Horizons October-November 2023

Van life

COULD YOU PACK UP EVERYTHING FOR LIFE ON THE ROAD?

Buying a demo car

Weighing up the pros and cons

Treasure hunt

Exploring the op shops of the South West

Stopping the sprawl

Why Perth needs to grow up – not out

1:00pm sunday.

travelling down memory lane.

The actual holiday only lasted two weeks. However you’ve been revelling in it for months. You barely noticed winter, as you were too busy sunning yourself on the internet virtually exploring tropical destinations and must-see sights. You delighted in the planning almost as much as the real experience. While you’re now back home, and the tan is fading fast, you’re transported back every time someone asks to see your photos. For holidaying vicariously through friends, there’s no place like Dôme.

Perth Metro, WA Regional: Albany, Bunbury, Dunsborough, Esperance, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Katanning, Newman, Northam, Port Hedland, Rottnest. domecoffees.com

Your RAC member magazine

HORIZONS® Published by RAC WA

EDITOR Vanessa Pogorelic

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Renee Smith

ADVERTISING

Ruth Leyland-Cowan (WA only)

T: 08 9388 7844 E: ruth@mediatonic.com.au

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CONTACT US facebook.com/RACWA instagram.com/RACWA twitter.com/RACWA editor@rac.com.au rac.com.au

13 11 11 Roadside Assistance, Battery Services

13 17 03 Membership, Motoring Advice, Insurance, Finance, Travel, Touring, Security Services

1300 797 078 Vehicle Condition Appraisals

1300 135 667 RAC Auto Services

1300 651 042 RAC Tyres

9436 4111 Corporate Enquiries

For deaf, hearing or speech impaired members: Emergency Roadside Assistance

SMS number 0434 182 877

All queries relayservice.gov.au

See page 81 for more contact details

ON THE COVER

Crossing the Pentecost River Gibb River Road

Kimberley

PHOTOGRAPH BY @tripinavan

CAB AUDITED AS AT MARCH 2023 IS 716,967 HOUSEHOLDS

OUR PLASTIC WRAPPER IS BIODEGRADABLE

AUSTRALIA POST ISSN NO 0810 8285

The opinions contained in this publication may not be shared by the Royal Automobile Club of WA (Inc) or its related bodies corporate (together “RAC”) or any of its or their councillors, directors or employees. Advertisements in Horizons are the responsibility of the advertiser. No person should act or rely upon such opinions or advice and RAC accepts no liability for them. Any rewards or rights provided to a member cannot be transferred, assigned, sold or redeemed for cash. Inclusion of a product should not be construed as an endorsement by RAC.

A W

Your membership is helping for the better change

In 1909, RAC put up the first road signs in WA. In 1970, we advocated for the compulsory wearing of seatbelts.

In 2015, we opened the RAC Electric Highway®, helping you travel emission-free from Perth to Augusta.

In 2016, the RAC Intellibus® became the first driverless vehicle trial on WA roads.

As an RAC member, you’ve been part of driving WA forward. Your membership has helped change our State for the better, and together there is so much more we can do.

President's message

FAREWELLING RAC’S HISTORIC INTELLIBUS® TRIAL

The RAC Intellibus® made its final journey down the South Perth foreshore in June, marking the end of a seven-year trial that saw over 28,000 people experience a ride in a driverless vehicle.

Australia’s first and longest-running automated vehicle (AV) trial on public roads, the RAC Intellibus® helped highlight how this emerging technology can be safe and accessible for everyone in our community.

Launched in 2016, the driverless and electric shuttle bus operated along a 3.5km route in South Perth, interacting with traffic, parked cars, cyclists and pedestrians. Chaperones accompanied passengers to explain how the technology worked and ensure the rides always ran smoothly and safely.

The RAC Intellibus® took to the regions as well, with demonstrations in Busselton and Geraldton that saw over 3500 locals and visitors experience the technology first-hand. More than 4000 school students got involved through the RAC

Imagine Program™, which took place in South Perth and Geraldton. Students took a ride on the Intellibus and learned about the past, present and future of transport across our State.

The RAC Intellibus® trial broke new ground in the automated vehicle space in Australia and has provided important insights for WA as we look to a future where driverless technology is much more common.

The trial helped us build a picture of how this exciting technology can work to solve mobility challenges, while also educating tens of thousands of Western Australians about how it will change the way we move around.

A special thank you to those who provided the support we needed to ensure the trial was a success, including the Cities of South Perth, Busselton and Greater Geraldton, the Australian and WA Governments, and local consulting experts. The benefits of automated travel for our society will be significant

– including reduced vehicle emissions (AVs are mostly fully electric), making independent travel easier, and reducing congestion. Most importantly, driverless vehicles have the potential to significantly reduce road trauma.

Human error contributes to more than 90 per cent of crashes, so safely transitioning to higher levels of automation could help prevent thousands of deaths and serious injuries on our roads. RAC will continue to engage in this important policy space and encourage all levels of government to prioritise and plan for future advancements in automated technology on our roads.

Allan Blagaich RAC President

RAC Council

President Allan Blagaich

Senior Vice President John Driscoll

Vice President Professor Donna Cross OAM

Members of Council Leanne Bishop, Jill Darby, Professor Ross Dowling AM, Tony Evans, Roger Farley, Stephen Fox, Dalton Gooding, Kelly Hick, Jody Nunn, Marie Redman, Jacqueline Ronchi, Jim Walker

Your feedback

CLOSE CALL ON INDIAN OCEAN DRIVE

Last week, while returning from Perth after picking up my husband from hospital after a heart attack, I experienced a most distressing event. As we were travelling on the Indian Ocean Drive, just north of Leeman, someone in a 4WD decided to overtake two cars and a caravan on a bend with marked double white lines. We also had a car behind us. If I had not taken evasive action, hard braking and swerving, there would have been a massive accident. There also appeared to be children in this 4WD. They then just drove off at speed. I’m sure everyone else was as distressed about this as me. Please, please take care on this road and take everyone’s safety into account. And yes, my husband nearly had another heart attack!

Kaye

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Terms and conditions on page 81. Published letters may be edited for style and length. While we try to respond to all letters we receive, a response cannot be guaranteed.

High-flying achievement

Our Facebook followers congratulated Bec Lickel on becoming the first female Air Crew Officer on board the RAC Rescue helicopter.

Congratulations Bec on your dedication to the community and hard work. Your achievement, experience and the technical knowledge required for your role is remarkable. Vanessa

Great to hear your journey from SES and lifeguard to where you are now. Cathie Angels on our shoulders. Walter

BIG CARS BLOCK THE VIEW

I have found it increasingly common when I turn left onto a main road, for the car behind me to beep impatiently wanting me to go ahead. However, if there is a larger car next to me turning right, I cannot see if

the road is clear or not. Even though the car behind me can see that the road is clear and safe to go, I only ever go if I can see it is clear and do not rely on other drivers to indicate to me to enter the road. Lauren

Rescue ‘tails’

One of our Facebook followers shared some fond memories following our Rescue Dogs story ( Horizons August/September).

This is the Stirling Tracker Dogs (from around 20 years ago). I’m with my German Shepherd, Monti, second from the right. Ally

KEEPING TRACK OF AIR QUALITY

PEDESTRIAN SAFETY

I have been frustrated by the lack of action on pedestrian safety at traffic lights. I work in a cafe on the corner of Fitzgerald and Newcastle streets. The traffic volume at this intersection is very high. It has no dedicated pedestrian lights and hence pedestrians are very hesitant to cross for fear of being run over. Those who try are often abused by drivers. The intersection’s signage is virtually invisible, the crossing is angled in such a way that pedestrians are hard to see and the intersection’s closeness to the road has made this an accident just waiting to happen. There is an easy fix - a dedicated pedestrian crossing in the light cycle or at least a pedestrian light to remind drivers that they must give way to pedestrians. Benedict

Good on RAC for setting up the largest air sensor network in Australia (Horizons August/September). Data is so valuable and can revolutionise the way we live. It always saddens me to see childcare centres built at busy intersections. It seems to be a really silly national trend. I have always put it down to cheap real estate. These ‘high exposure’ places are often noisy, smelly, treeless places. I would love to see air sensor data being collected in front of these centres and made publicly available to parents. The response might make developers think twice about where to build centres for our most sensitive citizens. Air pollution data might also help continue to support the choice to work from home. We all recall the reduction of traffic during COVID and the value of not using the car. Let’s learn from this experience and change our behaviour.

Susan 

VOICE YOUR OPINION

Join RAC’s Members’ Voice, an online community where members can share their views on a range of topics. Visit rac.com.au/opinion

Snapshot

More WA car buyers go electric

Electric vehicle (EV) uptake has continued to trend upward in WA, with sales increasing sharply in the last 12 months as more vehicles have become available.

Figures released by the Department of Transport show there were a total of 8622 EVs registered in WA by the end of the March quarter this year. Of those, 7726 were battery electric vehicles (BEV) and

880 were plugin hybrid vehicles (PHEV). There were also 16 fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEV) powered by hydrogen.

Tesla is still the most popular EV brand, with 5321 vehicles registered by the end of the March quarter – an increase of 1019 registrations since the December 2022 quarter. The Tesla Model 3 was the most registered Tesla model (3458).

Hyundai was the second-

most popular EV brand in WA – though still a long way behind Tesla – with 613 BEVs and 28 PHEVs. The majority of EVs were registered for personal use (6041) and 1920 for business use, including the 16 hydrogen-powered vehicles. The postcode where most EVs were registered in WA was 6155, which includes the suburbs of Canningvale and Willeton.

TOP 5 PERTH POSTCODES FOR EV OWNERSHIP

6155

6009

6018

6153

PEDESTRIAN ROAD RULE QUIZ

In which of these scenarios would a driver need to give way to pedestrians? Find the answer on page 12.

Do you need to carry your licence when you’re driving?

Many people prefer to travel light when they leave home and may only carry keys and a mobile phone with them.

However, WA’s Road Traffic (Administration) Act 2008, requires drivers “without a reasonable excuse” to produce their driver’s licence or learner’s permit when asked by a police officer or risk a $2500 fine.

So it is best to carry your licence with you at all times when driving.

If you are caught out without your licence, you may be able to avoid a penalty if you do have a reasonable excuse and can then produce your licence at a licensing centre or police station within a reasonable time. Please note that what constitutes a ‘reasonable excuse’ is not defined.

The police officer will normally advise where to produce your licence and within what time period, which may vary depending on the time of day, place, and circumstances.

However, for those with licences that are not issued in WA (for example, interstate or international licences) and also those with extraordinary licences, there is no exemption, and they must carry their licence on them at all times when driving on WA roads. 

A. Exiting a roundabout

B. Driving through a children’s crossing with no signs/flags present

C. Turning left using a slip lane

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The 118th Annual General Meeting of The Royal Automobile Club of W.A. (Incorporated) (RAC) will be held at:

RAC Head Office

832 Wellington Street, West Perth, 7pm on Monday 27 November, 2023.

Business

1. To declare the 2023 Annual General Meeting open.

2. To table the Notice of Meeting.

3. To receive apologies.

4. To table the minutes of the 2022 Annual General Meeting.

5. To table the report of the President.

6. To present for consideration:

(a) the financial report of the RAC for the year ended 30 June 2023; and

(b) a copy of the auditor’s report on the financial report.

7. To disclose the nature and extent of any material personal interests of Councillors declared.

8. Declaration of election of President and Senior Vice President.

9. Declaration of election of four

(4) members to the Council by the Returning Officer.

10. Questions.

11. Close of Meeting.

By order of the Council:

R. Slocombe, RAC Group Chief Executive.

Quiz answer: C. Turning left using a slip lane.

Like to burn through less fuel? Check

your tyres

Fitting new tyres to your car may slightly improve its fuel economy, especially if your old tyres were wearing unevenly and may have had a higher rolling resistance than your new tyres. A wheel alignment can also ensure that doesn’t happen again.

Some tyres have been specifically designed to improve fuel economy, and these are known as “eco tyres” or similar, depending on the brand. So choosing those can yield an additional fuel economy benefit. But the easiest and cheapest fuel economy improvement you can make with your vehicle’s existing tyres is to ensure they are always running at the correct pressures. Low tyre pressure can impact fuel economy by 5-10 per cent, depending on the vehicle and its speed. Safety is also a major benefit of having correct tyre pressures.

HIGH NUMBER OF ANIMAL COLLISIONS ACROSS THE STATE

Car insurance claims lodged with RAC for collisions with animals hit almost 4000 last year (3943), up from 3820 in 2021.

On average, kangaroos account for more than 90 per cent of claims for animal collisions.

Other animals commonly involved in vehicle collisions in WA include emus, dogs, cats, and birds, as well as livestock such as cattle in the state’s pastoral regions.

To stay safe, if you do spot an animal near the road, slow down or, if needed, brake firmly, but avoid swerving, as this can endanger you, your passengers, and other road users. Ideally, you should avoid travelling in regional and remote areas during the hours of dusk to dawn when wildlife is most active. 

If you come across a sick or injured animal on the roadside in a rural or remote area, call the Wildcare Helpline on 9474 9055 and provide your location details.

WINDSTAR KNOWS THE WAY TO THE MEDITERRANEAN

The Mediterranean has so many unique cultures, traditions, flavours, and languages, and Windstar knows the way to the doorsteps of o -thebeaten-path small ports and iconic cities where larger cruise ships can no longer visit. With Windstar, you can sail the Grand Canal of Venice, be the only ship docked overnight in the heart of Dubrovnik, enjoy an uncrowded experience in Santorini, and visit hidden gems sure to become your new favourite places. Our classic sailing yachts are just the right size to take you to Rovinj, Monemvasia, Sanary-sur-Mer and Trapani, where we dock right in the centre of these delightful towns and spend plenty of time to explore to your heart’s desire.

180 DEGREES FROM ORDINARY

• Sailing yachts serving just 148 to 342 guests

• Authentic, uncrowded and personal experiences

• Casual and welcoming atmosphere

• Locally inspired cuisine developed by talented and Michelin-starred chefs featuring fresh, locally sourced ingredients and plant-based options

• Thoughtful and genuine crew to welcome you into the Windstar family

• Complimentary Watersports Platform, Open Bridge, and access to Worldspa by Windstar steam rooms & saunas

• Choice of All-Inclusive Fares including Wi-Fi, unlimited wine, beer, & cocktails, and all gratuities; or Cruise Only Fares with amenities a la carte

Featured Voyages

Treasures of the Greek Isles

Wind Star | 7 days | 4 May to 5 October 2024 Athens to Athens from $6,271*pp (based on 4 May 24)

Sicilian Splendors

Wind Surf | 10 days | 28 May, 11 July, 21 September, 2024 | Rome to Rome from $5,919*pp (based on 11 Jul 24)

Classic Italy & Dalmatian Coast

Wind Surf | 8 days | 28 April to 9 October, 2024 Rome to Venice (or reverse) from $4,548*pp (based on 28 Apr 24)

Yachtsman’s Harbors of the Rivieras

Wind Surf | 7 days | 21 April, 21 July, 13 August, 25 October, 2024 | Barcelona to Rome (or reverse) from $3,908*pp (based on 13 Aug 24)

Terms and conditions apply. Prices are per person twin share and are correct as at 31 May 2023. Windstar Sales Fares are inclusive of all discounts, taxes & fees, subject to availability, currency fluctuations and seasonal surcharges. Prices are capacity controlled and can change any time. Windstar reserves the right to reinstate fuel supplement at any time and can be charged after final payment. Beverages: Includes selected beer, wine or sparkling wine by the glass, plus other selected cordials, liqueurs, aperitifs, cocktails, and mini-bar items. Cocktails are based on the house and select brands, and guests may choose from more a selection of spirits. Wi-Fi access is possible in most public areas, staterooms,and suites depending on ship location. Service Charges: All hotel and beverage service fees are included. If you purchased beverages a la carte, there is an 18% (subject to change) gratuity added to purchases. Cruise itineraries are not guaranteed and can be changed or cancelled at any time by Windstar Cruises.

MONEMVASIA, GREECE

Annual Report 2022/23

It’s our pleasure to inform members that the 2022/23 Annual Report is now available.

RAC Group revenue for the year ended 30 June 2023 was $1,386 million with an overall profit after tax of $46 million. The total net assets of the Group as at 30 June 2023 was $1,048 million. During 2022/23 our services and support to members included over 2.6 million calls, more than 370,000 vehicle breakdowns, over 200,000 insurance claims, and almost $80 million in member benefits.

We also continued to focus on our vision for a safer, sustainable and connected WA.

This included helping secure more than $1 billion in funding from the WA and Australian Governments for the Regional Road Safety Program.

Our road safety programs and events reached over 61,000 students. Through our Tow Safe initiative, we delivered caravan safety lessons to over 1,400 people.

Our sponsorship of the RAC Rescue Helicopters* has also now seen 9,500 lifesaving missions flown since 2003.

We launched the RAC Air Health Monitor, the most comprehensive air quality monitoring network in Australia. We also ran a new EV for a Week member trial, which saw 50 RAC members experience life with an electric vehicle.

RAC’s Reconnect WA initiative has now seen $2.7 million provided to support 32 local government projects. A further $350,000 has been provided to more than 50 Town Teams through the RAC Connecting Communities Fund.

In June 2023, we said farewell to the historic RAC Intellibus ® — Australia’s first and longest-running driverless vehicle trial — which held its final ride after nearly seven years on public roads. The trial gave more than 28,000 people the chance to experience automated vehicle technology first-hand.

This is a small snapshot of our activities over 2022/23. You can read more in the concise annual report by visiting rac.com.au/annualreport or calling 9436 4389 to request a hard copy.

Thank you for choosing to be a part of our organisation, for trusting us to meet your needs, and for helping us make WA a better place.

A llan Blagaich Robert Slocombe President Group CEO

For a copy of the concise annual report, call 9436 4389, visit rac.com.au/annualreport or scan the QR code on this page with your phone’s camera.

ABOVE: RAC has sponsored the RAC Rescue Helicopters* for more than 20 years; BELOW: Roadside Assistance patrol assisting a member.

*Sponsored by RAC, funded by the State Government and managed by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) the two RAC Rescue helicopters provide vital search and rescue and critical care medical services to the WA community.

The battle for better infill development in Perth

By Ruth Callaghan

WHEN IT COMES TO URBAN SPRAWL, PERTH IS IN A WORLD-BEATING POSITION.

Perth is arguably the longest city on the globe, stretching around 150km north to south. We continue to turn hectares of bushland into housing at a remarkable rate but somehow without alleviating the shortage of homes that keeps prices and rents high.

And accompanying the sprawl are a host of unpleasant side effects, from the hour on average that commuters spend in the car each day amid growing congestion, to the increased cost of providing infrastructure to far-flung suburbs, to the emissions associated with a car-dependent culture.

“We just can’t continue to keep sprawling at this rate and having to find billions of dollars to build the additional train lines and hospitals and schools and all the other infrastructure that’s needed as a result,” says Marion Morton, RAC acting general manager, Social Impact.

“New developments on Perth’s fringes tend not to be as well connected to amenities, so people feel they need to have a car to get to those things.

“For many, it’s just not an affordable option to run a car, travel great distances every day, and live so far away from where they might go to work or study.”

Yet despite decades of warnings about the need to stop urban sprawl, Perth remains a low-density city, with fewer people per square kilometre than Melbourne, Sydney or even Adelaide.

While there is a strategic target for 26 dwellings per hectare in order to maximise Perth’s dwindling land supply, in 2018 it was estimated that this target was met in just 2 per cent of suburbs. Instead, for every 10 homes that were built in 2021, six were built on the urban fringe on greenfield sites that had not been developed before.

Of those that are constructed in areas already subject to development, known generally as infill, nearly half simply replace homes that have been demolished. Relatively few net new homes are added to the leafy suburbs or established areas where amenities and infrastructure — not to mention the CBD — are close by.

Poor choices leave a lasting legacy

So why is it so hard to build more homes in urban and suburban areas?

Part of the problem, says Dr Julian Bolleter, program director with UWA’s Australian Urban Design Research Centre, is that Perth has historically squandered the opportunity to do infill well.

Instead of coherent planning for higher density around amenities and transport hubs, the focus for several decades has been on developers or owner occupiers slicing up individual lots and backyards to use every available inch of space.

“Previous policies have enabled local and state governments to deliver density to some degree, but the higher density hasn’t brought the benefits that planners would typically hope would come,” he says.

“In many cases, this kind of infill doesn’t lead to greater transport use, it erodes urban forests, car dependence continues, and people don’t necessarily walk more. We also have areas that are not necessarily enriched in terms of cultural amenities, cafes or whatever would help create that community.

“I think the problem is you strand these

suburbs in the worst of both worlds — you don’t have the level of density that brings more life and vitality and you no longer have a suburban area that is as leafy and green.”

The case for some middle ground on housing density

Despite a flurry of apartment-building activity in recent years, WA remains overwhelmingly a state of single, detached homes.

Out of 14,500 new residential approvals in WA between June 2022 and May 2023, 86 per cent were for houses, with the remaining 14 per cent split between townhouses and apartment blocks. In contrast, NSW approvals are split roughly 50/50 and in Queensland and Victoria 60/40.

Julian Bolleter says Western Australians tend to be suspicious of ‘high’ density development, fearing tall apartment blocks that will overshadow streets and feel out of step with the surrounding area.

“There is often polarisation between the option of detached housing and then high-rise development, which has led to the identification of the so-called missing middle,” he says. 

“In Australian cities, we tend not to be very good at doing medium density, such as blocks of apartments that might be three to six or seven storeys in height.

“This middle density is really important because the reality is you’re not going to be able to deliver high-rise density in most locations, as it requires a certain level of amenity and land value to produce those kinds of outcomes, which is generally confined to city centres.

“But if we want to meet infill targets and we want Perth to stop sprawling into biodiversity hotspots with all the attendant issues that go with that, medium density has to be the answer.”

The approach also means reconsidering ‘no-go’ development areas where blanket heritage rules or low zoning prevent more creative and attractive density options.

“The problem with the existing system is that it preferences the views of existing residents, and understandably so — they’re paying rates and are probably saddled with huge mortgages,” Bolleter says.

“But what’s missed in that conversation are the people who would live in the area

if they could or the future residents who might live there down the track.

“The people who will inhabit our cities in 100 years have not been born yet but they’ll live with the legacy of all these decisions.”

Winning hearts and minds

In an attempt to encourage smarter, better-designed infill, the WA Government recently prepared the Medium Density Housing Code.

The Code was to deliver better housing choice across Perth to reflect our changing lifestyles and housing needs and create more vibrant communities, with the provisions scheduled to be gazetted on 1 September 2023 as part of a staged transition to introduce the new standards. However, due to continuing challenges in the housing construction market, the Government has deferred gazettal of the Code.

While it is unclear how long it will be deferred for, it’s estimated that the process may take around six months.

Julian Bolleter says introducing tighter design controls for new developments, townhouses and apartments is critical,

as poor choices can leave residents with poky, unattractive or dark housing that is more expensive to heat or cool.

“If the building is badly orientated and you live in an apartment, well, there’s very little you can do,” he says.

“We need planners and designers who don’t just look at a two-dimensional plan on a page but really think of the third dimension and consider how land uses work together.”

Good design is also needed to sway community support towards increased densification, he says, given that people tend to distrust infill even if they believe greenfield development should be curtailed.

“Most people are not so altruistic that they’ll want density in their neighbourhood just because they don’t believe Perth should sprawl. But the wrong kind of density means your area will be hotter, there’ll be less biodiversity, fewer birds, more traffic, and greater parking hassles.

“I think the importance of the proposed medium density code is that it helps reconcile the ways we deliver density — things are denser in terms of urbanity, but also more dense in terms of vegetation.

“We start to maintain the mature trees that are so important, and we bring the best of the two worlds together.”

RAC’s Marion Morton believes attitudes towards higher density are slowly shifting in Perth, as people see the advantages of remaining in their local communities as their lives change.

“When we talk to our members, they really value vibrant, liveable communities where people feel connected with their neighbours, which might be incidental meetings within a small complex or apartment block or the local area,” she says.

“When infill is done well, it creates some great opportunities for different diversity and housing types that suit different needs, different life stages, and different price points.

“It gives residents better access to amenities and transport options, it becomes easier to move around as you can get what you need in your local area, and it means people can stay close to the parks, schools or facilities they enjoy, even if they are downsizing.” 

“For many, it’s just not an affordable option to run a car, travel great distances every day, and live so far away from where they might go to work or study.”

Buying a demo car

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

By Byron Mathioudakis

Demonstrator cars sold by dealerships, or demos as they’re known, are one option for new car buyers looking for a way to pay less for a near-new car and to get around some of the ongoing stock availability issues.

Demos are usually only a few months old, rarely have more than 5000km on the odometer and will be cheaper than buying the same model new. Best of all, they’re available for immediate purchase, give or take a few days. But there are also reasons why they are cheaper.

Let’s explore what they’re all about, because there’s much more to a demo than meets the eye.

What exactly is a demo?

New-car demos in Australia are owned by the dealerships that are selling them.

They are current-model stock purchased from the importer by the dealer (just as dealers do with the vehicles they sell new) but which are then registered and put into service for the purpose of product demonstration.

While almost every dealer selling a new car, SUV, ute or truck in Australia will have a demo of some sort from the time that model is launched, they tend to be sold only after they reach certain milestones.

These include:

> A pre-determined mileage cap, usually from about 5000km and rarely with more than 10,000km on the odometer, though it can be much less.

> A certain age – normally well under 12 months.

> A facelift or new model is about to be launched as a replacement. 

Note that during the recent (and still ongoing in some cases) new-car stock shortages, many dealers kept their older demos beyond the first two milestones due to necessity and a lack of supply from the manufacturers. Thankfully, that situation has now eased.

Demo models are typically registered by the dealership as the first owner of that vehicle. They may also wear a temporary ‘trade plate’ licence plate that is transferable from vehicle to vehicle.

WA’s Department of Transport defines a trade plate as “being used by licensed vehicle dealers as well as repairers to test, transfer and deliver unlicensed cars, motorcycles, caravans, trailers and agricultural machinery.”

This is important to know because it means a dealer can sell you a demo as a never-before-registered vehicle, which results in the buyer being classed as the first owner, even if it has racked up a few thousand kilometres as a demo in the interim.

In some Australian states, it also has implications for when the new-vehicle factory warranty begins, which is usually the moment the vehicle is first registered.

In WA, a demo comes under the full manufacturer’s warranty in terms of time, regardless of whether it’s been previously registered in the dealer’s name, however the mileage limit on the warranty still applies. So, for example, with BYD’s sixyear/150,000km warranty, a demo with 5000km on the odometer will only be covered for the remaining 145,000km (or six years, whichever occurs first).

Reasons to buy a demo car Immediate delivery

In recent years, vehicle availability has become one of the biggest advantages of buying a demonstrator. If you need the car as soon as possible, you’ll only end up waiting days for it, not months or years.

Cost savings

Prior to 2020, you could expect up to 10 per cent off the recommended retail price for a demo. This saving could be even greater for less in-demand models or ones that were about to be superseded. If you found a dealer demo and haggled hard enough, there were good savings to be had.

Today, in most cases, you might save a few hundred dollars but currently, it’s the limited wait time that is the demo’s

DEMOS ARE USUALLY ONLY A FEW MONTHS OLD, RARELY HAVE MORE THAN 5000KM ON THE ODOMETER AND WILL BE CHEAPER THAN BUYING THE SAME MODEL NEW.

KELENY / Shutterstock.com

biggest advantage. That said, with production now finally returning to preCOVID levels and wait times shrinking, we are slowly returning to a time when you might be able to haggle harder for a more substantial discount.

You’re still regarded as the first owner

Even if the dealership has registered the vehicle in WA, the service books and paperwork that comes with the demo is often left blank to be filled out when it is finally sold. In other words, there is often no record with the vehicle of it being a demo unless the sales documents and receipt show the odometer reading at the time of the sale.

Higher specification

As part of putting their best foot forward, dealers tend to choose their demos based on attractive colours and/or a more appealing specification. So, you might find a demo that is a top-of-therange model, or close to it, has a more desirable paint colour, a more luxurious interior, such as leather upholstery and brushed metal finishes, a sunroof, fancier alloy wheels or other optional equipment packs - features that enhance the look and feel of the vehicle.

The downsides of buying a demo car Unknown history

How was that demo really treated? Was it thrashed? Left out in the weather day and night? Some vehicles that are sold as demo models or ex-company cars may have been used for marketing purposes, such as for filming. If that’s the case, it might mean they haven’t had an easy life.

On four-wheel drives, always check for evidence they’ve been driven on a beach or other off-road areas – telltale signs are sand and dirt lodged up high in the wheel wells and under rubber seals, and scratches and scuffing underneath the vehicle.

No scope for specification or colour choice

One of the most enjoyable aspects of buying a new vehicle is personalising and tailoring it to the colour and specification you like best. A demo is chosen to appeal to the broadest number of potential test drivers. That might include you, but if it doesn’t and you want a different paint colour or model, you might have to wait for it to be ordered and produced.

Reduced new vehicle warranty

While in WA, a demo must include the full warranty period just like a new car would, that does not apply to the mileage. You’re only covered for the remaining kilometres. Many people buy new cars interstate because an east coast dealer might have the colour or specification they like. In the case of a demo and depending on which state you buy from, the dealer may not even have to honour the manufacturer’s full new-vehicle warranty, meaning if the car was registered six months prior, that’s when the warranty started. Our advice for buyers of interstate demos is to conclusively confirm what level of warranty remains.

How to avoid demo pitfalls

If you’ve found a demo you like and want to ensure it’s in top condition or you’re unsure of how it’s been treated, invest in an independent appraisal from RAC or a trusted qualified mechanic. The peace of mind is worth the small extra outlay alone. Don’t settle for the dealer’s own mechanic. If the dealer won’t allow you to have the vehicle independently checked, walk away. 

OPEN FOR ALL YOUR HEARING CARE NEEDS My previous hearing aids were but a toy

My previous hearing aids were good enough in their day, and about what most people at the time would have expected. A few years later, and since being tted with the latest and greatest of hearing aid devices, it’s clear that they were a comparative toy. I’m now a proud wearer of tiny pieces of technology that have very simply transformed my life. Hearing so much better today means I have essentially been able to reconnect with my wife, Shirley, and any tension around the house has dissipated. This is a really important milestone for us as we can now sit together and have a co ee and a discussion. I love to cook, and can easily turn up my aids with the click of a button to participate in any discussion in the kitchen. The pair of us being able to watch TV together is also a really big bonus and the result of the volume being good for the two

of us. Before, I’d just leave the room and sit on my computer because it was impossible for me to hear at the level of dialogue Shirley could tolerate. I believe these sorts of problems are something typical of families where there is someone with hearing loss. Added to this, the hands-free answering of my mobile and streamed phone calls to my hearing aids mean it’s great to be able to easily participate in telephone conversations. There are many bene ts coming from such an improvement in my hearing.

And these new hearing aids are simply incredible and have turned our lives around. It would be remiss of me to fail to shout it from the rooftops and recommend that anyone su ering with hearing problems goes to one of Brad’s clinics to experience what exceptional expertise and new technology can mean for them.

Terry Garner

Stories of Country and cars

A community-based arts project in the East Kimberley has seen the wreck of an old car transformed into a unique musical instrument.

Warnarral Ngoorrngoorrool (the Gija word for ‘old car’) is a collaboration between Gija (Warmun) and Miriwoong (Kununurra) artists and performers, along with non-Indigenous musicians.

The sonic sculpture creates sounds using strings created from fence wire and played by cello bows, while sections of the metal body are played to produce percussive sounds. The body of the vehicle is painted by prominent Gija artists and becomes a canvas for animated projections.

Earlier this year, it left Kununurra on a 3456km journey to Perth, stopping along the way for performances that combined sound, light, dance, and storytelling.

Later this year, Warnarral Ngoorrngoorrool will be on permanent display at WA Museum Boola Bardip, where visitors will be able to see it used in future performances.

Warnarral Ngoorrngoorrool is presented by national arts and cultural development organisation Tura, in partnership with the Western Australian Museum. 

LEFT: Percussionist Vanessa Tomlinson plays Warnarral Noorrngoorrool.

One mighty makeover

Earlier this year, we enlisted the help of world-renowned placemaker David Engwicht to help breathe some muchneeded life into The Strand in the heart of Wellard.

Placemaking refers to the collective reinvigoration of public spaces to, for example, improve liveability, increase feelings of safety, and create a greater sense of community. The space in Wellard lacked vibrancy and welcoming spaces that would give locals a reason to stay longer.

Transforming a town centre such as this would normally be a complex, long-term project, but with the community’s vision and the tireless work of more than 175 volunteers, we did it in seven days.

Guided by David and inspired by project ideas from Wellard locals during pre-build planning sessions, the area now truly is the heart of Wellard, with nature play areas, colourful shaded seating and planter boxes, an outdoor arcade with games such as table tennis and giant checkers, and a communal dining area covered by pergolas. The makeover’s impact has continued to grow, with several local community groups and businesses inspired to undertake similar projects in the area. The Wellard Seven Day Makeover was completed in partnership with the City of Kwinana and part-funded by RAC through our Reconnect WA initiative. Here’s how it all came together. 

Staying connected on a road trip

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT OUTBACK COMMUNICATIONS

by John Bormolini

Western Australia is a state of vast distances and remote open space. Much of that uninhabited space comes from the fact that 75 per cent of its 2.9 million people occupy the south-western corner, and around 80 per cent of the total population lives near the coast.

When it comes to being able to communicate, our ever-growing reliance on the smart phone is very much tied to these population centres. Mobile phone coverage is certainly far better these days, but still remains very limited or nonexistent when roaming the remote inland routes and outback.

Effective means of maintaining some form of contact for safe travel through these remote areas has been the domain

of two-way radio communications for many years. Various types that suit particular applications are still widely used, but new technologies are also providing emerging alternatives for the isolated four-wheel drive traveller in the remotest areas.

Here are a selection of options when considering how to stay in contact with help, should something go badly wrong.

Shorter-range radio options

Short-range radio communications that are effective from vehicle-to-vehicle or within range of base receivers, can be very useful but are not to be relied upon for long distances. Their effectiveness is usually determined by line of sight,

so elevation and obstacles impact their range. Simple CB and VHF/UHF radios, including simple handheld units, are in this category, but typically UHF units are the most widely used these days in overland scenarios. These shorter-range means of communication are not required to be registered.

Ultra High Frequency (UHF) units were once 40-channel radios but nowadays are expanded to 80 channels. These are popular when travelling in convoy and also to communicate with other traffic and check on road conditions or hazards that may be further ahead. The majority are compact built-in units with a handset and an appropriate aerial to suit the driver’s preference and driving conditions.

Shorter, low-gain (decibel) antennae are better suited to hilly or mountainous terrain, with larger, higher decibel-rated antennae providing greater range over broad, flat expanses of terrain. Seeking the correct technical advice and guidance on matching antennae selection is obviously important, depending on the type and range of the radio you plan to install. Mobile handset types, rather than builtin, can also be effective but are further limited in range by their output and short antennae. They do provide the advantage of mobility when away from a vehicle, such as when hiking. Some owners purchase a pair or even one unit to communicate with the main unit back at camp, for example. If contemplating a pair or a single handset UHF, ensure that it has five-watt power output and no less.

BELOW: The most popular UHF radio units these days are very compact, often concealed out of the way and utilise all of the function controls on the handset.

Longer range HF Radio

High Frequency (HF) radio operates at a much lower frequency, with signals sent by the radio transceiver able to reach much further and be refracted or bounced by the Earth’s Ionosphere. This enables communications at least 3000km away in the right atmospheric conditions.

This capability and extensive range does come with specific restrictions, however, with HF radio frequencies required to be licensed in Australia with the Australian Communications Media Authority (ACMA). Various groups and clubs operate registered HF networks for travellers who may wish to make use of HF radio (Aussie HF, 4WD HF Radio Network - VKS 737 and Austravel Safety Network, are a few examples). Annual licence fees vary from around $50 to $150 and from there it’s all about setting up your system properly and becoming a proficient user.

HF radios are not only more powerful but are also more capable in function, with some networks able to offer technological additions such as radio-to-phone and radioto-email. Bear in mind that HF radio calls to phones are not private if someone is using the same frequency. The comparative cost for the additional capability of HF units is significant and can deter travellers looking for something less complex.

Satellite telephone

While far from new in terms of communications technology, satellite phones are still expensive to own and

operate. They are supremely efficient and apart from being a little delayed in response and transmission depending on position, they are still strongly favoured as an effective choice for very remote treks. One big drawback of satellite phones is that they draw considerable power, so battery drain is significant. Given the expense, many travellers considering this option will look to hire a sat phone rather than purchase one. A number of metropolitan outlets provide them for hire with different packages.

GPS trackers and emergency beacons

Newer alternatives utilising GPS technology are emerging that still afford a degree of additional safety without being expensive. An individual Personal Locator Beacon is useful in the case of an extreme emergency and where you may need rescuing as soon as possible (similar to the marine EPIRB).

New-style GPS trackers have added communication features besides basic geographical location, which makes them a very viable outback communicator. Depending on the manufacturer, these small, handheld devices have a range of additional features such as an on-screen compass, a navigation plotter with mapping, and text messaging, in some cases directly from the device without connecting to your phone. An interactive SOS function also provides further peace of mind. Handy little multipurpose devices in this field are emerging more and more as GPS technology is adapted. 

LEFT: Radio antennae need to be matched to the environment and terrain. Medium gain antennae work reasonably well in much of inland WA.

TOP: Small, mobile handheld UHF radio units such as these are very popular for shorter range communications.

ABOVE: Personal locator beacons that utilise GPS technology are compact, affordable and highly effective in cases where help is needed immediately.

Hitting the South West op shop trail

EXPLORING

It’s a wet Saturday in the Nannup Community Op Shop. Volunteers Cher and Brigid are huddled in the back room, keeping as close as they can to the building’s only heater. Every couple of minutes, someone brings another armful of second-hand treasures through from the front. A designer jacket. A kids book on Pompeii. A blanket for the dog. A pair of beer steins from the Cowaramup Bowling Club.

“We get some locals through, but often people come in because they need camping cutlery or activewear while they’re on holiday,” says Brigid.

For many holidaymakers, a trip to the town op shop isn’t just about stocking up on supplies. Country op shops can be a treasure trove of vintage fashion and bric-à-brac, as well as offering a window onto the hidden lives of rural communities. Everything on those shelves has a story and, given half a chance, the volunteers behind the

counter might share it. Even better, they’ll give you a potted review of all the best op shops across the South West.

“We know every op shop in the southern hemisphere!” Cher says. “The best ones are the community run ones, like those in Manjimup and Bridgetown.”

Brigid, who was born in Germany but has lived in Nannup for the past 35 years, agrees.

“Being a community-run op shop is what makes us special. All the money we raise here goes back into the community. We don’t have targets or fixed prices like some of the big organisations and we’re all volunteers.”

Another key difference is that the community op shops tend to be stocked by donations from locals. It’s that promise of uniqueness that brings many holidaymakers to country op shops, some making a significant detour in the hope of finding something special.

THE OP SHOPS AND SECOND-HAND STORES OF WA’S SOUTH WEST IS NOT ONLY A GREAT WAY TO FIND A SPECIAL SOUVENIR, IT CAN ALSO PROVIDE A UNIQUE GLIMPSE INTO THE LIVES OF COUNTRY COMMUNITIES.

Words and photography Myke Bartlett

Hot spots for op shops

Around 45min from Nannup, Witchcliffe has become a hot destination for lovers of vintage goods. The town, which not so long ago consisted of little more than a pie shop and a general store, has become a second-hand paradise.

Alongside the recently re-opened Red Cross Op Shop, bargain hunters can browse a cluster of second-hand outlets, including The Flying Wardrobe, The Tiny Store and even a vintage vinyl shop (which stocks, among other things, a surprising selection of train sound effect records). On top of all that, for the past 10 Novembers, tourists have flocked to the town for the Witchcliffe Vintage Fair.

Jo Bregazzi, who runs both the fair and The Tiny Store, says vintage is in her DNA, having spent her formative years following her mum around second-hand markets and car boot sales.

While shops such as hers are private

enterprises rather than charities, Jo says second-hand boutiques and junk shops still play an important — if sometimes overlooked — role in the lives of their communities. Given the limited fashion options, country teenagers often rely on second-hand outlets.

“There’s really only one clothing shop in the area, so all the kids are in the same jumpers, they’ve all got the same brand on them. I love that we’ve got around 15 to 20 young locals who come to us for that very reason, because they’re hunting for that point of difference.”

Giving back to local communities

Over at Witchcliffe’s Red Cross Op Shop, manager Shirley says she’s also seen a boom in interest from teens since the store reopened after renovations.

“Once young people wouldn’t have been seen dead in here, now they’re clambering over each other to get in.” 

LEFT & BELOW: Second-hand outlet, The Flying Wardrobe.

Teen fashion aside, there’s no denying that op shops and second-hand stores are increasingly important for rural communities struggling under cost-of-living pressures. Since her store reopened, Shirley says more and more locals are coming through in need of a cheaper option.

The story in other country towns is much the same, particularly in places such as Nannup, which recently saw the closure of its 100-year-old timber mill.

This giving back to the locals extends beyond cheap clothes or crockery. As Brigid notes, every community-run op shop pours its profits back into a range of chosen causes. The Nannup Community Op Shop donates novels to the town’s book exchange, DVDs to the cinema club, and is currently supporting the family of a local boy left a quadriplegic after a road crash.

“Our proceeds go to a group called River Angels, which provides support for families who are dealing with cancer,” Jo says of her Witchcliffe Vintage Fair. “If you’re in the city, you have access to that support, whereas down here, it just gets a bit more difficult.”

“One of the reasons I come here now is socialisation,” Brigid says. “If you’re on your own and you’re 80, you can come in here and meet everyone from our lovely community and find out everything that’s going on. And you have a good time!”

That sense of fun can be contagious for volunteers and visitors alike. Jo says one of the reasons she enjoys touring the region’s op shops is that you’re likely to bump into local characters every bit as colourful and surprising as the bric-à-brac on their shelves.

LEFT (top & bottom): Donnybrook Op Shop; BELOW (from top): The Tiny Store; All Saints Church Op Shop, Collie; Nannup Community Op Shop.

Eight op shops in the South West worth exploring

All Saints Church Op Shop

46 Venn Street West, Collie

Tuesday to Friday, 9am-3pm

Perched atop Mungalup Road, with a view over the old town, this volunteerrun shop may look unassuming, but is packed with surprising treasures. Stock up on DVDs, audiobooks, paperbacks, games, educational resources for the kids, haberdashery (there is a crate of classic patterns from the 70s and 80s), football boots and designer gear.

The YEOP Shop

166 Hampton Street, Bridgetown

Wednesday-Monday, 9.30am-2.30pm

Bridgetown is spoiled for choice when it comes to Vintage. There are two op shops, both community-run, and a few stores selling recycled fashion or upcycled furniture. The Youth Enterprise Op Shop is tucked away from the main street a short walk from the IGA. Run by the Bridgetown Youth Action group, the shop raises funds for local youth and provides a space where they can gain work experience. It’s the perfect place to stock up on holiday reads or a few choice wardrobe items when the weather surprises you.

Nannup Community Op Shop

Warren Road, Nannup

Monday, Wednesday, Saturday, 9am-12pm

Squeezed into a lovely old church hall, this community shop always has a few treasures on offer. There’s a good range of movies in every format, from VHS to Blu-ray, an array of albums and a choice selection of fashion for young and old. Best of all is the back room, where you’ll dig up the sort of old country house treasures you’ll find nowhere else, from vintage glassware to long-forgotten board games.

Manjimup Community Op Shop

56 Rose Street, Manjimup

Tuesday-Friday, 10am-3pm, Saturday, 10am-1pm

Few op shops come as highly recommended as this one. The volunteer staff are friendly and the stock is first-rate and well-priced. A dedicated Facebook page offers highlights of recent pre-loved treasures — including bikes, ball gowns, steelcapped boots, brass cutlery from Thailand, and model sailing ships. Keep an eye out for the occasional sales, with heavy markdowns on already generous prices.

Red Cross Op Shop

Redgate Road, Witchcliffe

Wednesday-Saturday, 10am-4pm

Staffed by sisters Shirley and Beryl, this freshly renovated store might not have the sort of unique rural treasures you’ll find in community op shops (most of its stock is shipped in from Perth), but it’s a great place to stock up on bargain fashion, with plenty of options for the kids. There’s also a room of trinkets and crockery.

The Tiny Store

Rear lane, Lake Street, Witchcliffe

Monday-Sunday, 10am-4pm

Witchcliffe is vintage central, but its hidden treasure is The Tiny Store, squeezed into a laneway across the road from Witchy Pies. Don’t let the small footprint fool you

— packed inside its corrugated iron walls is the sort of carefully curated space in which you could easily lose an hour. Expect everything from pre-loved knick-knacks to antique furniture, alongside a tasteful selection of music and books.

St Mary’s Op Shop

47 Peel Terrace, Busselton

Monday-Friday, 10am - 4pm

Occupying a small house a short distance from St Mary’s Church, this classic community op shop is another great space to potter around. You’ll find workwear, retro treasures, designer gear, toys and more. Don’t forget to explore the area behind the house for a few more surprises, from bikes to vintage furniture.

Donnybrook Community Op Shop

37 South Western Hwy, Donnybrook

Monday-Friday, 8.30am-4.00pm, Saturday-Sunday, 8.30am-3.00pm

Not for the faint-hearted, this warehousesized shop contains an astonishing array of goods. It’s home to an enormous collection of VHS tapes, including ancient BBC TV releases that would make a collector weak at the knees. You’ll find toys, furniture, clothes and a chaotic assortment of books that could take days to sort through. Still, it’s the sort of place that rewards persistence — and it’s all for a good cause. 

ABOVE: Nannup Community Op Shop.

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WA travel brief

Off the grid in luxury

Heyscape’s premium tiny cabin accommodation is now in Esperance. There are four cabins to choose from, all in stunning locations.

You can stay right on the edge of Cape Le Grand National Park, where Lucky Bay was recently named one of the world’s best beaches, or choose a cabin nestled between an olive grove and a farm where you can walk through the olive trees and also enjoy tastings.

Each cabin has a generously sized bathroom, a fully-equipped kitchen, a wood fire, and nothing but the sounds of nature all around you.

For more details about Heyscape’s new Esperance cabins, visit heyscape.com.au

TURTLE TOURS ON THE CORAL COAST

Western Australia’s Coral Coast is renowned for its large turtle population and is home to some of the world’s most important turtle breeding grounds.

From late October to early April each year, the waters and beaches of Dirk Hartog Island in the Shark Bay World Heritage Area, the Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area and the Mackerel Islands become a hub of turtle breeding activity.

Turtle mating typically commences from late October, nesting from around late November to early December, and then turtle hatching from early February. It is the nesting and hatching seasons in particular that draw visitors for this special experience.

One of the best ways to encounter nesting and hatching turtles is on a guided Turtle Eco Education Night Tour at Exmouth’s Jurabi Turtle Centre. Operated by Park Rangers between December and March, these tours provide an opportunity to see nesting or hatching turtles in the most sustainable way without impacting the turtles’ activities. It’s recommended that all visitors to the region read the Turtle Watcher’s Code of Conduct prior to heading to beaches during turtle season to ensure your presence doesn’t disrupt the turtles’ natural behaviour during this critical time of year.

For more information, visit australiascoralcoast.com/turtles

Martin Callow

Take your spring picnic out on the water

Nauti Picnics, Perth’s only electric boat hire service, is open again for the spring/summer season.

Their self-drive boats don’t require a Skipper’s Ticket to operate, with a boat handling and safety induction provided prior to casting off.

The boats are equipped with everything you need for a day out on the water. Just bring your own picnic and crew, and you can cruise the Swan River from

the city all the way into the Swan Valley. Small to medium-sized dogs are also welcome on board. You can hire a boat from 1.5 to 6 hours or jump on their new 8-hour guided tour.

To find locations and to make a booking, visit nautipicnics.com.au

THE GREAT SOUTHERN’S 40-DAY FESTIVAL

With wildflowers spreading through much of WA’s Great Southern Treasures region late in spring and the days getting longer and warmer, October is a great time to plan a trip to our far south.

For six weeks from late September right through October, you can also catch the Bloom Festival, celebrating all that blooms across this stunning region.

HEAD NORTH FOR WARM DAYS AND BALMY NIGHTS

This October to December, you can enjoy the tropical holiday you’ve been craving without the heavy price tag.

RAC’s Parks and Resorts are offering off-peak discounts on self-contained cabin accommodation in Broome, Monkey Mia, and Exmouth.

Stay two nights and save 10 per cent or stay three nights and save 15 per cent.

And for caravanners and campers, when you pay for three nights, you’ll get a fourth night free at the same locations.

The sale is on until 13 December, for travel from 8 October to 15 December.

To find out more and to book, visit racparksandresorts.com.au/special-offers

Terms and conditions apply.

There are more than 40 events across the six-week program, including open gardens, wine and dine events, exhibitions and guided flower tours and hikes, including through the Stirling and Porongurup ranges.

Festival events will be held right across the Great Southern Treasures region, from inland agricultural areas, wine regions and along the coast. 

The Bloom Festival runs from 23 September to 31 October, 2023.

To find out more, visit greatsoutherntreasures.com.au/bloom

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Easter at Seven Spirit Bay

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• Arrival flight from Cairns to Nhulunbuy and departure flight from Seven Spirit Bay to Darwin

• All accommodation, meals and beverages for the duration of the tour

• Travel aboard a custom 4WD Mercedes-Benz with a Tour Driver/Guide

• Enjoy a special Welcome to Country in Nhulunbuy

• Enjoy authentic cultural activities with local guides

• Discover the vast and sacred Arafura Swamp by boat and open-back 4WD

• Explore the pristine waters of Cobourg Marine Park Sanctuary

13 days from $14,495 * per person

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• All accommodation, meals and beverages for the duration of the tour

• Spend 5 nights at iconic Seven Spirit Bay on the Cobourg Peninsula

• Explore the azure waters of the Arafura Sea and Port Essington

• Fish the estuaries and blue water of the Cobourg Marine Park Sanctuary

• Enjoy a bird’s eye view of the Cobourg Peninsula and Van Diemen Gulf on an included scenic flight

• Take a 4WD sunset safari to Vashon Head, with drinks and canapes

7 days from $6,645 * per person

Life on the road

Earlier this year, RAC members Joanne and Daine Morrell sold their home, packed up their caravan and took themselves and their two daughters on an eight-month odyssey around Australia.

By Joanne Morrell

After hiring caravans to holiday with friends for a couple of years, we realised how much our family really enjoyed this way of travelling, so in 2022, we decided to invest in our own caravan.

We had talked about doing a longer trip at some point and went back and forth about selling the house or renting it out. But it wasn’t until the end of 2022, when we returned from a trip to WA’s South West, that my partner Daine and I realised we felt sad to be going back to our suburban lives. With our eldest daughter, Payton, due to start high school the year after next, the small gap to spend time together as a family was closing rapidly. What truly cemented our decision to sell the house, move into our caravan and travel Australia

in April this year was losing three really good mates, all just shy of 40, under various circumstances in 2022. The sentiment that life is too short and that you should seize the day, never rung truer. For us, it felt like it was now or never.

Packing to go

Luckily for us, we sold our home in a seller’s market. So after a month or so of patching, painting and preparing the house, it sold within a week. We had culled a lot of our stuff prior to the sale. The rest was boxed and sent into storage, where it remains until the end of this year.

Our caravan is a 21.6ft Coromal Adventure Seeker and has a spacious layout. With a main double bed, the kitchen and seating area are separated

from the kids’ area by a sliding door. Our daughters Peyton (11) and Sara (8) have a double bunk stack opposite an ensuite, which can also be segregated by a bifocal slider.

Overall, we made very minor modifications to the inside of our van. We installed 12-volt adjustable fans on each bedside wall. We stuck adhesive hooks and railings onto bathroom walls for our towels and in the kitchen. We opted to install a gas heater underneath our bed over a diesel heater, as it’s quieter and meant we wouldn’t have to carry diesel with us everywhere.

In the caravan, we took the clothes we all wore the most for an assortment of seasons, along with a few games, minimal sporting and computing equipment. 

The rest of the space was for some books, bedding, towels, toiletries, cleaning products and medical supplies. The girls were also allowed to select one or two of their favourite toys (of the smallest kind). We stocked the shelves with food and drinks. With only a grill installed in the caravan, we packed our air fryer to work as an oven and our Thermomix to use as a blender and additional cooking appliance. Also squeezed in was a kettle, toaster, sandwich press, an ice machine, camp chairs and two outdoor tables.

The one thing we wish we’d done better was to utilise the

cupboard space in our caravan. Our cupboards are wide. Adding shelving would have helped to organise our belongings and provide extra storage. In the car, we installed a twoway radio, which allows us to communicate with drivers of oversized loads, road trains and other caravanners, both in front and behind us. We ask those other vehicles when it’s safe to overtake, learn if there are any obstructions we need to be aware of, and hear conversations between drivers discussing road conditions.

The apps we downloaded to our phones, which we sync to the car’s infotainment system,

have been invaluable. PetrolSpy discloses fuel stations and fuel prices within the vicinity we are travelling through or staying in. WikiCamps is also a must. It displays accommodation options (both free and paid caravanning spots), points of interest, dump points and water supplies.

On the road

After a quick trip to visit friends in Busselton, we’d planned to travel through the North West and then head to the Northern Territory for a longer stop in Darwin. Before we left, I booked two months’ worth of

accommodation at various locations up north. However, a week after making the bookings we learned Fitzroy Crossing had flooded and we had to cancel them all.

Our plan to hover in the top end of Australia for the heat and then slowly make our descent down the east coast in July, avoiding the cooler months, was in jeopardy. We discussed going across Australia from Kalgoorlie. But only two days after waving goodbye to our loved ones in Perth to head to Busselton, a downpour of torrential rain saw us return to Perth after our caravan sprung a leak.

“If we find a place we love, we can stay as long or as little as we like; the freedom and the choice is ours.”

LEFT: Joining the camel train on Cable Beach, Broome; TOP: Caravan set up in Karratha; ABOVE: Enjoying the views in El Questro Wilderness Park.

We were sorely disappointed and also a bit worried. Our caravan was our home now, and it was leaking. We stayed with my parents while the caravan’s roof panels were replaced. Soon after, Fitzroy Crossing was open, so we resumed our journey.

We winged it with a free camp at 25 Mile Well for a night, then went on to Dales Campground in Karijini National Park and also visited friends for a week in Karratha. After three nights at Eighty Mile, we had two weeks at RAC Cable Beach Resort in Broome, then experienced a station stay at Larrawa Station. Our next stop was the Bungle Bungles, followed by Kununurra, before five nights at magical El Questro. Lake Argyle was our last stop in WA before finally crossing the border into the Northern Territory. Here we camped for a night at Victoria River Roadhouse before setting up for a one-month stay at Darwin’s Free Spirit Caravan Park to work and explore all this outstanding city has to offer. From here, we plan to spend three nights at Kakadu National Park, then free camp our way to Cairns. We will head down the east coast, staying several nights here and there, and possibly longer in the larger cities to work. However, nothing is set in stone. So far there’s been no problem turning up to accommodation without booking, and if we find a place we love, we can stay as long or as little as we like; the freedom and the choice is ours.

Home schooling

There are so many options available for families to homeschool their children. Registering your child for home school is an easy online form. You can enrol in distance education (online learning) where they can complete work in a virtual classroom with a real teacher in real time. You can have work sent to you, complete it and post it back for marking, working to a deadline.

I selected an online resource called Twinkl. There are many of these programs available, but this one came recommended by one of my children’s teachers.

On the road, I plan our lessons a week in advance, trying to incorporate a couple of hours a day, mainly English and Maths, and choosing the worksheets and topics within Twinkl that meet these requirements. Journaling, reading, and spelling are also part of our routine.

With home school, you just need to stick with whatever works for you and your family and adjust as and when needed. The best advice I was given was to keep it simple and try to create learning around our environment. Our best investments have been a little portable printer and satellite internet, so our connection is fast and not lost anywhere.

When visiting places such as El Questro, Lake Argyle, and the Bungle Bungles, we take time off certain subjects to get out and explore and learn about the flora, fauna and history of the area. Regional Information Centres have been incredible resources for providing work sheets for our kids to fill out. 

TOP: Karijini National Park; ABOVE: Home schooling on the road.

The best bits

We had so many fears and doubts about undertaking this trip. We literally uprooted every aspect of our lives and weren’t sure if it was the right choice. But travelling through this incredible country has made us realise we’ve definitely made the right decision. The otherworldly sunsets we saw at Eighty Mile Beach will stay with us forever, as will ticking off bucket list experiences such as camel rides along the paradise beaches of Broome. Exploring the natural beauty of Emma Gorge and the hot springs at El Questro were other highlights, along with standing in front of the giant, banded domes of the Bungle Bungle Range.

The history of pearl farming in the north and the culture of the Aboriginal communities we’ve come across have been fascinating, as have all of the salt-of-the-earth people we’re meeting along the way. They may be living a different type of life from the norm, some living in vintage buses, coaches and even in a horsebox! But what

counts is that they’re living their lives on their own terms, with their children, and making each day count.

We’ve seen wild dingos and giant birds, breathed in the sweet and savoury scents of the Mindil Markets in Darwin, and there is so much more waiting for us on the road ahead.

There are still so many incredible adventures to come, like the Whitsundays, the Great Barrier Reef, the Daintree Rainforest, and the theme parks of the Sunshine Coast. We’re also going to cross the ocean to Tasmania before heading to South Australia and all the other secret spots we know nothing of yet but will unearth along the way.

But by far the best bit has been spending time together and feeling like you are honestly living each and every day. Caravanning has made us truly embrace all that this incredible country has to offer and see life through a different lens. So, take the chance, do the trip, and encounter our extraordinary Australia in all its natural glory and discover what truly matters most. 

“We had so many fears and doubts about undertaking this trip. We literally uprooted every aspect of our lives and weren’t sure if it was the right choice.”

TOP: The Bungle Bungle Range, Purnululu National Park; ABOVE: Emma Gorge, El Questro Wilderness Park.

AUSTRALIA by Train

2024 ON SALE NOW

Sydney Discovery

INDIAN PACIFIC 3 ADELAIDE SYDNEY PERTH 3

The breadth of Australia’s staggering diversity and unparalleled grandeur unfolds before your eyes travelling between Perth and Sydney on the Indian Pacific. Add fine wine and regionally inspired meals, and it really is a journey for the senses. Cruise onboard The Spirit of Migloo and indulge in an all-inclusive, premium two-course menu when you cap off your rail adventure with three nights in Sydney.

Highlights & Inclusions

• 3 nights aboard the Indian Pacific, Perth to Sydney, including all meals and beverages

• Off Train Experiences in Kalgoorlie, Rawlinna, Cook, Adelaide and the Blue Mountains

• Travel in a Gold Twin Cabin, featuring a private en suite with complimentary bathroom essentials

• Transfer from Sydney Central Station to hotel

• 3 nights’ accommodation in Sydney, including breakfast daily

• Cruise Sydney Harbour and enjoy a premium lunch

• Transfer from Opera Australia performance to hotel

• Take a guided tour of Sydney Opera House

• 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 3 dinners

From $3,495*pp 6 Days

For Travel: January - December 2024

Top End Explorer

Combine two national parks with one legendary rail journey and connect with nature, wildlife and incredible landscapes as you traverse the country. Travel through the outback from Adelaide to Darwin on The Ghan, before continuing on to Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks for deeper exploration of the Top End’s diverse natural habitats.

Highlights & Inclusions

• 2 nights aboard The Ghan, Adelaide to Darwin, including all meals and beverages

• Step off the train to take in the stunning outback sunrise in Marla

• Learn about “The Alice” and the Flying Doctors, take a walk at magical Simpson’s Gap, or get to know the wildlife at the Desert Park in Alice Springs

• Explore Nitmiluk Gorge’s natural wonders and rich Indigenous culture on your choice of Off Train Experience

• Hotel transfer from the Darwin Rail Terminal

• 3 nights’ accommodation in Darwin, including breakfast daily

• 2 nights of intimate small-group Kakadu, East Alligator River and Litchfield touring with Outback Spirit, travelling on board a state-of-the-art 4WD Mercedes-Benz vehicle, including accommodation, meals and guided touring

• Cruise on the Mary River spotting Saltwater Crocodiles and birdlife

• Visit Ubirr art site, home to some of the world’s most outstanding rock art

• Darwin Harbour sunset dinner cruise

• 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 5 dinners

From $5,860*pp 8 Days

For Travel: March - October 2024

The Ghan Adelaide to Darwin

Indian Pacific Perth to Sydney

2 KAKADU LITCHFIELD

THE

KATHERINE ALICE SPRINGS

*Sydney Discovery: Advertised prices are per person, based on the Everyday Holiday fare in a Gold Service Twin Cabin on the Indian Pacific in June/July (additional departures available from Sydney to Perth). Top End Explorer: Advertised prices are per person, based on the Everyday Holiday fare in a Gold Service Twin Cabin on The Ghan in October 2023 (additional departures available from Darwin to Adelaide on The Ghan and The Ghan Expedition). Offer is subject to availability. Blackout dates apply. Booking and credit card fees may apply. Fare is non-transferable and non-refundable. Flights not included in price. For full terms & conditions visit www.journeybeyondrail.com.au/terms-conditions. Prices correct as at 17 July 2023.

MOUNTAINS

Hiking Tasmania’s raw nature

WALKING HOLIDAYS IN NORTH-WEST TASMANIA

By Fleur Bainger

Whether you set off for multiple days or just an afternoon, hiking is how to crack open the heart of Tasmania’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed wilderness.

There’s a certain amount you can experience through the window of a car, but to truly soak up the essence of north-west Tasmania, you need to feel the wind’s chill on your cheeks, open your ears to birdsong and frog croak and taste the startling purity of the atmosphere at the end of the Earth.

Wetter, wilder, and cloaked in rare, cool temperate rainforest, many see the west coast and north-west highlands as the true Tasmania. One and a half

million hectares of it is protected by the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, meaning that about one-fifth of the state is regarded as globally precious. This area, encapsulating Cradle Mountain, Dove Lake, Sarah Island, and the FranklinGordon Wild Rivers National Park, is one of only two places on the planet to meet seven out of 10 UNESCO criteria. Hiking across this raw, untamed, visceral wilderness is the best way to savour all these things. Here’s how to explore its natural beauty. 

Melissa Findley

ABOVE: Cradle Mountain.

Overland Track

The holy grail of Tassie hiking is undoubtedly the 65km Overland Track. Passing through World Heritage-listed Cradle Mountain and ending at Australia’s deepest lake, Lake St. Clair, the bucket list experience reveals dramatic dolerite peaks, moss-coated Gondwanan-era trees and narrow boardwalks floating over button grasses.

According to the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service, “Your journey will be physically demanding, emotionally challenging, and scenically spectacular.”

The long but moderately difficult alpine track rises up to 1250m, reaching its highest point on the plateau between Marions Lookout and Kitchen Hut, and descending to 720m at Forth

River crossing. Along with adapting to changeable weather, you’ll need to carry everything you need, unless you opt for an assisted hike with an operator like the Tasmanian Walking Company. In peak season (October to May), the track runs one-way only. Hiker numbers are capped at 34 departures per day, and you must first apply for a permit, which is best booked several months in advance ($285 per adult; free in the off-season). A National Parks holiday pass is also required ($44.75 per person or $89.50 per car). On average, hikers dedicate six days to crossing the Overland end-to-end – more if you want to explore side trails. Hikers can bring their own camping gear or shelter in huts (space depending); a couple of huts were built in the past few years.

Cradle Mountain

If you’re not game to take on the entire Overland Track, there are more than 20 different self-guided walks at Cradle Mountain, most of them doable in less than a day. One of the most popular and easily accessible is the Dove Lake Walk Circuit. The 6km loop trail grants sweeping views of the jagged peak inside the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Over two hours, it passes rainforest, glacierscarred boulders and a weathered 1940s boatshed hovering over water, which is featured in many a photograph.

To get to the circuit, you’ve first got to take a 15min trip in an electric hybrid shuttle bus from the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre (cars are only allowed out of shuttle hours; park and shuttle day pass is $27.95 per person). It deposits you at a stark, angular, concrete-and-glass viewing shelter that opened in January with yawning picture windows of the famous mountain.

From here, the Dove Lake path ranges from boardwalk to stone, firm dirt and steps. It is simple to follow, with reminders to stay on it in order to protect the environment and wildlife.

On the shuttle’s return journey, get out at Waldheim chalet and take the 20min, 750m Weindorfers Forest Walk – it’s a hotspot for wombats. Back at the ranger station, the 1km Enchanted Walk is

LEFT: Overland Track, Barn Bluff; BELOW: Tasmanian devil conservation, Devils @ Cradle.

Matty Eaton

another highlight, edging a frothing creek. All three walks are doable in a day.

Post-hike, drive to the nearby Tasmanian devil conservation sanctuary, Devils_@ Cradle. Meet Katie, Penelope and Telissio and watch them face off over food with screeches, yawns, and one-on-one combat.

Gordon River and Sarah Island

A guided walk through what was once regarded as the worst convict penal colony awaits at Sarah Island. Found in wild and windswept Macquarie Harbour, it’s reached via cruise vessels departing the quaint waterfront town of Strahan. Visitors are deposited on a wooden jetty leading into foreboding scrub; it gives way to the ruins of Tasmania’s oldest convict settlement. It was in operation more than two centuries ago, from 1822 to 1833 and the guided experience of it contrasts horrifying stories with breathtaking scenery. Some 1200 people, including legiron-wearing prisoners, soldiers and government officials and their families, spent time on the rugged island. “It was a banishment settlement for second-time offenders,” shares Sybil Robertson, a guide with World Heritage Cruises. “Stuffed echidna was an apparent delicacy.”

As walkers pass the surgeon’s quarters, bakehouse, old government house and looming penitentiary, Sybil describes the

overcrowded housing where “Convicts slept like sardines” and tells tales of harrowing escape attempts and successes. As a place of high rainfall, the undulating, grassy environment is constantly damp, yet fresh water had to be brought across from the mainland. Interpretive signs along the walk bear images of historic paintings; many were done by convicts, encouraged by the commissariat officer, who was an artist. Convicts were also used to fell Huon pine and build ships in what became the most productive shipbuilding yard in the British colonies at the time – 113 ships were built in 11 years. Back in Strahan, the longest-running play in Australia, “The Ship That Never Was” evokes a Sarah Island convict escape with entertaining crowd involvement.

The same cruise that visits Sarah Island also stops at Heritage Landing along the Gordon River for a half-kilometre walk through UNESCO World Heritageprotected native forest. Ancient conifers aged up to 3000 years were preserved after heated protests won out against the proposed Gordon-below-Franklin dam in the 1980s; footage played on the trip there prompts emotional responses. “This tree would’ve been a sapling when Alexander the Great was getting around,” points out a World Heritage Cruises guide on the boardwalk trail. “This one has been around since the fall of the Roman Empire.” 

Laura Helle

ABOVE: World Heritage Cruises; BELOW: Hiking on the Overland Track.

Tourism Australia

Travel+Touring Planning your trip

Local tourism operator Tasmanian Vacations has a number of self-drive holiday packages, including a guided, pack-free, four-day walking tour of Cradle Mountain and segments of the Overland Track. They can also put together a tailored trip just for you. The Tasmanian Walking Company has a high-end, guided, pack-free Overland Track experience, while Intrepid’s experience includes the carrying of all your belongings.

What to bring

Locals call it the “Tassie tuxedo” and no matter what the season, the ubiquitous black puffer jacket is a handy item to take. Waterproofed, worn-in hiking boots are also wise, although you’ll get by with runners on shorter hikes. If you’re planning multi-day hikes, tent and sleeping gear are essential and can be brought or hired. A waterproof pack cover and waterproof dry bags are a great idea. Thermal clothing is useful for cooler months and evenings. Snacks, energy foods and water are essential on hikes.

Best weather for hiking

Tasmania is a cool destination, making the shoulder seasons of autumn and spring attractive times to hike a sweat up. Autumn is when Australia’s only coolclimate deciduous tree, a beech known as the fagus, turns its leaves red, coating the landscape around Cradle Mountain in a rusty hue. Late autumn marks the start of rainbow season on the rainy-sunny west coast, which persists into winter. The icy wind is biting at the year’s midpoint, and beanies and gloves are essential until you warm up with active hikes. Winter weather can change quickly and become inclement and even dangerous. In spring, new life emerges, from kangaroo and wallaby joeys and echidnas to fragrant wildflowers. Tiger snakes are a risk along hiking trails, especially in summer.

Getting around

If you’re not on a guided hiking trip, hire a car and make your own way. Two-wheel drive is adequate for most parts of northwest Tasmania. RAC members get 15 per cent off with SIXT.

Where to stay

Toasty fires, plush communal lounges, and cups of hot chocolate characterise the Cradle Mountain Hotel, along with woodland views and sightings of black cockatoos through its many windows. Its split-king rooms are particularly comfortable. Nearby, Discovery Parks Cradle Mountain opened new deluxe cabins in mid-2023 with hotel-style rooms, bathroom underfloor heating, and a gas-log fireplace. Even newer and fancier are forest retreat cabins with bathtubs. Every budget is catered to, with campsites and basic but cosy older cabins also on offer.

Strahan Village is an excellent base for exploring the west coast’s hikes. It has many tiers and styles of accommodation, both by the riverfront and up the hill.

Eating along the way

Book an early dinner to gaze at reflective harbour views at the characterful Risby Cove Restaurant, near Strahan. Hamers Hotel in Strahan serves supersized breakfasts and hearty dinners. Spoil yourself with the all-inclusive lunch option with your World Heritage Cruises ticketit’s impressive quality.

Foodies will love the Tasting Trail, which links makers and providores across the state’s north-west. It includes truffle, raspberry, honey, and salmon farms as

well as wineries – there’s a producer stop roughly every six kilometres along the trail. See tastingtrail.com.au for more.

Food options at Cradle Mountain itself are limited; there’s a café at the Visitor Centre and a basic minimart with takeaways at Discovery Parks.

If you’re flying in or out of Launceston, book the Let’s Do Lunch experience at Josef Chromy Wines’ restaurant and set aside the afternoon.

Book your Tasmanian adventure

Contact RAC’s travel team to find out more about hiking holidays or any kind of touring adventure in Tasmania. Call 1300 655 179 or visit rac.com.au/travel

Tourism Tasmania & Andrew McIntosh, Ocean Photography

ABOVE: Dove Lake and Cradle Mountain; BELOW: Deep in the forest on the Overland Track.

Fleur Bainger travelled as a guest of Tasmanian Vacations. 

Blake

LiskPillar Creative

Tasmania Self-Drive Packages

14 Night Tassie Road Trip

14

12

12

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Cole’s Bay - Jason Charles Hill

Future moves

NO MORE HEAVY BREATHING

A new alcohol sensing technology has the capability to revolutionise breath testing and be more effective in preventing alcohol-affected drivers from being in control of vehicles. The technology is able to passively sense the presence of alcohol in a driver’s bloodstream without them having to breathe heavily into a tube or other breath analysis device. Rather, it can unobtrusively analyse alcohol in the driver’s breath. Drivers will simply be able to enter the vehicle and breathe as they normally would, and sensors in the vehicle’s cabin area will detect alcohol in the driver’s breath. The technology has been developed by the Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety (DADSS) Research Program, which is based in the US.

CRUISING AT ZERO

A Norwegian shipbuilder has released the first concept designs of what it claims is a zero-emissions cruise ship, with a range of technologies being explored, such as retractable wind and solar sails and underwater air lubrication. The latter is a system to reduce the resistance between the ship’s hull and seawater using air bubbles. The shipbuilder, Hurtigruten Norway, said the ship would be electric and equipped with batteries that charge in port. It said the battery banks would have a capacity of 60 megawatt hours. That’s the equivalent of 731 Tesla Model 3 Long Range batteries. Hurtigruten is expecting the ship to sail by 2030.

MOTORCYCLISTS HEADS-UP DISPLAY

Fans of the iconic science fiction movie The Terminator will remember the title character’s point-of-view footage showing digital readouts superimposed over the robot’s view of the world around him. Well, this kind of information display has become available to consumers in the form of a pair of motorcycling goggles called BMW Motorrad ConnectedRide Smartglasses. BMW says the glasses can project data such as navigation, speed, or gear selection directly into the rider’s field of vision in real time. Wearable displays have previously been publicly available for gaming and virtual reality experiences, but less so for this sort of application. 

Test drive

DUAL CAB UTES GO BACK-TO-BACK

We compare the GWM Cannon with the Mitsubishi Triton GSR

By Alex Forrest

Whether you’re a tradie in a tray-back or a suit in a ute, there’s no doubt these high-riding haulers have now become the go-to workhorse, leisure vehicle, family truckster and everything in between for many Western Australians.

TOP:

extra performance is noticeable, and not just because of its larger 2.4-litre diesel engine; LEFT: If you just want a new ute for the price of a small car, with a 5-star ANCAP safety rating and a seven-year warranty, the GWM is an attractive option; ABOVE: The Tritons that do have a touchscreen are faster to respond and more intuitive to use than that of the GWM.

Behind the wheel, the Triton’s

Over the first half of 2023, utes were WA’s biggest-selling new vehicle group, closely followed by medium-sized SUVs.

Helped by the resources industry, utes have for some years made up a notably higher percentage of total WA vehicle sales (22.7%) than the national average (18.9%). We’d be buying more if supplies allowed.

Carving out and maintaining a hearty slice of the ute market is a priority for manufacturers keen to profit from Australian’s penchant for pick-ups. That’s why we’re comparing one of Australia’s most popular utes – the Mitsubishi Triton – with one of the upstarts – the GWM Cannon. Is the rock-bottom price of the Cannon enough to put some holes in Triton sales? Let’s see.

Value for money

The almost $10,000 price difference between the entry-level prices of these two simply can’t be ignored. The Triton 4x4 auto ute starts at $48,240 drive away, whereas the Cannon 4x4 auto ute can be had for $38,490 drive away. But does that mean the Cannon is better value just because it’s cheaper? Well, it depends on what you value.

If you just want a new ute for the price of a small car, with a 5-star ANCAP safety rating and a seven-year warranty, the GWM is an attractive option. The Triton gets a 10-year warranty, but there are strings attached because servicing has to be done at a Mitsubishi dealer to get the decade-long cover.

The Triton also benefits from Mitsubishi’s large number of dealers nationally, and a bigger range of options available in the aftermarket.

On the road

Behind the wheel, the Triton’s extra performance is noticeable, and not just because of its larger 2.4-litre diesel engine, which has slightly higher outputs than the GWM’s 2.0-litre unit. The Triton, in GLX 4x4 form, is 145kg lighter than the corresponding entry-level Cannon.

Despite the Triton’s engine being bigger and more powerful and its transmission having only six speeds compared to the Cannon’s eight, the Triton still uses less fuel in the combined cycle test – 8.6L/100km compared with the Cannon’s 9.4L/100km.

The Cannon’s interior fit and finish is much closer to its mainstream competitors than the almost $10,000 price difference might suggest. Towing capacities of the Cannon and the Triton are 3000kg and 3100kg respectively for braked trailers - down on the 3500kg offered by other utes.

Safety and practicality

Another upside of the GWM is that it has a recent ANCAP safety rating, whereas the Triton doesn’t have a rating for vehicles built after 1 January 2023 due to ANCAP’s recently introduced practice of expiring older safety ratings.

This doesn’t mean the Triton is unsafe, just that its exact safety credentials are unknown when tested against current ANCAP requirements. Expect a new safety rating to be applied to the Triton when the new model arrives in 2024. While all GWM utes come with a touchscreen, it doesn’t have the best functionality, and the Tritons that do have a touchscreen are faster to respond and more intuitive to use.

Verdict

The GWM Cannon’s true strength is in its higher specification models, which, for still very appealing prices, are well finished and quite capable. On the downside, it has a somewhat intrusive lane-keeping system, while its lower engine outputs and lower towing capacity than its competitors will be issues for some. We’d recommend waiting until next year when the new Triton is available, which, with its new design, will be more modern and more likely to have a new ANCAP rating. 

ABOVE: The Cannon’s interior is much closer to its mainstream competitors than the almost $10,000 price difference might suggest.

ENGINE 2.4-litre turbo diesel POWER 133kW @ 3500rpm

TORQUE 430Nm @ 2500rpm

CLAIMED FUEL ECONOMY 8.6 L/100km

PRICE from $48,240 drive away*

ANCAP SAFETY RATING not rated

*Dual cab, 4x4 auto

ENGINE 2.0-litre turbo diesel POWER 120kW @ 3600rpm

TORQUE 400Nm @ 1500-2500rpm

CLAIMED FUEL ECONOMY 9.4 L/100km

PRICE from $38,490

ANCAP SAFETY RATING 

*Dual cab, 4x4 auto

GWM Cannon

Mitsubishi Triton

ENGINE 1.5-litre 3cyl turbo

POWER 115kW @ 6500rpm

TORQUE 230Nm @ 1500-4600rpm

CLAIMED ENERGY CONSUMPTION

6.5L/100km

PRICE from $72,680 drive away

ANCAP SAFETY RATING 

BMW X1 SDRIVE18i

Choosing the X1 small SUV to introduce Australia to one of the most controversial new car options in recent memory was a smart move by BMW.

The BMW X1 is among the front runners in this segment, being the third-biggest-selling small premium SUV in WA after the Volvo XC40 and second-placed Audi Q3.

The X1 had a major update in late 2022, which included the introduction of a large curved electronic dashboard display and completely new interior, more space for passengers and cargo, and the Features on Demand subscription system.

On the entry-level X1 sDrive18i, customers are required to pay a monthly subscription in order to access the heated front seats function. At the time of writing, this was $29 per month, $289 for a year, or $589 for the life of the car. A similar arrangement applies to the heated steering wheel function.

BMW says this provides customers with the option of paying less for features they don’t want, however, the hardware is already built in to all models anyway and the features are ‘unlocked’ online.

On the entry-level sDrive18i and xDrive20i, the integration of the engine start/stop system with the dual clutch transmission can surge at low speeds, which takes some adjusting and is why the electric iX1 may be a more appealing proposition, albeit pricier.

Still, the X1 is a beautifully finished compact SUV that is eminently more practical than its predecessor.

SUBARU OUTBACK XT TURBO

Apart from one small niggle, the current-generation Subaru Outback received a warm welcome when it was launched in Australia back in early 2021.

Although the new Outback was better than its predecessor in many ways, it left many potential Outback buyers gazing longingly towards distant lands because it was there, in the USA, where the turbocharged Outback XT was sold.

Sure, the incremental power increase – up from 129kW/235Nm to 138kW245Nm – that came with the 2021 Outback was quite adequate, but others wanted more. Subaru’s loyal Australian fanbase voiced their desires for the turbocharged XT model, which had been available to the Americans since 2020. As smart car makers are wont to do, Subaru Australia listened, and in early 2023, they finally brought the XT turbo to local shores.

The Outback turbo, which in Subaru’s naming system is designated by the XT badge, has a slightly smaller 2.4-litre engine but significantly bigger outputs: 183kW and 350Nm.

The Outback XT’s extra performance has helped increase its towing capacity to 2400kg for braked trailers, up from 2000kg for non-turbo models. In the official ADR test, it used 9.0L/100km, but in mostly city driving we averaged 12.1L/100km. Note also that Outback XT models must be fed 95 RON petrol as a minimum, unlike the non-turbo models, which need only 91 RON.

Inside, the large portrait-oriented touchscreen introduced on the 2021 models dominates the centre console, and it is largely straightforward to operate. The driver monitoring system is a clever idea, but it can raise some false alarms at times.

Such is the Outback’s recreational nature, the Sport and Sport XT models get a water-repellent seat coating, while the Touring and Touring XT models have Nappa leather.

Finally, Australians wanting more than adequate performance from their Outbacks no longer have to yearn from afar. 

ENGINE 2.4-litre turbo petrol

POWER 183kW @ 5200-6000rpm

TORQUE 350Nm @ 2000-4800rpm

CLAIMED FUEL ECONOMY 9.0L/100km

PRICE from $57,575 drive away

ANCAP SAFETY RATING 

Honouring the 70 Year Reign of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II

HRM Elizabeth II ascended to the throne on 6 February 1952 and in 2022, our beloved monarch celebrated a rare platinum anniversary. During her historic reign, she truly lived up to the words she spoke at her coronation: “ThroughoutallmylifeandwithallmyheartIshallstrivetobe worthyofyourtrust.” Now, Her Royal Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee inspires TheQueenElizabethIIPlatinum Jubilee Proof Coin from The Bradford Exchange. Layered in 99.9% platinum, it portrays HRM Elizabeth II in a full-colour portrait on the front, which is accented by a 24K gold privy monogram. The back features her facsimile signature and a detail of the gates of Buckingham Palace. Proof quality coining dies create its frosted fields and mirror-bright images.

A Legacy of Duty: Queen Elizabeth’s 70-Year Reign Commemorated in Exquisite Platinum Proof Coins

Applications will be processed on a strictly first-come, first-served basis and are limited to oneperAustralian household. Order the “Platinum Jubilee” coin now for just $39.99 (plus $9.99 postage and handling). By ordering now, you will have priority access to further coins in TheQueenElizabethIIPlatinumJubilee

Proof Coin Collection through our Risk-Free Subscription Plan. It’s easy and convenient. The second and subsequent coins in the collection will be sent to you automatically at regular intervals for just $89.99 plus p+h per coin. You get to see each coin before you pay for it. Our Risk-Free Subscription Plan means you don’t have to worry about missing out on each new coin as they’re released. Even better, you’re never under any obligation to keep any coin you don’t love. Collect as many as you like and if you’re not entirely happy you can cancel your collection at any time by calling 02 9841 3311 (Mon – Fri, 8.00am - 5:00pm).

Send No Money Now – Save $50.00 –yours for just $39.99 (plus P&H)

The fastest way to own this historic tribute is to reserve online at www.bradford.com.au/royal or call on 02 9841 3311 . Alternatively complete and post the application form.

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Car doctor

RAC members can take advantage of our Motoring Advice Line. If you have a motoring question, call 6150 6199 Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm to speak to one of our experts.

Q I have a 2022 Toyota CH-R, and I love all its features, but I’m confused by the cruise control. When I am going downhill it goes above the set speed (often by 5km and up to 10km). It’s worse on long hills and is sometimes accompanied by loud engine noise. Isn’t the point of cruise control to not speed? Is there a way I can avoid this?

Rhiana, Margaret River

AConventional cruise control systems are primarily designed for use on flat or near-flat road surfaces. On steeper declines, the driver is required to intervene to maintain their desired speed because these regular cruise control systems do not utilise the brakes, and can only close the throttle and sometimes use the transmission to slow down. Your CH-R can use the transmission to change to lower gears to slow down, hence the higher revs. But on steep hills this is sometimes

not enough, and you will need to also use the brakes. Your CH-R is equipped with active cruise control, which controls vehicle-to-vehicle distance and will use the brakes as needed when there’s a vehicle in front.

QEvery time I take my 2019 Hyundai i30 for regular servicing, I am asked if I would like to have the engine flushed with the oil change for an extra $40. The service handbook for the vehicle does not mention anything about engine flushing at each service. Is it necessary for an engine to be flushed at each oil change?

Tom, Madeley

AStrictly speaking, if your vehicle’s manufacturer doesn’t specify flushing the engine as part of an oil change after normal driving, then you are not required to have this done. And if you have been having your car serviced regularly and on time, then all else being equal, it’s probably not necessary.

But if the oil hasn’t been changed for a long time or the car’s been unused for a long period, you may want to consider an oil flush to clear out any sludge or deposits.

Q I have just had a new set of tyres fitted to my Mazda BT-50, and a friend of mine insists that I should have my tyres rotated every 10,000km to get the maximum use out of my tyres. I’m not sure as I’ve never had tyres rotated before. What’s your advice?

Kirsty, Warrenup

AYes, having your vehicle’s tyre positions rotated periodically to ensure they wear evenly is a good idea for your BT-50. Your vehicle’s owner’s handbook should explain which positions the tyres should be moved to for this vehicle. Tyres are typically rotated when the vehicle is serviced. This will also help maximise the safe and useable life of your tyres. 

WIN FREE FUEL

Send us your question for the Car Doctor and if it’s published, you’ll receive a $50 fuel voucher to use at any Puma and Caltex locations Australia-wide, thanks to RAC Member Benefits.

Send your questions to editor@rac.com.au or post to The Car Doctor, Horizons, GPO Box C140, Perth WA 6839

Please include your full name, address and daytime telephone number with your question.

If your question is chosen for publication, please allow up to eight weeks for delivery. See page 81 for terms and conditions of entry.

Member lounge

Getting little riders ready for the road

Perth’s southern suburbs have seen a welcome new addition to the growing number of children’s bike skills parks around Perth.

The Calista Bike Skills Track on Gilmore Avenue features a 200m track designed to resemble a suburban road to help toddlers, preschoolers and primary school students learn road rules and safe cycling behaviours. On a ride around the track, children come across speed humps, mini traffic lights, road signs, and roundabouts.

The track also includes a play charging station to ‘top up’ their bike or scooter, along with other play areas.

The track, which is free to use, is located on Gilmore Avenue in Calista, just north of the Edge Skatepark and east of the Kwinana Adventure Park. The track is fenced along the Gilmore Avenue side.

The Calista Bike Skills Track was funded by RAC, the State Government, and the City of Kwinana.

THE SOLO TRAVEL BOOM

Solo travel has been a growing trend for many years, but post-COVID, enquiries and bookings being made by solo travellers have surged.

Earlier this year, the travel industry journal, Travel Weekly, reported that bookings for solo travel had been exceeding the expectations of many international tour operators. While in Australia, Google searches for the term ‘solo travel’ hit a five-year high in the first quarter of this year.

Among the top reasons for travelling alone was being able to make independent decisions about where to travel and not wanting to rely on others in order to travel, according to a survey by solotravelerworld.com

The survey also found that nine out of 10 solo travellers preferred to go on organised tours, to leave the planning to someone else and for added security.

If you’re interested in heading off on a solo trip, RAC Travel now has a range of tours specifically designed for solo travellers. You can choose from interstate and international destinations, including short trips and extended tours.

To find out more, contact RAC’s Travel team on 1300 655 179, or see Solo Travel at rac.com.au/ travel-touring/travel-offers

3G SWITCHOFF MAY IMPACT YOUR MONITORED HOME SECURITY SYSTEM

Next year, the 3G network will be switched off across Australia, with some carriers discontinuing 3G services even sooner.

If you have a monitored home security system that uses 3G to operate, you’ll need to ensure that your system is upgraded so it remains compatible with the latest network standards and stays connected to your monitoring service.

RAC Security Technician

Team Leader, Tim Higgins, urges members to plan for the upgrade of their device well in advance of the closure date.

“We have security technicians available who can work with you on any concerns you have about changing devices or technology types, so you’re ready for the 3G closure.

“Migrating from 3G is a simple and relatively inexpensive process, with just a hardware update required. Typically, a technician will visit your home and have the upgrade completed in less than an hour.”

RAC Security can support you with this change, even if you are monitored by another security service.

If you’re unsure whether your alarm monitoring device will be affected, call RAC’s home security team for advice or to arrange an upgrade, on 1300 132 735.

HOW TO EXTEND THE LIFE OF YOUR CAR BATTERY

On average, car batteries last between three to five years. How you use your car and the quality of the battery itself will have an impact on its lifespan, but there are simple ways you can extend the serviceable life of your battery. Leaving your car unused for long periods of time can shorten battery life. If possible, take it for a 30-minute drive at least once a week. If your car is not used on a regular basis, the battery will benefit from a full recharge using a suitable battery charger designed for your

battery chemistry. Your car will also perform better when given a longer run occasionally, as it warms the engine and exhaust, circulates your car’s fluids, and keeps the brakes functioning as they should.

Corrosion and grime on the battery terminals and clamps can reduce the flow of electricity, so once a month, loosen and remove this buildup with a small nylon brush, such as an old toothbrush, and wipe it clean with a sponge and dry cloth.

running your car’s infotainment system without starting the engine, can drain the battery because your car’s alternator doesn’t operate when the engine is switched off. To avoid this, get into the habit of checking that everything is switched off every time you exit your car, especially the lights.

Keeping

your headlights or interior lights on, or

When you do need a new battery, RAC can deliver and install a range of car batteries, whether it’s an emergency or not, with 10% off for members.

Holiday memories shine on

Having spent many family holidays in Cervantes as a child, John Churchman remembered how the old neon Coca Cola sign would glow all night long over the caravan park’s camp kitchen. When RAC began to redevelop the site some years ago, John asked if he could take and restore the old sign, which had become weathered and was no longer working. For John and his family, the old Coke sign had become a local icon.

After being carefully restored to its former glory, the old sign now takes pride of place at his family home, where it continues to shine in the backyard.

John has been visiting the caravan park since the late 1960s and is still a regular there with this family.

The family has also placed a plaque in memory of John’s late parents at the nearby memorial park. 

Make the most of the great everyday savings you get as an RAC member. Whether it’s discounts on travel, fuel, gas for your home, pharmacy, groceries, entertainment, dining or RAC products and services – RAC members save every day.

MEMBERS SAVE EVERYDAY

RAC and Wizard Pharmacy are giving you the chance to WIN 1 of 3 ho-ho-holiday prizes this Christmas.

Simply shop in-store or online at Wizard Pharmacy from the 2nd to 29th October 2023 for a chance to WIN!

*Competition terms & conditions apply. Visit wizardpharmacy.com.au/racgiveaway for details.

MEMBER BENEFITS FOR YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE

Whether you’re hitting the road on your next adventure, or working on your DIY project, you’ll find everything you need at Repco.

As an RAC member, you have access to offers at Repco, with better promotional discounts and more frequent sales on your favourite products. You can also enjoy member competitions and exclusive promotions, as well as an everyday 5% discount on almost everything*. Plus, we are driving your dollar further with lower prices on over 20,000 products we stock including oil filters, brake pads, oil and car care.

snooze.com.au

It’s amazing what a little snooze can do

§Current participating Auto Club card must be shown at time of purchase to receive discount. Advertised prices and savings shown are based on Snooze Management Pty Ltd RRP. Products may be sold below the RRP in some stores prior to this offer. Exclusions apply. New orders only. Offer not available on floor stock, clearance, delivery, assembly and recycling services.

© Snooze 2022.

Peace

THE

ULTIMATE JUMPSTARTER

W.e’ve all experienced that dreadful feeling of getting in your car only to find out your battery is flat. Luckily West Aussie company iTechworld has designed a portable jump starter to get you on your way within seconds.

Designed to easily jumpstart any vehicle with a flat battery, the JS80 will jumpstart your car, boat or motorbike at the press of a button.

With a massive 3000 starting amps, the JS80 will start any vehicle, no matter how big or small. With seven inbuilt safety features, jump starting is safer than ever before. With the JS80, you no longer have to rely on clumsy jumper cables or other vehicles, allowing you to explore further with peace of mind. The JS80 will jump start a vehicle up

to 40 times from one charge and hold its charge for six months all while sitting happily in a glove box awaiting use.

Once your vehicle is started, the JS80 will continue to be your friend on the road and will easily run 12V fridges and charge mobile devices.

As a proud Western Australian company, iTechworld are offering RAC Horizons subscribers with an exclusive discount code to use across their entire range of power solutions. Simply use the code ‘RAC5’ at checkout online or over the phone to claim your 5% discount.

We provide a turnkey solution for your home renovation with a custom design, a quality build, and experienced project management to provide you with the most luxurious living experience possible.

Do

This

Aid is virtually undetectable!

No one will know that you are wearing a hearing aid

Introducing our brand-new 2023 hearing aid technology that was designed in Europe and is made for your exact ear size and hearing loss. It’s so small it can fit deep inside your ear canal, it begins where other hearing aids end. This makes it virtually invisible to anyone else.

With our new 2023 voice clarifying hearing aids, you will absolutely hear the difference!

Members receive $600 off each hearing aid purchased or $1200 off a pair of hearing aids

Members receive 5% off Solatube Brighten Up Series Skylights, Solatube Whole House Fans & Velux Roof Windows*

Members receive 20% off tickets with the code SISTERS

CAR DOCTOR, PAGE 57

Entrants may submit more than one entry. Up to three entrants (winners) will be awarded only one prize as follows: one $50 fuel voucher to use in one transaction at any Puma/Caltex location Australiawide. The prize is not transferable or redeemable for cash. Entries that do not, in the absolute discretion of the panel of judges, comply with these requirements are invalid. The winner will be notified by email, telephone or letter. When the winner is notified of their prize, they will also be provided details as to the collection of their prize. Entrants published in October-November 2023 Horizons must claim their prize by 20 November 2023. In the event that no contact details are supplied, or RAC cannot make contact with the winner, the prize may be withdrawn at the absolute discretion of Horizons magazine. Prizes will only be awarded following winner validation and verification. This competition is subject to the promoter’s privacy and security statement and group privacy policy.

WINNING LETTER, PAGE 8

Entrants may submit more than one entry. One entrant (winner) will be awarded only one prize as follows: a year’s Classic Roadside Assistance valued at $199. If the winner already has Roadside Assistance, the Classic Roadside Assistance will be applied as credit to their account until their cover runs out. Entries that do not, in the absolute discretion of the panel of judges, comply with these requirements are invalid. The winner will be notified by email, phone or letter. When the winner is notified of their prize they will also be provided details as to the collection of their prize. Entrants published in October-November 2023 Horizons must claim their prize by 20 November 2023. In the event that no contact details are supplied, or RAC cannot make contact with the winner, the prize may be withdrawn at the absolute discretion of Horizons magazine. Prizes will only be awarded following winner validation and verification. This competition is subject to the promoter’s privacy and security statement and group privacy policy.

The Royal Automobile Club of WA (INC) 832 Wellington Street, West Perth GPO Box C140, Perth WA 6839

T: 13 17 03 W: rac.com.au

Member Service Centres – Metropolitan

CAROUSEL Shop 1098, Westfield Carousel, 1382 Albany Highway

DIANELLA Shop 20, Dianella Plaza, 360/366 Grand Promenade

MANDURAH Shop SP037, Halls Head Central, 14 Guava Way

WEST PERTH (Head Office) 832 Wellington Street

Member Service Centres – Regional ALBANY 110 Albany Highway

BUNBURY Primewest Centrepoint SC, 60 Blair Street

GERALDTON Shop 8, Stirlings Central SC, 54 Sanford Street

KALGOORLIE 51-53 Hannan Street

Travel Centres

CAROUSEL Shop 1098, Westfield Carousel, 1382 Albany Highway T: 6150 6454

DIANELLA Shop 20, Dianella Plaza, 360/366 Grand Promenade T: 6150 6455

JOONDALUP Shop T31, Lakeside Joondalup SC, 420 Joondalup Drive T: 6150 6477

WEST PERTH (Head Office)

832 Wellington Street T: 9436 4830

Perth Art Academy offers a range of art classes in traditional and contemporary art techniques.

Your tutor will carefully take you through the creative process from absolute beginners to the more advanced, helping students find their own artistic voice.

Classes are situated at 4/201 High Street, Fremantle. Parking available.

For further information or to book a class please visit our website: www.perthartacademy.com

Full terms and conditions for competitions available at rac.com.au/competitions

Ten best

HUMAN-MADE WONDERS OF WA Bell Tower Perth

CBD

Housing the 12 bells from London’s Saint Martin-inthe-Fields Church along with the ANZAC bell, Perth’s Bell Tower is considered one of the largest musical instruments in the world. The St Martin-in-the-Fields bells were originally cast some time before the 14th century, while the ANZAC bell is the largest of its kind ever made in Australia and was cast in Perth.

WA Museum Boola Bardip Northbridge

It was one of the most significant museum redevelopments in the world. This monumental project incorporated five heritage buildings that needed to be restored and ‘stitched’ together. The building features a cantilever over the roof of Hackett Hall. Inside, the museum has around 7000 square metres of galleries. More than 3300 workers were involved in its construction.

Rock art Burrup Peninsula

The Burrup Peninsula has more rock art at the one site than any other place in the world. Some have been dated back to the last ice age – five times older than Egypt’s pyramids. Right across the Kimberley and Pilbara, rock art paintings number in their millions. The chemistry of the art is such that the pigment has penetrated the rock and actually become part of it, which ensures that time at least won’t erase it.

Busselton Jetty Busselton

Measuring just shy of 2km long, the Busselton Jetty is officially the longest timber-piled jetty in the Southern Hemisphere. It wasn’t until the 1960s that the ever-expanding old pier hit its current length, but it’s maintained the title ever since. The underwater observatory incorporated into the jetty is one of only six in the world.

Harold E Holt Naval Communications Towers Exmouth

The Harold E Holt Naval Communication Station, along with its 387-metre-tall Tower Zero, is considered the most powerful transmission station in the Southern Hemisphere. The community in the Ningaloo Reef region was established around the same time as the communication base in 1967, to provide accommodation for US Navy personnel that had come to operate the station.

Golden Pipeline Perth to Kalgoorlie

The ambitious 560km Golden Pipeline from Mundaring Weir to Kalgoorlie was considered a ‘scheme of madness’ by the naysayers. It was built from 1898 to 1902 to service around 30,000 people. Now, the epic length of steel pipe has north-west offshoots and carries billions of litres of water annually to households, farms, and mines in the wider Kalgoorlie area.

Lake Argyle Kununurra

Lake Argyle isn’t technically a lake. It’s actually classified as an inland sea and is the result of human intervention when it was dammed in 1971 at the mouth of the Ord River. At its peak, the artificial body of water covers around 1000 km2 and holds up to 10.7 billion cubic metres of water; that’s 18 times more than Sydney Harbour’s capacity.

Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse Augusta

Just 30 minutes south of Margaret River in Augusta, you’ll find mainland Australia’s tallest lighthouse. The Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse sits on the southwestern-most tip of the continent. Book a tour and spiral up its 186 steps to the viewing platform at the top. Even now, some 100-plus years later, it helps guide boats and ships around the cape safely.

Wellington Dam Mural Collie

Back in 2021, muralist Guido van Helten spent four months

on hanging rigs and abseiling lines, completing his megamural, Reflections, on the curved face of Wellington Dam. The piece is enormous, covering roughly 8000m2 of the dam wall. No other damside mural comes close to the size of this one, making it the largest of its kind in the world.

Lake Ballard Sculptures Menzies

On its own, the seven km2 red and white marbled salt flat of Lake Ballard could be considered one of Western Australia’s great natural wonders. But it also makes the list as one of the great human-made wonders thanks to the large-scale outdoor gallery dotted around its expanse. Fifty-one towering steel sculptures by British sculptor Sir Antony Gormley were installed in the now-dry lake in 2003, commissioned by the Perth International Arts Festival.

DO YOU HAVE AN IDEA FOR THE TEN BEST?

Send your suggestions to editor@rac.com.au

Tourism Australia