Travel Advice
Submitted: Wednesday, May 26, 2004 at 09:04
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Draff & Pand
Hi all! We are planning a trip up Central Australia, across the
Gibb River Road and down the coast of WA in a GU Patrol. We have found this site extremely useful & entertaining!!! In particular we have got heaps of ideas from people’s ‘homemade’ versions of car fitouts/accessories since we’ve been making lots of things ourselves. So thanks to all who take the time to post info on this
forum and to the ExplorOz team for such a great website!!
Just 2 questions we would appreciate some opinions on:
1) We only have time to do one diversion off the GRR – tossing up between
Mitchell falls or Mornington
Camp, which should we choose? We’ll be there early-mid August this year and were concerned about whether the falls would still be flowing
well enough to make the trip out there worthwhile, or whether it would be a better option to head for Mornington
Camp instead? What do you think?
2) Is it safe to
camp in roadside rest areas around NT & WA for overnight stops only? (sleeping in the car as we have taken the back seats out and have built a draw system with a cargo barrier that folds down to form a bed base). In particular, along the Stuart Hwy and on the drive from Karijini NP (WA) to
Exmouth.
Thanks in advance!
Draff & Pand
Reply By: Phlip - Wednesday, May 26, 2004 at 09:22
Wednesday, May 26, 2004 at 09:22
We bush camped on many occasions in the
Pilbara region in WA, and it was never any problem. On the odd occasion we did encounter another vehicle, they would stop and wish us
well, or on one occasion join us for the evening.
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Reply By: Des Lexic - Wednesday, May 26, 2004 at 09:27
Wednesday, May 26, 2004 at 09:27
For my crappy 2cents worth, I'd go to
Mitchell Falls any day.
We regularly stop in some of those areas. If your concerned, look for one with other people staying in them. The
grey nomads seem to start looking from about 2.00pm onwards. Usually we look for something a little more off the road out of sight a bit. If anyone ever came around, I'd send the missus out with her night make up on. That would scare them off.
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Follow Up By: Willem - Wednesday, May 26, 2004 at 11:12
Wednesday, May 26, 2004 at 11:12
I would have thought that you in your night shirt and long underpants would scare them off even more. Wait until your missus hears about this ..hahahaha
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Follow Up By: Davoe - Saturday, May 29, 2004 at 13:07
Saturday, May 29, 2004 at 13:07
mitchell falls
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Reply By: Member - Melissa - Wednesday, May 26, 2004 at 10:38
Wednesday, May 26, 2004 at 10:38
Draff & Pand,
We now live in WA but also spent a year in
Darwin. As a result, we've seen much of the Top End and WA including Karijini and up and down the WA coast countless times. We've never encountered a problem
bush camping in either state. Actually, we always seek out bush camps in preference to caravan parks wherever possible. My advice is get yourself one of those
free camping guides for both states. Also talk to other travellers - most will be happy to share any tips on recommended stopping
places.
You will find some great roadside rest areas along the NW coastal hwy between
Karratha and
Exmouth. You can get off the hwy at most of the big river crossings where there is excellent shady picnic and camping spots spread out along the river banks (although the rivers are most likely to be dry or close to it). At the time of year you are going you will most likely end up sharing these stopovers with other travellers as they are
well patronised. You're
free camping guide will also most likely tell you about some other top spots a little further off the hwy (say less than 10km's) that might also interest you.
Enjoy your trip.
:o) Melissa
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Follow Up By: Draff & Pand - Wednesday, May 26, 2004 at 10:52
Wednesday, May 26, 2004 at 10:52
Thanks guys - some really helpful responses here! much appreciated! will do as you suggest Michelle and get one of the camping guides. Oh and I just got told by the other half that I mistyped our car! Its a GQ not GU - I'd upgraded us accidently!!! opps!
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Follow Up By: Chris O (VIC) - Wednesday, May 26, 2004 at 10:53
Wednesday, May 26, 2004 at 10:53
Hi Melissa,
Where do you get the
Free Camping Guides you mentioned ?
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Follow Up By: Member - Raymond - Wednesday, May 26, 2004 at 13:13
Wednesday, May 26, 2004 at 13:13
Hi Melissa
Shame on you
Go to
shop, search "camping guides" and there are plenty that Exploroz have for sale,
Free Camping Guides refer to the free or cheap campsites, the guide books either for each State or in WA area or covering the whole country repay their price in one to two nights.
Ray
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Follow Up By: Member - Melissa - Wednesday, May 26, 2004 at 13:43
Wednesday, May 26, 2004 at 13:43
Hi Chris,
I was goning to give you the same advice as Ray did above only try doing a keyword search for "free camping". We have both the WA Priceless Camping...books and find them very good.
There are also a number of other similar publications around which I've seen on sale at some bookstores and roadhouses in the relevant areas.
:o) Melissa
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Reply By: Member - Pesty (SA) - Wednesday, May 26, 2004 at 11:24
Wednesday, May 26, 2004 at 11:24
Hi draff & pand
I have a great book for roadside stops called "Camps Australia Wide" which shows you where they are and lists things like :
Toilets, Water, Showers, shade, Tables, BBQ, If dollars apply, Suitable for large rigs, Power, Max stay time, Phone, Pets etc.
Cost about $40 and I think there is a new addition out since
mine, which is a couple of years old. Web site is :
www.campsaustraliawide.com or phone 07-5447 9336
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Reply By: Moose - Wednesday, May 26, 2004 at 13:33
Wednesday, May 26, 2004 at 13:33
1.
Mitchell Falls any day over Mornington.
2. No-one can guarantee that road-side camping will be safe but I reckon there's more chance of something happening to you whilst on the road that when camped.
Have fun.
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