Entry 23 – 2026 – SUMMARY of our Western Australia travels for 2026.
Our cost summary for 2026.
The provided numbers have been rounded out to a close enough guide.
Days spent travelling = 264
Kilometres travelled = 17,600 (2025 16,000 kms)
Fuel expenditure = $11,200 (2025 $6,500)
Tow tug service & repairs $2,161
Accommodation expenditure = $4,600
Expenditure including food + other expenses = $111 per day (2025 $85)
If the Expenditure column had the Iraq/America war fuel price increase “removed” and an infuriating expense of about $3,000 addressing a banking issue, caused/created by the bank. Then :
Daily average expenditure for 2026 would reduce to around $85 per day.
We do live comfortably and frugally at the same time, by other people’s standards. Our alcohol expense would likely average 50 cents per day or less, naturally for medicinal purposes. Meals out are not a frequent event.
Though Mary did try on a $100,000 pearl necklace when we visited Cygnet Pearl Farm. Alas, we did not follow through on the purchase.
We spent 71 nights in National Parks, 33 in caravan parks, 106 at free camping locations and 54 at showgrounds / low-cost camping areas.
2026 we incurred an increase of about 73% for the cost of fuel averaged out over the year due to the America and Iraq war, impacting world fuel supplies. Our averaged out daily costs figure included our fuel expenditure prior the outbreak of the war. Thus, the real cost of fuel during the war was a higher percentage.
January/February our fuel (diesel) incurred cost was about $1.70 per litre. By late March about $3 per litre. Late April $3.60 per litre. Mid-October around $2.85 per litre.
Below is a brief overview of our 2026 travels, primarily for our reference, though we are happy to share our life’s perspective thoughts at that point in time.
2026 was a year dedicated to experiencing some of the highlights of Western Australia. It is a big state and we thought we would have experienced less than 10% of its highlights during the year.
We could have visited more locations but we would have felt exhausted from flittering here and there. Retirement travels for us are about relaxation and fun times. Minimising strain on our bodies and soul.
Our most memorable stay was inland about 200 kilometres east of Port Hedland at Doolena Gorge. The scenery and weather were perfect and we didn’t tire of its ambience during our months stay.
Western Australia is promoted with a coastline of 20,781 kilometres, (includes its islands.) We especially enjoyed the coastline’s sandy beach locations on the Dampier Peninsula, north of Broome.
The Ningaloo Reef area coastline nearby Exmouth.
Cape Le Grand national park nearby Esperance.
Kalbarri National Park was delightful viewing, with a very magnificent wildflower display.
Yanchep National Park was a wonderful location. It hadn’t registered on our radar prior to researching camp locations just north of Perth. Our three days stay could have easily extended to a week or two. At the time we had other commitments down the road a bit.
The Kennedy Ranges was another wonderful rugged setting.
There were some unique arty locations.
Western Australia is rich with resources. Mining activities are huge. Everything to do with the mining sector was big. Even the ships for carting iron ore were around 360 metres in length.
Some of our family members flew in for a special birthday celebration. It was an exceptionally heart-warming experience.
We arrived back at our home base around six weeks earlier than planned due to our overseas based daughter surprising us with a visit. She also continued with the special birthday celebration, providing a lovely birthday present.
2026 was an exceptionally special year.
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