I took these pictures at Big Brook Dam near Pemberton on a cloudy winter day.

Big Brook Dam presents a glorious setting for a freshwater swim, canoe and nature walk. Surrounded by Karri forest, it provides an idyllic location to soak in the crystal clear water or sunbathe on the sandy beach. Take out a canoe for a paddle or try your luck at fishing from the banks.

Start your visit with a four kilometre walk around the dam along the beautiful nature trail. Look out for kangaroos that can often be seen soaking up the sun on the banks of the dam. Cool off in the dam and then settle down for a barbecue lunch whilst taking in the beautiful views and listening to the sounds of the birds.

Camping allowed fees apply ..$7 Adult per night , check out the links below for more information..
www.dec.wa.gov.au/component/option,com_docman/Itemid…/gid,3998/

www.dec.wa.gov.au/campgrounds/index.php?option=com

http://www.warrenblackwood.com.au/BigBrookDam.html

Check out my post: The Best Big Rig Spots WA for more great spots in WA

Free or low cost

Camping in the

South West of Western Australia

Camping in the south west of Western Australia is as easy as heading out your door. With the right things in hand of course.

It was school holidays and I’d managed to arrange some time off to spend with the family. I felt like being a bit of a democratic dad at the time, and told the kids we would decide as a family what we would do over the holidays. The kids yelled “Camping!”, and I wholeheartedly concurred. I noticed that my wife wasn’t quite as enthusiastic, but still responded with “hmmm…yes, that would be…nice!”. Anyone who has been camping with two (or more) energetic children would perhaps know what she was thinking.

But there was no time for that now, we had things to do. We got out the maps and decided where we wanted to go. On this particular occasion we decided to try a little spot on the Blackwood river between Balingup and Nannup. We packed the car to it’s absolute limit with all our required gear and set off. Even the dog was excited.

There are countless places to camp in the south west of Western Australia. And where you go depends on many factors including what time of year it is, what kind of scenery you want, how far you want to travel, and your budget.

Free camping  is the type of camping my dad used to teach me. Find a nice forest somewhere, preferably near a river, and set up camp in the bush for a night or two. This kind of camping will leave you dirty, and without the creature comforts of home, but gee it’s fun. The kids will love the campfire, the bush, the wildlife, and jumping in the river. To me there’s just something really peaceful about sitting around a campfire at night, maybe with marshmallows, and spotting the local possums and kangaroos.

The season will also often dictate where you go camping. In the hot summer you’ll want to be near water, and there are plenty of camping areas right on the beach, or perhaps in the forest near a freshwater river. In the winter, the deep green forest tends to be more attractive to most people.

So where can you go? There are literally hundreds of places. If you want the established camping parks, you’ll find one in every major town in the south west. The price will depend on the season and whether you want power or not. Or if you’re after something a little less formal, we’ve found a couple of resources that offer loads of information. First, get yourself some maps of the south west. On most of these maps you’ll find all the camping spots. The second resource is a fantastic book by Steve and Sue Collis called “The Guide To Free-Camping in the South West of WA”. It contains over 115 spots to camp or picnic around the south west.

The picture on the right was taken in a cleared area , just off  Grimwade Rd  were we free camped not far from Balingup, there are many good camping spots around this area.

Camping is something that people always remember. Especially the kids. Here’s some advice though – particularly for parents. You WILL forget things and have some minor dramas during your trip. If you don’t accept that from the beginning, you’re likely to get frustrated. You need to go camping with the expectation that you will run into minor “challenges” during your trip. That way, when you realize that you forgot the can opener, or you find that your daughter has used all the band aids within 10 minutes of arriving, you can take it all in your stride without blowing a fuse. For us on our recent trip, it was realizing that what we thought was my son’s air mattress was actually a blow up sofa chair. We spent about 5 minutes working out how we could still all have a comfortable sleep, and then it was discussed no more.

So what are you waiting for? Clean air, wildlife and relaxing times all await you.

Camping Out in Australia’s Outback

When planning your trip to Australia, think about taking advantage of all the sights this country has to offer by spending your time outside rather than in a hotel and buy a trailer tent for your journey. There are so many places you can enjoy that most tourists don’t even think of going to see. The only real problem you’ll face is finding the time to visit each and every one of these natural wonders before your vacation ends. But when camping, especially in Australia, it’s important to keep a few safety tips in mind to make your vacation as enjoyable as possible.

The first thing to keep in mind when getting ready to take your camper trailer into the outback is that petrol stations can be difficult to find. Even if you’re only going for a short drive you should always have a little extra fuel with you. And not just for the camping trailer but your cooking stove as well, since some areas don’t like you to use an open fire pit.

Remember that roadside rest areas aren’t campgrounds. Many of them allow you to stay only 20 hours, and this restriction will be enforced.  But there are many great P  spots  So, when parking your camper trailer, remember to make certain it’s a free site, and meant for camping. Be courteous and leave the camp site as clean and beautiful as you found it, and take your trash with you when you go. Don’t just empty your toilet when no one’s looking, but wait for a dump site.

To make the most of your camping vacation, plan ahead. Make sure that, when entering a National Park, the park authorities are aware of you, and that you are aware of any rules and regulations that may be in place. If you’re going to be at a camp site that requires you to pay, make certain to have your reservations made before you arrive, or you may find that there is no spot open for you and your family. In the peak season many people want to enjoy the outdoors, and you might find yourself left out in the cold.

And, of course, don’t forget to check the weather before you head out on your vacation, and plan accordingly. In the rainy season floods are a real concern, so put your camping trailer or trailer tent on high ground, away from riverbeds and washes, even if they look dry and safe. Don’t forget to ask locals if they have suggestions of where would be a good, safe place to camp if you’re uncertain.

There are so many different resources available to help you with your camping needs. You can find guides for almost every part and park of Australia’s outback and countryside. Don’t forget to contact the National Park system, too, as well as looking online for advice, suggestions, and places of interest. This can keep you from setting up your camper trailer in places that might not allow it, and allow you to find just the right place for your vacation. This not only keeps you and your family happy and safe, it also keeps the wildlife and indigenous species from being disturbed while you enjoy your vacation.

For more great spots in WA …check out this site.

http://bibbulmuntrack1000.blogspot.com

Copyright (c) 2009 Rhonda Budden

http://www.australianoffroadcampers.com.au

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3252510

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