I am planning a trip to the South West of WA in mid August. I have an Aliner, and will be travelling with a friend who is tenting. We plan to go to Esperance and travel up the coast to Perth, then back across to Canberra.
Do I need to hire a satelite phone, or will Telstra on next G do?
Is it safe for two lone women to stop at the free sites?
Is 6 hours of driving per day reasonable? We plan to start earlyish (6.30a.) with stops for breakfast, lunch, finishing travelling for the day around 3.30pm.
Sorry, I cant help you with your questions as I haven't been over that way yet but am working on it, I am sure that some of the other people will have lots of info for you.
Just hang in there as they are a bit slow off the mark today.
Hello and welcome Maxie E. Two women travelling together will be as safe as houses. Of course take the normal precautions for the safety of you vehicle, property and person, but generally you can relax and enjoy the ride. There are some great spots on the Nullarbor but you might get blown about a bit on top of the cliff at the Head of the Bight. Don't forget to check out the Southern Right Whales which sit out winter to breed and give birth in the Bight, right up against the cliffs. It's very special. There are some lovely free camping spots south of the highway along the coast between Esperance and Margaret River. The Cape Le Grand national park east of Esperance is very popular for camping. You have to do the big trees and the Giant Tree Top Walk. Oh sorry, you choose. These are some of my favourite places. Six hours of driving may be stretching it a bit if you plan to include sightseeing. Give yourself time to have a look around. If you push the trip by time you may be disappointed. You will also have mobile Next G coverage for most of your trip around the south coast. The Nullarbor has no coverage, and the only place it may fade maybe Salmon Gums between Norseman and Esperance, and along the south coast around Ravensthorpe. The other towns are close enough to maintain fairly strong coverage. I travel on my own and I did that country in 2007 when I left Broome to travel to the Daintree, via the big tree country of WA. Check out the usuals like the whale museum at Albany, the wineries and the village of Margaret River, and the Busselton Jetty and underwater aquarium where the fish look in on you while you look out at them doing whatever fish do. It's very beautiful. The trip up to Perth could include a few sights inland. It's a beautiful part of the state. (No, I'm not on commission by Tourism WA) Enjoy your trip and stay safe. Cheers Chris
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20ft Roma caravan - Mercedes Benz Sprinter - SA-based at the moment. Transport has no borders.
Management makes the decisions, but is not affected by the decisions it makes.
Thanks to Monica and Granny for responding. I should have also noted that the company of other people with vans or motor homes would be welcome. A little "convoy" would provide company and friendship on the trip
hi all , Have just joined, Did this trip last year with my occasional travelling friend.we have been friends for years and now with partners passed on find it good to travel together.we get on very well and have been friends for years. I feel that at some of the free camp areas it might be wiser to both sleep within the vehicle or otherwise get right away from the road.Having one's own space is nice but in possible security risk areas-bunk in together is a good idea. Cheers,mary
Don't look for fuel at Yalata roadhouse. It's been closed for more than 3 years and is all boarded up. It's the only one which had problems with the "locals". As you're going west into SW winds, you may need to keep an eye on your fuel guage. Most of the roadhouses have powered sites for a minimal charge if you're nervous about free camping. I can't think of any risky areas once you get out on the Nullarbor, west of Nundroo. There is a beaut park at Penong, 60kms west of Ceduna, if you don't want to park near Ceduna. Denial Bay is probably ok, and while you're there you could get a feed of fresh oysters. I personally don't eat them. What would I do if the buggers worked? You could go down to Pt. Sinclair or Cactus Beach south of Penong where the surfies go. They're a good bunch down there. The unofficial Mayor of Cactus is a long-time mate.
You could log you trip plans on ozcaravantagalong.com and check it out yourself to see who may be going your way.
Check it all out, make enquiries as you go, and don't forget to relax and have fun. Once you're on the road you'll wonder what you worried about. Cheers Chris
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20ft Roma caravan - Mercedes Benz Sprinter - SA-based at the moment. Transport has no borders.
Management makes the decisions, but is not affected by the decisions it makes.
hi maxi. i dont think you will have any trouble,doing this trip. this is wildflower time in w.a. you will find heaps of vans in the camping spots accross the nullabor ( just about all going your way ) do take care in the parking bays where the water tanks are. there is a small snake called a death adder,and they come into the water tanks for a drink. very numerous in "the basin" ( between eucla and madura ) the pink lakes, salmon gums, and the wildflowers,between esperence ( beautiful town, they call it the bay of a thousand isles, i think there are a thousand norfolk pines in there streets ) and albany. there is a small town called bremmer bay "gods own half acre". dont miss it. just take your time,and stop to see things. have the attitude what i dont see today i will see tomorrow .and have a great trip
Just one tip, plan your trip so that you refuel at Mundrabilla, not Border Village (Eucla) or Balladonia. Last time I went across, a couple of years ago, the fuel at Mundrabilla was about 15c a litre cheaper than either of the others. If you fuel up at Ceduna, you should be able to make Mundrabilla on a tank and then make Norseman on the fill-up.
Lucky you Maxie! It is a lovely corner of the world and I cannot wait to get back down around that end of WA! I travelled right down and around the Coast of WA and back across The Nullabor in 2006 and had no problems at all - I travelled with my 'fearsome guard dogs' an ageing and almost blind Labrador and a 12 month old Whippet. If you are travelling in the height of the season then you will need to find a rest area for the night around 3.30 or so. I had only my mobile phone with me and had no need to use it anyway! There are a few interesting places just off the Highway so do a bit of background reading and stop at all the sights! Esperence is a nice little town with some lovely beaches, food outlets etc and National Parks just on around the sea road.
Annie
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Connor - Whippet
Ciaran - Whippet
Annie - after my 2nd cup of coffee I'm almost human! Together we are pawsaroundoz!
Just been across the Nullarbor in April then down to Esperance and around to Mandurah.Lots to see. Nundroo is the cheapest diesel and Madura Pass was the most expensive place we filled up. Don't forget to take your own water supply and be prepared for quarantine between border village and Eucla. They inspect everything. We stayed at Eucla on the way over. There is a good camp kitchen there. it cost $20-$25 for a powered site for the night and you need a $1 coin to operate the showers. On the way back we stayed at Madura pass. The showers were very good. There is lots to see in the south west WA. What sort of things do you want to do? Cape le grande is beautiful. The walks in Porongurup ranges well worth the effort.Whale World in Albany amazing.The tram ride and Gloucester tree in pemberton wonderful .I could go on and on. The cruise in Mandurah through the canal system, The train from Mandurah to Perth amazing.I forgot to mention Saracen Winery in Margaret river and the Nut factory and Providores all worth going to
I am sure there is more.
watch out for eagles with full bellies of road kill in the mornings.They find it difficult to move out of the way.
We saw so many wonderful places in our 6 week holiday.There is never enough time to see all.
