Planning a big trip

The trick is, don't plan too much.

Don't put strict times on being places. Take your time and talk to people on your way around.

Be prepared to change your routes and look at side trips. They are everywhere.

I found it useful to create a map (My Maps) in google maps to mark up spots you want to see and join them up. Can then put links in to relevant info on each place.
Haven't actually taken the big trip myself yet though :)

Lisa

Go to the button TOPICS above and you can gather as much info from there as you would need


Cheers

Hi Lisa,

Before you leave, make sure have have someone looking after your mail.

Have a wonderful and safe journey.

Regards

Craig B

What you could do is but an Australian Geographic laminated map of Aus and plot all the places you want to visit. Then you choose to go clockwise or anti-clockwise and you play join the dots. If you don't like some parts of it rub them out (that's why I said to get a laminated map) and do a change.

Like others have said, don't plan too much. If you have places that have activities on specific dates then you need to work around that. Others choose to avoid places when activities are on so it is quieter.

Other than that, just visit places. Anywhere you stop will have something interesting, and if it doesn't then go a little further and find something of interest.

If you plan too much you will end up running out of time or missing things. The more you plan, the more chance there is of disappointment because the plan didn't work out!

Depends how much time you have to visit your notebook places. We usually do in one of two ways, one which you have started. Choose the places we would like to see, research them on the web and then plan the route to each of these places. The other alternitive is to choose your route and then research for places that may be worth seeing. We then estimate the time it will take to get between these points alowing for the percived road conditions. If there is no time limit then this is easy, if you have a time limit then likewise harder to plan. If you wish send me an Email and I will send you our latest schedule we are due to start this trip in a week. Regards tonyb@activ8.net.au.

We use combination of spreadsheet and google maps. Spreadsheet has 1 day per line, columns for day, date, town, km, etc...also doubles a trip diary as all notes are put in it, one column for pre trip notes another for recording notes at end of each day. These notes can also be put into the Google map as you go along. We begin with rough trip plan on the spreadsheet & Google map and develop it from there, but we always leave room for flexibility as we travel along.
here is start of proposed google trip plan to Cape York next year

See here for WA Kimberley trip spreadsheet for another trip we did in 2005.

See here last years WA google map trip notes

Get yourself a copy of - Camps Australia Wide 4. It's the bible for Aussie nomads. Best $60 bucks you'll ever spend.

Mate of mine is about to do the East Coast. Has decided that he wont drive after 2.30PM each day. If he's on the road at that time the next campsite/van park is his stop for the night and can then have a look around. Nice thoery, hope it works.

He has some definite stops in mind but wont be busting a gut, or his vehicle to get there by a certain date/time.

The best advice is not to plan too much. Stop and look and ask and you'll fill your trip nicely. Just plan a general route to travel and be prepared to stop and enjoy at any time.

Cheers

Thanks to eveyone for their responses- its been very helpful.
We dont have a time limit at all :) we originally wanted to just start driving and stop wherever but i think it would be smarter to plan just a little.
The google maps is a really great idea - i just had a look! but we will be on a budget and most likley wont have access to internet unless we are stopping in an internet cafe.
I like the idea of the spreadsheet - something really simple and easy.

Thanks again for everyones reponses!!

As others have said, don't plan too much. You will find that your list of 'must sees' will fill up pretty quickly once you get going and then things start to get pretty tight. Keep it flexible.

Best advice I can offer is to get a rough outline, then each time you set up at a camp site or van park, grab a beer and go for a wander. You will get the best advice on what to do and where to go as well as current road conditions, tourist numbers, etc from your fellow travellers. Great way to relax and meet people as well and you quickly realise that people on the road are vastly different from those you deal with in day to day life. Which is why the Government should fund people (or me at least) to travel permanently. Think of the cut to mental health costs alone!

Have fun,

Matt.