Thanks for visiting, LashPair, we miss you already!

[Moonliner]

Originally Posted by Moonliner

On my "Bucket List" is to drive from Melbourne to Perth. (3,424 km)

Along the way you pass by the Cafe that Skylab fell on, the worlds longest stretch of straight road and the antipodes to my home in Maryland.



(Technically, the antopode is in the ocean, but the farthest land you can stand on relative to my home is along the drive).

Damn rental car "relocation fee". It would cost about $4,000 US to rent A 4WD car for my trip.

I might just have to buy one in Melbourne and sell it in Perth. Humm, that could add to the fun....

[lashbear]

Originally Posted by Moonliner

I might just have to buy one in Melbourne and sell it in Perth. Humm, that could add to the fun....

That's what most backpackers etc. do.

You can sell your 4WD quick (and buy one too) at www.carsales.com.au

[BarTopDancer]

Originally Posted by Moonliner

I know you SoCal'ers have a somewhat focused view of the Nation, but I still don't think you can call LA to Anaheim one end to the other. LA to New York City is one end to the other, and like crossing Australia I think a plane would in fact be best.

That's what I'm trying to say.

[lashbear]

I miss Yosemite, so I made a Peppermint Patty using Hot milk, chocolate syrup, and peppermint essence. Not quite the same, but it took me back for long enough to get all sentimental.

...I'm a nostalgic guy.

[Moonliner]

Originally Posted by Moonliner

On my "Bucket List" is to drive from Melbourne to Perth. (3,424 km)

Along the way you pass by the Cafe that Skylab fell on, the worlds longest stretch of straight road and the antipodes to my home in Maryland.



(Technically, the antopode is in the ocean, but the farthest land you can stand on relative to my home is along the drive).

Originally Posted by Moonliner

Damn rental car "relocation fee". It would cost about $4,000 US to rent A 4WD car for my trip.

I might just have to buy one in Melbourne and sell it in Perth. Humm, that could add to the fun....

Originally Posted by lashbear

That's what most backpackers etc. do.

You can sell your 4WD quick (and buy one too) at www.carsales.com.au

Yes! The Trip is back on, perhaps!

It turns out you Aussies have an Auto Train that goes from Perth to Sydney.

So, if I change the driving trip to go from Sydney, to Melbourne to Perth (via Port Lincoln, Esperance, Albany, and Dunsborough - 5,167KM) and take the auto train back to Sydney so I can pick up and drop off the car at the same spot we are right as rain. Plus I get the added bonus of the train trip across Australia.

The car rental (AWD Wagon with unlimited miles )will be about $1,000 the train $700, plus flights, lodging and the like makes this a real possibility.

I'm going to peg this for Summer of '11 - Winter in Australia temps in the 40-50's F. It's all good.

[lashbear]

Woo Hoo !! A couple of tips:

Pack lots of water.

Have a GPS. If the rental doesn't have one, feel free to use ours. It's got a map good for the entire country.

Practise eating wombat, possum and koala. I can send vegemite to help you adjust.

[Moonliner]

Originally Posted by lashbear

Woo Hoo !! A couple of tips:

lots of water. CHECK

Have a GPS. CHECK

Practise eating:
wombat - Best in a stew
possum - Burgers
koala - Deep Fried.
Check!

vegemite? - That's it. The trips off.

I did some initial budgeting, I was worried about gas prices given that we are planning to drive the equivalent of D.C. to Los Angeles to San Francisco to Las Vegas, but I ran the numbers and they were not that bad. Then I figured out the gas cost I was using was per liter not per gallon

[Moonliner]

Oh oh! Cool!

Britz!

[lashbear]

Britz Vans are great.

[innerSpaceman]

Pfft, I don't even think you guys were even IN the U.S. a few months ago.


Ok, I have no memory left. But PROVE IT.



With photographic evidence.



(hint, hint)