Touring North from Geraldton to Kalbarri and Beyond

This guide is for travellers using Geraldton as a stop before heading north on North West Coastal Highway, whether you're going to Kalbarri for a few days or further to Shark Bay, Carnarvon and the Pilbara. It covers the electrical checks worth doing in Geraldton, what the route asks of your vehicle and caravan, and what to carry.

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The last city before the long run

North West Coastal Highway begins at an interchange with Brand Highway in Geraldton. From there it heads about 50 km north to Northampton, then on to Ajana, where Kalbarri Road branches off towards Kalbarri and Kalbarri National Park. Further north, the turnoff for Shark Bay is at Hamelin Pool, and Carnarvon is the only large town between Geraldton and Karratha.

That makes Geraldton the natural place to sort out any electrical niggles before you go. Once you're north of town, workshops, parts and specialist help become far less common, and a small fault can turn into a long wait. A day in Geraldton spent on checks is time well spent.

Kalbarri as a first stop

Kalbarri is a popular first stop, and for good reason. The national park has gorges carved by the Murchison River, coastal cliffs, and the Kalbarri Skywalk platforms high above the gorge. The roads within the park are sealed, so you don't need a 4WD to reach the main sights.

The gorges can get extremely hot in the warmer months, and there's no drinking water in the park. For your vehicle, that heat means air conditioning working hard, a fridge running more often, and batteries under stress while you're parked at lookouts. If your air conditioning is struggling before you leave, have it checked in Geraldton. Electrical faults like fans and relays can often be fixed quickly, while regassing and other refrigerant work needs a licensed technician. Our guide to common car air conditioning problems explains the usual causes.

Caravan towing checks

If you're towing a caravan or camper north, check the towing electrics carefully before you leave. Long days on the highway, heat and the occasional rough section shake out any weak connections. Go through these before you set off:

• Check every light on the van with a helper: brake lights first, then indicators, tail and clearance lights.
• Inspect the plug and socket for corrosion, especially if the van has been near the coast.
• Test the electric brakes at low speed and adjust the controller for the van's loaded weight.
• Check that the breakaway system's battery is charged, if your van has one.
• Confirm the van battery is charging while you drive.
• Look along the drawbar wiring for chafing or loose cable ties.

Brakes and the rules

WA's transport department bulletin on trailer brakes, breakaway systems and lighting says trailers with a gross trailer mass over 2000 kg need brakes on all wheels, operated from the driver's seat, plus a breakaway system that applies the brakes automatically if the trailer comes off. Many caravans fall into this group, so the brake controller and its wiring are critical. Check the current rules with WA's transport department if you're unsure about your setup.

A brake controller that's set too light leaves the car doing most of the stopping, and one set too hard can lock the van's wheels. Set it with the van loaded as it will be on the trip. Our guide on installing an electric brake controller covers the wiring and setup.

Keeping the fridge and van battery going

On the run north, you might drive for hours one day and then sit at a camp for several days. The van battery has to carry the fridge, lights, water pump and phone charging through both. Many tow vehicles have smart alternators, and a long thin cable back to the van loses voltage along the way. Together, those can leave the van battery barely charging even after a full day's drive. A DC-DC charger in the van, fed with heavy enough cable, usually solves this. See why isn't my caravan battery charging while towing.

Solar helps you stay put. Check that your regulator suits your battery type, and that portable panel leads aren't so long and thin that they waste power. A battery monitor shows you exactly how much you're using in the heat, which is often more than you expect.

Lights for early starts

Some travellers fit driving lights or a light bar for early starts. In WA they must meet the rules set out in the transport department's bulletin on additional and optional vehicle lights, including a maximum of four additional driving lights and wiring that switches them off when you dip your headlights. Check the current rules before you fit them. Many people simply plan their days to avoid driving at dawn and dusk, when wildlife is more active.

Plan the trip and carry spares

Before each leg, check road conditions on the Main Roads WA travel map, which shows roadworks and closures. Distances between fuel and services can be long north of Kalbarri, so plan your stops.

Pack a small electrical kit: spare fuses in each rating your vehicle and van use, a few globes, cable ties, electrical tape, crimp terminals and a crimper, and a multimeter. A jump starter is useful too. If you'd like someone to look over your setup before you go, the Geraldton area page lists auto electricians who work on caravans and 4WDs.

Do a short shakedown drive around Geraldton before the big leg north, with the van loaded and the fridge running as it will be on the trip. Check the lights again when you stop, feel the plug and cable for warmth, and look at the battery monitor that evening. Finding a fault while you're still in town is far easier than finding it at a roadhouse.

Parts for this job

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Questions Geraldton drivers ask

Do I need a 4WD to visit Kalbarri National Park?

Not for the main sights. Roads within Kalbarri National Park are sealed, so a 2WD can reach them. The gorges can get extremely hot, though, and there's no drinking water in the park. Make sure your vehicle's cooling and air conditioning are working, and carry plenty of water.

Why does my caravan battery go flat even after driving all day?

The usual culprits are a smart alternator that lowers its voltage, and long, thin cable to the van that loses voltage on the way. Together they mean the van battery gets very little charge. A DC-DC charger in the van, with heavy enough cable from the vehicle, is the common fix.

Where is the last big town for repairs heading north from Geraldton?

North of Geraldton, Carnarvon is the only large town on North West Coastal Highway before Karratha. Smaller towns along the way have some services, but specialist auto electrical help and parts can be limited. That's why it's worth sorting out any faults in Geraldton before you set off.

Need an auto electrician in Geraldton?

Find local auto electricians and mobile services in the Geraldton directory, or start with your area: Geraldton.

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Not confident doing this yourself?

There’s no shame in handing it over. A local auto electrician can diagnose the fault properly and get it done safely, especially for anything involving brakes, airbags, hybrid systems or air-con gas.

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