About to change direction...........

Submitted: Sunday, Jun 23, 2013 at 15:52
ThreadID: 102910 Views:3147 Replies:13 FollowUps:4
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Hello all

Due to an impending loss of our livelihood and business, my wife, myself and our 10yr old child are contemplating a change in direction and taking a year off to explore our country, lick our wounds and start again.

I have two questions that I would be grateful for feedback on...

1. I am 46 yrs old and pretty handy. Have tools for most jobs, and but am not qualified as a tradesman. We will have to find work to support ourselves as we travel so my question is how does one go about finding work when on the road?

2. I think we will be able to rustle up about $40k to buy a vehicle and caravan to go with. Keeping in mind I will need to use it as a work vehicle from time to time or getting to and from a job, and something to carry my tools, what do you recommend we look at in the way of a 4x4 and caravan?

Cheers
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Reply By: Allan B (Member, SunCoast) - Sunday, Jun 23, 2013 at 16:19

Sunday, Jun 23, 2013 at 16:19
Hi Keith,
I can't help you much with your questions but I know that there others on here who will.
I do however wish you all the best of good fortune in your future.
Cheers
Allan

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AnswerID: 513655

Reply By: Member - Rosss - Sunday, Jun 23, 2013 at 16:41

Sunday, Jun 23, 2013 at 16:41
Join Work about Australia, Have you got a HC or MC licence, once you go west of the great dividing range you can just about pick what you would like to do, no workers out there because they all want to live within farting distance of the beach.

cheers
AnswerID: 513656

Reply By: Member - Arsenal Phill - Sunday, Jun 23, 2013 at 16:44

Sunday, Jun 23, 2013 at 16:44
Hi Keith. Keep your chin up mate. As one door closes, another one opens........
I am a painter in Perth. Currently the law will allow you to do small painting job within our state. So if you are handy with a brush you could do the odd room here and there. Couple that with some maintenance and you should be right.
Good luck to you and the family
AnswerID: 513658

Reply By: Rockape - Sunday, Jun 23, 2013 at 16:55

Sunday, Jun 23, 2013 at 16:55
Keith,
I can't advise you what to purchase. The only thing I can do is say. Get the latest low K vehicle you can. Mitsi triton would be a good choice dollar wise. Get an old caravan that you have checked over for leaks , purchase that if you are sure it is sound. It will be just as good as the latest models - all the mod cons.

Make sure the vehicle can tow what you are going to buy and the van's bearings and brakes are ok. One thing to check is how old the tyres are. This could really bring you undone if a tyre blows.

Wish you well. Jobs can be obtained in many places. You just have to put yourself out there, and say exactly what you can do.

All the best.
AnswerID: 513660

Follow Up By: 08crd - Sunday, Jun 23, 2013 at 20:09

Sunday, Jun 23, 2013 at 20:09
As Rockape says, spend the money on the car, it has the most moving parts.
A caravan is a box on wheels, old ones that have been loved are good buying.
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FollowupID: 792418

Follow Up By: Aussi Traveller - Monday, Jun 24, 2013 at 21:22

Monday, Jun 24, 2013 at 21:22
Perhaps a good quality car and a reasonable camper trailer.

Good luck and Have fun.

Phil
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FollowupID: 792517

Reply By: Alloy c/t - Sunday, Jun 23, 2013 at 17:51

Sunday, Jun 23, 2013 at 17:51
There is work just depends on what you are prepared to do for how many $$$ ,station sitting ,helping out mustering ,general maintenance on buildings and vehicles , the work is there as long as you don't expect citified or mining co rates of pay ......
AnswerID: 513663

Reply By: swampy460 - Sunday, Jun 23, 2013 at 20:18

Sunday, Jun 23, 2013 at 20:18
there is a website I think its called the Harvest Trail.

swampy
AnswerID: 513673

Reply By: Roughasguts - Sunday, Jun 23, 2013 at 20:34

Sunday, Jun 23, 2013 at 20:34
To be honest I wouldn't be spending a whole lot of money on a car. A NJ Pajero worth 3-5 K will get you around Ausralia tow a Van and be easily repaired for a few dollars and carry you tools. As for a van well thats up to the Missus she will have to make it a home.

But if you find work you may wan't to keep cashed up to rent a house for a few months get the kid in school have a break from Caravan parks Etc.. Cause face it Caravan parks and house rent is much the same if you ask me.

Being cashed up will give you less stress and the work will probably be easier to find,
having a flash car no fuel in it and being broke won't be any consolation.

Cheers

AnswerID: 513675

Follow Up By: Member - Legendts - Sunday, Jun 23, 2013 at 20:47

Sunday, Jun 23, 2013 at 20:47
X 1 for above and like your thinking Roughasguts.

Good luck mate, sounds like you have the right attitude so I'll back it in you will be OK, find work, tell your family you love them and remember to enjoy each day.
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FollowupID: 792422

Reply By: Motherhen - Sunday, Jun 23, 2013 at 21:12

Sunday, Jun 23, 2013 at 21:12
Hi Keith

You may contact me through my profile for links and ideas. If you are prepared to do anything and can build up a good reputation as you go, you should find work, at least seasonally. Best of luck with the new direction and good on you for giving it a go while you are still young enough to find work.

Motherhen
Motherhen

Red desert dreaming

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AnswerID: 513680

Reply By: Member - lyndon NT - Sunday, Jun 23, 2013 at 21:46

Sunday, Jun 23, 2013 at 21:46
G'day

You will get a job in Darwin. Nice weather now but will start to heat up come September. It is expensive to live here but work is easy to come by. Will your wife work? The reason I ask is that with two incomes or at least 1.5 incomes you will be able to afford to live here. If you liked it and are both working I would suggest you look for a rental before the build up starts. It would be hard to live in a van here, especially with a child.
Depending on you practical abilities as well as you organisational skills, you could possibly start your own business and make a very good income.
Service is VERY POOR here!! I could start a list here right now about the amount of business I'm waiting to hear back from, businesses that I'm wanting to spend thousands with!! Can't even get a quote!
So if your organised, prompt and do a good job, work will flow.

Cheers

Lyndon
Now is the only time you own
Decide now what you will,
Place faith not in tomorrow
For the clock may then be still

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AnswerID: 513682

Reply By: Tjukayirla Roadhouse - Monday, Jun 24, 2013 at 10:17

Monday, Jun 24, 2013 at 10:17
good luck with it mate, and keep an eye on gumtree for remote work. Also helps to have a chat to some locals in the pub, usually the best way to pick up a few hours work.

Cheers
Al
AnswerID: 513707

Reply By: Witi Repartee - Monday, Jun 24, 2013 at 12:56

Monday, Jun 24, 2013 at 12:56
Hi,

Firstly, regarding jobs. We registered with Skilled, Workpac etc before we took of on a two year ramble around Australia. These were good in the bigger centres for picking up a bit of work...especially if you are not too chosey and just regard any job as a holiday job with a pay cheque attached.
In the smaller centres nobody wants to wade thru a big CV...I did up a one page flyer with my main qualifications on it.....plus the fact I was willing to guarantee I was available for 4/8/12 weeks etc. I bowled into places that appealed to me and asked to see the boss and got employed several times with in 48 hours.

Vehicle and Van We bought a 1989 GQ Patrol Diesel which was slow but bullet proof and towed a 1989 Viscount Seabreeze small tandem van with it. Did 45,000 km over two years...got off onto the gravel a fair bit, such as the Oodnadatta, Tanami etc.....treated the rig with respect and drove to the conditions and varied our tyre pressures etc. No major expenses apart from an Alternator and we broke a van leaf spring which I rerplaced myself for under $100.
Enjoy!

AnswerID: 513717

Reply By: Member - lyndon NT - Monday, Jun 24, 2013 at 19:27

Monday, Jun 24, 2013 at 19:27
This post has been read by the moderation team and has been moderated due to a breach of The For Sale/Wanted to Buy Rule .

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AnswerID: 513743

Reply By: Member - lyndon NT - Monday, Jun 24, 2013 at 20:54

Monday, Jun 24, 2013 at 20:54
This post has been read by the moderation team and has been moderated due to a breach of The For Sale/Wanted to Buy Rule .

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AnswerID: 513753

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