Thomas River Esperance

Thomas River is an attractive area popular for beach and rock fishing. Southern Right Whales visit during the winter and early spring months. The bay has very hard white sand, gorgeous turquoise colored water and big rolling waves. 4WD access to the beach between the river and the rive mouth via a small track. The Thomas River is very shallow and not very appealing, but the beach well and truly makes up for it.
Bird watching is  popular with  numerous walk trails through the area.
Two camping areas run by CALM. One on a hillside overlooking the river and ocean. Quite a few cleared sandy bays recessed into groves of predominantly banksia trees. Fairly sheltered although there was a bad bush fire couple of years ago and  they are slowing growing back. Several bays quite large enough for big caravans or RV's.  The walk trail to the beach is about 100metres. Very good facilities with  new facilities  being built for the tourists on this site.
The second camping area is in dense shrubbery beside the Thomas River. You can not see the river because of the vegetation. The area is sheltered and has good facilities but not much shade.

No pets are allowed.  Best time to go would be Spring, Summer and Autumn. You will need a National Parks Pass and camping fees apply. 
The photo shows our view from the hill camping area just after the bush fires. 
It is a very pleasant spot and the white beach just goes on  and on. 
Suitable for all vehicles to enter the park

Daniels Road Camping Area

Around 95 Kms east of Esperance ,Daniels Road is a fishing beach where you can camp on site ready to catch the big ones.  You will need 4WD for access to the beach. The bay is nice and small. The campsites are just clearings in the bush but separated by vegetation so usually fairly quiet and peaceful.
There is a picnic shelter, some tables and chairs, and a little shade. You can access this site all year round but be aware the camping area will go underwater if it decides to rain a lot.
Mainly for tents and camper trailers.   Pets are allowed, but must stay on a lease.
As far as I can remember there were no fees. 
                                   The last section of road about 3kms was fairly rough and eroded when we were there.
                                    A good tent and you are all set.
Take  Fishing gear and a Tackle Box

Le Grand Beach Esperance

Very popular for camping, fishing, swimming, boating, walking, nature study and wonderful scenery.
 A solid rock headland is good for fishing and the beautiful beach sweeps round in a wide arc towards the town of Esperance which is  approximately 30kms to the west. Turn off Merivale Road and go  about 12kms to the Rangers Office. Quite expensive to camp here but it is a beautiful place.  You need a National Park's Pass plus camping fees.   The showers are only solar powered so there is no guarantee of a hot shower depends on how many other campers are there and also if the sun has been out or not.
Best time to go is between September and November when the wildflowers are in abundance. Summer is a great time to go for the swimming. It can be cold, wet and very windy during the winter months.
When we were here there was a brick ablution block with flush toilets, wash basin as well as the solar showers. Depends on the rain fall there should be rain water available, a campers kitchen, gas barbecues, tables and seats, bins, some shade and lots of nice walking trails.  Small boats can launch with a 4WD but it would be better to go to Lucky Bay.  Generators were allowed but at certain times during the day.  Camp fires are not allowed.
There is a day picnic area near the beach parking area.
The camping bays have thick protective vegetation surrounding the site, therefore you can not see the ocean even though it is right beside the ocean.  Just a short walk.
Most mornings are calm and perfect for swimming then the sea breeze comes in the early afternoon on a average day making it right for the fishing  or get a good book ( or Kindle) to read and relax.
Go and enjoy if you are in the area.

Quagi Beach Esperance WA

Quagi beach is a nice place, with an attractive long and narrow bay .Swimming and surfing, beach and rock fishing is very popular. The bush here is lovely with densely growing shrubs, backsias, and displays of wildflowers in season. The camping area has about 12 secluded bays and from memory they are sheltered with not much shade. Only a couple have shade from small gum trees scattered around. The camping bays range from small sites to sites for larger groups. Most of the bays have picnic tables, barbecues and fireplaces and a bench seat. There is an ablution block with composting toilets. A windmill supplied water for the outside cold showers when we were there couple of years ago. Not really suitable for drinking water  best to bring your own.
Quagi Beach is about 60kms west of Esperance. Pets are allowed but must stay on a lease. It is suitable for most campers and a small fee per person per night.  

Wash'N'Go Sink

Wash'N Go compact sink/organizer is made of food-approved polyethylene. Interior area of lid contains recesses and pockets for storing hygiene accessories such as toothbrushes. The sink base holds 3 gallons (11 liters) of water for drinking and washing. The Wash'N Go sink/organizer is rugged and has a molded carrying handle for easy portablility. Ideal for camping, hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities as well as ememergency preparedness. Weight: 4.8 pounds

Waychinicup National Park

Waychinicup National Park goes from Norman's Beach in the west all the way across to Mount Manypeaks to Cheyne Beach in the east.  This park is very popular with canoeists and fisherman.
It has magnificent coastal scenery and once again in Western Australia the spring weather produces wildflowers full of color.
Waychinicup is accessable by most vehicles, and camping is at the Inlet Camping Area for tents only as you have to walk into the camp area.  Sorry no dogs allowed.  Bring you own drinking water. There is a ranger in attendance and a campground host during the peak season.   .http://nationalparkguide.com.au/western-australia/waychinicup-national-park/
We enjoyed our stay and walked a lot on the walk trails using our own walking sticks as excellent support especially on the steeper trails.

Cape Le Grand National Park

Cape Le Grand National Park has beautiful beaches of Le Grankd, Hellfire, Lucky Bay and Rossiter Bay. Rocky headlands and magnificent rugged coastal scenery features in this park. During early summer wildflowers are abundant.  The area is popular for swimming, fishing and whale-watching. The park is approximately 36km east of Esperance in Western Australia. Easy access via the Cape Le Grand Road off the Merrivale Road.
There is a very good 4WD beach area near Marbellup Hill.  Rossiter Bay has very enjoyable walk trails for those campers interested in walking.
Lucky Bay has two camping areas. One area is a carry in everything area, where the other section is  for tents,  van, trailer camping. There was a camp kitchen  and solar hot shower when we were there last time couple of years ago.  I would  recommend 4WD  for the beach boat launch  area.  The park only allows gas/fuel stoves. The Portable Butane Gas Stove shown is very popular and  lightweight for backpackers and campers with limited area for packing gear.

Wonder Wash

MINE WORKS REALLY WELL

Wonder Clean is the ideal washing machine to use in any place. It is virtually for everyone. It washes in the same way as the best electrical washing machine, but it does it so much more quickly and easily. How it works: It is neither MIRACLE nor MAGIC - It is SCIENCE. The principle of operation is based on the physics laws of pressure and heat. The hot water heats the air inside the container. The heated air ''tries'' to expand but is prevented so by the hermetically sealed container. When the expansion of the air is prevented, the result is that the pressure is built up inside the container. This pressure causes the soap and water to penetrate forcefully through the garment and the stains are released. Turning the container causes the previously released stain to be removed from the garment. Useful information: Temperature and fabric chart: Delicate fabrics 80-90° F/Luke warm. Nylon and white color synthetics 100-1110° F/warm. White synthetics and cotton blends: 115-125° F/Hand hot. Colorfast cottons and linens 135-145° F/Hot. White cottons and linens 190-195° F/very hot.
(information from Amazon)
I have limited space in our camper, this little machine fits in very well and it does work.

Nullarbor Crossing

We have travelled this section many times and enjoy it very much.
A good idea for anyone doing the Nullarbor Crossing on the Eyre Highway  for the first time go and collect a free booklet titled "The Nullarbor-Australia's Great Road Journey" from  a visitors centre at either Norseman in Western Australia  or Ceduna in South Australia, depending on which way you are travelling across.
Near Caiguna is Australia's longest straight road - 90 miles ( 146.6 km).
Golfers are catered for with the world's longest golf course starting at Kalgoorlie in Western Australia or Ceduna in South Australia, with a series of holes at towns and roadhouses in between. The course is called "Nullarbor Links" par 72 course. A real must for those interested in golf. Golf cards are available at each location and clubs can he hired if needed.
Heading West from Port Augusta in South Australia across the top of the Eyre Penisular are some colourful graffitti covered large water tanks.  Mining operations at Iron Knob, the Gawler Rangers ( now that's another story on it's own) away to the north, through grazing country towards Ceduna.  Around Wudinna we found the peculiar granite rock formations really something.
Residents of Kimba lay claim that their town is the half way point across Australia.  There is a huge pink and gray Galah standing about 2 storys high in the main street. This is the town's  visitors centre.
Ceduna is the beginning (or end) of the 1200kms crossing. Ceduna has an old jetty and goal well worth a visit.  Ceduna has a good fish and chip shop not far from the Caravan Park on the ocean front- great after a long day travelling.
Penong lays claim to be known as the "Town of 100 Windmills".  Over the years travelling we noticed a decline in windmills giving way to solar power panels.
Penong has a beautiful mural painted on the school wall and the old woolshed museum built around the 1860's are both worth a visit when travelling through.  Good little caravan park there as well- very clean.
Around 20kms south of Penong on the coast is a surfing mecca called "Cactus Beach". Surfers from all over the world come to "ride Cactus".
Nundroo roadhouse claims they have the largest swimming pool on the Nullarbor- really nice to enjoy after a hot day's travel.
From the Great Australian Bight into Queensland years ago a "Dingo Fence" was built to keep dingos out of sheep stations.  You can still see some of the remaining fence along the Nullarbor.
The head of the Great Australian Bight is about 75km west of Yalata. Well worth it to take a slight detour about 12kms off the Eyre Highway into the whale watching centre. Southern Right whales  spend their winter holidays here between May to October.
The Nullarbor Plain is a single lump of limestone formed over 50 million years ago. Wind and rain over the years has sculptured the Nullarbor with underground caves, blowholes and sinkholes.
There is plenty of areas to pull off and free camping for campers who are self sufficient.  Travellers wanting a bit more comfort visit the  roadhouses and motels along the way.  
The views from the limestone cliffs are just breath taking.
Even though the road is sealed all the way now, before you attempt this journey, your vehicle must be in good condition due to the distance between fuel outlets.
A good first aid kit is a must.

Meals when camping. Keep it simple

Children and camp cooking.
Children love to get involved, and the beauty of camping is that the recipes are usually simple, easy and fun. The kids will enjoy them even more if you let them modify the camp recipes and have some cooking fun. Before your next family camping trip, gather up some kid-friendly camping recipes. Camping dessert recipes are fun and easy for kids to make, and the whole family enjoys eating them.
Browse the web for some good easy recipes.
Get the children to cook their own pudding in a tin - ex jam tin/baked beans tin type.
You will find they will eat whatever they cook themselves.
 Meals should be made as simple as possible. Meals or soups in a cup are definitely convenient foods but they may be too bulky for many backpackers and campers. Meals take more time to prepare at the campground but it's also one of the jobs that everyone seems to want to help out with. Meals around the campfire are just as much the centre of camping life as meals around the kitchen bench at home.