This is probably the maddest trip we’ve ever done as far as covering a lot of distance in a relatively short time. It was tiring, but we enjoyed it. Would we do it again – the distance most definitely, but at least three months would be our preferred time frame. Less than five weeks was just a tad crazy!
For those of you interested in cost and distance details, I’ve put together a few stats for you.
We were away from home for 33 nights in total.
The journey was completed in two legs for each direction, with a stay in Broome to rest before continuing our trip. We stayed for three nights in Broome on the way up to Katherine, and for nine nights on our return trip. We also spent two nights in Kununurra on the way up.
We were at the farm in Venn for a total of eight nights (Venn is 25 kms south of Katherine.) During those eight days we helped plan a wedding, helped with the decorating, and the catering, and helped with the clean up afterwards.
All other stopping points were for one night only.
There were 8 driving days in total in each direction with an average daily distance of 513kms. The longest of those days was 818kms – and yes, it was to long! Between 400 and 500 kms is a good distance on WA and NT roads. More than that is too much, less than 400kms and you never seem to get to where you’re going.
The total kms for the entire trip, including all the daily trips when we were in one place for more than a night totalled 9680 kms. The total fuel cost was $2684.
The combined costs for paid accommodation was $819.
We travelled up the Great Northern highway to Port Hedland on the way there. On the way home we came via the coast road for a change of scenery. The distance is virtually the same whichever road you take.
The average cost per km worked out to .28cents. The average cost for accommodation was $26 a night.
So there you have it. – the statistics for an almost 10,000km trip in almost five weeks.
Life of Riley - on whatever 
What a gorgeous day for a wedding! Look at that sky!
LikeLike
That’s typical and something you can rely on at this time of year. The dry season is consistently dry, and the wet season consistently wet.
LikeLike
What a road trip, I enjoyed reading your posts of adventures, Chris!
LikeLike
Thank you Donna.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, quite a trip but I’m sure by the look of those photos well worth it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Al and I drove 925 miles in two days and promised each other not to do that again. Those long travel days are just too much at our age. But sometimes you just have to do it especially for a special occasion. The wedding looked perfect and I enjoyed the maps.
LikeLike
I’m only just getting the hang of the maps. Some of days were definitely too long. Our country areas have good roads, but more than five hours travelling is a bit tough.
LikeLiked by 1 person
With our recent travels, we did some 8-9 hour days. Al and I agree, we are too old for those long days 😆 and now that our move is behind us, we don’t plan on traveling like that again. 5 hours is ok for us if we’re switching drivers, but 2-4 hours is preferable.
LikeLike
Our roads are very good, so we can manage 4 to 5 hours quite easily. We like to have at least one good break on the way though. Start out around 8am, and finish around 2 pm.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Worth every minute to share so many precious memories of a beautiful day.
LikeLike
It absolutely was.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Incredible stats! Well done to you both. It was worth all that driving to be there for that special day! And to enlighten those of us that think it is all just red dirt and rocky outcrops.
LikeLike
There is a lot of red dirt and rocky outcrops. But when you get contrasting blue, blue skies, and in some areas, blue oceans, it is incredibly beautiful. I think the beauty is in the vastness. But as they say, Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
LikeLike
I agree – that contrast with the water and the skies makes for a bewitching view.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We’d love to do this trip. Thanks so much for the breakdown.
LikeLike
Make sure you take longer than 5 weeks to do it. We have done it a few times now, and have taken our time before. There’s a lot to see, and the top end is really beautiful. I’m sure you’d love it Peggy.
LikeLike
Wow, 818kms! That’s a long haul. I think our longest on our half lap a few years ago was about 750kms in a day and we were absolutely stonkered! What a trip you had. Gorgeous wedding pics and no doubt lots of wonderful memories.
LikeLike
I don’t think we’ll be doing that sort of distance again any time soon. It was definitely to much.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep, I agree. We had friends who drove a ten hour stretch straight across the Nullarbor and he ended up having stress and anxiety issues afterwards. Not worth it.
LikeLiked by 1 person