Mark replied:

Ray,

We have not yet done a trip of this length but was talking to a couple recently who had retired and done a 10 month trip around Oz. They towed a caravan with a Landrover but when they wanted to go off the beaten track they would leave the caravan at a caravan park (apparently most let you stroe vans for a few dollors per day) and then used a rooftop tent for the less accessable places. We bought a rooftop tent a few weeks ago and just spent a couple of weeks touring Tassie, will never consider a standard tent for short durations again as the rooftop ones are up and ready in 5 minutes. In fact we pulled over on the Hume Hwy on the way back to Sydney at 2am and climbed up into the Tent at a Truckstop, try doing this in a normal tent. Got some funny looks from the Truckies though. As much as we like the rooftop I would not want to do 6 months in it, however with the pull out awning you can get a pretty comfortable setup. I should have some Pic's of the tent setup in a couple of days if your interested in seeing.
Cheers

Mark

Bill & Doreen King replied:

Good Ray. W are in the early sixtys and have traveled this land for many years in tents and vans. Last yeay 2001 we got our self an of road van see On The Road Mag Aug.2001 page 36 for our right up on this van. We spend 6 months travelling when my health is good and only got the of roader as teant life is only good tor two months, if on the move that is. Our old van was to low to take of road much and as we are 4x4 people did not suit our life style. Go for it while your young, You can not beat a good of roader living out of towns saves heeps of doe.
Good luck.

ExplorOz Team replied:

Hi Ray, I can appreciate your dilema, as we have travelled for 2yrs continuosly, which is totally different to 6 or even 10mths. I have some thoughts to share with you...
1. there is no way you will cope with 5 yrs of putting up a tent every day.
2. to that end, there is little difference to putting up a camper trailer.
3. yes, towing a van will restrict you, since you say you are keen to really go bush.
4. your best bet is to plan to alter accommodation styles... 5yrs is a LONG time.
I would suggest that in the early days you'll just love tenting it (or swag?). Do the first leg of the trip light, setup your first work stint for 6mths and then you'll be a better position to assess your needs, before making the big purchase.
I am often surprised how people think that it all has to be planned from where you sit now - it doesn't, particularly for such a long trip. Just plan enough to get yourself going and then as your mind (and body) relaxes into the new mode of living, you will find you'll look at all these "dilemas" in a different light.We've met MANY other couples of all ages that have travelled for up to 9years! If you are seriously looking at longer than 1 yr you will find that what seems the right setup at the beginning of the trip may not be all that ideal by mid-way. We recently spent some time with a couple who have travelled for 9years. They have a troopy and tow a big caravan to get from A to B. They then leave the van in storage for 3 mths while they do more serious offroad stuff in season. They usually travel for 1 yr like this and then make their way to capital cities, rent a unit, arrange storage and work for 6mths while they save up for the next year of travel.We also stopped three times during our 2 years (4-9wk stops) for sleeping in beds and in homes, with hot running water... It is really re-charging. So my view is basically, travel light, then rest up big before going off again. Hope this helps!

Phil replied:

We travelled from the HunterValley in NSW to Alice Springs in 4 months tenting all the way and it got to the stage where we nearly divorced. A caravan that you can leave somewhere while you go off tenting is the answer.