time to start planing

Submitted: Thursday, Aug 21, 2008 at 13:14

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How to Plan a Trip

Getting ready for the road, be it a three week trip or a three year trip might seem something of a daunting task, whether you are a 4WDriver,

JAS095

well it is now time to start planing a trip / working holiday around Oz. but I would like some advice from others that have done it before.

there is myself and my wife and we have a daughter who is now 3mths old but we don't envisage leaving until she is around 18 mths - 2yrs old.

1) I am a nurse and my wife is a hairdresser, have any one else have similar professions and done the lap how did you find it to get work?

2) we have a camper trailer and we think that we could use this instead of a van. Any comment?

3) how long do we travel for 1 year and try and make it all the way or do it at a more relaxed pace and take 18 mths -2 years?

4) how much will it cost, I know that this is a very open question but what have others budgeted and how did you do on that budget??

5) lastly is there any where that you would say that we should adviod like the plague?

thanks
Jason

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Reply By: roblin - Thursday, Aug 21, 2008 at 14:47

Thursday, Aug 21, 2008 at 14:47

Jason,
firstly let me prefix my response with 'I haven't done the trip yet but have gone through all the considerations you are thinking about'.

1. You couldn't have two more portable professions. Nurses are in short supply everywhere and you will just need to register with each state authority as you travel. Then hook up with an agency wherever you stay and Bob's your uncle. My wife's an RN so I have some knowledge here. Regarding hairdressing. A sign out front of the CT/van and you should do a roaring trade.

2. I have considered both forms of accommodation and you will get responses from both sides of the argument. A van lets you stop, open the door, maybe raise the roof (for a pop up) and eat/sleep whatever. Very easy with small kids. The CT is more cumbersome, is canvas BUT provides you with freedom to go to places vans don't travel to very easily, eg off road (that is if you have an off road CT). Personally, I had a CT, sold it, bought a van, sold it and now have the CT I wanted. I would do a trip in the CT with my kids but they are 6 and 8YO not 18 months old. Personal choice. Search Google. MySwag.org is focussed on CTs and you may get some info there or look up expeditionaustralia. These people took there family around Aus in a Tambo without (too much) drama. There are also other family's storie on CT (and van) travels on there). 'Around the Block in 90 Days' is a good read about a journo who did the lap, with his family, in a CT in 90 days (long service leave I guess). There is a lot of info on the net, just Google it.

3. How long is a piece of string? With your particular professions/trades you could travel indefinetely and not have troubles. For open ended travels you may want to consider a van though. If you have no commitments back home. go without a timeline and live the gypsy lifestyle for awhile.

4. Fuel will be your greatest cost I believe. Normal living expenses and c/van parks aside, how far you intend to travel each day (plus tourist attractions) will eat up the dollars the most. Again, how long is a piece of string?

5. Sorry, can't help here.

Hope some of this helps. I am jealous as hell. Unfortunately, I have become a slave to the dollar and haven't the guts to just pack it in right now. Oh well, 12 years to retirement then it is all up hill (I hope!)

Cheers
Rob

AnswerID: 321524