We quite often see queries on here by and about women thinking of hitting the road on their own. Some seem (understandably) apprehensive. However, I had a chat today with the manager of a camper dealership in Perth's northern suburbs. He had a big range of the type of camper vans that would suit the single female traveller. "Mate," he said, "I get them in all the time. Women in their 40s, 50s, 60s. They're a substantial part of my business." So, ladies, you may be looking to travel solo, but you are certainly not alone! And that's just little old Perth. Cheers, Tony
lilly said
05:40 AM Oct 15, 2010
Hi tonyd ..i been on the road for short trips for about 5 years now hope to do long s ones soon i was to say very apprehensive to begin with but i found heaps of solo women out there on the road as you say in there 40s 50s 60s and some even older i ran into lady two years ago who was 71 been on road for 5 years on here own ..... not sure if i want to be out there at that age but she was happy and healthy and good on her i say for doing her own thing ... i hope i will be at 71 cheers
Happywanderer said
10:02 AM Oct 15, 2010
Um lilly, 71 is not old. Hope you haven't offended members on here who are that age and travelling on their own.
One I know personally may come on here and comment for herself.
lilly said
11:35 AM Oct 15, 2010
I didnt mean to offend any one Happy Wanderer .. and i dont think 71 is old it depend totaly on the person and how they feel about their age ...I just ment i dont think i will be out there when im 71 but then you should never say never ...And yes i know there lots of older people are out there enjoying them selfs i have met lots of them on the road just lovely people ..some of them well into theirs 70 and 80 and good on them ... I think it would probley better for me when older if i have someone to travel with just in case of illiness or accidents ..but as i say each to their own ..just enjoy life i say ......
-- Edited by lilly on Friday 15th of October 2010 11:47:59 AM
-- Edited by lilly on Friday 15th of October 2010 11:51:44 AM
Jazzin Around said
08:56 AM Oct 16, 2010
Hi Lily, I am headed for 72 and have been motorhoming solo for 14 years now. So nervous back in 1997 about having to board the ferry from Tassie, I took my son and Grandson along thinking my son could put the camper on board, however, he boarded as a passenger and left me to it. I paid for caravan parks, but after I flew him back from Brisbane I soon learned about free camping and made it up to Mossman and Port Douglas that trip. For those of us from Tassie getting back to the wharf in Melbourne is the most taxing of our trips since we don't have the traffic problems of the mainland down here. There are ladies way more senior than I who are still going solo camping.
-- Edited by Jazzin Around on Saturday 16th of October 2010 08:56:46 AM
ChiChi1 said
09:52 AM Oct 16, 2010
Hi Jazzin Around,
I'm a bit like you, getting through Sydney is my problem. All that traffic really worries me. I think its a case of not being all that familiar with the roads. Coming from Canberra, I have travelled many many miles on country roads but all those toll roads and freeways are really a challenge. Good on you and I hope you continue to get out and travel the country. Chi Chi
Cruising Granny said
08:51 PM Oct 17, 2010
My Tom is my best friend in the cities. You can set the GPS to avoid the heaviest traffic roads and the tollways.
These are my biggest worries in the eastern state cities. The tollways are managed by a private company and you need some form of mechanism to pay the tolls or you are fined.
This is very difficult for anyone from SA, NT or WA where there are no tollways, or from the country, and may only pass through those cities a couple of times in a trip, or even a lifetime if I have my way.
I avoid cities as much as I can.
Ma said
09:51 PM Oct 17, 2010
You can get a toll pass that you can specify the dates on which you travel or alternately a block period of time. You can do this online or by phone.
Not to be confused with the "E-Tag", however this tag does cover you Australia wide.
The phone number is 1800toll and if you Google E-tag you should find it and follow the prompts
ZedJay said
01:46 AM Oct 18, 2010
Thanks gals You inspire me and give me confidence
lilly said
05:36 AM Oct 18, 2010
Jazzin Around wrote:
Hi Lily, I am headed for 72 and have been motorhoming solo for 14 years now. So nervous back in 1997 about having to board the ferry from Tassie, I took my son and Grandson along thinking my son could put the camper on board, however, he boarded as a passenger and left me to it. I paid for caravan parks, but after I flew him back from Brisbane I soon learned about free camping and made it up to Mossman and Port Douglas that trip. For those of us from Tassie getting back to the wharf in Melbourne is the most taxing of our trips since we don't have the traffic problems of the mainland down here. There are ladies way more senior than I who are still going solo camping.
-- Edited by Jazzin Around on Saturday 16th of October 2010 08:56:46 AM
hi there Jazzin Around ... good to see your are out there doing what your love to do ..hope i will be too for long time to come .... maybe we catch up on road one day cheers .. lilly
lilly said
05:38 AM Oct 18, 2010
I am so excited pick up my van next week ..cant wait then i will be off for short trip in november ... iron out any wrinkles ......
HeadnHome said
02:10 PM Oct 31, 2010
G'day all, I'm a newbie, nomad in training lol... just brought myself a toyota hiace poptop
in Kununurra WA, flew over to see my brother who lives there and found the camper for me
and then drove it solo back to Cairns.. had a great trip and can't wait to get out and about
in it more now that I have it.. unfortunately still have to keep working but am planning on
getting away weekends etc.
Ma said
02:38 PM Oct 31, 2010
When the bug bites and you decide to give up work you will have to change your avatar..............
Welcome to the forum.
Hope it isn't too long before you can join a lot of us on here and live your dream.
It's fantastic.
Cruising Granny said
11:17 PM Nov 1, 2010
Welcome from me too. I've just left Cairns heading west.
This "nomadding" is contagious. It gives you something to look forward to.
Dunmowin said
07:25 AM Nov 2, 2010
HeadnHome wrote:
G'day all, I'm a newbie, nomad in training lol... just brought myself a toyota hiace poptop in Kununurra WA, flew over to see my brother who lives there and found the camper for me and then drove it solo back to Cairns.. had a great trip and can't wait to get out and about in it more now that I have it.. unfortunately still have to keep working but am planning on getting away weekends etc.
Welcome Headnhome. The weekend trips will spread out to week long ones, then into 2 - 3 - 4 week tours.
Eventually you will bite the bullet and just go. Mr Dummowin & I have been together for 15 years, and spoke about doing what we are about to embark on at our wedding!
Stay safe and happy travels
HeadnHome said
07:43 PM Nov 2, 2010
thanks for the welcome everyone, have been reading posts etc for awhile and getting
hints etc, have travelled alot around Australia with hubby, but after he was taken from me in
a car accident haven't done as much as I would of liked, always waiting on others to go camping etc, only done a couple of solo trips in the tent etc.. but decided it was up to me or I'd get nowwhere but wanted something a bit more secure than the tent!! so found the campervan and can't wait to get out there.. I'm no where near retirement age but love
travelling so why wait .. plenty to see and do up my way to start with so should be fun.
Sheba said
09:31 PM Nov 2, 2010
Hi Honie, Welcome from me too. Took me nearly 18 months after I bought mine, to start getting on the road with it. Once I did, I didn't want to stop. I'm sure you feel the same. Couldn't afford more than one vehicle, so mine is my every-day vehicle too. Which lay-out do you have ? Feel free to ask about anything if you need to.
Cheers, Sheba.
milo said
10:51 AM Nov 3, 2010
nice to see another campervaner.. welcome to the site..
Cruising Granny said
11:29 PM Nov 3, 2010
Oh they're out there Milo, and not just the rentals.
Now, can someone explain to me the difference between nomadding in a motor home vs a caravan?
I'm getting the distinct impression there is an "elitist" concept in the minds of some of the motorhomers.
I would have thought we GN's were all created equal, and how we chose to do this was personal choice, not for class distinction.
It seems I may be wrong.
Can anyone clarify please?
Ma said
05:26 AM Nov 4, 2010
Unfortunately Granny we have thought and felt the same thing. Who cares what you do your nomading in, just so long as you get out there.
We were camped up in a "freebie" on this last trip and there was a lady beside us, with her little dog, and she just had her station waggon, all her worldly in the back but she was have as much fun as we were.
milo said
02:04 PM Nov 4, 2010
i too get the impression by media ie adds and aca type of press related stuff that the only way to get out there is via motorhome.. i see alot more of them on the roads now too..
I know my dad has one, but ill never be able to afforde one,
and it seems in the caravan mags that the vans have to be over the top and expensive ones as well..
just my thought
blaze said
06:42 PM Nov 4, 2010
milo wrote:
i too get the impression by media ie adds and aca type of press related stuff that the only way to get out there is via motorhome.. i see alot more of them on the roads now too.. I know my dad has one, but ill never be able to afforde one, and it seems in the caravan mags that the vans have to be over the top and expensive ones as well..
just my thought
Hi Milo My old van- 1980ish millard, at some time has had a shower/toilet fitted, Paid too much for it at $5500 and spent a lot more. So it dont have to be a new flash job, I own it and will call it home for most of next year. Have a look at some small cheap vans that you could do a bit to and call your own cheers blaze
Sheba said
06:53 PM Nov 4, 2010
I thought about up-grading to a larger unit, but My Hi-ace is reliable, I own it, and I have enough room for me and 2 Chihuahuas' to sleep comfortably. I have organised it so that I have plenty of storage space, so I'm keeping it now. It's also small enough to be my every-day vehicle, so I only have one lot of Rego. and Insurance, which, being a pensioner, is a bonus.
Cheers, Sheba.
HeadnHome said
07:41 PM Nov 4, 2010
My campervan is an old girl, 1990 model, but clean and reliable (so far anyway) has front kitchen and bed in the rear, not to big I can manage to change my own tyre which I had to
just out of Victoria River in the NT and basic motor so I know how to check the basics like oil, water etc. I didn't have to go into debt to buy her, so I can spend my hard earned money on getting out and about and enough room for me and the two dogs!!
Sheba said
08:00 PM Nov 4, 2010
Mine's a '98, but the layout is the same. It's a great unit. Cheers, Sheba.
milo said
09:10 PM Nov 4, 2010
most of the ones I've looked at have been all over the place as far as age,
I know most have pop tops but now im really thinking id prefer a hi top
just for my own reasons.
Sheba said
10:12 PM Nov 4, 2010
You have to get what's best for you Milo, or you won't be happy with it.
Cheers, Sheba.
Rolly said
05:18 PM Nov 8, 2010
milo wrote:
.......just for my own reasons.
Are there any other valid reasons???
Do what's best by yourself in this case, I reckon.
bill12 said
09:59 PM Nov 9, 2010
don,t you just love the old toyos, wheter they they are landys or hilaceor hilux- they seem to be so reliable( A bit like me I suppose), and easy to fix( not like me).
-- Edited by bill12 on Tuesday 9th of November 2010 10:01:07 PM
Phantom said
02:14 PM Nov 28, 2010
bill12 wrote:
don,t you just love the old toyos, wheter they they are landys or hilaceor hilux- they seem to be so reliable( A bit like me I suppose), and easy to fix( not like me).
-- Edited by bill12 on Tuesday 9th of November 2010 10:01:07 PM
I'm with you there Bill. I have a '92 diesel Land Cruiser poverty pack and wouldn't trade it for the world. It's simple, reliable and reasonably economical towing a 21' Jayco. I'm not solo though, as my wonderful wife Jen and our 4 small dogs travel with us.
However, I had a chat today with the manager of a camper dealership in Perth's northern suburbs. He had a big range of the type of camper vans that would suit the single female traveller.
"Mate," he said, "I get them in all the time. Women in their 40s, 50s, 60s. They're a substantial part of my business."
So, ladies, you may be looking to travel solo, but you are certainly not alone! And that's just little old Perth.
Cheers, Tony
-- Edited by lilly on Friday 15th of October 2010 11:47:59 AM
-- Edited by lilly on Friday 15th of October 2010 11:51:44 AM
-- Edited by Jazzin Around on Saturday 16th of October 2010 08:56:46 AM
Not to be confused with the "E-Tag", however this tag does cover you Australia wide.
The phone number is 1800toll and if you Google E-tag you should find it and follow the prompts
You inspire me and give me confidence
cheers .. lilly
Welcome to the forum.
Hope it isn't too long before you can join a lot of us on here and live your dream.
It's fantastic.
Eventually you will bite the bullet and just go. Mr Dummowin & I have been together for 15 years, and spoke about doing what we are about to embark on at our wedding!
Stay safe and happy travels
Welcome from me too. Took me nearly 18 months after I bought mine, to start getting on the road with it. Once I did, I didn't want to stop. I'm sure you feel the same.
Couldn't afford more than one vehicle, so mine is my every-day vehicle too.
Which lay-out do you have ? Feel free to ask about anything if you need to.
Cheers,
Sheba.
We were camped up in a "freebie" on this last trip and there was a lady beside us, with her little dog, and she just had her station waggon, all her worldly in the back but she was have as much fun as we were.
My old van- 1980ish millard, at some time has had a shower/toilet fitted, Paid too much for it at $5500 and spent a lot more. So it dont have to be a new flash job, I own it and will call it home for most of next year. Have a look at some small cheap vans that you could do a bit to and call your own
cheers
blaze
It's also small enough to be my every-day vehicle, so I only have one lot of Rego. and Insurance, which, being a pensioner, is a bonus.
Cheers,
Sheba.
Cheers,
Sheba.
Cheers,
Sheba.
Are there any other valid reasons???
Do what's best by yourself in this case, I reckon.
-- Edited by bill12 on Tuesday 9th of November 2010 10:01:07 PM