|
Great Divide Tours
http://www.greatdividetours.com.au/
Tweet tweet go the birds as you head through the trees on Vic Widmans
virtual adventure trail. With
a bit of pre-trip 4WD driver training, a compass and a bottle of water,
Vic will take you to well beyond the black stump on a choice of trips
ranging from a quick one day-er up to Stockton Beach, to a month-long
tag-along death ride across the Simpson Desert.
The pics look picture perfect for an outback trek - up dunes, down
mountains and across creeks. All
you need is Vic's $20.00 book - that's a dollar for every year he's spent
out there - and you are Mal and Mike Leyland's illegitimate yuppie half
brother, Larry.
Sample: "..let me help you get the most out of your vehicle without
causing damage to the environment, yourself or your wallet."
Verdict: Vic has got the right stuff - he guarantees you'll come back
alive. - SS
NetWorth: ****
Adventure Australia with Break Loose
http://www.breakloose.com.au/
A directory of all things adventure leads you all across Australia, discovering
the what, where and how of adventurous activities. The trouble with directories is that they take so much effort
to put together on limited budgets.
Nevertheless, they have done a pretty OK job here.
Even though there are a lot of holes to be filled, there is enough
to get you started in your search for the ultimate extra-metropolitan
activity. It is well laid
out and easy to follow, it just needs your sponsorship dollar to kick
it along a bit.
Sample: "If you feel
you have an article that would be of interest, please let us know.."
Verdict: Please do!
They could do with some encouragement!
This could be a great tourist web-destination. Some good travel
yarns. - SS
Net Worth: ***
Australia Travel
http://www.finalword.com/index.htm
A one-stop trip shop taking away the stress and strain of planning your
holiday, organising your car, maps accomodation, mileage etc. You have to buy the maps and stuff, so it is kinda hard to
see the benefit here, as against dropping into the local service station.
There is a good bit of pre-arrival destination info to chew on, though,
as you tie the three spare tyres, gearbox and diff to your roof. Overall, it is quite a neat package, and certain to get you
thinking about where in this great big land you might like to head next.
Sample: "Legend goes that Tennant Creek was established when a beer
cart broke down, attracting nearby miners to the site".
Verdict: Oh yeah - don't forget your esky!! - SS
NetWorth: ****
Australian Bushwalking Web
http://www.bushwalking.org.au/
There is nothing better after a long bush bash in your 4WD, than actually
getting out of the air-conditioned beast and going for a real walk in
the wilderness. This site
is a complete guide to what to do and what not to do once your strap on
the hiking boots. The bushwalkers
code, safety, equipment, clubs and the all-important environmental aspects
are covered. This site is
a result of all the bushwalking clubs in Australia nutting out the ultimate
website to represent them, and they've succeeded.
Sample: "Please carry your Medicare
card."
Verdict: .presumably,
that's to squash poisonous spiders with. - SS
NetWorth: *****
Australian Caravan Touring
http://www.ozemail.com.au/~adryan/caravan/home.htm
With an obvious love for the blessed caravan, this site's creator serves
up the lot on his HTML gas stove about the whole caravanning experience.
His light-hearted style makes this mostly text-based site more
colourful than some heavily pictorial sites, as he takes you through preparation,
destinations, navigation and communication while living the dream.
There are heaps of very useful facts, including seasonal considerations,
local festivals and must-sees, making this site a must-read before and
during your big adventure.
Sample: "Packing, Preparation and Hitching - wherein we encounter
lists destined to gladden the heart of the irredeemably obsessional, albeit
at the risk of striking fear into the heart of the neophyte"
Verdict: Ah, the joys of
caravanning! - SS
NetWorth: ***
Australian Hovercraft Federation Website
http://www.ozemail.com.au/~ahf/
Well strike up the fans and blow me away, we are going on an all out yee
haa ride of James Bond proportions here.
Floating around in these babies has got to rate pretty high on
the fun scale. I really don't
know why hovercrafts haven't taken off as the primary mode of transport
to get to work. Sure they
are loud, but they look so cool.
I want one, and you will too
- and the great thing is, you can!
And here's how.
Sample: "Inventor.. Sir Christopher Cockerell.constructed a model
from two coffee tins and a hair dryer..."
Verdict: Sell your Pajero,
we're going a hoverin'! - SS
NetWorth: *****
Australia's Bicentennial National Trail
http://home.vicnet.net.au/~bnt/
The route from Cooktown in Qld to Healsville, Vic, is the largest single
trekking route in the world. The
legendary RM Williams dreamed up the concept of a great trail, and before
too long it was a reality. A
memorial to all the great bushmen of this country that anyone can savour
to whatever degree they like. A
wildlife cornucopia, and definitely good for the constitution as you walk,
horse ride or mountain bike your way to exhaustion, trying to get as much
of the 5,330km trip into your Sunday afternoon as you can.
Sample: "the Trail follows
the historic coach and stock routes, old pack horse trails, and country
roads. Wherever possible along its great length the Trail has been designed
to be a "living history" of our country, following the routes
of our early pioneers and highlighting historic sites and artifacts along
the way."
Verdict: You can't call yourself an Aussie til you've done a bit of this
one. - SS
NetWorth: ****
CIA World Fact Book
http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/
OK, so you've done the blue mountains, now it's time to stick your land
Cruiser on a raft and head O/S.
Since the CIA know everything, it makes sense to check with them
before you go, just in case you might be headed for one of their covert
operation areas, or some old land mine site. The fact book basically covers
your usual stats like population, land mass,
politics etc, and is really quite a good all round guide to what's
going on around the world, should you wish to go a-wandering.
Sample: "The conduct of peace involves all countries, all human activities--not
just the enemy and his war production."
Verdict: Yeah, but are there any good sand dunes? Huh?? - SS
NetWorth: ***
Excite Travel
http://www.city.net/
All the major search engines have been quick to see the opportunities
for sponsorship revenue from travel companies as web surfers use the net
to plan the annual getaway from the office computer.
The information, when proffered by willing professionals with advertising
budgets to burn, and coupled with the search engines technical ability
to deliver the info, makes for an appealing addition to any portal's services.
Book air tickets, hotels, cars, buy a book or two, and your holiday
is a sure-fire success - at least on paper.
When you get there, you have to go through the withdrawals of not
having your computer to organise your sunbaking schedule and cocktail
orders.
Sample: "need a travel companion?
Matchmaker free trial"
Verdict: Geez, they think of everything!- SS
NetWorth: ****
4WD On Line Magazine
http://4wd.sofcom.com/4WD.html
Part of the Sofcom suite of info sites, this one provides everything a
4WD owner or prospective owner might want.
If it doesn't you can post a question and have someone answer it.
All the big name brands, the army vehicles, the multitude of uses,
clubs, links, news, destinations and mechanical tips are here.
How to buy, fix and maintain your pride and joy, is expertly detailed
by experienced enthusiasts who want you to join the club and be glad you
did.
Sample: "I have a Defender 110 year 1994. I am on my 3rd clutch master
cylinder in 12 months. When the clutch is empty of fluid, the peddle catches
on the downstroke and stays down and I am sure that it shouldn't do this."
Verdict: Especially in the
middle of the Simpson Desert! - SS
NetWorth: ***
Great Outdoor Recreation Page
http://www.gorp.com/
All this fresh air and sunshine has certainly given the GORP's of this
world a bright outlook on life.
Yes it is American, so the happy-happy vibe is to be expected -
this time it is done with a genuine love of the bush.
You can almost see these stereotype yanks beaming with pride as
they drive their gas guzzlers up to the fish'n'shoot hotel, gaze at some
major natural phenomenon, and drive back to the burbs for another year.
It's all very Chevvy Chase, but there's something magical about
that ol' outdoors - except for them thar grizzly bears.
Sample: "the Ouachitas have rugged trails, roaring whitewater and
a natural beauty that nearly became a national park."
Verdict: .until the army commandeered them to test stealth bombers. -
SS
NetWorth: ***
Land Rover Owners Club of Australia - Sydney
Branch
http://www.lroc.com.au
With an emphasis on community fun - by organising tag-along trips - and
"treading lightly on public and private land", this site brings
you activities, membership opportunities, driver training and access to
the club library. The photos
and reports make it look like a helluva good time, except for the getting
bogged bits, but there are always enough helping
hands around to get you out of trouble, cook up a bit of tucker
and boil the billy before you head home in the tow-truck.
Sample: "We welcome owners of other four wheel drive vehicles in
our club - in fact, we have life members that own Toyotas!"
Verdict: Sharing the spirit of a classic vehicle. - SS
NetWorth: ***
Land Rover
http://www.landroverworld.com/
This is the glossy, mud-covered sales pitch of the Land Rover legend.
With such a well-known reputation, it's no wonder these vehicles
are selling like beers on New Years Eve.
The colour and style is great, but the informational content here
is a little lacking. It would be nice to see a little more history and legend here.
We are already sold on the cars - the new ones are pretty amazing
indeed, especially when veiwed in snazzy Quicktime.
Sample: "controlled, responsive, refined, advanced"
Verdict: .just like your
accountant is going to have to be to get the car loan approved as a business
investment - SS
NetWorth: ****
Welcome To Landrover
http://www.landrover.com.au/
The Aussie site may not be as flashy as the international one reviewed
in this chapter, but at least they have bothered to give us a bit of info
about where to take the cars after we buy them.
Choice locations around the country are detailed, with maps, driving
tips and FAQ's. Come to think
of it, you could probably make the same trip in your old Holden.
Whether you can afford a Rover or not, you can always buy a key
ring, belt or tie pin and pretend.
Sample: "Land Rovers are built in quality control conditions to ensure
your every adventure is a great experience.
So too is Land Rover Gear. Each item is designed and manufactured,
like your Land Rover, to endure the toughest conditions you can put it
through."
Verdict: ..like I'm going to drag my polo shirt through a ravine and winch
myself up the other side with my watch strap! - SS
NetWorth: ***
Lonely Planet On-Line
http://www.lonelyplanet.com.au/
The world-renown experts on vital travel info have generated a constantly
upgraded version of their expertise, packed with informed and interesting
reading, news and tips aimed more towards the backpacker market, but nevertheless
vital info even if you are going the 4WD/5-Star route.
The thorn tree bulletin board allows for instant Q & A, and
you can follow many a nifty little icon to more useful, funny, and at
times sobering info.
Sample: "Lonely Planet has an unmatched reputation for producing
well-researched, up-to-date information that travelers can depend on no
matter where they're going."
Verdict: Not so lonely with
the kinship promoted here among travellers. - SS
NetWorth: ****
Out of the Way Luxury 4WD Tours
http://www.outofthewaytours.com.au/
Ok, so you've just retired, you always dreamed of travelling round the
far north of Australia and seeing the sites, but you're a bit over the
whole "roughing it" thing you may have done 40 years ago.
What better way than to pile into a luxury stretch 4WD with 5 others
and have the time of your life laughing, sharing stories and admiring
the scenery in air-conditioned comfort.
Doesn't sound too bad at any age really.
A visit to a few antique and craft shops, a bit of a sing-song
around the campfire and the trip is a perfect success.
Sample: "Two full days of quiet rest and good food, while enjoying
our spectacular Australian bush. We do all the work, and you enjoy the
pampering."
Verdict: Sounds good to me! - SS
NetWorth ***
Outback Australia - Big Red Tour
http://www.wilmertown.com/oz/
This is the real lowdown from those that have been there and done it all.
They know the challenges that may lie ahead for the novice outback
traveller, and they offer as much advice as they can in the interests
of helping everyone appreciate our great land.
It's dinkum Aussie all the way with advice on how to be friendly
to the locals, how not to piss them off by being a rude European, what
to pack in your suitcase, road courtesy, dangers, places to visit.
Sample: "If you follow these simple advice, then you will not end
up as one of the people that leave a bad impression and destroy for other
travellers following in your track."
Verdict: True Blue words
of wisdom for the uninitiated traveller. - SS
NetWorth: ****
Outward Bound Australia
http://www.outwardbound.com.au/
If you are still around after nearly 60 years, and a non-profit organisation
to boot, something has got to be working.
With a mission to basically get people off their bums and doing
something exciting, OB has seen more than 2 million people take the challenge
and discover something about themselves they possibly never knew existed.
Get out with a team spirit and do challenging stuff.
It's got to be good for the soul.
Sample: "..everything Outward Bound does is carefully planned and
operated by our professional staff to minimise real risk without diminishing
the excitement of an active, adventurous challenge."
Verdict: Have fun, learn
about yourself and make friends for life.- SS
NetWorth: ****
Overland 4WD Safaris
http://www.overland.com.au/
WA Based tour operator offers a nice cracked-earth theme to their
on-line promotion which captures the feeling of being "out there".
There are a few limited help sections for accommodation and travel,
a big news area, internet discounts, survivors tales, bush recipes and
a good selection of pics. All
guaranteed to give you a hankerin' for the outback.
If you are lucky, John or Joy might even be on-line and you can
ICQ them direct.
Sample: "Our objective was to show visitors the Australia that only
the locals knew...the REAL AUSTRALIA!!"
Verdict: Attractive design,
good content - just like the outback. - SS
NetWorth: ****
The Bush Ranger
http://www.geocities.com/Baja/Dunes/6771/
The Bushy is about as much fun as you can have without getting a hovercraft.
Even Kerry Packer has one.
They look cool, they love mud, and you can trick them right up
to be awesome sedan-eating monsters with thumping stereos.
There are a few links to other "bushy" sites, including
the dudes who chop the original Range Rovers and Land Rover Discoveries
into these cool looking beasts.
But you have to start at this guys site - and send the poor dude
an email - he's a fun guy.
Sample: "I should get a life. I wish I could get a life. Narrandera
is a hole."
Verdict: Beserk bush bashin'
in the backwater. - SS
NetWorth: ***
Tread Gently
http://www.earlybird.com.au/
Sarah and Eric have decided that the best way to save the environment
is for them to do all the 4WD adventuring on our behalf, while we follow
their travels on the web. Pretty
smart thinking, I reckon. Less
harm to our bushland, and we don't have to endure the flies and heat,
breakdowns and flat tyres. Happily
volunteering to bear the suffering of a life of total freedom and excitement,
they let us see the whole thing from the comfort of our own dingy, rat
infested city hovels. I really
feel sorry for those two as they selflessly serve their country for the
greater good.
Sample: "Perhaps like many other people out there, you don't have
the time to drive across a country like Australia, to explore wild National
Parks and rugged coastlines, camp out under the stars, go fishing for
Barramundi, or frolic with kangaroos.......well we do have the time, in
fact we've made the time especially for you! "
Verdict:. Aw gee, thanks guys! You lucky %$&@*'s - SS
NetWorth: ****
Welcome to NRMA on the Web
http://www.nrma.com.au/
Whatever anyone thinks about the NRMA as it struggles through it's identity
crisis, facing the reality of economic rationalisation, global corporatisation
of everything, and competitive strategic posturing, the old motorists'
association still has the interests of us mere drivers in it's collective
mind. The web site brings
all the kind of stuff you get in the members' magazine, with a little
more zing & zap, with regular updates.
Members are privileged to get a few more pages than non-members,
like how to appeal a parking fine -
now that'll tempt anyone to join! The scope is wide, and well worth
a look-see/listen/click.
Sample: "To Help Avoid Stress And Frustration
While You're Driving - Don't drive if you're already upset by something
happening at work or at home"
Verdict:. Well, that takes about 95% of cars off the road straight
away. Excellent advice! - SS
NetWorth: *****
Youth Hostels of Australia
http://www.yha.com/
Why not join this amazing network and guarantee yourself a bed no matter
where you might end up after a long drive, er, night on the town.
The experience, friendliness and youthful exuberance beams out
of this site like a backpacker at a business luncheon.
The site takes you all around Australia and the world in a colourful
web space that beckons you to join the inn crowd and have some fun.
Sample: Membership of YHA is your entry ticket to a travel adventure,
which will linger in your memory for years to come. Staying in YHA hostels
also means your budget will survive so you can go further and stay longer.
Verdict:. So this is why there are so many travellers with expired visas!
- SS
NetWorth:
*****
|
