The vehicle that we chose to travel in was a Falcon Fairmont Sedan fitted with LPG and air conditioning, the latter proving invaluable as the temperature climbed the further north we went. We had left Victoria's autumn with temperatures of 20-25 degrees C, and we travelled up the temperature climbed to the mid to high 30s. To us, this heat was very 'moist'. The road surface is excellent all the way and is fully sealed and except for a short section from the town of Borroloola to the camp site on the McArthur River there is no need to leave the bitumen at all. A conventional vehicle is all that is required to fish this fabulous area of Australia, and unless you intend to go well off the beaten track a 4WD vehicle is not required.
Some forward planning is essential of course, to make the trip both comfortable and successful.
For this trip we chose to take a DeHavilland 3.8m car topper carried inside a 5m fibreglass boat so we could cover all fishing options in both the river system and out around the islands. A good mosquito net and an adequate supply of Rid is essential due to the fact that at this time of the year the wet season is just finishing and all the swamps and water-holes are full of water, and insect life is very active. Some of the new Gazebo style tents with sewn in floors and roof with all four walls constructed of fly and insect proof mesh are ideal for those who wish to camp on the river. We also carried 20L of fresh water with us on the trip for both emergency drinking water or in case of a radiator leak. Sleeping bags are not an essential item for camping at this time of year, as the temperature at night stays around, we took with us a small suitcase-type generator and two small electric fans which proved invaluable at night in the tents and enabled us to have a good night's rest.