Friends of ours recently did a trip from Melbourne to Perth/ Margaret River then Broome, Darwin & down the Centre back to Melbourne, all in 9 weeks. When they arrived home they said that they were bored & there was nothing out there! Our main reason for traveling is wildlife photography but we also enjoy bush-walking, wildflowers, history & fishing/yabbying. All of these interests enhance our traveling experiences & give us a REASON to travel from place to place . We'd never stay somewhere just because it's free if there was nothing of interest there. If we had no interests at all we'd probably spend our time washing/polishing/fiddling with our rig & looking through the bottom of a glass every day like a few people that we've seen. What are other peoples INTERESTS when they're out & about? There must be many. ps: We enjoy a few drinks along our way too.
Regards Keith & Judy
rockylizard said
07:23 PM Jan 24, 2016
Desert Dweller wrote:
~~~SNIP Our My main reason for travelling is wildlife landscape/nature photography but we I also enjoy bush-walking, wildflowers, history & fishing/yabbying. All of these interests enhance our my travelling experiences & give us me a REASON to travel from place to place . We'd Id never stay somewhere just because it's free if there was nothing of interest there. ~~~SNIP
Regards Keith & Judy
Gday...
It was easier to plagiarise your post rather than just type it all over agen
The only other thing I would add regarding a reason for travelling is to keep well away from any town that has a population greater than 5,000 - unless for car service/doctor.
Cheers - John
The Bear said
07:27 PM Jan 24, 2016
DID YOUR FRIENDS STOP ANY WHERE FOR A TOILET STOP
BEAR
Dougwe said
07:33 PM Jan 24, 2016
" Plagiarise " Now come on Rocky, mate, that's way too big a word for this little black duck
Sorry to sway a little off topic there DD. Not like me at all
I love travelling and also staying put for a while in one place, never get board or tired of one place. Much better that 4 brick walls and mowing lawns, painting, gardening, washing all those windows, cleaning all those rooms and so the list grows.
Mostly there are nice people out here in the playground as well.
Gaz n Shell said
08:38 PM Jan 24, 2016
Sometimes I miss being bored, we've got no chance of getting bored when we're touring there's too much to see and do,We do a bit of fishing ,fossicking,hiking,4x4ing,socialising,photography,and best of all remote area camping.
jules47 said
09:16 PM Jan 24, 2016
I think if I travelled and stayed in caravan parks all the time, I could get bored, but travelling the way we do with only an idea of where and when we are going to be somewhere, and staying in free or low cost camps - how could you get bored? We are in Port Lincoln, at the RV Park, Point Kurton, great spot - met up with another couple we had met somewhere along the way, and quite a few others. Great happy hour this evening, watching the sun set over the water with these people.
We have no time to get bored - so much to see and do - we marvel at the colours of trees, flowers,, bushes etc. It is amazing how many shades of green there are in nature!
leestevo said
09:23 PM Jan 24, 2016
Desert Dweller wrote:
Friends of ours recently did a trip from Melbourne to Perth/ Margaret River then Broome, Darwin & down the Centre back to Melbourne, all in 9 weeks. When they arrived home they said that they were bored & there was nothing out there!
Of course your friends were bored...all they did was drive, eat and sleep. What did they saw in 9 weeks....the lines on the road. They need to slow down and smell the roses.
We have been travelling since 2010 and took us 5 years just to complete the eastern states. We like to stay in a place for while and be part of the community, I find work, we explore the town & surrounding regions, take lots of photos and meet fabulous locals then become good friends. Once we explored the town and done everything and have a bit of money in our pocket, we go to the next town.
Pete49 said
10:19 PM Jan 24, 2016
You need a reason to go travelling??? I must be doing it wrong.
Pete
The Phantom said
11:32 PM Jan 24, 2016
The Phantom Oath:- "I swear to devote my life to the destruction of piracy, greed, and cruelty, in all their forms, and my sons and their sons, shall follow me."
I do this so all you travelers are safe on the road.
It would be nice if you dropped a beer off at my van occasionally
The Phantom
Desert Dweller said
04:51 AM Jan 25, 2016
The Phantom wrote:
The Phantom Oath:- "I swear to devote my life to the destruction of piracy, greed, and cruelty, in all their forms, and my sons and their sons, shall follow me."
I do this so all you travelers are safe on the road.
It would be nice if you dropped a beer off at my van occasionally
The Phantom
WILL DO Batman! What's your vans rego number?
RosieW said
08:47 AM Jan 25, 2016
Well, we always planned to travel - we wanted to see the diversity this great country has to offer. He has travelled extensively o/s, and around Oz, I have barely travelled at all. The kicker was health; do it now, or never do it.....
We take in the scenery wherever we are. Took us 4,000 km to drive up from Melbourne to the Sunshine Coast, we kept making detours to see 'What's down that road?' Tourist attractions are something we assess as we go; Fraser Island, Reef HQ Aquarium (and the one in Hervey Bay), Kuranda Butterfly Sanctuary & cane burning at Ayr are about as much as we have planned for the next 12 months. Oh, and Bamboo Land at Torbanlea. That's on top of a week in the Gold Coast (competition prize) where we will go on a scuba trip (part of the prize) and to Dreamworld (Tiger Island).
Beyond that, we like to meet people, and take in scenery. If we like a place, we stay a while. Otherwise, we pick a direction (North, South, East, West, straight ahead, back the way we came, left or right), and away we go.
Lorries said
09:55 AM Jan 25, 2016
Seems like your friends just drove for the sake of driving and for the statement that they now want to make that they have travelled and will now put away their shingle. I have been travelling now for 5 years and have seen nothing. Every time you re travel a route it always changes - last time it may have been in drought/winter/summer/rain/fog etc and this time it will be totally different - no wonder I do not get to where I plan to get - too much to see where I have already been. There is so much to see down all the "thin" roads I travel on - no major highways for me if I can avoid them.
Aus-Kiwi said
10:29 AM Jan 25, 2016
Maybe first time travelers ? Where you tend to drive to your next destination and not searching or stopping to look ., So many ways to find nice areas these days .. Unless they are the type who have lived in SRL's bowling clubs for their main entertainment ? You have to plan and stop and smell the roses .,
jules47 said
11:46 AM Jan 25, 2016
These places are the reasons I love to travel! First pic is Pildappa Rock, SA - second is sunset over the West Coast of Australia, - third is Lake Ballard, above Kalgoorlie, WA, and the last is the area known as Cawnpore, between Boulia and Winton, QLD. Some of my favourites.
-- Edited by jules47 on Monday 25th of January 2016 05:30:32 PM
Olley46 said
02:49 PM Jan 25, 2016
Hi Jules
Can I ask why you would get bored if you stayed in caravan parks, we stay in caravan parks never been bored yet I think caravanning is what you make it yourself we go to a park set up camp , and first thing we do is in the tug and of to have a quick look around and line up something for the next day, maybe some people would get bored, you have to keep moving you stand still to long the dogs will pee on you.
Lance C
brickies said
03:26 PM Jan 25, 2016
I met a chap in Griffith NSW in a caravan park who had a great setup for free camping and said when ever he want to explore a region he stop at a caravan park so he can safely leave his rig and go off and explore .What I cant understand how people can stay in the one place for so long like the Greens , With so much to see out there .
jules47 said
05:26 PM Jan 25, 2016
It's not boredom, I suppose, but maybe we have been in the wrong caravan parks - we get out and go look around the place, but, there don't seem to be the impromptu happy hours like in a free camp. Have had people sitting facing their caravans, instead of outwards - obviously they don't want to talk to anyone new.
But brickies - I agree with you - we have stayed at the one place, i.e. Greens, Wuruma, for some time, but been here done that, possibly won't go back to either place again, travelling further afield these days.
brickies said
05:34 PM Jan 25, 2016
Jules your sure looks like you are see in Australia , Also you are in a motor home and it is different to caravan , For what your doing the motor home works well .
jules47 said
05:40 PM Jan 25, 2016
Brickies - we now tow a little Nissan Micra behind - makes a huge difference.
brickies said
06:01 PM Jan 25, 2016
Great to see your post to show the new and old member whats out there for us to see and do kept up the good these are the post we need to inform thanks again
Bagmaker said
10:59 PM Jan 25, 2016
Boredom is a real problem.
Its something a lot of people do not expect to encounter whilst on holiday or at the start of retirement.
You should expect to encounter boredom if you have worked long and hard. My first experiences of boredom whilst travelling happened in my early 20s.
Once you know to expect boredom its not so bad but typically bank on a few weeks minimum.
Its what you get JUST before true relaxation. Feel some pity for those bored, they are stressed
Desert Dweller said
05:11 AM Jan 26, 2016
Bagmaker wrote:
Boredom is a real problem. Its something a lot of people do not expect to encounter whilst on holiday or at the start of retirement. You should expect to encounter boredom if you have worked long and hard. My first experiences of boredom whilst travelling happened in my early 20s. Once you know to expect boredom its not so bad but typically bank on a few weeks minimum. Its what you get JUST before true relaxation. Feel some pity for those bored, they are stressed
If we're not ''out & about'' while bush camping, around camp we are avid readers & I like playing my guitar (been playing since I was 16yrs old). We only stay in town CPs for one night to do our washing, stock up on food & water, gas then have a meal at the local pub so we don't have time to get bored. We do notice a lot of people in CPs that appear to be bored, there's nothing much to do in a CP really. Out in the bush is where we belong, surrounded by all the things that interest us.
brickies said
08:17 AM Jan 26, 2016
Boredom in is not where you are on earth, But where you are in your mind , To enjoy life first must find peace , Some use nature some us grog , some find inner peace , Some look for others to make them happy like happy hour , what ever enjoy yourself not here for long time just a good time
RosieW said
08:23 AM Jan 26, 2016
We met a couple recently who had both just left full-time work (he was retrenched, she chose to leave). They sold up, flew o/s, visited 6 European countries in 6 weeks, came home, bought a caravan and hit the road. 6 months in, they were over it, and looking to buy a house. It was too big a change, and their mindset wasn't quite where it needed to be to go travelling full time.
It's all about where your head is at.
chopit said
03:56 PM Jan 26, 2016
We travel because of life changing / life affirming events.
8 years ago after prostate cancer ( & successfull treatment.) we decided to get a trike to get out more and have fun with friends.
Great move !!
2 years ago a combination of Georges job disappearing ( thanks Campbell Newman ) and the good lady's mobility going down hill ( couldn't get on the trike anymore ).
We sold the trike and bought the 'van and tug,then hit the road.
We move or stay put at our whim.
You never know when fate may deal you a bum hand. Making the most of our time.
Goal set and achieving on a daily basis.
RosieW said
04:43 PM Jan 26, 2016
chopit wrote:
You never know when fate may deal you a bum hand.
Ain't that the truth! And the best reason there is to get out there and have a look, before it's too late.
pawsoz said
04:52 PM Jan 26, 2016
Of course they were bored in 9 weeks, all they did was drive...on my first longer trip I took almost that length of time to get into the groove and unwind! I love long walks, photography, reading, history of the places I visit, talking to locals and others on the road, music festivals....
NeilandRaine said
12:07 PM Jan 27, 2016
Best cure for boredom, apart from walks, sightseeing, chatting, happy hours, cleaning the van, minor servicing and cooking is to escape into a good book. Regardless if your in a free camp or caravan park.
I like crime thrillers myself and if I lost my Kobo it would be like loosing a good friend
The Phantom said
12:46 PM Jan 27, 2016
NeilandRaine wrote:
Best cure for boredom, apart from walks, sightseeing, chatting, happy hours, cleaning the van, minor servicing and cooking is to escape into a good book. Regardless if your in a free camp or caravan park. I like crime thrillers myself and if I lost my Kobo it would be like loosing a good friend
Perhaps I can suggest you check stories by Haruki Murakami. His imagination is breathtaking and his opus "1Q84" is the best thing I have read in many a long year. Not crime, just compelling storytelling.
The Phantom
Aus-Kiwi said
02:53 PM Jan 27, 2016
To some who are there own boss etc.. Set in there ways etc..
Sometimes you have to step back and listen to other people and communicate, socialise with them..
I haven't been on the road longer than 3 months at time.. But I find slowing down talking to people with out
being a nuisance or pita .. Experience beats social economics...
Can still learn a lot..
Its a bit like the joke about young bull and older bull..
Young bull says lets run down and mate with one of those heifers..
Old bull says ... Lets walk down and mate with them all.. Lol..
Friends of ours recently did a trip from Melbourne to Perth/ Margaret River then Broome, Darwin & down the Centre back to Melbourne, all in 9 weeks. When they arrived home they said that they were bored & there was nothing out there! Our main reason for traveling is wildlife photography but we also enjoy bush-walking, wildflowers, history & fishing/yabbying. All of these interests enhance our traveling experiences & give us a REASON to travel from place to place . We'd never stay somewhere just because it's free if there was nothing of interest there. If we had no interests at all we'd probably spend our time washing/polishing/fiddling with our rig & looking through the bottom of a glass every day like a few people that we've seen. What are other peoples INTERESTS when they're out & about? There must be many. ps: We enjoy a few drinks along our way too.
Regards Keith & Judy
Gday...
The only other thing I would add regarding a reason for travelling is to keep well away from any town that has a population greater than 5,000 - unless for car service/doctor.
Cheers - John
DID YOUR FRIENDS STOP ANY WHERE FOR A TOILET STOP
BEAR
" Plagiarise " Now come on Rocky, mate, that's way too big a word for this little black duck
Sorry to sway a little off topic there DD. Not like me at all
I love travelling and also staying put for a while in one place, never get board or tired of one place. Much better that 4 brick walls and mowing lawns, painting, gardening, washing all those windows, cleaning all those rooms and so the list grows.
Mostly there are nice people out here in the playground as well.
We have no time to get bored - so much to see and do - we marvel at the colours of trees, flowers,, bushes etc. It is amazing how many shades of green there are in nature!
You need a reason to go travelling??? I must be doing it wrong.
Pete
The Phantom Oath:- "I swear to devote my life to the destruction of piracy, greed, and cruelty, in all their forms, and my sons and their sons, shall follow me."
I do this so all you travelers are safe on the road.
It would be nice if you dropped a beer off at my van occasionally
The Phantom
WILL DO Batman! What's your vans rego number?
We take in the scenery wherever we are. Took us 4,000 km to drive up from Melbourne to the Sunshine Coast, we kept making detours to see 'What's down that road?' Tourist attractions are something we assess as we go; Fraser Island, Reef HQ Aquarium (and the one in Hervey Bay), Kuranda Butterfly Sanctuary & cane burning at Ayr are about as much as we have planned for the next 12 months. Oh, and Bamboo Land at Torbanlea. That's on top of a week in the Gold Coast (competition prize) where we will go on a scuba trip (part of the prize) and to Dreamworld (Tiger Island).
Beyond that, we like to meet people, and take in scenery. If we like a place, we stay a while. Otherwise, we pick a direction (North, South, East, West, straight ahead, back the way we came, left or right), and away we go.
Seems like your friends just drove for the sake of driving and for the statement that they now want to make that they have travelled and will now put away their shingle. I have been travelling now for 5 years and have seen nothing. Every time you re travel a route it always changes - last time it may have been in drought/winter/summer/rain/fog etc and this time it will be totally different - no wonder I do not get to where I plan to get - too much to see where I have already been. There is so much to see down all the "thin" roads I travel on - no major highways for me if I can avoid them.
These places are the reasons I love to travel! First pic is Pildappa Rock, SA - second is sunset over the West Coast of Australia, - third is Lake Ballard, above Kalgoorlie, WA, and the last is the area known as Cawnpore, between Boulia and Winton, QLD. Some of my favourites.
-- Edited by jules47 on Monday 25th of January 2016 05:30:32 PM
Hi Jules
Can I ask why you would get bored if you stayed in caravan parks, we stay in caravan parks never been bored yet I think caravanning is what you make it yourself we go to a park set up camp , and first thing we do is in the tug and of to have a quick look around and line up something for the next day, maybe some people would get bored, you have to keep moving you stand still to long the dogs will pee on you.
Lance C
But brickies - I agree with you - we have stayed at the one place, i.e. Greens, Wuruma, for some time, but been here done that, possibly won't go back to either place again, travelling further afield these days.
Its something a lot of people do not expect to encounter whilst on holiday or at the start of retirement.
You should expect to encounter boredom if you have worked long and hard. My first experiences of boredom whilst travelling happened in my early 20s.
Once you know to expect boredom its not so bad but typically bank on a few weeks minimum.
Its what you get JUST before true relaxation. Feel some pity for those bored, they are stressed
If we're not ''out & about'' while bush camping, around camp we are avid readers & I like playing my guitar (been playing since I was 16yrs old). We only stay in town CPs for one night to do our washing, stock up on food & water, gas then have a meal at the local pub so we don't have time to get bored. We do notice a lot of people in CPs that appear to be bored, there's nothing much to do in a CP really. Out in the bush is where we belong, surrounded by all the things that interest us.
It's all about where your head is at.
8 years ago after prostate cancer ( & successfull treatment.) we decided to get a trike to get out more and have fun with friends.
Great move !!
2 years ago a combination of Georges job disappearing ( thanks Campbell Newman ) and the good lady's mobility going down hill ( couldn't get on the trike anymore ).
We sold the trike and bought the 'van and tug,then hit the road.
We move or stay put at our whim.
You never know when fate may deal you a bum hand. Making the most of our time.
Goal set and achieving on a daily basis.
Ain't that the truth! And the best reason there is to get out there and have a look, before it's too late.
I like crime thrillers myself and if I lost my Kobo it would be like loosing a good friend
Perhaps I can suggest you check stories by Haruki Murakami. His imagination is breathtaking and his opus "1Q84" is the best thing I have read in many a long year. Not crime, just compelling storytelling.
The Phantom
Sometimes you have to step back and listen to other people and communicate, socialise with them..
I haven't been on the road longer than 3 months at time.. But I find slowing down talking to people with out
being a nuisance or pita .. Experience beats social economics...
Can still learn a lot..
Its a bit like the joke about young bull and older bull..
Young bull says lets run down and mate with one of those heifers..
Old bull says ... Lets walk down and mate with them all.. Lol..