We have been away 9 weeks travelling from Sydney, Broken Hill, Port Augusta up the Stuart Hwy to Katherine then through the Kimberkey to the West coast. From Port Hedland we have come down the Great Northern Highway through the Pilbara and tonight we are in Sandstone.
We have stayed in lots of caravan parks, spent tonnes of dollars (especially in Broome) but my most enjoyable stays have been in Rest Areas.
Two amazing spots are Albert Tognolini and Mt Robinson rest areas on the Gt Northern Hwy near Karajini National Park. Spectacular views.
Last night we stayed at Meekatharra Rocks 20km north of the town. It was the most beautiful, peaceful spot with a lovely sunset to finish a perfect afternoon. I think my best day so far.
Now, today, we are jammed into a van park, too close to unfriendly neighbours and paying nearly $40 for the honour.
I would also recommend the Great Northern Hwy, a great road, lots of road trains but plenty of room. Lovely country with wildflowers now appearing.
Free camps are hard to beat .they save on expenses and there more social,and with us there our number one choice ,but having said that,we spend about on average 40 percent of our time in caravan parks because a lot of really nice coastal ares don't have free camps,and to save a few dollars and not be able to enjoy everything we want to to see does not make sense to us ,so unless your really on a tight budget Why not have it all....
It's not just the money saving either although it does make a big difference, but the atmosphere and feeling of open spaces and freedom that is so good.
If the effort is put in to communicate with others I don't think it matters where you set up camp.Spent a lot of time doing cp, free camps, cheap camps nation parks etc and they can all be as isolated or involved as you wish to make them. We have life long friends we met in all the before mentioned camp sites
cheers
blaze
