailing championships. Driving at night has it's hassles, but the trick is to sit behind the road trains ( 200 metres back ), they do the road clearing !!!. .

How big is Seppo's backyard ?. Put a marquee up, parking out front, it will end up looking like "The Esplanade On Yarra".

 

[Seppo]

I might have to have a good look at hiring a mini bus ( coaster type ), drive it yourself with a "B" class licence. Should keep the costs down.

I've done this trip many times ( mainly bang in the middle of summer heat !!! ), travelling to sailing championships. Driving at night has it's hassles, but the trick is to sit behind the road trains ( 200 metres back ), they do the road clearing !!!. .

How big is Seppo's backyard ?. Put a marquee up, parking out front, it will end up looking like "The Esplanade On Yarra".

It's a tiny back and front yard. Maybe those that have the camper vans can park it out the front on the street and I'll let the travellers use my wifi, hot water etc.

 

[Mockcockpit]

I'll be spending the 1st night at Hyden;will provide bloody good launching pad for the drive.

If that's the case I'd be looking at going through Ravensthorpe and across to Esperance then up to Norseman. That's magic country there. Quite a few extra miles but well worth it in my opinion. Actually looking on google maps it's much of a muchness. Is there a Hyden-Norseman road? Must be gravel if there is.
Edit- using the Great Eastern Hwy is longer so a no-brainer there.

 

[Wizard]

Actually discussed this with the missus last night.
I was supposed to be going to Alice Springs the Thursday before GF day but have now postponed that until Monday morning.

My plan would be:
Adelaide to Melbourne first thing Friday morning.
Parade Friday
Game day on Saturday
Post match function Saturday night and whatever else
Flight back to Adelaide on Sunday
Adelaide to Alice Springs on Monday

Thankfully no fear of Crows of PAFC in the GF so flights from SA shouldn't be too badly priced.

 

[Wizard]

If i flew Thursday night and 8.30am Sunday i'd get return from Adelaide to Melbourne for $150 at the moment.

 

[scon]

If that's the case I'd be looking at going through Ravensthorpe and across to Esperance then up to Norseman. That's magic country there. Quite a few extra miles but well worth it in my opinion. Actually looking on google maps it's much of a muchness. Is there a Hyden-Norseman road? Must be gravel if there is.
Edit- using the Great Eastern Hwy is longer so a no-brainer there.

Landcruiser Troopcarrier pop-top camper;bed,beer,burgundy,bourguignon..all comes along for the ride.Have done the Ravensthorpe run a few times and I agree it's great country.
There's a 4x4 road called something like the Woodlands and Granite Track which I've done the Western section of and the Eastern bit spits you out of the scrub up toward Norseman.
I figure a night of excess at the Hyden Hotel and then hit the frog.

 

[Mockcockpit]

Troop carrier with a pop-up? You're owning this thread. Jealous as hell, be quite a few more years before I get another chance to drive the Nullarbor.

 

[scon]

Yeah I'll admit to liking the truck;they are a brilliant vehicle,like a holiday that's booked and just waiting in the driveway.

 

[mayne iac]

I'm not going and I am definitely not planning on going for fear of putting the mozza on Freo.
But you people go right ahead, now I know who to will blame if we don't make it.
Free at Last you foolish, foolish man!!

 

[jedi mind tricks]

Book me a berth. I can cook and play guitar and I think I remember how to tie a bowline.

Epic!!!

I also need a captain and a deck hand. Do you know anyone? and not a drunken one too.

IMO since the win against Carlton and all this talk of finals and road trips, I feel as we the supporter base are melding together and embracing the whole experience.

 

[stanley]

It's exciting, but we are really getting ahead of ourselves here...Keep it up!

 

[E Shed]

Epic!!!

I also need a captain and a deck hand. Do you know anyone? and not a drunken one too.

IMO since the win against Carlton and all this talk of finals and road trips, I feel as we the supporter base are melding together and embracing the whole experience.

Yeah I got a mate who spent years on trawlers who could probably skipper and he's a Freo man and a non-drinker.

 

[Nothing]

Yeah I got a mate who spent years on trawlers who could probably skipper and he's a Freo man and a non-drinker.

I can be the obnoxious guy who does very little, drinks too much and probably causes and accident.

 

[E Shed]

I can be the obnoxious guy who does very little, drinks too much and probably causes and accident.

Sounds good. I was thinking we would have to go to the Eagles board to find someone like that

 

[Wurundjeri]

I'm a mad Hawthorn fan and would love redemption this year. That said if it's not the Hawks year this year I really hope the Dockers can do it. I loved reading all the posts, such excitement in the air.

Gee I love this Australian game of ours.


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