Hi guys,

My brother and myself are heading over to WA (from QLD) to do the trip from perth up to gnarallo and back in a wicked van over a few weeks. We're keen to see what WA windsurfin is all about... No doubt a lot better than here...

ANYWAY, was just wondering if it is necessary to book camping sites in advance? I was looking at the standard camp sites on gnaraloo.com. Is it necessary to stay in a camp ground or are there other places to stay? we will be self sufficient as a wicked has everything needed to get by.....

What are the arrangements or rules with sleeping in vans as I dont want to pull up somewhere near the beach to spend a few nights if it is not allowed or frowned upon.

Cheers guys.

PS. Also read somewhere, booties is a must due to the reef. Is this a good idea as I'm not a fan of wearing foot socks! Actually I hate it.... :)

you don't need booties...

you just need a teaspoon of cement

So the chances of digging out bits coral are pretty high? haha great!

nah man.. just watch how you walk around.
if you know the reef in north qld then you won't need booties

Except for the fact blue ringed occies will kill you in 10mins flat and you don't feel the bite!
Go the booties.

You can't camp within 20km of a caravan park.

Once north of about Lancelin that means you can pull over anywhere on the highway for the night - but not at a lot of beaches as even though they're more than 20kn from a caravan perk they have signs specifically excluding camping. EG the Jurien to Dongara stretch

Props for the info guys,

One other thing is there anything which is considered an essential that I should bring apart from all the gear needed when out on the water?? like mozzie nets, etc.....

Cant really think of anything in particular but I'm sure when we get there someone will surely say "****, we didnt bring the ..................."

Cheers
Mick

Take a hat with a fly net. The flies can be crazy until the seabreeze grounds them.
They are thick along the coast at the moment!

Curved needle and strong synthetic thread (the fishing rod binding stuff is good) and the must a thimble - for fixing luff tube rips.
You can't push that needle thru 150 times with no thimble.

Lots cloth reinforced gaffa (or Mylar tape if you feel rich)

Epoxy solarez or knead-it

3 fins per board

spare mast/s

10L water per person per day (minimum)

Lots of money to buy 2 x bags of ice a day if you are not using an Engel

Two spare wheels for that van as the road in can be tough. A can of tyre inflation foam as an additional option too. A tube would not hurt either (somebody up there will have tyre levers and a compressor).

awesome info guys....

cheers

just take the best and most camping gear you can carry.

Most crew take pop up vans and trailer tents.i hired a trailer tent this year $390pw with annex most comfortable trip ever.
Try this place awesome they have everything you will need http://www.gripcampertrailerhire.com.au/page2.htm

As for gear take everything you own plus any spare stuff scrounged from mates.

Chances are you wont need it but its great to have just in case

Take boots just in case low tide.i wear them cause you never know what situation you might get into.
My board separated this year and i had a big walk in with my sail as board had drifted away would have been hell without booties

oh and

Use standard tent pegs in dirt that is like concrete? no way!
Get lots of 10mm steel ones. Even better a cordless drill and 12" long auger bit to pre drill holes (yes lazy, but better then banging in 30 of them in 40deg heat

Sunglasses and sunscreen

soap and shampoo that works in hard water

decent rope - hang up clothes to dry and tie down tent /awning etc as the standard rubbish tent or annexe rope doesn't last long in 30kn 24hrs a day!