Pilbara

Looking for some informed advice

If you had the choice of going to the Pilbara in April or October, which option would you choose?

Weather and what other factors would influence your choice?

Thanks for any knowledgeable input.

Paul
Back Expand Un-Read 0 Moderator

Reply By: wato35 - Friday, Dec 13, 2013 at 12:03

Friday, Dec 13, 2013 at 12:03
We went there in April a few years ago and the weather and conditions were great.
Plenty of water in the rivers etc, not sure if this would be the same in Oct.
Cheers
Wato
AnswerID: 523001

Follow Up By: Member - Mfewster(SA) - Friday, Dec 13, 2013 at 12:21

Friday, Dec 13, 2013 at 12:21
Another vote for April. You never really know about the water but its nice to see, in moderation, and the odds are better for April.
0
FollowupID: 804251

Reply By: Member - Frank P (NSW) - Friday, Dec 13, 2013 at 12:20

Friday, Dec 13, 2013 at 12:20
A few years ago we were there in late May. Perfect. October would be drier and hotter, I think, especially toward the end of the month.

Cheers
FrankP

Lifetime Member
My Profile  My Blog  My Position  Send Message
Moderator

AnswerID: 523003

Reply By: Member-George (WA) - Friday, Dec 13, 2013 at 12:30

Friday, Dec 13, 2013 at 12:30
autumn is always the best time, weather is good, no cyclones and no strong winds
AnswerID: 523004

Reply By: rocco2010 - Friday, Dec 13, 2013 at 13:16

Friday, Dec 13, 2013 at 13:16
Gidday

April for preference. But it can still be quite warm. I will be up that way around that time next year so I did some research recently, Newman only had one day in April this year where the maximum was less than 30C. Mostly in the low to mid 30s.
It is a great part of the world, I can't wait to get back

Cheers

AnswerID: 523009

Reply By: Dreadnought - Friday, Dec 13, 2013 at 21:22

Friday, Dec 13, 2013 at 21:22
Another vote for April.....Lived in Karratha for 4 years and we found that mother nature can have a nasty habit of throwing in just a couple of stinking hot days out of nowhere in October. Plus, if it is going to be a warm summer, the flies may arrive early......April would be our pick by far..........
AnswerID: 523030

Reply By: Motherhen - Saturday, Dec 14, 2013 at 00:53

Saturday, Dec 14, 2013 at 00:53
April well and truly wins. We have usually visited in May/June. Even then we had hot days walking in Karijini. These days you never know what the weather is going to do - they had unseasonal rain last year.

Motherhen
Motherhen

Red desert dreaming

Lifetime Member
My Profile  My Blog  Send Message

AnswerID: 523036

Reply By: Member - Ups and Downs - Saturday, Dec 14, 2013 at 08:38

Saturday, Dec 14, 2013 at 08:38
To Wato, Frank, George, Dreadnought, Rocco and Motherhen:

Thanks to all for your replies.
Earlier in the year does sound much better.

I have been there in October/November and it was very hot and dry although wouldn't have missed that experience for quids.

This request is for a family member and while I thought April would be preferable it is far better to get informed advice.

Thanks again,

Paul
AnswerID: 523041

Follow Up By: Member - Joe F (WA) - Saturday, Dec 14, 2013 at 12:41

Saturday, Dec 14, 2013 at 12:41
G'day Paul

I have sat back and waited for someone from the Pilbara who might reply to your post, but that has not happened, so here I am.

Lots of folk say April is the best time to wander about the Pilbara, well it's actually not the ideal time to be holidaying in the inland Pilbara mainly because the region is usually still recovering from what the Wet season might have dished up ~ officially the "wet season" from November to April ~ so much can happen weather wise that can influence a persons safety and comfort before, during and after the "official" start and end of the wet season.

Recent wet seasons have been an almost non event, yet the region has had major weather events, all of these were outside of "official" dates.

The months of April and May still have real Cyclone potential and at times in the past, the region becomes inundated and many people have been marooned for long periods of time, so if a person is not prepared for this sort of event, things can become serious and costly.

My personal experience and preference for a touring/holidaying throughout the Pilbara is during the months of July to October, simply because there is very little chance of major rain falls and the temperature is more than comfortable, plus if there are reasonable rain events during the wet season, the Flora and Fauna of the region can be utterly spectacular.

This is just my opinion of course, but 24 years of living and working in the Pilbara accounts for nothing when one tries to predict what Mother Nature may or may not do.

Safe travels :
0
FollowupID: 804335

Reply By: Member - mike g2 - Saturday, Dec 14, 2013 at 09:22

Saturday, Dec 14, 2013 at 09:22
Hi "Ups," if you don't mind it being 35-40, then either is ok, as its hotter in Oct. not quite yet into cyclone season. have been in NW in Oct, takes about 2-3 days to acclimatise to warmer weather. allow for dusty conditions as well and lots of mining activity in area.
MG.
AnswerID: 523045

Follow Up By: Member - Ups and Downs - Saturday, Dec 14, 2013 at 09:46

Saturday, Dec 14, 2013 at 09:46
Thanks Mike,
Paul
0
FollowupID: 804321

Reply By: The Explorer - Saturday, Dec 14, 2013 at 13:44

Saturday, Dec 14, 2013 at 13:44
Hi

Here is Max temp and rainfall for Newman - gives you an idea of what you may be in for at different times of year.



I was there in August this year - all good, though if you only have April and October to choose from April would be better (and pretty unlikely you'll get rained in - keep an eye on weather - easy).




Cheers
Greg
I sent one final shout after him to stick to the track, to which he replied “All right,” That was the last ever seen of Gibson - E Giles 23 April 1874

Lifetime Member
My Profile  My Blog  Send Message
Moderator

AnswerID: 523057

Reply By: Member - Tony (ACT) - Sunday, Dec 15, 2013 at 08:21

Sunday, Dec 15, 2013 at 08:21
We are another for August. We were there in late August this year and it was still a bit cool in the mornings but the days were nice and warm.

A couple of years before, we were there in June and it was good as well. Still water flowing in all the rivers and streams, great camping on the Oakover River with not many people around. I think May could be a bit touch and go so close to the end of the wet.
AnswerID: 523079

Reply By: Villatranquilla - Sunday, Dec 15, 2013 at 09:38

Sunday, Dec 15, 2013 at 09:38
have just had 6.5 months at Pardoo Station - 130k's nth of Port Hedland arrived mid May and weather was perfect - still water in the larger rivers. October was hot - several days over 40 and many around 35.
AnswerID: 523083

Reply By: Coenen N & G (WA) - Sunday, Dec 15, 2013 at 14:19

Sunday, Dec 15, 2013 at 14:19
It is different every year, good old WA. We were there in April and May this year and it was very hot, humid and gorgeously green. The flies were terrible but fly nets fixed that. October can be hot and dusty but it is a lottery. All you can do is watch the weather forcasts (hope they are right which is also a lottery) and just take the chance.
The Pilbara is always beautiful - that never changes.
Good luck and happy travels.
AnswerID: 523097

Reply By: Member - Ups and Downs - Monday, Dec 16, 2013 at 09:00

Monday, Dec 16, 2013 at 09:00
In addition to the earlier thank you I'm letting MFewster, Josef, Greg, Tony, Villa.. and N&G know that your opinions have provided valuable input to the equation.

Thanks again to all who replied.

I hope you all have a Happy Christmas and an even better New year.

Paul
AnswerID: 523154

Sponsored Links