With above average rainfall in some parts of inland and southern Australia this winter it will at least have one major benefit for travellers and that is the wildflower season should be spectacular.
Australia is such a land of contrasts with vivid blue and green seas lapping at paper white sandy beaches, through to rough red dirt interiors and rugged cliffs and escarpments, not to forget lush, green, tropical rainforests and towering forests. A surprising element in all of the different landscapes are our wildflowers and native trees that burst into life come spring.
We found some absolute gems of caravan parks in Western Australia, you know the ones that make you gasp when you see the pool, the amenities, the location, location, location! There are some pretty stunning caravan parks out there and the ones that topped my list made it for different reasons. For some it’s the proximity to a beach, walk over a dune and there you are, others had unbelievable pools, kitchens, or grounds that had you asking “is this really a caravan park?’’ Sometimes it’s because of their location to everything you need, a one stop shop if you like where everything needed for a great stay is within walking distance. So from South to North of the state, here are my favourites.
Some places just say follow me…… Do you find yourself wondering when you’re travelling, ‘where do these steps lead to?’ Sometimes the destination is obvious but other times I’ve found myself looking down at a set of steps or along a disappearing path, thinking well I won’t know unless I take it. The anticipation of what’s going to be at the end and the views along the way can keep you motivated and usually the good surprises far outweigh the disappointments. You’ll never know unless you take it.
One of my favourite things to do whether on holidays or at home is to go to a good weekend market. There are so many clever crafty, tasty, growing, reading, arty discoveries to be made. Not to mention it’s a great way to get yourself out for a walk and take in what towns have to offer all while supporting local growers and artists and boosting the local economy. In the past twelve months I’ve had the joy of visiting markets in New South Wales, Western Australia, Northern Territory and in South Australia and of those visited, these would be my pick of the best.
Yes it’s true! For less than $20 you can experience the eastern most point of Australia, Cape Byron and Byron Bay to the most westerly point of the continent at Steep Point in WA. And you can do it from the comfort of wherever you are in Australia, in your favourite chair. All you have to do is pick up a copy of the June / July edition of Australian Caravan + RV Magazine and the July / August edition of On The Road Magazine and settle in to read about both of these destinations.
I love lighthouses and with a coastline as huge as Australia we have a lot to discover. I am drawn to their resilience and purpose, not to mention the incredibly stunning views they afford from their locations. No lighthouses are manned in Australia these days, they are all automated, but in some cases weather readings and other information are still taken from their locations.
I love preparing for a holiday by researching a destination. The internet, magazines, friends and social media can tell you a lot about where you are going. This is great if you want the facts and figures, the must see and do’s, best places to stay and experiences to try. Even being armed with all of that, there is still one ingredient that can make a holiday tip over into the ‘best experience ever’ category. That extra something is…ask a local!
One of the things I love about caravanning road trips is having a different view out of the window every day or so. No day is ever the same and even if you’re staying in one spot the view can change dramatically from day to night. What can look quite bland during the middle of the day can look completely different with a spectacular sunrise or sunset, casting a whole new light, literally, on your camp site.
Some of the signs you see on a road trip are obvious, it seems in Australia we have more than our fair share of animals that can run out or leap in front of you in the vast stretches of open country we have to travel. And soon enough, now that you know what to look out for, you will probaly spot what you’ve been warned about.