Road Trippin' 1: North - Moore River
Only an hour and a half out of town via the Mitchell Freeway and Indian Ocean Drive, Moore River, or Guilderton as the town is called, is a great place to unwind. I’ve been so lucky in my younger years due to a relative owning a house up there, that I have been able to enjoy many holidays from school/uni/work chilling at the beach, sand-boarding down the dunes, and relaxing right near the mouth of the river.
However, all is not lost for you, the un-connected reader, as there is a caravan park there, as well as many rental houses, available for just the weekend, or even several weeks.
Guilderton the township is located where the Moore River meets the Indian Ocean. It is an awesome, quiet community, with great facilities such as barbeque areas by the river, putt-putt, tennis courts, and even a freaking golf course! But these things are not why you go to Moore River. Some of the most beautiful coast line wraps itself about this town, with great swimming beaches, fishing beaches, a laidback vibe, as well as the river to cool you down in the hot summer.
The ocean along here can be roughly split into 4 sections. You have the big dumpy fun wave part right at the mouth of the river (which is most often closed creating an amazing fresh water pool-river), a calmer area about 100m further North, a great Tailor fishing area further North, and then you have miles and miles of 4wd accessible combinations of this. From awesome reefs to fish off, and nice swimming spots, I recommend you take the big wheels!
Although we do not condone illegal beach camping, this is a great place to set up a tent and unwind, either on the beach, or just up in the hills.
Just off the coast there are plenty of great 4wd tracks, ranging in difficulty from easy to intermediate, with a couple hard climbs and the like thrown in for good measure. And most people are more than willing to give you a hand if you get stuck. Just be sure to be prepared, lower your tyre pressures and bring a snatch strap!
So here’s a great place to start off roadtrippin’ adventures, it’s close, not too isolated, and is a great place to go. Just keep the place clean please!