Recommendations wanted

Andrew

Last trip we did was the same as you are planning. The kids were around the same age as well. We found the advice from everyone plentiful before we left (useful, mind you) but I reckon nothing beats speaking to fellow travellers that you will come across as you head around the block. You will get timely and up to date information as you go that none of us can impart from here. As long as any itinerary is reasonable flexible, you can chop and change your plans as you go.

Having said that, off the top of the head, I think the highlights for me were places like Ayers Rock (if you haven't seen it before), Kings Canyon, El Questro Station and the bottom part of the Gibb River Rd (leave your van in say Kunnanurra and tent it), Bungle Bungles (leave van at Turkey Creek Roadhouse), Cape Range National Park (Ningaloo) out of Exmouth etc etc etc. Personally, I would give Monkey Mia a miss. Waste of time travelling all that way in to see a few dolphins being fed on the beach, but each to their own.

If you get the opportunity, try to time your travels to coincide with the wildflowers down the west coast of WA. Absolutely stunning. Not saying there is nothing in between all these places I have mentioned. There is, just far too many places to mention. Absolute plethora of fantastic places to visit and as I said, we heavily relied on word of mouth from fellow travellers as we headed around. We took 17 weeks and travelled 22,000km on the same trip you will do and found we probably saw only a quarter of what was on offer. Nowhere near enough time, but....we'll save that for next time..... Enjoy the trip, totally envious and can't wait to do it all again.

Cheers

DaveO

Agree as above - a good source of info can be to have a natter with people in campgrounds as you go - useful bits and pieces can be picked up - only thing is, some of it is worthless - lots of people exaggerate wildly about their experiences - the trick is to sort the wheat from the chaff !
Yulara is great for a few days - you can walk round as well as climb the rock - the Olgas have some great walks too (possibly more impressive than the rock, when you get there). If you like a drink, take it with you to places like Yulara - dead set extortionate pricing on any alco - groceries are ok - fuel is just num bingly high everywhere.
Katherine gorge a bit ho hum.
Edith falls was top shelf.
Mataranka hot baths were good too.
Yellow waters boat tour in Kakadu was top shelf.
All the gorges in the Kimberley are great - don't stay at Halls Creek - its hell !
Fitzroy Crossing discussed here yesterday I think.
Bungles worth every kilometer in.
Over to the others re Broome and down....
Have a good 'un.

Get in touch with Member Matt M from the ACT - he has just finished almost exactly the same trip with kids. scroll to the bottom and you will find a link to his page, then just member message him.

Cheers

Pete

While in Kununurra take the boat trip to Lake Argyle and back, if you can afford it - top ride.

Re. cost of boat trip Kununurra to wall of Lake Argyll. We are talking 2004. Cost for adult was, I recall, $55 each for 55km each way = 50c/km including morning tea & lunch on the boat - takes all day, got back at beautiful on-river sunset. You can take the boat up & the bus back, the bus up and the boat back, the boat up & back, or the bus up and back. Suggest boat both ways, goes fast up & slow back (boy does it go fast!).

Andrew,

The distances needed to join the places you mention are very large. You will be staggered how far you will be travelling in total.

With children aged 8 and 10 they will need time each day for real breaks and run off their spare energy.

With three months you will only be scratching the surface of the areas you will be visiting.

We travelled similar places with our two girls when they were 9 and 11, so feel that I could share some thoughts with you. Drop me a Personal Message.

Chris