Cheryl and I have been on the road for about 7 years, not full time and we are it in the final stages of preparing to travel to WA for an unknown amount of time but at least 12 months but when you throw in NT and
back into Queensland to continue our last visit there it could well be 2 years. What we are asking some info on places to see or stay away from in WA. We pull a 7 meter long Roadstar van with a 4.2 litr, turbocharger landcruiser. We are fitted out to free camp most of the time only visiting caravan parks on the odd occasion.
what we are asking of anyone who can help is to advise us of some of the locations we should visit ( or stay away from ). I realise that we all have different opinions about things like this so we would ask for to share your fav locations and why in just short reasons so that we might also enjoy them like you did.
we are looking forward to what you have to say and to read about you your journeys so that we might be able to have similar experiences
we await your replys
Briche
Tony Bev said
06:54 PM Mar 24, 2021
Hi Briche
In WA, the Main Road Department (MRD), control many of the free camps on the side of the main roads
If you go to their website, the free camps are up there (somewhere), and there are plenty of them
I usually stop at every (one horse) town I come across, just to have a look
Hope that you have a good road trip
fwdoz said
07:17 PM Mar 24, 2021
To be honest we only found Busselton to be expensive for a powered site. The caravan park also allowed a huge party to get out of hand & BIG4 didnt want to know or care about what happened.
If I were to go to WA again, that is the one town I would not stay in. Just our bad experience.
There are many great places to see, it really depends on what you like to see/do.
We enjoyed Carnarvon, Geraldton, Kalbarri, Dongara/Pt Denison, Albany, Esperance, Perth. The cyclones at the time prevented us going further North.
Carnarvon had the Space Museum which was something we really wanted to see. Stayed at Capricorn Caravan Park which is nice & quiet with large sites.
Kalbarri has some amazing places to see in Kalbarri National Park; Natures Window, Z Bend, Hawks Head, Ross Graham Lookout. Pink Lake is not far away for a drive & a nice little hamlet called Horrocks is a nice place for a picnic lunch. Stayed at Tudor Caravan Park, nice lush sites. Pub down the road has cheap meals & there is also a great butcher.
Dongara/Pt Denison has a fantastic IGA supermarket & lovely fish co-op if you love fresh seafood. Lovely coastal walks & a rum distillery.
In Perth we stayed at Karrinyup Waters Caravan Park. Close to the train station with free parking, cheap train travel to Fremantle which has a great wharf area with fantastic seafood & Little Creatures Brewery. Swan Valley is another great spot about 30 mins from the caravan park; cheese, chocolates, wineries, distilleries, local produce, nuts, there is plenty for everyone. Great Supermarket called Farmer Joes down the road; fresh fish & meat range that leaves a normal supermarket for dead, great desserts you can select, did nearly all our shopping there. DFO at Perth Airport. Crown Casino has great meals at good prices, Elizabeth Quay is lovely.
South of Busselton is Margaret River & a lovely quiet place called Augusta on the Blackwood River & Hardy Inlet. Great scenery & lots in the Margaret River region; distilleries, Breweries, Wineries, a ****tail shop, chocolates & fresh produce. Also some fantastic cave tours.
Albany has a whaling station that is a great tour, fantastic coastline & drives, The Gap & Natural Bridge are must sees, good fishing at Emu Point Harbour Jetty which is well protected from the elements.
Esperance has even better fishing at the small jetty in the town *small T shape). Lucky Bay nearby is a great drive & the views are spectacular. More excellent coastal scenery atop the hill which are a short drive.
These are just a few, there is plenty more & I am sure with input from others you will pick & choose what things you like doing & visit places accordingly.
We also did plenty of free camping along the way as we are well kitted to do so. But longer stays we put down roots in the places mentioned.
-- Edited by fwdoz on Wednesday 24th of March 2021 07:19:12 PM
elliemike said
09:03 PM Mar 24, 2021
While you are touring Western Australia, you must visit the Kimberley's
The one I visit regularly, is fantastic.
Strangely I have never found the other Kimberley !!!!!!
There must be another somewhere that is not even shown on Maps
But we are still looking.
It's a Great State with magic places everywhere.
We are off next month from Perth, chasing birds up into the North West.
But will travel via the Goldfield's and up through Sandstone, Meekatharra. Newman Marble Bar, Headland Broome, Derby, Fitzroy Crossing, Wyndham, Kununurra. with lots of stops in between.
Flora, Fauna, History, Scenery, We have always enjoyed these trips. Mid April till July or August.
Might see you on the road.
Gaylehere said
10:32 PM Mar 24, 2021
It's been 6 years since we were in WA and would love to go again. A highlight for us was a helicopter flight over the Bungle Bungles. We took this from Warmun. Loved the Kulin Tin Horse Trail. We free/donation camped in Kulin. The site was bitumen and there were hot showers and toilets. We did a fair bit of free camping all around the state and also stayed in CP. We stayed at a CP in ****burn and caught the free bus into Fremantle and trained it into Perth and caught the free CAT buses around Perth for a general look see. Went to Rottnest Island from Fremantle on Cheap Tuesday. Also liked the Kalbarri National Park - both the sea section and the river section. Some of the rough roads we travelled on are now bitumen and there's that new lookout over the river. We looked at some of the Tractor/Agricultural Museums as my husband likes tractors. A word of advice - don't put off seeing some things till next time. We were fortunate to see the Yarloop Steam Workshop/Museum when were over there which was destroyed in the big bushfires of 2016. Could keep on, but will wait to see what others think. Cheers.
Gaylehere said
10:49 PM Mar 24, 2021
Hi Briche, Just wondering. You asked about WA in April 2016 and said you were planning a 2 year trip. Did the trip not eventuate back then? Hope all goes well for you. Cheers.
Peter_n_Margaret said
10:50 PM Mar 24, 2021
elliemike wrote:
While you are touring Western Australia, you must visit the Kimberley's
The one I visit regularly, is fantastic.
Strangely I have never found the other Kimberley !!!!!!
There must be another somewhere that is not even shown on Maps
But we are still looking.
That is because the name is Kimberley, no "s"
For some trivia it was named after The Right Honourable John Wodenhouse, 1st Earl of Kimberley, but it is curiously similar to the Kimberley region of South Africa where they also mined diamonds.
The (Australian) Kimberley is the most spectacular part of Australia, and the most difficult to see.
Cheers,
Peter
Old and Grey said
11:28 PM Mar 24, 2021
Hi Briche,
Bit more info would help. Like where are you starting from. And when are you planning to travel would be of some help.
We are loading our rig after 10 days of rain. What I could do in the cave got mostly done.
Loaded the dory today. Will load the fold up trailer in the morning. Then cross check the lot.
Where are we off too.
WA via SA. Have our SA Pass and WA G2G loaded on line. Heading West on Sunday to 5km short of Cobar overnight stay for farm door donation. Broken Hill Show Ground $20 for two.
Kimba SA Recreation sports ground gold coin donation Hot showers.Quite, good water for your tanks here.
Ceduna for top ups of fuel and IGA and onto our first stop over for two weeks of fishing of KG Whiting.
Then moving onto Frazer Range Homestead/ Caravan park 100km east of Norsman WA. Stopping inbetween 10km east of Eucla free bush camp.
Refueling / stocking up in Kalgoorlie. Then we travel north via Mensies to Linster overnight $20 for two. (here you and eat in the mines Mess for all you can eat @$20 pp. PAY at DOOR)
From here we head west again. These roads are FIRST CLASS all the way to Geraldton. We love SandStone and Yalgoo CV Parks. Great Pub food at great prices.
Refuel / Stock up In Geraldton, before heading north, before stopping over on Ningaloo coast for 10 weeks. of meeting up with our WA friends. This road trip now has 24hour X 7 credit card fuel bowsers in WA.
Last trip we went up to Marble BAR. Great spot. Take a Bucket to throw water onto the rock bar. Then onto Lake Argle Dam. then down the Centre. To Copper Pedy and a vist toWoomera rocket range, and up to Roxby Downs(A BHP TOWN in the middle of No Where ( Woolworths PLUS More) out to Andamooka Opals mining. And on the road to home.
So much more out there. We could go on forever.
Just enjoy where we live.
Its all Magic.
Old & Grey
JeffRae said
07:41 PM Mar 25, 2021
Thanks for that bit of info Tony Bev
https://travelmap.mainroads.wa.gov.au/Home/Map
On the left hand side of the map all the rest areas and amenities are turned off, turn them on.
JeffRae
Cupie said
10:21 PM Mar 25, 2021
Before you set of for the Kimberly('s) make sure that you explore this web site & pick up one of her great guides.
It will provide you with up to date info on what's open & what's worth experiencing along with road conditions etc. etc.
ps (Edit) a free newsletter is available & worth getting on the mailing list.
-- Edited by Cupie on Thursday 25th of March 2021 10:23:22 PM
briche said
08:17 PM Mar 26, 2021
Thank you one and all for your wonderful response to my post. Your info is wonderful and will start to put it in to perspective so that we have a a great place to start. We were all set to do this back in 2016 but a few issues arose so it did not happen.
We will be leaving Melbourne about the 15 of. April stopping off in Adelaide as we want to catch up with some friends before making the decision
Nullarbor or straight up to the top via Alice Springs. We are yet to decide on that keeping in mind the rainy/windy season.
Once again, thanks for your support and remember travel safe
Brian and Cheryl
briche
Gaylehere said
10:23 PM Mar 26, 2021
All the best for your travels. Can I suggest doing the Eyre Peninsular if you haven't already done so. Some beautiful cliffs, Silo art, etc. In 2017 we went down that way, after visiting rellies in Adelaide and we did a circle of the Eyre Peninsular as far as Penong to see the windmills then back to Port Augusta before heading up through the centre. At Coober Pedy visit the Breakaways, something to see. In 2015 we went across the Nullarbor after visiting the rellies in Adelaide. Funny thing, just saying, we seem to get our holidays in, in the odd years - 2015, 2017, 2019 and hopefully this year - in between years something always got in the way. Once again, all the best and safe travels. Cheers.
msg said
05:41 PM Mar 27, 2021
Salmon gums are the most interesting trees. Make sure you check them out.
Aus-Kiwi said
06:59 PM Mar 27, 2021
Dont hesitate to stop over a few days in cattle station stays . Was reluctant at first . Take your time . Look around where you are before moving to next destination. Safe travels !
Greg 1 said
08:02 PM Mar 27, 2021
Manjimup and Pemberton area is beautiful in the tall tree country. Lovely caravan park at Fonty's Pool near Manjimup.
All the southern coast is great from east of Esperance right through Bremer Bay, Albany, Denmark, Peaceful Bay , Nornalup and around to Augusta.
Stretch60 said
06:31 PM Mar 30, 2021
I will second that, live in Bridgetown so a little biased. And it is called "The Kimberley's" because there is two. East Kimberly and West Kimberly.
-- Edited by Stretch60 on Tuesday 30th of March 2021 06:33:09 PM
We loved the Horizontal Falls from Derby. Tad expensive,(a lot) but you did get your moneys worth.
villatranquilla said
02:11 PM Mar 31, 2021
some great camping spots just a few k's east of Ceduna (Laura Bay) , also Smokey Bay and Fowlers bay in SA (quiet little places with caravan parks) and check out Koonalda Station - really interesting(see pic) . Loved Albany and Manypeaks. Another must see is the old deserted mining town of Gwalia near Leonora in the WA goldfields. Then also Pardoo Station if you get to the Pilbara
Might see you as we cross the nullabor. We are heading East 13th May.
banjo said
05:32 PM Apr 11, 2021
Someone mentioned Fraser Range station, they are currently closed due to Covid restrictions, or were.
A place I would never go again is Monkey Mia, so commercialised now an expensive, If desperate to go and see the dolphins stay in Denham and do a day trip.
But IMO they are like trained circus animals now, and just a money making exercise.
Stretch60 said
11:49 PM Apr 12, 2021
There is a fraser range free camp with drop dunnies on the side of the road..
Cheryl and I have been on the road for about 7 years, not full time and we are it in the final stages of preparing to travel to WA for an unknown amount of time but at least 12 months but when you throw in NT and
back into Queensland to continue our last visit there it could well be 2 years. What we are asking some info on places to see or stay away from in WA. We pull a 7 meter long Roadstar van with a 4.2 litr, turbocharger landcruiser. We are fitted out to free camp most of the time only visiting caravan parks on the odd occasion.
what we are asking of anyone who can help is to advise us of some of the locations we should visit ( or stay away from ). I realise that we all have different opinions about things like this so we would ask for to share your fav locations and why in just short reasons so that we might also enjoy them like you did.
we are looking forward to what you have to say and to read about you your journeys so that we might be able to have similar experiences
we await your replys
Briche
In WA, the Main Road Department (MRD), control many of the free camps on the side of the main roads
If you go to their website, the free camps are up there (somewhere), and there are plenty of them
I usually stop at every (one horse) town I come across, just to have a look
Hope that you have a good road trip
To be honest we only found Busselton to be expensive for a powered site. The caravan park also allowed a huge party to get out of hand & BIG4 didnt want to know or care about what happened.
If I were to go to WA again, that is the one town I would not stay in. Just our bad experience.
There are many great places to see, it really depends on what you like to see/do.
We enjoyed Carnarvon, Geraldton, Kalbarri, Dongara/Pt Denison, Albany, Esperance, Perth. The cyclones at the time prevented us going further North.
Carnarvon had the Space Museum which was something we really wanted to see. Stayed at Capricorn Caravan Park which is nice & quiet with large sites.
Kalbarri has some amazing places to see in Kalbarri National Park; Natures Window, Z Bend, Hawks Head, Ross Graham Lookout. Pink Lake is not far away for a drive & a nice little hamlet called Horrocks is a nice place for a picnic lunch. Stayed at Tudor Caravan Park, nice lush sites. Pub down the road has cheap meals & there is also a great butcher.
Dongara/Pt Denison has a fantastic IGA supermarket & lovely fish co-op if you love fresh seafood. Lovely coastal walks & a rum distillery.
In Perth we stayed at Karrinyup Waters Caravan Park. Close to the train station with free parking, cheap train travel to Fremantle which has a great wharf area with fantastic seafood & Little Creatures Brewery. Swan Valley is another great spot about 30 mins from the caravan park; cheese, chocolates, wineries, distilleries, local produce, nuts, there is plenty for everyone. Great Supermarket called Farmer Joes down the road; fresh fish & meat range that leaves a normal supermarket for dead, great desserts you can select, did nearly all our shopping there. DFO at Perth Airport. Crown Casino has great meals at good prices, Elizabeth Quay is lovely.
South of Busselton is Margaret River & a lovely quiet place called Augusta on the Blackwood River & Hardy Inlet. Great scenery & lots in the Margaret River region; distilleries, Breweries, Wineries, a ****tail shop, chocolates & fresh produce. Also some fantastic cave tours.
Albany has a whaling station that is a great tour, fantastic coastline & drives, The Gap & Natural Bridge are must sees, good fishing at Emu Point Harbour Jetty which is well protected from the elements.
Esperance has even better fishing at the small jetty in the town *small T shape). Lucky Bay nearby is a great drive & the views are spectacular. More excellent coastal scenery atop the hill which are a short drive.
These are just a few, there is plenty more & I am sure with input from others you will pick & choose what things you like doing & visit places accordingly.
We also did plenty of free camping along the way as we are well kitted to do so. But longer stays we put down roots in the places mentioned.
-- Edited by fwdoz on Wednesday 24th of March 2021 07:19:12 PM
While you are touring Western Australia, you must visit the Kimberley's
The one I visit regularly, is fantastic.
Strangely I have never found the other Kimberley !!!!!!
There must be another somewhere that is not even shown on Maps
But we are still looking.
It's a Great State with magic places everywhere.
We are off next month from Perth, chasing birds up into the North West.
But will travel via the Goldfield's and up through Sandstone, Meekatharra. Newman Marble Bar, Headland Broome, Derby, Fitzroy Crossing, Wyndham, Kununurra. with lots of stops in between.
Flora, Fauna, History, Scenery, We have always enjoyed these trips. Mid April till July or August.
Might see you on the road.
That is because the name is Kimberley, no "s"
For some trivia it was named after The Right Honourable John Wodenhouse, 1st Earl of Kimberley, but it is curiously similar to the Kimberley region of South Africa where they also mined diamonds.
The (Australian) Kimberley is the most spectacular part of Australia, and the most difficult to see.
Cheers,
Peter
Hi Briche,
Bit more info would help. Like where are you starting from. And when are you planning to travel would be of some help.
We are loading our rig after 10 days of rain. What I could do in the cave got mostly done.
Loaded the dory today. Will load the fold up trailer in the morning. Then cross check the lot.
Where are we off too.
WA via SA. Have our SA Pass and WA G2G loaded on line. Heading West on Sunday to 5km short of Cobar overnight stay for farm door donation. Broken Hill Show Ground $20 for two.
Kimba SA Recreation sports ground gold coin donation Hot showers.Quite, good water for your tanks here.
Ceduna for top ups of fuel and IGA and onto our first stop over for two weeks of fishing of KG Whiting.
Then moving onto Frazer Range Homestead/ Caravan park 100km east of Norsman WA. Stopping inbetween 10km east of Eucla free bush camp
.
Refueling / stocking up in Kalgoorlie. Then we travel north via Mensies to Linster overnight $20 for two. (here you and eat in the mines Mess for all you can eat @$20 pp. PAY at DOOR)
From here we head west again. These roads are FIRST CLASS all the way to Geraldton. We love SandStone and Yalgoo CV Parks. Great Pub food at great prices.
Refuel / Stock up In Geraldton, before heading north, before stopping over on Ningaloo coast for 10 weeks. of meeting up with our WA friends. This road trip now has 24hour X 7 credit card fuel bowsers in WA.
Last trip we went up to Marble BAR. Great spot. Take a Bucket to throw water onto the rock bar.
Then onto Lake Argle Dam.
then down the Centre. To Copper Pedy and a vist to
Woomera rocket range, and up to Roxby Downs(A BHP TOWN in the middle of No Where ( Woolworths PLUS More) out to Andamooka Opals mining. And on the road to home.
So much more out there. We could go on forever.
Just enjoy where we live.
Its all Magic.
Old & Grey
Thanks for that bit of info Tony Bev
https://travelmap.mainroads.wa.gov.au/Home/Map
On the left hand side of the map all the rest areas and amenities are turned off, turn them on.
JeffRae
Before you set of for the Kimberly('s) make sure that you explore this web site & pick up one of her great guides.
It will provide you with up to date info on what's open & what's worth experiencing along with road conditions etc. etc.
https://www.kimberleyaustralia.com/contact.html
ps (Edit) a free newsletter is available & worth getting on the mailing list.
-- Edited by Cupie on Thursday 25th of March 2021 10:23:22 PM
We will be leaving Melbourne about the 15 of. April stopping off in Adelaide as we want to catch up with some friends before making the decision
Nullarbor or straight up to the top via Alice Springs. We are yet to decide on that keeping in mind the rainy/windy season.
Once again, thanks for your support and remember travel safe
Brian and Cheryl
briche
I will second that, live in Bridgetown so a little biased. And it is called "The Kimberley's" because there is two. East Kimberly and West Kimberly.
-- Edited by Stretch60 on Tuesday 30th of March 2021 06:33:09 PM
some great camping spots just a few k's east of Ceduna (Laura Bay) , also Smokey Bay and Fowlers bay in SA (quiet little places with caravan parks) and check out Koonalda Station - really interesting(see pic) . Loved Albany and Manypeaks. Another must see is the old deserted mining town of Gwalia near Leonora in the WA goldfields. Then also Pardoo Station if you get to the Pilbara
A place I would never go again is Monkey Mia, so commercialised now an expensive, If desperate to go and see the dolphins stay in Denham and do a day trip.
But IMO they are like trained circus animals now, and just a money making exercise.