8 week trip

Thanks very much Lyn, just out of interest how many km did you travel on you six week trip in 2004? Also it looks like I've got some homework to regarding modifications to the rig to improve safety etc.
John

Hi John,

it was between 10-11000kms on that trip [from memory] last year was about 7000km,this year it' will be just over 4000kms.

We have a friend who took their Windsor Rapid away on a 10 week trip around Australia, from Melbourne doing the circuit and returning to Melbourne with twin boys then aged about 3, they said the van handled the journey really well.

cheers

Lyn

Many thanks for your advice. Sounds like you had a great trip. When you slept on the Nullabour did you go off the main track to make camp? A fellow mentioned to me that he would go off five km or so for safety. Is this a necessity. Any suggestions wrt swags and tents?
thanks again,
John

Across the nullabor we stayed at Eucla caravan park for the night $15
and on the way back at Balladonia.
We stayed a caravan parks all the time as it was out first trip.
The kids slept in swags either in or out of the tent and were fine outside just in their swags.As for the swags they were from a camping store. Just a basic swag.

Great Logo!!
Thanks for your kind offer.
John

Plenty of food for thought here.
Thank you,
John

Many thanks for you advice. How big a loop from the gold coast should we entertain? I guess we could head north and get a feel for how far we get each day, then head inland accordingly. I do agree with your suggested daily itiniery, i could see the kids getting into that routine easily.
John

sweetcaroline
Hi.

Yes I'd be very flexible first trip and ensure that if there is anything on the drive that you want to stop and see (or have a swim), there is no 'ironclad' itinerary that prevents it.

As a suggestion, first day it is more than enough to get to Hervey Bay and I'd spend a few days there to shake down the gear and get in the holiday mood.

While on that, it is worth getting a shade cloth floor for the annexe (see camping supplies). Keeps things clean. You might wish to get shade cloth for one end of the annexe too for wind and privacy.

Next I'd head to Yeppoon for 2-3 days.

From there you can head west to give everyone some experience of western touring. You can work out the days and stays, but essentially an extra day is worthwhile if there is anything nearby to look at. Also you need to scedule in the odd extra rest day anyhow. Join the children fishing in a dam or river and forget the haste. Feel relaxed enough to 'free camp' here and there off the road and away from the hustle and bustle of the tarmac.

Heading west on the Capricorn then Landsborough Highways there are several big road junctions if the family decide they'd prefer to be on the coast, however it is not too onerous to go through Longreach, Winton Cloncurry and then you can choose to go further west or head to Normanton, Cairns and up to Cooktown.

I'd track back down the coast trying to stay at the smaller out of the way places and you will find many people on the road who will make suggestions.

If you are taking the time to see the country wherever you stop you will find that eight weeks is just enough.

I suggest that a Darwin loop might be too much, but when you are in Winton or Cloncurry you can change your route if desired.

However I reckon it is better to burn less fuel and spend less time on the road. That means more time to talk with locals and explore.

After all, you want to leave some country for the next trip.

There is a surprising amount to be seen in many areas, for example when staying at Yeppoon there is Mount Morgan just west of there for a day trip - it is an old gold mining town. Take a picnic lunch.

EV700