West Coast free camping

If you are interested in Wildflowers and their history, the Western Wildflower Caravan Park and reserve near Eneabba, was interesting. The owner is a botanist or similar and he gives tours and talks on the history of Aussie Wildflowers. That's if he is still there.

We were there in 2001

Athol

The two books I find invaluable are "Priceless Campsites & Rest Areas in North WA" and "Priceless Campsites & Rest Areas in South WA".

Of all the guides we have tried we found these the best by far.

They are available from the Shop on this site at $24.95 each.

Happy travelling.

Banjo (WA)

Karijini NO not free but definatly worth visiting
Millstream NP but dirt road
40 MIle beach not free but not expensive
Old Onslow if no rain about great spot on the river and you could drive futher in and fish and crab off the banks. Was really great to spend a couple of days just sitting back an relaxing on the river bank. Free.
Cape Range National Park not ffree but must do and take snorke equipment. Camping in any are in the park great for views and heaps of areas just ot go an snorkle. Oyster Stacks great- fish coral within 20 feet of beach. And for a person who cant snorkle or swim that great spent about 2 hours in the water.
Warroora Station south of Coral Bay you need a porta loo though. Cheap camping
fishing off the beach.
Pt Quobba - cheap camping but another great place to snorkle fish and coral in a very sheltered area. The blowholes at low tide unbeleivable.
Free camping sites marked in the book Pricelss Camping on the way into Denham and Monkey Mia but you must book in first huge fines if you dont. The Lookout at Eagle Bluff really great. Francis Peron NP but no caravan. The dip in the hot water spa great.
Kalbarri NP- no camping but a great place with ocean views to rocky views. Walk to Natures Window what a view throught the rock formation.
Corination Beach - cheap camping. Good for fishibng off the beach. Dirt road in but not too far.
Pinnacles Desert Nambung NP - Free camp on the way into Cervantes.
Heron Point south of Mandurah - no cost scertain times of year other times a small charge.
Contro Point near Lake Cave- NP costs.Jewel Cave worth a visit.
Shannon NP
Stirling Ranges Drive - leave caravan and do the drive. Bluff Knoll walk if fit. The lookout great .

Other places great to stay. Enjoy. You will be pushing to cover the area in 8 weeks.

Definitely get Priceless Campsites. I bought it well after our Pilbara trip, and many of the nice spots we found as overnight and lunch stops were listed. It was very easy to find nice campsites in such a wide open area. You can get away from the road at most of the river crossings, but some of them get too many people camping.

Don't miss the Ningaloo Coast. Enquire at the visitor centre about where to camp -they used to be free, but that was some time ago - not sure now. Many lovely beach side spots to camp, and snorkel over the reef or swim on clear turquoise waters.

Other places worth going to: Karajini as everyone has mentioned - spent 2 or 3 days there. Millstream Chichester is also a don't miss area. The stony road from Hamersely to Roebourne was fine so long as you don't go too fast and let the tyres down a bit. We had a very old wind up caravan at the time, and a stone bleep tered the plastic water tank on this road. Mt Whaleback mine tour at Newman. Waterholes around Newman. The inland road is more scenic than the coast road, but Ningaloo would have to be a must see. We enjoyed Marble Bar, including the tour of the historic Comet gold mine now a display centre. Further south, Kalbarri with the Murchison gorges, is lovely and is one of the best kept tourist towns i have ever seen.

Lots of other good suggestions here and on caravaner's forum. Have you done a search here? This topic has come up several times.

You'll have a fabulous trip - what a pity you have only 8 weeks.

Athol,
You should hopefully enjoy the West Coast!

check out this website for roadside rest areas I printed them all out and have them in a folder in the Cruiser
Aussie Rest Areas
Purchasing the aforementiuoned publications also gives you some great ideas.
Some spots along the coast (& inland) are truly remote, and gets you well away from the rat race.
I hope the link helps you out matey.

Cheers,
Dave

Thanks to everyone for the replies,

there are lots of places on my list now. We are off on Saturday morning so I will post on my return.

Athol