Renting something interesting in March 2015
Discussion
Dear PHers,
I am visiting Sydney with my wife during March and would like to rent something interesting for 3 weeks or so, I am so far thinking:
1. A Tesla Model S (we have one in the UK)
2. A decent convertible
3. A classic Holden
4. Open to ideas
I would much appreciate any advice you can offer and am open to doing a private deal with a PHer if you have something in your stable that may be available during the period.
I am visiting Sydney with my wife during March and would like to rent something interesting for 3 weeks or so, I am so far thinking:
1. A Tesla Model S (we have one in the UK)
2. A decent convertible
3. A classic Holden
4. Open to ideas
I would much appreciate any advice you can offer and am open to doing a private deal with a PHer if you have something in your stable that may be available during the period.
I have no real idea of what is available in Sydney today, but remember there are very few exotic dealers away from the capitals. Anything that required dealer servicing is not really suitable. A cousin of mine had a worrying time when his new Audi, started showing him a check oil message, when about 400 kilometres from anyone equipped to check it between Bathurst & Brisbane.
Also remember March is both the wet season, & the cyclone season in Queensland. Whether this is likely to be a problem is in the lap of the gods. Some years March is a beautiful month, but others you could run into flooded roads, or even a cyclone.
It is also hot. I usually wear a long sleeve shirt, & a good cap, with sunscreen in my convertibles in summer, to avoid sunburn, & run the air conditioning flat out. It actually is a fun way to travel, just be careful of sunburn, when out in it all day.
I'd pick something fun for the Sydney to Brisbane leg, but there after a diesel 4X4, capable of fording half a meter of water may be the best choice.
One April when traveling south, I was stuck around MacKay for a week with floods around Rockhampton. Once the railway was clear of water, but the roads still under for another week, they ran special trains of flatcars with a couple of passenger carriages. We drove our cars onto the flatcars at a siding, & off onto the main passenger platform in Rocky. Actually it was great fun, with a real carnival atmosphere.
Even then, we had another 50 kilometres with much of the road under a little water.
Don't be put off, most years you will have a great trip, just be prepared.
One thought, if you took a 4X4, with about a 75 kilometre detour, you could include a run along Fraser Island, the worlds largest sand island. It is I believe the only rainforest on a sand island, & something very few Europeans have ever experienced.
Another side trip should be to Airlie Beach, & a boat ride around the Whitsunday Islands. The islands are no better than the UK ones, but the sandy beaches, warm water & coral make a different experience. A reef trip is as well left to Cairns, where it is easier.
Also remember March is both the wet season, & the cyclone season in Queensland. Whether this is likely to be a problem is in the lap of the gods. Some years March is a beautiful month, but others you could run into flooded roads, or even a cyclone.
It is also hot. I usually wear a long sleeve shirt, & a good cap, with sunscreen in my convertibles in summer, to avoid sunburn, & run the air conditioning flat out. It actually is a fun way to travel, just be careful of sunburn, when out in it all day.
I'd pick something fun for the Sydney to Brisbane leg, but there after a diesel 4X4, capable of fording half a meter of water may be the best choice.
One April when traveling south, I was stuck around MacKay for a week with floods around Rockhampton. Once the railway was clear of water, but the roads still under for another week, they ran special trains of flatcars with a couple of passenger carriages. We drove our cars onto the flatcars at a siding, & off onto the main passenger platform in Rocky. Actually it was great fun, with a real carnival atmosphere.
Even then, we had another 50 kilometres with much of the road under a little water.
Don't be put off, most years you will have a great trip, just be prepared.
One thought, if you took a 4X4, with about a 75 kilometre detour, you could include a run along Fraser Island, the worlds largest sand island. It is I believe the only rainforest on a sand island, & something very few Europeans have ever experienced.
Another side trip should be to Airlie Beach, & a boat ride around the Whitsunday Islands. The islands are no better than the UK ones, but the sandy beaches, warm water & coral make a different experience. A reef trip is as well left to Cairns, where it is easier.
[quote=Hasbeen]
I'd pick something fun for the Sydney to Brisbane leg, but there after a diesel 4X4, capable of fording half a meter of water may be the best choice.
One thought, if you took a 4X4, with about a 75 kilometre detour, you could include a run along Fraser Island, the worlds largest sand island. It is I believe the only rainforest on a sand island, & something very few Europeans have ever experienced.
/quote]
I agree with what Hasbeen said about Fraser - if you have the time you should do it.
If not, you could take in the drive from the Noosa Car Ferry upto Rainbow Beach.
The drive up the beach for the 30/35km to Double Island Point & Rainbow Beach is magical. Tide Times dependant.
Lots of natural calm bathing pools near Rainbow too or good surf at Double Island Point & Lighthouse area.
Rainbow is the gateway to Fraser via Ferry, also if you do have time.
Here is a pic or two of yesterdays trip there.
As Hasbeen suggested 4x4 is the way to go in Queensland at least - you get to see the best parts of the state.![](http://thumbsnap.com/sc/2Z6yQFds.png[/img]</a> <a href="http://thumbsnap.com/xrkNb6xd" Target="_blank">[img]http://thumbsnap.com/sc/xrkNb6xd.jpg)
I'd pick something fun for the Sydney to Brisbane leg, but there after a diesel 4X4, capable of fording half a meter of water may be the best choice.
One thought, if you took a 4X4, with about a 75 kilometre detour, you could include a run along Fraser Island, the worlds largest sand island. It is I believe the only rainforest on a sand island, & something very few Europeans have ever experienced.
/quote]
I agree with what Hasbeen said about Fraser - if you have the time you should do it.
If not, you could take in the drive from the Noosa Car Ferry upto Rainbow Beach.
The drive up the beach for the 30/35km to Double Island Point & Rainbow Beach is magical. Tide Times dependant.
Lots of natural calm bathing pools near Rainbow too or good surf at Double Island Point & Lighthouse area.
Rainbow is the gateway to Fraser via Ferry, also if you do have time.
Here is a pic or two of yesterdays trip there.
As Hasbeen suggested 4x4 is the way to go in Queensland at least - you get to see the best parts of the state.
The wife and I did simular last year, but over 5 weeks. First 5 days in Sydney, to be honest you really don't need a car in Sydney. We then flew up to Cairns and picked up a car there. Drove straight up to Port Douglas stayed for a few days and then spent the next 4 weeks diving south.
We finished in Brisbane and to be honest we could have spent at least 8 weeks just doing that stretch, so much to see and do. Can't be any help on the car front I'm afraid we just had a standard Toyota, punishments for speeding are fairly severe, and to be honest even though the roads are deserted outside of the cities people keep to the speed limits.
Must do's, Fraser Island, Airlee and the Whitsundays, Barrier Reef, Noosa.
We finished in Brisbane and to be honest we could have spent at least 8 weeks just doing that stretch, so much to see and do. Can't be any help on the car front I'm afraid we just had a standard Toyota, punishments for speeding are fairly severe, and to be honest even though the roads are deserted outside of the cities people keep to the speed limits.
Must do's, Fraser Island, Airlee and the Whitsundays, Barrier Reef, Noosa.
adamfawsitt said:
Thank you very much for the advice - love the pictures, they look excellent.
Anyone know any decent 4x4 rental agencies (full fat Landcruiser or similar would be ideal)?
http://www.dropbearadventures.com.au/fraser-island-self-drive-4wd-hire/Anyone know any decent 4x4 rental agencies (full fat Landcruiser or similar would be ideal)?
They do older 80 series Landcruisers - Ideal for the Beach.
I hired a 70 series out of Brisbane when I was on hoildays back in 2010.
It came equipped with full camping equipment.
Had a 4x4 for a few weeks before changing into a Campervan & then a car for awhile.
http://www.andysautorental.com.au/4wd-hire.html
More modern stuff might be available here....enjoy
http://www.coastal4wdhire.com.au/
Make sure to air down your tyres to between 15 & 20 psi when on the beach, makes for a much easier passage & better traction.
We hired a Landcruiser from these guys in December http://www.sargent.com.au, would definitely recommend them. Used it to go across to Moreton Island, well worth a trip.
Just some current information, if you are still following this thread.
Up round Innisfail, south of Cairns they have had 10 inches of rain in the last few days. They are expecting another 16 inches by the weekend. This may cause some flash flooding & some minor inconvenience on the roads.
It is nothing special really, they measure their rain in feet not inches in that area, with about 14Ft being average.
The country is tuned to it, so it runs off quickly, it takes feet to worry the highway for more than a day or so. At least if it is happening now, it should be over by April.
Up round Innisfail, south of Cairns they have had 10 inches of rain in the last few days. They are expecting another 16 inches by the weekend. This may cause some flash flooding & some minor inconvenience on the roads.
It is nothing special really, they measure their rain in feet not inches in that area, with about 14Ft being average.
The country is tuned to it, so it runs off quickly, it takes feet to worry the highway for more than a day or so. At least if it is happening now, it should be over by April.
Gassing Station | Australia | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff