December-February 2024
Your RAC member magazine
Member benefits + Your feedback + Ten of the best
Why are we ‘supersizing’ our cars? Big cars are getting even bigger, and taller
WA’s cheapest cars to own and run We’ve done the sums and found the top performers
Sandy summer breaks EIGHT BEACHSIDE HOLIDAY SPOTS CLOSE TO PERTH
Transitioning away from fuel How WA will manage the electrification of transport
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Like most things, milkshakes are best enjoyed with friends. You haven’t seen each other since the start of the year when you moved to a new school. But now you’re going on holiday together, which means road trips, water fights, boogie boarding, and movie nights. The next two weeks should make up for all the best friend moments you’ve missed this year. That’s the beauty of the summer, it gives you the time to see the people that you enjoy most. For long awaited reunions, there’s no place like Dôme. Perth Metro, WA Regional: Albany, Bunbury, Busselton, Dunsborough, Esperance, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Katanning, Newman, Northam, Port Hedland, Rottnest.
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Your RAC member magazine HORIZONS® Published by RAC WA EDITOR Vanessa Pogorelic GRAPHIC DESIGNER Renee Smith ADVERTISING Ruth Leyland-Cowan (WA only) T: 08 9388 7844 E: ruth@mediatonic.com.au Colin Ritchie T: 03 8520 6451 E: colinritchie@hardiegrant.com CHANGE OF ADDRESS For change of address requests, please visit rac.com.au/myrac, phone 13 17 03 or visit your local Member Service Centre. CONTACT US facebook.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 Curious sealion, Jurien Bay PHOTOGRAPH BY Brooke Pyke Photography instagram.com/brookepykephotography
CAB AUDITED AS AT MARCH 2023 IS 716,967 HOUSEHOLDS OUR PLASTIC WRAPPER IS BIODEGRADABLE AUSTRALIA POST ISSN NO 0810 8285 The opinions contained in this publication may not be shared by the Royal Automobile Club of WA (Inc) or its related bodies corporate (together “RAC”) or any of its or their councillors, directors or employees. Advertisements in Horizons are the responsibility of the advertiser. No person should act or rely upon such opinions or advice and RAC accepts no liability for them. Any rewards or rights provided to a member cannot be transferred, assigned, sold or redeemed for cash. Inclusion of a product should not be construed as an endorsement by RAC.
Inside this issue DECEMBER-FEBRUARY 2024
Our State, People+Future
Travel +Touring
Car +Motoring
Home +Life
07
30
15
60
President's message
Sandy summer adventures Eight beachside holiday spots close to Perth
Moving away from fuel Managing the electrification of our cars
Member lounge
08 Your feedback
10 Snapshot
24 EV for a week We gave 50 members one week with an electric vehicle
53 Future moves
36
20
WA travel brief
Car running costs What is your car really costing you?
40 What’s new in Broome Reasons to head north for season 2024
26
47
The ‘truckzilla’ trend Aussies are supersizing their cars
Arnhem Land uncovered Discover what’s on offer in this rare wilderness region
Test drive
54 59 Car doctor
82 Ten best
Membership +Benefits 63 Member benefits
81 Contact us
Off on holidays? Don’t forget your cameras. Protect your home and family with a custom-designed, professionally installed security system. Keep an eye on your place no matter where you are with quality CCTV cameras and our easy-to-use app.
Call us today on 1300 132 735 or visit rac.com.au/security T&Cs apply. RAC Security Services (WA) Pty Ltd (ABN 44 096 235 200) operates in Perth Metro and Mandurah only. Security Agent Licence 74252.
Our State, People+Future
President's message MAKING AN IMPACT RAC has recently published our third Social and Community Impact Report, which outlines how RAC is working on behalf of you, and every RAC member, to make WA a better place. Across 2022/23 our Club took big strides towards achieving our vision for a safer, sustainable, and connected future for Western Australians. This included our ongoing advocacy for safer regional roads, which has now seen more than $1 billion in funding committed by the WA and Australian Governments toward the WA Regional Road Safety Program. Throughout the year we delivered road safety lessons and events to over 61,000 students and proudly recognised 20 years of sponsoring the RAC Rescue Helicopters, which have now flown over 9500 missions. Our support of local communities also continued; through RAC Reconnect WA, which has now seen almost $3 million provided to support local government projects, and via the RAC Connecting Communities Fund, which has provided a further $350,000 to support Town Teams across the State. In late 2022, we launched the RAC Air Health Monitor, a first of its kind, interactive map that measures the levels of particulate matter (PM 2.5 and PM 10) and nitrogen dioxide (NO 2) in Perth’s air. By showing hourby-hour changes to Perth’s air quality, we’re making the invisible visible, and working toward a future with cleaner and healthier air. All of this, and the many additional initiatives outlined in the full report, is made possible through the support of our members and collaboration with our partners. By working together with RAC members, local communities, our peers in the sector, and all levels of government, we can keep making a difference in WA. I am so proud of the work our Club has done over the past year and I am eager to see the journey continue in years ahead. We will continue to advocate for changes that protect Western Australians from the harm of road trauma and vehicle emissions, create more options for how we move around, and make our communities more vibrant. I encourage you to visit our website to read our 2023 Social and Community Impact Report or email us on advocacy@rac.com.au to request a physical copy be sent to you. On behalf of the RAC Council, I would like to wish everyone a wonderful and safe festive season with your family and friends. Allan Blagaich RAC President
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TOP: More than 61,000 students were educated on road safety in 2022/23; ABOVE: The RAC Air Health Monitor was launched in November 2022.
Our State, People+Future
Your feedback Life on the road Our story about RAC members the Morrell family’s extended caravan trip around Australia (Horizons, October/ November) struck a chord with many readers. We left home in WA in February 2023 and are loving our trip exploring our beautiful country. Lee We did the trip in 2013-14, the year we retired. Inge Been full-time for six years with no end date. Kerry Just got back from three months on the road – 12,500km. Helen We (hubby, me and four children between 3 and 12 years) did it in 1993. The best thing ever. Vikki
SEND US YOUR FEEDBACK AND WIN Send us your opinions and feedback and you could win a year’s Classic Roadside Assistance. @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.
TYRE INFLATOR KITS NOT ENOUGH Further to the letter in the August/September Horizons ‘Space saver tyre troubles’, it should be noted that some vehicles are only equipped with glue packs to repair punctures so no spare tyre of any kind. In the event of a puncture, you are supposed to pump glue into the tyre and then inflate the tyre with an onboard pump then stop again a few kilometres later to re-check tyre pressure. Apart from the obvious increased danger of frequent stopping on a busy road, what happens if a tyre sidewall is punctured on a country road? A glue pack would be useless. Once the tyre has glue inside it, it has to be replaced as well as the purchase of a new glue pack. Manufacturers need to design the vehicle to accommodate a spare tyre, especially in a vast country like Australia. Robert 8
Our State, People+Future
WRONG FUEL PUMP Some weeks ago, I headed north and refuelled at a roadhouse just north of Geraldton. Having been told to use premium diesel I drove into the diesel section of the station. There were many other vehicles lined up and waiting. When it was my turn, I had to make a choice (I believed) between two bowsers. One said Diesel the other AdBlue. The latter was slightly more expensive. Another motorist opposite me said, “Oh, that’s great stuff”. I believed in that moment that it was a premium diesel. It has since caused me endless and very expensive problems that are not over yet. Some people know about AdBlue but the majority don’t have a clue, like myself. The mechanic who had been assisting me rescued three vehicles within 10 days from that same roadhouse. Marianne From RAC:
Some diesel vehicles include a separate tank that holds diesel exhaust fluid (DEF). DEF, also known by the brand name AdBlue, is comprised of urea and purified water. When mixed with a diesel engine’s exhaust, it produces a less polluting mixture of nitrogen, water and carbon dioxide. DEF should never be added directly to a diesel vehicle’s fuel tank; if it is, do not drive the vehicle or even turn on the ignition. The fuel system will need to be fully drained and checked by a qualified technician. Check the fuel bowser labelling carefully before you refill.
is evolving Our members have told us they want to consume Horizons in multiple ways, whether that be in the printed magazine, on a desktop computer, tablet or smartphone. We listened. We’re now in an exciting phase of planning how we evolve Horizons, so we can bring it to you the way you’d like. Our first step will be to reduce the number of printed Horizons editions. You’ll now receive five printed editions of Horizons instead of six: December-February, March-May, June-July, August-September and October-November.
Stephen Barnes/Energy / Alamy Stock Photo
This will allow us to transition more of the content you value to different digital formats, and also helps reduce our environmental footprint. RAC always has and always will drive change for the better of WA. Listening to our members, exploring new ways to share Horizons digitally, and reducing our environmental impact is another way we’re continuing to drive change for the better.
Too close to busy roads I could not agree more with Susan’s letter (Horizons, October/November 2023). I would likewise love to see air quality and noise data collected out the front of childcare centres, which are often built on busy roads and intersections. There is ample evidence that air pollution and noise negatively impact cognitive development and learning. We spend billions on early learning. We should learn from the evidence on how to spend this wisely. Artem 9
VOICE YOUR OPINION Join RAC’s Members’ Voice, an online community where members can share their views on a range of topics. Visit rac.com.au/opinion
News in brief from RAC and beyond
Snapshot
STATIC ELECTRICITY RISK WHEN HANDLING FUEL On exiting or entering a car, it’s not uncommon to feel a zap of static electricity. This is generally not of any concern, provided you aren’t handling fuel.
Summer boating caution Over the past 10 years, the average number of lives lost in boating incidents each year in Western Australia has increased significantly. Last financial year, Marine Rescue volunteers across the state attended more than 1700 incidents. WA’s emergency rescue helicopter service, RAC Rescue, was also called to almost 100 marine rescues over the past five years where an Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) had been activated. Two of the most common reasons boat owners find themselves in distress in WA waters are weather conditions and failing to properly check their vessels and equipment. This summer, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services is urging all boat owners to ensure they comply with WA’s new safety equipment regulations for recreational vessels.
Always check weather conditions before venturing out and ensure your vessel and equipment are serviceable and in a suitable condition. You should also let someone know where you’re going and when you’re expected to return, or ideally, log your trip with your local Marine Rescue group. WA has 37 Volunteer Marine Rescue groups, including Jurien Bay, which was recently awarded for rescuing the crew of a yacht that had capsized off the Mid West coast. For details of your local Marine Rescue service, visit vmrwa.org.au. To learn more about the new regulations, go to transport.wa.gov.au/safetyequipment The RAC Rescue helicopters are sponsored by RAC, funded by the State Government and managed by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services.
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In most vehicle refuelling scenarios, the risks posed by static electricity are well managed by the protections that are incorporated into the design of the refuelling pumps and the vehicle. These ensure that the pump, the vehicle, and the person doing the refuelling are all earthed and therefore not able to develop a static electricity spark. But you should refuel the vehicle in one continuous fill. Do not stop, re-enter the vehicle and then come out again, as this can also cause static electricity to be generated and increase the risk of it discharging in the form of a spark. When refuelling a separate fuel container, such as a five-litre fuel can or portable boat fuel tank, it is extremely important that the container is out of the vehicle and placed on the ground before you start refuelling. Do not refuel while the container is in the vehicle or, in the case of a ute, on the vehicle’s tray. Place the container on the ground and keep one hand on the container while holding the fuel pump with the other. Take care not to overfill - it’s best to only fill up to 95 per cent of the container’s capacity.
Our State, People+Future
Report issues in your local area
HIGH VEGETATION ON ROUNDABOUTS Landscaping at roundabouts is governed by a set of guidelines intended to improve the appearance of the roadside while maintaining safety. This includes requirements for a clear line of sight to be maintained at certain points within the roundabout so that road users have an unobscured view of approaching vehicles. For this reason, any vegetation or landscaping features within the central island must be kept outside of these lines of sight. In the case of trees, they must be narrow enough or tall enough to avoid foliage obstructing sight lines.
On local roads, it is the responsibility of the relevant local government council to ensure vegetation on roundabouts is kept within the guidelines, and on highways and other state-controlled roads, Main Roads WA oversees roundabout maintenance. If you notice vegetation on any roundabout that you believe is impacting visibility in a way that is making it unsafe, contact the local council to make a report, or in the case of state roads, contact Main Roads WA. Alternatively, you can use the Snap Send Solve app to report the issue to the relevant authority.
Snap Send Solve is a free mobile phone app through which you can report a range of issues to local councils and other authorities. You can send reports on everything from faulty streetlights and playground equipment to graffiti and vandalism, abandoned cars, and other illegally dumped rubbish. The app allows you to take a photo of the issue, quickly find the relevant authority and send through your report. The Snap Send Solve app can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play.
THE GREAT MERGING DILEMMA Merging continues to be an issue for many WA motorists, with an RAC survey revealing that 69 per cent of members experience frustration when merging. And while 98 per cent believe they know how to merge correctly, just 5 per cent think other drivers do. Confusion arises over the two main merging scenarios – one is where two adjacent lanes merge equally into one (such as after a set of traffic lights), the second is where one lane ends and the adjacent lane continues so a driver must then change lanes (such as when using a freeway on-ramp). In the instance where two lanes merge into one, you must give way to any other vehicle in the adjacent lane if any part of that vehicle is ahead of yours. Where you need to change lanes, whether or not the lane you’re travelling in is ending, you must give way to any vehicles already in the lane you are joining and move across only when the way is clear to safely merge. In each case, indicate your intention to merge early and keep a safe distance from any vehicles around you. It is easier to merge if you are travelling at a similar speed to vehicles in the other lane. Being courteous and patient can also smooth the merging experience considerably. Racing ahead is not only dangerous and discourteous, but it generally achieves nothing in terms of getting you to your destination sooner.
TOP: Give way to a vehicle in the adjacent lane if any part of that vehicle is ahead of yours; BOTTOM: Give way to vehicles already in the lane you are joining.
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Our State, People+Future
CAUTION AT LEVEL CROSSINGS WHEN ROAD TRIPPING THIS SUMMER
hazard at all level crossings. In certain conditions, and especially at night, it can also be difficult to see an approaching train, to judge the distance of the train from the crossing or to estimate its speed. Following a review completed late in 2022 by Main Roads WA, 87 passive level crossings are to undergo safety upgrades. Once completed, more than half of WA’s level crossings will be controlled by either a boom gate or flashing lights and all remaining passive level crossings will be controlled by a stop sign rather than a give way sign.
Across Western Australia, there are currently 960 level crossings on the state’s roads where vehicles and trains cross paths. Of those, 469 are ‘active’ level crossings, meaning they are fitted with flashing lights or boom gates, or both. This type of level crossing is common in the Perth metropolitan area.
RAC welcomes these safety improvements and would like to see further measures considered to improve train lighting and to enhance signage at passive level crossings. In the meantime, a significant number of the state’s level crossings will continue to require motorists to determine when it is safe to cross, with no lights or other devices to warn that a train is approaching. So always exercise extra caution when crossing the tracks, especially when travelling through regional WA.
The remaining 491 crossings are considered ‘passive’ as the only control is a stop or give way sign. This type of level crossing is common in regional areas of WA, such as the Wheatbelt. Because of their heavy mass and their inability to stop in a short distance, trains present a significant
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Car+Motoring
Transitioning away from fuel HOW WILL THE ELECTRIFICATION OF OUR CARS BE MANAGED IN WA? By Ruth Callaghan
The age of the internal combustion engine is sputtering to a close. Already, one in five vehicles sold in Europe is an electric vehicle (EV), with a similar take-up in the UK, which plans to ban the sale of new vehicles with internal combustion engines (ICE) from 2035. In China, home to more than half the world’s EVs, take-up is approaching 30 per cent of all new car sales. And while
at this stage the US hasn’t banned ICEs, new rules on automotive pollution are being heralded as a key way to achieve the goal of having half of new cars sold being electric by the end of the decade.
of every 10 vehicles sold in Australia still relies on petrol or diesel, the dominance of these fuels – particularly petrol – is slowly eroding. “WA figures show that EVs, hybrids and plug-ins, are now about 15 per cent of new light vehicle sales,” says Anita McCracken, senior manager, Public Policy at RAC.
For Australia, it feels like a revolution that has passed us by – until now. The first eight months of 2023 saw more EVs and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) sold in Australia than in the 12 previous years combined. While more than eight out
“We are definitely seeing sales increase and uptake is certainly growing. When you look at overall fleet penetration, only 15
0.4 per cent of the fleet is fully electric, and a further 1.5 per cent is hybrid. So, the changeover will take some time, but we need to look ahead to what happens when we have tens and hundreds of thousands of EVs on our roads. “When we talk to our members, many are positive about EVs, but some also want to know whether they are really a sustainable choice. Are they as green as they are claimed to be? How will we be able to make the switch?”
Car+Motoring
Are electric vehicles as green as they sound? RAC’s Anita McCracken says some members have raised concerns that EVs generate more emissions during the manufacturing process than traditional ICE cars, while others question whether there are any real benefits if fossil fuels are still used to power the grid and recharging. A third area of concern is that tens of thousands of EVs drawing from the grid could cause outages. RAC recently commissioned research that looks at the interplay between transport decarbonisation and energy decarbonisation in WA, as well as the lifetime environmental impact of
A fully renewable grid would mean that a battery EV would produce around 86 per cent fewer emissions than the petrol equivalent.
different vehicle power trains and the opportunities – and challenges – to vehicle and battery recycling. The research by Aurecon found that even when the higher level of greenhouse gas emissions during manufacturing was taken into account, battery EVs had drastically lower emissions across their life cycle, considering the emissions from manufacturing, charging and on-road use.
“The modelling shows that when it comes to the decarbonisation of land transport, battery electric vehicles and fuel cell electric vehicles (powered by green hydrogen) are currently the best chance we have to meet the magnitude of life cycle greenhouse gas emissions reductions needed to meet our Paris Agreement commitments,” McCracken says.
Because WA’s electricity grid is a mix of traditional coal, gas, oil and renewable energy, currently the life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of a battery EV are approximately 55 per cent lower than in a comparable petrol vehicle. That’s good, but over time it will get better.
Supporting the shift to home charging So how will WA’s electricity grid manage additional demand? Western Power executive manager Energy Transition and Sustainability Matt Cheney says WA has a oncein-a-generation opportunity to shift the way electricity is generated, which will be necessary for industry and the community to reach Australia’s decarbonisation goals.
BELOW: Western Power says the opportunity is there for EV owners with rooftop solar to charge their EVs to improve network efficiency outside peak hours.
“We know that EVs will likely contribute significant load to the future network, particularly if charging is not managed and happens at the same time.”
HDC Creative / Shutterstock.com
To plan for the impact, Western Power and other agencies are developing scenarios designed to model increased demand. That includes identifying where people want to recharge, and when. “There are currently more than 1.5 million passenger vehicles in WA with an average mileage of 31km per day,” Cheney says. 16
“As these vehicles continue to transition to hybrid or all electric, and assuming an average efficiency of 150 Wh/ km, that means we need to prepare for forecast demand of around 7 GWh of energy daily. Conducting EV trials and understanding actual vehicle charging patterns among different customer groups will also be important.” Western Power sees EVs as one way to help balance the soaring levels of solar power that is already generated each day in WA, including by encouraging people with rooftop solar to charge vehicles at peak sun hours. “Over the last five years, renewable energy generation in WA doubled to 31.5 per cent with more than one in three households having rooftop solar. The opportunity is there for EV owners with rooftop solar to charge their EVs to improve network efficiency outside peak hours of 4pm to 8pm.”
Reimagining supply In the longer term, more significant changes are forecast for the grid and the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) is one of the bodies working with the WA Government, Western Power, and Synergy on the planning and transition process. Its work has included a program to coordinate what are known as Consumer Energy Resources (CER), such as residential rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV), batteries and EVs, and to consider how these can contribute to (and also avoid overloading) WA’s South West Interconnected System grid or SWIS.
helloabc / Shutterstock.com
Car+Motoring
ABOVE: Electric vehicles charging in Chongqing, China.
“OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS, RENEWABLE ENERGY GENERATION IN WA DOUBLED TO 31.5 PER CENT WITH MORE THAN ONE IN THREE HOUSEHOLDS HAVING ROOFTOP SOLAR.”
“By 2032-33, EVs are expected to make up about 30 per cent of all cars, commercial vehicles, buses and trucks on WA roads, which will contribute to higher electricity demand within the SWIS,” says Kate Ryan, AEMO executive general manager, WA and Strategy.
used to contribute energy where it is needed (such as powering residences in the case of a blackout, or injecting energy back to the grid). Australia’s Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis anticipates that eventually, at least two-thirds of households will own rooftop solar and potentially at least one electric vehicle, increasing the opportunity for virtual power plants to play a significant role in Australia’s energy supply.
“AEMO is working closely with the Western Australian Government and key stakeholders, like Western Power and Synergy, to improve visibility of where EV chargers and other CER are located on the system, and to develop virtual power plants in the SWIS.”
“EVs could provide a significant opportunity to help supply additional power to meet peak demand,” Western Power’s Matt Cheney says.
The concept of virtual power plants, while relatively new in Australia, is already a reality in countries in Europe and in Japan.
“This vehicle-to-grid or vehicle-to-home technology is still at an early stage, but trials are being conducted to understand how that smarter future can be created in partnership with consumers.”
In a virtual power plant, household batteries and EVs are aggregated and 17
Looking long term Another concern is what happens to EVs at the end of their usable life. It’s an area with a range of potential issues, from how Australia will manage stockpiles of lithium-ion batteries that, if sent to landfill, could pose environmental impacts and health hazards if the toxic chemicals leak into our land and waterways and whether the world will have sufficient stores of lithium, cobalt and nickel to meet spiralling demand. The research commissioned by RAC considered a range of scenarios for the end-oflife of an EV, including what would happen when the car reached the wrecking stage. The vehicle hulk, so the body of the vehicle, is unlikely to be treated any differently to that of an ICE, which is to say there is little current
Car+Motoring BELOW: Public charging stations on a street in Oslo, Norway.
“BY 2032-33, EVS ARE EXPECTED TO MAKE UP ABOUT 30 PER CENT OF ALL CARS, COMMERCIAL VEHICLES, BUSES AND TRUCKS ON WA ROADS.”
technology. The initial funding will be used to develop a pilot plant in Perth, paving the way for a larger scale demonstration plant anticipated of being able to process up to 1,500 tonnes of battery waste annually.
incentive for recovery of various components as Australia lacks a national stewardship scheme. However, the government is taking steps in the right direction, and has provided funding to design a stewardship scheme to address end-of-life vehicle waste in Australia.
Battery recycling is still relatively new, but Norway – long a leader in EV adoption – is now scaling up plants that can extract a ‘black mass’ of nickel, manganese, cobalt, lithium and graphite which can be recycled for future use.
While electric drive motors include a mix of steel, aluminium, iron, copper and other components, including rare earth elements, which can have value on the scrap metal market, WA again lacks the recycling infrastructure and market to ensure this process becomes routine. Recently, Australian battery recycling start-up, Renewable Metals, closed an $8 million investment round to help scale and commercialise its lithium-ion battery recycling
RAC’s Anita McCracken says that while Australia has lagged behind other nations in EV take-up, it could fast-track recycling and stewardship programs by learning from the experience of earlier adopters. “Recycling is a big area of opportunity, with more than 90 per cent of battery components able to be recovered. The 18
industry will play an important role in ensuring we minimise the environmental impact of these vehicles,” she says. “Regulatory reform may be necessary, but manufacturers will likely also be motivated commercially – there are limited supplies of raw materials out there, and it may well be cheaper to recover and recycle.” “At RAC we want to ensure we take a holistic look at the environmental impact of the different vehicle power trains and then be informed in the policies and positions we take forward,” McCracken says. “These are complex issues with lots of different and interconnected moving parts. The more we can understand them, and help our members understand them, the better we can plan for the future.”
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anyone in that position knows takes up a lot of energy. In the past I’ve felt it hardly worth going where I’d be expected to have a conversation in a crowd. It was painful for me and annoying for others constantly having to ask for repeats of what had been said. The kicker to this is that I can now actually join in, be part of the conversation and pretty often have a laugh with everyone else. My wife Lisa loves our new life. She thinks it is a new world because we can actually have meaningful conversations. And she doesn’t have to put up with the television at a ridiculously loud level. Our quality of life is much better, more meaningful generally. Even my work in sales is about 10 times easier because I don’t have to stress over people’s responses. I love my hearing aids, and feel it’s the best thing I have done for myself in a very long time. I do recommend that people come and see one of the hearing professionals at Brad’s clinic. Then you’ll see what I mean. Paul Dixon.
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RAC DEC23 / JAN24
For further info, call 9228 9928 or email info@bhhearing.com.au
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Car+Motoring
WA’s cheapest cars to own and run RAC’s 2023 Car Running Costs survey tested more than 90 popular cars across 11 categories to find which were the cheapest to own and run in WA.
“Comparing that with petrol-powered small cars, the GWM Ora was the fifthcheapest amongst the popular small cars overall,” Forrest says.
Interest rate rises, higher fuel costs and increases in car prices have all combined to push up the cost of car ownership in WA across most vehicle categories.
Other small cars that were pricier than the GWM Ora included the Mazda3, Subaru Impreza and Volkswagen Golf.
In particular, RAC’s 2023 Car Running Costs survey found that high diesel fuel prices over the past year had a marked impact on the cost of running a diesel ute – a vehicle category that is especially popular in WA. The news was better for electric vehicle (EV) owners. The survey found the weekly cost of owning and running an EV can now be cheaper than many equivalent petrol or diesel vehicles, particularly when it comes to small and medium cars. RAC’s Manager of Vehicles and Fuels,
Alex Forrest, says EV prices are not subject to all of the same market forces as internal combustion engine vehicles, while EV buyers also have access to government rebates. “EVs are not affected by fluctuating fuel prices, and they often cost a lot less to service. It’s important to factor in the cost of charging, but overall, some can be cheaper to own and run." This year’s survey looked at more electric vehicles than ever before, testing 15 models in total, including the BYD Atto 3, Tesla Model Y and Kia EV6. One of the newcomers to the Australian market, the GWM Ora, was the cheapest EV at $224.05 a week to own and run. 20
The WA’s Government’s $3500 EV rebate on eligible EVs is helping to lower the cost of EV ownership, as is the Federal Government’s Fringe Benefits Tax exemption for financing through a novated lease. The cheapest car to own and run overall was the Kia Picanto at $162.71 a week, and the Subaru Outback was the cheapest large SUV for the fifth year running at $315.73. At the other end of the scale, the Nissan Patrol V8 was the most expensive vehicle to own and operate for the fourth year in a row, coming in at $567.70 a week.
Car+Motoring
Cheapest light car
Cheapest small car
Cheapest medium car
Kia Picanto S
Toyota Corolla Ascent Sport
Toyota Camry Ascent Hybrid
On-road price (est.)
$21,103.00
On-road price (est.)
$31,749.00
On-road price (est.)
$36,991.00
ANCAP safety rating
ANCAP safety rating
ANCAP safety rating
STANDING COSTS per month
STANDING COSTS per month
Registration, insurance & CTP
$115.39
Loan repayments
$417.77
RUNNING COSTS per month
STANDING COSTS per month
Registration, insurance & CTP
$138.30
Loan repayments
$628.52
RUNNING COSTS per month
Registration, insurance & CTP
$148.75
Loan repayments
$732.30
RUNNING COSTS per month
Fuel
$129.92
Fuel
$134.40
Fuel
$113.39
Servicing
$35.67
Servicing
$24.67
Servicing
$25.50
Tyres
$6.33
Tyres
$9.93
Tyres
$12.60
TOTAL COST per month
$705.08
TOTAL COST per month
$935.82
TOTAL COST per month
$1032.53
TOTAL COST per week
$162.71
TOTAL COST per week
$215.96
TOTAL COST per week
$238.28
ANNUAL COST
$8,461.01
ANNUAL COST
$11,229.85
ANNUAL COST
$12,390.41
Cheapest electric car
Cheapest small SUV
Cheapest medium SUV
GWM Ora Standard Range
Hyundai Venue (Base)
Honda CRV Vi FWD
On-road price (est.)
$38,215.00
On-road price (est.)
$27,459.00
On-road price (est.)
$35,900.00
ANCAP safety rating
ANCAP safety rating
ANCAP safety rating
*
STANDING COSTS per month
STANDING COSTS per month
Registration, insurance & CTP
$154.33
Loan repayments
$730.85
RUNNING COSTS per month
STANDING COSTS per month
Registration, insurance & CTP
$146.73
Loan repayments
$543.60
RUNNING COSTS per month
Registration, insurance & CTP
$151.23
Loan repayments
$710.69
RUNNING COSTS per month
Fuel
$56.21
Fuel
$161.28
Fuel
$170.24
Servicing
$12.50
Servicing
$30.16
Servicing
$32.57
Tyres
$17.00
Tyres
$9.27
Tyres
$15.27
TOTAL COST per month
$970.89
TOTAL COST per month
$891.05
TOTAL COST per month
$1080.00
TOTAL COST per week
$224.05
TOTAL COST per week
$205.63
TOTAL COST per week
$249.23
ANNUAL COST
$11,650.77
ANNUAL COST
$10,692.58
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ANNUAL COST
$12,960.05
Car+Motoring
Cheapest large SUV
Cheapest all terrain SUV
Cheapest people mover
Subaru Outback AWD
Mitsubishi Pajero Sport GLX
Kia Carnival S 3.5 V6
On-road price (est.)
$47,314.00
On-road price (est.)
$54,494.00
On-road price (est.)
$52,121.00
ANCAP safety rating
ANCAP safety rating
Not rated**
ANCAP safety rating
STANDING COSTS per month
STANDING COSTS per month
Registration, insurance & CTP
$187.49
Loan repayments
$936.66
RUNNING COSTS per month
STANDING COSTS per month
Registration, insurance & CTP
$189.95
Loan repayments
$1078.81
RUNNING COSTS per month
Registration, insurance & CTP
$207.39
Loan repayments
$1031.82
RUNNING COSTS per month
Fuel
$163.52
Fuel
$202.90
Fuel
$215.04
Servicing
$64.81
Servicing
$51.92
Servicing
$47.10
Tyres
$15.67
Tyres
$21.00
Tyres
$23.67
TOTAL COST per month
$1368.16
TOTAL COST per month
$1544.58
TOTAL COST per month
$1525.02
TOTAL COST per week
$315.73
TOTAL COST per week
$356.44
TOTAL COST per week
$351.93
ANNUAL COST
$16,417.93
ANNUAL COST
$18,534.91
Cheapest 4WD ute
Isuzu D-Max SX Dual Cab 1.9l Diesel
GWM Cannon L Dual Cab 2.0l Diesel
On-road price (est.)
$46,399.00
On-road price (est.)
$42,490.00
ANCAP safety rating
ANCAP safety rating
For a full list of vehicles, scan the QR code with the camera on your mobile phone, or visit rac.com.au/runningcosts
STANDING COSTS per month
Registration, insurance & CTP
$186.70
Loan repayments
$918.55
RUNNING COSTS per month
Registration, insurance & CTP
$193.72
Loan repayments
$841.15
RUNNING COSTS per month
Fuel
$169.93
Fuel
$238.41
Servicing
$41.90
Servicing
$49.67
Tyres
$21.00
Tyres
$21.00
TOTAL COST per month
$1338.08
TOTAL COST per month
$1343.94
TOTAL COST per week
$308.79
TOTAL COST per week
$310.14
ANNUAL COST
$18,300.28
FIND OUT MORE
Cheapest 2WD ute
STANDING COSTS per month
ANNUAL COST
$16,056.90
ANNUAL COST
$16,127.33
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*Based on tests of model range Jul 2017 – Aug 2023 **Not currently rated as of Dec 2022
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Our State, People+Future
One week with an electric vehicle In July 2023, we wrapped up our first EV for a Week trial. Over the course of seven months, we gave 50 RAC members a Polestar 2 electric vehicle (EV) to take home for one week. Some members kept the Polestar for two weeks over school holiday periods to allow for holiday travel. We partnered with local EV car share service, Mojo Car Share, who provided the vehicles. Participants were selected from RAC’s online Opinion Panel, including regional members, representing a range of ages and life stages, from young parents to retirees and with varying attitudes towards EVs. Participants kept a diary of their experiences and completed a pre- and post-trial survey. From the time each member picked up their EV to the time they returned it, many participants’ attitudes to EVs had shifted. Some who were previously unsure of EVs had become advocates, but others also became sceptics. Overall, the positive sentiment towards EVs grew, with the number of EV advocates growing from 34 per cent to 68 per cent. The EV for a Week trial has provided us with valuable insights into attitudes towards EVs and has helped us identify pain points which will inform how we can further support our members in their transition to EVs. Here’s more of what we found out during the trial:
Top 5 likes
Attitudes
> Quiet/No noise
By the end of the trial, 74 per cent of participants had changed their views on EVs for the better.
> Smooth comfortable ride > Responsive acceleration
Members aged 65+ were more likely to remain cautious or sceptical about EVs, largely due to the use of smartphone apps to access the car and charge it.
> Easy to operate > No fumes/smell
Behaviour Participants’ views about the process of charging an EV saw a positive shift.
Views on the safety of EVs:
84% 98% Pre-trial
Post-trial
Confidence in driving an EV:
78% 100% Pre-trial
Post-trial
Ease of using a public charging station:
40% Pre-trial
69% Post-trial
Ease of charging an EV at home:
50% Pre-trial
85% Post-trial
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Challenges When asked about any challenges or frustrations, the number one response was the limited availability of public chargers. Despite learning more about EVs, consideration towards buying one for the time being declined slightly during the trial, with most wanting to wait until public charging infrastructure increased in WA. (While public charging stations enable longer journeys, most EV owners do manage their charging needs at home). Would you consider buying an EV?:
84% 78% Pre-trial
Post-trial
Our State, People+Future
From the EV diaries “Getting the chance to drive the car over a number of days and occasionally going back to my own (car) in between gave me the chance to really get a feel for the Polestar 2, and EVs in general. Public charging was not easily accessible in the outer northern suburbs. What I liked about charging the EV at home was knowing that I could charge without having to go out (to a public charger).” Rebecca, Butler “It was great to experience driving and living with an EV. I had little knowledge of them prior and was slightly sceptical, so this was great exposure for me. In terms of the experience, the EV was much easier to use than I originally thought. If I could improve a few things, I’d say longer range, a 4WD option and more public chargers available would make EVs more attractive to buy.” Ben, Wembley “I think I enjoyed the ease of transitioning my day-to-day routine to incorporate the charging of the car. It wasn’t hard to do and, if anything, it encouraged me to keep up effective time management. Alongside that, chatting to people at the charge stations while waiting for the car to charge, it was lovely to hear about their stories with their EVs and how it’s not that unattainable to own an electric car.” Brittany, Wanneroo “Very easy to drive, smoother and more powerful than similar class conventional vehicles. Installing more fast chargers (15 minutes instead of 4 hours at typical charging stations) would be very attractive for EV users, particularly in remote tourist areas. Planning a long-distance journey with little knowledge of where the charging stations are along the way is a very challenging task.” Swee, Atwell
READ MORE FROM OUR EV DIARIES To read more of the diaries from our trial participants and to stay up to date with the next phase of our EV trial, visit rac.com.au/EVtrial or scan the QR code with your mobile phone’s camera.
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Car+Motoring
Why are we 'supersizing' our cars? IT USED TO BE SAID THAT AUSTRALIANS LOVED THEIR HOLDEN CARS, BUT TODAY YOU CAN’T PRISE THEM OUT OF THEIR HILUX UTES. By Ruth Callaghan
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Car+Motoring
The steady shift from sedans and hatchbacks to bigger, bulkier rides has seen Australian roads fill with vehicles that look more at home on a building site or scaling a ravine than they do on the school run. For every 15 light vehicles sold in 2022, one was a Toyota HiLux, while the second-most popular vehicle, the Ford Ranger, was not far behind. In fact, the traditional ‘passenger’ car segment now represents just one-fifth of new vehicles sold in Australia — only 203,000 out of just over a million light vehicles sold in 2022. To put the decline in context, three times that number of passenger vehicles was sold in 2010. In place of sedans and hatchbacks, SUVs now make up more than half of sales, with 574,000 sold in 2022, while ute sales numbered 228,000. “Preferences have changed and the average family car is now much bigger than it was 30, 40 or 50 years ago,” says RAC Vehicles and Fuels manager Alex Forrest. “Nowadays, light commercial vehicles are far more appealing as family vehicles than they were decades ago because they are far more comfortable and better to drive than they were previously, and have as many features as conventional passenger cars. “Importantly, the safety credentials of light commercials have also caught up – 15 years ago, there was a big gap between the safety ratings of light commercial vehicles and those of passenger cars, but not anymore.” But as the world prepares for a low carbon future and a reduction in our reliance on fossil fuels, there is new pressure to stop supersizing our cars. There have been calls to ban SUV advertising to curb soaring sales, end tax incentives that support the purchase of dual-cab utes, and introduce changes to road charges to discourage their use.
Big cars are getting bigger Like clothing sizes, the average vehicle’s girth has ballooned over time. A 1978 Holden Commodore had a width 27
of about 1722mm and a height of 1371mm. That is both narrower and shorter than a modern Volkswagen Golf. The RAV4, considered one of the first SUV cross-over models, was about 15cm narrower and half a tonne lighter when launched in the 1990s compared to the latest models being driven today. Even within brands, size is seen as a premium option. A base model Toyota HiLux has a width of 1855mm, but at the top of the range, the HiLux Rogue is another 16.5cm wide and is about 140kg heavier. The latest Ford Ranger grows from 1918mm to 2028mm for higher-spec models. The $160,000 US-made RAM 2500 Laramie Crew Cab can be as much as 2600mm wide with mirrors extended, dominating any lane. Vehicle size isn’t just a matter of width, however, and Australian buyers continue to flock to vehicles that are longer, higher and heavier. A Hyundai i30 hatchback is only 5mm slimmer than a HiLux but has a very different presence on the road. Meanwhile the Tesla Model Y — one of the fastestselling cars in the country — is a medium SUV that, thanks to its battery, is heavier than a Mitsubishi Triton.
Safety remains a challenge From the perspective of drivers of big vehicles, the extra size and scale of an SUV or dual-cab ute can mean it is easier to move around goods, dogs or kids, while the height can provide a greater sense of safety. But RAC’s Alex Forrest warns that feeling of confidence can be misplaced. “A large vehicle is always going to fare better than a small vehicle in a crash just because of its mass but that can also create a false sense of security,” he says. “I can be in a different car each week in my role and without a doubt, people give way to you more often if you're in a large vehicle. They tend to get out of your way when you're coming down the road.
Car+Motoring
ABOVE: The Toyota HiLux Rogue is 16.5cm wider and is about 140kg heavier than the base model HiLux; INSET: A 1978 Holden Commodore; RIGHT: The latest Ford Ranger grows from 1918mm to 2028mm for higher-spec models.
“But if you’re driving a small vehicle, large vehicle drivers unfortunately sometimes expect you to be able to stop or be more nimble.”
Other road users face greater risks
While the safety features of SUVs and utes have improved significantly, Forrest says their higher centre of gravity can put the vehicles at greater risk of rolling over in a crash.
MUARC researchers not only examine the crash safety of vehicles but also give them a score based on what is known as aggressivity: the risk that a particular vehicle will cause death or serious injury to other road users in the event of a crash.
A recent study conducted by the Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) looked at more than 4700 rollover crashes in Australia, of which 3000 were described as high-riding vehicles. The risk of rollover in SUVs not fitted with electronic stability control was twice as high when compared to other cars. On top of that, drivers in SUVs that rolled over were far more likely to be killed or seriously injured. “People feel safer when they’re a little bit higher off the ground because they can see further, but it makes those vehicles more unstable, especially if they’re carrying extra weight up high, such as with a roof tent,” Forrest says.
For other road users, large and high-riding vehicles pose a much greater threat.
“The main problem that we're seeing in terms of the fleet dynamic at the moment is the trend of commercial vehicles being used as family cars,” says MUARC Associate Professor (Research) Stuart Newstead. “Aggressivity is problematic for commercial vehicles, for four-wheel drive utes in general, but also for passenger vans and bigger SUVs that are really designed to be off-road, like a Nissan Patrol, Toyota Landcruiser or Prado. “These three types of vehicles are very much more likely than others to cause deaths and serious injuries to other people.”
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In a crash, the geometry of utes, vans and SUVs means the collision can avoid the crash structures of the other vehicle which are designed to absorb energy. This can mean greater damage to the secondary vehicle and an increased risk of death or serious injury to occupants of the other car. For crashes involving cyclists or pedestrians, the high front of the vehicle is particularly dangerous, but Dr Newstead says these vehicles also tend to have limited visibility. “For an unprotected road user, that means they're likely to go under the front of the vehicle rather than over the bonnet and that's a much less favourable crash dynamic,” Dr Newstead says. “The reduced visibility behind and at the sides of the vehicle can be really problematic for cyclists. And for children, we find a very high proportion of backover crashes in driveways involving these sorts of vehicles. “You can have all the sensors, but you can’t really guarantee that you can see and be aware of everything around you.”
Car+Motoring
ABOVE: High-riding vehicles can impede the sight lines of those in smaller cars; LEFT: Car buyers should weigh up all the pros and cons when choosing a vehicle that best suits their needs.
Fuel costs and emissions continue to grow While interest in SUVs and utes continues to surge, so does the cost of refuelling vehicles. Think tank The Australia Institute was pulling no punches earlier this year when it declared, “Australians buy big, dumb cars and that means we spend a lot more on fuel than we should.” Our vehicle choice is skewed towards heavier vehicles than we need, the report said, and a lack of fuel efficiency in those vehicles meant both increased costs at the bowser and far higher greenhouse gas emissions. The top 10 selling cars in the UK use 24 per cent less fuel per kilometre than the top 10 selling cars in Australia, the report found. Matching that efficiency would save car and SUV owners $9 billion a year in fuel costs, cut $4 billion a year off the petrol and diesel bill for light commercial vehicle and ute owners, and reduce Australia’s total transport emissions by 17 per cent.
Other groups are also mobilising against what they see as lane-hogging, parking space-filling behemoths. The Grattan Institute has proposed measures that would disincentivise ownership of big vehicles. The think tank argues that “larger vehicles cause more congestion than smaller cars. They not only occupy more space, but also induce other drivers to slow down, partly because they impede the sight lines of those in smaller cars.” To counter this, it wants planners to consider narrow lanes that could be reserved for micro and light vehicles, and additional smaller parking bays that could be reserved for compact cars. Internationally, these moves are already taking place. France has announced that from 2024, SUV owners will need to pay more for parking bays in Paris. In the UK, there have been warnings that the rise of so-called ‘autobesity’ could lead to older car parks collapsing under the weight of too many big cars.
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Even the boss of Citroen has warned that the days of big cars are numbered, based on the impact that their size and weight has on efficiency, which will become more of an issue as vehicle makers switch to EVs. RAC’s Alex Forrest says the rise of electrification may well have a dampening effect on the dual-cab and SUV market, but he doesn’t expect Australians to downsize any time soon. “There are huge benefits with smaller vehicles — they are much cheaper to run, easier to park and some might say they are more fun to drive as well,” he says. “There is less impact on the environment in the manufacturing process and if you have a small EV, you are dealing with a battery that is half the size, which means extracting fewer rare earths. But not everyone wants a small car and not everyone is looking at the broader benefits. “These are just things everyone needs to weigh up when they are choosing the vehicle that is right for them.”
Travel+Touring
Sandy summer breaks close to Perth THE BEACHSIDE ESCAPE WITH SECLUDED BAYS, TURQUOISE WATERS AND ENDLESS OUTDOOR ADVENTURE THAT YOU WON’T NEED AN EPIC ROAD TRIP TO REACH.
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kymillman.com/ Tourism Western Australia
By John Bormolini
Travel+Touring
DGLimages / Alamy Stock Photo
LEFT: The Lancelin coastline is an aquatic playground; BELOW: Paddle or swim in the calm Moore River or hop across to the pristine beach.
The tradition of a summer getaway by the beach, not too far from Perth, still holds great appeal for many families. It’s the stuff of enduring memories centred around warm days, outdoor pursuits and plenty of active fun, and it’s as popular now as it was with past generations. We’re very lucky to have vast expanses of easily accessible, unspoilt coastline both north and south of the metropolitan area, with a variety of spots dotted along it that are perfect for summer breaks without a long drive from Perth. The northern stretch from Moore River through to Green Head has a lot of options to contemplate, with a number of beachfront towns that offer goodvalue summer escapes and beaches that remind you how very special the west coast really is.
Guilderton/Moore River 1hr 15min (93km) In 1931, forty silver guilder coins from the 17th century were discovered in the sandhills near the mouth of Moore River. The small holiday settlement that developed there was eventually named Guilderton, although the spot has always been more commonly referred to as Moore River. Guilderton is just 93km from the city via the Mitchell Freeway north and Wanneroo Road to Indian Ocean Drive. It’s an easy
day trip where you can choose between spending time exploring the calm reaches of the river or head to the beach for a swim in the pristine waters. A cruise can also take you to the upper reaches of the river. Camping here for a few days provides the opportunity to hire a dinghy and fish for black bream or four-wheel drive north of the river mouth, to the Three Mile Reef in search of a late afternoon or early morning tailor or mulloway. This brief stretch of flat reef can become more exposed after strong winter storms, and in summer you’ll find some deeper gutters to fish. If the weather looks to be cooler, pack the golf clubs – Guilderton’s wellmaintained nine-hole golf course is an added attraction. The Visitor Centre will provide useful information on the general surrounds. Services are limited but the proximity to Perth does make it easier to resupply on longer stays.
Seabird 1hr 18min (99km) This small beachside settlement lies just a little further north of Moore River. 31
Originally a scattering of crayfishing shacks, Seabird is now a stretch of neat holiday and retirement homes right on the beach. The small caravan park and a tavern complement this peaceful seaside spot, which is the perfect location if quiet and undisturbed is what you’re after. For a meal with a view, head to the Seabird Tavern.
Ledge Point 1hr 45min (147km) Ledge Point is the next in this series of small coastal towns. A range of accommodation is on offer in this quaint coastal getaway, with a general store covering the basics. The cray boats moored close inshore over the warmer months highlight that Ledge helps serve as a base for fishing as well as holidaying families. This part of the coast is popular with anglers equipped with a four-wheel drive. Expect to hook herring, tailor, whiting and mulloway, especially south of the township. Ledge is also famous for the Ocean Classic, a world-class annual windsurfing race that starts from the main beach in front of the town and finishes at Lancelin, some 10km north. These days kite surfing is equally as popular given the summer morning easterlies and afternoon sea breeze.
Travel+Touring Lancelin
Cervantes
1hr 50min (155km)
2hr 20min (197km)
Lancelin’s enormous sand dunes are one of its biggest drawcards. They have become a focal point in this region and there are a number of ways to explore the striking snow-white peaks.
At Cervantes, the pristine white sandy beaches stretch on. Cervantes is the town closest to the Pinnacles Desert and Nambung National Park and makes a great base to explore the park. Even if you’ve been before, a visit to the Pinnacles Discovery Centre and a drive around the intriguing limestone formations is always worth a trip and the photos.
Those with a four-wheel drive can get some practise handling their vehicle in some serious sand. Quad bikes are also available for hire, or you can leave the driving to someone else and ride the dunes on an off-road bus - Lancelin 4WD Sand Dune Adventures can take you into the heart of the dunes in comfort. But for simple family fun, nothing beats sandboarding down the face of a tall dune. It’s WA’s version of snowboarding. If you don’t have your own, sandboards are available for hire in town. At the beach, surfboards and paddle boards can also be hired. If you’re bringing a small boat or dinghy with you, launching on the beach will give you access to Lancelin Island, which lies just offshore. It’s an ideal spot to enjoy the sun out of the breeze on the protected eastern side of the island. The rest of the island is an A-class reserve and is restricted. Snorkelling between the island and the mainland or tackling some of the area’s dive trails is an added attraction.
In this renowned crayfishing town the Lobster Shack is another local icon. Open for lunch seven days a week, you can also take a tour behind the scenes at this working lobster processing centre. If you’d prefer to catch your own lunch, head to the beach and throw in a line. The tailor fishing around Cervantes is particularly reliable. Just south of Cervantes, Kangaroo Point and Hangover Bay are great spots for swimming and a beach picnic, with barbeques and beach shelters at both. If you have a four-wheel drive and are keen to do some off-roading, an interesting day trip to consider is from Cervantes to Jurien Bay via the beach and sand tracks. Overall, the trip is 25km, or more if you need to deviate. The main attraction is Hill River and its landlocked estuary, about halfway along the journey.
After lowering your tyre pressure, start from Beach Road and head north on the beach for about 100m then drive up onto the sand track behind the dunes. The track will at times get very narrow (barely a car width) and the sand can be very soft, especially around any dune climb. In summer it’s not too difficult but as always, it’s best done with two vehicles or more. Avoid the area if there’s been a lot of recent rain – the tracks beside the estuary can be knee deep or more with water. The general area is a great spot to fish or kayak for a few hours but note that camping is absolutely not permitted.
Jurien Bay 2hr 35min (220km) Jurien Bay is one of the bigger towns along the Mid West coast. It often serves as a longer-stay location for metro holiday makers, especially if travellers are seeking a wider range of amenities, such as shops to stock up on supplies, along with cafes and restaurants. Its coast forms the Jurien Bay Marine Park, a long stretch of protected coastline from Green Head all the way down to Wedge Island. Within it are a number of sanctuary zones that visitors should make themselves aware of before exploring or fishing. Boat charters are available out to the
Australia’s Coral Coast
Australia’s Coral Coast
Tourism Western Australia
LEFT: The turquoise waters are teaming with marine life; BOTTOM LEFT: Stockyard Gully cave; BELOW: Hangover Bay is a great spot for swimming and a beach picnic.
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Australia’s Coral Coast
John Bormolini
islands to snorkel and swim with the region’s Australian sea lion population. Their curious and playful nature makes for some entertaining interactions while you enjoy time in the water. Other charters operating out of the marina encompass full-day boat fishing or morning rock lobster expeditions. If you’re bringing bicycles, there’s a 14km sealed bike trail from the town down to the mouth of the Hill River which provides a bit of a scenic challenge. Adrenaline junkies are catered for too, with Skydive Jurien Bay giving you the chance to test your nerve and admire the coastal views from 14,000ft.
Sandy Cape Recreation Park 2hr 50min (236km) For a more off-grid camping holiday by the beach, push further up the coast to Sandy Cape Recreation Park. Around 11km north of Jurien Bay, this once secluded west coast hideaway has grown and now has defined campsites, toilet facilities and even public barbeques. Some of the older sites have some great shady trees to camp by, which is a bonus in summer. The bay and beaches here are some of this coast’s most picturesque. In the southern corner, exposed reef ledges
TOP LEFT: Adrenaline junkies can admire the coastal views with a skydive in Jurien Bay; LEFT: Set up camp at Sandy Cape Recreation Park; ABOVE: Birdseye view of the Green Head coastline.
provide interesting spots to snorkel, and the high sand dune nearby will occupy junior explorers even further.
JWyld
Tourism Western Australia
Travel+Touring
Green Head 2hr 55min (250km) The opening of Indian Ocean Drive some years ago made many of the hidden gems along this stretch of coast much more accessible. Green Head is one such place. This sleepy little seaside retreat does the laidback beach vibe very well. Not far from town, Dynamite Bay is a small, almost perfect circle of rocky coast that is protected from the wind, so it’s a great beach for swimming and snorkelling. The southern bay is more windswept but the stretches of flat, hard sandy bays north of town are superb spots to explore on a day trip. Temperature permitting, consider a separate trip inland to the Stockyard Gully caves and Lake Indoon. The caves are about 33km from Green Head and a place of considerable interest but note that four-wheel drive is required (lower AWDs and SUVs are not recommended). The walk trail loop is 1.5km but the actual tunnel section of the cave is around 250m. The middle of the cave is dark, so a torch is handy. 33
STAY AT RAC CERVANTES HOLIDAY PARK Located on the Cervantes beachfront, RAC Cervantes Holiday Park offers accommodation ranging from villas to powered and unpowered caravan and camping sites, with modern facilities including a heated pool, on-site café and nature playground. The camp and caravan sites are also petfriendly so the whole family can stay. Plus, members enjoy exclusive rates.
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Enjoy Double Dip Discounts across our Holiday Parks and Resorts RAC members save up to 20% off the member rate in Broome, Exmouth and Monkey Mia, so you can enjoy the best of WA's north this Summer. Book now and finally go on the trip you've been longing for.
Call 1800 871 570 or visit parksandresorts.rac.com.au/special-offers T&Cs apply, subject to availability. On sale until 20/03/2024. Cancellations at any time will result in the forfeiture of your prepaid one night deposit. Changes are not permitted at any time. See website for full terms and conditions.
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20
News and info for WA travellers
WA travel brief
NINGALOO REEF RESORT CLOSED Ningaloo Reef Resort has now closed to make way for a major redevelopment that will transform this much-loved WA destination. Current plans will see the existing resort demolished early in 2024, with construction expected to take approximately 24 months. For more information on the development, please visit racparksandresorts.com.au
DINE UNDER THE STARS IN THE SOUTHERN FORESTS Brendan Owens, Executive Chef at Rockpool Bar and Grill Perth, will be co-hosting an exclusive gala dinner at Ampersand Estates in the Pemberton wine region in March 2023.
Try a houseboat holiday this summer
The five-course degustation dinner will showcase fresh produce from WA’s Southern Forests region along with the Estate’s new release wines. Guests will enjoy the first course in Ampersand’s vintage barn, finishing with a long table dinner under the stars overlooking the Donnelly River and Easter National Park. Ampersand Estates’ Midsummer Soiree is on Saturday 2 March 2024. Tickets include the five-course dinner, drinks and transport.
Instead of a road trip this holiday season, consider a boat trip.
You can book a ticket package, which includes accommodation at RAC Karri Valley Resort and transfers directly to Ampersand Estates.
Mandurah Houseboats have a range of houseboats for hire that sleep from four to 10 people, with fully equipped kitchens, outdoor barbeques, and bathrooms with hot showers.
To find out more and to book, visit soiree24.eventbrite.com.au
You skipper your own boat with no skipper’s ticket needed. The houseboats are easy to operate and navigate, with a GPS system that guides you, and full instructions provided before you set off. Go fishing or crabbing and catch your own fresh dinner, or pull up at a mooring, lock up your boat and have a meal in Mandurah or somewhere along the Murray River.
Shot By Thom
It’s a great way to explore the waterways of the Peel Inlet and Murray River region, enjoying the scenery changing all around you as you travel. To find out more, visit houseboatsmandurah.com.au
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Travel+Touring
Karijini the way you’ve never seen it before Karijini National Park receives many thousands of visitors each year but very few get to venture deep into its canyons and gorges. Spacechameleon Adventure Co are Karijini canyoning specialists and are the only operators that run restricted canyon tours within the park. In addition to their single and multiday tours, Spacechameleon also offer themed adventures, including the Yoga Canyoning Adventure, the Karijini Painting and Canyoning trip or the Karijini Photography Adventure.
On each tour, you’ll be guided by fully qualified instructors with your safety their biggest priority. Previous canyoning experience isn’t necessary, but you will need to have a reasonable level of fitness. Multi-day trips include accommodation in deluxe eco-tents so you can treat yourself after each adrenaline-filled day. Meals and transfers to and from the park are also included. To find out more, visit spacechameleon.com.au
INSPIRING ART IN ESPERANCE Stroll along the Esperance waterfront and you’ll no doubt catch sight of the giant Whale Tail. This spectacular jarrah, glass and steel sculpture was codesigned by local glass artist Cindy Poole.
Today, as well as exploring her Esperance gallery, you can also go behind the scenes to see how it all comes together and also make your own glass piece to take home. The gallery offers a number of interactive tours that take you through the process of creating kiln-fired glass art, from handcrafting new pieces, to recycling waste glass into new forms. If you’re planning a visit to Esperance this summer and are interested in taking a tour of Cindy’s gallery and studio workshop, visit cindypoole.com.au for more details.
Base Imagery
Cindy has been creating glass works, including jewellery and home décor, inspired by the Esperance region for more than 30 years.
A UNIQUE NINGALOO WILDERNESS EXPERIENCE From April 2024, a new adventure experience will be on offer along the Ningaloo coast. Local tour operators Exmouth Adventure Co and Trek Ningaloo have joined forces to create the Ningaloo Odyssey – a four-day tour that will take you off-the-beaten-track in this incredible region. It begins with a two-day guided overland trek exploring the upper reaches of Yardie Creek before camping overnight high in Cape Range National Park, overlooking spectacular Ningaloo Reef. The trek continues the following day across the Cape Range coastal plain. From there you’ll transition to kayaks for two days of paddling through sheltered turquoise lagoons, experiencing world-class snorkelling and secluded overnight beach camping. To find out more and to book, contact exmouthadventureco.com.au
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AUSTRALIA by Train 2024 SELLING FAST
SOUTHERN EXPLORER
TERRITORY ESCAPE
Indian Pacific Perth to Sydney & Crown Princess® Sydney to Fremantle
The Ghan Expedition Darwin to Adelaide
DARWIN 3 LITCHFIELD
KATHERINE
ULURU
ALICE SPRINGS
3 THE GHAN EXPEDITION
3 INDIAN PACIFIC
MANGURI
COOK
RAWLINNA
COOBER PEDY
KALGOORLIE
PERTH MARGARET RIVER ALBANY
ADELAIDE
BLUE MOUNTAINS
ADELAIDE
3 SYDNEY
MELBOURNE
11 CROWN PRINCESS HOBART
This rich and rewarding journey through the major ports, inland landmarks and pristine islands off the southern coast is the perfect snapshot of the best of Australia. Across 18 magical days you’ll travel from Perth to Sydney and back again in absolute style, taking in a huge variety of amazing experiences both on land and water.
Unwind during your stay at magical Mindil Beach and discover why Top End sunsets are so special. Explore spectacular Litchfield National Park, learning its ancient and geological history. Then, step aboard The Ghan Expedition in Darwin to experience the wonders of Katherine, Alice Springs and Coober Pedy on your way to Adelaide.
Highlights & Inclusions
Highlights & Inclusions
• 4 Days aboard the Indian Pacific, Perth to Sydney, including all meals, beverages and Off Train Experiences in Kalgoorlie, Rawlinna, Cook, Adelaide and the Blue Mountains • Transfer from Sydney Central Station to Hotel • 3 nights’ accommodation in Sydney, including breakfast daily • Sydney Harbour Dinner Cruise • Transfer from Hotel to Cruise Terminal • 11 days Southern Explorer from Sydney to Fremantle onboard Crown Princess ® cruise ship including all main meals
• 3 nights’ accommodation at Mindil Beach Casino Resort including breakfast daily • $150 resort credit to use towards food and beverages or spa treatments at Mindil Beach Casino Resort • Full day Litchfield National Park Waterfalls tour, including lunch • Transfer from hotel to Darwin Rail Terminal • 4 Days aboard The Ghan Expedition, Darwin to Adelaide, including all meals, beverages and Off Train Experiences in Katherine, Alice Springs and Coober Pedy
18 Days
From
$7,395*pp
For Travel: 20 October 2024
MEMBERS SAVE
7 Days
From
$5,460*pp
For Travel: April - August 2024
MEMBERS SAVE
*Prices are per person, twin share based on the Gold Twin Cabin on the Everyday Holiday Fare. RAC Members receive a 5% discount on $7,395 (Southern Explorer) or on $5,460 (Territory Escape) 25% deposit due at time of booking with full payment due at 45 days from departure date. Full cancellation fees apply if booking is cancelled within 45 days of departure date. Tours are subject to availability. ~A valid passport or government-issued photo identification is required to travel onboard Crown Princess®. ^Shore Excursions have fees applied. Prices correct as at 25 October 2023. Visit https://www.journeybeyondrail.com.au/ for full terms and conditions.
All-inclusive Small Group 4WD Adventures
Don’t wait for someday Book your 2024 adventure to day. Arnhem Land Wilderness Adventure 1
Leichhardt’s Savannah Expedition 1
No. of nights
No. of nights
Start point
End point
Start point End point Seven Spirit Bay Barramundi 3 Nhulunbuy Lodge (Gove) 2 2 2 Mount 1 2 Darwin Borradaile Murwangi Fly from Safari Camp Cairns
13 Days
Cairns - Darwin
Darwin 1
May - Sep 2024
Small group (22)
Katherine 2 Pungalina Lorella 3 Sanctuary Cairns Springs 2 Karumba 1 2 2 Hell’s Gate 1 Roadhouse Undara
15 Days
Cairns - Darwin & v.v
Apr - Sep 2024
Small group (22)
Highlights & Inclusions
Highlights & Inclusions
• Arrival flight from Cairns to Nhulunbuy and departure flight from Seven Spirit Bay to Darwin
• All accommodation, meals and beverages for the duration of the tour
• All accommodation, meals and beverages for the duration of the tour
• Travel along the remote Savannah Way
• Travel aboard a custom 4WD Mercedes-Benz with a Tour Driver/Guide • Enjoy a special Welcome to Country in Nhulunbuy
• Experience the Southern ‘Lost City’ in Limmen National Park with a heli-flight and guided ground tour
• Enjoy authentic cultural activities with local guides
• Guided tour through the lava tubes at Undara Volcanic National Park
• Discover the Arafura Swamp by boat and open-back 4WD
• Cruise along the Gulf of Carpentaria at sunset while enjoying dinner
• Explore the pristine waters of Cobourg Marine Park Sanctuary
• Travel through the Atherton Tablelands and visit Millaa Millaa Falls
• Travel aboard a custom 4WD Mercedes-Benz with a 2-person crew
$500 DEPOSIT - Limited Time Only
$500 DEPOSIT * - Limited Time Only
*
13 days from $11,795 * pp
$5,400 * pc
15 days from $11,410 * pp
$1,890 * pc
*For Arnhem Land Wilderness Adventure, prices are per person, twin share, based on the Everyday Fare in Low season when booked between 20/11/2023-29/02/2024 for travel between 02-20 September 2024. For Leichardt’s Savannah Expedition, prices are per person, twin share based on the Everyday Fare in Shoulder season when booked between 20/11/2023-29/02/2024 for travel between 26-29 April 2024 and also between 09-23 September 2024. $500pp deposit due at time of booking. If departure date is within 100 days full payment is due within 7 days. Full cancellation fees applied if booking is cancelled within 100 days of tour departure. Tours are subject to availability. Visit outbackspirittours.com.au for full terms and conditions.
Travel+Touring
What’s new in Broome for season 2024 ELEVEN REASONS TO PUT BROOME ON YOUR HOLIDAY RADAR FOR THE YEAR AHEAD By Fleur Bainger
There is so much more to this unique WA destination than camel trains and Cable Beach. With a raft of new activities and experiences redefining the holiday town, there are now even more ways to experience ‘Broome-time’, and new opportunities to explore beyond Broome while you’re there.
lager to military veterans’ mental health support, promotes sustainability by feeding the brewery’s spent grain to the Red Sun Camels that lope past it each day and will run apprenticeships for Aboriginal hospitality students. spinifexbrewery.com.au
Here are just a few reasons to consider chasing the sun in Broome for the 2024 season.
Laying crab pots in milky creeks is no longer only for the locals. Broome Tours recently began running a mud crabbing cruise, sailing across Roebuck Bay to a mangrove forest woven with tidal streams.
In Broome Spinifex Cable Beach brewery This summer, Cable Beach will have a whole new look. Beyond the blonde sand, turquoise water and lines of camel hoofprints, Spinifex Brewery will be the newest attraction on this iconic stretch of sand. The Aboriginal co-owned business started as a pop-up in Zookeepers restaurant. Its purposely low-alcohol craft brews infused with native produce, have proven to be a huge hit – so much so that the brewery’s owners decided to open a standalone space. The 4500sqm brew pub fits up to 600 people and was supported by a nearly $2M WA Government grant. The venue is deliberately family-friendly as CEO and veteran Adam Barnard says Broome has been missing such a spot. It combines a playground, sandpit and a schedule of kids’ activities. The business has a strong social conscience: it donates 50 per cent of profits from its F88
Mud crabbing cruise
To explore the shallow creek system, mud crab fans pile into a tinny, which holds crab pots preloaded with raw meat baits. After a quick demo, everyone gets a turn casting a pot into the water before madly looping its anchoring rope around a tall mangrove. After returning to the 42ft catamaran for a rest on its deck beanbags, the dinghies zoom back to check the pots. Anticipation and excitement accompany every pot-pull, regardless of what’s found inside – chewed bait or a blue-grey crab. “Every time any of our friends come to Broome, they ask us to take them mud crabbing,” says 30-year-old skipper and co-owner Ryan O’Dea. “We did it all the time and they loved it. Then it snowballed into this cool tour idea.” The five-hour experience finishes with the haul being served up as fresh chilli crab on the cruise back to town. broometourswa.com.au 40
Travel+Touring
Tourism Western Australia
LEFT: Roebuck Bay; BELOW: Artist’s impression of Spinifex Brewery, Cable Beach; BOTTOM: The Broome Tours catamaran sets sail across Roebuck Bay on a mud crabbing cruise.
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Travel+Touring
Streeter’s Jetty restoration After a two-year closure, Broome’s historic pearl hauling jetty has been fully reconstructed and reopened in 2022. Streeter’s Jetty cuts through the mangrove-strewn tidal zone of Dampier Creek, a short walk from the iconic Sun Pictures open-air cinema. Originally built in 1886, it was serviced by a rail trolley that would courier pearl shells from pearl lugger boats to merchants and dealers, right up until 1948. Since then, it has provided pedestrian access to those keen to witness Broome’s extraordinary tides as they flow in and out, revealing the mud flats beneath. Its latest restoration marked the fifth time the jetty has been demolished and rebuilt. It’s hoped the new structure will remain in place for the next 50-70 years. With steel piles and a steel frame in place beneath timber decking, the landmark is again a great place to spot a variety of crabs and waterbirds.
Broome’s first corroboree
Cakewalk Media
It’s rare to be able to witness an Aboriginal corroboree, with the cultural ceremonies usually open only to Traditional Owners. In 2022, Mabu Buru Tours started holding Broome’s – or Rubibi’s – first and only public Aboriginal corroboree.
LEFT TO RIGHT: Wakaj Corroboree; the reconstructed Streeter’s Jetty; a South American feast at Papa Fuego restaurant; sunset cruise with Willie Cruises along Cable Beach.
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Travel+Touring
The Aboriginal-owned business is a social enterprise and some 50 per cent of its earnings are allocated to ceremonial practices and Mamid’s community, enabling self-determination. The bush event runs once a week at the Mabu Buru grounds, which lie 15km from Broome, beside the Malcolm Douglas Crocodile Park. broomeaboriginaltours.com.au
Secret South American restaurant A splash of colour lights up an otherwise sleepy street in Broome, with the arrival of South American restaurant, Papa Fuego. Tucked next to the Continental Hotel, bright yellow bricks and cobalt blue
Squid, chorizo, lamb rump and rib eye all get the wood-charred treatment – expect a cooked-through, South American style to the meat. Kingfish ceviche with leche de tigre, cured prawns with casava crisps, and fried provolone cheese with blackened capsicum are all menu highlights. papafuego.com.au
Behind-the-scenes art walk This might be the art walk for those who don’t usually ‘do’ art. There’s no evening exhibition loitering, multisyllable descriptors or black-on-black attire. This tour starts early to beat the heat, is casual and conversational and finishes with breakfast. Chris Maher of Salty Plum Social weaves his way through Broome’s historic heart, pointing out plus-sized public art works and unlikely pieces you’ve got to be in-the-know for. There are patterned streetlights harking to the era of Japanese pearl divers, sand-blasted concrete walls revealing Aboriginal designs, bench seating carved with riddles once used in illegal gambling games, and mosaic-
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Tourism Western Australia
The whole experience is called Wakaj, which roughly translates to “The coming together of family.” Tour guide, crocodile wrangler and Yawuru, Karrajarri, Nyul Nyul and Bardi man, Johani Mamid purposefully maintains his cultural heritage by sharing his family activities.
shutters mark the exterior, while the insides buzz with terracotta orange and leaf green walls. In Spanish, papá means father and fuego means fire, so it stands to reason that the kitchen is led by a sizzling flame grill.
Jillian McHugh Photography
The outdoor performance happens at sunset, as the day’s warmth fades and shadows lengthen. Young Pintirri dancers adorned with white body paint and feathers stamp their feet in the sand as boomerangs are clapped together. Stories are told between dances as billy tea is boiled and damper is baked on coals.
like pavement that’s actually a map of freshwater spots. “Everything in this precinct is related to Broome’s unique history,” says Maher, who also shares stories of Broome’s many characters – some of whom are represented in life-like sculptures. A bacon and egg sandwich at a local café completes the experience. saltyplumsocial.com.au
Cruise in a pearl lugger Few things relax you into the slower pace of ‘Broome time’ better than a sunset ocean cruise. After a major refit in 2019, the last operating (reproduction) pearl lugger in Australia now sails along Cable Beach each evening, as the sun paints the sky in strips of glowing red. It’s an impressive moment when the big white sails are raised. Guests are invited to pull the ropes, with adults hoisting the mainsail and kids tackling the front jib. There’s also a boom net that drags through the water on the schooner’s side, where guests take a ride. The wooden vessel was called Willie as a reference to the wind known as a willy willy. It was built by hand to fish for mother of pearl shell but these days, from April to October, its purpose is all about pleasure cruising. williecruises.com.au
Tourism Western Australia
Travel+Touring
ABOVE: Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm; RIGHT: Horizontal Falls.
Beyond Broome Safari tent style Staying overnight on the Dampier Peninsula no longer necessarily means pitching a tent or staying in an open-air cabin. Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm, near the tip of Cape Leveque, a 2.5hr drive north of Broome, launched 15 brand new glamping eco tents in 2022. The canvassided, hotel-standard abodes have real beds, air conditioning and kitchenettes, as well as ensuites. They are positioned in a wide circle, an easy two minutes’ walk from the working farm’s infinity pool and restaurant, both overlooking the beach flats revealed by the region’s giant tides. cygnetbaypearlfarm.com.au
Falls degustation cruise You no longer have to fly or take a multiday cruise to see the mighty Horizontal Falls, also known as Garaanngaddim. The twin cascades, which squeeze through narrow gaps in the McLarty Ranges and appear to froth on a flat surface, are hidden inside the remote Buccaneer Archipelago. Kimberley Day Cruises is now whisking people to this Kimberley hotspot on a day-trip expedition boat, leaving from
either Cygnet Bay (shaving four hours off the journey) or via bus transfer from Broome. The adventure isn’t rough and tumble either: you’re served a four-course breakfast followed by a seven-course degustation lunch, making this experience as much for foodies as wilderness lovers. kimberleydaycruise.com
Clawfoot bush baths After last summer’s once-in-a-century floods in the Fitzroy region, the Gibb River Road reopened with a number of novelties. Ellenbrae Station, some 230km west of Kununurra, has added a touch of outback glam, thanks to two clawfoot ‘bush’ baths housed in a rustic, corrugated iron shelter overlooking a secluded creek. The experience can be booked by the hour and you can ramp things up with a grazing platter. There’s also an extended sunset session with cheese and drinks for two – or the whole family can splash in. ellenbraestation.com.au/experiences
Helicopter flights to hidden destinations Nearly 240km east of Derby, in the Wunaamin Conservation Park, is the newly renovated and reopened Mount Hart Wilderness Lodge. The former cattle 44
station has recently added helicopter tours to its outback experience. There are six flights to choose from, exploring icons such as Bell Gorge or the Horizontal Falls, and the lesser-known Kimberley surprises such as the 90m-tall Twin Flame Falls or Isdell Valley. There’s even a highlights flight called The Golden Goose Tour which ticks off a cluster of gorges and falls that you’d never see otherwise. Flights range from 40min to 1hr 50min and promise to be unforgettable. mounthart.com.au
STAY AT RAC CABLE BEACH HOLIDAY PARK AND SAVE Book your Broome stay at RAC Cable Beach Holiday Park and enjoy exclusive member rates. Plus check out our specials offers page for the latest deals. Visit racparksandresorts.com.au
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Travel+Touring
Arnhem wonderland
Arnhem Land is one of the last remaining wilderness regions in Australia. Home to the world’s oldest continuous living culture for more than 60,000 years, its unspoilt beauty is rare. The region defined as Arnhem Land spreads across the Top End, from Kakadu National Park in the west to the Gulf of Carpentaria in the east. The Arafura Sea wets its northern shorelines while it extends as far south as the Roper River, occupying an area that’s twice the size of Switzerland but with a fraction of the population.
By Mark Daffey
The name Arnhem Land was derived from the Dutch ship De Arnhem, which sailed through the Arafura Sea during the early part of the 17th century. Long before then, seafaring Indonesians from the island of Sulawesi would sail with the winds to harvest sea cucumbers off its fractured coastline. Proclaimed as an Aboriginal reserve in 1931, in addition to being home to the oldest continuous living culture on Earth, it is also believed to contain the greatest diversity of languages in the world. East Arnhem Land is the birthplace of the didgeridoo. While in West Arnhem Land, caves and overhangs cradle an extensive collection of rock art galleries. Arnhem Land’s largely Indigenous inhabitants possess a strong desire for self-determination based on Aboriginal law. In the 1960s, its people instigated the native title movement by delivering a bark petition to parliament. It was the first formal attempt to have their land rights recognised.
Outback Spirit/ Cathy Finch
The land itself is a mix of savannah woodlands, waterlogged plains, rugged sandstone escarpments, barramundi-soaked river systems and splintered bays where wildlife, both native and introduced, flourishes. One-third of all bird species found in Australia populate this vast wilderness region where buffaloes, dingoes and crocodiles run amuck. There are two very different ways to experience its wonders: on an organised safari-style tour with some luxury inclusions, or under your own steam travelling independently. There are advantages to both – it just depends on the type of Top End adventure you’re looking for. 47
Travel+Touring
EAST ARNHEM LAND
Murwangi Safari Camp is the next stop, on the fringes of the Arafura Swamp. These sprawling wetlands, stretching to 1300 square kilometres, are teeming with wildlife. On a boat trip and four-wheel drive exploration of the area, you’ll see buffaloes, crocodiles, and striking water birds. It’s Australia’s version of Botswana’s Okavango Delta and your stay in a deluxe safari camp, complete with dining in the camp lodge, completes the safari feel. Your next stop is two nights at Barramundi Lodge, teetering on the rim of an escarpment overlooking the Tomkinson River floodplains. The lodge is one of Australia’s most famed fishing destinations and serves as the base for
Outback Spirit
The journey begins with two nights at the Walkabout Lodge in Nhulunbuy, Arnhem Land’s largest town, while you explore the Gove Peninsula – home of the Yolngu people.
ABOVE: Iwaidja Seven Spirit Bay Villa; RIGHT: Asiatic Water Buffalo in the wetlands at Murwangi Safari Camp.
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Mark Daffey
It’s only upon departure from the Gove Peninsula that you begin to appreciate the enormity of this wilderness region and why it remains highly coveted by its traditional owners. Many have turned away from living in larger towns, instead preferring to reside in smaller communities and outstations sprinkled throughout the land.
ABOVE: A Barramundi Lodge guest holds up her barramundi catch during a fishing tour on the Liverpool River; BELOW: Bungul Welcome Ceremony dancers on the Gove Peninsula’s Wirrwawuy Beach.
Outback Spirit
Outback Spirit is also the only licensed tour operator permitted to conduct overland tours across the top of Arnhem Land, offering all-inclusive small group four-wheel drive adventures. Their 13-day Arnhem Land Wilderness Adventure itinerary starts in Nhulunbuy on the Gove Peninsula in the east and follows an exclusive route across to Darwin. In that time, you’ll visit ancient rock art galleries and remote Aboriginal museums, go barramundi fishing and experience multiple wildlife safaris. Guest accommodation ranges from clean, comfortable lodges and safari-style ‘glamping’ tents to breezy ensuite cabins or luxury ‘habitat villas’, in the case of Seven Spirit Bay.
At nearby Shady Beach you can learn about local bush medicine and the healing properties of many plant species found in the area.
Mark Daffey
Logistical and bureaucratic considerations make independent travel a somewhat more difficult way to see Arnhem Land than an organised tour. One of the advantages of a tour with an accredited operator, such as Outback Spirit or Davidson’s Arnhem Land Safaris, is not having to worry about obtaining visitor permits, as they are part of your tour package.
One of the highlights here is the BukuLarrnggay Mulka art centre in Yirrkala. Many artists whose work is displayed here also have their works featured in galleries around the world.
Mark Daffey
Overland tours
Mark Daffey
Travel+Touring
LEFT: Outback Spirit’s Arnhem Land Wilderness Adventure; ABOVE: Buku-Larrnggay Mulka (Yirrkala Art Centre).
fishing excursions on the Liverpool River catchment area. And yes, barramundi is the prize catch here.
Independent travel
A boat trip to catch barramundi on the Liverpool and Tomkinson rivers is as much about catching fish as it is about experiencing the spectacular scenery.
Those keen to travel through the region independently must first obtain the appropriate permits from the Northern Land Council. Permits, which are free, will outline where you can and can’t go.
WEST ARNHEM LAND
Back on dry land, at the Maningrida Arts and Culture centre, you’ll be able to see how some of the region’s artists are interpreting their ancestral connections through contemporary works. While at the Djómi Museum – part of the Maningrida Arts precinct – the works of generations of renowned Indigenous artists are on show, in a collection of great cultural significance. The tour then moves into the stone country of West Arnhem Land. Ancient rock art depicting Dreamtime serpents, European tall ships and thylacines (Tasmanian tigers) are found among the overhangs and caves. A boat cruise on Cooper Creek is sure to reward you with sightings of crocodiles, jabirus and magpie geese. Accommodation is at Davidson’s Arnhem Land Safaris. The pamper levels go up a notch during the final three-night stay at the Seven Spirit Bay wilderness lodge. Scheduled fishing excursions, beach hikes and guided walks through Victoria Settlement are available, or you can just laze by the pool all day if you prefer. A six-course degustation dinner is a definite highlight on the last night. 49
EAST ARNHEM LAND
Independent travellers will need to be self-sufficient, carrying enough food, water and fuel for their return journey. Nhulunbuy, on the Gove Peninsula in East Arnhem Land, is the only place where supplies can be reliably restocked. Nhulunbuy is also its largest town, with a population of around 3500 people and Arnhem Land’s main airport. Visitor permits are often confined to sites within the Gove Peninsula. Daily flights connect the mostly unsealed Central Arnhem Road that joins the Stuart Highway just south of Katherine. Fourwheel drives are essential, and the road usually closes during the wet season, from November to April. Accommodation is available in or around Nhulunbuy. While there are designated campsites, caravans and camper trailers are not permitted. If you want to go a little upmarket, try Banubanu Beach Retreat, a resort on Bremer Island. Fishing charters and luxury cruises to the Wessel Islands operate out of Nhulunbuy, where attractions include the BukuLarrnggay Mulka Centre in Yirrkala, one of Australia’s premier Aboriginal art galleries.
When to go Visit during the Dry Season, from May to September. Monsoonal rains outside these months cause rivers to swell, with roads becoming impassable and communities isolated. Peak fishing months are typically March-April and October-November. Getting there Air North flies to the Arnhem Land towns of Nhulunbuy, Maningrida, Milingimbi, Elcho Island and Groote Eylandt from Darwin or Cairns. Air Frontier, Black Diamond Aviation, Chartair, Marthakal Air and Mission Aviation Fellowship all offer charter services to Arnhem Land destinations, while Outback Spirit provides guests flights on their own aircraft between Seven Spirit Bay and Darwin.
Mark Daffey
TOP: Mount Borradaile Aboriginal Rainbow Serpent rock art gallery; ABOVE: Mount Borradaile sandstone escarpment above the Cooper Creek.
WEST ARNHEM LAND
Cahills Crossing is the entry point to West Arnhem Land, close to the Aboriginal community of Gunbalanya (formerly Oenpelli) and 40km northeast of Jabiru in Kakadu National Park. The area around Gunbalanya is known as Stone Country due to the spectacular sandstone escarpment that rises from the surrounding floodplains. It’s the same escarpment that spills over into neighbouring Kakadu National Park across the East Alligator River, providing a natural canvas for the region’s ancient rock art. Travellers must drive through Gunbalanya to reach Davidson’s Arnhem Land Safaris at Mt Borradaile. Here you can tour rock art galleries spanning thousands of years, enjoy a sunset cruise on the wildlife-rich Cooper Creek and swim in a croc-free natural waterhole.
Further north is Garig Gunak Barlu National Park, which has a campsite at Smith Point. Keep an eye out for dolphins, dugongs and crocodiles enroute to Victoria Settlement, the site of a failed British colonial outpost shadowing the inlet’s western shoreline. Ruins at the settlement include the foundations for a hospital, armoury and officers’ quarters. Permits are required to visit any of the Aboriginal communities sprinkled throughout Arnhem Land. Most have airstrips and the largest are Maningrida and Ramingining. Both contain galleries selling local artworks, while Maningrida’s Djómi Museum contains one of the oldest community-owned art collections in Australia, with exhibits including bark canoes, ceremonial dress and musical instruments. Mark Daffey travelled courtesy of Outback Spirit.
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Touring Outback Spirit’s 13-day Arnhem Land Wilderness Adventure tours depart every two or three days between May and September. Flights from Cairns to Nhulunbuy and Seven Spirit Bay to Darwin are included, as well as all accommodation, permits, attraction fees, meals and beverages.
FIND OUT MORE To find out more about Outback Spirit’s 13-day Arnhem Land Wilderness Adventure, contact RAC’s travel team on 1300 655 179 or scan the QR code with your mobile phone’s camera.
Mark Daffey
Travel+Touring
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Our State, People+Future
Future moves DRAWING ON IMAGINATION Most car owners would be rather irate if a group of kids took to their vehicle with crayons and drew their carof-the-future ideas directly onto the paintwork. But the owner of the modern Mini pictured here is the Mini brand itself, which invited the kids to draw their visions on the car to explore their ideas about the future of mobility and help them build confidence in their creative abilities. The children expressed concern about the environment, with most saying they wanted their future car to help protect the planet. Among their imagined predictions were flying cars (nothing new there), electric shape-shifting vehicles that adapt to your every need and colour-changing vehicles that reflect your mood.
TYRE POLLUTION SOLUTION As your car tyres wear out, where do all those tiny rubber particles that wear off go? Well, almost since the car was invented, they went into the air we breathe, the oceans and even the food we eat. UK-based technology start-up The Tyre Collective has been working on ways to change that. It’s come up with a device that it says can capture those tiny particles, preventing them from entering the environment and providing material that can then be recycled. The device is mounted approximately where each mudflap would be and uses electrostatics and airflow to attract the tyre wear particles. The Tyre Collective said it initially intends to target commercial fleet vehicles such as vans, trucks and buses followed by other vehicle types.
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ELECTRIC TRUCKS MORE VIABLE A small change that will allow trucks to be 5cm wider is set to make innovative new truck models, such as electric trucks and trucks with advanced safety features, more widely available in Australia. The government body which controls truck design standards, the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, said the changes would see an increase to the overall width limit from 2.50 to 2.55 metres for new trucks fitted with several safety features and environmental technologies. Electric vehicle advocates see this as a significant win given it means electric trucks, such as the Tesla Semi, would be compliant with the new width requirements – it was 34mm too wide under the previous rules. Volvo Trucks has since called for increased weight limits to accommodate electric trucks.
Car+Motoring
Test drive
SMALL SUVS GO BACK-TO-BACK We compare the Mazda CX-30 with the Kia Seltos By Alex Forrest
TOP: The Mazda deserves a special nod, given it makes more power and torque but uses less fuel than the Kia; LEFT: With the rear seats folded up, the Kia’s capacity is 468 litres, a notable difference to the Mazda’s 317 litres; ABOVE: The CX-30’s interior fit and finish has the edge over the Seltos, plus its safety features are far less intrusive and distracting.
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Car+Motoring The cheapest Kia Seltos you can buy costs $31,690, while the cheapest Mazda CX-30 will cost you $35,593. Both are small SUVs, competing for the business of the same group of consumers. But if you increase your budget to $38,000, you can step up one level in the Mazda and two levels in the Kia. For that amount, the Seltos Sport+ FWD variant you get is near the middle of the range, whereas the CX-30 G20 Evolve you get is still close to the bottom of the range. Should you go for a cheaper model of an expensive brand, or a mid-range model from a more affordable brand? Truth be told, both the Seltos and CX-30 variants are good choices. Both need only 91 RON fuel and not much of it, and they perform well by small SUV standards. But you’ll probably like one more than the other, just like we did. Value for money
Kia added more equipment to the Seltos in late 2022, including the availability of a new eight-speed transmission, an impressive new set of audio and ventilation controls, and new digital displays. But in the three years since 2021, the Seltos’s price has also crept up. If we use the front-wheel drive Sport+ model as an example, it went up by around $2500. But the Seltos’s equipment levels still make it pretty good value. The CX-30’s equipment levels are very closely lined up with those of the Seltos Sport+, with the latter also featuring a clever way of using the same dials for both volume and temperature controls.
ABOVE: The Seltos includes a new eight-speed transmission, an impressive new set of audio and ventilation controls, and new digital displays.
Mazda CX-30 G20 Evolve
But the Mazda’s safety features are far less intrusive and distracting. The CX-30’s interior fit and finish also has the edge over the Seltos. On the road
Both the CX-30 and the Seltos come with 2.0-litre, petrol engines. Both also get more powerful engines as you move up the model range. Here, we’re looking at the entry-level 2.0-litre powerplants, which are quite closely matched at 114kW/200Nm for the Mazda, and 110kW/180Nm for the Kia. Ask for a little extra performance from either of these and they’re going to get loud and buzzy. They’re ok for leisurely city driving, but for longer journeys at highway speeds they may become somewhat wearing, and overtaking will need patience and extra care. In the mandated test, the Mazda uses slightly less fuel (6.5L/100km) than the Kia (6.9L/100km). With both using 91 RON petrol, it’s the Mazda that deserves a special nod, given it makes more power and torque but uses less fuel in the test.
ENGINE 2.0-litre petrol POWER 114kW @ 6000rpm TORQUE 200Nm @ 4000rpm CLAIMED FUEL ECONOMY 6.5L/100km PRICE from $37,445 drive away* ANCAP SAFETY RATING
*G20 Evolve
Kia Seltos Sport+
Safety and practicality
While both the Seltos and the CX-30 have 5-star ANCAP safety ratings, there remain some differences in their standard safety gear. Among those differences are that the Mazda gets rearward auto braking for pedestrians and cyclists, while the Kia has this only going forward. Both baby SUVs get space-saver spare tyres, as is to be expected in small city vehicles. But there is a notable difference in their luggage capacities – with the rear seats folded up, the Mazda’s boot capacity is 317 litres in the widely used VDA measurement method, whereas the Kia’s capacity is 468 litres. Verdict
You won’t go wrong with the CX-30 or the Seltos, that’s for sure. Yes, the Seltos does do some things better than the CX-30, such as its seven-year warranty, bigger boot and innovative multi-function dials. However, if it was our choice, we’d go for the CX-30 because of its sharp handling, better integrated safety assist features and its more polished interior design and finish. But really, if the budget allowed, we’d be going for the 2.5-litre CX-30, which is a vastly better drive. 55
ENGINE 2.0-litre petrol POWER 110kW @ 6200rpm TORQUE 180Nm @ 4500rpm CLAIMED FUEL ECONOMY 6.9L/100km PRICE from $38,490 drive away* ANCAP SAFETY RATING
*Sport+ FWD
Car+Motoring
MAZDA6 SEDAN Sensible as it might sound, the medium-sized car category, where the Mazda6 sits, is rather odd. For example, it’s fair to expect most medium sized cars sold would be the cheaper ones, under $60,000, right? Wrong. More than twice as many premium mid-sized cars costing over $60,000 were sold in WA in the first nine months of 2023, compared to their cheaper, sub-$60,000 alternatives. It seems that if people are forgoing an SUV in favour of a medium-sized car, they want a fancy one. Or even an electric one, given that Tesla’s Model 3 made up more than half of all medium-sized car sales in WA. With pricing starting at $40,560 drive away, the Mazda6 competes with other affordable mid-sizers such as the Toyota Camry, Hyundai Sonata and Honda Accord. Move up through the Mazda6 range and you get to the turbocharged models, the cheapest of which will need $55,000, but will get you 19-inch wheels, leather heated seats and a Bose sound system. And that 2.5-litre turbo petrol engine does transform the car into a very capable long-distance touring car.
ENGINE 2.5-litre petrol POWER 140kW @ 6000rpm TORQUE 252Nm @ 4000rpm CLAIMED FUEL ECONOMY 7.0L/100km PRICE from $40,560 drive away ANCAP SAFETY RATING
What that also gets you is a very refined, great handling, powerful yet reasonably economical, safe and stylish car which, critically for many, is also understated in a way that the mostly more expensive European cars don’t quite achieve. The Mazda6 is a car for those who want the refinement and style of a European car, but not the maintenance bills and social signaling that those vehicles usually bring with them. It’s also available as a wagon in all of its variants, which carries a $1500 - $2000 premium depending on the variant. We reckon the wagon is even more stylish than the sedan. The Mazda6 is still one of the understated best buys of the medium-sized car class. 56
Car+Motoring
HYUNDAI IONIQ 6 Few production cars end up looking much like the concept cars that originally inspired them, but there are exceptions, and the Hyundai Ioniq 6 is one of them. The Ioniq 6, which was launched in early 2023, is the production incarnation of the 2020 Hyundai Prophecy project. Sure, that car was lower, wider and more exaggerated overall than the production car that eventuated, but it was close enough to the original concept to nonetheless look unlike anything else on the road. Underneath that giant mollusc-like styling are the same dedicated electric vehicle underpinnings (known as the Electric Global Modular Platform) that Hyundai uses in other Hyundai Motor Group EVs. Think of it as a giant electric skateboard with interchangeable body styles. The Ioniq 6’s shape makes it one of the most aerodynamic vehicles on the market (for the buffs, 0.21 is the drag coefficient), which contributes to it being among the most energy-efficient EVs. Hyundai claims the single rear motor Ioniq 6 Dynamiq (which is the entrylevel variant, starting at $81,460) has a range of 614km, while the higher-spec models with front and rear motors each have a range of 519km. It may seem curious that a more expensive, higher specification variant would have a shorter battery range than the entry-level car, but it’s because all variants have the same 77.4kWh battery, and the pricier models have an extra motor drawing energy from the battery. We drove the entry-level Dynamiq, and even though it only has 168kW and 350Nm with which to shift its two-tonne mass, in real-world driving it has plenty of performance – to the point where many would find it startling. At the time of writing, supplies of the Ioniq 6 were limited. Though for what will be a rare piece of high-tech electrified design, it could be worth the wait.
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ENGINE Electric motor POWER 168kW TORQUE 350Nm CLAIMED ENERGY EFFICIENCY 143Wh/km PRICE from $81,460 drive away ANCAP SAFETY RATING
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Car+Motoring
Car doctor RAC members can take advantage of our Auto Advice Line. If you have a motoring question, call 6150 6199 Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm to speak to one of our experts.
Q I have a 2011 Audi A3
Sportback TDI 6-speed auto which has a reluctance to reverse uphill. On steep driveways, if I gradually step on the accelerator with the reverse gear selected, the engine revs with the car remaining stationary for a few seconds until the gear suddenly gives way with the car rolling forward immediately as a result. Is there a special technique to reverse uphill with automatic gears? Daniel, Dianella
A Your vehicle is fitted with
a dual clutch transmission, which operates differently from a conventional automatic transmission. Many vehicles equipped with dual clutch transmissions can surge forward or backward when running at parking speeds, and this can be exaggerated
when on hills. However, the transmission in your Audi is also known to suffer from several faults. While a certain amount of surging is normal in these earlier dual clutch transmissions, it may also be useful to have yours checked next time your vehicle is serviced.
After being left unused for more than a month, the battery is most likely to suffer from lack of use, with aging fuel, stationary tyres and unused brakes also potentially causing issues over time.
Q I drive an automatic MG
hatchback and notice it has a very loud engine noise. It’s a 2020 automatic and has driven just over 20,000km. Natalie, Wellard
Q We are planning a three-
month holiday overseas. Is it okay to leave cars unused for that time, or is it better to engage someone to drive our cars and how often? Ryszard, Booragoon
A Small vehicles with non-
turbo petrol engines can be noisy when they are under load and operating in high rev ranges, such as over 4000rpm. However, when driving we’d also suggest ensuring that the gear selector is in ‘Drive’, ‘Normal’ drive mode is selected, and not ‘Sport’, which holds the gears and can result in higher revs.
A If you’re not going to
drive your vehicles for more than four weeks, then asking a friend to drive them for at least 30 minutes every two weeks would be the easiest way to ensure they remain in good running condition. 59
WIN FREE FUEL Send us your question for the Car Doctor and if it’s published, you’ll receive a $50 fuel voucher to use at any Puma and Caltex locations Australia-wide, thanks to RAC Member Benefits. Send your questions to editor@rac.com.au or post to The Car Doctor, Horizons, GPO Box C140, Perth WA 6839 Please include your full name, address and daytime telephone number with your question. If your question is chosen for publication, please allow up to eight weeks for delivery. See page 81 for terms and conditions of entry.
People, places, prizes and RAC news
Member lounge
KEEPING AN EYE ON PARCEL THIEVES An increasing number of Australians are losing their online purchases to parcel theft, and the holiday season is the key period when thieves take advantage of parcels left on doorsteps. A video doorbell is an ideal way to monitor deliveries, whether you’re home or not. It can also act as an additional camera to complement your existing security system. But not all video doorbells work the same way.
New Auto Services centre opens in Rockingham
If your device relies on Wi-Fi to operate, a weak or interrupted signal could result in footage being lost.
RAC’s new Auto Services centre is due to open by mid-January at 34 Patterson Road Rockingham, offering state-of-the-art auto servicing facilities for those living around the Rockingham and Kwinana areas. The new centre will offer all the same automotive services you get at RAC’s other Auto Services centres, from standard and logbook servicing to repairs, including servicing and repairs for electric vehicles. There are also plans to have electric vehicle chargers, available at the Rockingham site so you can top up your charge while you relax in the members’ lounge. No matter what you drive, if you’re planning a long road trip this summer, make sure your servicing is up to date before you head off. To make a booking at any of the 10 Auto Services centres around the Perth metropolitan area, or to book one of our mobile servicing vans to come to you, visit rac.com.au/as
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A doorbell that uses Power over Ethernet (PoE) for both power and connectivity is far more reliable, and hardwiring the device means there’s no downtime while it’s being charged. It’s also important to effectively secure the device so it doesn’t also become a stolen item. RAC’s video doorbells are hardwired, which means the internet connection is secure and reliable. Our fully licensed installers can determine where it’s best placed and ensure that it’s properly mounted. They also come with a touch screen that can be installed inside your home. For more details, call RAC’s Security team on 1300 132 735 or visit rac.com.au/security
Home+Life
OUR TRAVEL TALKS ARE BACK When planning a holiday, learning more about the destination and types of travel on offer, then deciding on the best trip for you, can be an exciting part of the process. That’s why RAC’s travel team is once again offering our popular in-person Travel Talks. We’re inviting our trusted travel partners to speak directly to you about the wide range of tours and destinations they can take you to experience, from cruising to guided group tours. Travel Talks include a presentation, followed by a Q and A session where you can have your questions answered by the experts. It’s a great way to get inspired about your next holiday adventure, speak to someone with first-hand knowledge and enjoy exclusive offers for attendees only. Travel Talks are held at RAC in West Perth, with light refreshments included. It’s free to attend but registrations are essential. For details about upcoming Travel Talks and to register, visit rac.com.au/traveltalks
Drivers challenge themselves to improve So far, more than 16,000 people have downloaded the RAC Go app and are using it to measure and improve their driving. The app challenges users to become better, safer drivers by providing an independent score of their driving, with insights on behaviours such as speed, focus and harsh movements. The app then challenges the user to improve. We’ve seen that, as users reduce their harsh braking, speeding and phone handling, and begin to see their scores improve, they continue to challenge themselves to further improve their driving. We’ve also seen that busy innercity areas are where many users’ focus on safety is slipping.
Top 3 areas for harsh braking
1. Wellington, Roe and Fitzgerald streets, West Perth 2. Loftus Street, Leederville/ West Perth Mitchell Freeway and 3. Mounts Bay Road, Perth CBD Top 3 areas for speeding
1. Kwinana Freeway and Roe Highway, Leeming 2. Mitchell Freeway, Osborne Park 3. Mitchell Freeway, near Cedric Street Top 3 areas for phone handling
1. Perth CBD, Wellington Street 2. Loftus Street, West Perth 3. Charles Street, North Perth
JOIN THE CHALLENGE Visit rac.com.au/racgo or scan the QR code with your mobile phone’s camera to download the app.
E-RIDEABLE HUB NOW AT RAC ARENA You can now ride your e-bike or e-scooter to RAC Arena and have a safe place to lock and charge it at our new Bike Hub. The RAC Arena Smart Bike Hub is an e-rideable charging and parking station that holds up to 10 e-bikes or e-scooters and is free to use. Simply download the free Bikeep app then roll your e-rideable into the docking station. Once it’s in, a bar will lock your e-rideable into its space on the hub. Only you will be able to lock and unlock it via the app. SoCo Studios
You can also plug in if you need some extra charge to get home after your event. The RAC Arena Bike Hub is located in the Arena plaza area – look out for the signs when you get to the venue. 61
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@RetravisionAU
Available to all valid RAC Members when a valid RAC membership card is displayed in-store or used online. Discount not applicable to the following brands/products which are excluded from the RAC member offering including but not limited to: Apple (iPhone & Watch), Asko, AEG, Falcon, Falmec, Fisher & Paykel (Built-in Refrigeration, Cooking Appliances, Dishwashers & Series 11 Laundry only), Gaggenau, La Germania, Miele, Speed Queen and Neff.
WH95196
*
67
Partner offers
RAC members save
165*
$
68
Membership+Benefits
Save at these partners everyday visit rac.com.au/mb for more
RAC members save
5%*
With over 40 convenient locations, and a range of gifts for everyone and every budget, time isn’t the only thing you’ll save shopping at Wizard Pharmacy this Christmas.
3 for 2 Gifts† RAC members save 5%* in-store and online at wizardpharmacy.com.au †Selected products only. 3rd item must be of equal or lesser value. *Available to all current RAC members when a valid RAC membership card is presented in-store or online. RAC members don’t need to be a Wizard Rewards member to receive the 5% discount. Discount not available on PBS prescriptions, clearance lines or postage. RAC membership can only be associated with one Wizard Rewards card.
69
Partner offers
Outdoor Blinds
SUMMER SALE NOW ON!
RAC members save
10%*
Maximise your outdoor living this Summer by installing premium quality Nu-Style outdoor blinds Made to suit your space. Our outdoor blinds are designed to blockout heat and strong winds. With our Summer Sale now on, there has never been a better time to save! FOR A FREE MEASURE AND QUOTE CALL nustyleshutters.com.au
1300 798 776 TODAY!
179 Beringarra Ave, Malaga
Stand #89, Homebase Subiaco
*T&Cs apply. Offer ends 29 February 2024. Visit our website for more information. Security Agents License no. 20818
70
Membership+Benefits
Save at these partners everyday visit rac.com.au/mb for more
90 YEARS LOOKING AFTER AUSTRALIAN EYES Since 1932 OPSM has helped millions of Australian customers find their vision solution. OPSM have teamed up with RAC so members can enjoy great savings on a range of leading optical products. Present your RAC membership card in store to redeem.
20% OFF
RAC members save
20%*
off lenses & lens extras
LENSES & LENS EXTRAS
*
25% OFF PRESCRIPTION SUN LENSES & LENS EXTRAS+
*When purchased as part of a complete pair (frame and lenses). +Receive 25% off sun lenses and lens extras when purchased as part of a complete pair (frame and lenses). ^^When you purchase two complete pairs (frame and lenses) of prescription glasses or prescription sunglasses. Brand exclusions and further T&Cs apply, see website opsm.com.au/specialoffers for details. Offer ends 30/6/2024.
50% OFF SECOND PAIR^^
RAC MEMBERS SAVE UP TO 25%* WITH RAC members save up to
25%*
Rottnest Express
D A I LY D E PA R T U R E S F R O M 3 C O N V E N I E N T L O C AT I O N S L E A R N M O R E AT R AC .C O M . AU / R OT T N E ST E X P R E S S *T&Cs apply. Purchase before 30th April 2024. Travel dates until 30th April 2024.
71
Partner offers
MEMBER BENEFITS FOR YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE
RAC members save
5%*
Whether you’re hitting the road on your next adventure, or working on your DIY project, you’ll find everything you need at Repco. As an RAC member, you have access to offers at Repco, with better promotional discounts and more frequent sales on your favourite products. You can also enjoy member competitions and exclusive promotions, as well as an everyday 5% discount on almost everything*. Plus, we are driving your dollar further with lower prices on over 20,000 products we stock including oil filters, brake pads, oil and car care.
Show your RAC membership card and save in-store or shop online at repco.com.au
EVERYDAY DISCOUNT*
SPECIAL PROMOTIONS
SCAN TO SHOP THIS MONTH’S OFFERS *Terms and Conditions Apply. See repco.com.au/sycs
Security Doors & Screens SALE NOW ON RAC members save
10%*
• Premium Promesh Stainless Steel • Tough & affordable SecureGrille • Aust Standard triple locking system • Replace old flyscreens & doors Members save 10%. Plus claim the $400 Safety and Security State Government Rebate^
FOR A FREE MEASURE AND QUOTE CALL
nustyleshutters.com.au
179 Beringarra Ave, Malaga
1300 798 776
Stand #89, Homebase Subiaco
*^T&Cs apply. Available only on new purchases. Offer ends 29.2.24. Visit our website for more information. Security Agents License no. 20818
72
Other offers
Members get $150 food & beverage credit, late checkout and complimentary room upgrade this summer 73
Other offers
winner
Best portable A/C DESIGNED IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA QUIETEST MOST PORTABLE MOST ENERGY EFFICIENT WORKS WITH 12V INVERTER
WWW.COOLZY.COM
RAC MEMBERS DISCOUNT
10% OFF
USE AT HOME AND ON THE ROAD
Members save 10% 74
Other offers
THE
ULTIMATE
JUMPSTARTER
W
.e’ve all experienced that dreadful feeling of getting in your car only to find out your battery is flat. Luckily West Aussie company iTechworld has designed a portable jump starter to get you on your way within seconds. Designed to easily jumpstart any vehicle with a flat battery, the JS80 will jumpstart your car, boat or motorbike at the press of a button. With a massive 3000 cranking amps, the JS80 will start any petrol vehicle and diesels up to 8.0L, no matter how big or small. With seven inbuilt safety features, jump starting is safer than ever before. With the JS80, you no longer have to rely on clumsy jumper cables or other vehicles, allowing you to explore further with peace of mind.
The JS80 will jump start a vehicle up to 40 times from one charge and hold its charge for six months all while sitting happily in a glove box awaiting use. Once your vehicle is up and running, the JS80 will continue to be your friend on the road with it’s inbuilt tactical torch and power bank that will easily run 12V fridges and charge mobile devices. As a proud Western Australian company, iTechworld are offering RAC Horizons subscribers with an exclusive discount code to use across their entire range of power solutions. Simply use the code ‘RAC5’ at checkout online or over the phone to claim your 5% discount.
JS80 JUMP STARTER
SAVE 5% OFF WITH CODE
RAC5
Call the Power Expert
Order online, over the phone or in-store
Members save 5% 75
08 9472 7200 iTechworld.com.au
Other offers
FULLY MANAGED PROJECTS WITH FAST TURNAROUND TIMES
LUXURY KITCHEN & BATHROOM RENOVATIONS We provide a turnkey solution for your home renovation with a custom design, a quality build, and experienced project management to provide you with the most luxurious living experience possible.
GET IN TOUCH (08) 9386 0033 info@trager.com.au www.trager.com.au Terms and Conditions *Save 5% off your contract value for all orders placed before 29 February 2024. Simply show your card at your no obligation in-home consultation.
Members save 5% off your kitchen or bathroom renovation*
Members save 20% off tickets with the code SWIM
76
@trager.com.au #trager.interiors
Other offers
Do you hear conversations but can’t understand the words? FREE In-Clinic Hearing Test, Consultation & Demonstration.
$600 OFF* Every Hearing Aid Purchased. FOR RAC MEMBERS
Enjoy your life with improved hearing! You will be able to hear your family, your friends, the TV & telephone and in group settings much more clearly with this new 2023 hearing aid technology.
ORIGINAL PRICE
$2,199
NOW AFTER DISCOUNT
$1,599ea Less Private Health Insurance Refunds
This New Invisible Hearing Aid is virtually undetectable!
No one will know that you are wearing a hearing aid Introducing our brand-new 2023 hearing aid technology that was designed in Europe and is made for your exact ear size and hearing loss. It’s so small it can fit deep inside your ear canal, it begins where other hearing aids end. This makes it virtually invisible to anyone else.
With our new 2023 voice clarifying hearing aids, you will absolutely hear the difference! Not sure if you require a hearing aid or which one is right for you? Want to know how they look and feel? Why not request an appointment for a FREE hearing test and hearing aid consultation with an in-clinic demonstration? You will instantly be able to hear clearly. If appropriate, our hearing aid specialist can offer you a home hearing aid trial.
Home Visits
Hearing Test, Consultation & Demonstration.*
You can now stream
Directly from your mobile phone to your hearing aids giving you crystal clear hearing. *Conditions Apply.
Book in today to receive your Special RAC Discount
9350 6311
Cannington Nedlands
email: info@hearingloss.net.au web: www.hearingloss.net.au
Members receive $600 off each hearing aid purchased or $1200 off a pair of hearing aids 77
Duncraig
Rockingham
Offer valid until 29/02/24
Other offers
SAVE UP TO
20%
SAVE up to 20% on new powered mobility equipment including mobility scooters, wheelchairs, adjustable beds, recline chairs + more
Visit one of our showrooms - Osborne Park • Joondalup • Mandurah
Service, Repairs and In-Home Demos • www.motobility.com.au • 08 6243 4002 Valid until 29/02/24 *Not to be used in conjunction with any other offers. Members save up to 20% on Mobility Scooters, Wheelchairs, Lift Chairs and Adjustable Beds 78
Other offers
Skylights and Roof windows for any interior space!
* Conditions apply. Not in conjunction with other offers. Offer ends 31/01/2024. 29/02/2024
Members receive 5% off Solatube Brighten Up Series Skylights, Solatube Whole House Fans & Velux Roof Windows*
Enjoy the Sun
in Comfort
AUTO
TOTALTINTSOLUTIONS.COM.AU 100% WA Owned and Operated Our 3M tinting products are quality guaranteed with a LIFETIME manufacturer’s warranty to ensure you’re receiving the best window tinting. We stand by our tinting products and craftsmanship 100% and always go above and beyond to ensure we meet the unique needs of our valued customers.
HOME
ENSURING QUALITY, AFFORDABILITY AND GREAT ADVICE. WANGARA: 9444 2327
MANDURAH: 9582 8053
CANNINGTON: 9317 1010
JOONDALUP: 9425 5200
MYAREE: 9317 1010
ALBANY: 9842 9215
ROCKINGHAM: 9582 8053
OSBORNE PARK: 9444 2327
OFFICE
*Discount applies to RRP 3M window films and paint protection film. Valid til 28th Febuary 2024. View our website for T&Cs.
Members save up to 40% on 3M car window films and car paint protection, and up to 15% of 3M home window films
79
Other offers
Having Difficulty on the Stairs?
to 30/09/20 31/07/22 Valid to 30/11/20 Valid 31/03/23 29/02/24 to31/01/23 30/09/22
Maintain your independence, let Acorn Stairlifts keep you safe to enjoy your freedom!
· Gutters and downpipes · Roof restoration
• The only company to supply and install our own stairlifts • For straight or curved staircases • Indoor and outdoor lifts • Free home assessment • Fast installation • Safe and reliable
· Ridgecap re-pointing · All general roof repairs · All work guaranteed · Re-roofs/Roof extensions · Free quotes
Call 0439 707 578 or 9414 6405
1800 239 169
300mm
$220 ZINC $230 COLOURBOND Fully installed
*Conditions apply valid until 29/02/24
www.roofrenewals.com.au
CALL NOW FOR YOUR FREE BROCHURE & QUOTATION Members receive $100 off any new stairlift purchase
Members get $50 off on full gutter & downpipe replacements
GARAGE DOOR NEEDING ATTENTION?
COMPREHENSIVE MOBILE WEIGHING SERVICES: CARAVANS, VEHICLES, MOTORHOMES AND HORSE FLOATS
pp p New Doors pp p Replacements pp p Services pp p Spare Parts We install, repair, and service all makes and models of doors & motors
0409 493 459
9303 9334
FB: SafeWeigh2Tow
105 Excellence Drive, Wangara WA 6065
E: safeweigh2tow@gmail.com
“Peace of mind for your travel experience”
edenrocgaragedoors.com.au *must show or quote your RAC member number at time of booking. Discount applies to garage door spare parts and servicing only. Offer expires 29/02/24.
*Discount applies to standard weighing services (orig. price $175). Valid until 29/02/2024
Members save 10% off door spare parts and servicing*
Members save $30 on weighing services*
80
Terms+conditions
Contact us
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/Caltex 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 December-February 2024 Horizons must claim their prize by 13 February 2024. 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 MEMBER COMMENT, 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 $199. If the winner already has Roadside Assistance, the Classic Roadside Assistance will be applied as credit to their account until their cover runs out. Entries that do not, in the absolute discretion of the panel of judges, comply with these requirements are invalid. The winner will be notified by email, phone or letter. When the winner is notified of their prize they will also be provided details as to the collection of their prize. Entrants published in December-February 2024 Horizons must claim their prize by 13 February 2024. 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
Member Service Centres – Metropolitan CAROUSEL Shop 1098, Westfield Carousel, 1382 Albany Highway DIANELLA Shop 20, Dianella Plaza, 360/366 Grand Promenade MANDURAH Shop SP037, Halls Head Central, 14 Guava Way WEST PERTH (Head Office) 832 Wellington Street Member Service Centres – Regional ALBANY 110 Albany Highway BUNBURY Primewest Centrepoint SC, 60 Blair Street GERALDTON Shop 8, Stirlings Central SC, 54 Sanford Street KALGOORLIE 51-53 Hannan Street Travel Centres CAROUSEL Shop 1098, Westfield Carousel, 1382 Albany Highway T: 6150 6454 DIANELLA Shop 20, Dianella Plaza, 360/366 Grand Promenade T: 6150 6455 JOONDALUP Shop T31, Lakeside Joondalup SC, 420 Joondalup Drive T: 6150 6477 WEST PERTH (Head Office) 832 Wellington Street T: 9436 4830
facebook.com/RACWA instagram.com/RACWA editor@rac.com.au
R19523
Feel protected with RAC's travel insurance
RAC members save
15%*
on Travel Insurance
Get a quote today
Call 1300 655 179 or visit rac.com.au/travelinsurance *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)
19523-Travel_Horizons 13 Page Ad - Travel Insurance_V5.indd 1
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Home+Life
becauz gao / Shutterstock.com
Ten best COUNTRY BAKERY PITSTOPS IN WA AS VOTED BY RAC MEMBERS
Bindoon Bakehaus
Pinjarra Bakery
Previously known as the Bindoon Bakery, the new Bindoon Bakehaus was rebuilt next door to the old site as demand for their delicious baked goods continued to grow. The bakery now includes a café with an alfresco area and a ‘play kitchen’ for the kids. In 2015, Prince Harry famously dropped by to enjoy a banofee eclair.
This country bakery is so well-loved, they even have their own collection of Pinjarra Bakery merchandise. The pies are definitely the heroes here, with honey lamb and red wine pie, and garlic beef pie just two of many. Round off your pie feast with a classic vanilla slice and a barista-brewed coffee.
Mt Barker Country Bakery This multi-award-winning bakery is taking the humble pie to a whole new level. Some of the star attractions include chicken, cranberry and camembert pie, prawn and scallop pie, and spicy Korean chicken pie. Sweet tooths are spoiled for choice too, with a mouthwatering range of cakes and pastries. It’s well worth a stop on your way to and from Albany.
Bakers Hill Pie Shop In this small community located in the Shire of Northam, the Bakers Hill Pie Shop has become a local icon. On the menu are classics like steak and mushroom pie, chicken and veggie pie, along with a good selection of vegetarian pies and pasties. Their irresistible selection of cakes and pastries is also hard to walk away from.
Dardanup Baker
TOP: Miami Bakehouse; ABOVE: Pinjarra Bakery.
Located in the heart of the Ferguson Valley, Dardanup is surrounded by wineries, boutique breweries and restaurants, and the wellloved local bakery, the Dardanup Baker, holds its own in this picturesque food and wine region. The locals will tell you their pies are legendary, with a great selection of cakes and pastries as well. Grab a table outside and enjoy a hearty lunch on your way to some local attractions.
Miami Bakehouse Various locations
One of WA’s best-known bakeries, Miami Bakehouse has won a slew of both national and state baking awards. Their ‘bake everything from scratch’ ethos has ensured they’ve kept a legion of happy fans. The original bakery is in Falcon but there are also outlets in West Pinjarra, Myalup, and in the heart of Mandurah.
Margaret River Bakery
Dunsborough Bakery
Many of the freshly baked goodies on offer at the Margaret River Bakery have been inspired by the great bakeries of Europe – think crème brulee and buttery croissants. If you’re keen on more classic bakery fare, there are plenty of old Aussie favourites, too. Their vibrant café on the main street in Margaret River is also a great place to sit and watch the world go by.
This local institution has been baking since 1941. Today, it’s a magnet for holidaymakers and locals alike. Apart from the mouthwatering pies, freshly baked breads and decadent sweet treats in the cake cabinet, you can pick up continental rolls, ready-to-go meals and a selection of other local produce.
Denmark Bakery Good food is a hallmark of the Great Southern region and 82
even Denmark’s local bakery punches above its weight. The award-winning bakery also has a café with a rustic feel and a warm, welcoming country atmosphere. Stop by for a wholesome breakfast or lunch before you head off to explore the region.
Toodyay Bakery With a team of talented bakers and pastry chefs, Toodyay Bakery is giving the country bakery a high-end, gourmet twist. This artisan bakery has produced some recent national award-winners, including their gold medalaward-winning smoked brisket and jalapeño pie. It’s definitely one to put on the list if you’re road-tripping through the Avon Valley region. DO YOU HAVE AN IDEA FOR THE TEN BEST? Send your suggestions to editor@rac.com.au
EVERY GREAT HOLIDAY STARTS WITH AN UPGRADE
MEM RAC BERS GET
sixt.com.au/rac
20%
OF PR ELEC EMIUM A F* N TRIC VEHIC D LES
*T&Cs apply. Limited time offer (11 October 2023 - 29 January 2024). Blackout period applies (22 December 2023 - 6 January 2024). Offer is available from over 48 locations, see website for full list of participating locations.