What sort of Car?

With a budget of only $7K a Falcon Wagon will probably fill the bill.
OJ

If going for a falcon ensure you have the biggest automatic transmission cooler fitted to it.
Scott

I'm with ozjohn, for $7000 it would be the best tow vehicle you could get.
ANY 4WD you get for that money, will only end up costing more $$$$ to keep it going,but a Falcon wagon would be a good reliable car, cheap to run, and cheap to fix

We would be hoping to do some off-roading (without van) nothing major, but we want to definitely fit in the Gibb at some time.
We may be able to stretch our budget, but if we could would prefer to keep it down. We aren't concerned about travelling slow, and I guess if it really starts to look like we wont be able to get a car to take a van then we will have to look at camper trailers.

Gidday Ange, It's not the van that will be the problem, the problem will be getting a Reliable 4wd for that sort of money, especially if you want to go off road that's when you really need a vehicle in good reliable condition, also within your budget Of $7000 you may have to fit h/d tow bar and electric brakes etc, and that would be around a grand alone
Suggest you sit back a while, re-consider all your options and put a lot more thought in to what you want to do, and what sacrifices you may have to make ?? you are planning to do your dream trip, don't spoil it by making hasty decisions, I still think A good condition ''AU'' FALCON WAGON would do the job for you, together with a 16-18 ft caravan, with the budget you are talking it would be the most reliable package IMHO, and you can still get to a lot of out of the way places in the falcon, but the gibb river road would be pushing it.
Keep looking and keep asking questions, get it as right as you can and don't spoil the dream. dazren

Cheers Dazren,
Yeah at the moment we aren't in any rush to make a purchase, just trying to get as much info as we can, and already we are learning a lot.

There are definitely many factors to consider. I cant see us going down the road of a Falcon (doesn't appeal to either of us), we have seen a few good 4x4's that could tow a camper trailer easy and in pretty good condition, but we are still fairly set on a caravan at this stage, though if it meant we couldn't do the trip, then we'd tent all the way.

I feel confident that down the line we can get a car to do the job, I mainly just want to know what make/model we should keep an eye out for.
We will more than likely be able to add a few grand to our vehicle budget, but are currently under estimating rather than over... less disappointment that way.

Good your not rushing it, and a little flexible with the budget, Ok understand your position on a Falcon, as said you must be happy with your choice
OLDBAZ suggested a Holden Jackaroo 3.5 petrol they have a good reliable reputation, [ i think Isuzu made them for Holden ] you should be able to get a good one for not much more than your $7000, just remember it's not the years that wear out cars, it's the Klms and lack of service, so whatever you hunt for look for the lowest Ks, and a good service record. you may even wish to consider some of the earlier 4WD 4Door utes, there are plenty of them around in good nick and they don't hold there prices as well as the Wagon type 4WD ones to check out would be Holden Rodeo, Mazda Bravo, Ford Courier, Mitubishi Triton, They are all pretty reliable and pretty well priced

Just a few more thoughts for you to ponder, ??? Good Luck dazren

Thanks Again, Dazren!
I really appreciate the suggestions, any little nudge in the right direction helps :)

If you saw this ad, what would your thoughts be?
http://tas.gumtree.com.au/c-Cars-Vehicles-Motorbikes-Parts-cars-Holden-Jackaroo-SE-W0QQAdIdZ353955902

Angie, worth an inspection I'd say. Pics look ok & looks like it has been cared for.
Check the service history. With those k's & that price it may be a good buy.
Happy hunting........oldbaz.

Cheers Oldbaz, We are checking it out today. It has full service history which we will have a look at as well.

Appreciate all the help here on the Forums!

The car we have now is a Mitsubishi Nimbus...'86 Model.
Now she certainly wont be doing the job haha.