Common Questions
Q : What can I bring?
A : Our vehicles become not only our transportation but also our homes for the duration of the journey and hence space is at a premium. Luggage is therefore restricted. Suitcases are not allowed. We suggest a soft backpack or duffel bag together with a small daypack. To avoid overloading bags should not exceed 15kg (33lbs) in weight. Excess baggage should be forwarded to the tour destination at your expense. We recommend you contact Busfreight for this. This needs to be carried out by you, the passenger, on the day prior to departure.
As all our tours really let you get out and explore the area, there are some essential items you should take - walking shoes (strong runners will do), hat, sunscreen, insect repellant, camera and a small water container are a must. Clothing (do not bring anything too good as it will get dirty!) and personal effects are up to the individual although remember the weight restrictions. Here is a checklist to help you with your planning.
Check List for items that you require on camping tours. On shorter accommodated tours some of thes items are not necessary.
- Sturdy, comfortable, worn in walking boots or joggers
- Socks, thick for walking
- Underwear
- Trousers or shorts
- Casual clothing
- T-Shirts, to wear and spare for night
- Shirts, long sleeved and loose fitting
- Jumper or polo-fleece or warm jacket or tracksuit
- Sun hat and sun glasses
- Fly net (drops over hat)
- Bathers
- Water bottle, leak proof, 1 Litre
- Toiletries
- Insect repellent (essential) and anti-histamine tablets or creams (if required)
- Sunscreen and lip screen protectant
- Personal first aid, including bandaids, headache remedies and a pressure bandage is often helpful
- Prescription medicine, spectacles, etc
- Torch and batteries (small and lightweight)
- Camera and film
- Towel
- Tissues
- Sleeping bag sheet
- Small pillow
- Sleeping Bag (A small hiring fee of $50 applies)
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Q : Do I need to be fit?
A : Although our vehicles do most of the work, in many cases the last few kilometers are covered by foot. A certain amount of fitness is required to hike into the spectacular gorges and other places of interest we visit. Since fitness levels are to hard to gauge we ask only that you be active, healthy and have a desire to be outdoors. Should you suffer from any medical disorder the driver must know from Day 1.
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Q : Do I have to help out?
A : The success of the tour depends on the ability of individuals and their willingness to lend a hand and become part of a team. Chores are not strenuous and involve erecting your own tent (which is easy) when required, assisting with the preparation and cleaning up of meals (which is fun) and of the loading and unloading of equipment (which is also fun). Should you wish to be waited on hand and foot these tours are not for you!
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Q : What do we eat?
A : They say an army travels on its stomach. WesternXposure believes food is one of the most important elements of your adventure and endeavours to provide a healthy and varied menu. Our vehicles are equipped with custom built refrigerators and fresh supplies are purchased at points en-route. A typical days menu would be:
- Breakfast Toast, muesli, cereal, tea & coffee
- Lunch Picnic style with cold meats, fresh salads and bread & butter
- Dinner 2 or 3 courses with soup, hot main meal and desert. Our driver/cooks all have their own specialties and camp roasts, BBQ's, curries and pasta dishes as well as trifles and turnovers may well appear on the menu. Of course you may also have the chance to sample some real Aussie damper while on tour
- Vegetarians are catered for but please advise us in advance when booking your tour
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Q : Will I need to spend much money?
A : Banks along the way are scarce. While your tour fee includes all meals as indicated, park entry fees and all accommodation and parking fees there are many stops along the way where you may like to buy a drink or snack. There are also many optional activities which you may like to partake in which are not covered in the tour fee but which can be organized by your driver. These include boat cruises, helicopter flights and abseiling amongst others. Most of these optional activities can be paid by credit card, however you should bring some money for personal items along the way.
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Q : Should I have travel insurance?
A : Absolutely! You should never travel anywhere in outback Australia without travel insurance. Your insurance can cover you for any number of things on tour from missed connections due to late arrival, hospitalization or recovery in the case of an accident, lost or damaged belongings, late cancellation charges, etc.
Every policy is different, so make sure that yours covers you fully.
Q : What type of accommodation do we use?
A : We use a mix of hostel and farm-stay accommodation, permanent camps and bush-camping (Kimberleys). We use quality hostels which provide us with dorm-style rooms, which generally feature bunk-beds, shared facilities and hostel amenities. On our trips through Karijini, we use our permanent camps. Each camp has its own site with tents, swag, cooking equipment, tables and chairs and has access to showers and toilets.
Through the Kimberley we use a mix of full-facility camping and bush-camping. We carry all our camping gear onboard and when camping in an area with facilities, we camp in an open area that has access to showers and toilets. When bush-camping, our guides have their favourite spots to pull-up and set up camp. These camps do not have toilets or showers, and provide the real outback camping experience!
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Q : What are the groups like?
A : Because of the nature of our trips, we tend to attract travelers who are fun-loving and adventurous. Groups can be made up of backpackers, students, vacationers and retirees from all place and walks of life. We don't have age restrictions, however, what is important, is that all travelers be of reasonable fitness, be willing to have a good time and be happy to laugh, learn and enjoy the adventure. Our tours are not luxury tours, but they are great value. We pride our tours on being fun, adventurous and informative and as long as each passenger jumps aboard knowing this, then we know that we can provide a sensational adventure.
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About our Vehicles
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Q : Do the vehicles have forward facing seats?
A : Absolutely!! All of our vehicles are equipped with forward facing seats for maximum viewing potential. There are no uncomfortable sideways facing seats on our tours.
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Q : What sort of vehicles do you use?
A : WesternXposure has a fleet of 42 vehicles including both four wheel drives and mini-buses. The 4wd's are used on the 1 day Pinnacles tour, the Perth to Alice Springs tour and the tours that operate through the Kimberley.
Other tours are operated in two wheel drive mini-buses. These include the South West tours and the tours to Monkey Mia & Exmouth. All of our Broome tours travel in custom made Izuzu 2WD Trucks.............the most luxurious adventure tour to Broome!
The 4wd's range in size from 4 seat Landcruisers to the 20 seat custom built Isuzu's. Mini buses are predominately the 21 seat Toyota Coaster or 13 seat Toyota Communter vans.
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Q : Can I charter a vehicle for private use?
A : Yes. All of our vehicles are available for individual charters. They can be chartered from 1 day to as many as required and for 2 people to 100. We have our own Group and Charter Manager who can custom make any itinerary for you. Over the years we have conducted many private tours and charters for special interest groups, school groups, mining companies and universities. The range of possibilities is endless. For more information or ideas on your private tour please feel free to contact us.
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