My wife and I will arrive in Queensland about this time next year to begin 'One Lap of Australia' in a Classic Mini. We look forward to meeting many Mini owners and attending Mini club events when we can as we wander anti-clockwise around the continent. We have an Aussie Classic in hand for the drive and are thrilled at the prospect of setting off.

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Select a gear, bring up the revs and release the clutch...off you go!

Your a brave man....... Perhaps invest in a satellite phone?

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http://www.youtube.com/user/Hanras

and a 406 EPIRB! Best of luck with the preparations and see you in Melbourne.

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Flute - 68 MK I Cooper S
Member: VMCI #2474
Member: International Mini Model Collectors Club

+1 GME hand held or something basic. Register it with AMSA.

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http://www.youtube.com/user/Hanras

We're not worried. Have done transcontinental return trips in North America 998cc sedan (2,100 lbs loaded), 7,500 miles and 1380cc sedan with trailer (all up wt. of 2,500 lbs.) to 8,500 miles...so, 12-15,000 miles over a relaxed period is not such a challenge as 7,500 miles in three weeks.

Aussie Mini Classic is in great shape for the trip. Just have to manage the oil changes and lube jobs. Most important...must meet Australian Mini owners.

My Uncle Frederick Charles immigrated to Australia after WWI (he had served in the Horse Guards), re-enlisted in the Australian Militia in 1939 and fought with Australian forces against the Japanese in WWII. I Have relatives in Australia that I am keen to meet.

See you next July.

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Select a gear, bring up the revs and release the clutch...off you go!

Yes, but are you aware that there are vast areas and distances where there is no mobile reception in regional areas? And sometimes no chance of seeing another person for days? And keep in mind regional roads are not Mini friendly, even though they may be bitumen, they are best driven on by 4WD's.

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http://www.youtube.com/user/Hanras

We will be running on 12" wheels/tyres...dare I say a 'nudge bare' (forget it, a real Roo Bar is on the road trains)...., so I'm not apprehensive.

The Mini is in good nick and I'm not petrified by replacing a head gasket or water pump, sorting electrics, gently chamfering the vanes on a carb needle...or whatever is necessary to keep the Mini going.

Just want to get to wherever Mini owners are and to join in when we can!

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Select a gear, bring up the revs and release the clutch...off you go!

Hi Hunter2,

Sounds like a great adventure and a lot of fun to me.

Enjoy and hope to catch up at some point.

Cheers

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Probably better off running on 10's so you have a bit of a higher profile tyre to soak up the potholes.

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http://www.youtube.com/user/Hanras

Good one, I think I read about your trip in 'The Mini Experience'? I was impressed to see that you want to include Tasmania.
cheers
Tim

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1951 Morris Commercial J Type Van
1955 BSA C11G
1961 Morris Mini Traveller
1969 Triumph TR6R
1977 Leyland Moke Californian

It's not a race...so travelling safely is not an issue. We will deal with the roads we encounter...on the basis that we win...not the road. PS - I believe the 12"s have a higher profile (have not seen them yet to confirm...).

We will do a prologue from Brisbane to Sydney before Mini 50 on the Sunshine Coast and the Brisbane Mini Muster, after which we will set around the continent.[/img]

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Select a gear, bring up the revs and release the clutch...off you go!

You'll have a great trip but plan well - I have driven across the States and I have driven across Australia - there is no comparison

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David L


My greatest fear in life is that when I die my wife will sell my Mini and tools for the price I told her I paid for them!

Standard 12's on this Leyland van will be 145/70/12. but possibly has a slightly wider tyre on the mags now fitted.

Should be no worse than 10's

Should also say see you in Qld

Cheers
Steve

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1964 998cc Cooper
1971 Mini K x 2
1972 Clubman GT

Rick
The advice on getting a sat phone and/or EPIRB is good advice. I have done the trip 'round Oz and there are a lot of very remote roads/places and these devices will be good insurance.

Hope to see you in Cairns.

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Steve

To those that don't know this lap of Australia that Hunter is doing has already been planned and discussed on another forum. Matt Read and others have given him a lot of help regarding the selection of the van and preperation.

A lap of Australia is not that hard, there are thousands of pensioners (grey nomads) doing the lap as we speak and not many of them end up as dingo food.
Why would you need a GPS to follow a sealed road with big number 1's all along it?
If you break down there will be a caravan or camper-van along within ten minutes!

10" tyres have a taller profile. (the distance between the rim and the tread)
12" tyres have a bigger diameter. (145s are only marginally bigger, 165s are a bit bigger)