Ger08 wrote:

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Im the first to admit that Im a real planner/researcher when it comes to new destinations. What prompts this is that we ran into a couple who clearly had not done any research on their next destination which was a town in WA that doesnt have any free camping anywhere near it. We pointed out that there was virtualy no free camping there, they  were horrified and stated well we only free camp and there must be free camping or we will have to go somewhere else. 

So two questions how much do research and what if there isnt any free camps at your chosen destination what do you do? 

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 We personally used to always stay in caravan parks, but have trended the opposite direction towards free camping. It all started when we got a 4WD & got into places a normal vehicle would not. Now we have a taste to go near places where we can free camp for the most part, whilst still occasionally staying in a caravan park.

In Feb next year we will be doing 8 weeks in WA & around 1/3 of that time will be in Caravan Parks. Part of that is due to catching up with relatives in SA, then a stint in Perth. Almost everything else will be free camps we have researched based on our proposed rest spots. If the situation changes en route, we will adapt as sometimes not everything goes to plan. So we roll with plan A & if we have to, we adjust.

We pored over blogs, particular places of interest & looked at wikicamps to match up with where we want to go. We have spare time allocated just in case & may stay longer if we like a spot, or will move on to the next spot.

All of our trips involve this ritual, and given we are free camping more & more, this ritual gets a bit longer. This one is mapped out, and we have already started working on FNQ in 2020. It is a good thing to plan ahead, but have contingency plans just in case.

I love the research part of it all and yes we are flexible as well. I was just stunned that someone hadnt done any research. I use WikiCamps, blogs, Facebook, YouTube and various forums to research our destinations

Don't do much destination research at all. Have a leave date and a must be home by date and wing it in between. I update Wiki camps, the dollar wise CMCA parks info, have a Camps book. Usually spend a couple nights free camping then a CP night but that too depends on where we just happen to be. Hope to go away for 4 weeks second half of next month but haven't decided which way to go. Will see what the weather is doing at the time. Wouldn't mind seeing the painted silos at Thallon as they weren't painted the last couple times we were in that area. Had thought about spending some time walking along the beach but will be school holidays either in Qld or NSW, so will probably be crowded at CP parks and expensive. We usually pay a visit to our local tourist info centre and pick up some brochures and have a read before we leave and visit info centres along the way. Try to spend time on roads less travelled and have a good drive around the small towns on the way. I do have a list though of things to pack - type of groceries, pots, pans etc, incidentals, medical needs, the every day stuff needed. Hubby looks after the vehicle stuff, gas,water, leads, basic tools, anything that's needed for the vehicle itself and it's needs etc. All seems to work out. I'm not worried where we go this time, will just be happy to have a break away. Like other said you should be flexible though. There are gems of places out there that need extra time spent in them. Chat to others on the road for info. It's not always the big, advertised touristy stuff that are the highlights of a trip. Cheers and enjoy.

The first thing we do is research what species occur in exactly what areas using the internet & books. https://birdata.birdlife.org.au/

We also look at National Park websites for camping areas & bush walking tracks. We use the free apps available here: https://museumsvictoria.com.au/apps/national-field-guide-apps/     to check each States wildlife/plant life.

The second thing we do is look at our Hema Road & 4x4 Atlas to plan our route.

We bush camp mostly but we also look at what towns along our route that we're going to stay in a caravan park for one night to do washing, have a hot shower & top up with water plus go to the pub for dinner & shop at a supermarket/general store.

We also research on the internet exactly where & what events are occurring on our route. We avoid festivals like the plague.

We head off tomorrow on a 2 month trip around NSW Outback, planning all done.

 

 

-- Edited by Desert Dweller on Wednesday 15th of August 2018 09:15:10 AM

I do lots of planning and research, its part of the fun while waiting to be able to get out on the road. Experience though has shown me that while we generally follow the plan at the start we offer end up deviating from it quite a lot as the trip goes on, but thats ok. My husband hates planning, so is very happy to leave it to me, he usually only has a vague idea of where we are heading when we leave home.

Always plan and research, the old adage is "fail to plan, plan to fail"
Stretch

Cupie wrote:

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I have always been in the camp of those who get lots of pleasure from the planning phase.  This is probably a reflection of my mental and skills development/conditioning during my 43 years of employment.  Planning (often described as strategic thinking) became a major part of my job.

 

Once an idea for a trip is floated, I get a dedicated notebook, create a spreadsheet/data base & begin the planning exercise.  I start out with a broad/general outline to help decide on doability & then change & often refine it even down to a day by day level (that is largely ignored in practice but is a useful guide).

The 'theme' of the trip helps me decide on what gear I won't carry in the rig.  Heavy stuff like kayaks, annex, gazebo, water etc.

 

This whole process facilitates the collection & cataloging of relevant data and gives a budget for time and expenses.

These elements can be easily changed to suit our circumstances.

I use a range of information sources ... like 

Caravan parks publications (The RACQ booklets used to be good as are the State Tourist booklets)  We mainly use CPs but are now set up for bush camping.

I even have a collection of CP site maps with our prefered sites marked.  We add to this as we travel about the place.

Camps Au wide

WikiCamps

Nat Park web sites

Recommendations from this forum

My 'Places to visit' files & notes.

All of the notes that I have made in my Hema Atlas/maps.  (as we get around the place I note down the comments of fellow travelers, often on my maps)

Local council/tourist web sites.  Other camping info sites .. lots of them on line.

& on & on the list goes.

 

On our first trip around the block I had a series of folders covering individual regions.  They filled a milk crate.  Very much over the top.  I don't go overboard these days & rely on electronic data to a greater extent.

 

Once on the road, my print out of the schedule usually goes out the door & becomes a rough guide only as we modify our program according to our experiences & mood.  eg Stay longer or shorter, take deviations to interesting places et al.

 

As we go the S/Sheet becomes a record of expenditure on the various categories & an analysis of fuel consumption.   

 

I just have to have a plan but also must be free to change it as circumstances change.

-- Edited by Cupie on Wednesday 15th of August 2018 12:21:46 PM

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 Wow someone like me - I use Microsoft OneNote for creating and storing my notes. I have to admit that you are a couple levels ahead of me in the planning though.

RosieW wrote:

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Can we take the dogs?

Can we get the bus in, turned around and out?

That's it. And fully half the time, we detour anyway!

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 Way to go Rosie. We never plan beyond a general idea of where we will probably end up. Adventure is what happens when you throw the plan out the window.

pete

-- Edited by Cyclops on Sunday 19th of August 2018 05:04:30 PM

I plan everything to the nth detail, as I enjoy pouring over maps and reading travel blogs. Once on the road I am happy to deviate from the plan when something better or unexpected turns up. However, can always go back to the plan. So the plan is like a backup. I feel that this way I spend more time enjoying the trip rather than having to make decisions all the time.