Planning a solo trip in April to explore the coastline twixt Melb and Perth with particular interest in the Bight coast and the South West corner of W.A., while Barb is 5 starring her way around Japan.
Google tells me there are some spectacular coastline sights (and sites) and I really want to meander through there before catching up with family in Perf.
I expect 6 weeks of moving around while staying a few days at some of the special spots along the way. Will return via the conventional Eyre highway route.
I would welcome any input re: tips, tricks, campsites and "must-see" places.
Greg 1 said
12:38 AM Dec 27, 2018
My list would be.
Esperance and east of the town around Lucky Bay.
Hopetoun.
Bremer Bay
Albany and surrounding area.
Denmark and surrounding area
Peaceful Bay.
Walpole
Pemberton and Nannup
Augusta
Margaret River.
Coast to Dunsborough.
Busselton
Mandurah
Perth.
woolman said
09:08 AM Dec 27, 2018
I would add in Peaceville Bay, between Denmark and Wapole. If you turn in off main road then go west on an unsealed road for 15 or 20 Klm before ending up back on highway. The lookout is an easy walk but it is one of the best views up and down the coast.
Before that at Albany detour out to the gap and natural bridge then take the coastal road to Denmark.
There are lots of magic places just off the main road all along the south coast, Go into as many as you can fit in, they are all different.
Time will be short for you. We took 6 weeks from Ceduna and Norseman on our first trip and you can fill in 3 months in the south west easily, then you have all the inland features. Maybe another year.
There is a great camp ground called Shannon Mill, half way between Wapole and Manjimup. Just after Shannon, turn off to Northcliffe and Windy Harbour, then to Pemberton and cut accross to Augusta. Follow west coast up from there.
PM me if you need more assistance, but in our last 15 years on the road we just go down every little road we can find off a highhway. No plans and just follow your nose.
enjoy
Neil
LLD said
10:33 AM Dec 27, 2018
I'm thinking April may be a tad too later weather-wise. Early Feb after school goes back. What do others think? No so much April but what the weather will be 6 weeks later.
Knight said
10:44 AM Dec 27, 2018
When visiting Albany WA don't miss the ANZAC Memorial and Museum at the former Army Base on the hill overlooking the harbour where the ANZAC Fleet anchored while troops and provisions were loaded.
Meredith said
11:38 AM Dec 27, 2018
Just be aware in April that you will hit the Easter and school holidays, and at that time coastal places, particularly any close to Adelaide or Perth, will be in high demand. Schools break up 12 April and don't go back until 29 April with the busiest Easter weekend starting on 21 April.
Warren-Pat_01 said
02:08 PM Dec 27, 2018
Weather wise, you can have all sorts from hot to cool, light breezes to winds. Winter generally doesn't kick in until May but you don't always have lots of wet days. Keep an eye on the BM site (weather forecast for towns - up to 7 days ahead).
As you're on restricted time, you probably won't have time to investigate from Port Lincoln to Ceduna (lots of great cliff scenery + good beaches including Streaky Bay - there is a large sea lion colony at Pt Brown (between Streaky & Ceduna). I'm not certain if some of the best oysters in Australia (Coffin Bay, Smokey Bay & Ceduna) will be available - if they are, BUY SOME.
Out from Penong (70km west of Ceduna) you have Cactus Beach - a famous surfing beach if you're carrying a surf board. Just beware of the "big men in grey suites - with big teeth"! Fowlers Bay was a whaling station & the township is worth a look in. You can read a local history book that is interesting. Tours by light aircraft are available.
There is an excellent viewing area at Head of Bight - better when the Southern Right whales are in to give birth from June - September. West of there on what most people call "The Nullarbor" (it is actually well north of the highway with the exception of about 10kms where you drive on it near Nullarbor Roadhouse), there are great viewing areas.
BE CAREFUL that you don't go too close to the edges as they are unstable & with 300' of cliff & an equal amount under the water, it's a long way to crawl up!
And if you know where to look there are lots of caves & blow holes not so very far off the highway. Working on the now defunct East-West microwave radio system for 15 years did have some benefits!
If you're a golfer have a look at www.nullarborlinks.com - you can play golf at many places.
Then there is Eucla with its many plagues including cats, rabbits - the remaining one is sand. You may be able to see the ruins of the Telegraph Station (the sands vary form year to year).If you have a look at www.aussietowns.com.au/town/eucla-wa - this can save me lots of writing!
So that gets me from western SA to Eucla - are you sure six weeks is enough? Fishing is good with King George whiting, snapper & a bit later into winter, Australian Salmon. They are nice at around 1-2kg, but get a bit rank as they grow bigger.
As the others above have said, Esperance, Albany, etc also have lots of nice scenery too.
NB - with public holidays, you will pay more for fuel "on the Nullarbor" - an age old rip-off! If you have a lead foot, beware! There is a regular patrol on the SA side & you'll see bars painted across the road in WA where they use light aircraft to monitor road speed.
So Gary have a good trip. Take lots of photos. Barb will have to do her own trip there later!
Treecrest said
08:04 PM Dec 27, 2018
Greg 1 wrote:
My list would be. Esperance and east of the town around Lucky Bay. Hopetoun. Bremer Bay Albany and surrounding area. Denmark and surrounding area Peaceful Bay. Walpole Pemberton and Nannup Augusta Margaret River. Coast to Dunsborough. Busselton Mandurah Perth.
if looking for free caMPs, add in Cosy Corner (between Albany Denmark), also use the National Parks as some you can book online.
https://parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/
fwdoz said
09:36 PM Dec 27, 2018
LLD wrote:
I'm thinking April may be a tad too later weather-wise. Early Feb after school goes back. What do others think? No so much April but what the weather will be 6 weeks later.
We are heading over the Nullarbor in early March 2019, up to Exmouth, then down the coast eventually staying in Perth for a week after seeing some sights, then meandering down around the coast again to as far as Cape LeGrand before heading back across the Nullarbor.
Staying in Streaky Bay at Easter, then seeing a bit of the S.A. Coast & back home in May.
Not sure how the weather will be, but we will travel accordingly.
LLD said
10:44 PM Dec 27, 2018
FWDOZ.
Left June 1 for WA. Apparently thats the start of Grey Nomad season. Did up the centre to Katherine, across to Broome and down until the weather turned bad at Jurien Bay. Then headed directly to Kalgoorlie and back across the Nullarbor. Other than windy, weather was OK after Kalgoorlie. Spent 10 weeks away. We couldnt get accomodation in Exmouth - booked out. Got last site in Coral Bay. Also nothing affordable in Broome. Stayed about 7kms out but had to book. Did Streaky Bay a few years ago. Suggest you book there too. We arrived a few days before tinny season and by the time we left the park was full. That was February 2016 and lots of parks were full of tinnies. Eyre peninsula is a fishermans paradise.
fwdoz said
10:52 PM Dec 27, 2018
LLD wrote:
We couldnt get accomodation in Exmouth - booked out. Got last site in Coral Bay. Also nothing affordable in Broome. Stayed about 7kms out but had to book. Did Streaky Bay a few years ago. Suggest you book there too. We arrived a few days before tinny season and by the time we left the park was full. That was February 2016 and lots of parks were full of tinnies. Eyre peninsula is a fishermans paradise.
We got our Easter site at Streaky Bay. All we have booked so far is Murray Bridge (getting a torque lockup kit fitted, Adelaide to catch up with all the rellies, Ceduna & Streaky Bay.
Booked nothing in WA so far as we wanted to allow for getting across the Nullarbor first since we have not done it before, then go from there. So we have sorted pre entry to WA & post exit from WA. How we fill the middle is completely at our leisure, given we will be doing some free camping as well. Intend to spend a week in Perth resting up (car may need a service again) & Kalbarri before that as there is some fantastic scenic spots around there.
LLD said
09:56 AM Dec 28, 2018
FWDOZ.
We only ever booked the day before when we thought it may be necessary from advice of people travelling in opposite direction. The plan is not to plan, just a general sketch. See a nice place from lunch onwards and stop. We did 13 freebies, some for a couple of days as the spot was so good and relaxing. We loved Kalbarri.
73 nights away: 13 free or gold coin, 60 at avg $32. We stayed at Bullara when we couldn't get into Exmouth and did a day trip.
Ranger did 14,500kms. Did service before we left. About to get the next one. Van needed new tyres when we got back (40,000kms on them). They wore unevenly across the tyre - road camber? Also put new tyres on Ranger. Tyres had 51,000kms but I was unwilling to chance them as we were prepared to do about 20,000kms (and a vehicle service). Kept the old set.
Treecrest said
10:13 AM Dec 28, 2018
Would recommend "Little Island" Cvan park in Streaky Bay. It is relatively new and has the best amenities block I have ever seen.
fwdoz said
05:11 PM Dec 28, 2018
LLD wrote:
FWDOZ.
The plan is not to plan, just a general sketch. We loved Kalbarri.
73 nights away: 13 free or gold coin, 60 at avg $32. We stayed at Bullara when we couldn't get into Exmouth and did a day trip.
Hence why I only booked the necessities (peak times & major stops); the rest is a blank canvas until we paint what we want to.
I expect Exmouth to be the difficult one to get into. If so, we will do the same, a day trip to stock up then meander slowly back down to Kalbarri.
Bello said
07:50 AM Jan 2, 2019
If you have the time, go slow and see every thing you can. Do the side tracks and roads, stop where ever you can and look around, this is a great part of the world. You might be travelling alone but there will be someone around in most of the areas you are going.
Have a great time (I am jeasous)
Bello
Sarge9 said
11:46 AM Jan 2, 2019
have a read of Penelope Goes West: On the Road from Sydney to Margaret River and Back
Book by Tim Bowden , a very different spin on most peoples trip. And a very easy read.
Sarge.
Gary and Barb said
09:54 PM Jan 7, 2019
Bugger!
Didn't factor in the school break. Can't get away before then, so will have to play it by ear.
As for going slow, i'm not in a hurry and have factored in highway travel at 80k/hr. Longest day's driving on the whole trip is planned at 480k with a daily average of 250k
Thanks for heads up, everyone!
-- Edited by Gary and Barb on Monday 7th of January 2019 09:55:29 PM
-- Edited by Gary and Barb on Monday 7th of January 2019 10:14:02 PM
Gary and Barb said
10:10 PM Jan 7, 2019
Warren-Pat_01 wrote:
Weather wise, you can have all sorts from hot to cool, light breezes to winds. Winter generally doesn't kick in until May but you don't always have lots of wet days. Keep an eye on the BM site (weather forecast for towns - up to 7 days ahead).
As you're on restricted time, you probably won't have time to investigate from Port Lincoln to Ceduna (lots of great cliff scenery + good beaches including Streaky Bay - there is a large sea lion colony at Pt Brown (between Streaky & Ceduna). I'm not certain if some of the best oysters in Australia (Coffin Bay, Smokey Bay & Ceduna) will be available - if they are, BUY SOME.
Out from Penong (70km west of Ceduna) you have Cactus Beach - a famous surfing beach if you're carrying a surf board. Just beware of the "big men in grey suites - with big teeth"! Fowlers Bay was a whaling station & the township is worth a look in. You can read a local history book that is interesting. Tours by light aircraft are available. There is an excellent viewing area at Head of Bight - better when the Southern Right whales are in to give birth from June - September. West of there on what most people call "The Nullarbor" (it is actually well north of the highway with the exception of about 10kms where you drive on it near Nullarbor Roadhouse), there are great viewing areas. BE CAREFUL that you don't go too close to the edges as they are unstable & with 300' of cliff & an equal amount under the water, it's a long way to crawl up!
And if you know where to look there are lots of caves & blow holes not so very far off the highway. Working on the now defunct East-West microwave radio system for 15 years did have some benefits!
If you're a golfer have a look at www.nullarborlinks.com - you can play golf at many places.
Then there is Eucla with its many plagues including cats, rabbits - the remaining one is sand. You may be able to see the ruins of the Telegraph Station (the sands vary form year to year).If you have a look at www.aussietowns.com.au/town/eucla-wa - this can save me lots of writing!
So that gets me from western SA to Eucla - are you sure six weeks is enough? Fishing is good with King George whiting, snapper & a bit later into winter, Australian Salmon. They are nice at around 1-2kg, but get a bit rank as they grow bigger.
As the others above have said, Esperance, Albany, etc also have lots of nice scenery too.
NB - with public holidays, you will pay more for fuel "on the Nullarbor" - an age old rip-off! If you have a lead foot, beware! There is a regular patrol on the SA side & you'll see bars painted across the road in WA where they use light aircraft to monitor road speed.
So Gary have a good trip. Take lots of photos. Barb will have to do her own trip there later!
Warren-Pat. Thanks for the info. You just confirmed most of my itinerary. I might take a little more trip time to take suggestions from all on the thread. I will be looking through Port Lincoln to Ceduna and have GPS co-ords for caves and blowholes as well as some remote spots that are of interest. Don't surf (70 yo) or golf (sedentary old bugger!) but will drop a line at a few spots including Blackwood River. Also bought a new camera and will compile a DVD movie when I get home.
Also purchased a WA National Parks ticket as I intend hitting as many NP's as possible.
Just one concern; I've had reports of unsavory types going through some camp sites - particularly Albany for some reason. I will be unhitching the Trayon camper for some excursions nearby and wonder if anyone has any ideas about security.
-- Edited by Gary and Barb on Monday 7th of January 2019 10:16:13 PM
Hi All,
Planning a solo trip in April to explore the coastline twixt Melb and Perth with particular interest in the Bight coast and the South West corner of W.A., while Barb is 5 starring her way around Japan.
Google tells me there are some spectacular coastline sights (and sites) and I really want to meander through there before catching up with family in Perf.
I expect 6 weeks of moving around while staying a few days at some of the special spots along the way. Will return via the conventional Eyre highway route.
I would welcome any input re: tips, tricks, campsites and "must-see" places.
I would add in Peaceville Bay, between Denmark and Wapole. If you turn in off main road then go west on an unsealed road for 15 or 20 Klm before ending up back on highway. The lookout is an easy walk but it is one of the best views up and down the coast.
Before that at Albany detour out to the gap and natural bridge then take the coastal road to Denmark.
There are lots of magic places just off the main road all along the south coast, Go into as many as you can fit in, they are all different.
Time will be short for you. We took 6 weeks from Ceduna and Norseman on our first trip and you can fill in 3 months in the south west easily, then you have all the inland features. Maybe another year.
There is a great camp ground called Shannon Mill, half way between Wapole and Manjimup. Just after Shannon, turn off to Northcliffe and Windy Harbour, then to Pemberton and cut accross to Augusta. Follow west coast up from there.
PM me if you need more assistance, but in our last 15 years on the road we just go down every little road we can find off a highhway. No plans and just follow your nose.
enjoy
Neil
As you're on restricted time, you probably won't have time to investigate from Port Lincoln to Ceduna (lots of great cliff scenery + good beaches including Streaky Bay - there is a large sea lion colony at Pt Brown (between Streaky & Ceduna). I'm not certain if some of the best oysters in Australia (Coffin Bay, Smokey Bay & Ceduna) will be available - if they are, BUY SOME.
Out from Penong (70km west of Ceduna) you have Cactus Beach - a famous surfing beach if you're carrying a surf board. Just beware of the "big men in grey suites - with big teeth"! Fowlers Bay was a whaling station & the township is worth a look in. You can read a local history book that is interesting. Tours by light aircraft are available.
There is an excellent viewing area at Head of Bight - better when the Southern Right whales are in to give birth from June - September. West of there on what most people call "The Nullarbor" (it is actually well north of the highway with the exception of about 10kms where you drive on it near Nullarbor Roadhouse), there are great viewing areas.
BE CAREFUL that you don't go too close to the edges as they are unstable & with 300' of cliff & an equal amount under the water, it's a long way to crawl up!
And if you know where to look there are lots of caves & blow holes not so very far off the highway. Working on the now defunct East-West microwave radio system for 15 years did have some benefits!
If you're a golfer have a look at www.nullarborlinks.com - you can play golf at many places.
Then there is Eucla with its many plagues including cats, rabbits - the remaining one is sand. You may be able to see the ruins of the Telegraph Station (the sands vary form year to year).If you have a look at www.aussietowns.com.au/town/eucla-wa - this can save me lots of writing!
So that gets me from western SA to Eucla - are you sure six weeks is enough? Fishing is good with King George whiting, snapper & a bit later into winter, Australian Salmon. They are nice at around 1-2kg, but get a bit rank as they grow bigger.
As the others above have said, Esperance, Albany, etc also have lots of nice scenery too.
NB - with public holidays, you will pay more for fuel "on the Nullarbor" - an age old rip-off! If you have a lead foot, beware! There is a regular patrol on the SA side & you'll see bars painted across the road in WA where they use light aircraft to monitor road speed.
So Gary have a good trip. Take lots of photos. Barb will have to do her own trip there later!
if looking for free caMPs, add in Cosy Corner (between Albany Denmark), also use the National Parks as some you can book online.
https://parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/
We are heading over the Nullarbor in early March 2019, up to Exmouth, then down the coast eventually staying in Perth for a week after seeing some sights, then meandering down around the coast again to as far as Cape LeGrand before heading back across the Nullarbor.
Staying in Streaky Bay at Easter, then seeing a bit of the S.A. Coast & back home in May.
Not sure how the weather will be, but we will travel accordingly.
Left June 1 for WA. Apparently thats the start of Grey Nomad season. Did up the centre to Katherine, across to Broome and down until the weather turned bad at Jurien Bay. Then headed directly to Kalgoorlie and back across the Nullarbor. Other than windy, weather was OK after Kalgoorlie. Spent 10 weeks away. We couldnt get accomodation in Exmouth - booked out. Got last site in Coral Bay. Also nothing affordable in Broome. Stayed about 7kms out but had to book. Did Streaky Bay a few years ago. Suggest you book there too. We arrived a few days before tinny season and by the time we left the park was full. That was February 2016 and lots of parks were full of tinnies. Eyre peninsula is a fishermans paradise.
We got our Easter site at Streaky Bay. All we have booked so far is Murray Bridge (getting a torque lockup kit fitted, Adelaide to catch up with all the rellies, Ceduna & Streaky Bay.
Booked nothing in WA so far as we wanted to allow for getting across the Nullarbor first since we have not done it before, then go from there. So we have sorted pre entry to WA & post exit from WA. How we fill the middle is completely at our leisure, given we will be doing some free camping as well. Intend to spend a week in Perth resting up (car may need a service again) & Kalbarri before that as there is some fantastic scenic spots around there.
We only ever booked the day before when we thought it may be necessary from advice of people travelling in opposite direction. The plan is not to plan, just a general sketch. See a nice place from lunch onwards and stop. We did 13 freebies, some for a couple of days as the spot was so good and relaxing. We loved Kalbarri.
73 nights away: 13 free or gold coin, 60 at avg $32. We stayed at Bullara when we couldn't get into Exmouth and did a day trip.
Ranger did 14,500kms. Did service before we left. About to get the next one. Van needed new tyres when we got back (40,000kms on them). They wore unevenly across the tyre - road camber? Also put new tyres on Ranger. Tyres had 51,000kms but I was unwilling to chance them as we were prepared to do about 20,000kms (and a vehicle service). Kept the old set.
Hence why I only booked the necessities (peak times & major stops); the rest is a blank canvas until we paint what we want to.
I expect Exmouth to be the difficult one to get into. If so, we will do the same, a day trip to stock up then meander slowly back down to Kalbarri.
Have a great time (I am jeasous)
Bello
Book by Tim Bowden , a very different spin on most peoples trip. And a very easy read.
Sarge.
Bugger!
Didn't factor in the school break. Can't get away before then, so will have to play it by ear.
As for going slow, i'm not in a hurry and have factored in highway travel at 80k/hr. Longest day's driving on the whole trip is planned at 480k with a daily average of 250k
Thanks for heads up, everyone!
-- Edited by Gary and Barb on Monday 7th of January 2019 09:55:29 PM
-- Edited by Gary and Barb on Monday 7th of January 2019 10:14:02 PM
Warren-Pat. Thanks for the info. You just confirmed most of my itinerary. I might take a little more trip time to take suggestions from all on the thread. I will be looking through Port Lincoln to Ceduna and have GPS co-ords for caves and blowholes as well as some remote spots that are of interest. Don't surf (70 yo) or golf (sedentary old bugger!) but will drop a line at a few spots including Blackwood River. Also bought a new camera and will compile a DVD movie when I get home.
Also purchased a WA National Parks ticket as I intend hitting as many NP's as possible.
Just one concern; I've had reports of unsavory types going through some camp sites - particularly Albany for some reason. I will be unhitching the Trayon camper for some excursions nearby and wonder if anyone has any ideas about security.
-- Edited by Gary and Barb on Monday 7th of January 2019 10:16:13 PM