I have the opportunity to travel North for a few months starting in Mid April, I plan on doing mostly free camping however my wife is a bit concerned about free camping alone and would prefer the that there was other vans just for a bit of security. So back to my point -- will there be other travelers ( grey nomads) free camping heading north during this period. Just need to ease her concerns
villatranquilla said
10:00 AM Mar 3, 2017
In WA it seems that Anzac Day is the start of the 'migration' north - probably any time after Easter will see people moving
rockylizard said
10:03 AM Mar 3, 2017
Gday...
There are some who determine the GN Migratory season is leave south on Mother's Day and return south on Father's Day.
It is pretty correct actually
If you are concerned about camping alone then if you are travelling QLD - almost ANYWHERE in QLD - between April and September you will have difficulty finding a rest area or camp area that is not fairly crowded by 2pm every day. This is particularly so almost anywhere on the east coast and within a cuppla hundred K inland.
It will be more difficult finding somewhere where you have plenty of 'personal space'. Feeling isolated and alone is something 'winter travel' "up north" is not the usual experience.
For instance -
You will quite probably find that the rest areas and camps on the way up through NSW will be very similar if you follow the major, usual routes. Straying away from the major highways in NSW can often have less crowds.
Cheers - John
-- Edited by rockylizard on Friday 3rd of March 2017 10:04:41 AM
Gaylehere said
10:20 AM Mar 3, 2017
Yes, a lot of Grey Nomads head north for the winter and I would think some would be on the move during April. Are you going up through SA then the Territory or are you heading over east or west before heading north? April 2015 we headed through SA then over to the west before heading north and only once in 3 1/2 months we camped alone at a free camp. This year we plan to head to SA again then up through NT leaving home after Easter. We will do a fair bit of free camping. There will be others on the road and a lot do at least some free camping. When we free camp we tend to pack up all outside gear (which for us is usually just table, 2 chairs and a mat before we go to bed. Switch off the gas and secure outside hatches that way if there is a disturbance through the night it doesn't take long for us to leave. Also point your vehicle nose toward the way out, again for quick exit. But for saying that we have never had any trouble free camping or at low cost camps which were mainly national parks or showgrounds. After your first night free camping you should feel at ease.
Enjoy your trip. Cheers.
-- Edited by Gaylehere on Friday 3rd of March 2017 10:35:30 AM
Desert Dweller said
02:27 PM Mar 3, 2017
Is there such a thing as a free camp without a grey nomad in it these days? Extremely rare.
You'll have plenty of company we can guarantee it, no matter when you head off & which way you go!
We look for places to enjoy by ourselves, they're hard to find. We're not antisocial, we just enjoy a bit of solitude.
Haven't had a bad experience yet in 40+ years of camping in the bush.
-- Edited by Desert Dweller on Friday 3rd of March 2017 08:16:00 PM
Dougwe said
03:12 PM Mar 3, 2017
I tend to spend April heading North to Townsville for winter, I try and stay put somewhere along the way during Easter and school hols if possible. I use my daughters place in my van as base for all the goings on up in the tropics during winter. I start heading South again during September. GN's from this forum and many other GN's and travellers are seen along the way both ways.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
Happywanderer said
04:20 PM Mar 3, 2017
I've just arrived Hervey Bay after nearly a month on the road from Echuca Victoria.
Only free camped along the way and only once camped by myself with no problems.
Quite a few nomads already out there.
theberrys said
05:54 PM Mar 3, 2017
Happy Wanderer how are you enjoying the free camping at Hervey Bay? Just joking.
brickies said
07:20 PM Mar 3, 2017
We always just before ANZAC day and leave after father day just ahead of them on the way up and leave after them on the way back .
Happywanderer said
10:52 PM Mar 3, 2017
theberrys wrote:
Happy Wanderer how are you enjoying the free camping at Hervey Bay? Just joking.
It's absolutely wonderful theberrys. Free, spacious and all amenities. I'm on my son's front lawn.
theberrys said
12:08 PM Mar 4, 2017
Well done I guessed as much everyone should have a son's front lawn in every town in which the want to stay - enjoy.
Hi All
I have the opportunity to travel North for a few months starting in Mid April, I plan on doing mostly free camping however my wife is a bit concerned about free camping alone and would prefer the that there was other vans just for a bit of security. So back to my point -- will there be other travelers ( grey nomads) free camping heading north during this period. Just need to ease her concerns
Gday...
There are some who determine the GN Migratory season is leave south on Mother's Day and return south on Father's Day.
It is pretty correct actually
If you are concerned about camping alone then if you are travelling QLD - almost ANYWHERE in QLD - between April and September you will have difficulty finding a rest area or camp area that is not fairly crowded by 2pm every day. This is particularly so almost anywhere on the east coast and within a cuppla hundred K inland.
It will be more difficult finding somewhere where you have plenty of 'personal space'. Feeling isolated and alone is something 'winter travel' "up north" is not the usual experience.
For instance -
You will quite probably find that the rest areas and camps on the way up through NSW will be very similar if you follow the major, usual routes. Straying away from the major highways in NSW can often have less crowds.
Cheers - John
-- Edited by rockylizard on Friday 3rd of March 2017 10:04:41 AM
Yes, a lot of Grey Nomads head north for the winter and I would think some would be on the move during April. Are you going up through SA then the Territory or are you heading over east or west before heading north? April 2015 we headed through SA then over to the west before heading north and only once in 3 1/2 months we camped alone at a free camp. This year we plan to head to SA again then up through NT leaving home after Easter. We will do a fair bit of free camping. There will be others on the road and a lot do at least some free camping. When we free camp we tend to pack up all outside gear (which for us is usually just table, 2 chairs and a mat before we go to bed. Switch off the gas and secure outside hatches that way if there is a disturbance through the night it doesn't take long for us to leave. Also point your vehicle nose toward the way out, again for quick exit. But for saying that we have never had any trouble free camping or at low cost camps which were mainly national parks or showgrounds. After your first night free camping you should feel at ease.
Enjoy your trip. Cheers.
-- Edited by Gaylehere on Friday 3rd of March 2017 10:35:30 AM
Is there such a thing as a free camp without a grey nomad in it these days? Extremely rare.
You'll have plenty of company we can guarantee it, no matter when you head off & which way you go!
We look for places to enjoy by ourselves, they're hard to find. We're not antisocial, we just enjoy a bit of solitude.
Haven't had a bad experience yet in 40+ years of camping in the bush.
-- Edited by Desert Dweller on Friday 3rd of March 2017 08:16:00 PM
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
Only free camped along the way and only once camped by myself with no problems.
Quite a few nomads already out there.
It's absolutely wonderful theberrys. Free, spacious and all amenities. I'm on my son's front lawn.