The big lap

[jfamily]

Hi, we are planning on a gap year, at the beginning of next year. Would love to hear from seasoned travelers on what destinations we need to visit, north or south first etc. will be in a caravan. Thanks

[Motherhen]

We all like different things. We like geographical features, rocks, gorges, waterfall. We avoid cities and large towns. Hugging the coast is not our idea of seeing the real Australia; the outback and centre. Others may like towns and festivals, or the coastline and fishing. Only you can pick what suits your tastes in travel experiences.

Follow the seasons - north as soon as the weather is OK, and head south when it becomes too hot and humid and cyclonic rains threaten.

Don't forget Tasmania and allow about three months for that if you can. Make your Spirit of Tasmania bookings early, booking return trip at the same time. Tassie would be a good place to start a the start of the year and mainland heat.

Don't stress about getting right the way around in your year. Better to take it easy and have a stress and deadline free time seeing places thoroughly, relaxing and enjoying it, than saying you have driven around the circumference - and burnt a lot of fuel.

[rredbeak]

Everything MH just said X1..Rod

[glanyard]

Spot on Motherhen!
glanyard

[rredbeak]

get yourself in alice springs in the second and [mostly]3rd weekend in august.. This IS true australia outback boating on a dry river. extreme family fun at a small cost...

link


http://henleyontodd.com.au/

Rod..PS do the center at the same time ,lovely weather.

[rredbeak]

when in ROCKHAMPTON go to MT Etna NP OFFICE n get a permit to climb MT ETNA n see the bent wing bats take off at sunset...

You LITERALLY climb over a cliff edge on steel stairs to climb down to the cave openning. GREAT PICS going down n safe as...

THI IS THE BEST SIGHTS in australia..you must do this. choose a cooler month as you climb an hour before sunset then return after sunset. VERY well graded tracks but a TORCH EACH please..

Link below

https://www.npsr.qld.gov.au/parks/mount ... -tours.pdf

Its cheap as and you'll see the best Aus has to offer.cooler months please.its a high climb..rod

[rredbeak]

WA WildFlowers early spring onwards from Carnarvon south to Perth LITERALLY both sides of the highway for hundreds of kilometers. Beautifull colours of all kinds. vast fields of them..
CP's in this area have their own flower tours free if you stay in their CP's..we didnt but took the day tour..BEAUTIFULL..

BUT you DONT need tours if you choose not to. the sides of the highways south is FILLED with flowers of all kinds colours...

Link

http://www.westernaustralia.com/en/THIN ... owers.aspx

over a few months you can plan it EASILY to see the best...Rod

[Motherhen]

September is peak wildflower season in Western Australia, although August in the mid west will be good. Kalbarri National Park spectacular throughout the spring months.

[jock]

Hi, we are planning on a gap year, at the beginning of next year. Would love to hear from seasoned travelers on what destinations we need to visit, north or south first etc. will be in a caravan. Thanks

Some more info might help get you some ideas.
Where are you starting from?....Is your outfit capable of some off-road work? Do you like to bush camp?
Are you travelling with a pet?
If you go right around, basically hugging the Coast with the usual inland sorties like visiting Karijini in W.A., you can expect to travel at least 25,000 kms...... You will also find extremely crowded conditions in the Northern regions in July, August, Sept. ..Also prices for these areas at these times will be very much higher.

Jock.