Hi all. We are wannabee newbies, currently shopping for our van and excited about heading off. We hope to take the coast roads, all the way to Perth, maybe a little further north of there but not too much. Has anyone any idea of the roads from Ceduna to Margaret River. Is there a coast road or one that isn't all desert. We are only looking to buy a road caravan so don't want to get stuck.  And is the trip worth the long miles.

there really is only one way to go as far as Norseman( which is all bitumen) unless you are prepared and willing to do some reall bush tracks. As far as desert goes i dont regard any of that road as desert and having been over it 11 times have found each time to be different and the country changes quite often and is in many ways very majestic. i would recomend the drive to anyone that doesn't need nose to tail traffic, stop lights and radio reception. Have a go you might like it!!!

-- Edited by tezza on Monday 14th of June 2010 06:55:24 PM

What about McDonalds?? No maccas either???? how dreadful!!!

you can follow the coast or nearly the coast all the way to margaret river. all good roads. via esperance, albany, denmark, and walpole.

we did that last year. spent 4 weeks pottering below perth. took about a week to get to esperance from riverina nsw. went across nullabor to norseman down to esperance then pottered around to mandurah below perth. What is your timeframe? Are you free camping or caravan parking?

WHAT NO MCCAFE. Not sure how I will cope without my morning coffee. Instant, well I'm sure the trip will be worth it. Thanks so much everyone for the feedback on the roads etc. I'm even more excited now. Really keen to try some Margaret River wine direct from the makers. In answer to your question Pam, we have no timeframes, other than being back in QLD before next winter sets in. We'll head off hopefully August, going north for a little while. We did Cairns to Adelaide 2 yrs ago, that was 8 weeks in a tent and a Getz. This time round will be a little more comfortable I believe.

Margaret River saracen winery incorporating ductstein brewery is a beautiful one to see, quite new and well set up. There is also a nut factory and a place called providores where you can sample lots for free. We found the choc factory disappointing.

Hi enjoy the trip, it is amazing we stopped in a great place when in margaret river it is Big Valley Campground about 10ks se of margaret river. It is a working sheep station they have a huge camp kitchen, camp fire, amenities a bit old but very clean, powered site was $120 pw, go to tourist info centre and get the local map which has got all wineries etc marked we stayed 3 weeks and still didn't see everything. Another one that we loved was Fraser Range Station which is 100ks east of Norseman very nice camp kitchen, camp fire every night excellent amenities and not expensive. Hope this helps both are in Camps Book.  

Thanks Pam and Colsa. I think I will get a book and start making notes of interesting places to see on our travels. I hadn't thought about sheep stations etc, What a great idea. What is this Camps Book Colsa. Is this the free/cheap camping sites book I have heard about.

frazer range was closed down when we travelled through. It might be open again but I think the property was on the market.

The photo is 45 ks from WA border

G'day all, The Fraser range stn c/van & camping area is definitly open after renovations.Go to fraser range station.com.au for all the info you need.

Thanks for all the useful information on this wonderful site ,we are heading off to do the big one in May so every little helps ,thought I would put my bit in about Tassie where we visited last year and hope to go again we stayed at a wonderful place call Myrtle park or bank off the high way from Scotsdale ,unpowered site but lovely camp kitchen and good hot showers and toilet it was $3 00 a night great spot looked on the Map A3 no2 in camp 4 bible enjoy

colsa wrote:

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Hi enjoy the trip, it is amazing we stopped in a great place when in margaret river it is Big Valley Campground about 10ks se of margaret river. It is a working sheep station they have a huge camp kitchen, camp fire, amenities a bit old but very clean, powered site was $120 pw, go to tourist info centre and get the local map which has got all wineries etc marked we stayed 3 weeks and still didn't see everything. Another one that we loved was Fraser Range Station which is 100ks east of Norseman very nice camp kitchen, camp fire every night excellent amenities and not expensive. Hope this helps both are in Camps Book.

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We stayed in the Big Valley camp ground for 3 days but the amenities struggled to keep up with the patrons & it can get a bit muddy in wet weather. We moved onto Gracetown Caravan Park & stayed there for about 2 months & would recommend it to anyone, clean, tidy, private bushy sites if you want and 2min drive to the beach, oh & the cheapest caravan park in Margaret river with the Big Valley one. Only problem is mobile phones can struggle a bit there.

Cheers
Jon

 

If you're heading across the Nullarbor in winter you will be able to enjoy watching the southern right whales frolicking at the Head Of The Bight with their young and each other. It's a beautiful sight. They can also be seen off Eucla. The Humpbacks will be up the west coast at the same time and can sometimes be observed at Rottnest, Bunbury or Busselton, or further north all the way up to Kuri Bay, north west of Derby. Also, check out Walpole Inlet. There's local cruise which really impressed me for a few reasons, but one was the host. Well worth it. Travelling across the country there are roadhouses where you can safely park up overnight and plug into power, if you don't like the idea of free camping. The Nullarbor is never boring. It changes from season to season, and it would be looking pretty good at the moment. Safe and happy travels.

Welcome, He and I and a cat named Sly. Phew! What a mouthful!

www.campsaustraliawide.com

The new Camps 6 book is out now. It has free and cheap camps listed. I have mine on order at my local RACQ for $49.95 to members. They're also available in most good book stores.

I think this is a necessity for anyone looking for budget camping.

Happy travels!





-- Edited by Beth54 on Saturday 26th of February 2011 10:22:45 AM

Another good reference for anyone planning a trip in South or North WA is the Priceless Campsites and Rest Areas series by Jan Holland - they are a must have.

Although the books are now a few years old, they are still very useful.

Good for finding some of the campsites not listed anywhere else, and great for planning your itinerary.

The information on GPS location site description and directions to get to each site is the best I have seen by far.

Review: Priceless Campsites and Rest Areas by Jan Holland

Available most Camping and Book Shops WA Web Search find