Am just starting my first journey, am am heading over to WA slowly to visit family. Have made it as far as my daughters place around 250ks from where I am based without any trouble. My trial trip was a bit of a disaster so was quite apprehensive when setting off this time. I have a 2007 Travel Home fifth wheeler and a Nissan Navara. I find the van very comfortable to tow. Hope to make many friends on the way.
Dougwe said
08:08 PM Aug 17, 2015
Welcome to the gang Christy, enjoy here and out in the playground.
I checked out the 'Travelhome' 5th wheeler many moons back and thought is was great but decided too big for one. Got a Avan camper instead but when I sold base camp and went out in the playground full time got a full CV with ensuite and love it. By having a van not the 5th I get to use all the back of the Collie for other 'Stuff'.
Keep Safe out there.
Woody n Sue said
10:17 PM Aug 17, 2015
Hi Christy and welcome from us two 2 great choice of wheels we looked at the travel home also but decided on the Trailblazer it ticked all our boxes so we went with it
I Am sure you will get it sorted now with that first trip done it should be all clear sailing from here on, enjoy the journey it's just as important as the destination
shekon said
10:57 AM Aug 18, 2015
Welcome Christy. Have a great time crossing to WA. So much to see and do. It is a wonderful trip if you take your time and explore the little places off the main track. Plenty of free camping along the way.
Have a wonderful time.
Jelaw said
11:12 AM Aug 18, 2015
Hello Christine
I can relate to the first time being a bit of a disaster to. Am getting van ready for the big one
next year and waiting for motivation to kick in to do it. Once I go I am gone for who knows how long.
Welcome to grey nomads and hope you enjoy your adventures.
Footprints said
05:01 PM Aug 18, 2015
Welcome Christy, enjoy the great outdoors.
Christy said
07:23 PM Aug 18, 2015
Thanks so much for all your support. Have made it to Horsham today, I suppose you will all think I am nuts, but I have my 5 little dogs with me. They are going well,so far, just happy to be with me.
Muzzlehatch said
07:34 PM Aug 18, 2015
Here is a photo of my travelling companion. He is more than enough of a handful for me to cope with. How you manage with 5 dogs is beyond me !!
-- Edited by Muzzlehatch on Tuesday 18th of August 2015 07:36:06 PM
wendyv said
06:19 PM Aug 19, 2015
Don't try to drive too far in each day.
Across the Nullarbor there are plenty of places to stop, and there are plenty of other travellers.
Watch the little dogs as you are crossing the Nullarbor. The big wedge tail eagles have occasionally tried to take little dogs, thinking they are food.
Enjoy.
Christy said
04:40 PM Aug 20, 2015
Thanks to all for your advice, very much appreciated. The dogs are settling well and working out what's going on, settling quickly when we stop. In Keith tonight stayed an extra night in Horsham.
Chris
Christy said
04:43 PM Aug 20, 2015
Hi, don't put it off, I know it is early days but I am very happy that I am finally on the road.
Panther said
11:18 PM Aug 20, 2015
Well done Christy.
This week is my first time free camping and away from the safety of a caravan park. My nerves are starting to settle and today with the sun out I even went for a walk down to the creek and enjoyed every minute of it.
You continue to enjoy yourself and thanks for sharing.
This week is my first time free camping and away from the safety of a caravan park. My nerves are starting to settle and today with the sun out I even went for a walk down to the creek and enjoyed every minute of it.
You continue to enjoy yourself and thanks for sharing.
Hey Panther, good to hear your doing the free camp thing, I love free camping, you meet very interesting people..... go for it....
Christy said
06:55 PM Aug 23, 2015
Hi,
I'm ashamed to have to admit it but, my technology bone is broken and very difficult to repair. I have downloaded Wiki Camps, have watched utube on how to use it all to no avail. PLEASE SOMEONE HELP ME if you can. I am a visual person or need to walk through it with someone instructing me. Thanks
Christy said
06:58 PM Aug 23, 2015
How long have you been on the road? Well done I'm not ready to do that yet
Mary said
08:38 PM Aug 24, 2015
At least your 5 doggies will ensure you take adequate rest breaks every couple of hours.However keep a close eye on them ,some areas have 1080 baits in the west.
You will love it and so will they
Bon voyage
Mary
Panther said
10:11 AM Aug 25, 2015
Frangipani, Thanks for the encouragement. I did meet 2 lovely ladies who were my neighbours in a motorhome for a few days and also a fellow Goldstream owner couple with a cute dog who got rather excited when she saw me walking my Purr Baby (cat) on her harness. Talking about exciting neighbours. .... well my Ranni was vibrating with excitement when she looked out of the windows this morning....see attached photo for the reason why! Currently at Scrubby Creek Rest Area 20km south of Eden NSW.
The most interesting and nicest people I have met so far in my huge 1 week history ! ! of free camping was a most lovely couple , who one night at the pub had a few too many and said to his wife, "why don't we ride a bike around Australia ". And so with no knowledge, experience or equipment decided to do it AND WITH A PET RAT ALONG FOR THE RIDE!. From Perth across the Nullabor and now to my area - the Far South Coast NSW (at Quamma at the time -- google map that name folks) and heading up the Eastern coast towards QLD to continue on their Big Lap. Now that's either keen, crazy or a bit of both but they were still having a ball over a year since they started.
Hi Christy, I became single this Easter with the van as my home. I was going to start my new life travelling with my 2 Purr Babies then, but my oldest of 17 years became so ill with kidney failure that she couldn't travel so I stayed near her doctor/vet in an absolutely beautiful C/P -- the Ocean Lake C/P (highly recommended) just north of Bermagui NSW on the very edge of Wallaga Lake. Photo attached. Sorka was pain free and was actually very happy for the last few months while on palliative care before sadly passing away. See attached collage.
Now its just Ranni (14 years old ) and I. It has been just over a week since I have been free camping. Behind the Cobargo Pub was my first stop of 3 days. A lovely paved and grass half acre with room for the biggest rig and there's a dump point available. And also a coin laundry plus $4- hot showers and 'Swap-n-Go' gas bottles are available too. The pub has an old style country atmosphere that is very welcoming. I stayed there on the edge of the Narira Creek and the sound of water tinkling over the stones was so relaxing. The pub building also mutes the sound of the traffic from the Princes Hwy. The owner/publican was very polite and I felt safe there.
I've so far just used rest areas as stopping places for 1 or 2 nights. The exception is where I am now at Scrubby Creek Rest Area about 20 ks south of Eden NSW. It is so stunningly beautiful and peaceful I might stay for a week or so. Just off the Princes Hwy via a dirt (now wet clay) 700m track. I've included a photo. Tall trees, birds, orchids, pink flowering heath and eastern grey kangaroos ....oh and toilets, picnic tables and fires permitted (check fire ban times though).
My history is of tent camping since I was a kid so towing and owning a van since Easter is a brand new challenge for me. A VERY steep learning curve one could say!
I need to be in my local area for another 2 weeks as the van is booked in to have Airbag Roof Lifters installed as it's a pop-top and with my bad back and 2 solar panels on top I'm unable to lift the 70kg ++ on my own. I have a compressor in the boot for the airbag suspension so that will be used to lift the roof soon with just the touch of a button.
I think getting brave enough to try free camping and tackling the anxiety and nerves the first 4 days was the hardest but I needed to do this as this is now my new life. I've heard over and over again from other ladies that as far as personal safety goes ......listen to your gut feeling, your intuition AND IF IT FEELS WRONG OR CREEPY THEN GET OUT and move on to a place that "has the right feel about it". Listen to your inner voice.......it's there for a reason and that reason is for our own wellbeing, peace of mind and safety.
I hope this encourages you to give it a go. All the best
-- Edited by Panther on Tuesday 25th of August 2015 11:20:57 AM
What a beautiful cat he had a wonderful last few months. I had to leave my three at home unfortunately. I have arrived in Ceduna will stay here for a couple of nights and hopefully catch up with some washing. Hope I can go and do some whale watching before crossing the Nullarbor. Been thinking about which way to go home, the cost of everything over here is amazing.
pawsoz said
07:05 PM Sep 2, 2015
Hi to Christy and Panther and any other new travelling women out there!
I am Annie I have a small motorhome that I share with my 2 Whippet boys, my only family. Although I have been living full time in my motorhome for the last 3.5 yrs since my partner passed I have been parked up for awhile whilst doing volunteer work in Melbourne, this situation will continue until about Christmas this year, then I am off on the road for a while!
Travel safe, if you see a motorhome called Pawsaroundoz it's us and I never need an excuse to put the coffee on!
annie
Christy said
08:19 PM Sep 3, 2015
Hi Guys,
Have made it to Esperance today. Have had a wonderful trip over the Nullarbor, couldn't believe how beautiful it is. People kept telling me it is flat, boring. I have personally found it beautiful, it is far from flat and not boring. cant wait to go back across. The five little ones are fine and settling into the routine. Don't know what I would do without them I think I would be very lonely. Spent the last 2 nights at Fraser Station, what a stunning place will go back there on the way home. Went on one of their walks yesterday they gave me a map which indicated the the round trip was 6ks. What it failed to mention was that 2 of the 3 ks there was straight up over rough terrain. I am not fit so am very stiff and the knees aren't as good as they used to be but it was really worth the effort the views were stunning.
sufil said
09:57 PM Sep 6, 2015
Was wondering how you were getting on. We never tire of crossing the Nullabor, Every trip there is something different to see.. Have you seen any whales in the Esperance bay yet?. Friend sent a text 3 days ago to say there was some in the bay. He spent his lunch hour sitting on the beach watching them.
Enjoy the rest of your trip.
Fuzzball said
04:22 AM Sep 7, 2015
Hi Christy, Panther and everybody else,
We set off in our 30' caravan just over three months ago, and love free camping. We're travelling with our daughter and two cats, and have slowly travelled across through to Western Australia from South Australia.
We love meeting up with people in free camp sites. They all have a story to tell!
Panther said
10:06 PM Sep 9, 2015
Fuzzball wrote:
....... We're travelling with our two cats, and have slowly travelled across through to Western Australia from South Australia. .......
Hi Fuzzball,
It's great to hear of someone else travelling with their Purr Children. So far my travelling has been in cool weather and I was wondering how your 2 Purr Babies cope travelling in warmer weather? Are there any special things you do to help them not over heat. Do they travel in their cages in the car? Any info and tips would be great. Thanks.
Also have you any photos of these darlings you could share. I have attached some photos of my Ranni.
-- Edited by Panther on Wednesday 9th of September 2015 10:08:10 PM
Panther, your Ranni is a dead ringer for my son's cat
-- Edited by Clare46 on Wednesday 9th of September 2015 10:47:06 PM
Panther said
08:52 AM Sep 10, 2015
Clare46 wrote:
Panther, your Ranni is a dead ringer for my son's cat
-- Edited by Clare46 on Wednesday 9th of September 2015 10:47:06 PM
Well Clare, that makes 2 purrrrfect souls on this earth. Lol.
Christy said
09:54 AM Sep 10, 2015
I am going to try free camping on my way back am staying with my family at the moment. Need to try to earn some cash before I set off on the road again. Great to hear you have your fur babies with you, they adjust well as long as they are with you, that's all they want.
jules47 said
11:42 AM Sep 10, 2015
Hi Panther - glad you have taken up the free camping option, quite often people I free camps are friendlier than in caravan parks. You just need to be organised, about shopping, water, emptying the loo etc.,
"I think getting brave enough to try free camping and tackling the anxiety and nerves the first 4 days was the hardest but I needed to do this as this is now my new life. I've heard over and over again from other ladies that as far as personal safety goes ......listen to your gut feeling, your intuition AND IF IT FEELS WRONG OR CREEPY THEN GET OUT and move on to a place that "has the right feel about it". Listen to your inner voice.......it's there for a reason and that reason is for our own wellbeing, peace of mind and safety.
I hope this encourages you to give it a go. All the best"
You have exactly got it right there - personal safety is paramount, if you pull in somewhere, no one there, if no one comes before say 4 - move on, or if it gives you creepy feelings - move on - man or woman solo or partnered traveller.
Am just starting my first journey, am am heading over to WA slowly to visit family. Have made it as far as my daughters place around 250ks from where I am based without any trouble. My trial trip was a bit of a disaster so was quite apprehensive when setting off this time. I have a 2007 Travel Home fifth wheeler and a Nissan Navara. I find the van very comfortable to tow. Hope to make many friends on the way.
I checked out the 'Travelhome' 5th wheeler many moons back and thought is was great but decided too big for one. Got a Avan camper instead but when I sold base camp and went out in the playground full time got a full CV with ensuite and love it. By having a van not the 5th I get to use all the back of the Collie for other 'Stuff'.
Keep Safe out there.
I Am sure you will get it sorted now with that first trip done it should be all clear sailing from here on, enjoy the journey it's just as important as the destination
Have a wonderful time.
Hello Christine
I can relate to the first time being a bit of a disaster to. Am getting van ready for the big one
next year and waiting for motivation to kick in to do it. Once I go I am gone for who knows how long.
Welcome to grey nomads and hope you enjoy your adventures.
Welcome Christy, enjoy the great outdoors.
Here is a photo of my travelling companion. He is more than enough of a handful for me to cope with. How you manage with 5 dogs is beyond me !!
-- Edited by Muzzlehatch on Tuesday 18th of August 2015 07:36:06 PM
Across the Nullarbor there are plenty of places to stop, and there are plenty of other travellers.
Watch the little dogs as you are crossing the Nullarbor. The big wedge tail eagles have occasionally tried to take little dogs, thinking they are food.
Enjoy.
Chris
Hi, don't put it off, I know it is early days but I am very happy that I am finally on the road.
Well done Christy.
This week is my first time free camping and away from the safety of a caravan park. My nerves are starting to settle and today with the sun out I even went for a walk down to the creek and enjoyed every minute of it.
You continue to enjoy yourself and thanks for sharing.
Hey Panther, good to hear your doing the free camp thing, I love free camping, you meet very interesting people..... go for it....
I'm ashamed to have to admit it but, my technology bone is broken and very difficult to repair. I have downloaded Wiki Camps, have watched utube on how to use it all to no avail. PLEASE SOMEONE HELP ME if you can. I am a visual person or need to walk through it with someone instructing me. Thanks
How long have you been on the road? Well done I'm not ready to do that yet
You will love it and so will they
Bon voyage
Mary
Frangipani, Thanks for the encouragement. I did meet 2 lovely ladies who were my neighbours in a motorhome for a few days and also a fellow Goldstream owner couple with a cute dog who got rather excited when she saw me walking my Purr Baby (cat) on her harness. Talking about exciting neighbours. .... well my Ranni was vibrating with excitement when she looked out of the windows this morning....see attached photo for the reason why! Currently at Scrubby Creek Rest Area 20km south of Eden NSW.
The most interesting and nicest people I have met so far in my huge 1 week history ! ! of free camping was a most lovely couple , who one night at the pub had a few too many and said to his wife, "why don't we ride a bike around Australia ". And so with no knowledge, experience or equipment decided to do it AND WITH A PET RAT ALONG FOR THE RIDE!. From Perth across the Nullabor and now to my area - the Far South Coast NSW (at Quamma at the time -- google map that name folks) and heading up the Eastern coast towards QLD to continue on their Big Lap. Now that's either keen, crazy or a bit of both but they were still having a ball over a year since they started.
Hi Christy, I became single this Easter with the van as my home. I was going to start my new life travelling with my 2 Purr Babies then, but my oldest of 17 years became so ill with kidney failure that she couldn't travel so I stayed near her doctor/vet in an absolutely beautiful C/P -- the Ocean Lake C/P (highly recommended) just north of Bermagui NSW on the very edge of Wallaga Lake. Photo attached. Sorka was pain free and was actually very happy for the last few months while on palliative care before sadly passing away. See attached collage.
Now its just Ranni (14 years old ) and I. It has been just over a week since I have been free camping. Behind the Cobargo Pub was my first stop of 3 days. A lovely paved and grass half acre with room for the biggest rig and there's a dump point available. And also a coin laundry plus $4- hot showers and 'Swap-n-Go' gas bottles are available too. The pub has an old style country atmosphere that is very welcoming. I stayed there on the edge of the Narira Creek and the sound of water tinkling over the stones was so relaxing. The pub building also mutes the sound of the traffic from the Princes Hwy. The owner/publican was very polite and I felt safe there.
I've so far just used rest areas as stopping places for 1 or 2 nights. The exception is where I am now at Scrubby Creek Rest Area about 20 ks south of Eden NSW. It is so stunningly beautiful and peaceful I might stay for a week or so. Just off the Princes Hwy via a dirt (now wet clay) 700m track. I've included a photo. Tall trees, birds, orchids, pink flowering heath and eastern grey kangaroos ....oh and toilets, picnic tables and fires permitted (check fire ban times though).
My history is of tent camping since I was a kid so towing and owning a van since Easter is a brand new challenge for me. A VERY steep learning curve one could say!
I need to be in my local area for another 2 weeks as the van is booked in to have Airbag Roof Lifters installed as it's a pop-top and with my bad back and 2 solar panels on top I'm unable to lift the 70kg ++ on my own. I have a compressor in the boot for the airbag suspension so that will be used to lift the roof soon with just the touch of a button.
I think getting brave enough to try free camping and tackling the anxiety and nerves the first 4 days was the hardest but I needed to do this as this is now my new life. I've heard over and over again from other ladies that as far as personal safety goes ......listen to your gut feeling, your intuition AND IF IT FEELS WRONG OR CREEPY THEN GET OUT and move on to a place that "has the right feel about it". Listen to your inner voice.......it's there for a reason and that reason is for our own wellbeing, peace of mind and safety.
I hope this encourages you to give it a go. All the best
-- Edited by Panther on Tuesday 25th of August 2015 11:20:57 AM
Lynda
What a beautiful cat he had a wonderful last few months. I had to leave my three at home unfortunately. I have arrived in Ceduna will stay here for a couple of nights and hopefully catch up with some washing. Hope I can go and do some whale watching before crossing the Nullarbor. Been thinking about which way to go home, the cost of everything over here is amazing.
I am Annie I have a small motorhome that I share with my 2 Whippet boys, my only family. Although I have been living full time in my motorhome for the last 3.5 yrs since my partner passed I have been parked up for awhile whilst doing volunteer work in Melbourne, this situation will continue until about Christmas this year, then I am off on the road for a while!
Travel safe, if you see a motorhome called Pawsaroundoz it's us and I never need an excuse to put the coffee on!
annie
Have made it to Esperance today. Have had a wonderful trip over the Nullarbor, couldn't believe how beautiful it is. People kept telling me it is flat, boring. I have personally found it beautiful, it is far from flat and not boring. cant wait to go back across. The five little ones are fine and settling into the routine. Don't know what I would do without them I think I would be very lonely. Spent the last 2 nights at Fraser Station, what a stunning place will go back there on the way home. Went on one of their walks yesterday they gave me a map which indicated the the round trip was 6ks. What it failed to mention was that 2 of the 3 ks there was straight up over rough terrain. I am not fit so am very stiff and the knees aren't as good as they used to be but it was really worth the effort the views were stunning.
Enjoy the rest of your trip.
Hi Fuzzball,
It's great to hear of someone else travelling with their Purr Children. So far my travelling has been in cool weather and I was wondering how your 2 Purr Babies cope travelling in warmer weather? Are there any special things you do to help them not over heat. Do they travel in their cages in the car? Any info and tips would be great. Thanks.
Also have you any photos of these darlings you could share. I have attached some photos of my Ranni.
-- Edited by Panther on Wednesday 9th of September 2015 10:08:10 PM
Panther, your Ranni is a dead ringer for my son's cat
-- Edited by Clare46 on Wednesday 9th of September 2015 10:47:06 PM
Well Clare, that makes 2 purrrrfect souls on this earth. Lol.
I am going to try free camping on my way back am staying with my family at the moment. Need to try to earn some cash before I set off on the road again. Great to hear you have your fur babies with you, they adjust well as long as they are with you, that's all they want.
Hi Panther - glad you have taken up the free camping option, quite often people I free camps are friendlier than in caravan parks. You just need to be organised, about shopping, water, emptying the loo etc.,
"I think getting brave enough to try free camping and tackling the anxiety and nerves the first 4 days was the hardest but I needed to do this as this is now my new life. I've heard over and over again from other ladies that as far as personal safety goes ......listen to your gut feeling, your intuition AND IF IT FEELS WRONG OR CREEPY THEN GET OUT and move on to a place that "has the right feel about it". Listen to your inner voice.......it's there for a reason and that reason is for our own wellbeing, peace of mind and safety.
I hope this encourages you to give it a go. All the best "
You have exactly got it right there - personal safety is paramount, if you pull in somewhere, no one there, if no one comes before say 4 - move on, or if it gives you creepy feelings - move on - man or woman solo or partnered traveller.