Seeking advise from previous Grey Nomads who have traveled from Victoria to WA along the coast roads at this time of year. We have a little dog and are restricted to travelling on bitumin due to two wheel drive vehicle only. We intend to leave around the second week in June, we are in no hurry as we don't have to be back in Victoria until December. On our to do list is to visit the mouth of the Murray River, shark cage excursion in Port Lincon, then travel long the south and south west coast up to Perth and possible up to Geraldton. I presume we will need to take heaters and warm cloths, any advice will be greatly appreciated particularly any restrictions due to travelling with dog.
It is going to be the coldest and wettest time of the year in those parts, so you will need warm clothes, rain gear, warm bedding and a heater! Take some old towels for dog drying.
A plus is that you can be in SW WA in the wildflower season, and I suggest you plan to do some travelling in those parts between Perth and Geraldton, for those.
When very windy days are forecast, you should stay put wherever you are camped, rather than tow in high winds.
You will not be able to sightsee in National Parks with the dog.
Suggest you take a muzzle for dog - one that prevents it eating things. A lot of places in WA bait with 1080 and there may not always be warning signs evident. If you are staying in caravan parks all should be well, but best to muzzle the dog for roadside stops, bush camping etc.
-- Edited by wendyv on Wednesday 4th of May 2016 08:21:16 PM
At least 3 months will be winter no matter which part of the coast you are on so jeans,jumpers and a raincoat (and uggies of course!!) long and short sleeve shirts will get you thru most of winter and into spring. No one else knows how many days you have worn that top layer of clothes so you can get away with a smaller amount of clothes. And remember there are always op shops should you need a change or a top up of clothes. Are you going to free camp or use caravan parks? National parks are out unless you put the dog into care when you visit them. Lots to see all the way around the coast..think we visited every little town from Geelong to Ceduna and then Esperance to Perth when we followed the coast around, found some great beaches( and some we wouldn't bother visiting again ) Of course by far the best beaches are here in WA.!! Hope to catch up with you when you are over here and heading to Gero..you will drive almost past our gate!!
The Navigator and I have travelled from Melbourne to Perth along the coast line taking in The Yorke and Eyre peninsulas over two months. Take your time, we could have taken longer, at least one more month.
There plenty CPs and freedom camping spots. Plan the days distance and refuel accordingly. Hound the information centres for items/locations of interest. They are very helpful. Dont refuel at the SA/WA Border, diesel is 10 cents cheaper at Ecula. Get rid of all veggies, fruit and honey before crossing. No vegies and fruit from Vic to SA.
Happy caravanning
make sure you take up sufils invitation ! They have a life style block and at their own expense have built a great flushing toilet and handbasin and always welcome other nomads to stay for a while. You need to have your own power supply - but these two lovely people even have water taps you can hook up to. And Sue does some great afternoon teas and guests often do 5 o'clockers with them. Nice place and people and will be on your road from Perth to Geraldton. Just check in advance to make sure they will not be away.
Don't hold your breath about stopping in the Perth metro area. Most of the CPs have either been turned into houses/full of dongas for FIFO workers (who have now been made redundant and returned to their home States) or full timers.
Also make sure you don't get yourself on the freeways (motorways) which run from Mandurah in the south to Clarkson in the north unless youre going in the opposite direction to peak hour traffic. Us WA'rs have our own way of driving in rush hour times compared to the East lol.
Plenty of free camping areas in WA. Suggest you have a good look on wiki camps. In Perth there is the Seventh Day Adventist Church CP which is on the outskirts of Perth metro. Plenty of casual caravan sites and apparently well tended, but office closed on their day of non-work (Saturday, I think) so you will have a problem rocking up on that day (and no public smoking or drinking). Don't free camp in the metro area as most council rangers will be on your back - many check common areas that people illegally free camp on as many overseas backpackers go through Perth on their way north for work
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Cheers Bruce
The amazing things you see when nomading Australia
