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" />We crossed the South Australian/Western Australian border early one morning on day 72 of our travel around Australia in 185 Days. The border crossing, located at the aptly named roadhouse of Border Village, meant we had to ditch all of our fruit and vegetables at the check point. Once we cleared the checkpoint we stopped to admire the large sign marking the border.
We continued across the Nullarbor for most of the day, stopping to eat, drink and go to the toilet at the various roadhouses dotting the Eyre Highway. Just across the border is the town of Eucla, then in order, the roadhouses of Mundrabuila, Madura Pass, Cocklebiddy and Caiguna. We had travelled a distance of 533kms and started to look for a suitable place to camp for the night.
Distance: From Border Village 562kms
Where We Stayed: Domblegabby Rest Area 39kms west of Caiguna
Cost: FREE
Rest Area Facilities:
Local Attractions: Caiguna Blowhole is located 5kms west of Caiguna and access to the site is well signposted.
HOT TIP: This rest area was a fabulous spot to camp as there was a big open area and many other caravans parked here for the night. Perfect place to watch the sunset over the Nullarbor!
As we neared the end of the Nullarbor Plain the landscape became more undulating with plenty of trees. We stopped to check out Fraser Ranges Station and then continued onto Norseman.
Distance: From Caiguna 382kms
Where We Stayed: Bromus Dam Camping Area
Cost: FREE
Camping Area Facilities:
Local Attractions:
HOT TIP: There were thousands of bush and horse flies (that bite) at this camping area. Once darkness fell and we lit a campfire they did disperse however. It was a lovely tranquil spot to camp in the bush.
When we were in Ceduna, with Easter coming up, we had rang ahead to book a site in Esperance as we knew this was a busy time. We were very lucky to secure a spot at this caravan park.
Distance: From Norseman 204kms
Where We Stayed: Bathers Paradise Caravan Park 3.5km east of the main town centre of Esperance.
Cost: $44 per night (peak time at Easter)
Caravan Park Facilities:
Local Attractions:
HOT TIP: Rent a bike and explore the spectacular beaches west of Esperance. For more information on our time spent in Esperance click here
Distance: From Esperance 270kms
Where We Stayed: Fitzgerald River Parking Area
Cost: FREE
Parking Area Facilities: Picnic area on the Fitzgerald River, well shaded and hidden off the main road.
Local Attractions:
HOT TIP: These parking areas are ok for an overnight stop or to use as a picnic spot, but lack facilities for a longer term stay.
Distance: From Jacup 248kms
Where We Stayed: Cosy Corner East Camping Area 30kms west of Albany
Cost: FREE
Camping Area Facilities:
Local Attractions:
HOT TIP: There are only a limited amount of beachside campsites, so time your arrival around mid morning when campers maybe departing. Otherwise there are plenty of sites amongst the sand dunes further back from the beach.
Read more about Albany here
Distance: From Albany 207kms
Where We Stayed: Big Brook Arboretum Camping Area
Cost: $8 per person per night
Campground Facilities:
Local Attractions:
HOT TIP: This campground was the ultimate bush camping experience and it was wonderful to wake up in the bush amongst the tall trees with bird’s calling.
Distance: From Pemberton 129kms
Where We Stayed: Flinders Bay Caravan Park
Cost: $39 per night powered site
Caravan Park Facilities:
Local Attractions:
HOT TIP: This caravan park was a gem and Augusta was a lovely little town located on the southern-most tip of Western Australia. You could easily use this as a base to see all the great attractions in the area.
Check out more about this region in my article titled Cruising from Cape to Cape
Distance: From Augusta 40kms
Where We Stayed: Margaret River Tourist Park
Cost: $36 Per Night Powered Site
Caravan Park Facilities:
Local Attractions:
HOT TIP: Margaret River is an excellent region with so much to do and see. You could easily spend a week here, however because we had previously spent time here two days was plenty for us.
Check out more about this region in my article titled Cruising from Cape to Cape
The South West had lived up to its reputation of having some of the most scenic countryside, gigantic tree forests and pristine beaches in Australia. Our two weeks touring around this region were amongst some of the most memorable moments of our entire trip. I would highly recommend detouring off the Eyre Highway and heading south instead of making a beeline straight to Kalgoorlie and Perth.
The next part of our trip will take us north of Perth to the Lancelin Coast, Geraldton Coast, Gascoyne Coast, Shark Bay, Coral Coast to the Ningaloo Reef.
Linking up with Travel Photo Thursday
Kathy was a 50 something year old when she started up this blog 6 years ago, but has since turned over another decade and is now in her early 60s. She is married with two adult children and lives on the Tweed Coast of New South Wales, Australia. Kathy enjoys living life to the fullest and loves to keep fit and active by maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly. Some of her interests include reading, photography, travelling, cooking and blogging! Kathy works part-time as a freelance writer but her real passion is travelling and photographing brilliant destinations both within Australia and overseas and writing about it.
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budget jan
October 23, 2017Loving your trip around Australia. I look forward to each new post.
Kathy
October 24, 2017Thanks Jan. Luckily I wrote everything down otherwise I would have forgotten some of these wonderful places that we stayed at. :)