Outback Expedition for a Yankee

Ever since I was small I have wanted to visit Australia. When I turned eighteen, an interest in prospecting revitalized that once forgotten dream. Now, I am in going to live it. My idea is to fly to Perth and from there find my way east towards the gold fields. I have little of this planned, and have a lot of research yet to do. Right now I am looking for books on the matter of the goldfields of W.A.

I don't really want to get a guided trip into the area, but a contact in Oz would be great. I think setting up base at a cheap motel near my desired location would be the best idea, then have a tent and the availability to move deep into the bush. I want it to be an adventure, something that would make a normal bloke cringe.

I spend a lot of time in the outdoors, however desert survival is new to me and has it's own set of challenges, as does the local wildlife. A clue as to how to deal with these potential problems would be appreciated. The other challenge for me is the transportation issue. Is it possible to rent a Range Rover, or other bush vehicle?

Any information is greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Sean

Linkback:

You are not allowed to view links.
Please Register or Login

http://www.thunting.com/smf/index.php/topic,18448.msg119708.html#msg119708

Thanks. I am working on the whole research part of it now... as well as the finance part of it. Can you rent 4x4 vehicles for the outback from Hertz and that sort of company or is there a company that caters to a more "rough" crowd? Do you have any book recomendations for anything regarding this subject?

Peace

Sean

Posted on: October 10, 2010, 09:19:00 PM

---

I would go for a guided trip, but I am having a hard time finding a guide that has more than just day trips. If there was a guide who would just drop me and my gear off, check on me to make sure I was still alive periodically and maybe deliver some water I would be happy. Either that, or make an Aussie friend who wants to go on an adventure.

Linkback:

You are not allowed to view links.
Please Register or Login

http://www.thunting.com/smf/index.php/topic,18448.msg119713.html#msg119713

A trip into the outback without an experienced guide can be fatal. I suggest you pay close attention to any advice you get here no matter how silly or wimpy it make you feel. There are snakes that will kill you within a few hours and when you are 8 hours away from help, you can only say your prayers and live with the regrets of not paying attention to what you are doing.

Your first time over here, you should take a tour. There are tours that last for weeks traveling to a variety of stops in Western Australia. You have to schedule your trip over here around the scheduled tour dates. Contact these guys by e-mail for information on the tours.

You are not allowed to view links.
Please Register or Login

Tell them you're looking for overnight or longer guided tours.

If you persist in wanting to go it alone, make sure you buy a good two way radio after you get here. They have a service here called the Flying Doctor Service and they only respond to radio distress calls. A satellite phone system is also a must. Study up on the snakes, scorpions and spiders you may run into. They all have members of the family tree that can kill you in a multitude of ways or make your life miserable for a while. Feral dogs, pigs and cats can cause you lots of misfortune as well as the local dingoes. It's a romantic notion, to go bush while you're here but on your first time, please come as a tourist. You won't regret it and you'll still find gold and a bit of adventure. You just won't very likely find death as easily.

I've been living here for 12 years now and still would always use a guide. I see the local news reports which never make it to the USA.

One more thing. You need a permit to prospect here in Western Australia. It costs $25.00 and is good for a lifetime. If you don't get it ahead of time, you will be weeks waiting for it.

Linkback:

You are not allowed to view links.
Please Register or Login

http://www.thunting.com/smf/index.php/topic,18448.msg119729.html#msg119729

Parts of Oz definitely make the American Southwest look like a cake walk, and I know what can happen to a person here if he/she ventures out less prepared than they think they are.

BA

Linkback:

You are not allowed to view links.
Please Register or Login

http://www.thunting.com/smf/index.php/topic,18448.msg119810.html#msg119810

On a cautionary note, by far the greatest number of people who get into strife in the bush are visitors who think they are able to cope with the bush.

The first time you come over, do it with an organized group. Save the great adventure for the next time. And there will be a next time. This place is addictive.

Linkback:

You are not allowed to view links.
Please Register or Login

http://www.thunting.com/smf/index.php/topic,18448.msg119812.html#msg119812