Caravan Parks , Mt Isa to Broome via Katherine

Hi Pedro,you have got a top trip coming up! any Big 4 park will be fine always clean and well presented,most major towns have one or plan your trip to hit one every day.have a good trip!

Have a look at Badgers site: http://home.vicnet.net.au/~badger04/

All the reports are written by caravanners who actually stay there. Don't forget to check the dates they were reported as an eg is the Sunset CP at Mt Isa - as you will see none of the Mt Isa parks were getting good reviews but the Sunset has changed owners in the last 12 months or so & seem to be getting good reports now - their attitude was great when I rang to make a booking this week.

Cheers

Darryl
Brisbane

Hi Pedro

If staying in Katherine, then I reccommend the Low Level Caravan Park, we stayed there last year and it was great, but either make sure you book ahead or be there early as it fills up fast...I think it was a Big 4 Park last year, not sure if it still is.

cheers

Lyn

The Big 4 parks in Katherine and Kununnurra are 2 of the best parks I've ever stayed at. The Big4 in Broome, at Cable beach was lovely as well, but it was school holidays, so the problem was 1000s of kids not the park. The park at Lake Argile was one of the most basic, but don't miss out on a night in there.

I wish I was doing that trip again.

Happy trails, mike.

Kona Park in Kununurra is very good and right on the banks of the Ord river. Kimberleyland is on a back water off the main river. Lakeside resort ditto and allow dogs on a lead. The latter is the only one in Knx that does apart from the Showgrounds - latter is not really recommended. The Ivanhoe Park is a Big 4 and recently renovated. Clean as a whistle. Town Caravan Park is very well run and right in town - spotless.

I am local and would choose Kona as my first choice it has a nice environment and is run by great people.

Book as early as possible for any of the parks

Regards GB

Thanks to Troopie, Daznut,Al & Mrs Al, Mike and also to GB,

Your input most helpful.
The part I am finding it hard to work out is from Mt Isa to Katherine.

As i said i am trying to limit thedaily distance to no more than 500k and on reading some of the comments on parks in between these two, is less than glowing.

A tentative plan is to leave the Isa and drive the short distance to Camoolweal and stay overnight.
Next bit to Tennant Creek and then to Daly Waters and on to Katherine.

For those that have done the trip is there a better itinerary?
Thanks
Pedro

Hi Pedro,

I agree with the recommendations about Big 4 parks. In Kununurra we stayed at the Lakeside Resort and loved it. My only concern is Broome. Have you booked anything yet? If you haven't then you need to get onto it pronto, even if that means making up your minds really quickly about your itinerary. You may get a space if you book now. If you leave it to luck you may find yourself in the overflow parks at PCYC or the Pistol Club, which are both pretty ordinary. I believe that Broome Caravan Park is closed this season, so there may be more of a shortage than usual. I've heard from friends that the parks are already filling up. If you can't get into Cable Beach CP, then I would try Town Beach CP, which I think is more picturesque.
Good luck and happy travels
Cheers
Anni

If you are inclined and/or setup for it , you could consider free camping as well. We travelled from Perth to Darwin and found the free camping to be great as well. There are plenty of sites up the West coast where you can prop for as long as you like for free. We were a little tired of the cost and rules in most van parks.

There is a book, Free Camping in WA, there is one for the north and south that is invaluable.

Comments on van parks are seasonal. You could stay in one in April and it is great, stay there in July and you can't swing a cat for people especially in Broome.

We stayed in Broome in April at the Broome Caravan Park (5 km east of the town). Quiet and good facilities and less people.

We used the RAC/NRMA van park guides as well which were very helpful.

Wizard
Gold Coast

The suggestions are most helpful and thanks to John,Anni M and Wizard 1.

John,
Thanks for that.
Interesting you said you would rather stay at Barkly than Camoolweal.

I read this about it on "the badger's site" and the comments were not good .
His site is at
http://home.vicnet.net.au/~badger04/

Care to comment please

Anni M,
Your suggestion re booking at Broome was worthwhile. I am waiting on a call back as they are looking for a spot for me , so thanks for that.

Wizard 1,
I am not really set up for free camping, though if the need arises that would not be a drama. Have gas for cooking so that's the main thing

Thanks to all for their suggestions.

By the way , and I will post this on a separate thread, this is a link to a calculator to work out distances/times between 2 towns throughout australia
just click here

Pedro

John,
Thanks for that info.
I was last in Camoolweal in 1966 , and it doesn't sound as though it has improved.

Back then there were 2 pubs and I hear one burnt down.

The lady publican , aged in her 70's , used to keep the ringers in hand with a cattle jigger; never saw a fight though several were imminent untile the jigger was produced.

Will stay at Barkly if i can.

Anni M,
Your tip about booking was spot on.
Due to a late cancellation that happened last night I was able to book in for 3 weeks at Cable Beach. Roebuck Bay is booked out for Ju/jul/august.

So thanks again.

One more query does anyone know what the park is like at Derby? Tried to get into badger's site for the West Kimberley but could not do so.

Pedro

Some more helpful sugggestions from Mrs Al and Kimberley Cruiser, thanks.

The more I look at the alternatives and the distances between towns the camp sites look to be the go for some nights.

As i said earlier I have gas for cooking and fridge and a car fridge , so all i really need is light.

What is the most effective source of this in a bush camp situation.

Any tips on this and other things i might need will be most welcome.

Pedro

Don't forget Mataranka.

I can also vouch for the Ivanoe (Big4) in Kununurra.