My girlfriend and I have our flight itinerary worked out while in Australia, but need major assistance figuring out how to get around.

We get to Brisbane 18th Jan 2008 and we want to go as north as Cairns and be back in brisbane on 26 Jan 08. Does anyone have any ideas the easiest way to go about this. We think either campervan, bus, or hitchhike, but we don't know what we need to see along the way or anything, and we don't know what the best deal is. Wicked campers sounds good, but I hear terrible and also great reviews about them. Any suggestions what we should do in this short time.

We have stuff planned after that and then fly from Sydney to Perth on 1 Feb. Our flight to Singapore leaves from Darwin on the 25th so we have 25 days to go from Perth to Darwin. Any suggestions about the best method to do this? We have a bit longer this time so a Campervan seems the best choice, and buying more in advance makes Wicked even cheaper, but is it worth it from all I keep hearing?

ANY advice would me more than welcome, and if anyone has a similar itinerary and could meet us with us for some of the time, that could be fun as well.

Thanks all!

A Wicked "campervan" is by no stretch of the imagination a campervan. It is a garishly painted superannuated and recycled delivery van without pop top or raised roof. It is cramped, not especially economical to drive and the reports I have seen show them to be frequently unreliable with poor breakdown backup by the owners.
Better by far to invest in a small, much more economical and easier to drive hire car, stay in hostels and backpackers or perhaps the cabins found at most campgrounds and take a minimum of camping equipment for those nights you might to spend in national parks or in campgrounds.

Hi, I don't think I would rent a wicked campers van. I agree with Groo, there're not reliable at all.
If you want my advice as to where to stop between Brisbane and Cairns (where I live), stop at Sunshine Coast, Hervey Bay, Fraser Island, Whitsunday Islands, Mission Beach, Cairns and Cape Tribulation.
I'm sure there are other interesting points along the way, but since you don't have lots of time, I would miss them and spend quality time wherever you stop rather than hardly have time to look around.
Let me know if I can be of further help,
Cheers,
Maria

Agnes Water / 1770 is a nice place to visit as well, plenty of camping spots and great beaches. Learn to surf and reef trips available.

We had no problems with our Wicked Campervan.

On the West Coast, you'd probably want to visit:
- Perth
- Pinnacles (overrated in my opinion)
- Kalbarri (nice)
- Ningaloo Reef (near Exmouth, very nice)
- Karijini NP (a bit remote...but up there everything is remote)
- Broome

If you want, you can give me a PM when you guys arrive here. We can have a beer and a chat.

a.