How much effort do you put into trip planning?

you and me are cut from the same tree then :-)

I have a list of how many lists I have LOL

gees louise.....................how much gear do you take/own Footy?

Not a fraction as much as some here. Most of the time is spent researching the area, it's history etc and getting the vehicle up to scratch.

Yep, that's the best way for me too.

I used to sit down and think (ie: "worry") about every little aspect of a trip for months in advance.

I've now become a bit more confident in our travel capabilities and tend to not do anywhere nearly as much pre-planning.

That's not to say I don't "PREPARE" for a trip, though.

I make sure the Patrol has been serviced. I always carry spare belts, hoses, filters, tools etc, so don't need to think about packing those. Also, the Patrol always has the fridge, hard-wired compressors etc.

So, all we need to do is pack clothes in the Nally tubs, which fit in the big box on the Patrol. The camper trailer is always packed, ready to go too.....just add fresh food; but we don't try to take 4 weeks worth of food....can still get tucker along the way (except for those really remote trips).

As for the route, ....usually that's a matter of knowing where we're going and just following our noses along the shortest route; with appropriate detours to places of interest that we may be aware of.

It is great to NOT have to be in certain places at certain times. This is just one more reason why I hate caravan parks; especially the type that are in really popular places that are booked out months in advance. I've never been to Broome (yet), and the biggest bug-bear that I have about visiting there is the fact that if I want to stay in a 'van park, I'm going to have to book soooo far ahead and then stick to that commitment......this is NOT my idea of a holiday; needing to be in a certain place at a certain time = STRESS!!!!!

The one thing I do plan for is MONEY. I always do a rough calculation of the distance we're likely to travel, add a margin of 20% and then work out the possible fuel cost based on a worst case fuel cost (about 20% higher than the current actual fuel costs). Add to that an allowance of $50- per day for food and other stuff (the actual $50- figure could vary up to $100- or more depending on the nature of the trip)....so I end up with a potential all-up cost of the trip. If that figure is too scary, we stay home!!!! Not really, but we may have to scale back our planned destination if the $$$ are going to be too tight.

Roachie

Robert O'Hara Burke spent 2 and a half years planning and look where it got him?

That gets my vote also......

Cheers

Well said John K.

It might take us years setting up the rig and taking enough spares and tools to cover most emergencies, but to enjoy a holiday, take it as it comes.

"Head in the general direction and talk to locals and other travellers along the way" sums up our preferred style of travel.

Motherhen

Thats where we fit in too, throw some stuff in the caravan and point the car in the general direction, now out remote areas is a bit different because you have to allow for food and maybes but even still we only prepare for the necessities and go from there. One of our great holidays was back in early eighties, we had four young kids, a caravan and a plan to head north (WA) and see how far we could get in a couple of months, we had already been as far as Onslow so drove that distance then went to each and every spot, stopped and checked all interesting areas and moved on to the next stop, we finished up in Darwin. As young as the kids were at the time they still remember that holiday. Itineraries are definitely out of our trips, too stressful trying to keep up with them.

Cheers

D

Agree with you guys. A well set up vechile can go where its driver wants to when he wants to. Even in remote areas you can change plans if you let someone know. When we are not remote we try and not plan to far in advance eg.. pack up in the morning and work out where we are staying as we drive, all we need know is what general direction. This is excitng and allows you to change plans as you go and see more things. Seriously this is how we do it most days. It is fun and carefree. Yes we are well prepared which took alot of planning but after 2 yrs on the road doing this I recon it's the best way.

Josh

you got it in one I reckon HGMonaro!

MM

G'day Shane
Yeah well old Jimmy was in a different boat (awful pun I know!) because he had no idea what lay ahead and had had no option (other than to stay home).
We however can mitigate potential problems by planning - as in your remote travel example.
Personally we don't have a rigid daily plan but a rough idea - allows for diversions etc. However due to limited time I can't afford to do as others have suggested and talk to the locals to find out what to see and do. For example for our Vic High Country trip a couple of years back we had done heaps of research on possible camping areas, tracks, huts etc. I don't think we would have been very successful if the extent of our planning was "let's go to the High Country" - which is what some others appear to be advocating.
Cheers from the Mooose

I thought trips/adventures was about enjoying the journey not the destination???

IMHO sometimes it's good to leave work (and your work mindset) behind.

Critical Path Analysis IS always about the journey ben, the destination is merely a goal

Its all really subjective is'nt it , a very good friend of ours is the complete opposite , can only manage 10days away from his buisiness in 1 block once per year , his idea of the perfect trip/holiday is to take a cruise ,same cruise every year ,same cabin even , likes to have every min planned out for him , when to eat, when to sleep ect ect.

Hi Royce,

Depends where you are going - if going on a desert expedition there aren't any supermarkets or garages out there. You need to be totally self sufficient and plan accordingly.

I have been on trips where we haven't seen another vehicle for weeks let alone find a shop.

Its on these type of trips where European travellers come unstuck - they think there are bitumen roads and shops everywhere.

cheers

Phil