Hello All,

maybe they could hire a small motor home, with shower /toilet for a few months, to see if they really like it, before leaping into it full on.. also try and get them to join this site, its the one of the best for helping out would be travellers like myself and others...

It would depend on whether they have an income coming in or they need to sell their land to finance the trip. I say they should go for it, they are only 60 and have plenty of years ahead of them to enjoy wandering this wonderful land. They can call back in on the rellies as they pass by so won't be out of touch. Have a laptop and a mobile phone to keep in touch also. A lot of us are doing it just on the pension so a lot depends just how much they want to spend and how much travelling they do each week or fortnight, as to how much fuel costs will be. They can also free camp to keep overnight costs down. Buy them the Camps Australia Wide Number 5 for about $50, they will love it.

Maybe if you have to talk them into it they may not be as keen as you. would agree to "try before you buy" and definitely do not burn any bridges until they have been at it for a considerable time. I do not know their financial situation but bear in mind that if they sell up it will cost considerable dollars to buy back in again and the longer they are on the road the more it will cost them to rebuy. As for cost of living there are many variables such as how far they travel each week,van parks or free camp, inland or coastal, standard of living(steak, sausages or restaurant) that they can control to a large extent. We find that free camping and eating sensibly but not extravagantly, not drinking too many stubbies or wines and barring extraordinary expense ( tyres, breakdown or maybe a concert or some such) we can get by on about $250 a week PLUS FUEL. However one must have capacity to cater for unexpected expenses. Here's hoping they enjoy it as much as you think they will.

Thanks so much guys, all great points to consider and recommend to them!

Get them into the site to talk to us and see for them selves what they want to do, not what you want them think they should do...... Hoo Roo Happy Days Grumpy

Your plans for your parents are commendable, but they have to want to do this nomadding stuff. Is it your dream? Maybe you could leave them home while you work your way around the country. If you have to talk them into to it you're on the wrong track. I left home because my kids wouldn't, back in 1996. I call in every second Christmas and for babies, and if I happen to be passing through SA. I'm just a little bit over 60, honest, and am going back to work after having my health restored by medical science. They most certainly are young enough to do it, but it must be what they want to do. With modern technology they are never too far away. They can even phone you face to face on skype. They may not be ready to leave their little patch. If they've lived in the Kimberleys and Pilbara, where else is there? Only joking. I went to the Kimberleys in '96 for 3 months and left Broome 11 years later towing a caravan. But it must be what they want to do, for their own reasons. Your time will come when the time is right.

Thanks Granny & Grumpy One.... Valid points you make, maybe I used the wrong terms when I said "trying to talk them into it". This is by no means "my dream" and I am in no way trying to convince them to do something they don't want to do. They would very much like to do it - the talking into it part comes from offering them advice and assurance that it's ok (with me, & the rest of the family) for them to actually do it. And also, trying to show them that financially it is do-able. And of course most importantly, that they will have the time of their lives! If they decide not to, that's fine with me too. They are just at that transition stage of life where they need to consider downsizing their property etc - it is contributing to their ailments as it requires such a big physical effort from them both to upkeep. Thanks all for your advice. So.

you can't talk anyone into anything, if you do and it turns out to be something that they don't like both you and them will feel miserable,,, them for why did we let you talk us into doing this and you for well i guess i should have shut up,,,, traveling around is something that you have to want to do for yourself,, it's a big step to sell up everything and just hit the road,,, i always thought that,, that was what i wanted to do, but if the truth be known sure i like to travel and see places too but i like the comfort of coming home, i have my garden and my shed and so on and maybe they too will have simmilar things,, they can havethe best of both worlds though,, sure hire a motor home and se if the nomad life is what they want, thats a great idea before commmitting to the life style,,,, me well i travel about 100,000 k's a year for the past 24 years yes that figure is right, i don't mind being in one place for awhile and maybe they would too,, if the nomad life isn't for them there's nothing from stopping them down sizing to a smaller place and just taking off whenever it siuts them for as long as it suits them,, thats what the bride and i plan to do,, we already have our retirement place in a nice sea side town here in south aust, so yeh i wouldn't try and talk them into it bt maybe suggest some "options" instead bb