Trip Costs

No not really most of my trips have been 4 - 5 hours away set up camp fish for a week come home ......... not on the road travelling all the time so to speak.

The trip to The Cape last year opened my eyes to the cost of long trips, while we had a fantastic time I have learnt to set or get some idea of what it will cost.

I only estimated my fuel for that trip which was $1400 I came in just over $1100 but lots more $$$ went in other areas I did not really consider but in the end it amounted up to a lot.

Still loved it and will do it again.

Brian

OK thats differant i understand your shock now, we do a budget as well and have done for every trip we've done over the last 10yrs, changing from a 4.0l V6 petrol to our 2.5l Turbo Diesel has eased things a bit fuel wise gives more money to spend on things to buy when away.

QLD then the high country is our next big trips this year with the occasional weekender thrown in, we refuse to let petrol prices effect our trips away, for sanity reasons more than any other reason!!!! ;-))

Baz.

A fair comment home budget does come into play to some degree but the wife does not come on trips anymore so for her to get around while i'm away is by taxi which on a whole is cheaper than a 2nd vehicle.

My workplace is about 5 klms away so house budget works on this which I feel i'm better off than most in this regard.

As for the benefits and health yep I agree but no point being broke at the end as that just puts a strain on other parts of life.

I will travel but will get smarter about how I do it I guess.

Brian

G'day Brian
Have you considered carrying your own shower to enable more bush camps? Something like a bilge pump, shower tent and bucket would cost you bugger all and your daughter should be fine with that type of shower (mine is). Obviously you can't bush camp everywhere but there are heaps of places where you can.
Cheers

Yes I have and its one other thing I am looking at getting. I spoke to Trevor at his place about his set up. My daughter is a great traveller and would be fine with a camp shower, without one i was just wanting some comfort for her. Your idea is well worth looking into :)

I have a longgggggg list of wants strangely exceed my list of must have lol figure i'm not alone there.

At the moment long range tank, shower, 2nd spare and fridge are up there with must haves for long trips.

Brian

Brian
Don't get too carried away with gear you may not need. For example I've travelled heaps and, whilst others may not agree, I've never taken a second spare - just the equipment and bits to fix a flat. I think that if you're careful with pressures and speed the chances of destroying 2 tyres is small. Sure it could happen but so could lots of other disasters.
Also I don't know what your vehicle's consumption will be but have you considered a jerry or two - a huge cost saving over an auxillary tank.
I see you want spot lights - unless you intend to travel at night they are bloody usless - I have them and rarely use them. I prefer to be in camp before dark. Sure you might get caught out but you'll still get there using standard lights - just travel slower.
High lift jack - not essential.
Fridge - that's one that probably is important. Spoilt food is not nice, nor having it swiming in cold water after the ice melts. Never used dry ice but that may be a viable option (depends on availability).
Fridge slide - MYO, it's lots cheaper. I assume you've worked out that a slide is essential. We have a wagon and the fridge stays put. Just climb up on the tailgate (horizontal type obviously) and works fine.
You're on the right track with your wants versus needs comment. Just work on that list a bit more.
Incidentally - getting back to your original question. We decide where we want to go for holidays then make it happen. Our accommodation costs are usually negligible (eg our last 2 week NSW north coast and outback jaunt cost us $30 for accommodation [being one night in a caravan park due to bad planning!]). Always bush camp (wife and 2 teenage kids). Food - we incur that whether travelling or staying at home. So the only real extra cost is the fuel (80 series petrol so it does drink a bit). We find that the financial impost isn't that great. But that's because of the style of holiday I guess.
Hope that helps.
Cheers

Yes i agree I have at this stage over budgeted for the kimberly but I figure if I set it at that by 2008 I may have less of a catch up of $$$. Even if I look at your spend which I figured it would cost about that anyway ........ its still $500 a month for 24 months to set aside for that trip alone which gives me something to work at.

Currently I'm trying to set aside $400 a month for my trip next year, aot all that easy.

Don't get me wrong .............. I just wondered how people work out for a big trip. I plan to do a lot of travel but i'd most likely look at working holidays as a carpenter I figure i'd find bits of work here and there or go to one area and set up for awhile then move on to the next place.

Brian