Friday, Oct 25, 2002 at 00:00
Hi JanJon, My folks went bust when I was in my late teens. A couple of years later they packed up the Kingswood and took off on an extended tenting trip staying mostly in NP's, crown land and sometimes got permission off station owners (western Qld) to stay on their property. They had a great time. Eventually, by earning a bit extra doing craft markets and a small loan from their kids, they were able to buy a cheap, but good caravan. Many years later, they got into an older type Landcruiser which was better for towing and traded their 16ft van in for a slightly smaller, but much lighter van. Until giving it away a couple of years ago due to age and ill-health, they had spent 14 years travelling all around Oz and had a wonderful time. Mostly, they stayed in CVP's but made the most of free campsites and roadside stops when they could. They joined the great migration of
grey (and not so
grey) nomads north for the dry season, and headed south again as soon as it started getting warm. They found CVP's a great social hub and regularly met up with the same travellers along the way. And year after year they would return to their favourite towns (
Darwin,
Broome etc) for reunions with with freinds made in previous years. They regularly rec'd invitations to stay with friends at their various homes all round Oz. These days minus caravan, they still stay with various friends and receive reciprocal visits. They never had any major breakdowns or problems, probably due to the easy pace they set. The just ambled along at about 80km/h, never pushing themselves or their rig too far in any one day. Biggest problem was overloading. I once went to the little cupboard above the wheel arch and saw daylight. They had so much stuff in the van the tyres had rubbed and worn through the wheel arch. Dad had truck tyres fitted and
the springs strengthened and lifted which solved the problem of the rubbing but they were still overloaded. Occasionally they'd have a big clean-out but inevitably they'd soon be back to overloaded. It seemed to me they just wanted all the comforts of
home and didn't really do without anything or make-do. Personally, I reckon if you haven't used something for say 2mths (not including winter clothing etc), you don't need it. There are quite a few good publications on free
places to
camp around Oz. You'll recoup the purchase price in only 1 or 2 nights savings in accom. so they are a good investment. Talk to people you meet on the road and ask them for advise on where to stay,
shop, cheap fuel etc. Also, don't know where you are intending to travel, but here's another tip...During peak holiday season in many of WA's NP's, CALM appoint
camp hosts who in exchange for a free site, collect camping fees, clean the loo's and generally act as a caretaker of the
camp site. I doubt you'd get into this at the more popular parks but I've seen them advertising for
camp hosts in less popular
places. Could be worth contacting CALM if this sounds like something you might like to do. Don't know about other states, but it might be worth finding out. Hope all this helps. If you have any specific queries, feel free to ask. My experience of this
forum is that people are ready and willing to offer advise and help where they can. Regards, Melissa
AnswerID:
7843