Horizons June/July 2022 by The Royal Automobile Club of WA (Inc.)

June/July 2022

Your RAC member magazine

Member benefits + Your feedback + Ten of the best

Beyond Dolphin Beach TAKE YOUR MONKEY MIA TRIP A STEP FURTHER

Least safe cars of the past decade

10 cars you should stay well clear of

Roundabouts dissected

How they work and when they don’t

WA’s car shortage

When will it end and what’s hardest to get

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Your RAC member magazine

HORIZONS® Published by RAC WA EDITOR Vanessa Pogorelic GRAPHIC DESIGNER Renee Smith ADVERTISING Gail Raj (WA only) T: 08 9388 7844 E: gail@mediatonic.com.au Lauren Casalini T: 03 8520 6444 E: laurencasalini@hardiegrant.com CONTACT US facebook.com/RACWA twitter.com/RACWA instagram.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 Big Lagoon, Shark Bay PHOTOGRAPH BY Merr Watson Drone Photographer merrwatson.com

CAB AUDITED AS AT SEPTEMBER 2021 IS 671,635 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.

Membership +Benefits 63 Member benefits

81 Contact us

Inside this issue JUNE/JULY 2022

Our State, People+Future

Home +Life

Travel +Touring

Car +Motoring

President's message

Home Security Survey What you told us about your experiences

WA travel brief

WA’s car shortage Why it’s set to continue a little longer

08 Your feedback

12 Snapshot

17 Roundabouts Why we need them and when we don’t

51 Future moves

58 Member lounge

82 Ten best

38 Monkey Mia and beyond So much more than just dolphins

44 Inland South West Try a new road ‘down south’

23 Least safe cars Nine cars you should avoid

28 Inside a major crash How everyone got out alive

52 Test drive

57 Car doctor

Sam’s in for safer roads At 17, Sam hasn’t been driving long, but he’s already experienced how a road crash can flip someone’s life upside down. As well as witnessing the impact of crashes on close friends, Sam has attended RAC bstreetsmart: a live crash re-enactment that gives senior

Search RAC Road Safety

school students a very real insight into the dangers of risk-taking behaviours on the road. “Now that I’ve seen and understood the damage it can cause, I always drive with care,” said Sam. Sam’s in for safer roads. And at RAC, we’re in for educating our younger drivers.

Our State, People+Future

President's message

TIME TO CHANGE ROAD SAFETY GOVERNANCE IN WA More than two decades ago, WA had one of the best road safety records in the country. Since 2006 we have consistently had one of the worst. Last year we recorded the highest number of deaths on our roads in five years — 166 lives tragically lost. Thousands more were seriously injured. The Road Trauma Trust Account (RTTA) was established to fund road safety initiatives that could save lives and prevent serious injuries across our State. Around $100 million in revenue from fines comes into the RTTA every year. Unfortunately, history shows that millions of dollars are often left unspent in the RTTA, effectively sitting idle, and not allocated to projects that will reduce the impact of road trauma. In 2014, the WA Government at that time, undertook a review of road safety governance. Following this review, a Commissioner for Road Safety was established. This was a welcome move, however RAC’s calls for the Commissioner to report into parliament via a Joint Parliamentary Standing Committee were not supported. Instead, the Commissioner continues to report direct to the Minister for Road Safety. We feel it is time for this to change and we have been consistent in our position on this since 2014. The parliamentary reporting forum provides an opportunity for the Commissioner to clearly identify the extent to which government agencies with road safety responsibilities are or are not meeting those responsibilities effectively. It also provides further opportunities to introduce road safety performance indicators and enhance the operation and independence of the RTTA including its spending on projects and initiatives. It will also provide greater clarity on why funding in the RTTA remains unspent. Now is the time to reshape our approach to road safety, to get us back on track, and to protect families, now and in the future, from the life-long devastation of a loved one being killed or seriously injured on our roads. We feel this is something that all Members of Parliament and the community can support.

Jacqueline Ronchi RAC President

RAC PRESIDENT Jacqueline Ronchi RAC COUNCIL President Jacqueline Ronchi Senior Vice President Professor Ross Dowling AM Vice President John Driscoll MEMBERS OF COUNCIL Leanne Bishop Allan Blagaich Professor Donna Cross Freda Crucitti Jill Darby Tony Evans Stephen Fox Dalton Gooding Brian Hanson Jody Nunn Emmerson Richardson Jim Walker

Our State, People+Future

Your feedback PEDESTRIAN HAZARDS

WINNING FEEDBACK

Clearing the air It is commendable that RAC is continuing to alert members to increasing air pollution problems, and especially to the health impacts. Diesel vehicles are a major concern as they emit carcinogenic compounds, especially in heavy traffic. We need to urgently adopt the highest international design standards for diesel vehicles. We all need to do more to persuade the State and Federal Governments to facilitate the transition to electric vehicles by 2030. If Australian vehicle fuel efficiency and emissions standards were raised to match other countries, it would save Australians significant costs in fuel – something that should trigger thought, especially in times of higher fuel costs. Margaret

I read the article on seatbelts in Horizons magazine (February/March). Some twenty years before the seat belt, Daimler Benz pioneered crumple zones to give added safety to the people inside the vehicle, as well as lessening impact on people hit by cars. I spent all of my working life in the retail motor industry in the UK and was lucky to be able to visit car production plants across Europe. Manufacturers spend millions on trying to make cars as safe as possible in the event of impact. On moving to Australia, I was amazed to see how many cars have huge, steel roo bars on the front that negate all that technology and ensure that any person involved in a collision is going to be seriously damaged if not killed. Omar

CHECK YOUR LIGHTS

SEND US YOUR FEEDBACK AND WIN Send us your opinions and feedback and you could win a year’s Classic Roadside Assistance.

I agree with the comments made by John in the latest edition (Horizons April/ May). I have also found that most drivers of cars with daytime running lights (DRL) don’t realise that the rear lights are not illuminated as with the front lights. A serious hazard on misty or rainy days as most drivers don’t know they are quite difficult to see. The other issue of note is cars that have fog lights brighter than the park lights or DRLs. Some four-wheel drive vehicles are quite blinding because of the vehicle height in comparison to standard vehicles. Brian

@RACWA @RACWA @RACWA editor@rac.com.au 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.

SLOW DOWN MOVE OVER A member asked us about the rules that apply when passing vehicles attending a roadside incident. When approaching and passing incident response vehicles that are stationary and have their lights flashing, the Slow Down Move Over or SLOMO law, requires drivers and riders to slow down to a speed at which they could, if necessary, stop safely before passing the vehicle. You should also not pass at a speed faster than 40 km/h. If there are multiple lanes in the same direction and the incident response vehicle is in the same lane, move over if it’s safe to do so. The SLOMO law applies to emergency services such as police, fire and ambulance, as well as breakdown services, tow trucks and other authorised response vehicles.

Grzegorz Czapski / Shutterstock.com

Our State, People+Future

HYDROGEN FUTURE Regarding the article in the April /May edition of Horizons on electric vehicles. Surely the future lies with hydrogen-based FCEVs and not battery-powered vehicles? Hydrogen is undoubtedly the fuel of the future for all forms of transport i.e., heavy road vehicles, ships and aircraft etc. Australia can become completely independent in fuel supply with hydrogen and that is undoubtedly strategically important. Not only that but Australia can be a major supplier to the region. Hydrogen can also be the fuel of choice in manufacturing e.g., steel and fertiliser production. Jim

The law applies to those in all lanes, travelling in the same direction as the lane where the incident has occurred. It doesn’t apply to those travelling in the opposite direction unless the incident is in the middle of the road or on a median strip.

High fuel prices Fuel rises the moment the price of oil goes up but doesn’t go down at the same rate as the fuel in the tanks that was paid for at a certain price. Kennon Ride a motorbike, a pushbike, and walk, and don’t drive so much. I only just filled my car for the first time since it was $1.60 on the expensive days. Kristi Lock your cars up. Milking tanks will be next. Christine 40 per cent of all car journeys are under 3km. What a waste. Ride a bike, walk, use an e-scooter. Gareth 

Life's better when we're connected Together with our members and partners, we're supporting projects that connect communities across WA

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Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development

News in brief from RAC and beyond

Snapshot

SUCCESSFUL TRIAL FOR SAFER DRIVER APP Driver inattention was reported as the primary contributing factor in 17 per cent of fatalities on WA roads in 2021. Despite the risks, an RAC survey found four in five WA drivers admit to using their mobile phone at least sometimes while driving. To help reduce mobile phone distraction in the car, we embarked on a trial to see if the phone itself could be used as a tool to combat the distraction it creates. We produced a mobile phone app in partnership with Sentiance, a data science and behaviour change company, that was designed to train users to avoid engaging with their phone while driving. More than 800 RAC members and non-members took part in a 30-day trial held last year, where the Safer Driver app collected data about how often the phone was used or simply handled during car trips. These insights were then fed back to the driver. The app also set challenges to see how far users could travel without engaging with their phone, and shared tips about reducing phone use behind the wheel. No challenges were set, or information shared, while participants were driving. We found that half of those who used their phone while driving at the start of the trial, and who had subsequently engaged with the app, reduced their mobile phone distraction by 57 per cent or more. Overall, 43 per cent of participants said they had stopped or reduced their in-car phone use and 47 per cent agreed they would use an app like this long-term. The insights gained through the trial will help us continue to explore innovative ways to encourage road users to make positive changes to their behaviour, to save lives and prevent serious injuries on our roads.

The price of filling up March 2021 versus March 2022

March 2021 $61.11 March 2022 $82.27 March 2021 $84.39

As fuel prices began to rise sharply through February and March, the figures to the right show just how much pressure those increases were placing on household budgets. We compare what it would have cost to fill the tank, on average, in March 2021 against the average price in the first two weeks of March this year.

Toyota Yaris

Mazda CX-5

March 2022 $113.62 March 2021 $113.35 March 2022 $158.65

Ford Ranger 4x4 ute diesel

Our State, People+Future

Stewart Allen

ELECTRIC CAR DEMAND INCREASES IN WA Demand for electric vehicles is growing in WA, with the number of EVs on our roads more than doubling in the past 12 months. A recent RAC survey found half of all respondents would consider an electric or hybrid vehicle as their next car, compared with 36 per cent who preferred petrol or diesel. Two-thirds believe they’ll own an EV in the next ten years. The sentiment towards electric cars may be shifting, however the cost of EVs is one of the biggest barriers to purchase, with two-thirds of those surveyed saying EVs were too expensive.

Know the rules before you take off In April/May Horizons we explained WA’s new eRideable laws, which cover battery-powered devices such as e-scooters, e-skateboards, e-unicycles and one-wheels, with a maximum capable speed of 25km/h.

While the options for EVs remain far more limited in Australia than many other markets, this year the choice for local car buyers will expand further, though the choice of vehicles that can be had for below $50,000 remains limited.

If you have one of these or are thinking of getting one, here’s a summary of the rules to make sure you’re on the right track and to keep you safe.

In 2021, RAC welcomed the WA Government’s Electric Vehicle Strategy, which included a $21 million investment in charging infrastructure.

Where can you ride one?

However, WA’s EV fleet targets remain lower than other states and the Government’s EV Strategy missed an opportunity to further incentivise uptake of EVs through subsidies, rebates and fee cuts to reduce the upfront costs. 

Local roads where the posted speed limit is no more than 50km/h and where there are no centre line markings or a centre island. Bike lanes on local roads where the posted speed limit is no more than 50km/h. Shared paths and bike paths. Footpaths at speeds of no more than 10km/h. Approved helmets must be worn.

Who can’t ride one? Children under 16 are not permitted to use an eRideable. However, they are permitted to ride low-powered motorised scooters which do not exceed 200w or 10km/h.

What about electric bikes, Segways and motorised scooters? Electric bikes, Segways and lowpowered motorised scooters are not considered eRideables so different rules apply. For more information, visit wa.gov.au and search for eRideables.

Our State, People+Future

NOMINATIONS FOR ELECTION TO RAC COUNCIL The Royal Automobile Club of W.A. (Incorporated) (RAC) has a governing body – the Council, which is elected by the voting members of RAC. Each year RAC calls for nominations to the Council from eligible members of RAC, who are able to commit their time and skills to RAC. If you are an eligible member with an interest in nominating for election to the Council and would like more information about the role of Council and the obligations of being a Councillor, please contact CouncilElections@rac.com.au Nominations to fill five vacancies on the Council of RAC open on Friday 1 July 2022 and close 12 noon on Friday 29 July 2022. Subject to the Rules of the RAC, retiring members of Council are eligible for re-election.

Safe disposal of automotive fluids and containers Automotive fluids such as motor oil, brake fluid and coolant are considered hazardous waste and should never be placed in kerbside rubbish bins or poured down drains. Flammable liquid containers that are empty, such as oil bottles and old fuel containers, are also a risk if thrown into any kerbside rubbish bins and should be treated in the same way as hazardous liquid waste and taken to a Household Hazardous Waste facility. If you have unused automotive fluids, there are collection facilities across the metropolitan area and in six regional centres across WA where they can be safely disposed of at no cost. Only household automotive waste is accepted and only up to 20kg or 20lt per type of waste product. In addition to being hazardous to human health and the environment, if disposed of incorrectly they also carry a fire risk.

Used motor oil, also known as sump oil, will be disposed of safely by your auto mechanic during servicing. As sump oil can be recycled for other purposes, RAC Auto Services sends all sump oil to a recycling service. If you have sump oil you need to dispose of yourself, some automotive retailers will also accept it, however it’s recommended to call ahead to check the amount you have doesn’t exceed the maximum volumes accepted. For a list of government collection facilities that accept hazardous waste, visit wasteauthority.wa.gov.au. When transporting any hazardous liquid, ensure it’s in a container that’s fit-for-purpose, and is safely secured with a tight seal. Ideally this should be in the boot, ute tray or a trailer. If transporting fuels and oils inside the vehicle, drive with at least one window open for ventilation.

Eligibility requirements for nominees are set out in the Associations Incorporation Act 2015 (WA), in the Rules (Rule 7) and in the By-Laws. The Rules and By-Laws are available on the website: rac.com.au Prospective nominees are referred to Rules 12.3(a) and (b), which read: “12.3(a) Except in the case of retiring Councillors who are eligible and offer themselves for election or re-election under rule 12.3(c) and subject to rule 14.1(b)(ii), a person must be nominated by at least 25 Members who are Voting Members as at the date of lodgement of the nomination form. 12.3(b) The procedures to be followed in conducting the nomination process must be set out in the ByLaws, including the requirements for the nomination form and the date by which the nomination form is required to be lodged.” Nomination forms may be obtained on application to the Chief Executive, RAC, 832 Wellington Street, West Perth, from 1 July 2022 (or email: CouncilElections@rac.com.au). 

Car+Motoring

The car shortage is with us for a bit longer CAR FACTORIES WORLDWIDE MAY BE SLOWLY BRINGING PRODUCTION RATES BACK UP, BUT THERE’S STILL A LONG WAY TO GO. By Alex Forrest

We spoke to several car manufacturers which typically sell large volumes of new cars in Western Australia, and asked them for their outlook on the future of new car availability in WA.

caused interruptions to global supply chains,” Lauren says.

Managing director of Toyota WA, Mark Lauren, told Horizons the outlook for the rest of 2022 was brighter.

“Throughout 2021 we saw significant increases in local and global demand for Toyota vehicles and as a consequence in WA the top Toyota models with the longest waiting periods are currently LC70, RAV4 Hybrid and LandCruiser 300.

He says that in general terms, there has been an improvement in supply and further growth was expected during 2022.

“However, for the majority of our line up the wait time is six months or less, but it is an evolving situation. Demand levels are unprecedented.”

“Our business, like many others, has been challenged by the pandemic which has

Hyundai spokesperson Guido Schenken, told Horizons there was a good, continuous

supply of Hyundai models arriving into Australia, but the increase in customer demand for new vehicles meant there was also a large backlog of customer orders. Schenken says the shortage of computer chips has not stopped any particular Hyundai model from being produced, however supply of some models is better than others in particular months. “Availability in dealerships will vary depending on model and variant,” he says. Supply restrictions have also been felt among many premium car manufacturers, 15

including one of the best known, Mercedes-Benz. Jerry Stamoulis, MercedesBenz head of media relations, says that demand has outstripped supply since the start of the pandemic, and Mercedes-Benz doesn’t see this changing for the remainder of 2022. He says the availability of certain Mercedes-Benz models changes on a regular basis. “For now, it is difficult to get the all-new C-Class due to the high demand and stock issues.” 

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Our State, People+Future

Roundabouts Why we need them, when we need them, and when we don’t. By Ruth Callaghan

An intersection is a risky place. With vehicles travelling in different directions, pedestrians and cyclists crossing, and all moving at what can be very different speeds, it’s perhaps no wonder that half the fatalities and serious injuries on metropolitan roads are in crashes that occur at Perth’s more than 50,000 intersections. While there are several things that can be done to change those statistics, perhaps one of the most controversial for some is to add a roundabout. Studies across Australia have repeatedly shown that

installing roundabouts can cut the overall number of crashes and injury by up to 75 per cent, according to Austroads.

regardless of the kind of intersection you’re talking about,” says RAC acting general manager of Social Impact, Sarah Macaulay.

Even when traffic volumes are high, Main Roads WA data shows crash incidence falls by at least half when roundabouts are installed.

“That’s evident from the crash data, and right-angle, side-impact and rear-end crashes are the most common at intersections.

But the perception that Perth’s 2900 roundabouts are less safe for some road users persists.

“When we did our last Risky Roads Survey in 2018, asking people to nominate dangerous roads and intersections, 60 per cent of nominations were to do with intersections and our members often raise concerns about interacting with other road users at them. 

Who’s saying they’re unsafe? “Due to the various interactions that happen, urban intersections present a safety concern 17

BETWEEN 2015 AND 2019, MORE THAN 4500 PERTH INTERSECTIONS HAD CRASHES LEADING TO INJURIES.

Our State, People+Future

“In a recent survey, we also asked our members for their views about using roundabouts, and 47 per cent disagree that they’re safe for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists.

THERE IS ALSO EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST ROUNDABOUTS MAY BE LESS SAFE FOR CYCLISTS AND MOTORCYCLISTS DUE TO DRIVERS FAILING TO SEE THEM.

Sites are probably less suitable for roundabouts if they are used by very vulnerable users, such as seniors or children, where there are poor lines of sight for oncoming traffic, or where topography means the roundabout could be hidden from view on approach.

“When you look at just the responses from regular cyclists, 63 per cent disagree that they’re safe.

The same applies to busy intersections (particularly larger ones) where the traffic flows on different approaches are not balanced, as this can make it hard for vehicles on the less dominant approach to enter the roundabout.

“Roundabouts are considered the safest intersection type for vehicular traffic. But the choice and design of an intersection treatment needs to be appropriate for the location, and a range of factors come into play here.”

While studies suggest pedestrians might be no more at risk at a roundabout than at other kinds of intersection, they may be more difficult to navigate as there is no general requirement for vehicles or pedestrians to give way to one another. According to Austroads, there is also evidence to suggest roundabouts may be less safe for cyclists and motorcyclists due to drivers failing to see them.

Figuring out where they work best Weighing up things like traffic volumes and movements, the mix of road users, the surrounding land uses, topography of the road and space constraints — and balancing a total reduction of crashes, with any potential risk to vulnerable road users— presents a challenge for road safety experts, traffic engineers and urban planners.

But what is clear is that, where roundabouts can

reduce overall travel speed along with the number of collision or ‘conflict’ points and impact angles, any crash that does occur tends to be less serious overall. This is part of the thinking behind a new program that will see more mini roundabouts and other low-cost road treatments rolled-out across Perth.

Zooming in on Perth’s crash hotspots Jerko Ostoic is director of Road Access and Planning at Main Roads and heads the Low-Cost Urban Road Safety program, working to provide simple but effective changes to the local road network to reduce crashes and save lives. Unlike traditional black spot programs that largely address locations of significant concern — with a history of lives lost and serious injuries sustained — this program uses Main Roads’ comprehensive database of 51,000 Perth intersections to divide the suburbs into small zones and look at where crashes occur at aboveaverage rates.

1000 Words / Shutterstock.com

Glenn Weaver

Our State, People+Future

Between 2015 and 2019, more than 4500 Perth intersections had crashes leading to injuries, and of these, 3500 are on local government roads that are unlikely to meet the criteria for the bigger State or Federal road safety programs. Main Roads can zoom in on each location, highlighting the number and nature of recent crashes, as well as seeing locations in context — part of a school zone, for example, or close to a busy set of shops. Working with local governments, Main Roads can then introduce inexpensive measures including, in many cases, mini roundabouts.

How they can reduce crashes “The biggest positive for roundabouts is the reduction of collision points,” Main Roads’ Jerko Ostoic says. “If you have a major four-way intersection with a complete set of signals, left turn slip turns, right turns, every movement possible, you have 24 conflict points for traffic.

“A roundabout has only four main collision points. You are either coming in at those four points or you’re not.

given it is a right angle, there is a very high probability of someone being killed or seriously injured.

“The second major benefit is that it physically separates vehicles from the risk of a head-on crash.

“But at a roundabout you’re coming in at an angle. Even if you make that misjudgement — which really, it is much harder to do — the vehicle coming through is also angled, so there is lower severity.”

“The third is it reduces speed. If you have those three things, you can still get crashes but your risk of someone being killed or seriously injured is much, much lower.”

Roundabouts in action The Low-Cost Urban Road Safety program is already changing local streets.

Roundabouts also almost eliminate right-angle crashes, which are responsible for 18 per cent of deaths and serious injuries on WA roads.

The City of Vincent has recently had nine mini roundabouts added around four suburban blocks, while the City of Stirling is looking to expand the program to Mount Lawley after successfully piloting roundabouts and raised intersection treatments in Joondanna and Osborne Park.

“At a signalised intersection or T-junction, if someone makes a mistake, you can get hit at right angles which is extremely dangerous,” Ostoic says. “If you imagine a scenario of a four-way intersection, if I make an error and I miss the stop sign or give way sign, my vehicle could be travelling through at 50km or 60km per hour.

The WA program follows trials in the City of Monash in Victoria, which has installed more than 40 mini roundabouts since 2004. That project saw the number of serious crashes fall from 

“If I have a moment of misjudgement, and another car hits me at that speed,

“AT A SIGNALISED INTERSECTION OR T-JUNCTION, IF SOMEONE MAKES A MISTAKE, YOU CAN GET HIT AT RIGHT ANGLES WHICH IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.”

Our State, People+Future

ABOVE: A mini roundabout on Chelmsford Road, North Perth.

INSTALLING ROUNDABOUTS CAN CUT THE OVERALL NUMBER OF CRASHES AND INJURY BY UP TO 75 PER CENT.

six to none over a three-year period, along with a nearly 80 per cent reduction in total crashes and a reduction in the number of speeding vehicles.

we haven’t touched the water, Telstra or other services underneath, and we’ve used visual cues to encourage the behaviour we’re after.”

What makes Main Roads’ new approach radically different from other road safety programs, though, is the cost.

Smart ways to safer roads Sarah Macaulay says RAC has welcomed the State Government’s funding commitment to date and has been calling for funding towards an ongoing program to deliver such low-cost treatments to encourage safer travel speeds through intersections and address common crash issues across the road network.

To install a traditional large roundabout, including reshaping the road approaches, managing the removal and replacement of services, and adding in landscaping or paving, can cost in the millions of dollars. In contrast, each City of Vincent mini roundabout cost about $20,000, while in Osborne Park a larger roundabout cost just $30,000.

While the most dangerous intersections in the state can individually record 40 or more crashes in a year, the local roads targeted under this program are often places where crashes have occurred over a larger area, or where they could occur.

“The reason they are so cheap is this is just about 80mm of concrete, regulatory signage, and paint,” Ostoic says of the Osborne Park update. “Yet it changes the driver’s behaviour on approach, and it encourages drivers to slow down and change angle.

“Serious crashes at more minor intersections on local roads are often more dispersed – you don’t get as many occurring at a single intersection,” Macaulay says.

“The key is that we have also not touched the curb lines,

“You might also have a history of injury crashes at one or several nearby intersections, but the risk profile is potentially very similar for others in the area; you’ve just been lucky and not had a serious crash or fatality at those locations to date. “If you can apply these low-cost treatments more widely across the network, it can reduce the risk and occurrence of crashes across the board.” “In designing or redesigning any intersection and its approaches, the safety of all road users must be prioritised. We need to look at innovative ways to make intersections safer for cyclists and improve crossing conditions for pedestrians, because the design of the intersections impacts how safe and comfortable people are using them.”  Do you use roundabouts correctly? To check the rules, visit rac.com.au/ roundabouts

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Car+Motoring

The least safe cars of the past decade OUR CARS ARE INFINITELY SAFER THAN THEY ONCE WERE, BUT CAUTION IS STILL NEEDED, ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE BUYING FROM THE USED CAR MARKET. By Byron Mathioudakis

Vehicle safety has come a long way in a relatively short period of time. Nowadays, safety is the top priority for most carmakers – at least for those selling cars in affluent markets like Australia, Western Europe and North America. But it wasn’t until the 1990s that manufacturers, other than the likes of Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, SAAB and Audi, began to make advanced safety features more widely available. Previously, safety features in mainstream cars were closer to the bare minimum

required by federal regulations. This meant that the most popular, mainstream models, even from respected brands like Toyota, Holden, Ford and Mazda, offered little real protection for occupants, crash avoidance technologies, or protection for vulnerable road users like pedestrians and cyclists.

Seatbelts are acknowledged as transportation’s single biggest safety advance of all time but were only mandated in Australia from the early 1970s. Before the seatbelt mandate, cars gained windscreens with tempered glass that shattered in small pieces rather than in shards (and then laminated glass which was also stronger) anti-burst door latches that kept occupants from falling out, padded dashboards to help reduce head-strike injury, and radial-ply tyres that offered greatly improved grip and much better resistance to blowing out. 

Car+Motoring

LEFT: Mitsubishi Express; BELOW (top to bottom): Great Wall Steed; Jeep Wrangler; Jeep Gladiator; Suzuki Jimny; OPPOSITE PAGE: Ford Mustang Fastback.

The democratisation of independent, government-funded or sanctioned bodies like Euro NCAP (European New Car Assessment Program) have been driving the safety message home for decades, by championing the safest models while exposing the worst. The five-star rating system is now an easy tool to identify the good from the bad. As a result, new vehicles in general are vastly safer than those from previous generations. However, not all cars are created equally, with some unable to achieve the highly desired five stars. These are the cars that you’d be wise to steer clear of. Using Euro NCAP and local affiliate Australasian NCAP (ANCAP) data, here are the least safe cars available in Australia over the past 10 years (since 2011). Keep in mind that safety testing criteria is regularly updated, so a vehicle with a recently awarded 5-star safety rating is likely to be safer than a car with an older 5-star rating.

Mitsubishi Express 0 stars, from 2020 ANCAP’s first (and hopefully only) zerostar rated car caused quite a stir early in 2021, since it is basically a rebadged Renault X82 Trafic launched in 2014 – and that van managed an (albeit mediocre) three-star rating by Euro NCAP in 2015.

Built by Renault in France, the Express bombed mainly due to the absence of active safety systems such as AEB and lane support systems, according to ANCAP. It also called out potential serious injury to the driver’s chest in most of the front/frontal-offset tests, along with driver’s knee impacts against hard surfaces, neck-injury risk in the whiplash test and no side airbag protection for the front passenger. Pedestrians and other road users are also at high risk of injury on impact due to poor bonnet-protection performance. Pole testing also showed “significant deformation” of the side cargo door.

Great Wall Steed 2 stars, from 2016 to 2021 The Steed is a facelifted version of the V200/V240 pick-up introduced in Australia in 2009 but that was a variation of the truck sold here as the Holden Rodeo from 2002 to 2008, due to a licensing agreement with Isuzu of Japan. It is, essentially, a three-generation-old D-Max. Applying only to Dual Cab 4x2 petrol variants, the Chinese-built ute at least brings dual frontal, side chest and side head-protecting airbags, as well as ESC and ABS, but the two-star ANCAP rating reflects the Steed’s poor occupant

Car+Motoring

protection, and its lack of driver-assist safety like AEB or lane support systems.

Jeep Gladiator

The Steed’s whiplash protection is also rated as marginal at best.

Given the Gladiator is based on the Jeep Wrangler, the Wrangler’s crash test data was used to also evaluate the safety credentials of the Gladiator. The huge ute may look tough, safe and well-equipped with safety gear, but looks can be deceiving and the Gladiator is lacking in some critical safety areas.

Jeep Wrangler 3 stars, from 2019 The iconic off-road adventure vehicle was completely redesigned for its fourthgeneration outing late last decade, so should have achieved a 5-star result. However, when it was first rated by ANCAP in April 2019, the Wrangler scored just 1 star. Later that year, Jeep made some upgrades to the Wrangler’s safety specification and ANCAP revised the Wrangler’s rating to a still-ordinary 3 stars. Issues remaining included not enough driver-assist equipment like lane support technology, a weak passenger compartment that can lead to driver injury (with harm to feet singled out), and a specific dash design that might hurt occupants on impact. Like the Gladiator ute (which is based on Wrangler underpinnings), the Wrangler is fitted with a relatively basic form of autonomous braking,while child protection is mixed, with marginal head protection for the 10-year-old crash test dummy in the side impact test, but good for other body areas. (Note: the Jeep Gladiator’s rating is based on the rating for the Jeep Wrangler.)

3 stars, from 2020

According to ANCAP, there were issues due to a comparatively weak passenger compartment that could lead to driver injury, while aspects of the bulky dashboard might also lead to occupant harm if impacted in certain scenarios. Also, no lane support systems to help keep the vehicle on course, as well as poor pedestrian injury ratings due to the bonnet design, contributed to just a 3-star rating.

Suzuki Jimny 3 stars, from 2019 Another recent debutante disappointment, the diminutive Jimny uses ladder-frame chassis construction just like the Jeep’s, and also only manages a 3-star rating. Tested in left-hand drive form during 2018, the popular Japanese 4x4 suffers from passenger compartment structural integrity concerns, which led 25

to disproportionate levels of pedal and steering wheel shift. The driver’s airbag didn’t remain inflated long enough, meaning head-to-steering wheel contact, while both the driver’s chest and rear occupants’ heads had marginal protection in front-on collision tests. Pedestrian impact levels are poor for lower-body areas, as is the AEB stopping performance for vulnerable road users, such as cyclists. Lane support systems are also not available.

Ford Mustang Fastback 3 stars, from December 2017 At least the Series II Mustang’s facelift gained an extra star from its 2015 predecessor’s shocking two-star result. For adult occupant and pedestrian protection, the US muscle car performs quite well, with a bevy of airbags, AEB and other lane support systems included. However, the Mustang falls worryingly short on rear-seat protection. For adults, it offers marginal protection for head, chest and pelvis, while kids have very poor side-impact protection. Note that rear seatbelt reminders are fitted since December 2020 production and that technically this rating only applies to the fastback, not the convertible. 

Car+Motoring

LDV G10 3 stars, from 2015 A comparatively modern van from China, the G10 is available in both people mover and commercial van styles, but both achieve the same 3-star ANCAP result. Despite its relative newness, you only get two airbags (dual front airbags) and ESC, with no side or curtain protection for occupants in the people mover version. AEB and lane support systems are also absent. One big issue is front foot injury potential, due to excessive brake pedal movement and footwell area splitting in ANCAP’s frontal offset crash test. The steering column and dashboard could also cause harm to the driver, and front passengers can also be susceptible to impact with the dash. As with the Great Wall Steed, side-impact and pedestrian impact testing was not carried out by ANCAP, so these cannot be assessed.

Foton Tunland 3 stars, from 2012 to 2019 Dating back to 2011, the Tunland is a medium-sized ute from China. Its 3-star rating was achieved during the more lenient testing processes of 2012 and using a dual cab body. At launch, only ABS and dual-front airbags were fitted, with no additional airbags or

ESC on offer. There is potential for driver leg injuries due to the steering column, along with marginal protection for pelvis and chest. The front passenger’s right foot and left pelvis also score a low protection result. Despite being a dual cab as tested, the earliest (2012 and 2013) models’ rear centre seat position uses the inferior old-fashioned two-point seatbelt design (that can cause severe lower-abdomen injuries), while the lack of any child-seat restraint anchorage points means it is not suitable for children who must still be in an age-appropriate restraint.

Mahindra Pik-Up 3 stars, from 2012 As with the Foton Tunland, the Mahindra Pik-Up’s 3-star ANCAP result would be downgraded considerably if it were tested nowadays, due to less-demanding testing back in 2012. The Indian ute was launched in Australia during 2007. Again, we’re talking about a dual cab 4x4 variant here, with dual front airbags and ABS only. No ESC or lane support systems are available, and nor do the rear seats offer any child-seat restraint points. The risk of foot injury is high in an offset collision due to excessive footwell and firewall intrusion – especially for the driver. The front passenger’s right knee is also vulnerable due to potential impact with the centre console.  26

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Foton Tunland; LDV G10; Mahindra Pik-Up.

ANCAP RATINGS ANCAP has recently developed a plan to expire early ratings for vehicles which were assessed under earlier, less stringent crash test protocols and requirements than those in place currently. This is to help ensure consumers are making purchasing decisions based on current vehicle safety expectations, rather than choosing a vehicle which may have rated well but been assessed under less strict requirements. Under the plan, ratings for all vehicles assessed in 2015 or earlier will expire on 31 December 2022. Ratings dating from 2016 will expire at the end of 2023, while 2017 ratings will expire at the end of 2024.

OPEN

EARING H R U O LY FOR AL E NEEDS CAR

My hearing aids gave us back our lives

I’d read stories in the paper about choosing the audiologist before settling on any particular hearing aids which, for me, is the only way to go. I’d experienced what seems to be a common story with my former hearing aids sitting in the proverbial top drawer for a couple of years. I continued to put up with difficult communication. Those aids were unwearable, just too uncomfortable and feeling like I had a brick in my ear, and they failed to help me hear well anyway. Then I met Brad and it was a very different story. Both my wife Jean and I felt these aids had given us back our lives. My history wasn’t much different from a lot of people with industrial hearing loss. I’d worked as an engineer in a noisy factory, and was a drummer in a band in my youth. At the time we understood nothing about protecting our ears from the inevitable outcome of noise damaging our hearing. I’d enjoyed my work and loved my music, and I didn’t realize this could impact so much on my later life. Since I’ve been retired, I have needed to hear well, to

enable me to do lots of meaningful volunteer work. I am a guide with the Rottnest Volunteer Guide Association and it’s really important for me to be able to respond to questions and join in on the conversation while conducting a tour. Jean and I have been studying the Sanskrit language where it’s vital to be able to hear and accurately pronounce minute sound variations. I also belong to a meditation group, and I was very surprised when I heard for the first time the sounds of running water from a fountain in the establishment’s courtyard. Best of all for me, way back when and just two days after being fitted with my new hearing aids, I attended a West Australian Symphony Orchestra concert. I was so impressed with my new ability to hear the full and rich sounds of the music, I turned my aids on and off a few times just to hear the difference. It was amazing. I consider myself very fortunate to have met Brad and his staff so that I have been hearing well for sometime now. I can’t recommend this hearing centre too highly to anyone wanting a fresh start with their hearing. Peter Wyder

Register for a FREE hearing aid trial Let us show you how effortless hearing should be - even in background noise - with a 2-week home hearing aid trial. No cost and no obligation when trialling hearing aids. Excludes free hearing aids available to eligible clients under the HSP*

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Car+Motoring

In a split second, the scene becomes a tangled mess of metal and rubber, stacked like fallen dominos... 28

Car+Motoring

Inside a major crash WHEN TWO TRUCKS AND A FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE COLLIDED, THE FORCE WAS SO GREAT, THE SMALLER VEHICLE WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE IN THE WRECKAGE. HERE’S HOW EVERYONE GOT OUT ALIVE. By Wendy Caccetta

Sirens, road closures and glimpses of wreckage - these are the sights and sounds motorists are familiar with at the scene of a crash. But behind the roadblocks and flashing lights, just how does a rescue mission at a major crash site unfold? The following timeline is based on a real crash attended by emergency services in WA.

1.50pm

Department of Fire and Emergency Services

TRAGEDY STRIKES

The afternoon has so far revealed nothing of the emergency that is about to unfold on a stretch of Albany Highway in Arthur River, a small Wheatbelt town that runs between Williams and Kojonup in WA’s south. A large camper truck rattles down the road towards Albany, followed by a smaller truck towing a mulcher and then a four-wheel drive.

The smaller truck and four-wheel drive move to overtake, but there is a collision, and they swerve into the path of the camper truck. All three career off the road into trees, and in a split second, the scene becomes a tangled mess of metal and rubber, stacked like fallen dominos with the 18-tonne camper truck on top. There are four people in the wreckage. Other motorists stop to help and farmers working in nearby paddocks rush to the scene.

2pm

RESCUE CREWS RESPOND

WA Police, Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) crews and St John WA paramedics respond to a Triple 000 call. Volunteer firefighters from Kojonup, Wagin and Williams leave for the 30minute drive to the scene and a senior DFES officer sets off from Narrogin. 

Car+Motoring At the crash, fire and rescue crews work with farmers who offer up farm equipment to stabilise the camper truck so it won’t move and cause further injury to those in the vehicles. A harvesting tractor, forklift and two front-end loader tractors are brought in. The driver of the camper truck is unhurt and able to get out of his vehicle. Also able to escape are the drivers of the smaller truck and the four-wheel drive, though they are injured. They are treated by St John volunteer ambulance officers. A teenager, though, is still trapped upside down in the four-wheel drive at the bottom of the tangled wreckage. The situation is dire. Quick-thinking rescue crews call for the Heavy Rescue Cache – specialised equipment used in heavy vehicle crashes, which includes hydraulic rescue tools and cutting equipment. In an act of foresight, a crane is also sourced from Albany. The highway has been closed to traffic.

2.21pm

STILL TRAPPED IN THE WRECKAGE

From Welshpool Fire Station, a fourmember DFES Heavy Rescue crew races to Jandakot Airport where the Heavy Rescue Cache is located and into a helicopter that is waiting to fly them to Arthur River. The helicopter takes off on its emergency mission at 2.57pm, about the same time as the DFES Area Officer arrives at the crash scene from Narrogin to support the volunteer crews.

I n any crash you’ve got fuel, electrics, machinery, potentially hazardous material…” Concerns are growing for the trapped teenager. Paramedics are unable to get in to assess her condition and there are fears the wreckage could become unstable. The Area Officer, volunteer firefighters and key officers from the police and

St John hold regular meetings to discuss any changes and developments. Other factors also need to be dealt with. “In any crash you’ve got fuel, electrics, machinery, potentially hazardous material. We have to do all that assessment and put in place the right things to make sure we can get in and it’s a safe working environment for the crews,” DFES Area Officer Paul Dennison says.

3.50pm

HELICOPTER TOUCHES DOWN

There are nearly 50 rescuers at the site when the helicopter carrying the Heavy Rescue team touches down. They include DFES, volunteer firefighters, two RAC Rescue helicopters and crew, paramedics, police and St John volunteer officers. Volunteers quickly unload the specialist equipment and the Heavy Rescue team assess the site. Even with the special equipment, it is deemed too risky to try to get the young woman out with the trucks on top of her. One wrong move and she could suffer spinal injuries, or worse. Hopes rest with a 100-tonne crane which is making slow but steady progress on the 250km drive from Albany. The Heavy Rescue crew can, however, cut away parts of the twisted metal, to make enough space for paramedics to get an intravenous line into one of the teenager’s arms and to monitor her vital signs. Two hours into the ordeal, she is conscious, but injured. Every movement and vibration in the metal causes her pain. The rescuers go at a pace she is able to handle. It takes hours. While they wait for the crane, the team work out how they will use it when it arrives. Plans are also put in place for a fast extraction if the teenager’s condition should change, but rescuers hope it doesn’t come to that because of the added risks. “With a road crash rescue, unless the casualty is time critical, we go in a 30

controlled manner,” DFES Station Officer John Biggs says. “But if paramedics or St John tell us a casualty is becoming critical, we can make a faster extrication.” Meanwhile, the other casualties are taken to hospital. One is flown to Royal Perth Hospital on the RAC Rescue helicopter. The other is taken to Narrogin Hospital by road ambulance.

To get the teenager out of the four-wheel drive, strapping is attached to what is left of the vehicle.

Car+Motoring

7.30pm

Half an hour later the smaller truck is removed.

It is dark by the time the crane arrives from Albany. Lighting has been set up to allow the crews to work into the night.

To get the teenager out of the fourwheel drive, strapping is attached to what is left of the vehicle. The crane lifts it and suspends it about half a metre from the ground.

THE CRANE ARRIVES

The Heavy Rescue team talk to the crane operators about how they want the vehicles lifted.

9.35pm

THE TRAPPED GIRL IS FREED

They have already used a front-end loader to shift the mulching trailer that was attached to the smaller truck.

The Heavy Rescue crew use hydraulic cutting equipment to get into the fourwheel drive.

In a delicate operation, the crane operators lift the large camper truck from the pile and move it to the side. It is about 8.20pm.

Three firefighters and a paramedic support the teenager who is upside down while they cut the seatbelt. She is lowered onto a fibreglass spine board which is passed to crew outside. Critical care paramedics from the RAC Rescue helicopter stabilise her at the scene. She is conscious but has numerous broken bones. From there, she is flown to hospital in Perth. Police take photographs of the scene before the wrecked vehicles are placed on tow trucks and driven away. With the rescue mission complete, the equipment is packed up, crews are debriefed and the rescuers prepare to leave.

10.30pm

THE OPERATION IS OVER

At the crash site, a mop up crew make sure the road is clear of hazards so normal traffic can resume on the highway. Eight and a half hours after the crash, the challenging mission is complete.

Department of Fire and Emergency Services

“Our recruits come out with tools in their tool box, but it is experience that allows us to adapt those techniques and plans,” DFES Rescue Manager Nathan Wilcock says. “We can’t put our hands up in the air and go, ‘Well I don’t know what to do anymore’ when people’s lives are at risk. “We have to have that ability to adapt, change our plan, see what’s working and what’s not working, reset if need be — and experience brings a lot of that to the fore.”  31

DOING THE HEAVY LIFTING Complex crashes can involve dozens of rescuers and state-of-the-art equipment which can be flown in by air if necessary, in a carefully coordinated, life-saving response. For serious crashes, Heavy Rescue equipment is used in the Perth metropolitan area and major regional centres or one of five Heavy Rescue Caches located around the state can be brought in. Each cache contains hydraulic rescue tools, heavy duty jacks capable of lifting 55 tonnes, cutting equipment and airbags that can lift up to 40 tonnes. The caches can be flown in by helicopter or plane, or transported by road to supplement the existing response. Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) Rescue Manager Nathan Wilcock says every crash is different and rescue crews need to be adaptable. “In my time as a firefighter, the most exhausted I’ve ever been is after an intense road crash,” he says. “You don’t think to stop. You know you are directly impacting the outcome for the people involved.” The RAC Rescue helicopters are sponsored by RAC, funded by the State Government and managed by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES).

Home+Life

RAC home security survey WE ASKED OUR MEMBERS ABOUT THEIR HOME SECURITY HABITS AND EXPERIENCES. Many WA homeowners with security systems continue to underutilise them to protect their homes, RAC’s 2021 Home Security Survey has found.

TIME OF BURGLARY (Of those who reported a burglary in the past 12 months)

WHERE WERE YOU WHEN THE HOME WAS BURGLED?

85%

For the fourth year in a row, the survey of RAC members revealed that a significant number of households with an alarm often don’t activate it when they leave the home.

home

13% holiday

9am-12pm

Although the average number of smart home devices in Australian homes is increasing, only 11 per cent of survey respondents reported having a smart security system installed. Of those who did, the most common use was for live streaming security video of the home (60%), followed by operating the home security system from their mobile phone (31%).

6am-9am

Midnight to 6am

Among renters, 50 per cent of those who have a security system within their rental property don’t activate it at any time.

53% 17% 10% 8%

2% 12pm-3pm

work/other commitments

3pm-6pm

Overall, 20 per cent of respondents say they don’t switch their alarm on at all when leaving home, while 57 per cent said they only activate it if they’ll be away for more than a few hours.

TOP 3 MOST COMMON ITEMS STOLEN

RAC’s Home Security Survey is conducted to help us better understand members’ home security behaviours, their attitudes to home security, their burglary experiences, and how safe they feel in their home and community.

Jewellery/ watch

To assess the level of security in and around your home and for ideas on how to improve it, use the RAC Security checklist. Visit rac.com.au/securitytips

5% 32

Wallet/ purse

Computers (incl. laptops, tablets, gaming devices)

also reported the theft of a parcel delivered to their home within the last 12 months.

bmphotographer / Shutterstock.com

Home+Life

RAC Home Security Survey, November 2021

LOCKING UP VALUABLES

45%

don’t lock valuables in a safe place

37%

hide spare keys somewhere outside their home

24%

of those who have a shed don’t lock it

55%

leave lights and a radio/ TV on when they are out to give the appearance of someone being home

WHAT ACTION WOULD YOU TAKE IF YOU HEARD A SECURITY ALARM IN YOUR STREET? Investigate 46% Take no action 26%

HOME SECURITY MEASURES

92%

Security locks (doors/windows)

Call a neighbour 24%

79%

Call police 13% Other 6%

Security screens (doors/windows)

HOW SAFE DO YOU FEEL IN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD?

DO YOU KNOW YOUR NEIGHBOURS?

37%

Basic alarm system

Very to extremely safe

75%

Yes 77%

No 23%

27%

CCTV security cameras

HOW SAFE DO YOU FEEL IN YOUR HOME? Very to extremely safe

HAS THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IMPACTED HOW SAFE YOU FEEL IN YOUR HOME?

84%

No 93% I feel safer now 6% I feel less safe now 2%

Make the most of seniors security savings » $400 WA Seniors Safety and Security Rebate* » 10% RAC discount for members » Extra 5% RAC discount for seniors

That’s the power of membership

Call us today on 1300 132 735 or visit rac.com.au/securitydiscounts *Terms and Conditions apply. The Safety and Security Rebate is administered by the WA Seniors Card Centre, visit www.seniorscard.wa.gov.au. RAC Security Services (WA) Pty Ltd operates in Perth Metro and Mandurah. Police Licence No. SA 74252.

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News and info for WA travellers

WA travel brief Taryn Yeates Photography

Stunning sculptures on Derby marshes

Mark Norval

Over the past few years, the saltwater marshes around the Kimberley town of Derby have featured a trail of steel sculptures, some standing up to 7m tall, which create striking silhouettes at sunset. The ‘Sculptures on the Marsh’ project is designed to entice visitors to Derby not only to view the sculptures which depict local culture, but to see one of Derby’s magnificent sunsets as it peeks through the tin artworks. The sculptures were created by local artist Mark Norval, and after a recent grant, two new pieces called ‘Moonrise Girl’ and ‘Kimberley Ringer’ have been added to the trail. For more information about the sculptures, contact the Derby Visitor Centre.

City of Mandurah

NEW ESTUARY POOL IN MANDURAH In case you missed it, the Kwillena Gabi estuary pool, located on Mandurah’s Eastern Foreshore South Precinct, officially opened to the public in December 2021. The pool was named by Bindjareb Boodja Traditional Owners, and fittingly translates to ‘dolphin waters’, as these playful mammals are a common sight in Mandurah’s waterways. The pool starts shallow and becomes 4.5 metres deep, surrounded by floating pontoons, and also features a small jetty and a few shady spots for warmer days. The pool is part of a larger waterfront project development, which will soon feature a new boardwalk, a play space and enhanced alfresco areas.

Travel+Touring

FREE DIGITAL MAPS FOR WA NATIONAL PARKS If you’ve ever found yourself lost in one of WA’s national parks, there’s an app that can help. The free Avenza app features nearly one million maps that can be downloaded while you have internet access and then used when you’re out of range. It also uses built-in GPS to plot your real-time location. Within Avenza, you’ll find a free collection of maps called Smartreka, developed in partnership with Parks and Wildlife WA, that cover 10 national parks across the state, including Francois Peron, Walyunga, Karijini, Stirling Range and Kalbarri national parks. More WA park maps will be added later this year.

Tourism Western Australia

To access the Smartreka maps, download the Avenza app and then search for the national park you need. For more information, visit ourwaparks.org.au/smartreka

Tourism Western Australia

Historic fourwheel drive adventure Named after the legendary transport pioneer, the 834km-long Kingsford Smith Mail Run four-wheel drive track is a thrilling journey from Carnarvon to Meekatharra.

Tourism Western Australia

The track typically takes three days to complete. The first leg is from Carnarvon to Mount Augustus via Gascoyne Junction (451km). The incredible Mount Augustus is twice the size of Uluru and has a tourist park where you can settle in for the night. Day two takes you from Mount Augustus to Mount Gould (227km), with plenty of iconic Aussie outback scenery, and day three is from Mount Gould to Meekatharra (160km). Be sure to visit the Meekatharra Museum for a dose of goldrush history.

Tourism Western Australia

Parts of the track are only suitable for high clearance four-wheel drives, so only confident drivers should attempt it. Stock up on plenty of food, water and fuel, and call ahead to local visitor centres for up-todate track information. 37

OUR PET-FRIENDLY PARKS If you’re keen to take your ‘best friend’ away with you on your next road trip, remember most RAC Parks & Resorts are pet-friendly, including some of the new cabin accommodation at RAC Esperance Holiday Park. At RAC Esperance we also have a dog washing station on site so you can keep your bestie looking their best during your stay, too.  RAC members save up to 20%* on accommodation at RAC Parks & Resorts. To find out more and to book, visit racparksandresorts.com.au *Terms and conditions apply. Member rate varies according to season.

Travel+Touring

Monkey Mia: More than just dolphins It’s curious that a bay named after sharks is actually best known for its dolphins. For decades, Monkey Mia’s cheery mammals have stolen the limelight in this place, and for good reason, but there’s a lot more to Monkey Mia and Shark Bay than just dolphins. By Fleur Bainger

World Heritage-listed Shark Bay is the westernmost point of Australia. It’s home to 28 shark species and harbours the world’s largest seagrass meadows. The region’s shores mark the first known landing of a European on the west coast, back in 1616 – some 154 years before James Cook claimed Australia for Britain. Yet when you namedrop its tourism hub, Monkey Mia, the immediate association is dolphins. Monkey Mia’s wild, Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins have been attracted to the cove’s gentle shallows since the 1960s, when fisherman first began to feed them. Over the years, word spread of regular sightings and these days, crowds line the sand in front of RAC Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort. They tune in to talks provided by park rangers three times each morning. A number of dolphins come for some hand-fed fish, and more can usually be sighted deeper out. The experience makes for a lovely introduction to the region - just don’t stop there.

Shark Bay holds a wealth of wonders. It is a destination location, with only one 130km road in and the same road out. Explorer William Dampier coined the region’s sinister name after visiting in 1699, but Aboriginal people, who have been in the area for at least 30,000 years, know it as Gathaagudu, meaning ‘two bays’. Shark Bay’s diverse mix of wildlife above and below the waterline led to its World Heritage status: it contains 323 fish species and 80 types of coral, along with 230 bird species and 98 reptiles and frogs that co-exist with 37 land mammals. Its seagrass meadows are nearly as big as the Perth metro area; they feed 10,000plus dugongs. There’s also a remote island that’s home to only one family, bouncy four-wheel drive tracks and a 60km-long beach covered in a 10m-thick layer of buttonsized shells. Read on to discover what else you can access, while based at Monkey Mia. 

Travel+Touring

@saltywings / Tourism Western Australia

Paprika-red dunes meet pale sand and turquoise water, all within the space of a few metres.

ABOVE: Francois Peron National Park, near Denham.

Travel+Touring

Cruise into the sunset Kick back on a catamaran as the setting sun splashes crimson across Shark Bay’s skies. You’ll spot Perfect Nature Cruises’ 18m boat, Aristocat 2, the moment you arrive at Monkey Mia and once aboard, you’ll see marine life aplenty, be it dolphins, dugongs, turtles, sharks or even sea snakes. Day cruises are also available. Shark Bay Dive and Marine Safaris offers a more adventure-packed experience via its full day snorkel tour to Steep Point, the Zuytdorp Cliffs and Dirk Hartog Island. They also run dive trips, a wildlife cruise, whale watching and a sunset cruise.

Roam over red dunes

The Wula Gura Nyinda eco adventure finishes with a feed of barbequed local mullet. Early in the day, Capes’ tour stops at Little Lagoon, where you can get an espresso, chai, hot chocolate or toastie from the Coffee Mia van. It’s also the hub for Shark Bay Beach Hire, renting out kayaks and SUP boards.

Discover Earth’s life-giving wonders One of the world’s great wonders is just past the Shark Bay turn-off, at Hamelin Pool: a bed of stromatolites.

Ben Teo

Tourism Western Australia

@helen_jannesonbense / Tourism Western Australia

The inundated gypsum claypan known as Big Lagoon is where you’ll find Shark Bay’s most vibrant colours. Paprika-red dunes meet pale sand and turquoise water, all within the space of a few

metres. Local Yamatji-Malgana man, Darren “Capes” Capewell leads a number of tours, the most immersive being his cultural kayaking journey across the lagoon. He stops at a seagull nesting site and kangaroo-dug waterholes in the sand, before suggesting body-rolls down the dunes.

ABOVE: Paddle-boarding with the locals, Monkey Mia; TOP RIGHT: Wula Gura Nyinda Eco Adventures.

WA’s 3000-year-old living fossils forge a direct link to life forms that existed 3.5 billion years ago. Well before dinosaurs roamed Earth, these single-celled cyanobacteria colonies began releasing oxygen, creating conditions for more complex life forms to evolve. Without them, we may not be here today. Shark Bay’s younger, more complex microbe stacks are the most diverse and abundant on the planet. They exist beneath hyper saline water, visible from a raised, triangular boardwalk. Resembling broccoli-like stumps and growing only 1mm a year, they’re not what you’d call photogenic, but they are hugely significant. Look through the water for the scars of iron-wheeled wagons that carted wool to ships some 90 years ago. Reach the stromatolites boardwalk via the Hamelin Pool historic village, home to Shark Bay’s original telegraph station and post office.

Travel+Touring

Get knee-deep (and then some) in shells

TOP TO BOTTOM: Shell Beach made entirely of tiny, white Hamelin cockles, going down to a depth of ten metres; Steep Point, Shark Bay World Heritage Area; Big Lagoon, Francois Peron National Park.

Stretching 60km-long, Shell Beach is made entirely of tiny, white Hamelin cockles. They measure only 14mm each, but after an estimated 3000 years of piling up, they go down to a depth of 10m. As with the stromatolites, the hyper salinity in Hamelin Pool – created by a sandbar called the Faure Sill – has allowed the bivalves to flourish. Bring shoes – the shells are scratchy underfoot.

Feed the sharks

Tourism Western Australia

Less than 30min in the car from Monkey Mia is Ocean Park Aquarium, where you can watch daily shark feeding. Sharks are kept in an outdoor lagoon before being returned to the open ocean, only metres away. The lagoon has an over-water walkway and central gazebo for close viewing, but you can get even closer. The Shark Dive Experience sees you scuba underwater alongside the toothy residents – with no cage. Elsewhere, turtles, fish and sea snakes are rehabilitated in a series of open fish tanks, while stingrays, stonefish and other local species swim in glassy homes. Locals will tell you the aquarium café is the best coffee spot in town; its restaurant does tasty lunches with epic ocean views.

Fly high over ship-shredding cliffs Arguably the best way to see the far-flung highlights across Shark Bay’s 2.2 million hectares, is via a scenic flight. Zoom alongside the stunning yet treacherous Zuytdorp Cliffs (named after a Dutch East India merchant ship carrying silver that became wrecked there) and view the deep red of Francois Peron National Park from the air. You can also see the manta ray-dotted waters of Dirk Hartog Island and WA’s most western point, Steep Point. Shark Bay Aviation provides an excellent, low altitude perspective.

Get off-road Tourism Western Australia

The tyre deflating station inside Francois Peron National Park is one of the busiest spots in Shark Bay. Once your high clearance four-wheel drive has low PSI, you can bump your way to Big Lagoon and Cape Peron, watch for marine life  41

Travel+Touring

from Skipjack Point Lookout or follow the 1.5km clifftop Wanamalu Walk Trail from Skipjack to Cape Peron. On your way back to Monkey Mia, make time for the Peron Homestead Precinct (which is also accessible by two-wheel drive). It’s a 1900s sheep station turned self-exploratory heritage site that’s best known for its spring-fed outdoor hot tub. Fun fact: the homestead’s shearing shed was relocated there from Denham after too many shearers were distracted by the town pub.

BELOW Explore WA’s largest island by water, at Dirk Hartog Island National Park.

Savour island life

Tourism Western Australia

Tory and Kieren Wardle moved to Dirk Hartog Island when they were teenagers and have been purposely marooned there for more than 20 years, raising three children on the remote landform. They run the Dirk Hartog Island Eco Lodge – an old sheep station homestead once owned by Kieran’s grandfather – as well as an ocean villa and several campgrounds. The island is accessible via a single-vehicle barge, boat or light plane; once there you can join four-wheel drive tours, an eco-boat cruise or explore via kayak. WA’s largest isle is where Dutch mariner, Captain Dirk Hartog, left a pewter plate as evidence of his visit in 1616; it’s now known as Cape Inscription. His recordings resulted in a rewrite of world maps. Nearby is Turtle Bay, where some 3000 threatened loggerhead turtles nest each summer, believed to be Australia’s largest breeding colony. 

WHERE TO STAY

GETTING AROUND

RAC Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort was upgraded in 2018 and is the only accommodation at Monkey Mia. It includes self-contained beachfront villas, hotel-style rooms and dorms, as well as swimming pools, barbeque facilities and an extensive campground. Watch the sun go down at The Monkey Bar (refurbished this year) with casual bites, or order a la carte at The Boughshed Restaurant. There’s also a boutique and general store, as well as kayak and snorkel hire. RAC members get up to 20 per cent off stays. To find out more, visit racparksandresorts.com.au

You’ll get by just fine around Shark Bay with a two-wheel drive, including reaching Peron Homestead Precinct, but if you want to adventure any further, say around Francois Peron National Park and to Dirk Hartog Island, you’ll need a four-wheel drive to tackle the soft sand tracks. Beware of emus crossing Shark Bay’s roads at all times of the day, and kangaroos at dawn and dusk. When you’re in Denham or Monkey Mia, everything along the waterfront is walkable. If you fly from Perth, there’s car (and even boat) hire available at both the airport and Monkey Mia.

Getaway

RAC Cable Beach Holiday Park

in WA your way

With locations in nine iconic destinations from Broome all the way to Esperance, there’s something for everyone at RAC Parks & Resorts. Whether you’re backing in a caravan, putting up a tent, or would prefer to kick back in your own chalet, let us make your holiday perfect for you. Be our guest and relax your way.

RAC Exmouth Cape Holiday Park

Ningaloo Reef Resort

RAC Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort

RAC Cervantes Holiday Park

The power of membership

Perth RAC Busselton Holiday Park RAC Margaret River Nature Park

Call 1800 871 570 or visit racparksandresorts.com.au R18538

*T&C’s apply. Discount varies according to season. See website for full details.

RAC Karri Valley Resort

RAC Esperance Holiday Park

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Into the valley TAKE THE INLAND ROUTE SOUTH THIS WINTER AND YOU’LL FIND SO MUCH MORE THAN JUST TALL TIMBERS TO SOOTHE THE SOUL AND WARM THE HEART. By Julie Hosking

Australia’s South West

Travel+Touring

If you ditch the time-honoured convoy of city slickers escaping Perth for a weekend down south by the ocean and instead opt for a journey inland, you can almost see the traffic disappear. While our love for the stunning South West coastline knows no bounds, Western Australians can be less inclined to take the road – or roads – less travelled. What they’re missing is vibrant, rolling green hills, historic buildings, arts and crafts, and fabulous fresh produce.

ABOVE: Balingup.

There’s also plenty to keep the adventurous at heart happy, whether it’s hiking or biking through the forests, kayaking down the river or climbing tall trees.

Balingup The adventure starts in Balingup, about 240km and two and a half hours from Perth via the Kwinana Freeway and Forest Highway. But part of the joy of this trip is taking your time. For a slightly longer but leisurely drive, take the South West Highway from Armadale and wind your 45

way through the agricultural towns of Waroona, Yarloop and Harvey, stopping at Donnybrook. From here, Balingup is just another 20 minutes down the road. It really comes into its own in winter and the best way to experience the magic of this region is to stay in one of the myriad cottages scattered around the lovely landscape. Balingup Heights Hilltop Forest Cottages are perched, as the name suggests, on a hilltop surrounded by majestic marri 

Travel+Touring and karri trees. The early morning mist coats the spectacular valley the six private cottages overlook, while a glass of local wine tastes even better at night by a cosy log fire. Nature lovers can spend their days taking bush walks along the Bibbulmun Track, cycling the Munda Biddi Trail or kayaking down the tranquil Blackwood River; while those who like to take it easier will lose themselves in boutique shops such as Tinderbox for aromatherapy, and The Village Pedlars, stocked to the brim with local arts, crafts, homemade preserves and fresh produce.

Boasting some of the state’s rarest trees, the park really is a natural treasure. But everyone should visit Golden Valley Tree Park. Open all year round, this 60ha heritage-listed site, the largest arboretum in Western Australia, is stunning at any time but the World Collection and Australian Collection of trees are best seen in the cooler months. Boasting some of the state’s rarest trees, the park really is a natural treasure.

Bridgetown Like its more serene sister 26km to the north, Bridgetown is nestled by the Blackwood River and offers all the same outdoor adventures. Swing by the Visitor Centre for advice about the best biking and hiking trails. Known for its popular blues festival, the town is also a haven for artists and artisans. Spend some time wandering around at The Rabbit Hole, a delightful space bringing eight studios together to create and sell art and showcase the work of Blackwood Valley artists with ever-changing exhibitions. It draws you downstairs with the promise of “the cutest little bookshop in the South West” and its eclectic mix of bric-a-brac and books in every nook and cranny. There’s also the quirky Brierley Jigsaw Gallery – one of only two jigsaw galleries in the world. Named for Jessie Brierley, who settled in Bridgetown in 1940 and donated her collection of completed jigsaws in the late 1970s, the gallery at the back of the Visitor Centre features a dazzling array of jigsaws ranging from 99 pieces to 9000. The Ravensburger Memorable Moments Jigsaw, one of the world’s largest at more than 40,000 pieces and featuring 10 Disney movies, is also on loan to the gallery.

Australia’s South West

While the town itself boasts several historic buildings, including the Railway Station (1898) and St Paul’s Anglican

TOP: Golden Valley Tree Park in Balingup is the largest arboretum in Western Australia; ABOVE: Lose yourself in one of Balingup’s boutique shops, such as Tinderbox for aromatherapy; RIGHT: Whimwood Estate, Nannup.

Tourism Western Australia

Travel+Touring

TOP: Nestled by the Blackwood River, Bridgetown offers a range of outdoor adventures.; LEFT: The Cidery and Blackwood Valley Brewing Company pay homage to the pioneering families of the apple industry; ABOVE: The Tiny Tea Shop in Nannup is housed in a heritage stone cottage and has a large range of bespoke tea blends.

Church (1911), history buffs will enjoy the 53km drive along the Geegelup Heritage Trail, retracing the agricultural, mining and timber history of the BridgetownGreenbushes area. The warm interior of The Cidery and Blackwood Valley Brewing Company also pays homage to the past, its walls lined with photographs of pioneering families of the apple industry. The Pink Lady apple features in The Cidery’s range of ciders and apple juices, while Blackwood Brewing Co’s unfiltered beers change with the season. They also make a rather fine gin, and zesty apple liqueur.

There is no shortage of places to rest your weary head after a long day of exploring, from budget-friendly caravan parks to farm stays such as Sunnyhurst Chalets and the rather romantic Bridgetown Valley Lodge. Just don’t leave town without treating yourself to something from Hansen’s Hot Bread Shop.

Nannup This pretty town, 46km west of Bridgetown along the Brockman Highway, is affectionately known as the Garden Village for good reason. Surrounded by karri and jarrah forests, the historic buildings

and gorgeous cottage gardens lining the streets give Nannup a warm and cosy feeling even in the coldest months. From the Noongar word for “stopping place”, you’ll be very pleased if you do just that. While summer is likely to feature a dip in Barrabup Pool, a natural swimming hole set amid a cathedral of tall trees, hikers, bikers and even horse riders can hit one of the trails that wind through karri and jarrah trees and along the Blackwood River any time of year. It’s best to check with the Visitor Centre for maps and the level of fitness required, as some trails are more challenging than others. 

Travel+Touring

The town also punches well above its weight for delightful places to eat and shop. A Taste of Nannup lives up to its name, stocking an interesting array of local arts, crafts and produce, while the Tiny Tea Shop, housed in a heritage stone cottage, has a large range of bespoke tea blends. Like its Blackwood River sisters, Nannup boasts some lovely places to stay for a

few days, too, from camping grounds and caravan parks to farm stays and historic hotels. For a little luxury in the bush, the self-contained chalets at Beyonderup Falls Country Escape are located in a great spot to take in the winter waterfalls, just off the Balingup-Nannup Road.

Frances Andrijich

Planted in 1926, the Nannup Arboretum may not be as big as Balingup’s, but the collection is just as sure to delight. The famous Nannup Flower and Garden Festival draws gardeners and nature lovers from late winter into spring, when the wildflowers are at their best, but Nannup is a biodiversity hotspot, so the local flora is stunning at any time of year. The crisp, wintry air and morning mists add a certain magic to a walk through the forest, too.

This winding, scenic route that takes you back to Balingup, is yet another chance to marvel at the region’s lush forests. As you draw closer to town, stop and pay your respects along the Avenue of Honour, a stretch of 54 oak trees planted in the 1930s for the locals who lost their lives in World War I. Then it’s up to you whether you take the most direct route or the roads less travelled back to the big smoke and enjoy the magic of the inland South West for a little longer. 

SOUTHERN FORESTS DETOUR If time permits, head deeper into the Southern Forests region. Manjimup, just 36km south and half an hour’s drive from Bridgetown, is well worth the detour. Time your visit for the Saturday farmers’ market to sample the fresh produce the Southern Forests is renowned for, before trying a few of the local craft beers at Tall Timbers Brewing Co. Manjimup Heritage Park is a great family picnic spot, not least for the 17-metre-high slide that delights kids big and small.

Foodies might like to plan their trip around brunch at Wild at Heart (you won’t be able to resist the homemade bread). And if you’re staying in or near Pemberton, bag a table at the tiny but terrific Treehouse Tapas and Winebar for dinner.

Tim Campbell

Pemberton is another 32km or 25 minutes further down the road. If you do nothing else, visit the

famous Gloucester Tree — a few minutes out of town but a world away from the rat race. While there is safety netting, the 58-metre climb is not for the feint-hearted, so those afraid of heights should simply admire the former fire lookout from the ground before heading further into the forest around it.

ABOVE: Gloucester Tree, Pemberton.

MEMBERS SAVE AT RAC KARRI VALLEY RESORT RAC members save up to 20% off stays at RAC Karri Valley Resort. Choose from lakeside rooms, forest and lake view chalets and camping and caravan sites. To find out more, visit racparksandresorts.com.au

ABOVE: RAC Karri Valley Resort.

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Prices for travel outside advertised dates available on application

DIRECT FLIGHTS FROM PERTH TO HOBART AVAILABLE | CONTACT YOUR RAC SPECIALIST TO TAILOR A TASMANIAN HOLIDAY TO SUIT YOU Terms and conditions apply. Prices are correct as at 9 May 2022 and are subject to availability. Prices are per person, twin share. Prices include GST. Prices are subject to fluctuation due to changes in surcharges, fees and taxes. Surcharges may apply to selected dates within the advertised travel period; Blackout dates may also apply. Offers apply to new bookings only and are valid during the advertised travel dates, unless sold out prior and can be withdrawn at any time without notice. Itineraries are subject to alteration and cancellation without notice. Accommodation is based on lead-in room types unless otherwise specified. #Car hire with Budget Rent a Car is fully inclusive of excess reduction coverage and all fees and charges excluding fuel and any additional counter products or fees. ^Bonus credit is limited to one per package and can only be used for additional tours and attractions in the TasVacations program, cannot be exchanged for cash, credit or to discount the package price and is valid for new bookings only. For further information and terms and conditions, please contact RAC Travel.

Sights & Gourmet Delights NEW 2-Day Kangaroo Island Tour Savour the tastes and sights of Kangaroo Island on this new tour.

RAC Members SAVE $100pp*

Travel in a luxury 4WD to see Australian sea lions, kangaroos, koalas, and native Australian birds all in pristine environments and natural habitats. You’ll also visit a Cellar Door, Gin Distillery, and an Oyster Farm, explore Remarkable Rocks, Admirals Arch and Seal Bay, and visit the first lighthouse in South Australia. Photo by @exploring9to5

*Conditions apply. Valid for sale 1 June - 31 July 2022 and valid for travel 1 June 2022 - 31 March 2023. $1111pp twin share at Aurora Ozone Hotel Executive with b/fast ex. Adelaide (normally $1211) and includes return coach transfers to ferry. $1059pp twin share at Aurora Ozone Hotel Executive with b/fast ex. Cape Jervis (normally $1159).

oBaC RGES  rf RD TiP

See Western Australia’s amazing Pilbara Region with a road trip adventure, taking you oﬀ the beaten track on an unforgettable experience. Discover the real Aussie outback travelling through some of the world’s most stunning ancient natural landscapes, towering gorges and plunging waterfalls, to a bucket list island escape.

Our State, People+Future

Future moves WHEN WHALES FLY France-based manufacturer Flying Whales is working on the world’s largest ever airship, which will be able to carry cargo weighing up to 60 tonnes and be powered by electric motors. The airship, called the LCA6OT, will be 200m long by 50m wide and have a 96m-long cargo bay, making it the first airship in history able to load and offload cargo while hovering. Flying Whales said that while operating, the airship would use up to 30 times less energy than a helicopter for the same payload. As with other airships, the key advantage of the LCA6OT will be its stationary flight capability, which will make it useful across several applications in the energy and construction industries, as well as for delivering humanitarian aid – especially in difficult to access locations. Flying Whales has said it expects the first LCA6OT airship to be completed in 2023, with the first flight scheduled for 2024.

KOMBI-POWERED HOUSE POSSIBILITIES Almost 10 years after the last of the original, outdated petrol-powered Volkswagen Kombis rolled off the production line in Brazil, VW has unveiled the Kombi’s brand new, all-electric spiritual successor. The new one, called the ‘ID. Buzz’, has nothing in common with the original, apart from some styling references, but it does continue some of the environmental positions championed by many owners of the original Kombi. Not only is the ID. Buzz all-electric, but it also has bi-directional charging, enabling it to be integrated into its owner’s home energy systems. It seems few vehicles have made a bigger single leap in technology than the iconic Volkswagen Kombi. The ID. Buzz is yet to be confirmed for sale in Australia.

LEATHER, BATTERIES AND BLOCKCHAIN Never before have large organisations cared more about where the raw materials for their products come from, with many now insisting that sources of materials, and the methods by which they’re extracted, processed and transported, are known and acceptable by modern standards. Electric car manufacturer Polestar, for example, is using blockchain technology (a sort of electronic database of transaction records) to verify that its battery suppliers are responsibly sourcing the cobalt used in their battery manufacturing. Jaguar Land Rover is also using blockchain to ensure it has full transparency in its leather supply chain from farm to finished product, and said the process could also assess the carbon footprint of its leather supply network.  51

Car+Motoring

Test drive

MID-SIZED SUVS GO BACK-TO-BACK More than 2000 Western Australians voted with their wallets and collectively spent over $77 million on a Kia Sportage or Hyundai Tucson in 2021. By Alex Forrest

TOP + LEFT: Both the Kia Sportage (top) and Hyundai Tucson (left) are class leaders when it comes to being well-specified, safe and easy-to-live-with family haulers; ABOVE: The Kia has a more cohesive dash design, with a single panel extending across two-thirds of the width of the cabin.

Car+Motoring The Tucson and Sportage are near the top of many buyers’ shopping lists in the medium-sized SUV market, which is the second biggest-selling new vehicle segment (after 4x4 utes) in WA. It’s no secret that the Sportage and Tucson share the same underpinnings thanks to Hyundai having a 38.8 per cent share in Kia, however they do have their differences. The most noticeable of these is in their exterior appearance, but their dashboards are also quite different and there’s also the marked difference in warranty coverage (seven years for the Kia; five for the Hyundai). What they have in common is they are up to date with plenty of tech, and both have well-sorted interiors. Both have good track records for reliability, too. Value for money

Where the Tucson and Sportage had been quite affordable options in recent years, the launches of these two current models in 2021 did bring marked price rises. The increase was roughly $2000 where entry level models are compared. An upside to that is they both come better equipped with safety gear - more on that later. Entry level versions of both vehicles with an automatic transmission start from around $38,750. A slight difference is that the Sportage gets a bigger infotainment screen on its higher variants – 12.3 inches compared to 10.25 inches in the Tucson. On the base models though, screen sizes are the same, at 8 inches.

ABOVE: The Tucson’s dash is slightly more traditional in its design, while being easy and intuitive to use.

Hyundai Tucson*

But the Tucson gets wireless phone charging in the base model, whereas in the Sportage you need to go to the top-of-the-range GT-Line variant to get it. On the road

Cross-pollination across these two models means the Sportage and Tucson have the same line-up of engines available in them. We tested the 2.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol in the Tucson and the 2.0-litre turbo diesel in the Sportage. There’s also a 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine with a seven-speed dual clutch transmission available in either of these, which we’ve experienced recently in other Hyundai and Kia products. While the 2.0-litre petrol is cheaper by about $10,000 than the 1.6-litre turbo petrol, we’d recommend making the stretch to the 1.6 if you can - the 2.0-litre is sluggish and buzzy under load. The diesel we tried in the Sportage was powerful from low revs and economical around town, and much more miserly on fuel than the 2.0-litre petrol in the Tucson.

ENGINE 2.0-litre petrol POWER 115kW @ 6200rpm TORQUE 192Nm @ 4500rpm CLAIMED FUEL ECONOMY 8.1L/100km PRICE $38,770 ANCAP SAFETY RATING 

*Base model, 2.0L petrol

Safety and practicality

As standard, both vehicles get rear cross traffic alert, lane keep assist and autonomous emergency braking (for cars, pedestrians, cyclists and for oncoming vehicles when turning right at an intersection).

Kia Sportage*

At the time of writing, the Sportage had not yet been rated for safety by ANCAP, but the Tucson has a 5-star ANCAP rating. Both come with a full-sized alloy spare wheel, which can’t be said of all mid-sized SUVs. The Sportage has a huge single display panel extending across two-thirds of the width of the cabin, within which are the instrument displays ahead of the driver, and the infotainment system in the centre area. The Tucson’s dash is slightly more traditional in its design but both are easy and intuitive to use. Verdict

You won’t go wrong with either of these, with both being among the class leaders when it comes to being well-specified, safe and easy-to-live-with family haulers. But we’d call it a very narrow win for the Kia Sportage, which has a longer seven-year warranty (compared to the Hyundai’s five years) and a more user-friendly rotary dial gear shifter than the push-button set up in the higher-spec Tucsons. But we wouldn’t commit to purchasing the Sportage until we know it has a five-star ANCAP safety rating.  53

ENGINE 2.0-litre turbo petrol POWER 137kW @ 4000rpm TORQUE 416Nm @ 2000-2750rpm CLAIMED FUEL ECONOMY 6.3L/100km PRICE $58,670 ANCAP SAFETY RATING Not rated

*GT-Line diesel

Car+Motoring

POLESTAR 2 Polestar is an electric car brand owned by Volvo, which itself is owned by the China-based carmaker Geely. The Polestar 2 is built in China, and it’s the first model they’ve sold in Australia. It’s a medium sized four-door hatchback, which with its black plastic wheel arch flares, might also be called a ‘crossover’ vehicle, meaning it has some SUV attributes such as a little extra ride height. Only the top-of-the-range model gets all-wheel drive. Released in Australia in January 2022, the Polestar’s price (from $66,300 drive away) and battery range (from 440km) make it a rival for the Hyundai Ioniq 5, the Kia EV6 and of course, the Tesla Model 3. The long-range version of the single motor Polestar 2 will give you another 70km of range and cost $71,600, while the dual motor Polestar 2 will cost $77,000 and has a range of 455km, but also much stronger performance. The Polestar 2 is slightly shorter, narrower and taller than a Tesla Model 3. You can notice the narrower cabin of the Polestar, which is amplified in the front seats by a wide and high centre console. There’s also a small storage spot under the bonnet.

MOTOR AC synchronous, permanent magnet POWER 170kW TORQUE 330Nm CLAIMED ENERGY CONSUMPTION 170Wh/km PRICE From $66,300 drive away ANCAP SAFETY RATING 

The interior overall is finished in high quality materials formed around a typically clean and clever Scandinavian approach to design. It also uses no animal products. Over-the-air updates can be applied to the car by Polestar, similar to the way Tesla updates the software on its vehicles. Our test car was the long range, single motor variant. As with all EVs, acceleration from standstill is strong, quiet and completely acceptable for around-town driving. The Polestar 2 sits squarely in the price range where electric cars are selling in big numbers in Australia, and is a welcome addition to the segment, bringing more choice for consumers and more competition for rivals.

Car+Motoring

BMW 420i GRAN COUPE BMW nearly melted the internet last year when it released images of the controversially large front grille for some of its upcoming new vehicles. This, the 420i Gran Coupe, is one of those new big-grille cars but just like sunrises, seeing it unedited and in real life can make a big difference to your view on it. In BMW parlance, Gran Coupe means four doors. There’s also a 4 Series Coupe, which is the true coupe with two doors. So with this car, BMW is having a go at straddling a few niches. It is seeking to blend some coupe styling elements with the practicality of four doors and a large hatchback. Don’t like the look of the big back end on the Gran Coupe? Just go for the 3 Series sedan, which has the same underpinnings. All that outrage and discussion about the grille took attention away from the other aspects of the 420i which, like the grille, also make it stand out from the crowd. One of those stand outs is the quick and intuitive infotainment system, which includes wireless renditions of both Apple Carplay and Android Auto. BMW has been ahead of the pack on this for some time, while other brands have required users to plug in their phones. The interior of the 420i is equally easy to interact with and is such a comfortable and engaging place to be that it will have you contemplating taking the long way around for all but your most urgent of journeys. With a starting price of just over $85,000 drive away, the 420i Grand Coupe isn’t cheap by most peoples’ standards, but in the context of the 4 Series range, the 420i is the entry level variant. From here, the price goes up steeply as you select more powerful engines and tick more options boxes. 

ENGINE 2.0-litre turbo petrol POWER 135kW @ 5000-6500rpm TORQUE 300Nm @ 1350-4000rpm CLAIMED FUEL ECONOMY 6.5L/100km PRICE From $85,100 drive away ANCAP SAFETY RATING Not rated

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Car+Motoring

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 Due to stiffness in my

back, my physio has recommended my next vehicle purchase should be an SUV to make it easier to access and exit my car. What are the differences in dimensions from sedans to SUVs that might make this a viable proposition? Are SUVs becoming more popular among older folk for health reasons? Michael, Bull Creek

A Ease of entry and exit

from the driver and passenger seats of vehicles can become a priority among motorists who have minor mobility issues, and for this reason, SUVs can be a popular choice. The hip point measurement is the distance between the ground and the driver’s hip. Vehicles with higher hip points are typically easier to exit than those with lower hip points. While vehicle hip points are unfortunately not a widely available dimension, the difference across sedans and SUVs can be up to approximately 50mm.

Q I have a 6’x4’ trailer that

I use for trips to the tip etc. Although I use an old diesel vehicle to tow the trailer, I have owned a Camry Hybrid for many years but have been advised not to tow with it. Are hybrid vehicles suitable for towing? I would like to upgrade the diesel to a full EV – can I use an EV for towing? Chris, Swan View

Q When purchasing a

second-hand car, how do you suggest comparing a lower km, city-based car which may have just done lots of short trips, with a potentially higher km car based outside of the city and doing longer trips? Elise, Dianella

A Early Camry Hybrid

A All else being equal, a

models are not rated for towing, however Camry Hybrids built from 2012 do have a 300kg towing capacity for trailers with or without brakes. Providing a hybrid vehicle has been rated for towing by the manufacturer and you keep the trailer within the recommended weight limits, it will be okay for towing. Some full EVs are rated for towing but not all, so we’d recommend doing your research before making a commitment to buy one. 

city-based car used for short trips is likely to have more engine and brake wear than one driven on longer trips. However, as with any used car purchase it is very important to check the history of the vehicle to ensure it has been serviced on time and to the manufacturer’s recommendations. A car used primarily for longer trips but not properly maintained may not be preferable compared to a wellmaintained city-based car. 57

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 location 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.

People, places, prizes and RAC news

Member lounge Get the best cover for your motorcycle gear For motorcycle riders, wearing good quality protective clothing can go a long way to reducing the risk of being killed or seriously injured while riding. Because it’s the only thing between you and the road in a crash, getting gear with a high safety rating is essential. Motorcycle safety gear, from helmets to jackets and gloves, has come a long way, with some helmets now even coming equipped with GPS and in-built cameras to allow riders to more easily see what’s around them. To find out the safety rating of the protective gear you’re buying, check it on motocap.com.au which independently tests the performance of motorcycle helmets and other safety apparel. Then make sure you’ve got the right insurance to cover it. RAC Motorcycle Insurance offers generous cover for riding apparel, with up to $1500 covered per item and up to $3000 in total per incident, in the event of a claim.

WHY CAR BATTERIES OFTEN FAIL IN WINTER Cold temperatures can reduce the ability of your car battery to provide enough power to start and run the vehicle.

Switch online and get a $50 discount* off the first year. To find out more or to get a quote, visit rac.com.au/motorcycle

The way you use your car in winter also adds to the drain on the battery, with car heaters, window demisters and windscreen wipers being used regularly, and headlights being switched on for longer.

Issued by RAC Insurance Pty Limited. Check the PDS & TMD at rac.com.au to see if this policy is right for you. *Discount is subject to minimum premium.

However, there are some things you can do to help extend the life of your current battery.

That will cover you if you or your passenger’s helmet, protective clothing or personal belongings are lost, damaged or stolen.

Where possible park your car in a garage or under cover to keep it out of the cold and avoid parking on a lawn as condensation can collect on the engine and ignition parts which can cause current leakage. Clean the top of the battery and the terminals with a cloth to prevent dirt build-up, as a bad connection can drain the battery’s power. Keep an eye out for copper sulphate around the terminals which can result in a poor electrical connection. We also recommend regular recharging of your battery with a suitable smart charger. If you do find yourself with a dead battery this winter, call RAC Batteries on 13 11 11 or arrange a replacement online at rac.com.au/carbatteries. Delivery and installation is free for members and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.* (*Metro area only)

Home+Life

Planning a holiday? RAC Travel can help With WA's borders now open, you may be considering holidaying outside the state. But with travel regulations changing frequently, it’s important to get the right advice. If you need assistance with booking domestic and international flights, accommodation packages, cruises or group tours, RAC Travel can provide comprehensive help and advice. RAC Travel can also assist with Travel Insurance (now with limited COVID cover*). RAC members save 15% on policies, online or instore. You can find RAC Travel Centres in Applecross, Carousel Shopping Centre, Dianella, Joondalup, Mandurah and West Perth. Call 1300 655 179 to speak to an RAC travel consultant, or visit rac.com.au/travel *COVID cover applies to comprehensive cover only. Terms and conditions apply, check the PDS for details. Review the TMD to consider if this product best suits your personal circumstances. Issued by Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd (ABN 80 000 438 291 AFSL 246548).

Our 2022 Pet Search winners After four weeks of being charmed by West Aussie dogs and cats, we’re excited to share that our RAC member panel have crowned the very cute Sonic and MJ as our 2022 major prize winners. Their owners will both receive a $1500 Visa gift card.  Check out all of our adorable furry entrants by visiting rac.com.au/petsearch2022

SAVE ON PET INSURANCE Protect your family’s furry bundle of joy with RAC Pet Insurance. Buy online and save $50 on your first year*

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*Conditions, limits & exclusions apply. Discount applies to the first year of insurance only. RAC Insurance Pty Limited is authorised by RACQ Insurance Limited as an agent to issue RAC Pet Insurance. Check the PDS, SPDS (where applicable) and TMD at rac.com.au to see if the product is right for you.

Home+Life

HOW SECURE IS YOUR HOME?

20%

of people who have alarms aren’t turning them on

37%

of people hide a spare house key outside the home

Break-ins can happen at any time and they can also happen in a very short space of time, so it’s important to activate your home security system each time you leave the home. To find out more about security options for your home, contact RAC Security on 1300 132 735 or visit rac.com.au/security For more insights from the 2021 RAC Home Security Survey, see page 32.

Win the ultimate home entertainment bundle Thanks to Pentanet, WA’s own high-speed internet provider, you could win an amazing home entertainment and gaming bundle. Your prize includes:

> LG 65” NANO75 4K UHD Smart TV > NVIDIA Shield TV Pro Media Box > Xbox Wireless Gaming Controller > 12-month subscriptions to Disney+, Kayo, Netflix and GeForce NOW, Powered by Pentanet. Pentanet is fast, reliable internet with great local service. RAC members save with 5%* off a range of internet plans every month for 12 months.  To be in the running to win, simply visit pentanet.com.au/win-with-rac *Terms and conditions apply, visit rac.com.au/pentanet for details.

RAC Home Security survey, 2021

We asked RAC members to consider their home security behaviours and experiences, and how safe they feel in their home and community.

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Only available through this exclusive offer, the “Fairy Wren Cuckoo Clock” is strictly limited to just 45 crafting days, after which no more clocks will ever be made. Act now to acquire yours for only five easy, interest-free instalments of $59.99. That’s just $299.95, plus $24.99 postage and handling. You’re fully protected by our world-famous, 365-day money back guarantee. To reserve your clock, simply complete and return the coupon or go online today at www.bradford.com.au/fairywren

Hand-crafted with exceptional detail and colour The clock case has been masterfully hand-crafted in fine artist’s resin to recall every sumptuous detail of a traditional cuckoo clock. The shining stars of this limited edition are the beloved Fairy Wren paintings of acclaimed wildlife artist Joy Scherger. With their plumage resplendent in every shade of blue imaginable, Joy’s Fairy Wrens invite you to share the wonders of their sun-kissed world. Every hour, a sculptural fairy wren appears just as a REAL BIRD CALL fills the air with its soothing, melodic charm! Hand-applied golden accents give each ornate detail a warm, elegant glow. Decorative gum leaf weights bring a classic air to the clock which features an accurate quartz movement for perfect timekeeping. ©2022 The Bradford Exchange Ltd.

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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 UP TO 50%* AT OPSM Plus, save 10% off Wash & Detailing services at Magic Hand Carwash. Page 64 & 65

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Members save up to 50% at OPSM That’s the power of membership *

RAC members save 25% on prescription sun lenses and lens extras at OPSM, including 15% off contact lenses and selected non prescription sunglasses. Plus, members get 50% off a second pair when purchasing two pairs of prescription glasses or prescription sunglasses.

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Membership+Benefits

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Save 10% off Wash & Detailing That’s the power of membership Get your car shiny again with 10% off all wash and detailing services at Magic Hand Carwash. Plus, get a free coffee while you wait.

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Security Doors & Screens, Roller Shutters Winter SALE NOW ON ! Peace of mind protection for your home and family Security doors & screens • Premium Promesh Stainless Steel • Tough & affordable SecureGrille • Australian Standard triple locking system • Replace old flyscreens & doors

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Find a Wattyl Paint Centre or shop online at wattyl.com.au * Discount running for the month of June 2022 only. Exclusions apply – see in store for full details at all Wattyl Paint Centres. Online promo code: RACJ22

Membership+Benefits

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WE’RE YOUR ONE STOP SHOP

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 a RAC member, you have exclusive access to more 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. Show Your RAC Card & Save in-store or shop online @repco.com.au Members save

Scan the QR code to shop this month’s exclusive offers. DRIVEN BY PASSION FOR 100 YEARS

Save 4 cents per litre at Puma Energy That’s the power of membership

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Stay 3 nights mid-week and save $100 Three nights in a lakeside apartment for only $500* or stay in a lakeside cabin for $530* Booking Code: RAC22 Our cosy cabins and spacious two-storey apartments are nestled in a spectacular jarrah forest on the banks of stunning Evedon Lake. Watch the sunset over the lake or enjoy your cosy log fire. Cook up a gourmet feast in your kitchen or enjoy dinner in the restaurant. Fish, kayak or take a walk along the estate’s many forest trails. Superbly located in the Ferguson Valley and Geographe Wine Region, nearby to Honeymoon Pool, just 20 minutes from Bunbury’s beaches and just a two hours from Perth, Evedon Lakeside Retreat is perfect for a family holiday or romantic getaway.

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Members stay 3 nights mid-week and save $100

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#Fill your heart, Free your mind, Save the world Ride further and frequently on an E-bike – it’s a lot easier and a lot more fun! An E-Bike is a great addition to your exercise routine and has been proven to improve levels of physical and mental health. A lot more cost effective to run than a car, cheaper than public transport and more environmentally friendly! Plus for every E-Bike, E-Scooter or E-Skateboard purchased, The Electric Bike Company plants five trees through a partnership with Ecologi.

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“This Hearing Aid Has Changed My Life” Testimonials

“Wish I had gone to Hearing Loss Specialists sooner, my hearing aids have changed my life. I now hear sounds I had not heard for many years and my family and friends no longer have to repeat themselves. Thank you, Gerry and staff, for your honesty, integrity and support. You are amazing!” T.Kirk, WA.

“Thank you to you Gerry and your wonderful staff. My experience with your hearing loss practice has been excellent. The hearing aids you recommended are the best I have ever had. It’s a life-changing experience to be able to hear clearly and I so appreciate your patient and caring manner, Kind regards” M.Bowden, WA.

“I would recommend Hearing Loss Specialists for their service and understanding. I have tried other types of hearing aids for a few years, which have not been very successful, the noise of shopping centres etc. was unbearable, I would not wear them half the time because of that. The new ones I have now are brilliant, noisy areas are not a problem. The staff at Hearing Loss were very helpful and understanding. Five out of Five stars!” G.Finnie, WA.

“I simply cannot believe the difference it has made to my life! The ability to actively engage in conversation both one on one and in a myriad of social settings borders on disbelief. The sheer joy of being involved and indeed contributing to discussions is something I had long forgotten and drives home just how much I have missed over the years.”

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Terms+conditions

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

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 Energy location Australia-wide. 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 June/July 2022 Horizons must claim their prize by 13 July 2022. 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 & 9 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 $186. 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 June/July Horizons must claim their prize by 13 July 2022. 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.

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

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Home+Life

Ten best WHALE-WATCHING SPOTS IN WA Exmouth

Tourism Western Australia

The Exmouth Gulf hosts the highest density of humpback whales in the Southern Hemisphere (about 30,000 of them) during their annual migration from Antarctica. You’ll often spot them from June to November rolling on the surface of the water. Good locations to see them include Town Beach, Sunrise Beach and Bundegi Beach, or from the top of Vlamingh Head Lighthouse.

Kimberley Coast

ABOVE: Whales cruise along the coastline at Banky Beach, Bremer Bay.

The Kimberley’s tropical waters are the breeding and birthing grounds for thousands of humpback whales during migration season. The protected bays of Camden Sound Marine Park are a nursery for newborn whales, but you’re also likely to spot them from Kooljaman at Cape Leveque, from June to November.

Rottnest’s West End and Cape Vlamingh. The Perth Canyon Marine Park, home to Australia’s largest underwater canyon, is 20km off Rottnest and also hosts the largest gathering of blue whales in Australia. The park has recently been opened to the public for boat charters and tours.

mate, and give birth to their young. If you want to get a little closer, the Augusta Boat Harbour is the departure point for a number of local whale-watching tours. The best time of year for Augusta whalewatching is from late May to August.

Broome and surrounds

Dunsborough

You’ll find large pods of humpback and southern right whales off Albany’s coast during the annual southern migration. One of the city’s best whale-watching spots is King George Sound; a sheltered harbour offering two passages to the Great Southern Ocean. Local tour guides remark that it’s unusual to enter the Sound, from May to October, without seeing any whales.

Broome’s warm waters provide a safe haven during the annual humpback migration. The whales are sheltered on their way south by the islands of the Buccaneer Archipelago and are known to energetically breach near here. Good Broome whale-watching locations include Gantheaume Point and Roebuck Bay.

Hillarys

After birthing their calves, many humpbacks return to Geographe Bay near Dunsborough to rest and nurse their young, usually around September to early December. One of Dunsborough’s best vantage points is at Canal Rocks, and in particular, the Rotary Lookout. If you’d prefer a higher vantage point, head to the Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse’s viewing deck.

After their travels through the North West, large numbers of humpback whales migrate through Perth’s waters, typically from late August to early November. There are a number of whale-watching tours departing from Hillarys Boat Harbour which bring you up close to the mammals, including Rottnest Fast Ferries and Whale Watching Western Australia.

Margaret River

Rottnest

Augusta

Humpback whales pass through the ocean off Rottnest around September and can be easily viewed by boat or on land from

Augusta’s Flinders Bay is one of few places in the world where you can see southern right and humpback whales play,

Margaret River is a great place to see whales travelling between Dunsborough and Augusta. Hamelin Bay is one of the best places to spot whales south of Margaret River, and the Boranup Lookout provides great views of the bay. Your best chance of whale-spotting is between late May to late November.

Albany

Bremer Bay Though they are technically part of the dolphin family, the orcas of Bremer Bay are a fascinating site. Bremer Bay is home to the largest congregation of orca in the Southern Hemisphere, with more than 150 of them found in the Bremer Marine Park from January to March each year. Pilot, beaked and sperm whales also feed here from around September and October.  DO YOU HAVE AN IDEA FOR THE TEN BEST? Send your suggestions to editor@rac.com.au

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