The End of a Fantastic Trip and Holiday

Submitted: Wednesday, Aug 26, 2009 at 01:26
ThreadID: 71793 Views:3344 Replies:5 FollowUps:3
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Hi All,
The end came all too soon. What a trip. The trip was only three months,but the real trip started a year ago when we first got the van. The build up to the trip was fantastic. We have not stopped learning from day dot. To all the people on this forum, a very big. Just by reading the forum we have learnt so much which has made our trip safe easy and enjoyable. All the people that we met along the way, without them would never have been the same. Especially those at the road camps, made it possible for us to ease into road camping. Although our first time alone was daunting,not much sleep that night but it got easier. The performed very well and we are very happy with the van. Perth to Darwin to Port Augusta to Perth. Total km's travelled- 15325km. Total cost $11062.00. LC V8 petrol pulling 21ft van.Best fuel consumption 19litres/100km. Worst 25litres/100km. Averaged 20 litres/100km for the whole trip this includes touring without the van. Total fuel cost $4765.64. 90% of the trip was against the wind. Was told that we should have gone anti-clockwise. Could not due to prior commitments in Exmouth. We don't care for eating out or take away. Coffee and a cake once in a while. Nothing like home cooked food. Now to plan our new life ahead of us. Hope we are able to help others along the way.
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Reply By: Member - Kroozer (WA) - Wednesday, Aug 26, 2009 at 03:01

Wednesday, Aug 26, 2009 at 03:01
Excellent stuff, without being too nosey, what were the other costs to equal $11k if you only spent $4k on fuel. Just like to know of some of the other costs that are associated for future reference. My folks spent nearly $100k over 2 years touring Oz. They were fully self sufficient and rarely stayed in caravan parks, they hardly ate take away ever, but the fuel and grog (old man not mum) bill sure was high. Hard to imagine where all the dollars go really. I must say though, that i could probably bet that they have seen as much of Oz as anyone else on ExplorOz, and they were very happy to spend there money that way. As a matter of fact they have itchy feet again, they only pulled up 8 months ago. I did a quick trip around Oz (5 weeks), recently just to have a quick gander at what is out there, and to get an idea on how i would like to see Australia in the future. I cant wait, although its probably years away, im only 25 still plenty of time, but now i know how to go about setting myself up and how i would like to do it. Im a very firm believer of seeing what we have in our own country before setting of overseas, i doubt i ever will go. Way too much to see and experience here.
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Follow Up By: nighttrain - Wednesday, Aug 26, 2009 at 13:39

Wednesday, Aug 26, 2009 at 13:39
hi, just wondering how and what your parents spent 100k on in 2 years? just very interested as planning on doing aussieland for about 1 year and hope to start it next year. thanks
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Follow Up By: Member - Michael C (WA) - Wednesday, Aug 26, 2009 at 13:39

Wednesday, Aug 26, 2009 at 13:39
Hi Kroozer,
The balance ($6296.36) was spent on caravan parks, groceries and tours. Most places we went to had an entrance fee. We found it difficult not to see anything because of the price tag. It sure is a long way to travel and then just bypass the main attractions.

Thanks Guys for sharing the feeling and your feedback.

See Ya out there, Safe travels
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Follow Up By: Member - Kroozer (WA) - Wednesday, Aug 26, 2009 at 20:32

Wednesday, Aug 26, 2009 at 20:32
Hi nighttrain, i wouldnt have a clue mate. Fuel mainly, i think they did something like 60,000kms over the 2 years. They went from one side of Aus to the other 3 times, and did Tassie twice. They didnt do the top half of WA, but did every other road, track, driveway they could find across the rest of Oz. They have both seen all there is too see in WA, over recent years plus Dad lived all over WA his whole life.They did however do most of the south of WA and the Goldfields, Wheatbelt and Gascoyne. There were some mechanical issues along the way too, (blown gearbox), buggered brakes, spilt hoses, electrical wiring shorts etc. I couldnt really tell ya what else the money went on apart from groceries, entrance fees, ferry fees, camping fees, fuel, Lotto, Internet and mobile bill, Dads grog and Mums smokes and Ice Coffees. Not really sure how they managed it , but they had a ball doing it so thats all that matters.

As they were looking for a new home along the way they would race from town to town to try and have a look at a place they liked, but in real life they never look the same as the pictures. The first year was very slow, having a good look around and not rushing, but after about 15 months they felt it was time to start looking around for something. They ended up back in Tassie, but are eager to rent house out now and keep moving. I would love to joing them so am doing as much research as i can now to see if its feasible.
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Reply By: Member - Uncle (NSW) - Wednesday, Aug 26, 2009 at 06:57

Wednesday, Aug 26, 2009 at 06:57
Know the feeling Michael,
but it sounds like you had really great trip.We did 10 mths fulltime last year, and often wonder how it seemed to go so fast.I agree with your comment too on the roadisde camps, some of the folk we met were absolute characters and we still keep in touch with them today.
Also as well as gaining much info on this forum beforehand, we learnt so much from the grey nomads in van parks along the way as well. Most of them were only too happy to have a coldie at "beer o'clock" and help with advice if asked or just have a general chit chat.
Anyway, keep the dream alive as they say, we are planning for another trip in a couple of years, ourselves, just have to wait for little junior to pop out in 6 weeks time so as we can educate her into the camping lifestyle!


cheers Laurie & Jodie.
AnswerID: 380517

Reply By: Member - Robbie Reddog (WA) - Wednesday, Aug 26, 2009 at 11:22

Wednesday, Aug 26, 2009 at 11:22
Congrats on your trip. We know what you mean as we are also on our way around to the NT and onto QLD. We left Perth over 5 weeks ago and are currently in Kununurra. It's been great other than the weather heating up since we left Derby. There are certainly some characters out there and also got lots of tips and advice from others on this forum and people we have met around the way.

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Reply By: Member - Scoof (SA) - Wednesday, Aug 26, 2009 at 12:38

Wednesday, Aug 26, 2009 at 12:38
I envy you all.
Cant wait till the kids are of our hands.

Cheers Scoof . :-)
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Reply By: Member - Heather G (NSW) - Wednesday, Aug 26, 2009 at 12:44

Wednesday, Aug 26, 2009 at 12:44
Hi Michael,

I can empathise with you as we arrived home only on Monday after nearly 24 weeks away. We had mostly great times and travelled around 20,000 kms, met some friendly people and did lots of free camping. I kept blogs and updated them when we had wireless internet signal so maybe you will find them useful for future trips.

Wouldnt know what we spent, or the fuel consumption figures but I know that there were many times when we had a head wind due to mutterings from the driver! It became a standing joke between us.

I am enjoying the comforts of a house but dont miss it at all when we are away. It was fantastic to see the family again though.

Regards,
Heather
Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt. John Muir

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