One of the biggest drawcards of the caravanning lifestyle, is the people you meet along the way. We’ve made our fair share of lasting friends during our travels, but not many compare to the Stoney Creek Campers. We’ve done Queensland, New South Wales and now we’ve finally made it out west.
When these guys released their new fleet of off-road hybrid caravans, we knew we had to test them out on another epic road trip. These full-height vans are made using cutting edge composite material, which means they’re lighter, but they’re still the durable vans we know so well. So, it’s safe to say, we knew they’d get us where we need to go.
If you’ve ever been to Western Australia, you know there’s heaps to explore. We decided to travel north of Perth to Kalbarri to start our journey. Here you’ll find the state’s iconic pink water at Hutt Lagoon Pink Lake. The water looks like it’s been dyed the colour of bubble gum, but the reason for its appearance is much simpler. It is because of a type of algae that grows inside. Not only does it make the water pink, apparently, it’s also a great source of vitamin a.
The lake leads out to the Indian Ocean, where you’ll find a spectacularly stunning coastline. If you ask us, the best way to explore it is with Kalbarri Wagoe Beach Quad Bike Tours. We visited during whale migration season and were greeted by humpbacks as we cruised the sand.
We settled in for the night close by at Kalbarri Red Bluff Tourist Park. It’s right on the shorefront, but it has been carefully designed to keep campers safe from seasonal wind. Pretty nifty right?
Kalbarri National Park is a must do when you’re out here. We mean, you seriously won’t want to miss it. There are plenty of walking tracks here, ranging in length and difficulty. We decided to head along The Loop Trail. It’s about nine kilometres long and class 4 difficulty. That means it is important to plan your hike. Make sure you bring plenty of drinking water, because there is nowhere to fill up your bottle along the way. Plus, it can get pretty hot in Western Australia. So, we suggest hiking this one in winter.
If you’re visiting in warmer months, make sure you get to the track early. The Loop Trail is closed after 7am between November and March. With all this in mind, we think it is well worth it. You’ll pass by Nature’s Window, which frames a perfect picture of the Murchison River below, plus plenty of other epic vantage points along the way.
Not a walker? Well, that’s no problem at Kalbarri National Park. The views from the Kalbarri Skywalk are breathtaking. The platform hangs 100 metres about the Murchison River Gorge, and boy is it spectacular. While you’re there. head to the café for a sweet treat. We highly recommend the cheesecake.
We could have stayed at Kalbarri forever, but there’s plenty more to see in Western Australia. The team headed south to Geraldton for a stay at Sunset Beach Holiday Park. This seaside park is great for larger model caravans, and it’s the perfect place to base yourself to explore the surrounding area.
One such place you’ll want to visit is Illegal Tender Rum Co. This distillery makes its own spices rum and gin, with a local flavour. The spirits are crafted in small batches with native ingredients, and it is sugar free. If that isn’t enough to convince you to try it, we don’t know what is.
Heading further south, you’ll find the coastal fishing town of Cervantes. This spot is an excellent holiday destination, with its blue water, white sand and incredible national park. However, it is also renowned for something else, and that’s exactly why we’ve come here. You guessed it, we’re talking about western rock lobster.
There’s no better place to learn about the crustaceans than The Lobster Shack. These guys are expected to process 850,000 kilograms of lobster this year alone, so you know they’re experts. You can take a tour of the facility and get up close and personal with these fascinating creatures. Your guide will even take you through to the touch tanks, where you can hold the animals.
If you’ve built up an appetite during your tour, head to the restaurant. The feed here is next level. Think fresh lobster, prawns, ocean views. It is truly to die for. Why not pick up a couple of lobsters to take back to camp? Believe us, you won’t get much fresher than the lobsters at The Lobster Shack.
