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Western Australia: September or February?
We are in the initial stages of planning our next trip to/in Oz, this
time to Western Australia. We will probably have about 4 weeks and will be starting and ending in Perth. Our first major decision is whether to go in September or in February. According to our information, the maximum temperatures in September will be about 20 degrees C in Perth, 17 in Albany and 22 in Kalgoorlie (no info yet for further north). In February these numbers are 30, 24 and 31. Our first draft route is Perth, up the coast to Karratha, down through Newman, Meekatharra, Wiluna to Kalgoorlie, and, time-permitting, down to Esperance, Albany and back to Perth. We will be driving a 4WD campervan and enjoy nature, so we will visit a number of (accessible) National Parks along the route. We think that September may be too cool and probably also wetter (but not really wet). Last time we were there from October 15 (Port Hedland) through 31 (Esperance), so quite a bit later. Port Hedland to Perth (October 26) was still OK, but the south-west (Yallingup, Pemberton and (especially) Albany) was much cooler/colder and we had quite a bit of rain in Albany. So our current thinking is February (early February to Early March). (Yes, we realize that this means we will be missing the wildflowers again, but you can't win them all.) Opinions? Suggestions? Etc.. Note that we don't like things to get crowded, but on the other hand (nearly) no people at all for days is no fun either (we had that last November on the Silver City Hwy, Sturt NP, Innamincka, Coongie Lakes, Birdsville (Track), Oodnadatta (Track), Dalhousie Springs). Thanks in advance for any and all responses. |
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Western Australia: September or February?
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Western Australia: September or February?
"Raffi Balmanoukian" a wrote in message news:BC8327B8.222A9%walkabout@TAKEOUTTHETRASHTOREP LY.ns.sympatico.ca... in article , Frank Slootweg at lid wrote on 3/21/04 10:51 AM: So our current thinking is February (early February to Early March). (Yes, we realize that this means we will be missing the wildflowers again, but you can't win them all.) Frank, I've been in WA in February and that would be my suggestion for your itin - Cap Le Grand, Esperance, etc. are magnificent then and Perth, while warm, isn't stiflingly hot. Meeka etc. might be a tad uncomfortable then, though. Kal is tolerable at either time. Depends what Frank would find uncomfortable. The trip from Karratha down to Kalgoorlie would be very hot at that time of the year - expect max temps around 40 much of the time. But I agree that it's the perfect time to see the SW. The whole south coast is magnificent around then, although it's always possible to get some rain down that way. Perth is fun in Feb too. It's really a summer city - people will be filling the sidewalk cafes/restaurants and beer gardens, and the beach is great. Maybe hire a catameran on Perth water, or down near Penguin Island in Rockingham. Go snorkelling off Rottnest Island. Lots to do. -Tom |
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Western Australia: September or February?
"Tom Johnstone" wrote in
: "Raffi Balmanoukian" a wrote in message news:BC8327B8.222A9%walkabout@TAKEOUTTHETRASHTOREP LY.ns.sympatico.ca... in article , Frank Slootweg at lid wrote on 3/21/04 10:51 AM: So our current thinking is February (early February to Early March). (Yes, we realize that this means we will be missing the wildflowers again, but you can't win them all.) Frank, I've been in WA in February and that would be my suggestion for your itin - Cap Le Grand, Esperance, etc. are magnificent then and Perth, while warm, isn't stiflingly hot. Meeka etc. might be a tad uncomfortable then, though. Kal is tolerable at either time. Depends what Frank would find uncomfortable. The trip from Karratha down to Kalgoorlie would be very hot at that time of the year - expect max temps around 40 much of the time. But I agree that it's the perfect time to see the SW. The whole south coast is magnificent around then, although it's always possible to get some rain down that way. Perth is fun in Feb too. It's really a summer city - people will be filling the sidewalk cafes/restaurants and beer gardens, and the beach is great. Maybe hire a catameran on Perth water, or down near Penguin Island in Rockingham. Go snorkelling off Rottnest Island. Lots to do. -Tom I wouldn't come to Perth in February, if this year is anything to go by. Day after day in the high 30s, with 3 days around 40 deg (and power restrictions meaning no air conditioners allowed). Also, if you are in the city itself, the concrete effect means that it doesn't cool down much at night. We are in the middle of another burst of 40 degree days right now. September/October was fine. BTW, I don't know where people get the idea that there is 'lots to do' in Perth. I'd disagree. The cafe/restaurant/nightlife/shopping scene is nothing compared to, say, Melbourne. The sand on the beaches is nice, but that is about it for them (don't expect any other attractions). The surrounding hills and countryside are nowhere near as pretty as Adelaide or as spectacular as the Blue Mountains (Sydney). There is a 2 page spread in Saturday's 'West Australian' (daily newspaper) about why young people are leaving Perth for the eastern states - basically it is dullsville. Les |
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Western Australia: September or February?
"Frank Slootweg" wrote in message ... We are in the initial stages of planning our next trip to/in Oz, this time to Western Australia. We will probably have about 4 weeks and will be starting and ending in Perth. Our first major decision is whether to go in September or in February. According to our information, the maximum temperatures in September will be about 20 degrees C in Perth, 17 in Albany and 22 in Kalgoorlie (no info yet for further north). In February these numbers are 30, 24 and 31. Our first draft route is Perth, up the coast to Karratha, down through Newman, Meekatharra, Wiluna to Kalgoorlie, and, time-permitting, down to Esperance, Albany and back to Perth. We will be driving a 4WD campervan and enjoy nature, so we will visit a number of (accessible) National Parks along the route. We think that September may be too cool and probably also wetter (but not really wet). Last time we were there from October 15 (Port Hedland) through 31 (Esperance), so quite a bit later. Port Hedland to Perth (October 26) was still OK, but the south-west (Yallingup, Pemberton and (especially) Albany) was much cooler/colder and we had quite a bit of rain in Albany. So our current thinking is February (early February to Early March). (Yes, we realize that this means we will be missing the wildflowers again, but you can't win them all.) Opinions? Suggestions? Etc.. Note that we don't like things to get crowded, but on the other hand (nearly) no people at all for days is no fun either (we had that last November on the Silver City Hwy, Sturt NP, Innamincka, Coongie Lakes, Birdsville (Track), Oodnadatta (Track), Dalhousie Springs). Thanks in advance for any and all responses. Welcome back to Oz! I don't want to tell you what is the better of the two times to come, although I have my own preferences. For climate statistics I suggest you look up http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averag...wa_names.shtml You'll find that Newman for instance has an average maximum of 37.2 in February. That would make any walking in Karijini NP awfully hot! Similar temperatures are in vogue all over the area nborth of the Tropic of Capricorn and inland south of that like Kalgoorlie. As others have said the south coast is great in February. Maybe leave the north and just fully explore the south, including Fitzgerald NP (need a 4WD to do that properly). Maybe when you have checked out the climate bit and have made a considered decision you can ask more pointed questions. I am sure there are many knowledgable people about WA on this newsgroup who can give the right answers. :-) BTW don't expect them from me after 5 th April as we are going to ther Netherlands and Canada for 6 months then. Gerrit |
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