Choosing the Right Car
Stationwagons vs. Campervans
First of all before you even start to look at cars
you must decide what vehicle best suits your needs.
The main factors are how many people do you regularly
plan to have in the car, how many kilometres do you
plan to do and how much time do you have?
Stationwagons
Australian made 6 cylinder wagons such
as the FORD FALCON's are cheap, very reliable and most
importantly, easy to find parts for in even the remote
regions of the country.
Recommended for :
Falcon facts: 12-13 lts/ 100
km fuel consumption, most have 4.1 lt motors - 80% are
automatic. Good quality falcons from a dealer such as
the Travellers Auto Barn will cost between $3000 and
$5000 and will include NRMA membership, maps, registration,
insurance, buyback guarantee and most importantly a
reliable fully serviced car.
Vans, Campervans & Mini-Buses
 These vehicles are most suited to couples, more than
two persons is too much for these small capacity engines.
It is also recommended that you are travelling at a
relaxed pace. You should look for low Kms and preferably
nothing older than 1984. It is generally easier and
much cheaper to find a good van than it is to find a
good campervan. Good campervans are hard to find and
usually cost $10,000 plus.
Beware of OLD BACKPACKER VW KOMBIS
VW Kombis look cool, that's why they are always popping up in marketing campaigns for anything and everything. Just like drinking Coke will make you good looking, driving around Australia in an old Kombi and having fun is just as unlikely.
Don't be a fashion victim, OLD VW KOMBI's circa 1960's and 1970's are not a smart choice for a trip around Australia . Simply, way too old, air-cooled (and the air's not cool in Australia !!), and not just expensive to repair but difficult to repair as parts can be quite hard to find. These old kombi's will struggle the most in the hotter regions of Australia and it is in these areas that the mechanics have no sympathy for people driving through the outback in a clapped out Kombi.
With the greatest respect to all the local Kombi owners and lovers, your vehicles are not exactly the kind of vehicle we are talking about here. Most backpackers think $3500 for an old Kombi is a lot of money and spending money on them is not part of the equation. Totally opposite to the Kombi enthusiast, which we acknowledge there are many, many, Even we agree they are one of the classics of modern motoring. |
 
A rare mechanical garage that will ‘work' on old Kombis…2006 Darwin. N.T |
A few years back the trail of broken heated backpackers who had bought Old Kombi stretched from Perth to Sydney and Darwin to Melbourne , now it's not so bad as most of the vehicles are now owned by Kombi collectors and wreckers yards.
Panelvan's, 4WD & Bushcampers
 Ford Falcon Panelvans are excellent vehicles for couples
with all the reliability of an Aussie 'six' and a comfortable
sleeping area for two. One of the best cars for a trip
around Australia.
4WD's and Bushcampers are the ultimate way to see the
bush, but a fat wallet is essential. Expensive to buy
and expensive to run, however the advantages out weight
the disadvantages, as many parts of this amazing country
are only accessible to a 4WD vehicle.
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