Ever imagined the possibility of doing it in your own 4x4?

BOAB offer the chance of making this dream a reality by taking care of the details for you by utilising our extensive knowledge and experience of temporarily importing vehicles into Australia.

Taking care of all the legalities and formalities this entails, we will then take you on a fully escorted expedition through some of the most remote and beautiful areas outback Australia has to offer, giving you the maximum amount of time to explore the real Outback with all the planning and hassle taken care of!

It's worth remembering that something like 80% of the population of Australia live on the east and south east coast, of the remaining 20%, about 80% of them live within about a half days drive of the remaining coast, that leaves very few out in the middle, and the vast majority of the Australian population have never seen or heard of the areas that you’ll be visiting!

 "OUTBACK AUSTRALIA"

WESTERN AUSTRALIA & THE RED CENTRE

SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER - 2008

WITH BOAB DOING MOST OF THE WORK, COSTS CAN BE KEPT WELL DOWN.

FOR EXAMPLE, ORGANISING AND SUPPLYING IMPORT / EXPORT DOCUMENTATION, VEHICLE INSURANCE, QUARANTINE AND CUSTOMS CLEARANCE, BOAB EVEN PERSONALLY LOAD & UNLOAD TWO VEHICLES PER CONTAINER FOR YOU.

TIP; IF YOUR BUYING A VEHICLE THERE AND THEN SELLING IT AT THE END OF THE HOLIDAY, REMEMBER IT EATS AWAY AT VALUABLE HOLIDAY TIME, THE VEHICLE IS AN 'UNKNOWN' AND A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T REALISE IF YOU BUY A VEHICLE IN SAY NSW, THEN TRY TO SELL IT IN WA, IT'S A LITTLE LIKE BUYING A CAR IN POLAND AND TRYING TO SELLING IT IN TURKEY, IT CAN BE DONE, IF YOU HAVEN'T GOT A PLANE TO CATCH, BUT YOU'LL PROBABLY LOOSE A FORTUNE TRYING TO MAKE THE SALE.

ANY OTHER BENEFITS ??

WELL AS WE SEE IT THE ONLY DRAW BACK IS THAT YOU HAVE TO SHIP YOUR VEHICLE OUT SOME FOUR WEEKS BEFORE YOU ARRIVE, AND IT WON'T BE BACK AGAIN UNTIL ABOUT FOUR WEEKS AFTER YOU ARRIVE HOME, BUT AS LONG AS YOUR FOURBIE IS NOT YOUR MAIN VEHICLE, THERE'S NO WORRIES!

APART FROM THAT MINOR INCONVENIENCE EVERYTHING ELSE IS A PLUS.

YOU KNOW YOUR VEHICLE, AND ITS CAPABILITIES, AND ITS YOURS! SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IT AS MUCH AS A HIRE CAR (well not quite!) AND ITS PROBABLY COSTING YOU MONEY TO KEEP IT AT HOME WHILST YOU RENT ANOTHER ANYWAY.

ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS IS, ALL YOUR 'GEAR' -- CLOTHING, CAMPING, FISHING, SNORKELLING, BINOCULARS, PHOTOGRAPHY AND SO ON, GOES OUT IN THE CAR IN ADVANCE, SO YOU DON'T NEED TO SPEND HALF YOUR HOLIDAY TRYING TO SOURCE IT ALL, AND THE OTHER HALF TRYING TO SELL IT ALL AGAIN!

TIP; IF YOU HIRE A VEHICLE, CHECK THE SMALL PRINT ON PAYING FOR REPLACEMENT TYRES, PARTS AND SCRATCHES FROM THE BUSH - I PERSONALLY KNOW PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD VERY LARGE BILLS FOR THE SCRATCHES THEIR 4X4 RECEIVED FROM BUSH ROADS

WE RECOMMEND EVERYONE HAS A BASIC KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE IN OFF ROAD DRIVING, HOWEVER, WE ARE QUITE LITERALLY RIGHT BEHIND YOU ALL THE WAY, IN CONSTANT UHF RADIO CONTACT, SO THAT EVERYONE GETS TO PLAY AT LEAD 'BUSH BASHER' WITHOUT TOO MUCH TO WORRY ABOUT.

WE ARRANGE FOR UNLOADING, CUSTOMS & QUARANTINE INSPECTIONS AND LEAVE YOUR VEHICLE READY FOR YOU TO DRIVE AWAY AND JOIN US!!

The Two Route Options!

South West Western Australia & the Red Centre

Or

West Coast & North West Western Australia

SW. Western Australia & the Red Centre

This is the big one! - Forests, Wine, Coasts and the immense emptiness of the Bush.

This trip really does bring home the sheer enormity of Outback Australia, the huge distances involved and what appears at first to be an arid, empty wasteland, will throw up surprise after surprise as you see and learn more about the amazing flora and fauna of this unique part of the world.

Departing from Perth we head into the South West corner of Western Australia, firstly it helps to acclimatise for the temperatures further inland, and secondly to visit the following must see attractions on route such as: The Margaret River Wine Region, “Giant Karri” forests and the Coastal Rock “Blow Holes”.

Moving North and back inland towards the Stirling Ranges to climb the imposing Mt Bluff, on to ‘Surf’ the amazing Wave Rock, and then head Bush along the ‘Holland Track’ before arriving in the Gold Mining town of Kalgoorlie, and the worlds’ largest open Gold Mine.

Leaving Kalgoorlie we head further south onto the Nullabor Plain (a lump of Limestone the size of Belgium!),

Many will have heard stories about the dead straight East to West road and railway crossings over the Nullabor, and the tee shirts telling people “I Crossed the Nullabor and Survived” – well you’re crossing it South to North, the hard way! 500km of Capstone and ‘Roos into one of Australias emptiest regions, the Great Victoria Desert.

We’re heading now for the Northern Territory. The Territory is approximately equivalent in size to France & Spain, with a total population less than that of Bristol. To say you can be on your own out here is quite an understatement!

Our Northern Territory destination is the heart of Australia termed “the Red Centre”.

 In the Red Centre we hit some of the lesser and more popular attractions including Kings Canyon, Finke Gorge and, of course, Ayres Rock (Uluru) climbing if possible.

 Alice Springs, probably Australias most famous Outback town, and a welcome sight for a few cold ones in the searing heat.

Enjoy your beer in Alice, and poke a few into the fridge for later, as we now turn back West through the Macdonnell Ranges towards both the Gibson & Little Sandy Deserts.

I personally believe this region of Western Australia, through the Great Sandy & Gibson Deserts to be some of the most remote, harsh and yet stunningly beautiful areas of Australia, particularly in or just after the wet season.

On a trip of this scale, we can never underestimate what we’re going to encounter, however, time permitting its several days now to the West Coast where the beautiful blue Indian Ocean crashes onto spectacular beaches and coral reefs.

Following the coast south, camping on white sandy beaches and vast areas of uninhabited coastal heath land, we’ll pass through spectacular Marine and Coastal Nature Reserves eventually crossing the wheat belt arriving back in Perth for a well earned yarn and a tinnie or three!

There's so much to see and do on this trip that six weeks is barely enough time, however, look closely at a map, it gets bloody hot out here and it’s a long way. Mostly desert and bush tracks with very little bitumen, except around the tourist areas of Ayers Rock, Alice Springs, Margaret River wine area and bits of the coast. The Gt Victoria, Little Sandy & Gibson deserts are all extremely remote areas, so you'll be expected to carry plenty of fuel and water.

West Coast & North West Western Australia

More coastal driving than the Red Centre trip, but just as much to see, don’t forget to pack your snorkelling gear for this one!

The beaches and coastal heath land here seem endless and deserted, whilst the desert areas are hot, arid and spectacular.

Departing from Perth, we head north driving through fantastic coastal sand dunes and along white beaches to the Namburg and Pinnacles Desert.

Continuing North through the Kalbarri to the World Heritage site at Monkey Mia to see Dugongs, beautiful and graceful sea mammals which early mariners mistook for mermaids, as well as Dolphins, Sharks and Giant Rays.

This is where you’ll see the oldest known life form on earth – Stromatolites – strange, almost rock like in appearance; they are what first breathed oxygen onto the planet.

With lungs full of fresh oxygen we go up to the Coral Reefs of the Coral Bay Area, one of the many fantastic areas to really get your snorkelling gear wet.

Once we have had our fill of the coast we pop inland now but heading east towards hundreds of kilometres of Outback Stations and Empty desert to roughly the mid point on the Canning Stock Route. The Canning is an old stock route ploughing its way through the desert from Halls Creek in the north to Wiluna at the southerly end, and was used to drive cattle from the empty north to the sale markets of the south. It’s dotted with hand dug wells and is a great part of Outback history. (For those interested in its history, there’s a good video available called “The Canning Stock Route – The Loneliest Track in the World”, and is well worth a look)

North then on the mighty Canning to Halls Creek, refuel and on into our favourite area, The Kimberley, and time for some ‘croc spotting’

As much time as we dare exploring the Kimberley, then back south down the Great Northern Highway and eventually back to Perth for a well earned celebration of your achievement.

It's a bloody long way this trip, so it's not for the faint hearted, but if you want to see the best, we have to search it out. The further north and into the Kimberley we can get, the more you will see of some of the best Australia has to offer!! Some bitumen driving, particularly near the popular coastal areas, but also the possibility of quite difficult driving in places. It can get hot here, very hot (this is world record temperature territory out here, we've seen it climb well into the 50's centigrade!) and it's a lot of kilometres to cover. A real expeditioners expedition, and depending how much time we spend bush, the quick return option is always available back to Perth on the bitumen roads. Don't forget your snorkelling and fishing gear!

HOW DOES IT ALL WORK?

Journey to Australia?

In this Internet age of cheap flights, we now leave your journey to Australia entirely up to you so you can either come directly to meet us at the Rendezvous point or fly in a few days before and explore Perth on your own.

Prior to departure for Australia, you’ll be given information on, and directions to your rendezvous point in Perth in order for us to reunite you with your vehicle.

Why Perth?

Why Perth? - well, apart from being, supposedly, the worlds' most remote city and therefore a good starting point, it just happens to be one of the closest in Australia to the uk, and where our shipping contact is of course.  It's also because Western Australia is one third of the Aussie land mass, about 2,525,500sq km, with over 15,000km of coastline, yet has a population of about 1.6million, thereby giving us a huge population free destination to explore.

Also as there are more ex-pat poms in Perth than anywhere else in Oz, chances are quite a few of you will have rellies or mates to visit or stay with for a few days.

Paperwork?

Unless you’re an 'undesirable' you will need very little documentation. Basically a passport for you, with appropriate visa if necessary, and a passport for your car, known as a 'Carnet' both of which we can help you obtain.

Before you can drive your vehicle on the highway in Australia it's a legal requirement to have appropriate vehicle insurance, which we can help arrange before your departure.

The company we use in Australia will require exactly the same details as your regular insurance company. (Current no claims, age of driver, how many drivers, value of vehicle etc)

We would also recommend that you take out Marine Insurance, both ways, that doesn't mean your covered to drive in the sea, but means that you are adequately protected whilst your vehicle is enjoying its around the world cruise.

Quarantine:

Yes, Quarantine! - Have a bath before you go and make sure you clean, re-clean and clean again your vehicle before shipping!!  Australia is, quite rightly, paranoid about aliens and their seed, and have the right to refuse entry of your vehicle.

You may also be faced a hefty cleaning bill including ‘clean’ transportation to & from a certified cleaning station.

(After the 2001 UK foot & mouth disease, Quarantine spent over four hours steam cleaning one of our vehicles before its’ release, I've never seen such a clean Land Rover or such an expensive car wash!)

Shipping the Vehicle?

Your vehicle is shipped by us from the UK to Perth.

You will be sent your vehicle departure port details a few weeks prior to loading. (Usually Felixstowe, east of Ipswich)

You will then need to rendezvous at the port “On Time” (with a lift home!) with your vehicle spotless and ready for us to load.

If necessary allow yourself an extra hour to power wash your vehicle (again) near the docks, prior to the RV.

We provide straps & wheel chocks (and store them in Perth for the return journey) but we must be able to get your vehicle inside the container.

We use “High Cube” containers; more expensive than standard, but it means you can carry roof tents and the like more easily.

Please Note; the container is 9ft 6in high ‘inside’ – the doorway is a little less – so if your vehicle won’t go through a 9ft 2in high X 7ft 2in wide doorway, it will get left behind, sorry.

We will not have time to remove roof tents, jerry can holders, roof boxes or work on any ones vehicle dockside prior to loading – it must be no more than 9ft (275cm) high with the tyres deflated enough for it still to be driven all around and out of the docks!

The vehicles will be loaded some four (4) to six (6) weeks prior to arrival in Australia, we won’t know for certain until we know which vessel will be taking us.

Other Passes and Permits?

We will arrange for all other necessary passes and permits within Australia itself. We can obtain all the necessary details from your other paperwork.

Accommodation?

Bad news is -- basically its camping, good news is -- there are three different types!!

Firstly, and by far and away the best way, - bush camping! - Nothing or nobody for company, except your own little group, the wildlife a campfire and millions of stars. Just the beauty and absolute remoteness of the outback with Mother Nature as an alarm clock.  This is what its’ all about!

Secondly, - "bush sites"- yes I know the word site is in the title, but don't be fooled by it!  these are remote area 'sites' in Designated National Parks, Protected and Sensitive Areas, designed to cause minimum disruption and maximum protection to the wildlife and natural surroundings by keeping camping to certain areas. You are nearly always alone at these sites, which can be as basic as a sign reading "please camp here" to all the mod cons of a hole in the ground dunny and a rain water butt. Most are only accessible by four wheel drive, and are in some of the most beautiful and remote areas of Australia.

Thirdly - camp sites - although it’s an outback adventure, believe me you'll be glad to stay at one every now and again, just to see water coming out of a funny little pipe into a cubicle called a 'shower' , get the chance to catch up on a little laundry and take on plenty of fuel.

* camp sites in the more popular tourist areas (as opposed to remote roadhouses) such as Ayers Rock, Alice Springs, etc will have cabins (a bit like static caravans in the uk) available to rent. Although the camp sites are paid for by BOAB, you can always rent a cabin (at your expense) if you really feel the need to, particularly where we stay for a couple of nights, such as Alice.

Who Gets to Go?

Seven vehicles, plus ours, is usually the limit, not only is it cost effective on the shipping, but also means its a pleasant, safe and manageable number of vehicles that can stay on the move, without losing too much time over photography, tourist attractions, river crossings and other possible hold ups. Please remember that although we do not drive "crocodile" the convoy can be spread out over many kilometres and we can only drive as fast as the slowest vehicle. Punctures can be par for the course! So you will be expected to carry two spare wheels and tyres, basic repair tools and puncture repair kit for the type of tyres you are driving on (tubed or tubeless)

Suitability?

These Trips are only for the experienced 4x4 driver with a well prepared vehicle! - the expeditions are completed through vast sections of dirt and gravel tracks, off-road driving and living in the bush.

Your 4x4 is an integral part of these expeditions as you have to survive using only what you can carry within your vehicle, whilst not overloading or overstressing it.

Children or Passengers: Whilst it’s the trip of a lifetime, please consider whether passengers in the rear of 4x4 will really appreciate the trip. The camping and scenery is awesome, however bouncing around in the back of a 4x4 for thousands of hot, dusty kilometres is not every ones idea of a good time – think about who goes with you!

Driving Conditions?

Basically – expect very little bitumen!!!

What Do We See?

Where can we start, you’re in your own car, on your own expedition, with back up and support from the group (and us!) So you're going “Outback”. That means you will see things that 99% of Australian and International tourists never see!

What you have to remember about Australia is that nearly all the flora and fauna is totally unique to the island. Island! -- try getting your head around the fact that you’re on an island when you’re there! Anyway  --  since Oz broke away from the giant land mass of Gondwana, some thirty five million years ago, give or take a month or two, it's been evolving in it's own unique way, most obviously the marsupials.

It's been isolated in its’ development and apart from Aboriginal land management for the last 35-40k years, basically flash burning, it's only seen serious development and agriculture during the last hundred and fifty years.

So apart from some of the smaller mammals and birds eating a few insects, most of the wildlife has evolved without predators, (lions, tigers, leopards, foxes and so on that you would find on other continents)

That means the existing wildlife doesn't really know what you are, and is basically unafraid of humans. That's one reason you can wake up with wallabies, and 'roos joining you in camp for breakfast. It's also the main reason why there's so much road kill, the bloody things don't know what a car (predator) is!

Ok, so we lied a little, there are a couple of major predators in Oz, but only one to watch for on our trips, the Saltwater or Estuarine Crocodile, better known as “The Salty” but you’ll get plenty of tips about him when you’re there

Most FAQ From the Ladies

What about spiders & snakes?

The flora and fauna in Australia is totally unique and is one of the major reasons for being there. Just remember the wildlife is probably more afraid of the situation "you've put them in" - than you should be of them!  Wear boots in the bush, even some of the grass here can be like darning needles and just "be sensible and aware"

Believe it or not, things that people worry about the most are usually in the areas that have the most people!

Where Australia is most conducive to habitation by humans, it is also the most conducive habitat for many of the so called "nasties" and that's the opposite direction to where you're going. Remember humans create ideal habitat for the very things they don’t like in their sheds, garages, gardens & dunnies.

Prior to leaving the ladies can have a copy of “Nicolas Notes” a “Girly Guide To Life in The Bush”

Cash & Credit Cards?

It may be remote, but they can still relieve you of your 'hard earned' via the latest high tech methods! Most roadhouses take cards through their eftpos machines for your fuel. All the main towns we visit (as long as they have electricity) will dispense or change cash via cards, and the pubs will give you as much beer as you can (or can't) drink providing you have $aus in your pocket!

How Do We Get To Ask Specific Questions?

We normally have a couple of meetings to let people discuss their ‘specific’ questions, more pertinent to their own needs, requirements, vehicle and so on

Vince Cobley has agreed to host a couple of seminars at the Land Rover Experience / Pro Trax Centres, Rockingham Castle, Near Northampton, for those interested in coming with us from the Land Rover Owner Adventure Club.

Dates for these meetings will be announced in Land Rover Owner International Magazine

Please feel free to e-mail or telephone me with any “specific” questions you may have concerns about

A “Preparing The Vehicle” document will be forwarded to those more committed.

E-mail address:   raids@boab.biz

Telephone:           01684 591 154    (Outside UK +44 16 84 59 11 54)

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Dates

LAND ROVER OWNER International – Adventure Club            Australian Special - for 2008

“Outback Australia” – Explore Australia with your favourite Land Rover Magazine.

This special trip is planned for the Last Two Weeks of September & All of October 2008.

Based on our SW Western Australia & the Red Centre route, but modified to create a unique Land Rover Owner experience!

The Price for the Raid is:

£5800.00 per 4X4 – Based on 2 People per Vehicle.

Plus a *Refundable Surcharge of £150

Please contact us for prices for additional people or for group/club discounts.

What’s Included?

 Completion of the paperwork both in the UK and Australia, this includes:

·         Organising Containers & Shipping Vessel

·         Shipping, Customs & Quarantine

·         Loading, (including straps & chocks)

·         Shipping - Outbound

·         Unloading, Customs & Quarantine Inspections

·         Vehicle Storage

·         Escorted Expedition; to the most beautiful and remote places of Australia (including camping & permits)

·         Vehicle repatriation, including Export Formalities

·         Organising Containers & Loading

·         Shipping - Inbound

·         Unloading, Customs Clearances & Other Formalities

Advice & Assistance in the following areas:

·         Visa requirements & applications if required

·         Vehicle Carnet applications - (inc LHD Vehicles)

·         Vehicle Insurance – requirements and policy selection advice

·         Marine Insurance

·         Flights & Accommodation

·         Diet & Medical Requirements

·         Expedition Planning including; fuel, fresh food and water stops along the way.

·         Vehicle Preparation

*Refundable Surcharge.

Please Note; the price of containers is rising “Weekly”

One container we had before Christmas 2008 went up in price £400 in one week and £345 the following week. That’s £745 in two weeks prior to leaving the docks.

A few years ago these trips were costing under £4000, however the current Fuel Crisis means Fuel Prices and Fuel Surcharges on container shipping can be astronomical at the moment, and increasing weekly.

As its not practicable, or possible, to forward buy a container many months in advance, we’re building in a “Safety Factor” of £150.00 per vehicle or the equivalent of £300 per container.

If the container shipping price remains within budget, the fuel surcharge will not be charged or will be refunded.

Other Dates

"OUTBACK ODYSSEY" - WEST COAST & N.W. WESTERN AUSTRALIA  --  NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2008

"OUTBACK AUSTRALIA" - WESTERN AUSTRALIA & THE RED CENTRE  --  SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER 2009

All routes, organisation and running of the raid are undertaken by BOAB, UK.