Exmouth

Exmouth

by | Aug 13, 2024 | Locations, Western Australia

Exploring
Exmouth

Western Australia

Exmouth, Western Australia, is a hidden gem for nature lovers and families alike. Known for its breathtaking landscapes and extraordinary marine life, it offers an unparalleled experience for those traveling to Exmouth as a family. Whether you’re an adventure seeker or someone looking to unwind amidst nature, Exmouth has something for everyone.

Where We Stayed

During our time in Exmouth, we had the pleasure of staying in various locations that perfectly suited our family’s needs. We began our journey by settling into a spot just south of Exmouth on the East side, recommended by a friend of a friend. This location became our home for the first week and the final three weeks of our trip. It offered a peaceful retreat close enough to the town while still allowing us to immerse ourselves in the natural beauty of the area.

Off Grid Adventures

For a more adventurous experience, we also spent six nights at Osprey and five nights at Mesa campgrounds within the Cape Range National Park. These off-grid sites were a dream come true for snorkelling enthusiasts. We swam with turtles, explored vibrant coral reefs, and enjoyed fishing and easy access to boat and diving tours. The proximity to these activities made our stay truly unforgettable.

Things to Do in Exmouth

Exmouth offers an abundance of activities, from snorkeling in crystal-clear waters to canyon hikes that reveal stunning vistas. Families will love the diversity of experiences available, with something for every budget. While Exmouth is known for its premium-priced activities and accommodations, there are still plenty of affordable options for those looking to enjoy this spectacular destination without breaking the bank.

The town itself is RV-friendly, with ample dump points and a convenient water filling station (just 5c per litre). However, due to its remote location, be prepared to pay a premium for essentials like petrol and groceries. Despite this, we found a gem in the Whalebone Brewery, where we enjoyed incredible food, great drinks, and surprisingly reasonable prices—a welcome break from the typical high costs in the area.

Getting around Exmouth

Getting around Exmouth is a breeze, thanks to its small-town layout designed with tourists in mind. Towing a caravan or maneuvering an RV here is far easier compared to similar tourist hotspots on the East Coast.

Traveling to Exmouth as a family is an experience like no other. With its unique blend of adventure, natural beauty, and family-friendly amenities, it’s a destination that will leave you with memories to cherish for a lifetime.

Nullarbor

Nullarbor

by | Jul 31, 2024 | Locations, Western Australia

Exploring
The Nullarbor

Tasmania

Like any rational person living in Australia, we had some queries (or straight-out anxiety) about crossing the Nullarbor. It’s one of the most significant challenges for anyone doing a lap or traveling from the East to the West Coast, but it’s easier than you think it will be. With proper planning, traveling across the Nullarbor as a family can be a breeze. Here’s how we did it.

Fuel Planning

Fuel is a critical concern when traversing the Nullarbor. To ensure you make it across, you need to:

  1. Know your vehicle’s range on a full tank: Calculate how far you can drive before needing to refuel.
  2. Research fuel stop hours: Make sure they align with your travel plans.
  3. Use apps like Fuel Spy: This can help you save some dollars along the way, as fuel prices can be steep.

Adding a can of fuel for the trip might be a good idea, but with careful planning, it’s unnecessary. However, having one could make you someone else’s hero if they run out of fuel.

Food Options

For lunches, we pre-made chicken and rice wraps, which our kids call burritos. For dinners, we pre-made pasta and heated it up at each stop. This approach saved water for washing up, time cooking, and made the trip food-wise a breeze. We also had plenty of snacks for both days.

You could eat at the roadhouses, but for a family, it gets quite expensive. Remember, you’ll need to dump all your fruits and veggies before the border, so eat those as snacks before heading into WA.

Do You Need a UHF Radio?

The short answer is no. Ours broke beforehand. Despite the amount of traffic, especially road trains, there is plenty of empty, straight road for overtaking. Using your indicator to signal when it’s safe for trucks to overtake is sufficient.

How Much iPad Time for the Kids?

We aimed for the first 3-4 hours without iPads. After lunch, they could watch a movie or two, which helped keep them entertained during the long stretches.

Duration of the Trip

With young kids (under 5), you’ll likely need a minimum of 2 nights, depending on where you start and end. When we traveled from Streaky Bay to Perth, we realized it would have been better to do 3 nights. Here’s a breakdown of our journey:

Day 1: Streaky Bay to Eucla (7 hours)

  • Filled up at Streaky Bay.
  • Stopped at Caiguna for a toilet break and stretch.
  • Stopped at Yalata for fuel.
  • Filled up again at Eucla.

We camped for free near the beach at Eucla. This part of the trip was the best as we hugged the coastline, experiencing some truly unique parts of Australia.

Day 2: Eucla to Norseman (7 hours)

  • Fueled up at Caiguna and Balladonia.

We stayed at a free camp 5 km before Norseman. This was the most monotonous part of the trip—very straight, very boring, with not much to see.

Day 3: Norseman to Perth (10 hours)

  • Fueled up at Norseman.
  • Stopped for lunch and fuel at Southern Cross.
  • Fueled up at Kellerberrin to ensure we had enough for Perth.

This was the longest leg of the trip, but it was more enjoyable than the day before. The first three-quarters of the drive had varying scenery and less straight roads. About 90 minutes out of Perth, the traffic increased, and we had to be more driver aware as we reentered civilization.

Traveling across the Nullarbor as a family is a big task, but it’s not insurmountable. It’s a true adventure and one we’re excited to do again on our way back to the east coast, this time leaving from Esperance and stopping at Fowler’s Point to cut down the travel time. The Nullarbor is more than just a road—it’s an experience, and with the right preparation, it can be an unforgettable journey for the whole family.