Perth Archives – Crikey Camper Hire

Jul 20 2018

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Experience Perth and surrounds

By cch-admin | Crikey Blog, Itineraries, Perth | No Comments

Experience Perth & some of its hidden gems

: Aerial view of Cottesloe Beach, with Indiana Cottesloe in the background.

: Couple enjoying the view from the Lotterywest Federation walkway at Kings Park and Botanical Garden.

: The National Hotel, on High St, in Fremantle.

: Couple cycling around Rottnest Island.

: Chocolate at Margaret River Chocolate Factory

: Elizabeth Quay, Perth

: Koalas at the Caversham Wildlife Park, Swan Valley.

: Dolphins playing near Rockingham

Experience Perth & Surrounds during your trip in Western Australia. Perth is the major gateway for exploring the South West region or before heading up North or in the Goldfields region. The city is alive and vibrant and offers activities for everyone.

Perth CBD and surrounds

Perth CBD is a vibrant city with a lot of activities on offer. The most popular attraction close to the CBD is Kings Park, one of the largest city park in the world! Perth also offers great views over the Swan River with its new and trendy Elizabeth Quay, where you can book a gondola tour or simply take the ferry to cross the river and arrive in South Perth, where Perth Zoo is located. If you are keen to experience Perth’s amazing beaches, simply head to Cottesloe, the most popular beach in Perth with its beautiful postcard landscapes. Do you have a spare day? Then take the train or drive to Fremantle, a city well known for its maritime history. It is a great place to visit for the day and it is so easy to relax there. Fremantle is also one of the three main ports where you can also take the ferry for a trip to Rottnest Island. Other ferry start points are Elizabeth quay and Hillarys Boat Harbour (a great place for the kids if you would like to go swimming!). Rottnest Island is the ultimate place to visit when staying in Perth. It boasts picturesque seascapes and beautiful beaches, accessible by walking or cycling. Let’s not forgot the amazing quokkas! It is hard not to fall in love with those little creatures!

Perth Hills

The Perth Hills are located just half an hour from Perth CBD. It offers a wide array of activities and beautiful landscapes. Kalamunda is one of the most popular town in the Perth Hills. The town is located in the Darling Scarp, east of Perth. It is a great place to visit if you love nature, food and history. Don’t forget to visit the Kalamunda History Village, which is the largest folk museum in Western Australia, depicting the early years of life in the Perth Hills and the industries that developed in the area. If you would like to experience something out of the ordinary, book a camel ride at the Calamunda Camel Farm! You will discover the local bush and might even spot local wildlife. You can find out more on their website. If you continue driving further East, you will find the town of Mundaring Weir. There, you will discover how water was transported in the early 1900s all the way from Mundaring Weir to the booming Gold Rush town of Kalgoorlie. The Precinct tells the history of the weir and the pipeline through a series of story-telling signs and sculptures by renowned artists. Don’t forget to get lunch or a coffee at the Mundaring Weir Hotel with its beautiful beer garden. If you are a wine and food lover, then, south of Mundaring Weir, you can explore wineries and cideries along the Bickley Valley Wine and Cider Trails. You can download the trail brochure here.

Perth Hills Wildlife and Conservation

If you are looking for a unique experience with native Australian wildlife, then contact Kaarakin, which is a fantastic not-for-profit organisation in the Perth Hills. The organisation aims to rescue, rehabilitate and release black cockatoos which are threatened with extinction. The sanctuary also takes care of pure bred dingoes, emus and kangaroos. Although it is not open to the public, private tour or black cockatoo/ dingo encounters can be organised by contacting the friendly volunteers at Kaarakin.

Swan Valley

The Swan Valley is located North of Perth and boasts a wide array of activities. There, you can visit chocolate factories, visit wineries, discover a wildlife park and much more. The Swan Valley has two popular trails, from the groundbreaking Cider and Ale Trail to the Sweet Temptation Trails. Both trails encompasses the best places of the Swan Valley. Both maps can be found on the Swan Valley website. If you have children or desire to see koalas and kangaroos up close, then head to Caversham Wildlife. Caversham Widlife Park is also located in a beautiful park called Whiteman Park, where you can also visit a train museum and take a ride aboard a vintage train.

Whether you have a day or several to spend in Perth, the city will keep you occupied until the start or the end of your trip self-drive trip in Western Australia!

Feb 28 2018

1

Perth to Darwin Itinerary

By cch-admin | Itineraries, Perth, Perth to Darwin | No Comments

Perth to Darwin Itinerary including the Gibb River Road in 28 days

Day 1 Perth – Cervantes/ 247 kms/ 3 hours

The Pinnacles of Namburg National Park are the major attraction of Cervantes. Those amazing limestone structures can reach five metres and were formed between 25,000-30,000 years ago. Stay at the RAC Cervantes Holiday Park.

Day 2 Cervantes – Kalbarri/ 378 kms/ 4.5 hours

Kalbarri offers many natural attractions such as exceptional wildflowers in Spring and early summer. The top attractions to visit are: Nature’s Window, The Loop, Z-Bend, Hawks Head and Ross Graham Lookout. Kalbarri also offers many water sport activities such as canoeing. Stay at the Murchison Caravan Park with many sites having sweeping views across the Murchison River.

Day 3 Kalbarri – Monkey Mia/ 397 kms/ 5 hours

Monkey Mia is renowned for being one of the best places where to encounter dolphins. Stay at the RAC Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort.

Day 4 Monkey Mia – Non-travel day

Spend the day relaxing and meet the friendly pod of dolphins.

Day 5 Monkey Mia – Coral Bay/ 581 kms/ 7.5 hours

Coral Bay is a spectacular paradise which draws visitors from around the world. From diving to whale watching or simply relaxing, Coral Bay has it all. You can even swim with sharks! This is also where sharks come to get cleaned by fish! A commercial tour is the best way for people to observe this natural phenomenon while also enjoying the other marine life that inhabits the area. You can also book a tour to swim with Mantra Rays! Stay at the Bayview Caravan Park.

Day 6 Coral Bay – Exmouth/ Cape Range National Park/ 152 kms/ 2 hours

Exmouth is very popular for its diving, surfing and snorkeling. You can get up close to the local whale sharks in the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Marine Park which is one of the only places in the world where whale sharks appear regularly near the shore, where visitors can see them. Stay at the RAC Exmouth Cape Holiday Resort.

Day 7 Exmouth/ Cape Range National Park – Non-travel day

The Cape Range National Park is just 40 kilometres from Exmouth and offers a variety of attractions ranging from bushwalking to birdwatching. Explore Yardie Creek, a spectacular gorge, Shothole Canyon and Charles Knife Canyon.

Day 8 Exmouth/ Cape Range National Park – Karijini National Park/ 674 kms/ 8.5 hours

Stay at the Eco Retreat Campsite or Dales Gorge Campground.

Day 9 Karijini National Park – Non-travel day

Karijini highlights include Fortescue Falls, Circular Pool and Fern Pool in Dales Gorge. The junction of four mighty gorges – Red, Weano, Joffe and Hancock Gorges can be viewed from Oxers Lookout.

Day 10 Karijini – 80 Mile Beach/ 581 kms/ 7.5 hours

This beach is famous for its amazing sunsets, shell collecting and fishing. Stay at 80-Mile Beach Caravan Park. It is the longest stretch of beach in WA.

Day 11 80 Mile Beach – Broome/ 376 kms/ 4.5 hours

Broome is a compact town to explore and attractions are all within 15 minutes drive.

Must see & do:

Camel ride on Cable Beach
Matso’s mango beer brewery
Fishing
Whale Watching
Pearl tour
Sunset

Day 12 Broome – Non-travel day

Day 13 Broome – Cape Leveque/ 210 kms/ 2.5 hours

The Dampier Peninsula stretches about 200 kilometres north of Broome along the partly unsealed Cape Leveque Road. You can swim in the sparkling water, go snorkelling, fishing or relax and enjoy the beautiful landscapes. Experience the amazing force of the giant tides, standing waves and whirlpools of King Sound near Cygnet Bay. Stay at Kooljaman for the night.

Day 14 Cape Leveque – Non-travel day

Enjoy the pristine beaches and spectacular coastline.

Day 15 Cape Leveque – Windjana Gorge/ 544 kms/ 7 hours

Windjana Gorge National Park is one of the Kimberley’s most stunning gorges!

Day 16 Windjana Gorge – Bell Gorge/ Silent Grove/ 179 kms/ 2 hours

Enjoy a bushwalk and experience the tranquility of Manning Falls. Silent Grove’s campsite is the best place where to set up camp and to see Bell Gorge and Bells Falls.

Day 17 Bell Gorge/ Silent Grove – Manning Gorge/ 122 kms/ 1.5 hours

Enjoy a bushwalk and experience the tranquility of Manning Falls. Manning Gorge is a great place to camp for one night.

Day 18 Manning Gorge – El Questro/ 344 kms/ 4.5 hours

Visit Barnett River Gorge en route and enjoy the hospitality of a pioneering family-owned cattle station and explore the magnificent waterholes on the property. Look out for incredible aboriginal art on the rock walls surrounding the waterholes. Stay at El Questro’s campsite.

Day 19 El Questro – Non- travel day

Spend a couple of days exploring the park. Visit the thermal pool at Zebedee Springs, Emma Gorge or take a boat down the Chamberlain Gorge and fish for barramundi.

Day 20 El Questro – Purnululu National Park/ 265 kms/ 3.5 hours

Stay at the Bungle Bungles Caravan Park.

Day 21 Purnululu National Park – Non – travel day

Bushwalking, plane or heli-tours, bus tours, station tours and more. From Bungle Bungle Caravan Park there is 70-80km of rough 4WD road to either Echidna Chasm or Cathedral Gorge. Plan ahead and allow yourself enough time to visit a few attractions. Suggested trips: Visitor centre, Cathedral Gorge and Picaninny Creek Walk – including Whipsnake Gorge and Picaninny Lookout. The park’s main feature, the Bungle Bungle Range, stands 300 metress above the spinifex covered plain and is dominated by the famous orange and black banded beehive-shaped dome. The park has limited accessible drinkable water. Good to know that our Safari Camprite trailers can hold 160 litres of drinkable water!

Day 22 Purnululu National Park – Kununurra/ 252 kms/ 3 hours

Visit Lake Argyle. It is the largest lake in Australia and home to abundant wildlife. Check in at one of the many campsites available in Kununurra such as Ivanhoe Village Resort.

Day 23 Kununurra – Katherine Gorge in Nitmiluk NP/ 541 kms/ 7 hours

Nitmiluk National Park has 13 stunning gorges which can be explored by foot, canoe, boat or helicopter. The most popular ones are Edith Falls and Katherine Gorge. Powered and non-powered sites are available near the Gorge Caravan Park and non-powered sites are available at Leliyn (Edith Falls). If you have time for a walk, Sweetwater Pool can be reached by a short 4.5 kilometre walk from Leliyn / Edith Falls.

Day 24 Nitmiluk NP – Kakadu / 328 kms/ 4 hours

Kakadu is by far the most popular place in the Top End. It is Australia’s largest national park covering 20,000 hectares with stunning landscapes and amazing Aboriginal rock art sites. There are many options for campsites and it would depend on how far you drive in the national park.

Day 25 Kakadu – Non – travel day

Explore on foot, join a cruise or guided tour, spot crocs or birds and make a splash in one of the many waterfalls.

Day 26 Kakadu – Litchfield National Park/ 341 kms/ 4.5 hours

Head to Litchfield National Park which is home to amazing waterfalls. It is a popular day tour destination but we would recommend staying overnight in order to explore as much as you can.

Day 27 Litchfield National Park – Non – travel day

It is possible to swim (even under the waterfalls!) and there are many beautiful walks starting from most popular sites. Camping is available year-round at Wangi and Florence Falls. Four-wheel drive camping areas are available at Tjaynera Falls (Sandy Creek), Surprise Creek Falls and Florence Falls.

A summary of activities you could do during your time at Litchfield:

swimming
camping
bushwalking
wildlife spotting
visit scenic lookouts
view historic ruins at Blyth Homestead and Bamboo Creek
four-wheel driving.

Day 28 Litchfield National Park – Darwin/ 159 kms/ 2 hours

Darwin is the capital city of the Northern Territory. A few must-do include the famous Mindil Beach Sunset Markets, aboriginal art galleries and Crocosaurus Cove. Located in the heart of the city, it allows you to get up close to crocodiles.

Total Kilometers: 6,671 kms
Total Travel Hours: 84 hours

: The waterfalls at upper Manning Gorge, on Mount Barnett Station, off the Gibb River Road

: Windjana

: Couple riding on Home Valley Station past the Cockburn Range, located west of Kununurra

: Bell Gorge in the King Leopold Ranges Conservation Park

: Mitchell Falls, Mitchell River National Park

: Crikey 4WD and Safari Camper

: Bungle Bungles

: Sunset in Kakadu

: Katherine Gorge

: Litchfield National Park

: The Cape Leveque Road heads northwards from Broome, to the Dampier Peninsula

Travel times are estimated based on an average speed of 80km p/h. While the maximum legal speed while towing is 100km p/h, the travel times indicated should allow for delays due to road works as well as fuel, toilet and snack stops.
Travel times and distances are approximate and we recommend using as a guide only along with a published map book.

Images: Courtesy of Tourism Western Australia and Northern Territory

Feb 08 2018

1

Perth to Perth Itinerary – Exmouth Loop

By cch-admin | Itineraries, Perth, Perth to Perth | No Comments

14- day Itinerary including Karijini National Park

Day 1: Perth to Cervantes – 200 kms (2.5 hours)

On the way to Cervantes, stop at Yanchep National Park. This is a great place for the kids, offering a koala viewing area, caves and an aborigingal experience.
Cervantes is well-known for its Pinnacles Desert. You can learn all about those strange structures at the Pinnacles Desert Discovery Centre. Just a kilometre from the town centre lies Lake Thetis, where you can observe stromatolites, most commonly known as “living fossils”. Those have been dated to about 3370 years old! Further North of Cervantes, you will find Sandy Cape, a nice little spot where you swim and watch the sunset. If you have a 4WD and Camper trailer package, you can choose to stay at Sandy Cape, otherwise stay at the RAC Cervantes caravan park if you have a 4WD and caravan package.

Day 2: Cervantes to Kalbarri

Kalbarri is a popular stop over for people on their way to Shark Bay or Monkey Mia. There are many natural attractions to visit such as Natures Window and the Z-Bend Lookout located in Kalbarri National Park. You can also go whale watching as the humpback whale migration happens between May and August. Stay at the Kalbarri caravan park.

Day 3: Non-travel day

Day 4: Kalbarri to Monkey Mia – 397 kms (5 hours)

If you want to break up the drive, Hamelin Pool has a museum and boardwalk over the stromatolites. Interesting history and the tea rooms do meals and a fantastic Devonshire Tea. Camping could be in either Denham Township or Monkey Mia.

Day 5: Non-travel day

Monkey Mia is world-famous for its dolphins. A group of wild bottlenose dolphins come to the shore nearly everyday to be fed by humans. South of Monkey Mia, you will find Denham and Francois Peron National Park. This National Park offers diverse experiences, including four-wheel-driving. 50 minutes away from Monkey Mia, you will arrive at Shell Beach, where shells replace the beach sand and stretches over 100 kilometres!

Day 6: Monkey Mia to Coral Bay – 580 kms(7 hours)

In contrast to other locations, the coral reef starts right at the water’s edge. Coral Bay is a very popular holiday destination for Western Australians. It is recommended to book well in advance when travelling during school holidays. This place is a marine paradise where visitors have plenty of activities to choose from: snorkeling, fishing, swimming with whale sharks…You can even visit the reef shark nursery between October and March, which is only a 20 minutes walk from Main Beach. Stay at the Coral Bay caravan park.

Day 7: Non-travel day

Enjoy the day swimming and exploring.

Day 8: Coral Bay to Exmouth/ Cape Range National Park

The Ningaloo reef is a long coral reef swarms with turtles, tropical fish, manta rays, humpback whales and even whale sharks. No wonder that Ningaloo Reef is listed as a World Heritage Place! Whether you like snorkeling, diving or swimming, you will not be disappointed! Cape Range National Park supports a range of unique wildlife habitats from existing ocean reef to ancient reef, rugged limestone, gorges and cave systems. Throughout the park, there are ample opportunities to view wildlife. You can camp within Cape Range National Park, or in one of the caravan parks in the area. Yardie Homestead Caravan Park also seems to offer good facilities.

Day 9: Non-travel day

Day 10: Exmouth/ Cape Range National Park to Karijini – 674 kms (8.5 hours)

One of the big attraction of Karijini National Park is its accessibility. Simply walk 50 metres and peer straight into a deep gorge to see waterfalls and rock pools below. There are many walk trails available to further explore the gorges. Karijini’s main highlights are Fortescue Falls, Circular Pool and Fern Pool. Stay at the Karijini Eco Retreat if you have a 4WD and Safari Camper package or stay at Dales Campsite if you have a 4WD and caravan package.

Day 11: Non-travel day

Day 12: Non-travel day

Day 13: Karijini to Mount Magnet or Paynes Find – 376 kms (4.5 hours)

A long drive. Get an early start and see how far you get. At the very least you should get to Mount Magnet, but if you can get to Paynes Find or further it will make the last day a lot easier.

Day 14: Drive back to Perth (5-6 hours)

Travel times are estimated based on an average speed of 80km p/h. While the maximum legal speed while towing is 100km p/h, the travel times indicated should allow for delays due to road works, traffic and fuel/ food / bathroom stops.

Travel times and distances are approximate and we recommend using as a guide only along with a published map book or GPS navigational system.

The trip can be done in the reverse direction, however we find that doing the coast first is beneficial in case it becomes too windy. If it’s too windy, you can head inland to Karijini earlier than expected where it is more protected. If you do Karijini first you don’t have anywhere new to go to get away from the wind.

: Natural spa pool located at Hamersley Gorge , Karijini National Park

: Dolphin at Monkey Mia, located in the Shark Bay World Heritage Area.

: Underwater view of a friendly Monkey Mia bottlenose dolphin in the Shark Bay World Heritage Area.

: Stromatolites at Hamelin Pool Marine Nature Reserve, in the Shark Bay World Heritage Area.

: Aerial view of Nature’s Window, Kalbarri National Park

: Francois Peron National Park

: Woman swimming with a whale shark, in the Ningaloo Marine Park

: The Pinnacles, Nambung National Park

: Turquoise Bay

: Manta rays, in Ningaloo Marine Park

: Turquoise Bay

Images: Courtesy of Tourism Western Australia

Dec 19 2017

0

Perth to Broome Itinerary

By cch-admin | Itineraries, Perth, Perth to Broome | No Comments

Perth to Broome Itinerary including the Coral Coast and Karijni National Park

Travelling North will take you along the Coral Coast. The Coral Coast extends over 1100 kilometres of white beaches and offers the opportunity to swim with whale sharks, dolphins, humpback whales and manta rays. For the water sport lovers, there are countless opportunities including windsurfing, kitesurfing, diving and snorkeling. If you visit the Coral Coast in Spring, the coast is alive with colourful displays of wildflowers. If time allows, why not head to Karijini National Park, which is a day drive from Exmouth? Karijini is the jewel of the Pilbara with splendid waterfalls and emerald coloured rock pools. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your adventure with your Crikey Camper! Those are the top places that Crikey Campers recommends not to miss during your trip along the coast of Western Australia, whether it is a small trip or whether is it part of a bigger adventures for our customers who will return their 4WD package to Broome or Darwin!

Day 1: Perth – Cervantes (247 kms) – 3 hours

On the way to Cervantes, stop at Yanchep National Park. This is a great place for the kids, offering a koala viewing area, caves and an aboriginal experience.
Cervantes is well-known for its Pinnacles Desert. You can learn all about those strange structures at the Pinnacles Desert Discovery Centre. Just a kilometre from the town centre lies Lake Thetis, where you can observe stromatolites, most commonly known as “living fossils”. Those have been dated to about 3370 years old! Further North of Cervantes, you will find Sandy Cape, a nice little spot where you swim and watch the sunset. If you have a 4WD and Camper trailer package, you can choose to stay at Sandy Cape, otherwise stay at the RAC Cervantes caravan park if you have a 4WD and caravan package.

Day 2: Cervantes – Kalbarri (378 kms) – 4.5 hours

Kalbarri is a popular stop over for people on their way to Shark Bay or Monkey Mia. There are many natural attractions to visit such as Natures Window and the Z-Bend Lookout located in Kalbarri National Park. You can also go whale watching as the humpback whale migration happens between May and August. Stay at the Kalbarri caravan park.

Day 3: Non travel day

Day 4: Kalbarri – Monkey Mia (397 kms) – 5 hours

Monkey Mia is world-famous for its dolphins. A group of wild bottlenose dolphins come to the shore nearly everyday to be fed by humans. South of Monkey Mia, you will find Denham and Francois Peron National Park. This National Park offers diverse experiences, including four-wheel-driving. 50 minutes away from Monkey Mia, you will arrive at Shell Beach, where shells replace the beach sand and stretches over 100 kilometres! Stay at the RAC caravan park.

Day 5: Non travel day

Day 6: Monkey Mia- Coral Bay (580 kms) – 7 hours

In contrast to other locations, the coral reef starts right at the water’s edge. Coral Bay is a very popular holiday destination for Western Australians. It is recommended to book well in advance when traveling during school holidays. This place is a marine paradise where visitors have plenty of activities to choose from: snorkeling, fishing, swimming with whale sharks…You can even visit the reef shark nursery between October and March, which is only a 20 minutes walk from Main Beach. Stay at the Coral Bay caravan park.

Day 7: Coral Bay – Exmouth/ Cape Range (152 kms) – 2 hours

The Ningaloo reef is a long coral reef swarms with turtles, tropical fish, manta rays, humpback whales and even whale sharks. No wonder that Ningaloo Reef is listed as a World Heritage Place! Whether you like snorkeling, diving or swimming, you will not be disappointed! Cape Range National Park supports a range of unique wildlife habitats from existing ocean reef to ancient reef, rugged limestone, gorges and cave systems. Throughout the park, there are ample opportunities to view wildlife. You can camp within Cape Range National Park, or in one of the caravan parks in the area. Yardie Homestead Caravan Park also seems to offer good facilities.

Day 8: Non travel day

Day 9: Exmouth/ Cape Range – Karijini NP (674 kms) – 8.5 hours

One of the big attraction of Karijini National Park is its accessibility. Simply walk 50 metres and peer straight into a deep gorge to see waterfalls and rock pools below. There are many walk trails available to further explore the gorges. Karijini’s main highlights are Fortescue Falls, Circular Pool and Fern Pool. Stay at the Karijini Eco Retreat if you have a 4WD and Safari Camper package or stay at Dales Campsite if you have a 4WD and caravan package.

Day 10: Non travel day

Day 11: Non travel day

Day 12: Karijini – Millstream Chichester National Park (207 kms) – 3.5 hours

Millstream compared to Karijini, is a more peaceful place. Nonetheless, it boasts tranquil gorges and hidden rock pools. The most popular site is Python Pool. It is one of the most important aboriginal sites in Australia! Stay at Mliyanha Campground.

Day 13: Millstream Chichester – 80 Mile Beach (476 kms) – 6 hours

The place where majority of people stop at 80 Mile Beach to camp – it’s a beautiful beach that you can drive on (not past the high tide mark) and very popular for fishing.

Day 14: 80 Mile Beach – Broome (376 kms) – 4.5 hours