South West Region Archives – Crikey Camper Hire

Jun 15 2018

Darwin in 7 Days

By cch-admin | Darwin, Darwin to Darwin, Itineraries, Quick Trip | No Comments

Darwin Itinerary in 7 Days

With a week to spend in Darwin & Surrounds, our Darwin in 7 Days itinerary will make you discover the culture, the natural attractions and the wildlife of the Top End. The city of Darwin offers many activities such as

Crocosaurus Cove: See crocodiles and maybe even swim with one in the famous “Cage of Death”!
Visit the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory
Visit George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens
Expore the Mindil Beach Sunset Markets on Thursday or Sunday
Territory Wildlife Park in Berry Springs with their famous Bird of Prey show and Oolloo Sandbar

: Sunset in Kakadu

: Litchfield National Park

: Katherine Gorge

Day 1 Darwin to Litchfield (115 kms/ 1.5 hrs)

Before arriving in Litchfield National Park, you will pass through the town of Batchelor. There, you will find a butterfly farm, museum and plenty of places to grab lunch. 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.

Day 2 Litchfield National Park

Keep enjoying the national park for another day.

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 3 Litchfield to Kakadu National Park (159 kms – 2 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 would depend on how far you drive in the national park.

Day 4 Kakadu National Park

Explore on foot, join a cruise or guided tour, spot crocs or birds and make a splash in one of the many waterfalls. Another option is to book a guided tour to Arnhem Land and visit the Injalak Art gallery. Please note a permit is required to access Arnhem Land. Call 08 8920 5100 or visit www.nlc.org.au.

Day 5 Kakadu National Park – Nitmiluk National Park (Up to 300 kms/ 3.5 – 4 hrs, depending on where you are located in the park)

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. If you have time for a walk, Sweetwater Pool can be reached by a short 4.5 kilometre walk from Leliyn / Edith Falls. You can also take a scenic flight over the 13 gorges of the park or jump on a cruise. There are also plenty of art galleries in Katherine. The Park has two main points of visitor access. The Gorge entrance to the park is 30km east of Katherine on the sealed Gorge Road. Follow the signs. The turnoff to Leliyn (Edith Falls) is 40km north of Katherine along the Stuart Highway. The park entry is 20km further along Edith Falls Road. Powered and non-powered sites are available near the Gorge Caravan Park and non-powered sites are available at Leliyn (Edith Falls). You can also stay at one of Katherine’s caravan parks.

Day 6 Nitmiluk National Park

Keep enjoying Katherine. Don’t forget to stop at the Katherine Hot Springs. Other activities available in Katherine include:

K atherine Outback Experience
Marksie’s Stockman’s Tucker Night
Top Didj Cultural Experience & Art Gallery
Cutta Cutta Caves
Mataranka & Bitter Springs (thermal pools)

Day 7 Drive back to Darwin (317 kms/ 3.5 hrs)

On your way back to Darwin, stop in Pine Creek to visit this old gold rush mining town. There you can visit the historic railway heritage
museum and take in the stunning views from the lookout.

Sources: nt.gov.au, Northern Territory

Feb 15 2018

Quick South West Trip Itinerary

By cch-admin | Itineraries, Quick Trip, South West Region | No Comments

South West itinerary in 8 days

Day 1: Perth to Yallingup (263 kms)

Head South to Bunbury. Don’t forget to stop for a quick trip to Yalgorup National Park, where you can see thrombolites at Lake Clifton. This is one of few places in Western Australia where these thrombolites survive. Bunbury is popular for the Koombana Bay dolphins. You can visit the Dolphin Discovery Centre for a close encounter. From here, continue on to Busselton, where you can visit the longest wooden jetty in the world, before continuing your drive to Yallingup. If you have children, stop to Simmos Ice Creamery, which offers over 60 flavours of ice cream with a huge playground at the back for the kids.

Day 2: Non-travel day (Dunsborough area)

Must see & do:

Spectacular seascapes
Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse
Premium wine tasting
Ngilgi Cave

Day 3: Yallingup to Margaret River (42kms)

Explore the wineries, chocolate factory, cheese factory and other little wonders that the Margaret River region has to offer.

Day 4: Non-travel day

Explore the Margaret River region. The visitor centre is a great starting point.

Day 5: Margaret River to Pemberton (150 kms)

Head south on one of the most scenic drives, Caves Road. Explore a few caves, then make your way to Pemberton. Enjoy a forest walk, climb a tree, explore the waterfalls, or take the Pemberton tram and meander through the Karri forest.

Day 6: Pemberton to Albany (260 kms)

Make your way to Albany via Northcliffe and Walpole. Stop at the Giant Tingle Tree and explore the only place where those giant trees grow. Continue to the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk (fees apply to enter). It features a stunning walkway positioned 40 metres above the ground amid the spectacular heights of the tingle forest canopy.
Denmark is 52 km away from Walpole. There are nice little shops on the way from Walpole to Denmark (a toffee and burger place and even a honey place) . Don’t miss Greens Pool, Elephant Rocks and Elephant Cove, before making your way to Albany.

Day 7: Albany

Take a break today and explore Albany, a town full of history. Between June and October, you can watch out for humpback and southern right whales.

Day 8: Albany to Perth (410 kms)

A long drive to get back to Perth. This trip can also be made in reverse if you wish to drive from Perth to Albany first.

You will certainly come across a Margaret River Region map available at caravan parks or visitor centres. It highlights all the places which can be visited, included cafes and restaurants. It is a great handy map. There is also an app available here.

: Whale watching near Busselton

: Smiths Beach, Yallingup

: Ngilgi Cave, Yallingup.

: Elephant Rocks, located in William Bay National Park, near Denmark

: Busselton Jetty

: Walking through Boranup Forest.

Photo courtesy: Tourism Western Australia

Oct 12 2017

South West Western Australia Itinerary

By cch-admin | Esperance + SW Coast, Itineraries, South West Region | No Comments

Road trip down south in Western Australia

Western Australia’s south west is one of the most beautiful places in Australia with an abundance of magnificent landscapes to enjoy. No matter what time of the year, there is so much to see, do and experience…Your challenge will be to fit it all in your itinerary!

Our recommendations for a 15-day + itinerary

Day 1 Perth – Wave Rock (341 km)

Depart Perth after picking up from Crikey Camper Hire and travel east to Wave Rock. Enjoy a walk around this prehistoric rock that looks more like a crashing ocean wave. Stay overnight at the Wave Rock Caravan Park.

Day 2 Wave Rock – Esperance (382 km)

Leave Wave Rock and drive towards Esperance, the gateway for the magical south coastal beaches.
Stay overnight at one of Esperance’s wonderful holiday parks where you will base yourself for the next 3 nights.

Day 3 & 4 – Explore Esperance region

Characterised by stunning bays, rocky headlands, heath-covered sandplains and an impressive chain of peaks including Mt Le Grand and Frenchman Peak, Cape Le Grand National Park is not to be missed. Lucky Bay in Cape Le Grand National Park is rated as one of the country’s best beaches for its pure white sand and clear turquoise water as well as famous kangaroos lazing in the sun. Keep an eye out for migrating whales!

Day 5 – Esperance to Albany (481 km)

Depart Esperance and drive west along the south coast, explore Fitzgerald River National Park and arrive in Albany. Crikey’s tip: Stay at Middleton Beach Caravan Park. Fantastic proximity to the beach with whale watching from July to October each year!

Day 6 & 7 – Explore Albany Region

Rugged coastline and history awaits you in Albany, the spot where the first European settlers set foot in Western Australia. There is so much to see and do whether you would like to visit wineries, 4WDriving, hiking, cycling a section of the Munda Biddi or learning more about Albany’s past. For the dramatic landscapes, head to Torndirrup National Park where fantastic new facilities showcase the Natural Bridge and The Gap. The Southern Ocean crashes underfoot as you stand on the award winning platform that extends about 4 metres over the granite rocks! Truly breathtaking experience! Not afraid of the height? Then head to Stirling Range National Park for a day, where you can climb the Granite Skywalk, which spirals around a huge granite outcrop named Castle Rock.
Sample some of the world famous Great Southern wines, culinary delights and enjoy this beautiful part of Western Australia.

Day 8 – Albany to Walpole (119 km)

Leave Albany and head towards Walpole. Stop at Williams Bay National Park in Denmark on your way and explore Green Pool, Elephant Cove and Elephant Rocks. Those giant granite boulders on the beach are truly amazing! Keep an eye on the water if you are in the area between June and October for passing southern right whales. If you are hungry, there are a few places worth to stop at on the way to Walpole including Bartholomews Meadery, selling all sorts of honey products and the Toffee Factory, offering cider, toffees and home made burgers! Once in Walpole, set up camp in one of the tree lined caravan parks in Walpole and enjoy the tranquillity and sounds of the forest.

Day 9 – Explore Walpole

Enjoy a day exploring the coastal town of Walpole, where the forest meets the coast. Sample the local cuisine as well as outstanding artwork and craftsmanship in the local galleries. Walpole-Nornalup National Park provides a range of attractions such as the Tree Top Walk which enables you to walk among 400-years-old tingle trees. You can also traverse a hollowed tingle tree when walking the Ancient Empire Walk. Don’t forget to stop at the Visitor Centre where you can learn more about the settlement of Walpole and get your Tree Top Walk tickets at the same time!

Day 10 – Walpole to Pemberton (125km)

Leave Walpole behind and head towards Pemberton. Don’t forget to stop at Mandalay Beach with amazing views of the ocean!

Day 11 – Explore Pemberton and Manjimup region

Enjoy the day among giant karri trees! Pemberton has so much to offer if you are a nature lover. From mountain biking in the park adjacent to the Pemberton caravan park to exploring the Cascades and Beedelup Falls, you will not be disappointed. Pemberton and Manjimup also offer the opportunity to climb giant karri trees!

Day 12 – Pemberton – Margaret River (150 km)

Leave the forests of Pemberton and head to the world famous Margaret River Wine region. Crikey’s tip – Stay at Taunton Farm Holiday Park. Great location and a great place to set up for a few days to explore this fantastic region.

Day 13 & 14 – Explore Margaret River Region

Swim at pristine beaches, surf, explore ancient caves, stroll through the Boranup karri forest, sample world-class wine and beers, savour delicious food and visit art galleries and quirky shops. Margaret River is a popular destination and we are sure you will have a great time there! The Margaret Region stretches between Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin and incorporates the town of Busselton, Dunsborough, Yallingup, Cowaramup, Margaret River and Augusta.
If you have more days to spend, we would highly recommend exploring as much as you can!
Visit the Busselton Jetty and the amazing Underwater Observatory, head west to Dunsborough and visit the Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse and Sugarloaf rock or Canal Rocks. And why not stop in Yallingup to explore Ngiligi Cave and much more? Even Cowaramup will catch your attention with its fireglass cows in the streets! At the southern end of the cape is Augusta with its historic Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse and it’s also the best place for whale watching between June and August.