Kimberley WA in October?

Submitted: Wednesday, Nov 25, 2020 at 18:57
ThreadID: 140787 Views:11567 Replies:5 FollowUps:0
This Thread has been Archived
Curious as to peoples thoughts of touring the WA coast in a caravan up to Kimberley / Dampier Peninsula area in October? Mindful of the looming wet season so keen to hear any opinions as to the weather ie will be too hot? Cheers.
Back Expand Un-Read 0 Moderator

Reply By: noggins - Wednesday, Nov 25, 2020 at 19:30

Wednesday, Nov 25, 2020 at 19:30
As you said ""Monsoon Weather" would be on the way and it's easy to get rained/ flooded in.
I think you will find there's a good flow of tourists heading south in October, by November only the hardy or broken down are still there.

https://www.australiasnorthwest.com/plan/weather-climate


Ron
AnswerID: 634255

Reply By: Member - Rod N (QLD) - Wednesday, Nov 25, 2020 at 20:06

Wednesday, Nov 25, 2020 at 20:06
A number of attractions/accommodations would possibly be closed for the season so you would have to do some serious investigation into what you would like to do.
AnswerID: 634256

Reply By: David I1 - Thursday, Nov 26, 2020 at 08:29

Thursday, Nov 26, 2020 at 08:29
We did GRR a few years ago when the Monsoons were late. Everything was basically closed. Your issue will not be the heat but the rain. Ok if you can free camp but ofetn the Nat Park attractions are all closed by end of October/early November at latest
AnswerID: 634257

Reply By: Member - J&A&KK - Thursday, Nov 26, 2020 at 11:09

Thursday, Nov 26, 2020 at 11:09
Gene

Here are some links to actual weather data for a few locations in the Dampier Peninsular area.

As commented by others the weather will be hot and often uncomfortably so. However the data shows that Oct and Nov are usually quite dry. That said I personally would not be off the bitumen in that region at that time of the year.

Broome: Broome weather

Derby: Derby weather

Cape Leveque: Cape Leveque weather

It trust this is helpful with your decision making. Cheers John
AnswerID: 634262

Reply By: Member - Cuppa - Thursday, Nov 26, 2020 at 15:13

Thursday, Nov 26, 2020 at 15:13
We spent about 9 months on the Dampier Peninsula & in Broome all up, from early September 2018 until end of May 2019.

The combination of heat & humidity IMO require a mindset of acceptance from before you get there. Easier I think when the visit is for a longer timespan, it gives time to adapt & to manage.Probably harder for a short visit.

One of my blog posts includes a description of living with the heat & humidity as we 'acclimatised'.
http://cuppa500.com/Blog/2018/11/19/the-build-to-the-build-up-season/

Short visits would no doubt incorporate air conditioning. We had none (except in the car) & would not have wanted it. I think the constant going from cold & dry to hot & steamy is too hard on the body, & if you are going to stay in air con all day, you may as well stay at home.

Bear in mind we had a 'dry' wet season. The Peninsula road was only cut off a couple of times for no more than about 7 days total during the whole wet season. A Wet wet season would be very different & probably far more challenging in all sorts of unexpected ways. We had zero mozzie issues but heard stories of some years where your bare arms can be coated in a thick 'carpet' of mozzies' which return as soon as your hand has wiped them away. Sounded horrendous, but the locals told us this with a smile indicating that even that is somehow surviveable! 3 cyclones threatened but each passed at a safe distance

October is on the cusp of season change, November is getting into it, but the timing changes every year. You know best how you deal with heat. Every day will be around 30 to 34 - the humidity will be more variable.

I'd say try it, but keep a watchful eye on the weather, & be prepared to make a run inland if a cyclone threatens (albeit very unlikely in October - BOM cyclone watch doesn't come into action until NOV 1st each year).

We did enjoy our 6 weekly outings to Broome to re-stock supplies from the air conditioned supermarkets though!

The 'saving grace' was our location. Right on the edge of the pindan cliffs overlooking Pender bay. We saw reports of heatwaves across the country with regular temps in the mid 40's, whilst up at our peninsula location we rarely went above 32 or 33 & commented to each other quite often about how we felt we probably ad the best climate anywhere in the country. If you look at the BOM's heat maps you'll see lots of dark red, but there is always a very thin strip along the coast of the peninsular (you may have to zoom in) where temperatures are cooler. The sea breezes made an enormous difference. By comparison Broome felt far hotter with a 'heavier' humidity. Even around Broome the climate varies greatly, if you were living there you'd pay a premium for a location which gets the breezes off the water. Not all of it does.

We loved it.Broome outside of the tourist season is a very special place if you have the time to get to know it. Far less attractive when the hordes start making the place busy each year. Not too sure what it would be like to visit for a short stay - Broome & the peninsula seems to us to be somewhere to slow down & take your time to really appreciate it 'vibe' & it's uniqueness. Plenty of anti Broome sentiment around , I suspect predominantly from folk who didn't understand that. Try & see the place from a local's perspective is the best advice I can give (& that should be easier outside of the main tourist season).

See 'My Profile' (below) for link to our Aussie travel blog, now in it's 6th year.

Member
My Profile  My Blog  My Position  Send Message

AnswerID: 634266

Sponsored Links