I have just hit up South Australia from Perth and was planning on going back to Sydney via Broken Hill (the way i came) however thinking of taking a little bit more time (a couple of weeks) given Sydney's conundrum.
Does anyone have advice on taking the great ocean road, ie free camps, roads for a motorhome, places to visit and just any advice you may have?
super grateful for any help!
-- Edited by Tamsun on Sunday 11th of July 2021 08:52:20 PM
We live in Camperdown. IMO I'd go to kingston SA to Mtgambier , Portland to Port Campbell then inland to camp at Meredith Park on lake Colac. Avoid the Great Ocean Road and Melbourne. From Colac to Ballarat, Daylesford, Elmore then decide if you want/can enter NSW. If not go straight to Gippsland via the ring road/tunnel.
Tony
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I would avoid going through Victoria and instead go back via Broken Hill, to Menindee and sit out any quarantine hassles at the Lakes ( you never know when the water will go away for good) there is a myriad of bird life at the moment.
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I would avoid going through Victoria and instead go back via Broken Hill, to Menindee and sit out any quarantine hassles at the Lakes ( you never know when the water will go away for good) there is a myriad of bird life at the moment. sthat
Yes that was the plan but then wasn't sure about other options to visit while here. Just checked our Menindee and that looks like a good option! yes that is true :( Thank you!!
There are definitely no free camps on the Great Ocean Road, I have been along that road, a few times now
If you have only just crossed the WA/SA border, then I recommend Kimba as a good stopover
There is free electricity (at the oval donation campsite), for anyone who would like to volunteer
Find out at the shire office, or tourist info place, if they need anyone
They like to have volunteers at the library, (which I believe is at the school), or the tourist place near the Big Galah
Free electricity in the winter, is good for using an electric fan heater, your cat will be your friend for life
Thanks Tony Bev I'm at Kimba! Wow free electricity, not bad. I did see the option for volunteering, that's a great deal too.
I'm doing pretty well with the solar set up, as long as its not too cold or hot with limited sun or too much rain its usually enough. My cat is loving the electric blanket i put on sometimes haha
I guess I just wanted to see a few more things whilst out this way. I was thinking Port Lincoln as well but haven't looked too much into that area as yet. Do you know if there are any good places to visit there?
We live in Camperdown. IMO I'd go to kingston SA to Mtgambier , Portland to Port Campbell then inland to camp at Meredith Park on lake Colac. Avoid the Great Ocean Road and Melbourne. From Colac to Ballarat, Daylesford, Elmore then decide if you want/can enter NSW. If not go straight to Gippsland via the ring road/tunnel. Tony
Heya Eaglemax, Just checked out Mt Gambier that would be pretty amazing! Not sure now if I will go through Vic now but I will check out these places/this route before deciding, thanks so much!
As others have said with Great Ocean Road. There is free camping inland but not a lot, so you would need to start early do the GOR & get to the next inland camp.
If in Mt Gambier go to the Blue Lake, Nov to Dec is the best time for the blue colour, but I would still look at it.
They show a free video from memory at 11 & 2 in the public building on the corner of Commercial St & Bay Rd on the volcanic system of Australia. That is really worth watching.
Narracoote Caves.
In Victoria Mt Eccles & its lava tube (take a torch) & nearby the tumuli.
Black Mountain Range west of Grampians NP, a bit of a drive in on dirt road but it is quieter & a good walk to the range.
Then go north to Little Desert NP, Wyperfeld NP & Murry Sunset NP. In NSW Mungo NP.
There are definitely no free camps on the Great Ocean Road, I have been along that road, a few times now
If you have only just crossed the WA/SA border, then I recommend Kimba as a good stopover
There is free electricity (at the oval donation campsite), for anyone who would like to volunteer
Find out at the shire office, or tourist info place, if they need anyone
They like to have volunteers at the library, (which I believe is at the school), or the tourist place near the Big Galah
Free electricity in the winter, is good for using an electric fan heater, your cat will be your friend for life
Thanks Tony Bev I'm at Kimba! Wow free electricity, not bad. I did see the option for volunteering, that's a great deal too.
I'm doing pretty well with the solar set up, as long as its not too cold or hot with limited sun or too much rain its usually enough. My cat is loving the electric blanket i put on sometimes haha
I guess I just wanted to see a few more things whilst out this way. I was thinking Port Lincoln as well but haven't looked too much into that area as yet. Do you know if there are any good places to visit there?
Hi Tamsun,
With regard to your enquiry of Pt Lincoln, it has been 5 years since we toured that area but the entire Eyre Peninsula has some of the best free camping areas in the country.
It is a shame that you travelled from the border to Kimba and didnt venture down the coast road from Ceduna to Pt Lincoln.
There are many free camps all the way along the coastal strip from Streaky Bay right around the coast to Whyalla.
In my opinion you could easily spend 3 to 4 weeks just doing that stretch. Then many of the inland towns have some good spots as well. They are a very friendly mob over there. Even the bigger towns are great.
If you have wiki camps you will find most of the spots on there.
I have avoided the GOR when we were in the area but chose to travel through central western Victoria where there are some great towns and another alternative is to follow the Murray although I would avoid NSW at the moment.
Hi Tamsun,
With no emphasis on free camping, the scenery along entire coastline from Albany to Port Lincoln, Kangaroo Island & the GOR is spectacular & full of history from shipwrecks to shark attacks! Life was tough in the days of sailing ships & not so pleasant for some of the abalone fishermen off the West Coast of Eyre Peninsula! Often only their boat was found.
The cliffs along the coast from Head of Bight west are over 300 ft high & in a few places there is another 300ft of water so if you fell off the cliffs, couldn't swim, the end could come quickly - one way or the other. As well at Head of Bight, from late June on until September, the Southern Right whales come in to have their calves - the Watching Centre is certainly worth a visit. Did you go in there?
And while it's nice to see the areas in calm, warm weather, it's much better when the sea is rough!
I always thought that if they could harness the power of the sea with an off shore power station in places like Elliston, there would be an endless supply of electricity.
Happy travelling.
__________________
Warren
----------------
If you don't get it done today, there's always tomorrow!
The Great Ocean Road is completely over rated. If you get to Italy do the Amalfi coast, north to south so you are on the best side of the road. It makes the GOR look like a pathetic joke.
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There are definitely no free camps on the Great Ocean Road, I have been along that road, a few times now
If you have only just crossed the WA/SA border, then I recommend Kimba as a good stopover
There is free electricity (at the oval donation campsite), for anyone who would like to volunteer
Find out at the shire office, or tourist info place, if they need anyone
They like to have volunteers at the library, (which I believe is at the school), or the tourist place near the Big Galah
Free electricity in the winter, is good for using an electric fan heater, your cat will be your friend for life
Thanks Tony Bev I'm at Kimba! Wow free electricity, not bad. I did see the option for volunteering, that's a great deal too.
I'm doing pretty well with the solar set up, as long as its not too cold or hot with limited sun or too much rain its usually enough. My cat is loving the electric blanket i put on sometimes haha
I guess I just wanted to see a few more things whilst out this way. I was thinking Port Lincoln as well but haven't looked too much into that area as yet. Do you know if there are any good places to visit there?
Hi Tamsun,
With regard to your enquiry of Pt Lincoln, it has been 5 years since we toured that area but the entire Eyre Peninsula has some of the best free camping areas in the country.
It is a shame that you travelled from the border to Kimba and didnt venture down the coast road from Ceduna to Pt Lincoln.
There are many free camps all the way along the coastal strip from Streaky Bay right around the coast to Whyalla.
In my opinion you could easily spend 3 to 4 weeks just doing that stretch. Then many of the inland towns have some good spots as well. They are a very friendly mob over there. Even the bigger towns are great.
If you have wiki camps you will find most of the spots on there.
I have avoided the GOR when we were in the area but chose to travel through central western Victoria where there are some great towns and another alternative is to follow the Murray although I would avoid NSW at the moment.
Which ever way you go travel safely,
You know i kept looking at the signs saying streaky bay wondering if i should take that route and i realize now that i should have.
Ok something for me to consider! Thank you. Yes Wiki is a must for me, and safety! :D
I used to live in that area, and have driven that road hundreds of times, in cars, trucks, motorcycles, even a convertible in the snow.
It is a stunning area to visit. Winter can be brutal on the coast line, and can also be sublime.
Plenty to see, plenty to do, and i although i have never checkked it out, there would be hundreds of places to pull into for the night.
If you have never driven that road, and you have the chance now, make it happen.
Safe travels
Thanks Graham, it sounds like lots of fun in all different ways! :D Yes not so sure about making that trek now but will be sure to have fun which ever way i choose. :)
Hi Tamsun, With no emphasis on free camping, the scenery along entire coastline from Albany to Port Lincoln, Kangaroo Island & the GOR is spectacular & full of history from shipwrecks to shark attacks! Life was tough in the days of sailing ships & not so pleasant for some of the abalone fishermen off the West Coast of Eyre Peninsula! Often only their boat was found.
The cliffs along the coast from Head of Bight west are over 300 ft high & in a few places there is another 300ft of water so if you fell off the cliffs, couldn't swim, the end could come quickly - one way or the other. As well at Head of Bight, from late June on until September, the Southern Right whales come in to have their calves - the Watching Centre is certainly worth a visit. Did you go in there?
And while it's nice to see the areas in calm, warm weather, it's much better when the sea is rough! I always thought that if they could harness the power of the sea with an off shore power station in places like Elliston, there would be an endless supply of electricity.
Happy travel
It sounds quite intriguing that's for sure. There are a few places you mention that i haven't heard of so will look them up. Thank you!
I went to head of bight on my way to Perth and that was just spectacular. The first waters i had really come across since Sydney and i was just in awe. An endless supply of electricity, now that would be amazing!
I did travel along the coast line cape le grand national park making my way to Albany which was something!
As others have said with Great Ocean Road. There is free camping inland but not a lot, so you would need to start early do the GOR & get to the next inland camp.
If in Mt Gambier go to the Blue Lake, Nov to Dec is the best time for the blue colour, but I would still look at it.
They show a free video from memory at 11 & 2 in the public building on the corner of Commercial St & Bay Rd on the volcanic system of Australia. That is really worth watching.
Narracoote Caves.
In Victoria Mt Eccles & its lava tube (take a torch) & nearby the tumuli.
Black Mountain Range west of Grampians NP, a bit of a drive in on dirt road but it is quieter & a good walk to the range.
Then go north to Little Desert NP, Wyperfeld NP & Murry Sunset NP. In NSW Mungo NP.
Oh wow, there is just so much to see and do and that sounds amazing. Thanks for your help!
This time of year the whales will be in at Warrnambool. There is a viewing area just out of town. If in the area we usually stay ar the CVP at Mortlake
I will second the Eyre Peninsula as well. The cliffs are amazing. We did the peninsula in 2017. Some of the places we camped at were Point Lowly Lighthouse ($8.00 into honesty box), Fitzgerald Bay (free), Tumby Bay RV park ($7.50), Louth Bay ($10.00), Walkers Rock Camp Ground ($10.00). My goodness 4 years have passed so the pricing has probably changed, but would definitely go again. Have done the Great Ocean road a few times, but not camping and in good weather and not so good weather. Great scenery again. Cheers.
Free camps or not I'm planning to do the GOR (the gkids live in Mel) yet again but I'm going to do the platypus canoe tour in Otway National Park (depending on Covid of course)
Definetly take the GOR it is a must, could really be good now as there are no o/seas tourists . Our only disappointment was tooooo many o/seas people and tussle at lookouts AND also the worry of them driving on wrong side of road, signage says it all keep left in" Mandarin" I believe it is the only area in Aust where traffic authorities are allowed to display foriegn language road signs. I t will be windy and expect very cold weather at this time of year, however, Enjoy...
