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Travel Around Australia in 185 Days: South Western Australia

  • October 23, 2017
  • By 50 Shades
  • 2 Comments
Travel Around Australia in 185 Days: South Western Australia

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.

Travel Around Australia in 185 Days: South West Australia

The sign at the South Australian/West Australian 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.

DAY 72 – CAIGUNA

Travel Around Australia in 185 Days: South West Australia

Sunset over the Nullarbor at Caiguna Rest Area

Distance: From Border Village 562kms

Where We Stayed: Domblegabby Rest Area 39kms west of Caiguna

Cost: FREE

Rest Area Facilities:

  • Toilets
  • Picnic Tables
  • Large Shelter Shed
  • Pet Friendly

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!

DAY 73 – BROMUS DAM, DUNDAS (NEAR NORSEMAN)

Travel Around Australia in 185 Days: South West Australia

Bromus Dam south of Norseman

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:

  • Large open areas with trees
  • Bromus Dam
  • Fire Pits

Local Attractions:

  • Norseman is worth spending a few hours looking around the town and the surrounding gold mines.
  • Beacon Hill Lookout over Norseman
  • Buldania Rocks 28kms east of Norseman
  • Gem stone fossicking

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.

DAYS 74 TO 81 – ESPERANCE

Travel Around Australia in 185 Days: South West Australia

Direct beach access at Duke of Orleans Bay, Esperance

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:

  • Fully enclosed camp kitchen with TV
  • Fully equipped laundry
  • Children’s playground
  • Gas BBQs
  • Tourist information & booking centre
  • Pet friendly park
  • Grassy caravan sites with lots of trees

Local Attractions:

  • Bathers Beach across the road from the Caravan Park
  • Main town centre 3.5kms away
  • Esperance beaches for surfing, beach fishing or swimming
  • Esperance Historic Village & Museum
  • Recherche Island Cruise
  • Pink Lake
  • Esperance Stonehenge
  • Duke of Orleans Bay
  • Cape Le Grand National Park
  • Great Ocean drive
  • Cape Arid National Park
  • Fishing charters

HOT TIP: Rent a bike and explore the spectacular beaches west of Esperance. For more information on our time spent in Esperance click here

DAY 82 – FITZGERALD RIVER, JACUP

Travel Around Australia in 185 Days: South West Australia

Fitzgerald River National Park Beach

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:

  • Fitzgerald River National Park
  • Hammersley Inlet
  • Beautiful beaches in the National Park
  • Walking Trails and Wildflowers in Spring

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.

DAYS 83 TO 91 – COSY CORNER, ALBANY

Travel Around Australia in 185 Days: South West Australia

Lowlands Beach near Cosy Corner, Albany

Distance: From Jacup 248kms

Where We Stayed: Cosy Corner East Camping Area 30kms west of Albany

Cost: FREE

Camping Area Facilities:

  • Lovely shady and sandy camp sites
  • Beachside location
  • Toilets
  • Dump Point
  • Water (not for drinking)
  • Picnic Tables
  • Pet Friendly

Local Attractions:

  • Fishing
  • Swimming
  • West Cape Howe National Park
  • Cosy Corner Cafe
  • Lowlands Beach
  • Denmark town 26kms
  • Bibbulmun Track nearby
  • Albany tourist attractions 30 kms
  • Torndirrup National Park
  • Whale Watching

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

DAY 92 – BIG BROOK ARBORETUM, PEMBERTON

Travel Around Australia in 185 Days: South West Australia

Campfire blazing at Big Brook Camping Area, Pemberton

Distance: From Albany 207kms

Where We Stayed: Big Brook Arboretum Camping Area

Cost: $8 per person per night

Campground Facilities:

  • Toilets
  • Picnic Table & Shelter
  • Fire Pits

Local Attractions:

  • Pemberton Town
  • Pemberton Tramway Ride
  • Big Brook Dam watersports and fishing
  • Bush walking
  • Bird watching
  • Karri Forest
  • Big tree climbing

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.

DAYS 93 & 94 – AUGUSTA

Travel Around Australia in 185 Days: South West Australia

Cape Leeuwin where the two oceans meet

Distance: From Pemberton 129kms

Where We Stayed: Flinders Bay Caravan Park

Cost: $39 per night powered site

Caravan Park Facilities:

  • Beach frontage
  • Dog friendly
  • Quiet location
  • Laundry
  • Grassy sites
  • Easy boat access
  • Gas BBQs

Local Attractions:

  • Flinders Beach
  • Augusta Boat Harbour on the Blackwood River
  • Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse – the meeting point of the Southern and Indian Oceans
  • Hillview Look Out
  • Jewel Cave, Lake Cave and Mammoth Cave
  • Giant’s Cave and Calgardup Cave
  • Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park
  • Whale watching (June – September)
  • Fishing and boating

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

DAYS 95 & 96 – MARGARET RIVER

Travel Around Australia in 185 Days: South West Australia

One of the many Margaret River Wineries

Distance: From Augusta 40kms

Where We Stayed: Margaret River Tourist Park

Cost: $36 Per Night Powered Site

Caravan Park Facilities:

  • Swimming Pool
  • Children’s Playground
  • Laundry
  • Gas BBQs
  • Pet Friendly
  • Located close to centre of town

Local Attractions:

  • Winery and food tours
  • Explore local caves
  • Surf Beaches
  • Visit local art galleries
  • DIY vineyard crawl
  • Feast on local gourmet food
  • Take a hike on the Cape to Cape Walking Trail
  • Visit Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse

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

Travel Around Australia in 185 Days: South West Australia

Greens Pool in William Bay National Park

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

 

 

 

 

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By 50 Shades, October 23, 2017 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.
  • 2

50 Shades

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.

Ghana Gold
Coasting Around Cornwall
2 Comments
  • budget jan
    October 23, 2017

    Loving your trip around Australia. I look forward to each new post.

    • Kathy
      October 24, 2017

      Thanks Jan. Luckily I wrote everything down otherwise I would have forgotten some of these wonderful places that we stayed at. :)

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