Kimberley in July

by Fabienne
(Belgium)

With the help from your guidebook some friends and me are planning a holiday in outback Australia. Unfortunately some of them can only take their holidays in July. Is it still worth going in that month and are there ways to avoid the crowds?
We would like to do (part of) our trip on 4WD and are probably going from Perth to Darwin.

Kind regards

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Kimberley in July

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Kimberley in July
by: Birgit

Hi Fabienne,

July is peak season in the Kimberley, in fact, everywhere across the north and the centre. Would it be peak season if it wasn't worth it?

July has perfect temperatures, all the annoying insects have died off in the crisp nights, the ocean on the west coast/Broome is safe for swimming, the roads are dry and the rivers are down, everything is accessible...

Tens of thousands of people every year think it is very much worth it!

But of course you are right that it will be more crowded. Do get a 4WD. It's expensive compared to 2WD hire, but that time of the year it's well worth it. If you can't get away from sealed roads you can't get away from people...

Stay at bush camp sites with minimum facilities. Most people prefer some amenities.

One sure fire way to get away from people is to do longer hikes. Most people want to drive up right to the photo and picnic point, maybe go for a short, pleasant stroll, but no more.

The west coast overall is nowhere near as busy as it will be say around Broome or Darwin. If you have Destination Kimberley then you have everything you need to get away from the main tourist stream, at least in the Kimberley.

My outback website also has hints and tips and covers some less known destinations. I am not promising anything, but if you are lucky there may be a second book available for the NT (at least the Kimberley to Darwin area) by the time you travel, with LOTS more information.

And last but not least, coming from Europe I think you may have a different perception of what constitutes "crowded". It's never as crowded here as Europe is... You'll love it!

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Submitted by: Birgit

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Hi Fabienne, July is peak season in the Kimberley, in fact, everywhere across the north and the centre. Would it be peak season if it wasn't worth it? July has perfect temperatures, all the annoying insects have died off in the crisp nights, the ocean on the west coast/Broome is safe for swimming, the roads are dry and the rivers are down, everything is accessible... Tens of thousands of people every year think it is very much worth it! But of course you are right that it will be more crowded. Do get a 4WD. It's expensive compared to 2WD hire, but that time of the year it's well worth it. If you can't get away from sealed roads you can't get away from people... Stay at bush camp sites with minimum facilities. Most people prefer some amenities. One sure fire way to get away from people is to do longer hikes. Most people want to drive up right to the photo and picnic point, maybe go for a short, pleasant stroll, but no more. The west coast overall is nowhere near as busy as it will be say around Broome or Darwin. If you have <a href="http://www.kimberleyaustralia.com/destination-kimberley.html" rel="nofollow">Destination Kimberley</a> then you have everything you need to get away from the main tourist stream, at least in the Kimberley. My <a href="http://www.outback-australia-travel-secrets.com/" target="_blank">outback website</a> also has hints and tips and covers some less known destinations. I am not promising anything, but if you are lucky there may be a second book available for the NT (at least the Kimberley to Darwin area) by the time you travel, with LOTS more information. And last but not least, coming from Europe I think you may have a different perception of what constitutes "crowded". It's never as crowded here as Europe is... You'll love it!

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4WD for 6?
by: Fabienne

Thank you very much for the quick and long reply! I'm convinced :-)

Do you know if there's something as a 4WD that fits 6 people in one car? And is it affordable? I'm staying for 3 months in Australia (my friends just one) and want to buy a car to drive to the East Coast after our outback adventure. From there I'm heading for New Zealand so I also should be able to sell it again.

Maybe it's better to rent the 4WD and in august buy me a 2WD? I have no idea what prices I should expect. Do you know where I could find more info on this subject?

Again lots of thanks for the help and the enthousiasm. Makes the work of planning a trip much more fun!

greetings

Fabienne

Buying a car
by: Birgit

Hi again Fabienne,

You can rent a 4WD for 6, but you'll have a hard time finding one that size to buy.

4WDs are very expensive to buy and maintain anyway, and it may be harder to sell on the east coast than it would be here.

I think renting the 4WD and sharing the cost, and then buying a 2WD for yourself, that's the best way to go. Between 6 you may be able to afford the 4WD. 2WDs can be bought cheaply.

Also, the exchange rate is currently great. The Aussie dollar is way down. That'll help.

Instead of buying a 2WD you could also just rely on getting rides with other people who bought cars. They are always looking for people to share the driving and fuel costs. Saves you the hassle of buying and selling...

Here's some more info on both options:

Budget travel around Australia
Buying a car
Buying a car in Australia

Belgians in july to the Kimberley
by: Ingrid Wallyn

Hi Fabienne,

I am from Bruges and travelling with my son of 15 years to the Kimberley. (28 of juin- tell 13 of august.) I am starting in Darwin, I have booked a tour with Kimberley Wild driving to Broome, and camping with max. 20 People. I have a B&B for 7 nights in Broome, to have fun with the young locals for my son.
After I will travelling the Dampier Peninsula, but I did not arranged that part.
Last year I did other parts of Australia, on my own (I am 50). I enjoyed the tours, because you meet a lot of people, locals and others, fun, fun... Adventure Tours was my favorite, there breng you everywhere, small groups, big adventure.
Driving alone in a car is lonely I think.
Reiswijzer in Bruges is a small travelling office where you can meet a copple from Knokke who went in July-August to the Kimberley. You must reed their reisverslag.
Have fun, when are you starting end from where with your friends?

Have fun, Ingrid and Hendrik

Oostkust
by: Anonymous

Hi Fabienne,
Fly to the Eescoast, Cairns end do the Bloomfieldtrack, drive to Cooktown, snorkel at the Great Barri�rereef en stay in The Greenhostel in Cairns. You can book your flights by Qantas online from Belgium and the Australian Dollar has a good course now. You win a lot of time and see beautiful Queensland. I am in love with it, maybe soon with the Kimberley as well.
Groetjes, Ingrid uit Brugge

re: Ingrid
by: Fabienne

Hey Ingrid,
My trip starts in Asia and then I'm flying to Perth. I'm defenitely going to do queensland as well. Luckily I have enough time. Thanks for the tips!

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Kimberley in July