"A failure to convince interstate and overseas tourists to visit Western Australia which is perceived as "too far away, too expensive and with a scarcity of hotel rooms" is set to cost the State $800 million in projected tourism revenue by the end of the decade."
It could have something to do with the SIZE of WA.
Such a vast area with large distances to cover, you need heaps of time to see it properly if visiting from the eastern states.
Nothing wrong with WA (the other half of Australia), we'll get there one day.
If we can't be bothered dragging our ''box on wheels'' to a far off location we usually go there for a little look around on our annual 3-4 week fly/hire car trip.
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Cheers Keith & Judy
Don't take life too seriously, it never ends well.
Trip Reports posted on feathersandphotos.com.au Go to Forums then Trip Reports.
WA do not cater for the travelling tourist, with rest stops,toilets,low cost caravan parks/camping areas being few and far between. The expense is considerable but should be factored in anywhere north of Geraldton, it's a big state with declining services, so be prepared to fork out for everything. Sadly the powers to be think that protecting Van parks and not allowing 24/48 hr stops is good for business.
Thatās what makes WA so great !! No comercialism like Surfers Paradize ! Sheesh some people can whinge ! Donāt like .. DONT go !! Stop whining !! Oh the want āTHE GOVMINTā To help out ? Sheesh !
We have done 2 trips 3 month trips to WA in the past 4 years, one concentrating mainly on the north half and the other concentrating more on the south. They were wonderful trips and we loved WA and really would like to go back again. But it is expensive, with caravan parks generally at least $10 a night more than in the east for a similar standard and meals out and other things much more expensive. We have just returned from a trip of 2 months travelling through Queensland and NSW and we found we spent about $150 a week less (not taking into account fuel which was more expensive in WA both in cost per litres and the amount we used because of the greater distance) on this trip than we averaged in WA living in a similar way. For people on a limited income that is a considerable amount. Of course the tourists that the article talks about and which WA tourism seems interested in are not us or similar travellers, its the 2 week stay in expensive hotels and spend lots on expensive meals that they really want to attract.
Then again on the "up side" less eastern stater's equals less traffic for us "wild westerners" to put up with :) And continue to enjoy all our GST :):)
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We acknowledge and pay our respects to the British and European Elders past and present, who introduced civil society and prosperity to Australia.
Surfers was never a grey nomad destination , now or then. Only Caravan Park close to Surfers is Main Beach , Council run who don't want you , more cabins going in less sites and surrounded by High rises and over priced.
Adding to Goldcoaster. Surfers is a few square km. Not much glitter and glitz in a rest of GC really.
Most day trippers go to one of the many other beaches or mountains. Most locals live in surburbia.
WA is still on my list but truthfully there is a lot of places and things I want to vist and revisit between GC where I live and WA.
In 2016 we travelled from Sydney to Katherine, turned west through the Kimberley area to Broome and down through the Pilbara area using the Great Northern Highway to Meekatharra and then across via Sandstone and Leonora to Kalgoorlie and finally across the Nullarbor and home. The trip was over 3 months and we loved it so much we went back to WA again this year. This time we did the Wildflower areas and looked at the Victorian Silo art on the way. Once again we spent a lovely 3 months travelling.
If our children moved to WA we would follow in a heartbeat. We love it! It is big and bold with amazing geology and friendly people. I don't agree about free camps in WA. We found some amazing free camps such as the stand out Albert Tognalini reserve in the Pilbara as well as many beautiful roadside areas.
On the down side, Broome is one place we wouldn't return to. It was super expensive and really, once you've photographed the sunset on cable beach thats it.
Loved so much about WA, if you haven't been there it is worth the distance. It's a state that need time, and is too good to fly in, fly out.
We have been over there from Adelaide 3 times so far and are going back again next year.
I hope people continue to think it is too far away and too expensive that way it will remain less crowded and more attractive than the Eastern states.
Love going over to WA - The trip over in the south is amazing. We had some first time crossers with us, and showed them some great spots and wildlife as well - including whales at Head of Bight - where there is a great big flat area, right at the entry gate, where you can camp for free, no facilities at all - but while the gate is open you can go up to the office/shop/parking area and use the loos outside there.
Heaps of free camps on the way over, in SA and WA - some of them in WA have wi fi, toilets and a dump point - mining royalties I believe. All over WA there are some great camp spots.
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jules "Love is good for the human being!!" (Ben, aged 10)
We have been over for two trips in the past 3 years.
2.5 months in 2015 up to Geraldton then down to SW and back home to Adelaide , then for 4 months last year through from Kununurra down to Geraldton and then back across via Sandstone, Leonora and Kalgoorlie.
Agree that prices are a bit higher, but probably not too much more than remote areas on the East Coast. I feel that WA is well covered by free/low cost camps, and many have good toilet and shelter facilities. Certainly better than SA and other areas we have been. In short, we enjoyed our time, and felt we got value for our travel dollar. It can't always be free or low cost, and can't be available in every place on the map.
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Regards Ian
Chaos, mayhem, confusion. Good my job here is done
We have had three 'van trips to WA from south east QLD, worth every kilometre travelled. On one trip we spent six months in WA and really needed more time there.
Yes it is a BIG place, that is a good thing, you can spread you joy. We don't go to too many 'van parks, so we had to find places to camp, and we did. On the coast, in the deserts, really all over the place. We didn't have a lot of trouble getting water, fuel, and anything we needed.
If you have the time start at the top work your way down south criss crossing the state from the coast to the deserts and all that is inbetween.
May not be as good as Queensland (I'm biased) but a GREAT trip.
Western Australia is a long way for us to travel from S.E.Queensland ,where we migrated to from the South 42 years ago.
Being very keen bird watchers we dont find the 5500 ks to far to drag our van to Broome as there is so much beautiful country to see on the way.Last time we went to W.A.we were seven months there .We stayed at Broome for five weeks ,our 4th visit there.
Broome is a Mecca for birdwatchers and most keen birdwatchers have visited there at least once.Roebuck bay is one of the most important places in the world for migratory waders,they are there in their thousands all the year.
Although we were away for seven months there is still a lot of W.A. that we have yet to see.l would like to go to the Mitchell falls as this is where the Black Grasswren is found and it is the only Grasswren that i have not seen.
One year I would like to do the cruise on the True North from Broome to Darwin people i know that have done it says it is one of the most spectacular cruises in the world.They actually have their own helicopter to take their clients to out of the way places ie the Mitchell Plateau.
Wishing you all a merry Christmas
The answer is simple. When the overseas tourists come to Oz they want to see the three big things, the Rock, the Reef and the Opera House. WA has none of these.
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PeterD Nissan Navara D23 diesel auto, Spaceland pop-top Retired radio and electronics technician. NSW Central Coast.
I travelled from Adelaide to WA in 1978 in my caravan for a visit, Ive live here ever since. Been across the Nullarbor over 30 times to visit family etc but always look forward to getting back to the Real state.
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Neil & Lynne
Pinjarra
Western Australia
MY23.5 Ford Wildtrak V6 Dual Cab / 21' Silverline 21-65.3
