MySwag.org The Off-road Camper Trailer Forum
General => General Discussion => Topic started by: Top.ender on April 15, 2014, 06:11:10 PM
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calling all West Aussies.... what are the chances of getting a camping spot at Dwellingup over easter when I haven't booked ??? :-[ :-[ :-[
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IMO... Somewhere between none and never!
After two Easters in a row of disastrous bush camping (packed, bogans, drunk quads dune driving, beach raves) we vowed never to go away for Easter ever, ever again.
The wife will only go away to a CP on popular long weekends and I frankly don't hold it against her.
We started calling CP's in Feb for Easter bookings and everywhere was full.
We are CP'ing on Anzac weekend for 3 nights and we had the choice of pretty much anywhere we wanted.
Easter is now a DIY or trailer mod weekend and I will happily sacrifice two days of annual leave, do the same trip, without the crowds or the traffic a few weeks earlier or later.
Thankfully, most of our camping gang have come to the same conclusion!
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If you get down there early you might get one at Nanga.
Otherwise, try the Captain Fawcett Track (http://www.4wdingaustralia.com/4x4/wa-locations/captain-fawcett-track/)!
Aaron
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Thats why we are headed north east to Mt Elvire
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I don't think you can book at Dwellingup. Lane Poole and Nanga Mill are big areas but fill up quickly and there isn't too much space between you and others.
We are headed to D'Entrecasteaux in search of salmon.
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not a chance - every one heads south for easter - i tend to head to kalbarri on that weekend
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Why not spend a few days exploring different camping spots north of Perth?
Ellendale Pool is quit nice, it's 24 k's NE of Greenough.
http://www.exploroz.com/Places/75115/WA/Ellendale_Pool.aspx#rqc_tabs=1 (http://www.exploroz.com/Places/75115/WA/Ellendale_Pool.aspx#rqc_tabs=1)
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If you want Murray river area south of Perth and Dwellingup is full then head to the Harvey- Quindanning rd and drive east until you see the Murray river alongside the road. There are old pine plantations out there and lots of free camping areas along the river. Alternative spot is Hoffmans mill east of Logue Brook dam.
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Alternative spot is Hoffmans mill east of Logue Brook dam.
Camped at Hoffmans Mill the weekend before Xmas a couple of years ago and had the place to ourselves. The Ranger told us that it is never full at Easter, so might be worth a try.
Cheers
envee
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Head for the Goldfields, Holland track, Woodlines or Cavehill and even Dunns track between Ravensthorpe and Lake Johnson is worth a go. Definitely Bogan/Yobbo free and you may well not bump into anyone at all. I will be on the Holland somewhere!
Cheers Mike :cheers:
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We know of a convoy of eight 4wds doing the holland track. Have fun out there! Beautiful area.
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my son and family are doing southern cross to bullfinch, koolyanobbing, helena and aurora ranges, back to coolgardie, cave hill, burra rocks, holland track to hyden. watch for a 150 prado with red custom built camper.
they left perth this morning
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Some great suggestions here. Every site at dwellingup is able to be booked except for nanga
Aaron
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From my own experience at Dwellingup Gnanga capsites, unless you get there BEFORE the public holiday, you've got buckleys chances of an UNBOOKED site.
You can book sites there, especially at the new (OLD Baden Powell site ) Stringers, Chudich are all booking sites, but like they say, yu gotta get in early, by that I mean REAL EARLY, like 6 months early.
However, just for the record, We avoid going up there during public holiday weekends, far to much mayhem and people for us.
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I'm on-call and working over Easter, clocking up some extra TOIL for when there's not so many people around ;D
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Some great suggestions here. Every site at dwellingup is able to be booked except for nanga
Aaron
went down Wed night and Nanga was closed for repairs until after Easter.... typical useless DEC..>:( >:( >:(
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Was at Murchison House Station just outta Kalbarri................Whole section of river to ourselves and I mean the nearest campers that we saw were about 5km away..............
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We also went up to Kalbarri, stayed at Lucky Bay. We knew it would be busy so went the week before (first week of the school holidays) and it was awesome. It was starting to get very busy on Thursday and we left Friday. In the 10 minutes it took to re-pressure our tyres at the entrance around 20-30 vehicles drove in.
Great place, will definitely visit again, just glad we went the first week.
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Was at Murchison House Station just outta Kalbarri................Whole section of river to ourselves and I mean the nearest campers that we saw were about 5km away..............
Can you tell me a bit more about it? We are looking at going there for a week and I would appreciate some more info if you don't mind.
We ended up just going to Oak Park for Easter, nothing there but a bucket load of flies. It was nice to get away though, gave me a chance to work out a few more things for the camper, something I can't do at home because there isn't enough room to open it up properly.
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We spent the weekend at D'Entrecasteaux fishing off Yeagerup, Malimup and Warren Beaches.
I have never seen so many 4WD's in one place before - even more than I have seen on the Lancelin-Wedge stretch. DPaW reckon 250 per day, I'd say it was easily that. Most seem well-behaved although there are always bogans doing donuts in utes with dogs on the beaches in National Parks.
The access tracks over Calcup and Yeagerup got pretty chopped up by the end of the weekend and it was entertaining watching cars going up and down the hills.
Amazing array of roof top tents, swags, trailers, gazebos, wind breaks - quite the spectacle.
There was huge swell making the ocean pretty rough although there were plenty of salmon being caught.
Great spot. Will write up a trip report later.
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Shame about Nanga. I wonder what repairs were so urgent they couldn't delay it until after easter? They would have lost a lot of money from campers unable to camp there.
Yeagarup is incredible - awesome place. It is always packed at Easter, and it seems to get busier and busier every year. Last year the ranger told us it was the biggest turnout she had ever seen, and it sounds like it may have been even bigger this year.
I will get to Murchison house station one day; looks unreal. I believe Murchison offroad has similar camp grounds
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Shame about Nanga. I wonder what repairs were so urgent they couldn't delay it until after easter? They would have lost a lot of money from campers unable to camp there.
Yeagarup is incredible - awesome place. It is always packed at Easter, and it seems to get busier and busier every year. Last year the ranger told us it was the biggest turnout she had ever seen, and it sounds like it may have been even bigger this year.
I will get to Murchison house station one day; looks unreal. I believe Murchison offroad has similar camp grounds
Do you "REALLY" want to know about "repairs" at Nanga ? Actually, they are NOT REPAIRS, in fact they are REMODELLING, the whole pine forrest section just down from the rear entry has been BULLDOZED and cleared. The story is they are going to put in CARAVAN PARKING BAYS, there's a sign there with the planned design painted on it and shows no less then THREE bitumentised roads where the pines were, and gravel bays leading off the bitumen roads. So far they haven't said anything about reservations, but knowing how these people work, I'd be suss about that issue.
It's a funny thing really, cause just last year they installed fancy new deep drop toilets which were a big improvement on the old ones, these were left standing, but appear to be out of place with the new design.
I had a friend stay up there recently at the New camp area, (reconditioned old area) and he did not tell us of any closures due to repairs, though they did tewll us the road was in the best shape they've ever seen it.
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Can you tell me a bit more about it? We are looking at going there for a week and I would appreciate some more info if you don't mind.
What do you need to know?
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forgot to mention that the Dec also extended the ban on open fires until after Easter... ??? ??? so after one night camped on our block at Two Rocks and had a ball for the rest of the break... :cup:
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Wow, that's unreal. Shame really. Not something the DEC does on a regular basis; it will be interesting to see what happens.
I prefer the more private campsites on Captain Fawcett Track anyway
Aaron
Do you "REALLY" want to know about "repairs" at Nanga ? Actually, they are NOT REPAIRS, in fact they are REMODELLING, the whole pine forrest section just down from the rear entry has been BULLDOZED and cleared. The story is they are going to put in CARAVAN PARKING BAYS, there's a sign there with the planned design painted on it and shows no less then THREE bitumentised roads where the pines were, and gravel bays leading off the bitumen roads. So far they haven't said anything about reservations, but knowing how these people work, I'd be suss about that issue.
It's a funny thing really, cause just last year they installed fancy new deep drop toilets which were a big improvement on the old ones, these were left standing, but appear to be out of place with the new design.
I had a friend stay up there recently at the New camp area, (reconditioned old area) and he did not tell us of any closures due to repairs, though they did tewll us the road was in the best shape they've ever seen it.
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Was at Murchison House Station just outta Kalbarri................Whole section of river to ourselves and I mean the nearest campers that we saw were about 5km away..............
That kinda pisses me off. I tried to stay there for some bush camping, but apparently "booked out". Maybe that only let a certain number of people stay on the station at any one time? Seems like no shortage of space anyway
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That kinda pisses me off. I tried to stay there for some bush camping, but apparently "booked out". Maybe that only let a certain number of people stay on the station at any one time? Seems like no shortage of space anyway
Go further upstream near the old Geraldine lead mine for free bush camping.
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We tried to book Dwelly for June long weekend a few weeks ago only to be told it's fully booked.
Jason.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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We tried to book Dwelly for June long weekend a few weeks ago only to be told it's fully booked.
Jason.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I phoned on the Tuesday before Easter and was assured by Dec that there was plenty of spaces.... ??? ???
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Go further upstream near the old Geraldine lead mine for free bush camping.
thanks for the tip, could have used that a week back ;D
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That kinda pisses me off. I tried to stay there for some bush camping, but apparently "booked out". Maybe that only let a certain number of people stay on the station at any one time? Seems like no shortage of space anyway
They do limit numbers as they need to co-ordinate a disaster plan. If it were "free for all" in numbers, how would you ensure ALL people were evacuated. Food for thought..........
Seems that the ill prepared (I booked back in Feb) whinge the loudest............
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They do limit numbers as they need to co-ordinate a disaster plan. If it were "free for all" in numbers, how would you ensure ALL people were evacuated. Food for thought..........
Seems that the ill prepared (I booked back in Feb) whinge the loudest............
if your comment about whinging is directed at me I think its unjust...firstly I rang the Dec and enquired as to availability and was assured there would be plenty...secondly the Dec in their wisdom didn't mention the closer of Nanga even though I specifically mentioned camping there in the conversation....thirdly perhaps you can explain why the Dec chose to extend the ban on open fires past the normal 31st March to after the Easter break because I,m yet to meet anyone who was happy with it....
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if your comment about whinging is directed at me
I don't think it was...
you can explain why the Dec chose to extend the ban on open fires past the normal 31st March to after the Easter break because I,m yet to meet anyone who was happy with it....
How can Doc explain that? At a guess I would say the fact Perth metro hasn't had bugger all rain in months, it was probably a very sensibly call given the bogans who come out of the woodwork at Easter. Happy or not, 1000's of campers and a bush fire and every man and there dog would be lining up to take a pop at the DEC!
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Re fire ban - up at Shark Bay they had a fire ban on until May due to lack of rain and you could tell they certainly needed rain - unfortunately a few idiots ignored the Station's advice about a total fire ban and had one (and it wasn't a small one) anyone....on checkout they were going to be informed they were never allowed back.
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if your comment about whinging is directed at me I think its unjust...firstly I rang the Dec and enquired as to availability and was assured there would be plenty...secondly the Dec in their wisdom didn't mention the closer of Nanga even though I specifically mentioned camping there in the conversation....thirdly perhaps you can explain why the Dec chose to extend the ban on open fires past the normal 31st March to after the Easter break because I,m yet to meet anyone who was happy with it....
Nah, more likely at me. My comment was more based on the point they have heaps of room, but the point about evacuation plans is a valid one. But in all fairness I didnt book as early as I should have. I work shift so public holidays mean squat to me, I really should have paid more attention that easter was during school holidays. **** happens I suppose, but thats why I prefer to camp in the bush where I dont have to worry about booking and crowds etc...
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Nah, more likely at me. My comment was more based on the point they have heaps of room, but the point about evacuation plans is a valid one. But in all fairness I didnt book as early as I should have. I work shift so public holidays mean squat to me, I really should have paid more attention that easter was during school holidays. **** happens I suppose, but thats why I prefer to camp in the bush where I dont have to worry about booking and crowds etc...
Yer..I see the point about evac plans and it does make sense...I just thought the Dec could have passed the info on when I rang.....on another note...I was probably being a little to sensitive :-[ :-[
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I know Easter is over but some options for next year...
We spent last year at Gnaraloo 3mile camp. Awesome spot. We'll go back www.bowen05gnaraloo.blogspot.com (http://www.bowen05gnaraloo.blogspot.com)
This year we spent 5 days at WOOLEEN STATION'S Murchison river camp. Had a great time. Have not had time to post up photos yet.
Others we looked at for this Easter were Francois Peron national park shark bay & Tamala station near steep point. Both of which we will be planning on getting too in the future. ;D :cup:
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Grayzo - you won't be disappointed with either the National Park or Tamala Station. I'm trying to find time to upload photos and do a trip report for our Easter
Trip Adventure at Tamala Station and 2 x day trip to Francois Peron National Park.
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Grayzo - you won't be disappointed with either the National Park or Tamala Station. I'm trying to find time to upload photos and do a trip report for our Easter Trip Adventure at Tamala Station and 2 x day trip to Francois Peron National Park.
Cool can't wait elle.mac thanks.
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We are going to Tamala next week and in August 2012 we spent time up at Bottle Bay near the tip of Francois Peron. Bottle bay and Gregories are both really good spots. DEC have done a great job with BBQs and Toilets. You only need your own power and water. Track in can get chopped up and boggy up towards the tip as people ignore the advice to let tyres down. I can't understand why people continue to run at 35psi on sand tracks. At Bottle Bay you can drive along the beach a km or so - good fishing for yellow fin whiting.
Camp fires now permitted at Tamala as they have had rain in the last week. I suspect both Peron and Tamala will have an influx of campers over the next month or so seeing as how Cape Range at Exmouth had so much rain and damage.
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Well i was lazy and the apartment we booked at Augusta was very nice thank you ;D
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We camped at lake brockman for the Friday and Saturday night.
Didn't arrive till late Friday arvo. Heaps of people down there but by not staying near the water was able to find a decent size spot up the back.
Had one lot of campers in view of our camp, felt sorry for them cause my little girl didn't do too well sleeping in a tent, well getting to sleep wasn't too bad once asleep.
New tent set up on trailer did well, but def want to lower it a bit, plus needs new frame instead of dodgy old cage, had to cross couple of straps across back to stiffen it up.
But swags rolled out perfectly behind ladder.
But back to the camp site, only one lot of idiots thankfully, old dual cab hilux and a green Toyota surf.
Hooned around abit without thought of damage to tracks or anyone around them.
But up side was they approved camp fires between 6pm and 10 am which was a nice surprise.
Weather held off to which was another win.
Wife and daughter was ready to go home Sunday morning, but my little boy just wanted go 4wding!!!
Great weekend with friends and family, and mother in law didn't end up coming due to work, epic win :D
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Just updated our blog page with our Easter adventure.. http://www.bowen05.blogspot.com.au/ (http://www.bowen05.blogspot.com.au/)