Peter_Joanne

I need some help planning my families Western Australia Adventure. Travelling are my wife and I (30s), my daughter (4) and my mother (64).

We are currently living in Melbourne and have a 14-18 day window to visit Western Australia starting at the end of September 2011. There is so much to see and the place is so BIG, it is a daunting task and I need some help.

I’ve posted the draft itinerary – I used the WA tourism website and I found it to be very informative, but they make EVERY place sounds great (you will be able to tell where I cut & paste from their website), which I know from the trip reports I read here that that is BS. You may also notice that I may have several activities listed for any given place - I listed what I found of interest to do, but I realize I will not be able to do it all. I know driving one way means a hefty one-way drop off charge for the car rental, but do not think I can drive the distance twice with a 4 year old.

Day 1 – FLY to Exmouth & DRIVE Exmouth to Coral Bay 116 km (2hrs 9 mins)

Take a flight to Exmouth/Learmonth, and driving to Coral Bay. Stop and check out Shothole Canyon and Charles Knife Canyon. Overnight: Coral Bay

Day 2 – Coral Bay

Coral bay activities:
- Swimming and snorkeling
- Manta ray tour

Overnight: Coral Bay

Day 3 – Coral Bay

A glass-bottom boat trip or a snorkeling tour. Overnight: Coral Bay

Day 4 – Coral Bay

R&R & Overnight: Coral Bay

Day 5 – Coral Bay to Carnarvon - 238 km

Leave Coral Bay after breakfast and head south towards Carnarvon. Stop at the blowholes. In Carnarvon – take an evening stroll along the Fascine, enjoying the magnificent sunset views. Overnight Carnarvon

Day 6 – Carnarvon to Shark Bay/Monkey Mia - 350 km (4 hrs 45 mins)

Morning in Carnarvon. Visit some of the sites on the Gascoyne Food Trail. Early lunch and drive to Shark Bay and along the way stop at Hamelin Pool Stromatolites, Shell Beach and Eagle Bluff. Overnight: Monkey Mia

Day 7 – Shark Bay/Monkey Mia

Activities/Sights:
- Day tour to nearby Dirk Hartog Island or Francois Peron National Park.
- Drive out to Peron Homestead
- Little lagoon for a picnic and a refreshing swim.
- Tour of a local pearl farm
- Monkey Mia - Unwind on a sunset cruise aboard a catamaran

Day 8 – Shark Bay/Monkey Mia

Spend the morning at Monkey Mia and see the bottlenose dolphins (With a 4 year old we are probably going to do this twice). Spend the afternoon on the beach in Monkey Mia. Take an indigenous cultural tour. Overnight Monkey Mia

Day 9 – Sharks Bay/Monkey Mia to Kalbarri - 390 km (5 hrs 10 mins)

Spend another morning at the water’s edge for a friendly encounter with the Monkey Mia dolphins (with a 4 year old we are going to do this twice). After breakfast, drive from Shark Bay to Kalbarri.

On the way to Kalbarri, explore Kalbarri National Park, visiting the picturesque lookouts at Natures Window, the Loop and Z-Bend Gorge.

Take a sunset views from one of the many coastal gorge walk trails as the sunsets over the rugged red cliffs. Fresh seafood feast for dinner. Overnight Kalbarri

Day 10 – Kalbarri to Geraldton - 170 km (1 hr 49 mins)

Wake up early and watch the daily pelican feeding on the foreshore at around 8.45am. Spend the day exploring the Murchison River gorges in Kalbarri National Park OR take a river cruise OR spend your day relaxing and taking in the sights of this unique coastline. Other possibilities: swim at Chinaman’s Beach or sandboarding tour.

After lunch, head to Geraldton. Stop by the Pink Lake (Hutt Lagoon) near Port Gregory and admire the ever-changing pink hues. Stop at Northampton for afternoon tea, and explore the town’s rich colonial heritage. In Geraldton, treat yourself to some of the freshest seafood in WA, particularly the region’s famous western rock lobster. Overnight Geraldton

Day 11 – Geraldton to Cervantes - 220 km (2 hrs 38 mins)

Breakfast at Geraldton foreshore. After breakfast, head up to the HMAS Sydney II Memorial. After lunch, drive to Cervantes. As you drive, keep an eye for leaning trees.

Stop at Dongara for coffee on the foreshore or at a café on Moreton Terrace.
Stop (maybe) at the Greenough Central Historic Settlement.
Stop at Lesueur National Park to see wildflower & take in one of Mt Lesueur’s nature trails.

Maybe:
- a wildlife cruise from Jurien Bay or Green Head to interact with the playful sea lion colonies that live in the nearby marine park.
- stroll along one of Green Head’s walk trails taking in beautiful views of the Indian Ocean.

Drive into Cervantes and spend some time at Seashells Café, located on the beachfront. Overnight Cervantes

Day 12 – Cervantes to Perth 200 km (2 hrs 30 mins)

Morning visiting the Pinnacles (from the other posting – we should do this the evening before, right?) After visiting the Pinnacles Desert, head to Lake Thetis to marvel at some of the earth’s oldest living fossils, the stromatolites and strombalites. Enjoy a leisurely stroll on the nearby 1.3 kilometre walk trail.

Maybe - Swim at Hangover Bay near the Pinnacles Desert or Thirsty Point in town.

After lunch, head to Perth. Overnight Perth.

Day 13, 14 & 15 Perth & surroundings

We are not sure if we should try to squeeze in a few days south of Perth. As well, we are thinking of going to Broome for 4 days before Exmouth. Australia is so big! It would take a lifetime to see it all.

So, my questions:
- Although the whole trip is 11 days, I wanted to spend at least 4 nights at the some place in order to get in some rest and relaxation – for us to snorkel and my daughter to play in the sand. From my research, Coral Bay sounds better, but from the posting it appears Exmouth is better. Should I switch to Exmouth?
- I have read and re-read the trip reports from Melnq8 and tockolshe and I am a little worried that this trip is not a good idea with a 4 year old. 2 concerns - the driving distances are to long and she'll go crazy or drive us crazy in the car? there will be no one else on the road and if something happens we are totally screwed? I want to be convinced otherwise.
Thank you in advance for anyone who replies.

PS Melnq8 - your trip reports and comments are great and I would appreciate your insight. If you do reply, I'm originally from Montreal and can be of assistance planning your future trip to Canada/Eastern US...I noticed it was on your destination wishlist

Peter

AlanJG

P_J,
It seems to me that you already have some easy days scheduled so I would go for the extra days at the beginning of the trip as you do not say how the 4 year old handles flying and the traveling will be easier if everyone else is relaxed no matter how the little one feels.

Peter_Joanne

Our little girl is a good traveller. Her first trip she was at 4 months - she's used to travelling, but like anything, I do not want to find myself testing her limits. Our recent self drive trip in Tasmania was good, but he longest stretch was 2 hours.

Melnq8

Hi Peter -

It looks as if you've done your homework. A few things to keep in mind:

The Quobba blowholes are north of Carnarvon and about 50 kms west of the highway.

They usually feed the dolphins at Monkey Mia three times each morning, so you could well do it twice in the same day.

Kalbarri National Park is ~26 km outside of Kalbarri town via unsealed road. The road can be impassable after rain. You'll need more time if you plan to walk any of the trails. The walk to Nature's Window is easy and short, but the Loop and the Z Bend tracks are not. You'll want to be off the roads by sunset - it's dangerous to be out at dusk and in the bush at nightime - too many wallabies and kangaroos on the road.

The drive from Kalbarri to Geraldon is closer to 2:15 and Geralton to Cervantes is closer t 3.5 hours drive.

The Pinnacles are best viewed at sunset or sunrise. The National Park is a shortish drive from Cervantes, but either way you'll be driving when it's dark and the wallabies/roos are very active. Do take care. The Discovery Center in the park closes at 4:30 pm, so I suggest arriving in time to explore the center and then heading out to view the Pinnacles at sunset, then driving back to Cervantes. Take is slow and easy and keep an eye out for critters.

Not sure which "posting" you're referring to. I personally preferred Exmouth to Coral Bay, but I seem to be in the minority. If you want to just relax and pop into the water when the mood strikes you, Coral Bay is the place for you.

Yes, the driving distances are long. There is traffic on the road, but not much. There are road trains, so you'll want to remain alert and stop often for breaks. There's also plenty of wildlife and stock on the road. Take water and food and plenty of activities for the kid. Keep to the main roads.

I'd suggest two nights in each place as a bare minimum. That will give you one full day to explore each area and prevent having to drive every day.

I'm happy to help if you have other questions.

stormbird

Hi Mel - I agree with you regarding Exmouth - we camped at Cape Range National Park and thought it was one of the most pristine places we had stayed at - heaven on a stick really!
Snorkelling right at your tent door step - beautiful white sandy beaches, beautiful blue water.

Peter_Joanne

Thanks for your input!