Australia So Much to See
Update 7 April 2014: The Western Explorer is now open.
Good News today from the Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources that the rebuild of the section which failed is nearing completion.
The road is expected to be opened to traffic, under one lane, in the week commencing 24 March 2014.
The repairs are expected to be fully completed by the Easter holiday break.
For further enquiries about this project please call 1800 753 878.
Watch this page for further updates.
24 February 2014
The City of Busselton has installed a new dump point in to cater for the growing number of visitors to the region travelling
in caravans and recreational vehicles.
Centrally located behind Churchill Park Hall and adjacent to Kookaburra Caravan Park Number
2, a new RV and caravan dump point is due for completion in early May. The new facility will alleviate pressure on existing
dump points located at caravan and holiday parks across the region.
The facility will be free to use, but is kept locked to ensure
no dumping of contaminated refuse. To utilise the facility please telephone the City of Busselton on 9781 0444 (all hours) to
access the pin-code.
The dump point has been developed by the City of Busselton, with financial assistance from Tourism Western Australia.
28 April 2014
Seasonal opening of National Parks in the Kimberley 2014
Open: The Gibb River Road is open. The following West Kimberley National Parks of Windjana Gorge, Bell Gorge, Lennard Gorge and Mount Hart are now open. Caution on the Fairfield - Leopold Downs Road with water damage at creek crossings and floodways. The road to Kalumburu is open with limits, and extreme caution required.
Windjana Gorge National Park including the Campground andTunnel Creek National Park will open on Saturday 19 April 2014 for the remainder of the 2014 season. Please note that the water level in parts of Tunnel Creek Cave is still up to 1 metre deep.
Silent Grove campground, Bell Gorge and Lennard Gorge will open
on Saturday 26 April 2014.
The proposed opening date for Mount Hart will be Thursday 17 April 2014.
Dates may change if
rainfall occurs in the area. For further information please contact the Parks and Wildlife West Kimberley District office in Broome
on (08) 9195 5500.
Due to rainfall in the area Mitchell River National Park remains closed. For further information please
contact the Parks and Wildlife District office in Kununurra on (08) 9168 4200.
Check Mains Roads WA online or by telephone for the most recent conditions on the Great Northern Highway and the Gibb River Road, both of which are currently open.
The road to Kalumburu is open as at 5 June 2014 with extreme caution. High clearance four wheel drive only, limit 15 tonne. The road is still wet and temporary repairs are in place with the grader working. Check the height of Carson River before crossing. The road to Mitchell Falls is open.
Updated 17 June 2014
As work continues and waters recede, gems of Kakadu are being progressively opened.
While the road into Gunlom is not recommended for towing, the site opened to visitors 14th May 2014. High clearance four wheel drive vehicles only due to road conditions with no caravans with the exception of high clearance camper trailers. See our visit to Gunlom.
Mardugal Campground (caravan area) is now open. This is close to Yellow Waters. There is also a fully serviced caravan park at Cooinda for those who want powered sites. See our visit to Yellow Waters.
At Merl Campground near Ubirr, only the tent campground is open with the caravan areas still closed. Caravan campground is open as at 30th May 2014. As at 23rd June, water has cleared from the road to Ubirr.
Maguk is expected to be open early June. See Maguk. Opened 7th June 2014
The road and track to Jim Jim Falls is expected to be open early to mid June. Opened 7th June 2014
Update: The Old Jim Jim Road opened to high clearance four wheel drive vehicles 21 May 2014, with the water crossing running at 500 millimeters. This four wheel drive road links the Arnhem Highway and the Kakadu Highway.
Last updated 23rd June 2014
Where? Kwolyin Free Camp forty kilometres west of Bruce Rock on the Bruce Rock-Quairading Road.
When? Tuesday, 2nd
September commencing 11 am. Lunch provided.
What is The Granite Way? An initiative of the Shire of Bruce Rock, Shire of Kellerberrin and the Shire of Quairading, with funding from the Department of Regional Development Western Australia and Royalties for Regions, a sixty kilometres self drive tour takes in several granite outcrops including Kokerbin Rock, the third largest monolith in Australia.
Click for brochures on the The Granite Way and on the Kwolyin Campsite.
This rest area is a popular stopover point for those visiting Purnululu National Park, and many travellers leave their caravans there
as caravans are not permitted on the access track to Purnululu.
Main Roads Western Australia advise road users that Spring Creek Rest Area on the Great Northern Highway, approximately 110 kilometres north of Halls Creek, is now open with upgrades including toilet construction.
Updated 8th July 2014
Jarrangbarnmi (Koolpin Gorge) opens in Kakadu 31st May
Note temporary closure from 9th June due to the presence of a crocodile - re-opened 11th July 2014
Get off the beaten track and enjoy a true nature experience at Jarrangbarnmi. Jarrangbarnmi
(meaning “flash flood”) is located on a south facing part of the main escarpment in the southern part of the park.
Koolpin
Creek descends from the plateau through the gorge to join the upper reaches of the South Alligator River. Access to the gorge
is via the road to Gimbat Day Use area and from there a 4WD (high clearance vehicle) track of approximately eleven kilometres. A key
is required to open the access gate and access is by permit with a $50 deposit for the key which must be picked up from the collection
box at the Mary River Ranger Station between 8:00 am and 4:30 pm.
Only forty people may visit at any one time, so you may have
to wait for a booking. Allow seven days for processing of your application. Times of travel are specific to ensure traffic
is only one way.
Bush camping facilities at $5 per person per night, with a maximum of three nights. Rugged hikes to top plunge pools and cascades on the escarpment are all part of the experience. A bushwalking permit is required to take the hikes. To apply for your permit visit Jarrangbarnmi.
Updated 10th July 2014
Visit Kakadu Wednesday 9th of July during NAIDOC Week 6th to 13th July 2014
Even though you missed this event, there is plenty to see and do in wonderful Kakadu
You are invited to this free event during
NAIDOC Celebrating Bininj / Mungguy Culture in Kakadu
The 2014 NAIDOC theme is ‘Serving Country - Centenary and Beyond’, and
Kakadu National Park is have a day of celebration at Bowali Visitor Centre. Cultural activities include didgeridoo, basket weaving,
painting, flag raising and buffalo hamburgers for lunch. A free day for all the community to enjoy. See you there!
WHEN: Wednesday
9th July 2014, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
WHERE: Bowali Visitor Centre, Jabiru region
A day of cultural activities including:
• Flag
raising and welcome at 10:00 am
• Cultural demonstrations
• Johnny cakes and Kakadu plum jam
• Photo gallery
• Slideshow presentations
•
Free lunch – buffalo burgers
• Kids colouring competition
NAIDOC is a celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures
and an opportunity to recognise the contributions of Indigenous Australians in various fields. This year’s NAIDOC theme honours all
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women who have fought in defence of country.
From our warriors in the Frontier
Wars to our warriors who have served with honour and pride in Australia’s military conflicts and engagements across the globe.
We
proudly highlight and recognise the role they have played in shaping our identity and pause to reflect on their sacrifice. We celebrate
and honour their priceless contribution to our nation.
Updated 9th July 2014