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Have been wanting to take family to a few places I went to as a kid. One of these was the gorge country in WA at Karijini
We normally go to Coral Bay, Exmouth area, and this yr took the long way around.
Jayco camper is set up with 3 way fridge, batteries, water etc, so we were going to be a bit more comfortable than 25 yrs ago with old car, trailer, and bush camping. Prado had the Engel, daily food supplies, water etc. The Rhino rack carried all the stuff we wouldnt need until we got to Exmouth, such as snorkling gear, boogie boards etc.
We didnt do any extreme 4x4 and it was typically a family trip with another family who hadnt been up North before. We planned on reasonable days driving, with plenty of time to set up each night, have a couple of beers, bbq before dark etc etc
Had to get the Prado ready with a few PPoint mods (Sorry if this starts as a bit of a build up...)
]
Excellent for the cameras, laptop charging etc
I will never travel without one of these again. I have set up as a temporary install.
These were good while they lasted for stopping the rocks flying everywhere, just made to clamp on. They are somewhere between Dales Gorge and Tom Price if anyone wants them.
She was busting a gut to get going
First two days were Dongara to see family and Gero for a 40th beer with a mate, then thru Yalgoo to Mt Magnet and stayed in Meekatharra. Next day to Newman. The caravan parks at Newman were good. Excellent facilities, with a lot of Mining employees being semi permanents.
A tour of BHP mine at Newman was a must. Another part of WA that is providing half of the countrys economy
The Savannah campsite is pretty good. Has solar shower if you want to, toilets, gas bbqs, water available, and the nearby admin area has a resturant if you really want, or bbq packs available. Something for everyone.
Campsites are about 40 metres apart, and only about 20 in a loop rd, so def not packed in. Each loop rd has its own set of facilities.
The campsite at Dales is also good, but cant book ahead. During holidays there were people camped outside waiting to get in.
Sunrises at Karijini are same as rest of WA
Each of the gorges has been rated for access. We managed ok with level 4, with our 6yr daughter
Good pair of shoes, and bathers are a must. Also pays to take water bottles, first aid kid, hats etc
The water can be freezing, as it doesnt get much sunlight, but its quite refreshing after climbing down to these gorges.
Joffre Gorge
Fortescue Falls from the top
Fern Pool
Im sitting under the water fall in Circular Pool (My 3rd bath for the day)
While everyones down the gorges, the cleaners come through the campsites
After a couple of days looking at the gorges, we headed to Exmouth via Tom Price, Parabadoo. Dont always count on getting fuel at Tom Price. If they havent run out, then you can get some. For those outside WA, you can drive Karijini to Exmouth in a day, and still have time to set up before dark. There are some great campsites along the way on rivers between Parabadoo and Nanutarra if want to break the trip up
Everything was very green, and certainly looks like another good season for the station guys out that way. Plenty of livestock in good condition, and wildflowers were starting
Exmouth was packed as usual. If going in schools hols, pays to book a year in advance. Coral bay is about 2 yr wait list for Schools hols. Alternatively, there are good campsites along the coast, but can be a bit cramped if bz
We spent most of the time bumming around Exmouth, beaching, snorkling with kids and friends who hadnt been there before. Also went fishing at Murion Islands with Father in law who had his boat there, and had a great day out.
Turquiose Bay
From the Lighthouse towards Murion Islands
No real dramas along way, except both campers getting a good shake up on rds at Karijini. Few repairs to be done to these along the way, and 1 x flat on each of the vans. (Mates was 15kms from home of course....)
Prado was just great. I kept fuel usage records, but for a later post. Will have to do a bit of guessing with the speedo being out by about 7% on BFGs, but Im guessing about 16L/100 kms towing most of the way.
No dust in cab, and all the little PP mods were great.
I have been one for complaining about the seats in the Prado, but funnily I didnt seem to notice this time.
Even on last day after we drove 1600 kms straight home to Busselton, we got out of car ok, so I was pleasantly surprised.
Rude shock tomorrow when I go back to work, but 1st thing I will be doing is booking next lot of hols
We normally go to Coral Bay, Exmouth area, and this yr took the long way around.
Jayco camper is set up with 3 way fridge, batteries, water etc, so we were going to be a bit more comfortable than 25 yrs ago with old car, trailer, and bush camping. Prado had the Engel, daily food supplies, water etc. The Rhino rack carried all the stuff we wouldnt need until we got to Exmouth, such as snorkling gear, boogie boards etc.
We didnt do any extreme 4x4 and it was typically a family trip with another family who hadnt been up North before. We planned on reasonable days driving, with plenty of time to set up each night, have a couple of beers, bbq before dark etc etc
Had to get the Prado ready with a few PPoint mods (Sorry if this starts as a bit of a build up...)
]
Excellent for the cameras, laptop charging etc
I will never travel without one of these again. I have set up as a temporary install.
These were good while they lasted for stopping the rocks flying everywhere, just made to clamp on. They are somewhere between Dales Gorge and Tom Price if anyone wants them.
She was busting a gut to get going
First two days were Dongara to see family and Gero for a 40th beer with a mate, then thru Yalgoo to Mt Magnet and stayed in Meekatharra. Next day to Newman. The caravan parks at Newman were good. Excellent facilities, with a lot of Mining employees being semi permanents.
A tour of BHP mine at Newman was a must. Another part of WA that is providing half of the countrys economy
The Savannah campsite is pretty good. Has solar shower if you want to, toilets, gas bbqs, water available, and the nearby admin area has a resturant if you really want, or bbq packs available. Something for everyone.
Campsites are about 40 metres apart, and only about 20 in a loop rd, so def not packed in. Each loop rd has its own set of facilities.
The campsite at Dales is also good, but cant book ahead. During holidays there were people camped outside waiting to get in.
Sunrises at Karijini are same as rest of WA
Each of the gorges has been rated for access. We managed ok with level 4, with our 6yr daughter
Good pair of shoes, and bathers are a must. Also pays to take water bottles, first aid kid, hats etc
The water can be freezing, as it doesnt get much sunlight, but its quite refreshing after climbing down to these gorges.
Joffre Gorge
Fortescue Falls from the top
Fern Pool
Im sitting under the water fall in Circular Pool (My 3rd bath for the day)
While everyones down the gorges, the cleaners come through the campsites
After a couple of days looking at the gorges, we headed to Exmouth via Tom Price, Parabadoo. Dont always count on getting fuel at Tom Price. If they havent run out, then you can get some. For those outside WA, you can drive Karijini to Exmouth in a day, and still have time to set up before dark. There are some great campsites along the way on rivers between Parabadoo and Nanutarra if want to break the trip up
Everything was very green, and certainly looks like another good season for the station guys out that way. Plenty of livestock in good condition, and wildflowers were starting
Exmouth was packed as usual. If going in schools hols, pays to book a year in advance. Coral bay is about 2 yr wait list for Schools hols. Alternatively, there are good campsites along the coast, but can be a bit cramped if bz
We spent most of the time bumming around Exmouth, beaching, snorkling with kids and friends who hadnt been there before. Also went fishing at Murion Islands with Father in law who had his boat there, and had a great day out.
Turquiose Bay
From the Lighthouse towards Murion Islands
No real dramas along way, except both campers getting a good shake up on rds at Karijini. Few repairs to be done to these along the way, and 1 x flat on each of the vans. (Mates was 15kms from home of course....)
Prado was just great. I kept fuel usage records, but for a later post. Will have to do a bit of guessing with the speedo being out by about 7% on BFGs, but Im guessing about 16L/100 kms towing most of the way.
No dust in cab, and all the little PP mods were great.
I have been one for complaining about the seats in the Prado, but funnily I didnt seem to notice this time.
Even on last day after we drove 1600 kms straight home to Busselton, we got out of car ok, so I was pleasantly surprised.
Rude shock tomorrow when I go back to work, but 1st thing I will be doing is booking next lot of hols
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