Tips for traveling alone and low cost in Western Australia, from the Australian outback to Coral Bay, what to buy and what not to miss for a safe trip to the land of kangaroos, tips for DIY travelers.
Traveling low cost it is also possible in Australiadespite the fact that the country is renowned for its high cost of living and the distances to be covered are enormous. Driving inAustralian outback, it can take hours before they come across any trace of human presence. And when you finally see another car, the ritual waving goodbye is a great relief.
Here are some tips to make your Australian adventure as low-cost as possible.
campground
A tent in the car or a mattress in the back of a station wagon are the cheapest choices, because they allow you to stop in one unpowered site at a campsite or to spend the night in one of the many rest areas along the road. Although most of the campsites in urban areas are equipped with kitchen and / or barbecue, It is a good idea to bring with you what you need for cooking (gas stove, pot, pan, plates, cutlery and glasses - in short, the bare minimum) and a camping shower. Rest areas and national parks do not make available showers and kitchen, so it is good to arrive equipped.
Vehicle
During the weeks of travel, the car will be your home. Given the thousands of kilometers traveled, finishing the journey without having had any technical problems with your vehicle is a great luck. Obviously in many cases it is not possible to foresee damage to the machine, but there are some precautions that it is useful to follow: check the machine oil every 3/4 days, make a habit of checking that tire pressure is not too low, and every now and then check that the engine coolant is not below the minimum level.
National Parks
National parks are perhaps the most fascinating places on the journey along the West Coast Australian. Walks in the gorges of Karijini National Park they are a real adventure, and there is nothing more fun and refreshing than swimming (watch out for the crocodiles!) in the natural pools of Litchfield National Park. As for national parks, it is advisable to draw up some sort of itinerary before leaving and predict how many national parks you intend to visit and in which state. For example, the government of Western Australia offers a Holiday Pass with which you can access an unlimited number of national parks in the four-week interval. Just see if it's worth it, depending on how many national parks you want to visit.
Petrol
Gasoline certainly is the most expensive aspect of the trip, given the enormous distances and ridiculous prices to be paid in rural areas. With a jar of pesto and half a kilo of pasta you can eat for days, but gasoline is an expense that cannot be avoided. As for distances, if you are traveling along the west coast you can rest assured, there is no risk of running dry. Having said that, carrying at least the equivalent of a half tank of gasoline (two 20L tanks are ideal) is certainly a good idea, especially to avoid refueling in roadhouses in the middle of nowhere, saving a few dollars in areas that are not. urban.
Tour
During the trip you will be inundated with flyers and posters of organized tours, from Coral bay to the small town of Fiztroy Crossing, from Broome to Katherine: river or lake boat tour, gorge walk, helicopter ride, and so on and so forth. As to be expected, the tours are very expensive and often they are avoidable because many places can be visited independently. Other times, however, relying on a tour company can be a good idea.
For example, the famous Bungle Bungles they are only accessible by 4 × 4, so if you are traveling with a "normal" car, the only option is to book a sightseeing tour. The Whale Shark Tour along Ningaloo Reef is a tour worth investing in. Yup, enter the sea with a mask, fins and mouthpiece is free for everyone. But if you want to add the thrill of snorkeling to snorkelling swim with whale sharks (the largest fish in the world) and the chance to see sea turtles, whales and sharks (the big ones), you need to rely on local marine biologists. A tip: if you decide to book a guided tour or paid activity, keep in mind that very often there are group discounts, ask around if anyone would like to join you before booking.
