A princess is trying the lifestyle!

Submitted: Saturday, Oct 03, 2009 at 23:23

ThreadID: 72745 Views:3476 Replies:7 FollowUps:3

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Inland Sailor

A very good friend of mine and his wife [the Princess] are going on a trip to Southern W.A. [South of Perth] in a couple of weeks. They have hired a campervan and are set to tour the region. My friend is very keen to have a trouble free experience so as to introduce the lifestyle to his wife, who is reluctantly "giving it a go". Whilst the campervan has all the bells and whistles as they do, its the experiences and destinations that will make the trip a success. As I've not travelled in this part of Oz. I can't really help them but I know that the collective wisdom of all on here will help me with suggestions regarding their itinary and possible camp locations. They are prepared to mix CP's, NP's and free camps, but for my mates sake, they must be "civillised" and not just a roadside stop with rubbish and a drop loo as the only feature . They're going to be away in Southern W.A. for a couple of weeks, so over to you all.

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Reply By: Member - Doug T (NT) - Saturday, Oct 03, 2009 at 23:36

Saturday, Oct 03, 2009 at 23:36

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AnswerID: 385651

Reply By: Member - Heather G (NSW) - Sunday, Oct 04, 2009 at 07:41

Sunday, Oct 04, 2009 at 07:41

Hi Inland Sailor,

Shannon National Pk campground just to the south of Manjimup is a lovely picturesque place to stay and the amenities block has hot showers and flushing toilets, which is pretty rare for a N Pk. There are a couple of nice short walks around there too if they are interested in doing that.

Regards,

Heather

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

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AnswerID: 385661

Follow Up By: Inland Sailor - Sunday, Oct 04, 2009 at 08:15

Sunday, Oct 04, 2009 at 08:15

Yes, that's the type of location that would suit the purpose [and Princess]
If this trip goes well, his life will be OK, if not, its death by a thousand 5 star Port Douglas clones.

FollowupID: 653251

Reply By: Rockape - Sunday, Oct 04, 2009 at 09:09

Sunday, Oct 04, 2009 at 09:09

Just another angle on this. Part of it will be where they stay which I am sure good advise will come from this site.

Much of the experience will have to do with themselves. If he is impatient, has trouble with other road users, gets in late to set up camp or travels to far in one day problems will arise.

Weather could also be a factor.

Princess will be already negative so how he excutes the trip is crutial.

If he is relaxed and in control of what is happening around him, that will go a long way in making everything come out all right.

I know my Missus gets the sh*ts if I run a 1000 klicks in a day, that's when I change her name from the Duchess to something starting with B and ending in H.

Hope they have a good one.

AnswerID: 385673

Follow Up By: Inland Sailor - Sunday, Oct 04, 2009 at 10:52

Sunday, Oct 04, 2009 at 10:52

"If he is impatient, has trouble with other road users, gets in late to set up camp or travels to far in one day problems will arise."

Hes not the type to get impatient, that's why she's "Princess" like.
I've mentioned all the above other likely problems and suggested that they readily join in happy hours and use camper kitchens in their travels so that they can get "the good oil" and feel welcomed. Not a problem for he, but can be for she.

FollowupID: 653261

Reply By: Michael ( Moss Vale NSW) - Sunday, Oct 04, 2009 at 12:18

Sunday, Oct 04, 2009 at 12:18

Tell the precious Princess to stick to the five star hotels!! She will not like using the longdrop or the long handled shoveled throne!!! Michael

AnswerID: 385690

Follow Up By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Sunday, Oct 04, 2009 at 13:58

Sunday, Oct 04, 2009 at 13:58

Thats a bit harsh isnt it.

My wife was a very reluctant caravanner when we started out on our big trip.

Now she is quite at home and is enjoying herself.

For someone who has no idea what the life is like it can be a bit daunting and they will be resistant to it.

We mainly stay in van parks so its not so bad but some of them have been
less than palatial as well.

If she doesnt try she wont know so try and do it right and ignore comments like above

Cheers

FollowupID: 653277

Reply By: Member - Cantiva Clay (NSW) - Monday, Oct 05, 2009 at 00:20

Monday, Oct 05, 2009 at 00:20

Hi Sailor,
actually I understand as I am facing the same problem. In fact this topic could be a good article for the site! My intended strategy is to start small and work up, also a well travelled friend suggested researching travelling with kids - many of the same principles apply, avoiding / handling boredom on long stretches, lots of planning and research, getting them involved by giving them responsibility for some part of the trip. For example she loves cooking & has a natural bent for planning this sort of thing so its easy, a friends partner is a natural navigator. Use this site & state websites/info centers for things to see and do and try and get something interesting into each day. The idea is to take the focus of the "roughing it" side and give attention to the pluses you get outback that you don't get in any hotel - eg the milky way, the wildlife, the adventure of exploring. If you are going for an extended trip then maybe spoil her with a hotel stay to wind it up. I hope this helps.

AnswerID: 385774

Reply By: Member - Brian R (WA) - Monday, Oct 05, 2009 at 00:53

Monday, Oct 05, 2009 at 00:53

hi
We have traveled this area a fair bit.
The Shannon is in the Pemberton area,,,,,,,,or a short drive...nice coffee shop up behind the mill...Coffee Connection.
Walpole...Colemine Beach caravan park.......Free camping Crystal Springs...(drop Toilet) I reckon a bit of camping a little local shops visitors centre...all a good start
Brian

AnswerID: 385777