rockylizard wrote:

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Gday...

A very personal observation. Two states I would love to see - Tassie and WA.

I would love to go and see the fantastic sights in Tassie - but the cost of taking my vehicle and van on the Spirit is definitely not value for money. No need to introduce the response "but you can camp for free is so many places in Tassie". I can do that on the mainland WITHOUT the cost of the Spirit.

I have always wanted to see the fantastic sights WA has to offer. I made it to WA in 2012 and was astounded at the cost of the van parks in the south western area. Camping was OK but not that many were attractive and most were crowded. Unfortunately, I had to head urgently back east due to family illness so did not make it further north.

I am very aware that to travel anywhere along the coast of WA entails very crowded camps - many just wayside stop types on highways. Any van park is expensive and crowded. To get to the 'attractions' entails long driving distances with little in-between. I do appreciate how big and vast WA is and how little population there is. However, because of its size and remoteness, it is a long way between crowded and expensive attractions.

I do understand that to "do the lap" means 'doing the west' but I really do not see any point in being any where north of Geraldton/Meekatharra between the months of April to September. If (or when) I do visit that wonderful expanse called WA I would have to take a couple of years, timing my visits to WA areas dependent on weather and popularity.

Quite personally, I really could not camp on a major highway with 40-odd over-nighters - I find that style of "travelling" abhorrent.

I think the reason WA 'tourism' is suffering is that those that have "done WA" are telling their friends and family the same as most on here are doing - great natural attractions, but crowded and expensive ... something to do once so it can be said it has been ticked off.

I'll "do WA" eventually but not this year. Not sure if I will ever venture to Tassie.

Cheers - John

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Good points Rocky, there are reasonably priced CP's in the South/West (on a par with the other States) on the coastal areas as long as they are not visited during public or school holidays.   Inland town CP's are much better rates in general.

Although less crowds in the period April to September in the mid and southern areas of WA, the weather is atrocious, with the odd fine days here and there, some prefer this time south as you don't have the crowds etc.

However the point of going north around this time (April to September) is the sunny and warm winter weather, however you need to be further north than Geraldton/Meekatharra if you want that, no lower than Carnarvon and above.  I do understand you are talking mainly distance though.

Being a Sandgroper, I don't really mind those from over east not coming over here  more room in the CP's and free campsites for us "locals"