4 days?!!

I drove from Brisbane to Tennant Creek in 2000. I took the most direct
course, via Longreach, Mt Isa, etc.
It took me 3 days. Day 1 Augathella??,  Day 2 McKinley ?? (stayed at the
Blue Heeler pub) Day 3 arrived in Tennant Creek about 8.00pm  I was driving
12-hours plus each day, only stopping for fuel and the occasional beers.

Very very boring!! I don't know what it's like from 3 Ways north, but it was
real fall asleep at the wheel driving for 95% of the journey.

There's some nice spots to camp between Mt Isa and Cloncurry. But I'd be
spending what spare time you have looking at Katherine Gorge, or Kakadu, or
something.

Forget about western Qld, get to NT as soon as you can.

Last time we drove Brisbane to Darwin we went dirrect to Townsville
citinf the 'lations and then turned left hit the border and accelerated
, not a drive I could recommend but if you are intent on doing so take a
book as brown looks brown all over ( sadly)

How far out of your way are you prepared to go?  There is a brilliant spot
about 200km north east of camooweal.  The gregory river is magic IMHO.  It
would add an extra 200km to your trip if you went north at cloncurry and
then across to camooweal.  I think it is the best camping spot in NW QLD.
Also not too far from Lawn Hill but i think it is better than lawn hill for
camping but the gorge at lawn hill is quite nice.  It would also mean about
200km on dirt but as long as your careful it is a pretty good road.  Bonus
is you don't even have to go through Mt Isa which your sulphur free lungs
will thank you for.

There is plenty of good spots along the river to camp.  Hard to find a bad
one really.  Turn towards camooweal before you get to gregory downs pub.
About 15km down the road you will start to see tracks going right, towards
the river.  Any of those are about 3 or 4 km to the river and it will not
disapoint! Guarenteed!!!

Just in case anyone's in the market for a 'cruiser (and live in Darwin),
here's a description:

"A great vehicle! Most of its life has been spent in inland NSW and most
recently it has enjoyed a couple of years in the beautiful scenery of the
Pilbara in north western Australia. We are not big "four wheel" drivers but
we like going places off the beaten track. This cruiser has seen many places
and has really performed exceptionally well. It has done enough kilometres
to reach the moon (so I am told!) but it still does not blow any smoke
(unless you are cranking it up a hill of course). It is well maintained and
has never let us down.

Lets go through a few of this vehicle's features:

10.5 months NSW registration.
We are the 3rd owners.
Standard 2H motor with overhauled injectors and injection pump. I have
receipts for thousands of $ work for you to look at.
Dual batteries with solenoid that ensures starter battery is good-to-go.
There is a lighter socket up the back which we ran our Engel off (excellent
fridges by the way!)
New steel bull bar from TJM. We hit a roo on the Nullarbor so you get
yourself a nice new roo bar!
Brand new Hella 1000 spot lights courtesy of above mentioned roo- thanks
Skip!
Two spare wheels and tyres, one almost brand-new tread
Pioneer 6 CD stacker (with cassette as well). I have not heard it jump once,
honest!
Seats are pretty much immaculate. We had the front seats re-sprung and the
back ones have been covered most of the time so all vinyl and cloth is
tip-top.
Carpet is pretty good. We have had rubber mats front and back but naturally
there is dirt where the mats don't reach. At the very back there is a nice
thick piece of rubber that has protected it really well.
You get four alloy rims on the vehicle (the spares are both steel) with
Bridgestones with about 75% up front and about 50% at the back.
Hayman Reese tow-bar that you can remove.
It has full tint all the way around, nice and dark.
Power steering has been completely rebuilt.
It has an engine immobiliser.
Air conditioning has been re-gassed and leak checked 4 months ago,
still good.
New disks on the front.
New springs up the back and bushes all round.
Radiator replaced about 3 years ago. While driving around in 50 degree heat
it has not once even thought about over heating.
It actually has extractors as the exhaust manifolds on these often cracked.
It therefore sounds great.

As with all cars that are this age it is not perfect. So here are a few
things that you should know:

There is rust on the rear left wheel arch about the size of a fist.
A couple of minor (very minor) dents around due to birds, small animals and
probably a shopping trolley or two. Otherwise the paint is really very good.
Still looks glossy as the photos show.
Somebody broke into our (unlocked) car and flogged the ash tray and nothing
else! Can you believe it!
The second battery does not hold full charge, around 10.5 - 11 volts.
Automatic aerial does not always go up and down, still can't work that one
out.
We are selling this vehicle as we have moved permanently overseas. Please
take the time to visit my brother-in-law and inspect it, you will not be
disappointed."

"About 6 days." Around 4 days  to get to 3 ways, and two more to Darwin. You
might not have much extra time for diversions. You could stop at Mataranka
(just below Katherine on the main drag).

Cheers
Jim