Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - To drive or not to from Perth?

As part of a Perth/WA visit, a few of questions and request for opinions on:

1. Flying or Driving to Kalgoorlie from Perth?

2. If one had to choose between Monkey Mia and Kalgoorlie which would it be?

3. Is it better to fly to Karratha on QF to get to Monkey Mia or fly to Sharks Bay on Skywest? QF seems to have better schedule and 737s and Oneworld mile earing opportunities.^

Lastly, 4. Is driving to Monkey Mia with stops along the way to visit various sites a viable option too?

I know the questions are subject to opinions - that's a good thing. Looking forward to that.

Thanks for you input!

1. Another option to-from Kalgoorlie is the train
2. Monkey Mia and Kalgoorlie ? Vastly different places, depends what you are interested in.
3. No opinion but WA is VERY BIG and a lot of the country is same
4. Driving up from Perth is a good option. Several interesting places along the way, if you take several days for the trip

As part of a Perth/WA visit, a few of questions and request for opinions on:

1. Flying or Driving to Kalgoorlie from Perth?

2. If one had to choose between Monkey Mia and Kalgoorlie which would it be?

3. Is it better to fly to Karratha on QF to get to Monkey Mia or fly to Sharks Bay on Skywest? QF seems to have better schedule and 737s and Oneworld mile earing opportunities.^

Lastly, 4. Is driving to Monkey Mia with stops along the way to visit various sites a viable option too?

I know the questions are subject to opinions - that's a good thing. Looking forward to that.

Thanks for you input!

I would go to Monkey Mia.

When considering driving/distances etc I found this information on http://www.about-australia.com/facts/western-australia/

Western Australia is the largest Australian State with an area of more than 2 500 000 sq km, a 12 500 km coastline and spanning 2 400km from north to south, it occupies a third of the continent.

Considering America has a total area of 9,826,630 sq km it provides an idea of size, driving etc. However, the train option on one leg would be nice.

Thanks for the insight/input.

I have the drive distances from Perth and would consider driving to Monkey Mia over three days - with stops along the way.

I've driven Perth all the way up to Cape Ranges/Exmouth and back. If you have any specific questions, ask.

p.s. If you have a 4WD/AWD vehicle and are open to camping, Francois Peron park is a wonderful place to do it.

1. Another option to-from Kalgoorlie is the train

The train is called The Prospector
http://www.transwa.wa.gov.au/Default.aspx?tabid=45
Looks very flash, fares seem decent about A$ 150 return. While I haven't taken the Prospector recently I did take the Australind last year (and will again this year) and was quite impressed with the service.

The Prospector is very nice in terms of comfort, you can order food and drinks along the way and the seats are large and comfortable. Sometimes the company is not so great though, it's often the mode of transport of those who can't afford to fly and I was once seated next to a homeless man along the stretch from Northam to Perth.

It is quite scenic though and in general is a very pleasant way to travel. Maybe take the train one way and fly the other.

I suggest considering flying one way and driving the other. It is too far to drive RT with some, but only some, attractions along the way. It is too far to go to Australia not to drive one way to get it "all". We actually went the other way and traveled South driving to the tip and then back over Mt
Baker, etc. Great trip. You might want to consider Australian Pacific Tours or Kings tours or similar. Let the bus drive you up and back. You will see lots of things that are not in the tour books. Thats what we did on another trip to get in the Great North West and some "inland" areas.

I'd go to Shark Bay via Kalbarri. Don't focus too much on Monkey Mia but look at more of Shark Bay.

I like the drive - there's a lovely long stretch of dead straight road that runs due (magnetic) north-south.

I highly recommend a stop at Kalbarri.

I'd go the inland route one way (via Coorow and Three Springs) and the coastal route the other way (via Jurien). The countryside is quite different.

Audrey

(But I'm biased - I still have family in Coorow!)