Hey, David here. I am new to the forum. I will be arriving May 1st, from US, by way of South Africa. I plan to spend 5 weeks traveling around Oz, after spending some time with friends in Brisbane. Any helpful hints for enjoying my stay will be greatly appreciated. I am thinking of renting a camper van from Britz and just overlanding my way around. Does that seem 1) a good idea, 2) affordable, and 3) the best way to see the country and meet Aussies? I will be doing quite a demanding off road trip through Namibia and Botswana before I arrive in Oz. I don't need to do that again, but who knows. If any one wants to show me around the country, I can join up with you from Brisbane. BTW, I have traveled in over 65 countries, so I am very comfortable with just about any travel situation.
Thanks. See you soon.
D
Dougwe said
07:23 PM Feb 7, 2017
Welcome to the gang David, enjoy here and out in the playground.
Enjoy Strayla when ya get here but take it easy if you you travel through the 'wild west'.
Woody n Sue said
09:16 PM Feb 7, 2017
And it's welcome from us two 2 David just remember 5 weeks ain't that long in this big brown land, a camper is a good choice for travel though .
Woody
Cadpete said
01:10 AM Feb 8, 2017
G'day David and welcome to the forum. Plenty of great advice and folks on here. Don't forget to try out the two games - Who is This in the I digress sectionand Pick ThisPlace in the general section. 'Pick this place' is a great way to find new places to explore.
Remember it's a big country - takes 4 days almost non-stop (other than sleep) to get from one side to the other. May be better to restrict yourself if you want to stop and take in the sights more.
Pete & Marion
sullivanscoffee said
09:09 AM Feb 11, 2017
Thank you so much for the welcome. I think Oz is larger than the US, without Alaska, so yeah, it is yuge. I don't know how much I can see in 5 weeks, maybe just the eastern part. I would love to go to WA, but it is just too far. Next time. I am hoping there won't be too much trouble with my US passport. Maybe I can wear a pin that says - I'm sorry?
Britz has a fully kitted 2 person camper van, with no excess insurance, for about 4000 Aus$. Does that seem like a good price?
Woody n Sue said
10:42 AM Feb 12, 2017
Hi David your leaving the US not trying to get into the US so shouldn't be a problem lol
Have no idea about the hire rates but if you ask mr Google I'm sure you will get several hire companies to compare their rates .
Just remember to drive on the correct side of the road for here that is the LEFT side, and we don't have four way stops here we have roundabouts where if it's safe to go than go that is to say others can be on the roundabout at the same time as you so if there is room and time for you to enter without interrupting the car coming on your right then you may proceed, as a general rule when entering a roundabout or uncontrolled cross road or T road we must give way to the right until it's safe to proceed, then we can go.
You will love it out here just remember there is only about 23 or so million people out here so we are used to having plenty of room so please don't stand too close when talking to us two to three feet away is fine, close enough to touch toes is fine when dancing but not for talking lol
Hope you have a fantastic trip
Woody
pomme said
11:44 AM Feb 12, 2017
Welcome David,
Be very careful on these rounder-bouts over here the road rules state that any vehicle in the rounder-bout has the right of way, the rule of giving way to the right has not been in force for a number of years now but a few people think it still apply's. This was nearly to my horror just a few weeks ago when i started into the rounder-bout when a car came from my right and nearly hit me, he jumped out and started abusing me for not giving way, well the short story was a police officer watching booked him for not giving way to me.
So be careful over here it is a wonderful country, Enjoy !!!
Pomme.
Woody n Sue said
01:23 PM Feb 13, 2017
Hi there again David now I have to take Pomme to task here although I am not sure what state he is from as it seems he isn't to sure either as his profile just says Australia BUT here in Victoria if you are about to enter the roundabout the car in the roundabout will be on your right and has the right of way so hence the give way to the right, simple
I am not sure how the fellow on the roundabout could get booked as he states in his post unless he was traveling at great speed and or driving dangerously I think there has to be more to that story than explained here.
And when on/ in a roundabout DO NOT give way to someone trying to enter the roundabout as they have to wait until there is a break in the traffic for them to enter.
Anyway here is the link to Vicroads about how roundabouts work in Victoria
And really they are very simple and work very well
And here is another snippet from the Vicroads website about the " give way to the right rule " that is still in force !!
intersections without traffic lights, signs or road lines:
you must give way to any vehicle entering or approaching the intersection from your right.
if you are turning right, you must give way to oncoming vehicles going straight through the intersection or turning left (except if they are using a slip lane).
Give way : VicRoads www.vicroads.vic.gov.au give-w...
Regards and enjoy Australia when you get here
Woody
sullivanscoffee said
07:19 AM Feb 15, 2017
Thank you for all the tips. I will be coming from 2 months from RSA, so driving on the 'correct' side of the road won't be a problem. The issue will be driving like an African, which can cause problems. I do it when I return to the States. My daughter has been known to say - Dad, you're not in Africa right now. So yes, the rules change. Roundabouts seem to be an issue every where. I think in France, which is not my favorite rugby nation, the one entering the round about has the right of way. Of course, it is France.
Also, the tip on personal space was great. Sometimes Americans crowd others out. We just don't get it. I will try to be careful. I suppose the circumstances will make a difference. I'm really looking forward to the trip. This forum will probably give me enough advice to stay for a year or so. I wonder, when I try to depart, if immigration will question why I'm leaving? Perhaps after a month or so, I will ask the same.
See you all in a couple of months.
David
pomme said
07:47 AM Feb 15, 2017
Hi Woody,
Nothing more to the story than what i said, "quote" when i started into the rounder-bout, "unquote" the guy came from my right not yet into the roundabout obviously thinking that with the old rules i had to give way to him, not so , i was in the roundabout.
Regards Pomme.
Woody n Sue said
08:19 AM Feb 22, 2017
Ahh well there you go if he was " not yet on the roundabout " then he was indeed at fault he had to be entering at too great a speed if he caught up to a car already on the roundabout
Hey, David here. I am new to the forum. I will be arriving May 1st, from US, by way of South Africa. I plan to spend 5 weeks traveling around Oz, after spending some time with friends in Brisbane. Any helpful hints for enjoying my stay will be greatly appreciated. I am thinking of renting a camper van from Britz and just overlanding my way around. Does that seem 1) a good idea, 2) affordable, and 3) the best way to see the country and meet Aussies? I will be doing quite a demanding off road trip through Namibia and Botswana before I arrive in Oz. I don't need to do that again, but who knows. If any one wants to show me around the country, I can join up with you from Brisbane. BTW, I have traveled in over 65 countries, so I am very comfortable with just about any travel situation.
Thanks. See you soon.
D
Enjoy Strayla when ya get here but take it easy if you you travel through the 'wild west'.
Woody
G'day David and welcome to the forum. Plenty of great advice and folks on here. Don't forget to try out the two games - Who is This in the I digress sectionand Pick This Place in the general section. 'Pick this place' is a great way to find new places to explore.
Remember it's a big country - takes 4 days almost non-stop (other than sleep) to get from one side to the other. May be better to restrict yourself if you want to stop and take in the sights more.
Pete & Marion
Britz has a fully kitted 2 person camper van, with no excess insurance, for about 4000 Aus$. Does that seem like a good price?
Have no idea about the hire rates but if you ask mr Google I'm sure you will get several hire companies to compare their rates .
Just remember to drive on the correct side of the road for here that is the LEFT side, and we don't have four way stops here we have roundabouts where if it's safe to go than go that is to say others can be on the roundabout at the same time as you so if there is room and time for you to enter without interrupting the car coming on your right then you may proceed, as a general rule when entering a roundabout or uncontrolled cross road or T road we must give way to the right until it's safe to proceed, then we can go.
You will love it out here just remember there is only about 23 or so million people out here so we are used to having plenty of room so please don't stand too close when talking to us two to three feet away is fine, close enough to touch toes is fine when dancing but not for talking lol
Hope you have a fantastic trip
Woody
Be very careful on these rounder-bouts over here the road rules state that any vehicle in the rounder-bout has the right of way, the rule of giving way to the right has not been in force for a number of years now but a few people think it still apply's. This was nearly to my horror just a few weeks ago when i started into the rounder-bout when a car came from my right and nearly hit me, he jumped out and started abusing me for not giving way, well the short story was a police officer watching booked him for not giving way to me.
So be careful over here it is a wonderful country, Enjoy !!!
Pomme.
Hi there again David now I have to take Pomme to task here although I am not sure what state he is from as it seems he isn't to sure either as his profile just says Australia BUT here in Victoria if you are about to enter the roundabout the car in the roundabout will be on your right and has the right of way so hence the give way to the right, simple
I am not sure how the fellow on the roundabout could get booked as he states in his post unless he was traveling at great speed and or driving dangerously I think there has to be more to that story than explained here.
And when on/ in a roundabout DO NOT give way to someone trying to enter the roundabout as they have to wait until there is a break in the traffic for them to enter.
Anyway here is the link to Vicroads about how roundabouts work in Victoria
www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/safety-and-road-rules/road-rules/a-to-z-of-road-rules/roundabouts
And really they are very simple and work very well
And here is another snippet from the Vicroads website about the " give way to the right rule " that is still in force !!
intersections without traffic lights, signs or road lines:
you must give way to any vehicle entering or approaching the intersection from your right.
if you are turning right, you must give way to oncoming vehicles going straight through the intersection or turning left (except if they are using a slip lane).
Give way : VicRoads
www.vicroads.vic.gov.au give-w...
Regards and enjoy Australia when you get here
Woody
Also, the tip on personal space was great. Sometimes Americans crowd others out. We just don't get it. I will try to be careful. I suppose the circumstances will make a difference. I'm really looking forward to the trip. This forum will probably give me enough advice to stay for a year or so. I wonder, when I try to depart, if immigration will question why I'm leaving? Perhaps after a month or so, I will ask the same.
See you all in a couple of months.
David
Nothing more to the story than what i said, "quote" when i started into the rounder-bout, "unquote" the guy came from my right not yet into the roundabout obviously thinking that with the old rules i had to give way to him, not so , i was in the roundabout.
Regards Pomme.
Woody