I've been trying to do a budget (Trying being the operative word!!!!!!!!) and I've read a lot about free camping in the general forum and thought it would be a great way to save a bit of money, but I'd be interested to know your thought's and experiences on free camping for solo's (I'm always up for a good story lol).
PS Don't you just hate trying to work out a budget..........I thought about cutting out the red wine............but geez........that's just sacriligious (spelling)
Keep Smiling
Cee
Sheba said
07:22 PM Aug 5, 2010
I'm planning on Free-camping all the time if possible, unless I need to stay for a night at a C-Park for 240V power. Haven't used a Park up to now.
Cheers,
Sheba.
capt cream bun said
10:16 PM Aug 5, 2010
Hi Cee I remembered reading about budgets in a thread some time ago. so here you go ...have a look, at the time i know at least i found it very interesting.
Just in case my link does not work just do a search "budget and you will find it easy enough.
From reading some blogs i note free camping does not mean lone camping. It seems to me more and more people are trying free camping and even in places you might think would be isolated when you get there you may find out they are not!
Being a want to be like you i find this forum tops in helping me plan and learn. I often use Google Earth to help me view the places people talk about. If you have it Cee check out these locations mentioned just a few days ago. 80 Mile Beach and Port Smith WA. They look magical to me.
CCB
Happywanderer said
10:48 PM Aug 5, 2010
When I finally get going I will be free camping where ever I can and hopefully the majority of my trips. My budget won't run to too many camping ground stays.
My understanding is to get to a free camp by about 4pm in the evening and wait for company to pull in beside you. Being a solo traveller I am hoping to be able to free camp beside other travellers for safetys sake.
That is why it is a great idea to get a network of other likeminded travellers so we can all keep track of one another along the way.
Ma said
09:42 AM Aug 6, 2010
From personal experience we find it much better to be camped up by 2.30 - 3.00.
Then if you don't feel comfortable or whatever then you still have enough daylight to move on to the next spot.
Happywanderer said
10:12 AM Aug 6, 2010
Very good idea Ma. The one thing I wondered about was no one else turning up and you don't want to be there by yourself, then driving around in the dark trying to find another site.
Ma said
02:23 PM Aug 6, 2010
Forget where I read it but someone said that if you happen to be running out of daylight and you stop somewhere and you are the only one there, try and get off the road as far as you can and preferrably behind some bushes or trees where you can't be seen from the road.
Jazzin Around said
07:34 PM Aug 6, 2010
Many solos free camp - because in many cases one pension is paying for the rego, fuel and camping. Get a copy of Camps Australia Wide then go online and note the upgrades into your copy. Talk to others to find the best spots - some have free power and water provided - not many but there are some, even in Tassie.
-- Edited by Jazzin Around on Friday 6th of August 2010 07:37:03 PM
-- Edited by Jazzin Around on Friday 6th of August 2010 07:38:19 PM
Hiya
As always you have all been very helpful...........I thank my lucky stars that I stumbled onto this forum.
I have to admit, for some reason I had it in my mind that free camping = isolated camping, but obviously I was wrong (thankfully).
If anyone is passing through Adelaide on their travels, please feel free to drop in for a coffee (beer & red wine is usually on hand as well).......you would be more than welcome :)...
Keep Smiling
Cee
Beth54 said
07:25 PM Aug 7, 2010
I was a bit nervous about camping alone, but I had no problems. There were lots of other people who were friendly, and some chatted for a little while.
My "rig" draws attention because it's so small, so it was a talking point a lot of the time.
I like to stop by 3ish, so I can set up and get comfy.
Jazzin Around said
09:46 AM Aug 10, 2010
Solos free camp as much as possible. Get the Camps Australia Wide book from good newsagents - the best $50 you will ever spend and then go online and get the upgrades as it is changing all the time. I have a campervanning friend who only ever free camps but doesn't travel very far - never passes a free spot often right beside the highway which is't my cup of tea. I am currently in a van park - one which will allow 2 solos in 2 motorhomes to park on 1 site for $4 a week each. In Queensland, get the roads and transport map with all their free spots. Tassie is the best state for free camps - one with free power too.
coyotte said
07:46 PM Aug 10, 2010
Use rest areas for camping most of the time ---- comes from my younger days when my now deceased wife and myself use to do a lot of "Coastal Hopping " in a 16ft trailer sailer --- camping on the beach at days end ---- or just offshore if needed.
Only problem i have run into is that you can run into some pretty inconsiderate younger people useing the site for a grog on. ---- you often find though that the police keep a eye on these sites and move the buggers on.
As stated by others Camps Aust Wide is essential for this style of camping / caravaning.
Also do yourself a big favour and get a " universal tap handle and spout adapters " from Bunnings --- in the plumbing dept.
you will find most van parks will allow you to use there showers and laundry for a small fee or most roadhouses have showers.
if you can afford it the occasional stay in a caravan park or cabin for a few days can be very refreshing as the rest areas are ussually well out of town. the very best are by far in Qld -- a real credit to them ---- NSW & Vic are few and far between , seems they are trying to force you into the parks ---- SA not to bad but not up to Qld ----- NT are massive but sparse sites. ---- have not yet done Tas or WA
hope the above is of some help
cheers
Coyotte
PS. do not take the time limits to seriuoslly --- the rangers will just tell you to move on --- no big drama
up the top end you will often run into pensioners who have near set up a permemnt camp, they just get well out of sight.
'
lilly said
10:16 PM Aug 10, 2010
I have done mosty free camping and have no problem with most roadhouse's letting you use there showers in most case's i have found if you fuel up and eat there or just buy some milk/bread ect they sometime let u have shower for free ....Q.L.D. is great ...N.SW. not many roadhouse have shower's that they let you use ..i found few big roadhouses or travel stop as some are called now also have a laundry in them .. but ladies be warned you usually have to share the shower with the truckies so the middle of day is usually best time to use them .......
-- Edited by lilly on Tuesday 10th of August 2010 10:18:09 PM
keviny6 said
02:31 PM Aug 16, 2010
capt cream bun wrote:
Hi Cee I remembered reading about budgets in a thread some time ago. so here you go ...have a look, at the time i know at least i found it very interesting.
Just in case my link does not work just do a search "budget and you will find it easy enough.
================================================= found the above link very interesting and a laugh as well , am thinking of going out full time shortly , the costs would differ a lot from a holiday point of view
-- Edited by keviny6 on Monday 16th of August 2010 02:32:09 PM
Cee said
08:48 PM Aug 17, 2010
Hiya,
Thanks for all the responses........I feel much more confident about free camping after all the positive posts. I was a bit concerned about the shower situation but knowing that it's possible to have showers for a small fee at caravan parks and roadhouses is a huggggggggge relief .
Keep Smiling :)
lilly said
05:44 AM Aug 18, 2010
hi cee
im warmer months i swim at local pools when i travel and most of them have hot shower these's days so there are lots of options out there ..we just have to know where to find them and this site has so many who travel usually someone will have a answer to our questions
Happywanderer said
11:41 AM Aug 18, 2010
I will be the same cee, when I get out on the road. It will be the occasional caravan park for a refresh or public showers when I find one.
Eventually hope to set up a portable shower system on the back of the van to overcome that problem, but in the meantime will handwash in the sink and shower when I find one.
Firefly said
12:03 PM Aug 18, 2010
We have a Jayco Hawke so no shower in there and we free camp as much as possible. We just came back from 7 weeks away and we averaged just $19 a day for accomodation. Would have been less but we travelled with another couple for two weeks her were not too sure about free camping which was fine.
Showering was my main concern so we purchased a cheap shower pump from a camping store and also available from Big W etc. Cost $24 and a 70c plastic bucket. Heat some water and throw it in the bucket and there is your shower. Its amazing how little water you need to take a shower.
Also bought a pop up shower tent for about $70, the dearest part of our shower set up. The tent is no fuss, throw out and it stands up. Even in the wind we mastered it by tethering to the car and van.
That was, to be honest, my biggest concern, showering. But it was brilliant, even to wash my hair. You probably can't see it in this picture, but the cord is running from the car battery to a slit in the side of the tent where the pump passes through. Our tent has no floor which makes it easier to dry, we have a rubber mat we stand on. You can always use a larger bucket if you wish but we didn't find the need for that.
Sheba said
04:37 PM Aug 18, 2010
That's my set-up too Fire-fly, although I do have an external shower at the back of the Campervan.
Cheers,
Sheba.
Firefly said
05:07 PM Aug 18, 2010
It works a treat doesn't it mate. I am very happy with the shower, feels great after a long day on the road having fun.
Sheba said
06:28 PM Aug 18, 2010
You said it, and it's so simple and easy.
Cheers,
Sheba.
Happywanderer said
07:35 PM Aug 18, 2010
I like the look of that, what a great idea.
Firefly said
08:19 PM Aug 18, 2010
It packs away into a circle and just slides in the back beside something so takes up no room and we keep the pump in the shower tent bag as well.
Very simple mate.
Beth54 said
09:30 PM Aug 25, 2010
I don't know about other states, but I've just discovered Camps Australia wide is only $45.95 through RACQ. Everywhere I've seen it, it's $54.95.
Cee said
09:41 PM Aug 25, 2010
Hiya Beth54,
Thanks for the tip............I'll be checking out the RAA in SA to see if they have the same deal.
I love your set up there....it looks compact but really easy to tow
Keep Smiling :)
PML said
10:45 AM Aug 28, 2010
Hi Cee. I've just put in a new top'PML' about this subject. I found in the warmer WA areas eg north of Carnarvon, it was easier for me being female to 'free-camp' as there were a lot more other campers doing it (Doubles and singles). but as I moved south and east, I found that the free camps were empty, and as I hate being on my own in the middle of nowhere, I had to end up in a caravan park (see my blog). Pauline
I've been trying to do a budget (Trying being the operative word!!!!!!!!) and I've read a lot about free camping in the general forum and thought it would be a great way to save a bit of money, but I'd be interested to know your thought's and experiences on free camping for solo's (I'm always up for a good story lol).
PS Don't you just hate trying to work out a budget..........I thought about cutting out the red wine............but geez........that's just sacriligious (spelling)
Keep Smiling
Cee
Hi Cee
http://www.activeboard.com/forum.spark?aBID=51933&p=3&topicID=33679825I remembered reading about budgets in a thread some time ago. so here you go ...have a look, at the time i know at least i found it very interesting.
Just in case my link does not work just do a search "budget and you will find it easy enough.
From reading some blogs i note free camping does not mean lone camping. It seems to me more and more people are trying free camping and even in places you might think would be isolated when you get there you may find out they are not!
Being a want to be like you i find this forum tops in helping me plan and learn. I often use Google Earth to help me view the places people talk about. If you have it Cee check out these locations mentioned just a few days ago. 80 Mile Beach and Port Smith WA. They look magical to me.
CCB
Then if you don't feel comfortable or whatever then you still have enough daylight to move on to the next spot.
-- Edited by Jazzin Around on Friday 6th of August 2010 07:37:03 PM
-- Edited by Jazzin Around on Friday 6th of August 2010 07:38:19 PM
Use rest areas for camping most of the time ---- comes from my younger days when my now deceased wife and myself use to do a lot of "Coastal Hopping " in a 16ft trailer sailer --- camping on the beach at days end ---- or just offshore if needed.
Only problem i have run into is that you can run into some pretty inconsiderate younger people useing the site for a grog on. ---- you often find though that the police keep a eye on these sites and move the buggers on.
As stated by others Camps Aust Wide is essential for this style of camping / caravaning.
Also do yourself a big favour and get a " universal tap handle and spout adapters " from Bunnings --- in the plumbing dept.
you will find most van parks will allow you to use there showers and laundry for a small fee or most roadhouses have showers.
if you can afford it the occasional stay in a caravan park or cabin for a few days can be very refreshing as the rest areas are ussually well out of town.
the very best are by far in Qld -- a real credit to them ---- NSW & Vic are few and far between , seems they are trying to force you into the parks ---- SA not to bad but not up to Qld ----- NT are massive but sparse sites. ---- have not yet done Tas or WA
hope the above is of some help
cheers
Coyotte
PS. do not take the time limits to seriuoslly --- the rangers will just tell you to move on --- no big drama
up the top end you will often run into pensioners who have near set up a permemnt camp, they just get well out of sight.
'
-- Edited by lilly on Tuesday 10th of August 2010 10:18:09 PM
-- Edited by keviny6 on Monday 16th of August 2010 02:32:09 PM
We just came back from 7 weeks away and we averaged just $19 a day for accomodation. Would have been less but we travelled with another couple for two weeks her were not too sure about free camping which was fine.
Showering was my main concern so we purchased a cheap shower pump from a camping store and also available from Big W etc. Cost $24 and a 70c plastic bucket. Heat some water and throw it in the bucket and there is your shower. Its amazing how little water you need to take a shower.
Also bought a pop up shower tent for about $70, the dearest part of our shower set up. The tent is no fuss, throw out and it stands up. Even in the wind we mastered it by tethering to the car and van.
That was, to be honest, my biggest concern, showering. But it was brilliant, even to wash my hair. You probably can't see it in this picture, but the cord is running from the car battery to a slit in the side of the tent where the pump passes through. Our tent has no floor which makes it easier to dry, we have a rubber mat we stand on. You can always use a larger bucket if you wish but we didn't find the need for that.
Very simple mate.
Thanks for the tip............I'll be checking out the RAA in SA to see if they have the same deal.
I love your set up there....it looks compact but really easy to tow
Keep Smiling :)
Pauline