Chase NT/Darwin Dec 2010

[spwill]

As it is so close to Xmas I can only chase for 5 days so will take my chance there is some active thundery weather during this short time frame .
I am arriving just after midnight on the 3rd Dec, first chase day will be the afternoon/evening of Dec 3rd.

[03Stormchaser]

Good to hear your still coming, fingers crossed we time things right. Im still looking at leaving the 12th Dec.

[03Stormchaser]

Leaving the 11th at 11:30pm, so can chase 3rd - 11th, minus a days fishing somewhere in there. In all it cost me $750.00 return flying via Melbourne.

[tgsnoopy]

I got the special on accommodation and I should have waited for it on the flights, but I'm all booked and paid for so I'm happy. Pleased you got a good deal on flights.

Kinda ironic cause I was the one suggesting off peak pricing would be cheaper on the ground over there, but my income has been all over the place this year and it was a case of calling it and paying it off in advance as I had the money.

I arrive in Darwin early afternoon Fri Dec 3rd, leave very very early morning Sat 11th on the red eye to Sydney. As mentioned earlier I'm staying in the Vibe Waterfront.

[spwill]

In all it cost me $750.00 return.

That is cheap, are you flying Aeroflot ?

[03Stormchaser]

Mixture of jetstar and tiger airways, cheapest and nastiest I could find!

[NZstorm]

That is cheap, are you flying Aeroflot ?

I flew with aeroflot once, I'm sure the pilot thought he was still flying a Mig!

[tgsnoopy]

Oh, are Tiger still flying Melbourne to Darwin? When I was looking into it earlier they had stopped for the off peak season.

[03Stormchaser]

I was looking earlier aswell and couldnt find any flights, about aud $50 cheaper mel to drw flyin tiger one way.

[tgsnoopy]

Today I finally decided to buy a Contour 1080P HD Video camera. The idea, turn it on and enjoy the storm. Forget videoing or photographing it. Fingers crossed it'll work out ok.

[Willoughby]

Storm season running in one month 'early' at the moment. Big gusty storm moved in from the southeast at 6PM on Wednesday. A couple of booms, nothing spectacular lightning wise, but structure wise.. yes!

A couple of photos here from a friend. Saw it from inside as I had work.

http://www.northauschasers.com/forum/do ... &mode=view
http://www.northauschasers.com/forum/do ... &mode=view

Hopefully the weather turns it on while you guys are here, if it does they will be good as this season is looking very very promising.

[spwill]

Have been looking at hotel accommodation and might book now to get the cheaper rates.

[03Stormchaser]

You can get some good rates online early, were do you think you will stay?

[Willoughby]

I could get you guys some cheap rates at a sister motel of the place I work at... but it is not something I'd really recommend to interstate guests.

Palms City Resort is in a very nice location, next to Parliament house and on the esplanade with the CBD and Mitchell St a 2 min walk. That place looks nice from the outside.

[tgsnoopy]

Hmm, yet you never mentioned this earlier?

I'm pretty sure that's where some friends stayed, they really enjoyed their stay. I think they said they stayed in a little villa.

It's only a few minutes from Vibe where I'll be staying (bonus).

I have bought a Contour HD full HD Video Camera, it's a bit harder to mount than I anticipated, with the Goggle adapter being huge and needing to be mounted over your ear effectively. I'm hoping for a storm I can try it out with before I go. Presently it's at Ruapehu on a friends goggles while he is carving up the lovely white stuff.

[spwill]

You can get some good rates online early, were do you think you will stay?

I was looking at Mantra Esplanade but will also look at the Palms City Resort, I am quite keen to get some accommadation booked as I see Darwin gets expensive at short notice and the currency exchange rate is working against us, around 76 cents.

Has anyone put their name on a rental car yet ?.

[03Stormchaser]

Nope but I have a friend who works for thrifty in Gold Coast who said she would look into a price for us, its worth a shot. She is on holiday at present so once she is back in a week I will get in contact with her.

[Michael]

I am sure you can afford it
The aud is almost parity with the usd now,ours I dont think ever will get parity except with the russian rouble perhaps

at short notice and the currency exchange rate is working against us, around 76 cents.

[03Stormchaser]

Well looks like i will be flying out Saturday 11th from Darwin now. Tiger airways mucked me around a bit and have changed dates which wouldn't have mattered except that I have my connection home on the 12th (melb - chc) so having to rebook a new flight which leaves, 730am 11th.
Have heard back about a rental car, Nissan Xtaril $394 price without insurance for 3/12 - 10/12, emailed back to confirm whether unlimited km and price including insurance, although how much does travel insurance cover? I paid bit extra for some extra car rental cover, may look into it.

[spwill]

Have you worked out where you will be staying Steve ?, I am yet to book my accommadation but will do so next couple of days, still considering several options.

[Tornado Tim]

Well looks like i will be flying out Saturday 11th from Darwin now. Tiger airways mucked me around a bit and have changed dates which wouldn't have mattered except that I have my connection home on the 12th (melb - chc) so having to rebook a new flight which leaves, 730am 11th.
Have heard back about a rental car, Nissan Xtaril $394 price without insurance for 3/12 - 10/12, emailed back to confirm whether unlimited km and price including insurance, although how much does travel insurance cover? I paid bit extra for some extra car rental cover, may look into it.

Also factor in how much a full tank of gas will cost before you drop the car back in otherwise they can sting ya......

[tgsnoopy]

Also factor in how much a full tank of gas will cost before you drop the car back in otherwise they can sting ya......

Standard practice, filling up the rental car immediately before returning it. Can be very expensive if you don't.

[03Stormchaser]

Have you worked out where you will be staying Steve ?, I am yet to book my accommadation but will do so next couple of days, still considering several options.

Ive got foggy looking at getting me to stay at the hostel he is working at.

[Willoughby]

Hmm, yet you never mentioned this earlier?

Because it's not the kind of place I like to sell to international guests - it's just another option.

The reviews of the place aren't the greatest...
http://www.booking.com/hotel/au/value-i ... ckdisplay4

I can get the rate down to $69 per night, so just let me know.

I would still recommend Palms City Resort. Try and book direct and ask for the best possible price.

More typical October weather at the moment... hot, with an isolated pulsey storm about.

[Weetbicks]

What are the roads like around the Darwin area? Having never been there I wouldn't know. Is it paved or dirt? Do the roads get pretty bad with rain ? Are there many roads or are you pretty limited in how you can chase ?