DEC Campgrounds Online Booking System WA

"Having a deadline to meet in the form of a campsite booking is a pain to be avoided if at all possible IMHO."

Particularly in the Kimberley, where internet connection is sparse and time frames unpredictable.

I have been watching the development of the WA system and there is good reason for it in some areas.

I was put off by a similar system in Qld, and in most cases found somewhere else to stop to see some parks using the on line booking system rather than try and predict time frames and pay up front without seeing the site or knowing if we could get into it. We did use the system on two occasions, one being a popular park during school holidays, and we still organised to get there early in the day to ensure we fitted in which proved necessary. We also knew we were limited in time there because the park was fully booked by the weekend so could plan accordingly.

Motherhen

You're right MH about not being able to access the internet in some remote areas. What can you do about booking then?

We'll be leaving the van and tenting it into the Bungles. We're already having to think about booking into van parks in Broome and Darwin which means holidaying to a schedule. Doing it in the NPs as well is a real pain in the rear.

We tend to meander around a bit and hate being tied to a schedule. Looks like our Kimberley/NT experience this year will need to be more regimented.

Hi Peter

We still don't book or have rigid schedules. If we think space will be tight, we get into town around 10 am as there is usually space as people leave between 9 and 10. Even ringing a day or two ahead should be enough to secure a place, and this will allow a reasonable amount of travel flexibility. When approaching a town that may be busy, i always look for a fall-back spot so if needed we can bush camp to get into town early.

We planned to do that and get in early for Darwin, but pulled into the lagoon on the way from Kakadu which had been listed as camping permitted, but signage was now no camping. We tried ringing our selected caravan park as we got closer to the Stuart Highway, but the signal kept dropping out (it turned out that was because the receptionist was out in the grounds with a cordless phone too far from its base station). We found nothing further suitable for an overnight stop so we went on to Darwin. We called in at the CP, and the receptionist found us a suitably roomy place (but as per previous thread on the topic, it is now closed). There seems to be a lot of small parks scattered around Darwin, and each directory you see has a different selection. From others we spoke to on the way, some of these don't take bookings, but can take a bit of finding.

I have not been to Broome for years.

If there is nothing available at all, call the Visitor Information Centre and explain your plight; they may have something for overflow parking listed. Even easier to find a place if you don't need power.

Darwin and Broome should be the only places you'll find it difficult during peak period in NT and WA (perhaps unless you plan to go to Coral Bay which seems overcrowded these days - "loved to death"). Outside of peak period there would be no problems.

Mh