New Travellers - Single Parent

Hi Angela, there is a lot to consider, the type of places and roads you will be travelling on, the capabilities of your intended vehicle and Jayco. Alsofree camping makes your trip cheaper but your security needs to be considered. Caravan parks are more secure and will cost around $250 a week but there are plenty of free camp spots around but it would be safer if other families are staying there overnight. Food and fuel costs are generally more expensive away from major towns and camping can be unpleasant in the heat of summer without the home comfort of air con. Vehicle and van servicing may need doing in that six months period. Leave yourself plenty of time in the afternoon when setting up at a new camp site. Getting in by about 4pm will give you a stress free setup and give you time to cook before dark.. Enjoy you trip... Michael

Hi Angela,

A 6 month trip with your son sounds like a wonderful adventure. One thing that you might consider is, once you have your tow vehicle, doing a couple of short shakedown trips before you get on the road fulltime. That should allow you to sort out any of the inevitable teething problems while you are still in familiar territory. With both a new (to you anyway) camper and car there are very likely to be things that need sorting out.

Have a great trip.

Cheers,

Val.

I headed off 'around the block' for three months in 1994. Just myself and my two kids. Daughter 10 and son 11. It was the best thing I'd ever done. My wife flew up to meet us in Derby WA... we are based in Gippsland Vic.

We free camped most of the time, and in those days had a campfire every night... even in caravan parks! There were also lots more pull off spots beside the outback highways. We travelled in a Lancruiser Troopie with a rooftop tent.

I've travelled ever since. Basically it's all Australia... full of Aussies. Even outback towns have supermarkets and everything you need. I took way too much with me on that first trip.

I think the biggest thing to remember is to carry enough water and food to last a week at all times. Make sure someone knows where you are and where you are going. That way if you don't contact them to say things are okay, they can sound the alarm.

Enjoy the one of the best experiences you will ever have and the pleasure of having a shared experience with your son.

Cheers Royce

You should have a wonderful time! Distance Ed is also a great experience for you both if you don't get too uptight about it. School work takes a lot less time when it is one on one and if you stay relaxed (you don't want conflict about it!) and organise a simple routine for it you will enjoy the school part of the trip. There will be lots of opportunities to integrate your travel experiences with school. A great idea is for your son to keep a scrapbook/diary of the trip to treasure in the future and help him with his reading and writing and map reading etc. Also send post cards back to stay in touch with school friends for when he returns.
Stop fairly early on travelling days so you have plenty of time to suss out a good spot with like minded people there.
Before you go take a few shakedown trips to caravan parks with family toilet cubicles if possible to make sure your son can handle the shared amenities scene properly. As a 10 year old he may not be able to go into the Ladies with you. Perhaps you should carry a porta potti for emergencies and night time so he doesn't have to go alone to an amenities block you are not happy with.
Carry plenty of water and some food for a few days in case of problems but you won't have trouble buying what you need in most places.
We find we spend about the same on living when travelling as we do at home. If you cook your own meals you save a heap, just as at home!
Keep a budget aside so you can afford the occasional "treat of a lifetime" like the Katherine Gorge" boat trip but avoid obvious tourist rip offs! Enjoy! Lynne

Angela,
I am sure you will have a great trip with your son. Others have given you some good advice, the one thing I would add is to avoid filling up your vehcile and van with lots of gear and stuff that you think you might need. Start with the real basics and add others things as you find a real NEED. Travelling light puts less stress on the vehicle and yourself as packing and unpacking is much easier. It is amazing how little you need if you keep things simple.

Have a happy time.

Hi Angela,
All I can say, in addition to what is already said, JUST DO IT. I consider Australia still to be the best and safest country for camping. Providing you are sensible about your stopping places you will have a wonderfull time.
If you are considering travel in some of the more isolated places I would strongly recommend you install a HF radio. I will give you peace of mind and you will always be able to contact someone when in trouble, mechanical, personal etc.
Join a National radio organisation, I do have a vested interest here, like VKS-737, Australia National 4WD Radio Network. I can send you more details regarding this if you wish. Good luck and safe travelling. Cheers

G'day and good luck with your trip. I am just a little concerned about you towing a swan with an xtrail. I have a swan and they are rather heavy (push 1.5t fully loaded) Is there any way you can hire / borrow an xtrail for a weekend to see if it is up to the task? Would hate to see you buy a car and then find out you have to wring its neck to bust 80. Cheers Marn

Hi Angela,

Depending on your route and if you are planning any remote sections have you considered a spot tracker which allows you to check in with your farther (via satellite) or whoever and also gives you some peace of mind if you get really stuck and need help from search and rescue etc? My wife and I used one recently to keep a friend of ours in Bris updated on progress and also to let friends back in the U.K. follow us on Google as we toured remote parts of NT.

Also the comment about shakedown trips before leaving is very important, not only from the point of view of checking that everything works but also that you take with you whats needed and leave at home what isn't. Its amazing what you find isn't packed in the right place, you don't have, or something you have you wish you had paid a little more or little less, after 100's of K's remote travel we have it sussed more or less but were still learning :)

The spot is available on this site as well as many other places and is great peace of mind, it will also allow you to record your journey with photos against the trip which is awesome when you get back and want to know exactly where you have been.

Have a great time!

Roy..

Hi Angela, when we had the Jayco like yours i struggled with the fridge. A great way to overcome this is a car fridge. If the model on your van fridge dosnt have a T (tropical) on it you will have troubles up north.we had the same trouble up yeppoon in the caravan. another handy tip, we use one of those bulk tubs with a sealed lid that had washing powder in for the water that comes out of the sink instead of a sullage hose. As others have mentioned a potable pottie, use nappy san home brand instead of the chemicals in the bottom tank and a sharp spade. A little washing up liquid in the top water tank is the go. We had no troubles with spillage, just kept it wrapped in a cheap tarp for piece of mind when on the move.
Best of luck, keep a blog on Eo so we can follow your adventure.
Cheers
Sharon

Not a silly question at all. Easier to empty the bucket for those quick over night stops than rolling up a wet hose. I found a lot of little tricks when travelling solo as you will too.

Not a silly question at all. Easier to empty the bucket for those quick over night stops than rolling up a wet hose. I found a lot of little tricks when travelling solo as you will too.