MySwag.org The Off-road Camper Trailer Forum
General => General Discussion => Topic started by: r0ssrg on October 04, 2013, 12:13:17 AM
-
Hi guys
We're now on our way down the WA coast line. About to head to Baskets station before heading to Cape Range. Given it is school holidays we're expecting to have to line up at one of the camp sites. Trick is to know which one.
We have no boat. Kids love surfing and the beach. Snorkeling is also of interest.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers. Rossco
-
Rossco
Was there quite a few years ago, but both are beautiful.
Can't remember the names of the sites, but from memory the one to the East required someone to die before you could get in. :)
Reckon either would be fine.
G
-
Thanks Glenno. There are about half a dozen camp sites on the west coast.
Anyone else got any suggestions?
Thanks heaps
Rossco
-
No idea - but heads up it appears to be quite windy there at the moment 35.2km/h at North West Cape according to Willy Weather - im monitoring the wind for Carnavon, Cape Range and Ningaloo as we are planning on heading down to Red Bluff (Quobba Station) on Monday and i'm hoping it doesn't get too windy
-
Have you looked at the DEC web site? http://www.dec.wa.gov.au/campgrounds/coral-coast.html (http://www.dec.wa.gov.au/campgrounds/coral-coast.html)
You need to book some of the sites on this web site. There are photos and plans also on the web site.
Neds and Kurrajong are popular.
If you get to Exmouth when the DEC office is open go straight there and they will help you. Turquoise Bay Drift Snorkel is the best for snorkelling, but just watch the kids as the current can be strong at times. Turquoise Bay next to the drift is safer. Brilliant area, you will have fun!
Kevin
-
In case we don't actually get to talk today Rossco, here's a top up on my sms-
Surfing- the road to the tip of north west cape has a sign "surfers beach". Plenty of surfers there getting into it when we drove in for a look. Easy access from the road to the beach.
Turtles- either 2 tracks north or south of yardie homestead cv park yyou can walk over the dunes and see turtles in reasonable numbers a few days ago. In pairs doing their 10hr mating thing. We went on the south track and the turtles were out a bit so needed good zoom. I think the north option may be better from other reports
Nat Pk camp sites
North of yardie creek- most seemed to have similar exposure to the predominant SW wind. Only 1 that I saw looked tucked into the dunes enough to escape the wind but I didn't note it's name. At the moment it's busy so getting in will be the trick as schoool hols has plenty of people in exmouth with numerous on their way to cape range by the sounds of it. Worth a go to prebook at one of the 4 sites that you can do that with.
The sign at exmouth and at nat park entry says campsites all are full.
South of yardie creek- we went for a drive without the trailer to check it out. Yardie creek was dry with about 150m of soft sand to get through. With 35psi in the tyres we were all good on the way down. Coming back we had to stop for a guy who had his disco bogged. We then got stuck but a little shovel work and down to 15psi and off we went.
1k campsite had only 1 camper in there and boat harbour had a few but with vacancies. At boat harbour a bloke walked up and asked us if we had paid anyone to camp there. He hadn't. It appears there may not be camp hosts at the camps south of yardie creek. Best protection from wind down there too I reckon.
Maybe give the Nat Pk office a ring and enquire re Boat Harbour & 1k camps. It seemed to me all the others with sealed road nearby were full when they put the signs up but maybe not full in these last 2 camps.
Not much surfing once you go south of vlamingh head as the reef stops it all. A few crazy kiteboarders, myself included, around at sandy bay.
Why are you worried about wind anyway? You guys are seasoned main beach Straddie campers. Nothing can stop you!
-
And yes, it is windy at the moment, even here in Exmouth.
-
And don't forget to go to Pinocchio’s Restaurant! :cheers: Kevin
-
We've just got back from Cape Range. It is very difficult to get a site at any of the camping areas north of Yardie Creek. There is always a long queue at the gate in the morning and only a few sites available each day. The best thing to do is book one or two nights at any the sites were you can book on the Internet through DEC. once you arrive tell the camp host you want to stay extra nights. The next morning all the camp hosts get on the radio and work out how many sites are available and how many people want extra nights. At least when we were there most people that wanted extra nights got them, although you may have to move to another camp. Once the hosts have sorted out who wants to stay extra nights any spare sites go to people queued at the gate, hence why there's so few sites available to people who line up.
Re sites. We stayed at Karajong camp. Big sites and well spaced out, but no shade. Other camps had some shade, but campers were squeezed in more tightly. Best thing about Karajong is there is a small coral reef right on the shore which is great for kids. I could even wade out about waist deep and hold our toddler so he could see the coral and fish.
Good luck getting a spot, it's a great place.
-
Thanks for the tips everyone. Appreciate it. :)
Wazza2 not too worried about the wind. our two good Aussie made CTs should handle it easily. :)
Rossco
-
I'm sure they will Rossco. Just take an extra slab of beer in with you in case anything needs to be weighed down. That oughta do it :)
-
Thanks Glenno. There are about half a dozen camp sites on the west coast.
Anyone else got any suggestions?
Thanks heaps
Rossco
Rossco
I realised I had a brain fade, was thinking of another park down in south west WA. Argh, sorry bout that. :)
I have also been to Cape Range, stayed at Neds Camp and LOVED it, but i understand they are all pretty great. As a few have said, can be hard to get into, depending on time of the year.
Enjoy
-
Hi Rossco ... Did you manage to find a camp in Cape Range? We are still mooching around Exmouth, staying at the Aspen Big 4. Managed to pick up some work here, however finally moving on soon.
Due to our length of stay in the area we have pretty much covered all there is to see and do here however not yet seen the nesting turtles, which are starting to happen now. Even managed to find a way over the range on a great 4x4 track.
If you are still in the area wanna catch up for a beer and BBQ?
Sanz and family.
-
Gday,
X2 whatBigTread said. We booked Kurrajong befre we left Melbourne because of the things BT mentioned.
The reef was awesome, with great snorkelling and we even had an F18 do a fly by! Kids had a ball. Sites great.. toilets clean and non stinky
We had some horrendous winds which killed the snorkelling, but the days its wasnt windy, it was amazing and id go back in a flash! Our 5 das wasnt enough!