I'm planning of leaving Penrith around the end of January, head south and go clock wise .. Taking our time from Adelaide to Perth .. By the time we get up north Broom etc I'm thinking it would be March so
hopefully be up there in warmer weather ? Is this the right way of planning ?
6 month or so trip.. Thoughts ??
Bruce and Bev said
10:30 PM Oct 15, 2015
Hiya. Cyclone season is from November till end of April for northern WA. Essentially that's from Karratha to the NT. This year BOM are predicting 3 cyclones (don't how they do this - maybe a card game or pickup sticks??) including one which will be the biggie
Many well heeled retired GN's head all up the northern WA area from May for up to Sept so most of the CPs and many of the low cost and free camps are full
Meredith said
11:35 PM Oct 15, 2015
I think heading leaving Penrith at the end of January going south and clockwise is the only way to go. But I think getting to Broome in March is too early, there is still the chance of cyclones or at least heavy rain at that time of year and it will be very hot and humid and not much will be open. It will be too early to see anything along the Gibb River Road and places like the Bungle Bungles will also still be closed.
There is a huge amount to see between Perth and Broome, as well as between Penrith and Perth, so I would take it a little slower and not expect to get to Broome till later. Even getting there in early May you may not find much past Broome open and you will be rushing through some places to get there. If you get there in May you will still be ahead of the grey nomad northward migration.
Aus-Kiwi said
01:36 AM Oct 16, 2015
All good thanks for the info.. I can deffenatly take my time ...
I have been Penrith SA many times.. Often heading out through Bathurst , Dubo then South. Like country towns.
Btw we'll be in motorhome and most the time free camping..
The Phantom said
10:17 AM Oct 16, 2015
If you go clockwise you will spend more for fuel as you will be in the outside lane all the way. Travel anti-clockwise to be on the inside lane and save.
The Phantom
jonathan said
10:51 AM Oct 16, 2015
Meredith wrote:
I think heading leaving Penrith at the end of January going south and clockwise is the only way to go. But I think getting to Broome in March is too early, there is still the chance of cyclones or at least heavy rain at that time of year and it will be very hot and humid and not much will be open. It will be too early to see anything along the Gibb River Road and places like the Bungle Bungles will also still be closed.
There is a huge amount to see between Perth and Broome, as well as between Penrith and Perth, so I would take it a little slower and not expect to get to Broome till later. Even getting there in early May you may not find much past Broome open and you will be rushing through some places to get there. If you get there in May you will still be ahead of the grey nomad northward migration.
Just to add to the above ..
I've been around twice and both times have travelled in a clockwise direction .. and I avoid the "wet" season across the top.
If you're sitting on the west coast (south of Broome), then keep your eyes open and watch the DRAGONFLY population that will be skitting about you .. then, one day all of a sudden,
you will notice a sudden disappearance of most adults on the wing as they are replaced by the next generation of small dragonflies flying about ..
These will only hatch when they believe the wet is over or moving out .. It's worked for me !
Aus-Kiwi said
11:20 AM Oct 16, 2015
I'll have to plot a rough schedule ? I have stayed in nice places and time goes fast .. A least I have all the time in the world .. No rush .. I have NO time limit ... Just working out best climat etc .. I seem to go south for winter and and North in summer .. I'm trying to reverse my travels.. It seems like everything we do is the ( different) hard way.. Lol
But if you don't ask or find out makes life harder ... Yep timing is e erything ... Thanks ...
wendyv said
04:43 PM Oct 16, 2015
If you are leaving Penrith around the end of January, the holiday crowds along the coast will have thinned out, so you could easily take some months following the coast around.
As others have mentioned, can get cyclones along the coast, from about Carnarvon, north - until April.
Be good to reach Broome before the real crowds start to hit, about June. But then the same applies right across the Top! From about mid June to August, crazy busy.
Spydermann said
08:45 PM Oct 16, 2015
I read once on a push-bike forum that anti-clockwise is the way to go because of the prevailing winds. Drive around the block clockwise once, then anti-clockwise once and measure the difference in distance and that is the difference driving around the big paddock. It is just one big block.
Aus-Kiwi said
08:59 PM Oct 16, 2015
Seriously after traveling M4 ( Gt wastern to Meadowbank or Hornsby, Pennant Hills rd) for over 30 years ! Traffic is not an issue .. Lol Yes I guess it's not like the east cost where you can take the Stuart or Elizabeth high ways ? Or head inland?
-- Edited by Aus-Kiwi on Friday 16th of October 2015 09:00:01 PM
Moonraker said
09:44 PM Oct 16, 2015
Great weather on the South Coast and the South West of WA through to March, Perth and midwest weather usually continues to be good till end of April. Carnarvan good most of the year then further north the rain stops around mid to the end of May. Broome and further north gets bussy from June to Sept. With unsealed roads open from end of May/early June on a normal year.
Plenty of free camps on the south coast, not many in the South West but plenty of good free camps and station stays from Perth northward. CPs everywhere with drinking water (yes we do have drinking water outside of Perth!) most CPs are now pet friendy now. Plenty of dump points all the way to the NT border. Sealed roads are some of the best. You will see alot if you turn off the main HWays, you will see not much if you just stay on route 1.
Have a great trip.
For us Sandgropers its heat east next year.
wendyv said
08:24 PM Oct 17, 2015
Traffic is not so much the issue in the mid year busy period. It is finding places to stay, without having to commit ahead of time to a schedule and stick to it, for caravan parks. The better free camp areas can get crowded too.
Aus-Kiwi said
11:01 PM Oct 17, 2015
We free camp.. Tend to stay out of towns at least while traveling ..
Motor home is a little more secure .. Thing is to find a good place before it gets dark...
I guess it's just other things where a few stuff things up for so many...
I'm planning of leaving Penrith around the end of January, head south and go clock wise .. Taking our time from Adelaide to Perth .. By the time we get up north Broom etc I'm thinking it would be March so
hopefully be up there in warmer weather ? Is this the right way of planning ?
6 month or so trip.. Thoughts ??
Many well heeled retired GN's head all up the northern WA area from May for up to Sept so most of the CPs and many of the low cost and free camps are full
There is a huge amount to see between Perth and Broome, as well as between Penrith and Perth, so I would take it a little slower and not expect to get to Broome till later. Even getting there in early May you may not find much past Broome open and you will be rushing through some places to get there. If you get there in May you will still be ahead of the grey nomad northward migration.
I have been Penrith SA many times.. Often heading out through Bathurst , Dubo then South. Like country towns.
Btw we'll be in motorhome and most the time free camping..
If you go clockwise you will spend more for fuel as you will be in the outside lane all the way. Travel anti-clockwise to be on the inside lane and save.
The Phantom
Just to add to the above ..
I've been around twice and both times have travelled in a clockwise direction .. and I avoid the "wet" season across the top.
If you're sitting on the west coast (south of Broome), then keep your eyes open and watch the DRAGONFLY population that will be skitting about you .. then, one day all of a sudden,
you will notice a sudden disappearance of most adults on the wing as they are replaced by the next generation of small dragonflies flying about ..
These will only hatch when they believe the wet is over or moving out .. It's worked for me !
But if you don't ask or find out makes life harder ... Yep timing is e erything ... Thanks ...
As others have mentioned, can get cyclones along the coast, from about Carnarvon, north - until April.
Be good to reach Broome before the real crowds start to hit, about June. But then the same applies right across the Top! From about mid June to August, crazy busy.
Seriously after traveling M4 ( Gt wastern to Meadowbank or Hornsby, Pennant Hills rd) for over 30 years ! Traffic is not an issue .. Lol
Yes I guess it's not like the east cost where you can take the Stuart or Elizabeth high ways ?
Or head inland?
-- Edited by Aus-Kiwi on Friday 16th of October 2015 09:00:01 PM
Plenty of free camps on the south coast, not many in the South West but plenty of good free camps and station stays from Perth northward. CPs everywhere with drinking water (yes we do have drinking water outside of Perth!) most CPs are now pet friendy now. Plenty of dump points all the way to the NT border. Sealed roads are some of the best. You will see alot if you turn off the main HWays, you will see not much if you just stay on route 1.
Have a great trip.
For us Sandgropers its heat east next year.
Motor home is a little more secure .. Thing is to find a good place before it gets dark...
I guess it's just other things where a few stuff things up for so many...