Vehicle and Supplies
We drove a 2014 Jeep Laredo Grand Cherokee CRD diesel – under body plates, Stu Murchison suspension lift, 168 L of diesel – 93 L fuel tank plus 75L long range tank rarely needed but no need for Jerries as a back up.
Uneek front skid plate and Uneek roof rack. BF Goodrich AO 2 tyres. We took two spares but had no flats. One vehicle was staked in one tyre which wrecked it and had a wire in another which was plugged. They were the only issues with tyres from the five vehicles.
We carried a floor water bladder, 120 L, that sat behind the front seats plus another 20 litre container to fill up from bores and the like for washing. A 48 L ARB fridge served us well. We picked up supplies usually at major centres and the odd thing at communities. Most fresh fruit and vegetables were fine in these places.
We used an Oz Tent, no attachments, which went up and down in no time. Everyone was either in a tent or swag. Our Exped Megamats gave us a great night’s sleep, better than most beds in the couple of apartments we slept in Newman and Alice. Usually we were up, packed, fed in an hour and away on the track by eighthish each day.
Fuel
We drove 11 949 Kilometres
The Jeep used 1 194 L of fuel
which cost $2 115
consumption 10 L/100km
cheapest fuel at Emerald, Qld $1.17.9/L
dearest fuel Kunawarritji, WA $3.40/L
Buying fuel was never an issue as it was always available in towns or communities.
This table shows the places we stopped at for diesel, the litres taken on and cents per litres at the pump.
Town / Date | Litres | Cost | c/L |
Emerald Qld 22/6 | 74.66 L |
$88.83 |
117.9 |
Winton Qld 23/6 | 60.38 L |
$76.62 |
126.9 |
Mt Isa Qld 24/6 | 44.7 L |
$54.04 |
120.9 |
3 Ways NT 25/6 | 63 L |
$105.96 |
165 |
Alice Springs NT 26/6 | 54.28 L |
$66.17 |
125.9 |
Erldunda NT 27/6 | 29.11 L |
$49.78 |
171 |
Uluru NT 28/6 | 41.16 L |
$75.28 |
182.9 |
Docker River NT 29/6 | 27.2 L |
$54.84 |
220 |
Kintore NT 2/7 | 47.5 L |
$95.00 |
200 |
Kunawarritji WA 4/7 | 59.7 L |
$203.00 |
340 |
Parnngurr WA 8/7 | 70.06 L |
$224.19 |
320 |
Newman WA 13/7 | 70.63 L |
$91.74 |
129.9 |
Wiluna WA 14/7 | 43.75 L |
$66.50 |
152 |
Carnegie Station WA 15/7 | 40 L |
$97.50 |
243 |
Warburton WA 18/7 | 57.01 L |
$117.43 |
206 |
Warrakurna WA 20/7 | 38.87 L |
$93.25 |
240 |
Curtin Springs NT 22/7 | 53.93 L |
$94.92 |
176 |
Alice Springs NT 25/7 | 66.3 L |
$80.80 |
125.9 |
Mt Dare SA 27/7 | 47.86 L |
$98.11 |
205 |
Birdsville Qld 2/8 | 83.86 L |
$134.18 |
160 |
Yuleba Qld 3/8 | 120 L |
$142.22 |
118.5 |
What a trip Mum & Dad! Love the photos, they’d have to be some of your best – the colours are just amazing.
Mind if I take the Jeep for a quick run out to big red while your overseas???
One vehicle was staked in one tyre which wrecked it and had a wire in another which was plugged
I am very happy to find & read your blog. thanks for sharing this, very useful for me. Thanks again for the insight
Regards