Hi all,
Me and the Mrs. Gniffer are planning a campervan trip in June from Perth to Darwin, just a few musings and hoping to get a handle if my plan is feasible for the road conditions, etc.
It is 13 nights as follows;
Leave Perth
1. Halfway to Exmouth/Coral Bay ~500km
2. Exmouth/Coral Bay ~500km
3. Exmouth/Coral Bay
4. Exmouth/Coral Bay
5. Halfway to Broome ~650km
6. Broome ~650km
7-12. (6N) Across Gibb River Road to Wyndham
13. Halfway to Darwin ~400km
Darwin to drop off in afternoon ~400km
The stop in Exmouth/Coral Bay is to dive and see whale sharks, I have allowed an extra day in case of no show, we can try again next day.
I don't mind long drives on the good sealed roads, so may may up some time, but want to take our time thru The Kimberley.
We are going for a 4WD, seems necessary for the Gibb River Road. I have seen posts saying it 'can' be done with 2WD, but I want a fun trip not a constant bone rattling worry!
There is option to pick up in Broome rather than Perth, but this seems to incur approx. AUS$500 surcharge, wihch in my opinion is better spent on 3 extra days hire therefore including accomodation and getting us from Perth to Broome.
Finally, and partly in response to the previous thread regarding vehicle insurance, I do not believe that it is worth paying a premium of nearly 20% of the full excess to bring it down - I look at it in the way that if I take a trip 5 times, am I likely to have an incident costing over $4000 more than once? If not, I can cope with the risk - unless anybody knows the route better and tell me I'm daft not to (eg. Large chance of damaging underneath on river crossings or a stray 'roo jumping out of nowhere!)
Backpacker Campervan rentals seem to have the best deal; anybody know their reputation?
Any comments on this most welcome,
Cheers,
Gniffer
Hi - perhaps have a look at FAQ post #173. <BR><BR>I think you could slow down the Perth - Exmouth sector a little if you're not totally time-constrained - it's pretty good, and getting from Perth > Coral Bay in two days are long hauls. Also have you considered Karijini National Park rather than the coast - if you have the 4WD might as well bush-bash. I think you're right regarding the high cost of damage waiver - there is very little traffic the whole way - even in June. If you have the choice between Wyndham and Kununurra / Lake Argyle, take the latter for sure - Wyndham is really an acquired taste. Also Bungle Bungles, are great but it's an extra two days. After WA, both Gregory NP and Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) NP are great - if you can slow down the drive through to Darwin. I actually think 13 days Perth > Darwin is a real struggle, but if that's what you have, so be it.
For your first night, Kalbarri would be ideal.
Leave Perth as early as possible (5am?). With just a couple of brief stops for fuel/sustenance you could be there by midday, leaving plenty of time to explore the coastal gorges & view a bit of Murchison Gorge.
Its a small town in a beautiful setting & infinitely preferable to stopping roadside or at a roadhouse on the highway.
Same opinion of Wyndham, better accomodation options at Kunnunara. Drive and have a look at the lookout, and then keep on going. Unless you want a look at the croc farm.
Wyndham IS worth a stop.
The 5 rivers lookout is awesome, though you won't see it at its best (its 1000' above Cambridge Gulf & when the huge wet season thunderstorms roll in the cloud base is often at eye level!).
An overnight stop at Parry Creek Farm is preferable to Kununurra which, while OK is just another isolated town.
You might also consider Diggers Rest about 35km from Wyndham for an overnight. This is real 4WD territory! Great barramundi fishing too!
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