Planning on traveling Australia next year

Submitted: Wednesday, Aug 26, 2009 at 13:48
ThreadID: 71798 Views:3734 Replies:8 FollowUps:8
This Thread has been Archived
We are planning on traveling around Australia next year starting hopefully in May or June and leaving from the Melbourne area. Hope we can hear from alot of people who have done this, information we would like is what it costs, where to look to buy a caravan and vehicle and anything anyone else can tell us. We are planning this while living overseas.
Back Expand Un-Read 0 Moderator

Reply By: _gmd_pps - Wednesday, Aug 26, 2009 at 14:11

Wednesday, Aug 26, 2009 at 14:11
DO NOT I repeat DO NOT BUY a vehicle or caravan while you are overseas.
There a plenty of vehicles/caravans around and it is very easy to buy while you are here. better bargaining, better inspection .. you just get the better deal.

Australia is easy to travel with a few precautions.

The only problem outside cities is the quality of food and shopping groceries. Low quality high price. You will need to adjust to that. A few areas with local produce are ok but generally the quality of fruit and vegies in the country is shocking. Food prices are generally double to three times compared to Europe even in the cities.

First decide where you want to go and then when you come pick the vehicle accordingly and in line with your travel style.

good luck
gmd


AnswerID: 380550

Follow Up By: Dunco (NSW) - Wednesday, Aug 26, 2009 at 14:38

Wednesday, Aug 26, 2009 at 14:38
I agree with this post about not purchasing whilst overseas !!!

However, I am traveling Australia at the moment and have NO problem at all with the quality of produce...the price is higher, but that is caused by freight charges.

There are a few places that food is a little dodgy, but you bypass those :-)

There is PLENTY to see here so just start researching and then maybe ask specific questions about places.

Have fun



0
FollowupID: 647913

Follow Up By: Fiona & Paul - Wednesday, Aug 26, 2009 at 14:53

Wednesday, Aug 26, 2009 at 14:53
Prices will obviously be higherin remote areas because of freight charges, but we have just been through South Western Queensland and North Western NSW, prices were a bit up but nothing over the top.

Provided you are careful and plan ahead by asking locals about buying supplies two or three towns ahead you won't have any problem with quality.

Enjoy ylur trip when you get here.

Paul H
OZ Downunder

Lifetime Member
My Profile  My Blog  My Position  Send Message

0
FollowupID: 647916

Follow Up By: Family Friendly Oz Camping - Wednesday, Aug 26, 2009 at 20:03

Wednesday, Aug 26, 2009 at 20:03
You won't have any problem with the quality of fruit, veges, groceries most places in Australia, i live in rural Victoria and have travelled in the outback and Top End and have found only the more remote places struggle to get the fresh stock and have to charge more because of freight costs.
0
FollowupID: 647977

Follow Up By: _gmd_pps - Wednesday, Aug 26, 2009 at 21:55

Wednesday, Aug 26, 2009 at 21:55
well we obviously have different quality standards of food.
All my visitors from overseas are complaining about the food, quality
and prices, but they are not English though.

have fun
gmd
0
FollowupID: 648007

Follow Up By: nighttrain - Thursday, Aug 27, 2009 at 13:00

Thursday, Aug 27, 2009 at 13:00
Yes not buying until we get there got some family members looking around but just looking for now a bit to soon unless it is a super deal, my brother a mechanic so very handy. gmd aussie food is good, a little bit different to what I eat now but cant wait to have a meatpie with sauce and good old fish and chips, and prices arent that much more.thanks for all your info
0
FollowupID: 648087

Reply By: Cruiser 2091 - Wednesday, Aug 26, 2009 at 17:43

Wednesday, Aug 26, 2009 at 17:43
Hi nighttrain.
I have just returned from a trip such as you plan. You could expect to travel about 17000 ks if you follow the coast. Petrol cost for this distance about $4700 when towing a 16 foot caravan with a Landcruiser.

Caravan parks all seem to be around the $200 per week mark however there are many free camp sites savailable.

I would suggest the best place to look for a vehicle and caravan would be the trading post if buying privately.

Whatever vehicle you purchase ensure that it is in mechanically sound condition because recovery costs on remote sections of highway can be about $2000. Also remember that mobile phone service is non existant in many areas.

Should you have further questions feel free to ask and enjoy that trip.

AnswerID: 380568

Follow Up By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Wednesday, Aug 26, 2009 at 19:51

Wednesday, Aug 26, 2009 at 19:51
Well I wish i could have got right around in 17,000k

You must have taken a short cut.

We are just coming down the WA coast after coming down the East Coast and up the middle to Darwin and now in Geraldton. Still a long way to go to get back to Qld

Have done nearly 24,000km and probably spent well over $3,000 on Diesel.

Most parks are in excess of $33 and some upwards of $40 as you strike school holidays somewhere and several times if you cross a state line at the wrong time.

Food costs vary a lot but generally arent too bad. In the far North things are dearer but we have had reasonable prices by shopping at Woolworths and get their fuel discounts as well.
We have had some of the best meat in years up north and not expensive either. Always try to buy in bulk as its cheaper.

Havent read a newspaper for months as the east coast papers are over $4 in NT and WA.

Buy a reliable car and get it looked at by a specialist 4 wd place.
Vans are a dime a dozen Yards are full of them.
Not always cheap though.

We have just traded a 5 1/2 yr old van which we have had for 3 years and we got our money back on it.

For a long trip a 19ft internal with toilet and shower is s good comfortable size as it gives you a bit of space and comfort.

Try to get one with a North South bed especially if you are tall as we sold ours cos we got sick of climbing over an East west one that had a longer mattress than normal.
Depending on your budget a later model Toyota Landcruiser is the go

Preferably diesel and turbo'd. Late 2002 on

They are the most common type in the outback and are probably the best tow vehicle for long distance travel. also hold their price well.

We dont have a budget but would probably have spent over $15,000 in the last 6 months but that includes several very expensive day trips.

Cheers
0
FollowupID: 647971

Reply By: Member - Mick O (VIC) - Wednesday, Aug 26, 2009 at 18:30

Wednesday, Aug 26, 2009 at 18:30
N/T,

I spent 11 months in the road during 2006 to early 07. Had a Navara STR dual cab and towed a Tambo Cooper Camper trailer. I kept an exhaustive record of costs over the period in an excel spread sheet and overall was quite surprised as to just how expensive travel can be. You will find that you will largly be funnelled into caravan parks unless in the remote outback roads (not likely if you're looking at a van) and the opportunity to freecamp is getting all too rare these days. With caravan parks costing upwards of $30 a night (more if you've got kids), fuel being a lot dearer as you get away from the coast or into the west, miscellaneous costs associated with maintaining a vehicle and van, heaps of costs associated with kids. Expect to be surprised.

Cheers. Mick
''We knew from the experience of well-known travelers that the
trip would doubtless be attended with much hardship.''
Richard Maurice - 1903

Lifetime Member
My Profile  My Blog  My Position  Send Message

AnswerID: 380575

Reply By: Dan - Yal - Wednesday, Aug 26, 2009 at 21:19

Wednesday, Aug 26, 2009 at 21:19
Hi Nighttrain,
travelling around Australia can be done in so many different ways, all of which are going to give you a different experience and will have differing costs.
Some people free camp in campervans the whole way around Australia, others will always stay in a caravan park. Some people very rarely leave the bitumen, others spend most of their time off road.
We recently travelled around Oz in a Landcruiser that was set up for camping in. We hugged the coast most of the time, spending very little time in capital citys. We stayed in van parks less than 10% of the time. We did a lot of touristy things like swimming with the whale sharks in Exmouth, Penguin Parade in Phillip Island etc etc. The trip probably cost us about $800p/w.
Generally the biggest costs are accomodation, fuel, food and "experiences".
On costs, we were tight on accomodation but were still comfortable. We never skimped on food or experiences!
We also spent a fair bit of time, effort and $ into getting the Cruiser just right before we started the trip. We had no major mechanical dramas in 30,000km, not even a flat tyre.

Regardless of cost, where you stay, or what you see, I guarantee you'll have a ball. It will be the trip of a lifetime.

Have fun

Dan
AnswerID: 380613

Reply By: mikehzz - Wednesday, Aug 26, 2009 at 22:03

Wednesday, Aug 26, 2009 at 22:03
Hi,

I've done Europe a couple of times by camper. The guy talking about food prices is correct. Food in supermarkets is a lot cheaper in Europe than it is here which surprised me a lot.
Also, out west its 100's kms between garages, you can cross countries with that distance in Europe.
I think you will have a great time but don't skimp on the preparation.

Cheers
AnswerID: 380624

Reply By: Member - Troy and Kate - Thursday, Aug 27, 2009 at 00:34

Thursday, Aug 27, 2009 at 00:34
Hi there Nighttrain,

We are currently on the road travelling Oz for about 12 months or so, we left Melbourne in June and are currently at Jabiru ( Kakadu) heading to Darwin.
We are on the road with 3 kids.
You should allow between $40 to $50 per night in caravan parks,
Fuel (Diesel) about a $1.45 per litter on average,
Food for a family of 5 per week about $250 (Depending on where you are, and what you like to eat).

If you allow around $ 1000 to $1200 per week, you should have a very comfortable trip around OZ.

Have a look in the trading post for vehciles and caravans, we have a Nissan Patrol and an 18 foot Expanda for a family of 5 and it is working for us, but it really comes down to how you want to travel, rough,comfortable or the high life.
We have seen a lot of different modes of travel, for back of station wagons to the biggest motorhomes money can buy.

At the end of the day it comes down to your buget and what you want to get out of the trip.

I hope this might help you in some way, and enjoy your trip when you get back to Oz, i know i am.

Happy Days,
Troy and Kate.
AnswerID: 380648

Reply By: nighttrain - Thursday, Aug 27, 2009 at 09:06

Thursday, Aug 27, 2009 at 09:06
I would just like to say a 'BIG THANK YOU' to everyone who answered my request for some help on what we are planning to do. It was so thoughtfully of you all and we got a lot of ideas and help. We sure dont plan on buy the vehicle or van till we get there, been looking on the web at all different sites for ideas and costs. Even though I live overseas (USA) I am a aussie and inching to come home and do this trip, it has been a life long dreams of mine and now will be doing it with my american husband who also cant wait to see my country. We had planned to do the USA in a motorhome but told him about my dream and so he said 'lets go' so i quickly started making plans and cant wait till next year when I finally get to come home to Australia. thnak you everyone for you answers.
AnswerID: 380663

Reply By: Member - David Will (VIC) - Thursday, Aug 27, 2009 at 11:58

Thursday, Aug 27, 2009 at 11:58
Some one mentioned the high cost of recovery in the outback. Even fairly close to the city this can be expensive - even more so with a van. You are more than likely organising travel insurance for your trip, I would suggest you look at getting some kind of roadside assitance before you leave. As you are starting in Melbourne I would suggest the RACV. It costs about $150 for 12 months for total care. This covers recovery of the car, the van and yourselves. We did a water pump 200k's out of Broken Hill last year. The RACV picked us up, the car and the van. Towed us back to the servo in Broken Hill, arranged overnight accomodation and taxis back and forth to our vehicle. We were travelling in a group. They were going to put the whole group up in a motel but the others decided to keep going, so no need. If we had to pay for this ourselves, would have cost over $1500. Not a bad return on our investment really.

David
AnswerID: 380693

Follow Up By: nighttrain - Thursday, Aug 27, 2009 at 12:54

Thursday, Aug 27, 2009 at 12:54
thanks David, yes been looking at travel insurance unsure of one thing though if we take RACV will it cover us all around Australia?
0
FollowupID: 648086

Follow Up By: Member - David Will (VIC) - Thursday, Aug 27, 2009 at 14:49

Thursday, Aug 27, 2009 at 14:49
Certainly does. Make sure you get total cover as the basic and intermediate cover only give you partial benefits - hardly worth it. check out their website racv.com.au or http://www.racv.com.au/wps/wcm/connect/Internet/Primary/roadside+assistance/car/total+care/total+care

Enjoy your trip

David
0
FollowupID: 648109

Sponsored Links

Popular Products (9)