Where do we have to book?

I'm envious!

Some info: 1) August 4 years ago arrived in Broome having come down the GRR. Could not book into a CP in advance, could not get a site anywhere when we arrived. Motel first night in Broome, tent on lawn between two cabins for remaining 6 nights. Great place, but painful trying to get a CP site. Don't know if this is the norm or we just struck a busy time. Other forumites will have more up-to-date info. 2) Cool Waters CP in Cairns (off Brinsmead Rd) is a good middle of the road park. Creek running through the back of it, good shady sites, bit quieter than some others. 3) Had to try three parks in Kunnunara before we got a site for a week. Busy but not fully booked.

Have a great time!

Regards,
Greg

Are you camping? Tent or caravan? Definitely, Definitely book in Broome. We were there two years ago and you could not get into any park anywhere if you hadn't booked in advance. Fine along the Gibb River Road when we were there, although we always set up by about 3 p.m. Bells and Manning Gorges on the GRR were great spots to camp. At Bells, if you get there reasonably early, you take a tag for a private camp spot. Later, you are in the general camping ground.

I believe that Karumba is also hard to get a camp space. Darwin should be okay. Stayed in a motel in Kunnanara so can't comment.
Lynn

Hi MALS,

I agree with Lynn re Broome, a friend of ours was up there this time last year, and didn't book into the CP in advance and ended up having to park the van in a car park somewhere over night....I've just finished enquiring/booking for our trip [4 weeks to go] and most places told me that I should book now.[which i did ]...can't suggest any parks for you to book into, we belong to a couple of associations and used those...there are a few websites avail for you to check places out eg Big4, TopTourist and Family Parks if that's the type of park you intend staying in...

cheers

Lyn

Try this site link text

You'd also be very wise to book ahead, or at least check site availability, if travelling the eastern seaboard between the Gold Coast and Cairns. Many parks fill up with southerners who migrate to sunny Queensland for the winter.

In fact, I travelled the Bruce Hwy yesterday and the migration has already begun!!

Dennis
Westport 18ft full van
Falcon AU sedan
www.damor.net

No you don't have to book. If a CP is full go and find a bush camp. There are numerous books on the market about free camps. I do not stay in CP's if I can help it. Make your travels enjoyable and not bound by times, bookings and cluster camping with others!

The best place to park your van or 4by is in front of a No Camping sign :-)

Thanks everyone, I have booked into Roebuck CP in Broome and have the number of a storage facility for the camper trailer while we travel (tenting style) to Cape Leveque. It is $3.20 per day Phone:0891921354.
We agree with you Willem and Ruth that Bush camping is great but do need a hot shower and a washing machine every now and then. Also if we want to spend a few days in a town it's impossible to leave the camper set up in a shopping centre carpark or outside the town in a bush camp.
As for the hint to book East Coast accommodation, thanks, but we have comfy beds awaiting us as far as Cairns so our real adventures don't start till we hit the Atherton Tableland travelling West.
6 weeks and 3 days to go! No, I'm still not counting!
MAL 1

G'day The Mals,

The invasion of southerners has really hit Darwin over the past few weeks and it is reaching the point where it is hard to spot a Territorian on the roads. I would suggest that you try and book ahead if you want to get into one of the 'better' parks.

There are some fairly ordinary CP's on the outskirts which should definitely be avoided - they are Coolalinga CP, The Nook CP and Howard Springs CP - full of ferals, thieves, druggies and other undesireables. In fact, I have been lobbying the Defence Dept to use these 3 places as target practice during the next war games exercise up here - they wont reply for some reason.

The pick of the CP's would be The Palms or Lee Point CP - very tidy, good security and away from the riff raff.

Diesel 1

Great info folks, looking into Darwin and Cape Leveque right now.
5 weeks and 6 days ie 41 sleeps. will definitely take that shopping centre photo Ruth!!.