State of Western Australia Travel Forum

Hi There,

I am after a website with WA highway maps. I need to also track KM's between destinations as well.

Also what are the dangers or traps of travelling through WA on the highway particulry with a caravan.

Thanks everyone, any help is appreciated

Lisa

Understand you are planning a trip for a third party. Why are they incapable of doing that themselves? Have you ever towed a caravan yourself ? Anywhere? Have they? If the answer is no in both cases. I'd stick to planning a caravan-less trip!!!

Here is a route planner link.

http://tinyurl.com/5rvx4t

You plug in where you want to leave from and where you want to goa and it will give you a suggested route and the Km's. It is on the victorian site but works for the whole of oz.

Try this site

http://rac.com.au/Travel/Free-WA-driving-maps.aspx

The biggest trap would be if travelling in the northern part of the state. The vast distances between towns. Make sure you have plenty of fuel and water. If venturing off major highways, make sure someone knows where you are going.

Cheers
Col

Good questions, Peter. Bookmarktravelagent?

Hi For tracking kilometres in Western Australia

www.whereis.com.au

Other web pages of interest

www.perth.wa.gov.au
www.monkeymia.com.au/site/
www.australiascoralcoast.com
www.big4.com.au
www.fremantlewa.com.au
www.visitwa.com.au

Hope this helps.

Recommend you research Western Australian pages of members who have replied.

Good Luck,

Mike

I have used www.whereis.com.au loads of times, both for Perth metropolitan and longer journeys. I find it to be quite excellent. Note that the times given appear to be minimum travel times with little allowance for heavy traffic.

Dangers in WA towing a caravan are about the same as anywhere else, if you are not experienced in towing you may make a mess of it. The main highways are all tar sealed and usually in good condition.
In some places you need to carry spare fuel and water.
As the distances are so large, that you may be better off without the van which will slow you down and use more petrol. Many choose to use motels on long journeys.

Other dangers

Especially in some remote areas, you will be well advised NOT to travel after dusk because of the danger of hitting a kangaroo. They hang about on or near the roads at night and often jump towards your car rather than away from it(not very bright, eh!).

In the north avoid the rainy season when the roads can be washed out.

Be aware of dangers if you are driving when the first rains come after summer. The oil that has soaked into the dry surface for months rises to the top and makes the surface treacherously slippery. Slow down LOADS, and leave big gaps between you and the vehicle in front, especially with a caravan.

If you traveling up in the Pilbara and Kimberly areas watch out for cows, kangaroos and various animals!

I hit a cow recently and smashed up a hire car and I have driven this entire state 10 times over...no one is immune to them!

Hers the kms from perth to Broome along the 1 highway! (as driven by me 4-5 times!)

Perth-Geraldton 450kms
Geraldton-Carnarvon 400kms
Carnarvon-Karratha 600kms
Karratha-Port Hedland $250kms
Port Hedland-Broome 600kms

Thank you, your response was very helpful

Lis