Footloose replied:

Hi Jan. Much of the geographically specific info you get may be out of date by the time you go.
Only you know your requirements. Vehicle will depend on your budget. Get as good as you can afford and be sure its maintained before you set off. Breakdowns are costly. You might want to consider a diesel vehicle for the range and grunt. If pulling anything get a turbo.
Recce trips are great as they get the bugs out. Just be prepared for the arguments over who packed what where :))
Above all, enjoy the planning and preparation. You'll all have a great time.

ExplorOz Team - Michelle replied:

Hi Jan,
Your question may be a bit opened ended for this Forum since all our readers are likely to have done this and the big question as to what vehicle can open a can of worms of opinions.

Perhaps you might take my advice as the co-owner/writer of this site and take a browse through the very large collection of articles across the site - theres a whole section dedicated to Trips with Kids - with specific articles suiting age groups including babies, see Site Link

there is also a section on Vehicle Choices, see Site Link

and specific overviews of each region of Australia, see www.exploroz.com/States/Default.asp

including the Top End with links to all the relevant Trek Notes, Road Conditions, and other useful pages you could possibly hope for. See www.exploroz.com/Regions/TopEnd.asp

After reading through all these pages on this site relevant to your trip, my suggestion would be to then come back to the Forum with your specific questions that you feel have been left unanswered or upon which you need specific guidance.

Hope this helps and best of luck with your trip planning. Enjoy the site!

Member - Bware (Tweed Valley) replied:

Hi Jan,
Good on you for wanting to get out there. I agree with Michelle's above reply though; if you are new to camping and 4wding, there is alot to take on board. Start camping now to work out your camping gear requirements. Some people take the bare necessities, others take lots of stuff. This will help you decide what type of vehicle you need. Whether you move regularly when camping or stay put for a few days in each spot will influence the type of set-up you have. Tent or camper trailer? If you use a fridge there is the dual battery and/or solar panels issue. Afamily of four will need a large wagon or dual cab but on the other hand, if you decide to take a trailer you could get by with a smaller vehicle.

Get a dome tent, a stove, an esky and bedding and go camping with whatever vehicle you have now. It's amazing how many ideas you will come up with sitting around a fire.

Regards, Brian

Member - Jeff H (QLD) replied:

Jan,
You may, in time, consider becoming a member of this sad fraternity. At times, members may be reluctant to broadcast their comments (and insults) widely, but member to member contact can be very rewarding.

Be warned, addiction is possible.(True, Gentleman No.1 ?) Best wishes, and happy family raising, your kids will be winners. Jeff.

Member - Oldplodder (QLD) replied:

Jan & Wellsy

Welcome, and what a good place to start, with a nice big open question :o).

Not having done the big trip, as I can only afford to have a couple of months off every couple of years, may not be able to help too much. But we have been travelling around parts of this country for 20 years now with a 4wd, and started with our 2 boys when one was 4 yrs and the other 6mths. They no longer come with the 'oldies' any more since they are 20 & 24.

Have also introduced my better half to camping along the way. Funny how some families are camping families, and some not.

We built up the experience of what suited us as we went. Been through 4 tents now and progressing to a camping trailer (CT common abbreviation) in the next year as we get older. We travel cheap and reasonably light with not too many mod cons. Have friends with 18' and 22' vans that couldn't travel with out them, but they don't get to some of the places we go to, since we really like national parks and out of the way places. Big thing is I don't mind driving dirt roads and tracks, while some friends hate them.

Yes, budget is a major defining factor. And a bit of inginuity helps a lot.

Have learnt a lot from this site just reading too.

So suggest you do a few camping trips to find what you need, even if you borrow a bit of gear for now. Then you will work out what you want.

Vehicle wise, budget will decide, but a good basic 4wd will get you most places, and trip preparation will save you a lot of grief on the road.

Good luck, and enjoy the adventure. The dreaming is the best place to start.

Member - Phantom (WA) replied:

Hi Jan,
Welcome the the site and you will learn much here.
SWMBO & I have developed a fairly comprehensive camping check list over several years now. We are definitely 5 star campers and have most mod cons. I would be happy to share my list with you, if for no more than thought starters. I can email it to you if you wish.
By the way, we have an 80 series cruiser with an Aussie Chuck Wagon in the back and love it.
Steve

Member - Brian (Gold Coast) replied:

Welcome Jan.....

The only bit of advice I can give you is when you have bought your fourby, please consider an approved four wheel driving course.... at the very least join a club that has a Driver Awareness Unit, and learn to drive the 4by as it was intended to be driven. Even if you think you may never put it in low range..... at least learn how to if you ever need to!

regards

Brian

jan&wellsy replied:

Wow thanks everyone! Great to meet you all. Im sure i shall become a member in the very near future. We are looking at a toyota prado on the weekend, sounds good so we will see. Thanks for the advise about visiting caravan parks for a look. We have a very busy one here so i shall be there noseing around! Im sure i will have 1000's more questions for you all before we go and i look foward to getting to know you all.
Cheers Jan :-) (Roons)