I'm a Pom who has just become a Kiwi. I'm also a single bloke (52) who has 2 sons who have reached throw-out-of-home stage (18) and an ex who will tend to their emergencies.
Today I wrote my resignation letter and I'm looking at hitting the road in Oz in early Feb next year when I can access some funds to get me going.
I have been looking at possibilities and have narrowed down to campervan (pop top or high top Hiace?) and fruit/veg picking for cash as a possible way of life for a good while.
Anyone else out there who has gone the same way who can help with suggestions?
eg
Kiwis travelling in Oz?
Hiace owners?
Fruit pickers?
Andy
Sheba said
12:20 AM Sep 7, 2011
Welcome Andy. The following link may be helpful. You can also buy the Book. I just found one for a friend, in an Op-shop, but you can buy it on-line.
G'day and hope you enjoy your work/travel around Australia, plenty of work if your prepared to do it, try www.jobsearch.gov.au and then select the harvest trail, hope that helps.
Vic said
02:18 PM Sep 7, 2011
Hi Andy and welcome to the forum.
Are you planning on living full time in your Hi Ace? There are a number of us have them here, but it would depend on what you plan to use yours for. I travelled Oz in a Mazda E2000 Campervan (similar to High Ace) on my own and found it good, but if I was going to make a permanent home for a year or two I would think about a caravan to tow.
Cruising Granny said
06:59 PM Sep 7, 2011
Welcome to you. Do we call you a Pom or a Kiwi? Mmmm it's a dilemma for us Aussies. Never mind, I hope you enjoy your stay on GN's and your travels in Oz. There are many ways to do this travel thing, and there are lots of contingencies to consider. Living in the van or vehicle, versatility, fuel and fuel consumption as well as comforts. Bear in mind it gets very hot in the Aussie summer and you will probably need airconditioning of some form. Good luck with your plans.
Elle on Wheels said
10:20 PM Sep 7, 2011
Hi Andy also check out joining short term work exchange programs where you get food and accommodation in exchange for labour - I am currently a host and can thoroughly recommend the concept. The two main schemes in Australia are www.wwoof.com.au and www.helpx.net. You can often find hosts who want some housesitting or unskilled manual work - always a good option in between paid jobs. cheers
justjo said
07:16 AM Sep 8, 2011
Hi, I've been travelling now for 7 weeks in a Toyota Hi-ace Commuter. It took me nearly a year to choose her and I'm very glad I persisted till I got what I wanted. It's tempting to chose something, anything after looking for so long but hang in there when you are looking and good luck.
I don't have a pop top but have a roof vent, luckily I'm only 5'2" so I can stand up inside without one. I looked at hi tops but am glad I didn't with the occasional windy day and the road trains rocking this girl enough.
Hope you get what you are happy with,
Good luck from a fellow ex Pom of 41 years
Jo
Happywanderer said
06:26 PM Sep 8, 2011
Justjo, I'm only 5ft 2in and can't stand up in my Hiace. If I don't put up my pop top I get an aching back from bending over all the time.
Sheba said
07:49 PM Sep 8, 2011
Marj, a Commuter has a roof that is between the level ours are on, [pop-tops], and a Hi-top. It's about halfway between the two.
I think ours started out as Commuters, and were converted to Pop-tops. They don't start out with them.
Google all three and you'll see what I mean.
Cheers,
Sheba.
-- Edited by Sheba on Thursday 8th of September 2011 07:52:00 PM
Happywanderer said
08:34 PM Sep 8, 2011
I thought there must have been a difference Sheba. A few have said they could stand up in theirs.
yeoeleven said
03:56 PM Sep 11, 2011
Hi,
I am from England, was a 10 pound pom back in 1959. Am currently traveling Australia in a Hi Ace with a pop top.
So much depends on how the van is set up and how you want to use it, I have seats and table that becomes a bed and some do not want to set up each day but for me, who has all day, it is no trouble to create the bed at night and revert in the morning.
It has a basic set up with fridge, sink, gas cooking facilities, tons of cupboards and room to walk around.
It is my home and I took several months making it into exactly what I need, not necessarily what I want because funds come into the equation and I was creating a home with a small budget.
John
Plodnalong said
08:34 PM Sep 26, 2011
Thanks all for your comments and it is nice to hear that there are others managing with HiAces or similar. I did think of a caravan but really fancy being able to just up and go very easily. I have also thought that with an open ended trip I could always sell a campervan and buy a caravan and towing vehicle if I felt the need. I do want something that I can stand up in though. Do many of you out there work while travelling?
I'm a Pom who has just become a Kiwi. I'm also a single bloke (52) who has 2 sons who have reached throw-out-of-home stage (18) and an ex who will tend to their emergencies.
Today I wrote my resignation letter and I'm looking at hitting the road in Oz in early Feb next year when I can access some funds to get me going.
I have been looking at possibilities and have narrowed down to campervan (pop top or high top Hiace?) and fruit/veg picking for cash as a possible way of life for a good while.
Anyone else out there who has gone the same way who can help with suggestions?
eg
Kiwis travelling in Oz?
Hiace owners?
Fruit pickers?
Andy
http://www.workaboutaustralia.com.au/
Cheers,
Sheba.
Are you planning on living full time in your Hi Ace? There are a number of us have them here, but it would depend on what you plan to use yours for. I travelled Oz in a Mazda E2000 Campervan (similar to High Ace) on my own and found it good, but if I was going to make a permanent home for a year or two I would think about a caravan to tow.
Never mind, I hope you enjoy your stay on GN's and your travels in Oz.
There are many ways to do this travel thing, and there are lots of contingencies to consider.
Living in the van or vehicle, versatility, fuel and fuel consumption as well as comforts.
Bear in mind it gets very hot in the Aussie summer and you will probably need airconditioning of some form.
Good luck with your plans.
cheers
I don't have a pop top but have a roof vent, luckily I'm only 5'2" so I can stand up inside without one. I looked at hi tops but am glad I didn't with the occasional windy day and the road trains rocking this girl enough.
Hope you get what you are happy with,
Good luck from a fellow ex Pom of 41 years
Jo
Marj, a Commuter has a roof that is between the level ours are on, [pop-tops], and a Hi-top. It's about halfway between the two.
I think ours started out as Commuters, and were converted to Pop-tops. They don't start out with them.
Google all three and you'll see what I mean.
Cheers,
Sheba.
-- Edited by Sheba on Thursday 8th of September 2011 07:52:00 PM
Hi,
I am from England, was a 10 pound pom back in 1959. Am currently traveling Australia in a Hi Ace with a pop top.
So much depends on how the van is set up and how you want to use it, I have seats and table that becomes a bed and some do not want to set up each day but for me, who has all day, it is no trouble to create the bed at night and revert in the morning.
It has a basic set up with fridge, sink, gas cooking facilities, tons of cupboards and room to walk around.
It is my home and I took several months making it into exactly what I need, not necessarily what I want because funds come into the equation and I was creating a home with a small budget.
John
Do many of you out there work while travelling?
Andy