Hey,
I'm thinking about packing up the van and driving from Melbourne to Perth over the Christmas period.
In terms of a plan.... well thats all I've got so far....
Anyone got any stopover tips with good kiting?
I've heard the coastline along the bight is quite cliffy.... may not be any good spots?
Thanks!
i'm keen to hear the replies...
SA coast looks amazing, would love to check it out some time.
You would have to go to cactus beach... Turn off at Penong, before the start of the Nullabor. Legendary waves and some good shark stories too. Went there with don Diego, Nifty Nigel and a few others on my second trip to oz some 30 years ago. That and margs, Lancelin, Gero, horrocks, gnaraloo, a certain fine northampton girl, all convinced me to migrate. Still can't quite believe what a good life I lead!
www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1yy7-jE9PfixresqEKXN8AUAFe0s&msa=0&ll=-29.655836,132.620087&spn=0.695758,1.141205
Here is a kite spot map from a friend of mine who is land kiting on a buggy (being disabled he can't go in the water). I drove from Perth to Brisbane in May-June and I hit just about every spot you see on this map.
Adding to those I have also kited in:
-Bremer bay, WA
-Ceduna, SA (Shelly Beach Caravan Park, really nice place to stay, beach front sites and great kiting spot).
-Streaky Bay, SA
-Coffin Bay National Park, SA. Google map: Coffin Bay Conservation reserve (AMAZING SPOT!)
-Lincoln National Park, SA
-Port Lincoln, SA
-Solmon Beach, Windy Harbour, WA
-Vancouver Peninsula, Albany, WA (very nice)
-Two Peoples bay, WA
-Denmark, WA
-Augusta and Margaret river, WA (of course!)
That's about all I can remember. I think the possibilities are just about limitless anyways. Just make sure you are fully independent (self-launch, self-land, self-rescue) as you are not very likely to see any other kiters in most of these spots. Also, having a wide range of kites helps, light wind board as well. I also land kite as well which helps when it's a little too light for the ocean.
Having a phone with Google maps on satellite view (with Telstra modem + antenna) was the only way I could easily navigate to these and also find new spots! You will also need constant internet access for wind forecast and live wind readings as most of your itinerary will be based on that.
Searching on Google/Seabreeze for details of these spots really helped me gather lots of valuable info as well.
Good luck!
Christian
PS: Having a 4WD and lots of time on your hand really helps too!
Select to expand quotetomasjoad said..
Hey,
I'm thinking about packing up the van and driving from Melbourne to Perth over the Christmas period.
In terms of a plan.... well thats all I've got so far....
Anyone got any stopover tips with good kiting?
I've heard the coastline along the bight is quite cliffy.... may not be any good spots?
Thanks!
It's not the big white Bruces you have to worry about crossing the country and kiting. It's the crumbed cheese n' chicken sausages and choc milks at every road stop. They'll kill 'yer ...
It will also be the only chance you'll have to go to Esperance, and then take road to Bremer Bay and Albany.
