BOAT TRAILERING TO WA
West Australian clubs have had significant experience towing boat trailers cross the country for events for many years, including attendance at the National events at Sydney International Regatta Centre, Lake Barrington and to the Melbourne the past 10+ years for multiple regattas including Australia Rowing Championships, Australian Masters Rowing Championships and Head of the Yarra.
From this wealth of experience, RWA have compiled some helpful information to those clubs attending the 2027 Australian Rowing Championships being held in Perth in March 2027. No doubt many of you would have considered towing vehicles across to Perth an unrealistic option, however as you will see below, trailering boats can be a cost and time effective way of competing at events a significant distance away.
There are a number of benefits to bringing your own boats to the 2027 ARC. First and foremost, you will be able to row in the boats you know, the boats that you train in. You will also know exactly what you are getting, compared to hiring a boat from a local club or school. Depending on the size of your team attending, it may also be more cost effective than hiring a large fleet of boats locally. But ultimately, this is a national Championship, and you want to give yourself the best chance at doing well. This can only be done by racing in boats that you are 100% confident will meet your expectations. The only way to be assured of this is by bringing your own boats.
Photo Credit: Dean Neal
LEARNINGS FROM WA CLUB INTERSTATE TRAVEL
For decades West Australian crews have competed in events on the east coast of Australia. The distance from the Sydney International Regatta Centre in Penrith to Perth is nearly exactly 4,000km. West Aussies have assessed every possible transport option to attend interstate regattas and the most viable, cost-effective and efficient transport method is to tow a trailer loaded to the brim with rowing boats and equipment.
In attending, SIRC in Sydney since 2013, rowing clubs in WA have banded together to economise the transport logistics and costs associated with attendance at this national regatta. Once the total club interest from the state is known and a rough allocation of the total number and type of boats is required, the boat loading plan is developed to ensure the fewest number of trailers are required to make the trip. Typically the three largest boat trailers in the state are used to transport the boats from all the clubs that are attending SIRR. Once the budget for the trip is developed, this cost is shared on a per seat basis to each club and each club passes on this cost to their rowers on a per head basis (after any fundraising or grant monies are allocated to the trip).
Below is a rough guide to the cost of a return trip from Perth to Sydney:
- Driver Accommodation: $1,500
- Fuel: $4,500 (diesel – rough guide, Approx 2000L). In May 2027, a Qld club spent $4800 on fuel to WA return trip
- Driver Food: $1,000
- Tow Vehicle servicing: $1,000
Total $8,000
Budget assumptions:
- Trip will take 4 days (3 nights). Based on $250 per night.
- 2 drivers required for each direction of the trip
- Drivers have no out of pocket expenses. Accommodation and all meals are covered
- Drivers flights are covered by clubs
- A vehicle is sourced from the club membership (or sponsored). No hire vehicle required. A hire vehicle will add $2,000 - $3,000 to the budget)
TOWING VEHICLE SELECTION
Sourcing the correct towing vehicle for such a journey is essential. Towing a fully loaded trailer over 4,000km is a tough trip. Vehicles need to carefully selected to adequately meet all of the necessary legal requirements for towing a trailer of this size including towing capacity and tow ball downforce to name a few. This is both an insurance and a safety issue.
Generally, a V8 towing vehicle is more comfortable and less likely to incur mechanical issues on a long journey. It is recommended that the vehicle used has a bull bar attached to minimise the damage should the car strike any animals during the journey. For example, a collision with a kangaroo without a bull bar may cause significant damage to the cars radiator and leave you stranded in a remote location.
BOAT AND TRAILER PREPERATION
Correctly packing a boat trailer for long-haul trips is an artform. From experience of WA clubs, the condition that your boats arrive in is directly proportionate to the care taken to prepare and load boats for such a trip.
Every section of boat must be individual wrapped in a boat cover (best protection) or plastic wrap (industrial ‘cling wrap’ and builders plastic) to ensure that no section of any boat is exposed to the elements or even worse, tie down straps. Each wrapped boat should then be tightly taped with thick clear packing tape (plan about ½ a roll per small boat (1x/2x) to a roll for big boats) electrical tape to ensure no section of boat bag or wrap will flap. It is recommended to roll the boat as you tape and that gaps between the packing tape should not exceed ½ m. This constant flapping over a long distance can wear into the gel coat of the boat.
Use a permanent marker to ensure the boats are easily identifiable, on the wrap. When unpacking the boats, keep the Builders Plastic for the return trip, and make sure you have enough supplies of industrial ‘cling wrap’ and packing tape for the return trip.
Photo Credit: Dean Neal
Boat then need to be tightly strapped to the trailer at each available cross section (excluding the ends obviously). All loose ends of tie downs should be securely taped off as flapping straps can wear through the boat wrap and ultimately damage boats.
THE TRIP
- Establish a travel plan of where you will stop to rest, sleep and re-fuel before departure. However, do not be wedded to this plan and allow some flexibility in case of vehicle issues, poor weather, strong winds, poor light, etc.
- Drivers should make sure to have a good rest in the nights preceding departure and refrain from the consumption of any alcohol the night before departing.
- Ensure drivers pack sufficient supplies of water and snacks and a bloody good playlist of songs for the journey (note there will be long sections with no radio signal).
- Ensure 2x 20 litre drums of fuel are packed on board the trailer in case of incorrect fuel consumption calculations. If a headwind blows up, this can significantly affect your fuel consumption. If this emergency fuel is required, then re-fill at the next available stop
- If possible, carry 1-2 spare boat trailer tyres
- Pack additional boat wrapping, electrical tape and tie down straps
- Sometimes fuel stops across the Nullarbor can be out of fuel, so map out all the fuel options and ensure that your vehicle has enough fuel to travel between any three service stations (missing the middle one) – plan to stop at every opportunity to refuel.
- This website can be very useful to see current fuel prices and if any Stations are out of fuel. https://fuelradar.com.au/map/location/au/sa/5070/felixstow
- Try and restrict your travel to daylight hours. Kangaroos and other animals can be prolific at dawn and dusk. So if travelling at these times be vigilant and possible reduce your speed.
- Stop at least every 500km to check your load including (this can be done during fuel stops):
- Checking for wear under tie down straps and adjusting the boats as necessary. Excessive wear may require boats to be re-wrapped or taped.
- Checking for boat movement on the trailer, especially in high winds or on rough roads
- Re-tightening all tie down straps
- Check trailer and vehicle tyres
- Drivers should keep a close eye on their engine temperature, especially in poor weather or strong winds. The additional load can put vehicles under stress and reducing your speed may be required to maintain a better engine temperature.
- If Crossing the WA-SA Border please make sure you are aware of what you can and can’t bring into WA. For more information please visit: https://www.dpird.wa.gov.au/individuals/what-can-i-bring-into-wa/
ACCOMMODATION AND FUEL
This is not an exhaustive list but includes some of the places that WA drivers have stayed and re-fuelled on their trips to and from the East Coast over the past 13 years. We recommend that those considering the drive do their own research to ensure this information is up-to-date and that there is accommodation availability. The following contains information on accommodation, fuel stops and rest areas in key locations from South Australia to Western Australia, including road maps between each location.
Ceduna (SouthAustralia) toPenong (SouthAustralia)
Ceduna
FuelStation:Caltex(6am–7:30pm), Liberty( 24hr),Shell( 24hr)
Accommodation:Highway One Motel ($117pernight) Ceduna Foreshore Hotel Motel ($140 per night)
Penong (SouthAustralia) to Nundroo (SouthAustralia)
Penong
FuelStation: Ampol(5am-10pm)
Accommodation:Penong Caravan Park(sites start at $20,cabins from $105pp)
Nundroo (SouthAustralia) toNullarbor (SouthAustralia)
Nundroo
Fuel Station: Mobil (6am-9pm) Accommodation:NundrooMotel
Nullarbor( SouthAustralia) to BorderVillage
Nullarbor RH
FuelStation:Mobil(7:00am–9:00pm)
Accommodation:Nullarbor Roadhouse
BorderVillage to Mundrabilla (WesternAustralia) via Eucla (WesternAustralia)
FuelStation:Shell Border Village (24Hours) / Eucla Independent (6:30am–7:30pm)
Accommodation:Border Village Roadhouse/ Eucla Motel
Note that your vehicle will most likely be checked when you cross the border. For more information on what you can and cant bring into WA please Visit the DPIRD website: https://www.dpird.wa.gov.au/individuals/what-can-i-bring-into-wa/
Mundrabilla (Western Australia) to Madura (Western Australia)
Mundrabilla
FuelStation:Mogas(6:00am–9:30pm)
Accommodation:Mundrabilla Roadhouse
Madura (Western Australia) to Cocklebiddy (Western Australia)
Madura
FuelStation:Shell(6:00am– 9:00pm)
Accommodation:Madura Pass Oasis Motel
Cocklebiddy(WesternAustralia)toCaiguna(WesternAustralia)
Cocklebiddy
FuelStation:BP(6:00am–7:00pm)
Accommodation:WedgetailInnHotel
Caiguna (Western Australia) to Balladonia (Western Australia)
Caiguna
FuelStation:BP(6am– 6pm)
Accommodation:John Eyre Motel
Balladonia (Western Australia) to Norseman (Western Australia)
Balladonia
FuelStation:BP(6:00am–9:00pm)
Accommodation:Balladonia Motel
Norseman (Western Australia) to Coolgardie (Western Australia)
Norseman
FuelStation:BP(24Hours),Ampol(5am-10pm)
Accommodation:Norseman Eyre Motel
Coolgardie(WesternAustralia)toSouthernCross(WesternAustralia)
Coolgardie
FuelStation:Ampol(4am-12am),Vibe(4am-8pm)Accommodation:CoolgardieMotel
SouthernCross(WesternAustralia)toMerredin(WesternAustralia)
SouthernCross
FuelStation:BP(24Hour),Shell(24hour)
Accommodation:MoorineRockMotel
Merredin (Western Australia) to Tammin (WesternAustralia)
FuelStation:Shell(24hours),BP(6am– 11pm)
Accommodation:MerredinOasisMotel
Tammin(WesternAustralia)toNortham(WesternAustralia)
Tammin
FuelStation:BPTammin(24Hour)/CaltexNortham(6am –9pm Hour)
Accommodation:TamminHotel/NorthamMotel
Northam:FuelBP(24hr),Shell(5am–10pm)