Best time to travel to WA (question)

revemike · Senior Member

Best time to travel to WA (question)

woolman · Guru

Start in Kimberly's in June and end up in the south west in April. Not a straight line but basic principle.

It is always the perfect time to visit somewhere in WA, it is 1/3 of Australia

Neil

jules47 · The Happy Helper

We arrived from the East in early October this year, and the weather has been almost perfect so far. We are staying down south of the state, from just above Perth, and currently in Albany, on the south coast. We will be here till early next year some time.

The wildflowers are usually in full bloom from October (September is a bit early we found) - and it is not too hot then, inland. It is getting a lot warmer now, but pleasant, no humidity. We had a huge electrical storm two nights ago - spectacular watching from bed, followed by a bit of rain.

Last year, we came down from the top a lot earlier last year, and the weather was great all the way down to Carnarvon, then it got cooler, but not unpleasant. It is very windy when near the coast.

A beautiful state to visit - but the distances are huge.

The Phantom · Guru

revemike wrote:
Hi all,
This question may have been answered an another post but a search could not find an answer...
In the experience of fellow GNs when is the best time to travel to WA from Victoria?
Thanks in advance.
Mike

I would suggest, never.

And if you display a Hawthorn sticker on your car you could be taking your life into your own hands.

The Phantom

jules47 · The Happy Helper

And, Phantom, why you suggest to NEVER come over here?

revemike · Senior Member

The Phantom wrote:
revemike wrote:

I would suggest, never.
And if you display a Hawthorn sticker on your car you could be taking your life into your own hands.

The Phantom

My wife is a Hawks supporter smile smile but as I hate football I don't let her put a sticker on the Tug. smile smile smile

jules47 · The Happy Helper

I'm a Hawks supporter as well!!!!

erad · Guru

A few years back, we left home in Mid June. We went to Darwin via outback Qld, then down the track to Katherine. We tossed a coin there to see which way we went. We turned Right and spent a few weeks looking at Crocodiles and some superb scenery around Kunnanurra. Then we went to The Kimberley, looking for a few weeks at gorges. Then we moved on, heading South, looking at wildflowers for a few weeks. All this time, we were waiting for the weather to improve way down South so we could repeat a visit we did there 6 years before. However, the weather didn't improve, nor did it look like doing so, so eventually we bit the bullet and let Geraldton and headed East. The weather was FOUL. On the Nullarbor crossing, we had winds 90 km/h, gusting to 115. AND THE WINDS WERE TAILWINDS! Awesome fuel consumption, but terrible driving conditions. Got home easily and then started plannjing the next trip up that way. Sadly, medical stuff has intervened and as yet we haven't made it back there, but next May or so????

WA is an awesome place. It is huge, and the people are friendly. There are so many places to see. Highlights? Stirling Ranges, the South coast in general, Perth's Gardens, Carnarvon, Geraldton, Exmouth, Tom Price, Kunnanurra, Karajini, Kalbarri, Broome, Derby, Kalgoorlie and the surrounding areas. These are the major towns, but the small hamlets spread throughout are even more interesting. Go for it, and go anticlockwise, using the seasons to your advantage.

-- Edited by erad on Monday 16th of November 2015 02:04:07 PM

revemike · Senior Member

erad wrote:
A few years back, we left home in Mid June. We went to Darwin via outback Qld, then down the track to Katherine. We tossed a coin there to see which way we went. We turned Right and spent a few weeks looking at Crocodiles and some superb scenery around Kunnanurra. Then we went to The Kimberley, looking for a few weeks at gorges. Then we moved on, heading South, looking at wildflowers for a few weeks. All this time, we were waiting for the weather to improve way down South so we could repeat a visit we did there 6 years before. However, the weather didn't improve, nor did it look like doing so, so eventually we bit the bullet and let Geraldton and headed East. The weather was FOUL. On the Nullarbor crossing, we had winds 90 km/h, gusting to 115. AND THE WINDS WERE TAILWINDS! Awesome fuel consumption, but terrible driving conditions. Got home easily and then started plannjing the next trip up that way. Sadly, medical stuff has intervened and as yet we haven't made it back there, but next May or so????

WA is an awesome place. It is huge, and the people are friendly. There are so many places to see. Highlights? Stirling Ranges, the South coast in general, Perth's Gardens, Carnarvon, Geraldton, Exmouth, Tom Price, Kunnanurra, Karajini, Kalbarri, Broome, Derby, Kalgoorlie and the surrounding areas. These are the major towns, but the small hamlets spread throughout are even more interesting. Go for it, and go anticlockwise, using the seasons to your advantage.

-- Edited by erad on Monday 16th of November 2015 02:04:07 PM

It certainly sounds (from this and also what Jules has said) like a fair bit of time will need to be set aside for this trip. Thanks for this comprehensive response.

TommyG · Senior Member

The Phantom says NEVER leave Victoria to go to WA. I would ask "Why do you live in Victoria?" We visited a couple of times and other than Lakes Entrance (Almost in NSW)
Why would anyone stay there? The biggest drawback to WA is lack of population. That's why there's such big distances between towns and the lack of regional cities.
what Jules has said is accurate, take your time and enjoy.

wendyv · Guru

Back in the '90's we had 17 weeks long service leave. In our ignorance, thought we'd "do" WA and then would not have to worry about going over there again!
After about 3 weeks, it became "next time .....".
Since then, have spent maybe a total of about 18 months there, over several trips - much of that in the northern parts. There are still areas we'd like to go back to visit.
Our preferred timing was to head across from Vic around March and spend time around the south coast until the weather turned too cold and wet - late April, early May. Then head northwards. A couple of times we have come from the NT side - about May, and worked the way south, to be south of Perth by summer.
From September on, it is getting very hot, dry, dusty in the Kimberley area.

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

As soon as possible after the wet season for the north (and the Kimberley, in particular). That usually means May, but is variable depending on the wet.
Any time during the winter for the mid WA regions. August/September for the wild flowers(?).
Spring and early summer for the SW.

Cheers,
Peter

Young Simmo · Guru

If you come over here during the footy season, bring plenty of ear plugs, us West Aussies really like the Vics at that time of the year.
Simmo.

revemike · Senior Member

again, thanks for all the feedback. It gives me a lot to think about.

banjo · Senior Member

Being a sandgroper for the last 25years, like the Eastern states most grey nomads head North mainly to the Kimberley or Central W during winter, anywhere between May to September, lots of popular spots get very busy and many have annual bookings at their favorite spots.

School holidays can be a nightmare anywhere on the coastal strip, but lots of peaceful inland wheatbelt towns are quieter cheaper and good places to hide when the chaos reigns.

The South West is wonderful but again during summer is very popular and busy, It's a great state but big distances and lots of driving in between.

We are currently in SA and love the short hops between towns over here.

Best advice is plan ahead and use the seasons accordingly.

revemike · Senior Member

banjo wrote:
Being a sandgroper for the last 25years, like the Eastern states most grey nomads head North mainly to the Kimberley or Central W during winter, anywhere between May to September, lots of popular spots get very busy and many have annual bookings at their favorite spots.

School holidays can be a nightmare anywhere on the coastal strip, but lots of peaceful inland wheatbelt towns are quieter cheaper and good places to hide when the chaos reigns.

The South West is wonderful but again during summer is very popular and busy, It's a great state but big distances and lots of driving in between.

We are currently in SA and love the short hops between towns over here.

Best advice is plan ahead and use the seasons accordingly.

thanks Banjo.