Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > Australia & the Pacific
Reload this Page >

Driving from Darwin to Cooinda

Search

Driving from Darwin to Cooinda

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 2nd, 2007, 06:54 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,347
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Driving from Darwin to Cooinda

What is traffic like? We are "elderly" from the US and probably should not drive on "wrong" side of the road if there is much traffic on that route. Any encouragement (or discouragement) will be appreciated!
Thank you.
Jane
JaneB is offline  
Old Aug 2nd, 2007, 04:16 PM
  #2  
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
What traffic? There is no traffic all the way to Cooinda. You'd love the road, it is wide and clear and super straight in some parts that you'd swear you are driving right on to the horizon! You would actually be grateful if you met a car - we used to give any vehicle that we encountered a cheery wave. When we were there last year, we even have photos of our kids lying in the middle of the road just to emphasise how open and clear it was. Believe me, it is a dream to drive, too easy and fast, in fact, your problem really is to stay awake for all that distance.
bellytoo is offline  
Old Aug 2nd, 2007, 04:26 PM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 9,922
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
A moderate amount of traffic is actually a good thing when you're driving on the "wrong" side of the road in a rural or remote area - it reminds you, if you need reminding, to stay where you should be. The biggest trap is when you turn off onto another road and instinctively end up in (in your case) the RH lane. The presence of other cars acts as a useful guide.

Neil_Oz is offline  
Old Aug 2nd, 2007, 04:28 PM
  #4  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,347
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thank you, thank you, thank you, bellytoo! That's what I wanted to hear in order to plan on renting a car and driving rather than taking a tour from Darwin. We can handle traffic like you described--even on the "other" side of the road.
Jane
JaneB is offline  
Old Aug 2nd, 2007, 04:33 PM
  #5  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,347
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thank you, Neil. As someone told us--the driver just sticks his elbow out the window and pointed to the center of the lane!
JaneB is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
danielmiller77
South America
6
Apr 11th, 2014 05:15 AM
kawh
Europe
13
Jun 13th, 2012 04:49 AM
fairygemgirl
Road Trips
14
Sep 1st, 2009 03:21 PM
karbop1
Europe
23
Feb 10th, 2009 04:05 PM
nelsonian
Australia & the Pacific
10
Jan 15th, 2008 06:27 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On



Contact Us - Manage Preferences Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Your Privacy Choices -