Hi Justjo, enjoy your travels, where are you heading off to first, and is that your travel companion in your avartar?
Sheba said
08:53 PM Jun 3, 2011
Welcome justjo. What's your layout ?
Cheers,
Sheba.
Cruising Granny said
10:28 PM Jun 3, 2011
Welcome from me too. For what it's worth I've done a couple of laps, including a week at Geraldton in 07 on my way south when I left Broome after 11 years in the Kimberley region. Once you get over your first-day-on-the-road-nerves you'll wonder why you put it off. All you can do is prepare your vehicle and yourself to the best of your own ability with your needs in mind. After that it's a day to day experience, learning what you really need and what you don't, and how you cope with what you have. Then all you have to do is grab the steering wheel, release the hand brake and point the windscreen in your case, in your chosen direction and soak up the country you're cruising through. This is an amazing country and you don't need a passport (yet) to travel from state to state, and you're free to enjoy it all in your own sweet time, visiting features as they grab your fancy. Nothing like having your fancy grabbed. If you plan to free camp you will need the "traveller's bible", Camps Australia Wide, Version 6, a good sense of humour and a smidge of social skills to chat to all the people you meet. There will be some who don't wish to chat, but they're in the minority. The nomad life is a very sociable lifestyle so keep you address book handy, get your business cards printed to be handed to friends and contacts of your choice. NB: VistaPrint will do 250 with your own design if you like, for a very small cost to you. It's easier than writing it down every time. Safe and happy travels, and don't be afraid to ask what may seem to be the silliest question. We all had to start somewhere.
justjo said
10:47 PM Jun 3, 2011
Thanks for the kind welcome, I didn't mean to hijack the thread!
I have a converted 2006 Toyota Commuter, I had been looking for ages and changed my mind about what would suit me more than a few times! I decided on an all in one as apart from being totally useless at reversing with anything on the back, I felt I could look after it more easily as my hands have a bit of arthritis from years of keyboarding. The van has power from battery, a hot water shower (luxury!) from a gas heater and all the cupboards are made of pine. I should be able to free camp quite a bit, will be able to tell more after the shakedown cruise next week to Port Gregory. Just finished making new curtains for her. I can chat to anyone and everyone CG but also love spending time just looking around at everything. I have just bought the Camps Australia Wide and heading for the Kimberley as I haven't been further north than Broome.
No, I'm not taking my gorgeous Murloc (border collie). After much agonising about what to do, I realised he would hate the constant travelling and doesn't take kindly to being tied up. My daughter has moved into my house and is going to be surrogate Mum to him. I'm sure I'm going to shed a few tears when I leave.
I'm sure I'm going to need lots of help over the next few months, so thanks in advance for all your advice.
Thanks again for the welcome
Esmeralda said
08:24 AM Jun 4, 2011
justjo wrote:
Hi ..
Just starting out myself as a solo, first trip as soon as I can get my Toyota Hi-ace Commuter ready, should be in a couple of weeks. I'm nervous and excited about setting off but I'm sure with everything I have read on these forums and others that there are many many wonderful people doing the same thing and loving it.
Good luck with everything
Hi there - welcome to the Forum. I understand the excited/nervous combination as I have not long finished my first solo trip - shake down, call it what you will. Once away the nervousness disappeared. Make sure you prepare and then prepare again, and then enjoy!!
Welcome justjo. What's your layout ?
Cheers,
Sheba.
Once you get over your first-day-on-the-road-nerves you'll wonder why you put it off.
All you can do is prepare your vehicle and yourself to the best of your own ability with your needs in mind.
After that it's a day to day experience, learning what you really need and what you don't, and how you cope with what you have.
Then all you have to do is grab the steering wheel, release the hand brake and point the windscreen in your case, in your chosen direction and soak up the country you're cruising through.
This is an amazing country and you don't need a passport (yet) to travel from state to state, and you're free to enjoy it all in your own sweet time, visiting features as they grab your fancy. Nothing like having your fancy grabbed.
If you plan to free camp you will need the "traveller's bible", Camps Australia Wide, Version 6, a good sense of humour and a smidge of social skills to chat to all the people you meet. There will be some who don't wish to chat, but they're in the minority.
The nomad life is a very sociable lifestyle so keep you address book handy, get your business cards printed to be handed to friends and contacts of your choice.
NB: VistaPrint will do 250 with your own design if you like, for a very small cost to you. It's easier than writing it down every time.
Safe and happy travels, and don't be afraid to ask what may seem to be the silliest question. We all had to start somewhere.
I have a converted 2006 Toyota Commuter, I had been looking for ages and changed my mind about what would suit me more than a few times! I decided on an all in one as apart from being totally useless at reversing with anything on the back, I felt I could look after it more easily as my hands have a bit of arthritis from years of keyboarding. The van has power from battery, a hot water shower (luxury!) from a gas heater and all the cupboards are made of pine. I should be able to free camp quite a bit, will be able to tell more after the shakedown cruise next week to Port Gregory. Just finished making new curtains for her. I can chat to anyone and everyone CG but also love spending time just looking around at everything. I have just bought the Camps Australia Wide and heading for the Kimberley as I haven't been further north than Broome.
No, I'm not taking my gorgeous Murloc (border collie). After much agonising about what to do, I realised he would hate the constant travelling and doesn't take kindly to being tied up. My daughter has moved into my house and is going to be surrogate Mum to him. I'm sure I'm going to shed a few tears when I leave.
I'm sure I'm going to need lots of help over the next few months, so thanks in advance for all your advice.
Thanks again for the welcome
Hi there - welcome to the Forum. I understand the excited/nervous combination as I have not long finished my first solo trip - shake down, call it what you will. Once away the nervousness disappeared. Make sure you prepare and then prepare again, and then enjoy!!