The Big Trip with Children

A little more info required.

What type of vehicle have you got?
Where do you want to go?
How long can you go for?
What are you going to do about the children's education?
How much camping has the family done?

Caravan parks can be expensive to stay in, alright once in a while, but unless you have won lotto, the funds will soon run out.

Picking up work as you go is possible, but you would have to stay in one place for a few weeks to make it pay.

There are a lot of different types of vans on the market, what you can get will depend on the budget plus where you want to go.

Wayne

As was mentioned, if you stay every night in a caravan park you will end up spending a lot of money. $20-30 a night = more than $150 a week. Add that to food, fuel and other expences, and if your income is reduced then you will likely run out of cash (unless you are wealthy).

You could get a portable shower, portapotti, and stay in cheaper camp sites. The savings will add up.

If you haven't done much camping in the past then i would advise not to sell up. Imagine being on the road for a few weeks and the teenage girls miss their friends and hair drier and want to go home? If you do rent the house out then that may provide you with extra income also.

Do a lot of research before you leave but really go for it. I have always loved travelling and it's only 3 weeks away before we leave for our round oz trip, haven't been this excited since i was 10!

Hi the_jem
We have 2 setups. Caravan for std holiday trips and also do dinkum 4wd off road trips for up to 2 weeks where we live out of 4wd with touring tent (quick erecting pyramid style tent). We have 3 kids (5-16y.o.).

Have had 17' caravan for about 7 yrs (averaging 23 nights per yr in it) - claimed to be 6 berth but effectively 4 berth now with size/age of kids - bought a speedy tent (brilliant) for the 16 y.o. on our recent xmas trip. Still, find van too small now that we basically live outside - for us that usually means erecting annex and therefore try to spend at least 4 nights in any one place because of hassle erecting annex.

Whatever you do get a setup that's convenient. I would get sick of both our setups for 'the big trip' - and would want a bigger van and maintain dedicated off road 4wd setup for occasional adventure trips. Personally I think a camper trailer would become a hassle for a longer trip with kids. Not only setting up at each new place but also when stopping for lunch (a highlight of caravan trips I reckon). Just think about stopping for lunch / night when its pouring – caravan also great in those circumstances.

Agree with Wayne about cost of parks with kids nowadays - we were paying $4-10 (abt) xtra a night per child at xmas. So we have improved our caravan trip setup for staying away from c/parks (get Camps Aust 4 book!!). Have a gravity shower arrangement from roof rack + 12v shower, and porta potty, shower/toilet tent. Good dual battery setup critical also when doing this, which also helps 4wd trips. 3 way fridge in van also helps but so do solar panels.

Absolutely recommend starting slowly – we travel with several family groups and everyone has different preferences. Suggest hiring / borrowing tent, camper trailers etc to get a feel for what you like / dislike. Lot of money involved so its worth suck it and see before committing totally. Bus / campervan would also be good for family touring but personally I need my 4wd adventures.

Raving on a bit here – all just so great family wise – worth it. Good luck. JD

Oh no, thats what I wanted a rave on !! I totally am interested in others views/opinions/experiences!!

Definitely would be doing a caravan with ensuite set-up, couldn't go for less.

I live in suburbia too and go through the usual weekday grind but the cure is called a weekend and life couldn't be much better. if you can't enjoy your two days off it's going to be a lot harder enjoying 7 days off, running away is not a cure, or am I on the wrong track, ignore me maybe, I've had a few beers :)

ROFL
No, my weekend is my week!! I own my own company and do party plan!!
Just life is getting to a stage, where we want to slow down, show our kids the real Australia. How much longer are we going to have it this beautiful for?
Water restrictions, next it will be power.

Hubby works, storeman.
Me, mum, volunteer extrordinaire, anything I can put my hand to, keep the business afloat.
Maybe I should take the business on the road.
www.hush-hush.com.au

Hire a caravan before buying anything and try out caravan parks, free camping etc -see how you like it. If you have never done any camping before even caravanning may not suit.

Go to one of the big caravan, camping 4wd shows and you will see a whole world of gear. The Sydney one is in April at Rosehill racecourse. Don't know your area but all capital cities have them and also some good regional ones.

Go slow and try first, you could waste a huge amount of money.

alastair

Jem
May i suggest you get yourself a copy of the latest campertrailer australia mag Feb/Mar 07 issue it has a story in there of a family doing exactly what you are talking about doing, they have 4 kids age 10 to 15 and have been going a few years and with only a trailer and tent, it also has a contact number for them if you wish to talk to them about it.

Chris

Gday,
We are thinking about doing the same thing soon and persoally...an airconditioner is a must!
My kids are both born and bread in Alice Springs, are used to heat, humidity, outdoors, insects, dirt, crapping in the bush etc. etc. etc. but...
If they are doing home school and Im going to be their teacher I am going to need somewhere cool and quite to study with them. To teach your own kids will be great put I reckon there will be lots of trying times were heat, flies and other distractions would be best kept to a minimum.
Good Luck
Cheers