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25-11-2009, 07:38pm
Ahh, the Stuart Hwy! Pity about the 130km/h speed limit on it now though. I did the trip before that crap and the bus was extremely happy cruising at 240km/h all day. Really covered some ground.
Daly Waters Pub offers cheap campsites, a good feed and a great atmosphere- I'd highly recommend it. If you feel like venturing off the Stuart, Curtin Springs on the Lasseter Hwy is also good. It's a working cattle station, so the steaks are brilliant.
I know EVERYBODY says "Don't ride at night, or dawn & dusk"; well I did and had no problems apart from some pissed locals losing control of their car and spearing off into the spinifex. It's just a matter of riding to the conditions. I found that the standard high beam gave plenty of light at 70km/h and that at 70 in 5th gear I managed to get 4.1L/100km. The advantage of travelling at night up there is that due to the common knowledge of wandering stock and wildlife, there's bugger-all other traffic so you can focus totally on scanning the roadsides for skippys, brahmas, camels or whatever else. The constant scanning keeps you wide awake and if you time the trip right, you can take in the Devil's marbles at sunset. (you might well have done that already, being from Darwin, but if not- worth considering). It's up to you to make an educated decision, taking in your knowledge of the Top End, your own abilities and comfort zone.
As for luggage, I just had everything loaded onto the pillion seat and secured with an array of occy straps. It held tight at 290km/h! Most importantly, just enjoy the trip!
![[Image: thebus0059mg.jpg]](http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/8816/thebus0059mg.jpg)
Daly Waters Pub offers cheap campsites, a good feed and a great atmosphere- I'd highly recommend it. If you feel like venturing off the Stuart, Curtin Springs on the Lasseter Hwy is also good. It's a working cattle station, so the steaks are brilliant.
I know EVERYBODY says "Don't ride at night, or dawn & dusk"; well I did and had no problems apart from some pissed locals losing control of their car and spearing off into the spinifex. It's just a matter of riding to the conditions. I found that the standard high beam gave plenty of light at 70km/h and that at 70 in 5th gear I managed to get 4.1L/100km. The advantage of travelling at night up there is that due to the common knowledge of wandering stock and wildlife, there's bugger-all other traffic so you can focus totally on scanning the roadsides for skippys, brahmas, camels or whatever else. The constant scanning keeps you wide awake and if you time the trip right, you can take in the Devil's marbles at sunset. (you might well have done that already, being from Darwin, but if not- worth considering). It's up to you to make an educated decision, taking in your knowledge of the Top End, your own abilities and comfort zone.
As for luggage, I just had everything loaded onto the pillion seat and secured with an array of occy straps. It held tight at 290km/h! Most importantly, just enjoy the trip!