I pick up my new caravan in Bayswater in 8-9 days time and start my journey around Oz heading North .
I have to say I am a little apprehensive with the task ahead and am looking forward to meeting some
like minded Gypsys to share stories and trials . I have yet to plan my first night somewhere , any ideas.
Kind Regards
Kiwi Steve
TheHeaths said
03:03 PM Apr 22, 2017
Kiwi Steve,
An adventure indeed.
Just a suggestion. If the van is brand new as it sounds, can I suggest finding a park in the Melbourne area, and spending 3 or 4 days going through the van, and making sure everything works before you head off. I can think of nothing worse than finding annoying little things don't work when you have left the area, and need to find an agent to do work. Even worse if it is something major!
Australia is a big place, and there is a lot of empty space between places, so some time spent now to check it all out will be time well spent. Sorry but as I am in Adelaide, I can't suggest anywhere close to Melbourne to stay for this shakedown period.
Tony Bev said
11:08 PM Apr 22, 2017
Very good advice from Ian, in the post above
I would try to pick the nearest caravan park, to where you are picking the new caravan up from
Hope that you have an enjoyable road trip
jules47 said
11:15 AM Apr 23, 2017
Hi Kiwi Steve - there is a recreation Ground s at Bunyip - in the free/budget camp section of this forum - great spot to stay, and not too far from Bayswater, with freeway all the way.
macka17 said
12:44 PM Apr 23, 2017
Take a chuff up to the Grampians and back b4 going anywhere.
That will test most aspects of the van. Movability wise.
Highway. Up\Down hills and bumpy roads.
You check the rest when parked at night.
What mfg is it (the van)
the rocket said
02:28 PM Apr 23, 2017
Hello kiwi steve, a very warm welcome to this forum. You could try caravan parks, or geelong showgrounds or berwick showgrounds. been to both, quite good. Enjoy.
pjwilco said
01:17 PM Apr 25, 2017
Kiwi Steve wrote:
Hello fellow travelers .
I pick up my new caravan in Bayswater in 8-9 days time and start my journey around Oz heading North .
I have to say I am a little apprehensive with the task ahead and am looking forward to meeting some
like minded Gypsys to share stories and trials . I have yet to plan my first night somewhere , any ideas.
Kind Regards
Kiwi Steve
Kiwi Steve
i want to do a short trip around Victoria to sort out my Avan Aliner set up. My husband who is not a camping type, would like me to find others while I learn the ropes of free camping.
Are you, and any other GN reading this, interested in joining me? I was thinking some time after Wednesday 10 May for a few days? Then if all is going well then I might head to one of the NSW Blazeaid camps.
regards
Pamela
SouthernComfort said
10:34 AM May 17, 2017
Welcome KiwiSteve. Glen Cromie CP at Drouin is close by, a nice little park straight out on the highway nr. Warragul. Despite thinking we had it all under control (on paper), it took us at least 2 shake down trips to work out what we really needed and didn't need in our new van, and we're still changing minor things. As others have said, it's worth doing this before embarking on long distance adventure and having to correct stuff on the run.
Otherwise for Day 1, Moama is 4.5 hrs from Bayswater with van in tow at a steady pace, it has some really good pet friendly CP's (see wikicamps) and is in the right direction. If you aren't travelling with a critter, add Echuca for more good CP's.
-- Edited by SouthernComfort on Wednesday 17th of May 2017 10:37:29 AM
-- Edited by SouthernComfort on Wednesday 17th of May 2017 10:38:17 AM
meetoo said
11:11 PM May 17, 2017
Kiwi Steve, welcome and congratulations on your van and coming adventures.
A shakedown trip nearby has been for many, some of the best advice they have ever gotten.
All the best.
Cheers, John.
macka17 said
12:45 AM May 18, 2017
A shakedown trip is fine.
But if you setting of on a several month run.
I'd be doing a local coupla hundred kays trip at least.
Make sure everything is bedded\ing in and running smooth.
Coupla short trips won't do that.
And if tug or towing system new.
Check the towbar bolts too after first 100km or so.
Plus caravan end.
Wheel nuts.
EVERYTHING that screws on. Make sure it's staying screwed on.
I like spring washers on tow hitch and ball.
The next new ball, etc....
Enjoy it. It's a great life.
Kiwi Steve said
02:22 AM May 18, 2017
Thank you all so much for the helpful advice. I must confess that I have been a little tardy at keeping in touch through this wonderfull forum. I am now 10 days into my adventure and have spent a fair bit of it shopping and setting up ( Bunnings have reaped most of the benefit ). I have had a few minor issues and am having a few issues with the electric brakes, hopefully sorted tomorrow .
I am currently in North Narrabeen and am looking at heading north on Friday/Saturday I am thinking of Newcastle or similar and am looking forward to catching up with some fellow travellers . Any suggestions as to where
Kiwi Steve said
02:23 AM May 18, 2017
Thanks Macka I will check first thing , great advice
Kiwi Steve said
02:27 AM May 18, 2017
Hi Pamala,
sorry I missed your message , how are you and hubby getting along I am in narrabeen now and heading north are you in nsw yet.cheers steve
The Belmont Bear said
07:04 AM May 18, 2017
Hi kiwi Steve, if your planning on staying close to Newcastle try, Swansea, Blacksmiths or Belmont Pines caravan parks situated about 20kms south of the city on Lake Macquarie. If you want to be closer to the city center try Stockton caravan park on the northern side of the harbour. For a cheaper option $25 a night for a powered site at Morisset Showground which is just of the freeway on the western side of the lake but its a fair way out of town and you're not saving a lot of money. My personal pick would be either Swansea or Belmont CPs as they are close to the beaches, lake, large shopping centers, clubs and restaurants etc. Enjoy your visit to this area.
Cheers BB
Kiwi Steve said
08:30 PM May 18, 2017
Hi Belmont Bear,
Thanks for that its great to get the feedback on sites to stay , websites can be so misleading , both ways .
I will be up that way on Sunday .
Kind Regards S
Desert Dweller said
05:59 AM Jun 2, 2017
With a new van we'd be doing a 2 week shootout trip under various conditions before doing a big one. Do some free camping & caravan parks. Also sealed & unsealed roads to see if anything drops off internally or externally. Every new caravan has problems at first. We've never heard of one that hasn't.
We've just discovered that our Dometic fridge runs on 12v & 240v but not on gas. Had to buy ice at a nearby servo to save our food.
Aus-Kiwi said
01:32 PM Jun 2, 2017
Happy, safe travels . The Hume is the best thing out of Vic !! Just kidding lol
macka17 said
03:48 PM Jun 2, 2017
Hi. Be GLAD you ain't got a 3 way fridge. In the hot weather. apart from a few That do "seem" to work in the hot. But I never saw one that did on around 50 yrs.
The 12\24\240 ARE the better ones.
Fork out for a 110w AGM or coupla N70ZZ wet cells. and 2 x 100w Panels.
with a reasonable regulator.
and You'll have ICE,,,,, ALL over Australia. Plus TV. Lights etc. and LED Inserts are the best.
OH. As Kiwi said.
"ANY"""" road going North out of the Southern States. Is a GOOD road" Annd once you get up here. You realise why.
The next Southerener. (chuckle) that comes and stays up here will. (Unfortunately) NOT be the first.
Hey. They think they got it made with Wednesdays win.
Faces lit up like god had spoken. Cause they won ONE.
Yep. ONE 29 to go. Just to catch up, remember...
hah. Have we got news for them.
Coupla seasons while the last of out cream ages out and retires. and the new young lads grow up a bit.
THEN... That silly old Gouldy thinks their new coming up players will rule the roost for yrs.
Knock. Knock. We got some coming up too.
And you know what they say about Sutherners.
They'll ALWAYS be. DOWN THERE. BELOW. UNDER. They born that way.
Can't help themselves. No matter how hard they breed.
We thrashed you continually for 10 out of 11 yrs straight.
We don't mind you winning a few to keep your hopes up. and the game going for longer hey. Then, Just back to normal ok.
Was a bloody good game though. First time I've seen a game of League. anywhere near. what the old Original league was played. Let's see IF they can do same with Union too hey. THAT... Is a good game of footy.
Plus. Don't forget. three of our top players. Including the Playmaker and kicker. were out with Injuries too.
-- Edited by macka17 on Friday 2nd of June 2017 03:52:37 PM
Hello fellow travelers .
I pick up my new caravan in Bayswater in 8-9 days time and start my journey around Oz heading North .
I have to say I am a little apprehensive with the task ahead and am looking forward to meeting some
like minded Gypsys to share stories and trials . I have yet to plan my first night somewhere , any ideas.
Kind Regards
Kiwi Steve
An adventure indeed.
Just a suggestion. If the van is brand new as it sounds, can I suggest finding a park in the Melbourne area, and spending 3 or 4 days going through the van, and making sure everything works before you head off. I can think of nothing worse than finding annoying little things don't work when you have left the area, and need to find an agent to do work. Even worse if it is something major!
Australia is a big place, and there is a lot of empty space between places, so some time spent now to check it all out will be time well spent. Sorry but as I am in Adelaide, I can't suggest anywhere close to Melbourne to stay for this shakedown period.
I would try to pick the nearest caravan park, to where you are picking the new caravan up from
Hope that you have an enjoyable road trip
That will test most aspects of the van. Movability wise.
Highway. Up\Down hills and bumpy roads.
You check the rest when parked at night.
What mfg is it (the van)
Hello kiwi steve, a very warm welcome to this forum. You could try caravan parks, or geelong showgrounds or berwick showgrounds. been to both, quite good. Enjoy.
Kiwi Steve
i want to do a short trip around Victoria to sort out my Avan Aliner set up. My husband who is not a camping type, would like me to find others while I learn the ropes of free camping.
Are you, and any other GN reading this, interested in joining me? I was thinking some time after Wednesday 10 May for a few days? Then if all is going well then I might head to one of the NSW Blazeaid camps.
regards
Pamela
Welcome KiwiSteve. Glen Cromie CP at Drouin is close by, a nice little park straight out on the highway nr. Warragul. Despite thinking we had it all under control (on paper), it took us at least 2 shake down trips to work out what we really needed and didn't need in our new van, and we're still changing minor things. As others have said, it's worth doing this before embarking on long distance adventure and having to correct stuff on the run.
Otherwise for Day 1, Moama is 4.5 hrs from Bayswater with van in tow at a steady pace, it has some really good pet friendly CP's (see wikicamps) and is in the right direction. If you aren't travelling with a critter, add Echuca for more good CP's.
-- Edited by SouthernComfort on Wednesday 17th of May 2017 10:37:29 AM
-- Edited by SouthernComfort on Wednesday 17th of May 2017 10:38:17 AM
Kiwi Steve, welcome and congratulations on your van and coming adventures.
A shakedown trip nearby has been for many, some of the best advice they have ever gotten.
All the best.
Cheers, John.
But if you setting of on a several month run.
I'd be doing a local coupla hundred kays trip at least.
Make sure everything is bedded\ing in and running smooth.
Coupla short trips won't do that.
And if tug or towing system new.
Check the towbar bolts too after first 100km or so.
Plus caravan end.
Wheel nuts.
EVERYTHING that screws on. Make sure it's staying screwed on.
I like spring washers on tow hitch and ball.
The next new ball, etc....
Enjoy it. It's a great life.
Thank you all so much for the helpful advice. I must confess that I have been a little tardy at keeping in touch through this wonderfull forum. I am now 10 days into my adventure and have spent a fair bit of it shopping and setting up ( Bunnings have reaped most of the benefit ). I have had a few minor issues and am having a few issues with the electric brakes, hopefully sorted tomorrow .
I am currently in North Narrabeen and am looking at heading north on Friday/Saturday I am thinking of Newcastle or similar and am looking forward to catching up with some fellow travellers . Any suggestions as to where
Thanks Macka I will check first thing , great advice
Hi Pamala,
sorry I missed your message , how are you and hubby getting along I am in narrabeen now and heading north are you in nsw yet.cheers steve
Cheers BB
Thanks for that its great to get the feedback on sites to stay , websites can be so misleading , both ways .
I will be up that way on Sunday .
Kind Regards S
We've just discovered that our Dometic fridge runs on 12v & 240v but not on gas. Had to buy ice at a nearby servo to save our food.
Hi.
Be GLAD you ain't got a 3 way fridge. In the hot weather.
apart from a few That do "seem" to work in the hot.
But I never saw one that did on around 50 yrs.
The 12\24\240 ARE the better ones.
Fork out for a 110w AGM or coupla N70ZZ wet cells. and 2 x 100w Panels.
with a reasonable regulator.
and You'll have ICE,,,,,
ALL over Australia. Plus TV. Lights etc. and LED Inserts are the best.
OH. As Kiwi said.
"ANY"""" road going North out of the Southern States. Is a GOOD road"
Annd once you get up here. You realise why.
The next Southerener. (chuckle) that comes and stays up here will. (Unfortunately)
NOT be the first.
Hey. They think they got it made with Wednesdays win.
Faces lit up like god had spoken. Cause they won ONE.
Yep. ONE
29 to go. Just to catch up, remember...
hah. Have we got news for them.
Coupla seasons while the last of out cream ages out and retires. and the new young lads grow up a bit.
THEN...
That silly old Gouldy thinks their new coming up players will rule the roost for yrs.
Knock. Knock.
We got some coming up too.
And you know what they say about Sutherners.
They'll ALWAYS be.
DOWN THERE. BELOW. UNDER. They born that way.
Can't help themselves. No matter how hard they breed.
We thrashed you continually for 10 out of 11 yrs straight.
We don't mind you winning a few to keep your hopes up. and the game going for longer hey.
Then, Just back to normal ok.
Was a bloody good game though.
First time I've seen a game of League. anywhere near. what the old
Original league was played.
Let's see IF they can do same with Union too hey.
THAT... Is a good game of footy.
Plus. Don't forget. three of our top players. Including the Playmaker and kicker. were out with Injuries too.
-- Edited by macka17 on Friday 2nd of June 2017 03:52:37 PM