We have just planned our first Nullarbor trip to take place in August/September/October 2018, which will be with our next yet to be found caravan! Our little 18'6" poptop is not going to cut the mustard for this & it is time to upgrade so that we are well equipped to free camp as well as some caravan park stays.
Starting from Melbourne we will spend a couple of days with relatives in Adelaide, before taking on the crossing of the Nullarbor on our way up to Monkey Mia. Back down to Perth, Margaret River & along the South West WA coast before crossing back across the Nullarbor to Ceduna, Streaky Bay, Venus Bay, Clare, Swan Hill & Bendigo before heading home.
Of course, there are also all the stops & free camps in between along the way as we explore what so many think is such a boring drive. Our mouths are watering at what is to come & we are so excited & cannot wait for August to get here so that we can start on this wonderful adventure. We are not daunted by what lies ahead & know we are going to be well prepared. If anyone has any tips, feel free to pass them along!
If anyone else is considering or planning a trip across the Nullarbor around the same time, then we would be happy to convoy up. Maybe it is your first trip as well & are apprehensive about doing it alone? Or maybe it could be your 10th crossing. Either way, if anyone wants to tag along with a couple of mid 50's we would be happy to have you join us.
Bob & Deb
Possum3 said
08:11 PM Nov 25, 2017
Bob, I don't know what your little pop-top is; I had an 18ft Jayco Discovery, single axle Slipper springs- heavy duty LT Tyres - that little van travelled all over WA even the Overland Stock Route - never missed a beat, just slow right down on the rough stuff, the only problem in three years was once I forgot to lock down microwave door - the glass plate bounced into it door opened and ended up as a thousand pieces of glass - Cost me $1.50 at Salvo's to replace. I almost totally free camped. only had 80 Watt portable solar panel, a must is a portable metal fire surround that has a raised bottom to stop igniting grass underneath mine is similar to www.outbacktravelaustralia.com.au/camping-camping-gear/portable-fire-box but only cost $98.00.
Take a mugs tip and try you little van out there for a while and talk to anyone and everybody about their van and set ups - then upgrade if you still desire.
The course you have planned is quite doable with little light van - Probably a lot easier than some of the new "Glamour" vans.
Tony Bev said
09:14 AM Nov 26, 2017
Welcome to the forum, Bob & Deb
I have found on longer stretches of a journey, such as the Nullarbor crossing, that I sometimes come across the same people, at a few different camps, or when we stop for fuel/smoko
Have a good road trip
Desert Dweller said
04:02 PM Nov 26, 2017
Wife's parents did the Nullarbor three times in a 10ft 6in caravan. No need to upgrade your van for a trip like that.
In fact I'd be thinking ''better the Devil you know than the Devil you don't''. So many teething problems with new vans these days. No dealers on that stretch.
Upgrade when you get back. Whatever, have a great trip & stay safe.
fwdoz said
06:57 PM Nov 26, 2017
Thanks to everybody for the replies.
Possum3
Our current van is a 2002 Jayco Heritage poptop 18'6". We want to change as we do not have a shower/toilet in our current van & now want to be self contained. Recently we started doing free camping (where there were toilets) & have loved it so much that we want the ability to stop anywhere we like. Having stayed off grid a few times we have sorted through those teething problems & now know what set up we want going forward to take us to the end of our travelling days. We also realise that we do not need to go out & buy some Godzilla van to do this. There are a few in that mid range that can fit the bill just nicely.
Tony Bev
Not sure we will come across anyone we know. Although I have said that Deb could go to Antarctica & see someone she knows! I am loving the Wiki Camps app & all the info it provides. So easy to find a spot when you are ready to pull up.
Desert Dweller
Only upgrading for the reasons I listed above. The ability to see more of our great country & leave things as we found them by being self contained is important to us. I think the van we choose will be up to the job; I generally leave no stone unturned when I make a major purchase.
Stretch60 said
12:00 AM May 31, 2018
Bob and Deb, go for it. After all you can't take it with you. (Kids inheritance that is). I have crossed that stretch about six times now and still enjoy it. Camper trailer, swag but yet to do it in caravan but now that I have reached GN stage looking forward to doing it again. I always say it is Australia's greatest road journey. You will love it.
sandgrooper1 said
01:22 PM May 31, 2018
Bob and Deb,
We are basically the same as you, ages, Nullarbor virgins lol. Flown across a fair number of times but never driven across. We are going to do the same as you but in April /May 2019 for a month or so and starting in WA heading to Port Augusta and then down around the Eyre peninsular and home again.. We are calling the trip our pre retirement warm up. We cant wait to go.....usually we are time poor due to work commitments still, so that's why we need to fly to the eastern states.
We also had a 1998 Windsor Dynasty 19ft pop top which we owned for 10 years and had no worries with, but upgraded to a 2008 21 ft full van with separate toilet/shower, air cond, battery etc. We have had this van 3 years now and much prefer the on board amenities and also find it quieter inside. The pop top was also getting a bit heavy being as it had an awning hanging off it, my wife found it awkward so hence the upgrade. As much as we liked our old van, personally we would not go back to a pop top.
Good luck with your trip.
Cheers AL
-- Edited by sandgrooper1 on Thursday 31st of May 2018 01:28:17 PM
fwdoz said
05:35 PM May 31, 2018
Stretch60 wrote:
Bob and Deb, go for it. After all you can't take it with you. (Kids inheritance that is). I have crossed that stretch about six times now and still enjoy it. Camper trailer, swag but yet to do it in caravan but now that I have reached GN stage looking forward to doing it again. I always say it is Australia's greatest road journey. You will love it.
We are looking forward to it, albeit delayed after a cancer scare
fwdoz said
05:39 PM May 31, 2018
sandgrooper1 wrote:
Bob and Deb,
We are basically the same as you, ages, Nullarbor virgins lol. Flown across a fair number of times but never driven across. We are going to do the same as you but in April /May 2019 for a month or so and starting in WA heading to Port Augusta and then down around the Eyre peninsular and home again.. We are calling the trip our pre retirement warm up. We cant wait to go.....usually we are time poor due to work commitments still, so that's why we need to fly to the eastern states.
We also had a 1998 Windsor Dynasty 19ft pop top which we owned for 10 years and had no worries with, but upgraded to a 2008 21 ft full van with separate toilet/shower, air cond, battery etc. We have had this van 3 years now and much prefer the on board amenities and also find it quieter inside. The pop top was also getting a bit heavy being as it had an awning hanging off it, my wife found it awkward so hence the upgrade. As much as we liked our old van, personally we would not go back to a pop top.
Good luck with your trip.
Cheers AL
Our trip is delayed til 2019 as well Al, covering Feb/March/April. Be getting our van in late Sept/early Oct this year, which will give us the chance to nick off on some shorter trips to ensure all is well before making the big trek across. You might be heading back around the same time as us. We cannot wait to go & are itching to get on the road.
Hope that you enjoy your trip also & that it gives you all that you expect & more!
-- Edited by sandgrooper1 on Thursday 31st of May 2018 01:28:17 PM
Stretch60 said
07:59 PM Jun 1, 2018
Hopefully all good now Bob, i go under the knife in two weeks, prostate cancer. Looking to take early retirement, and start the grey monad thing after recovery.
fwdoz said
08:02 PM Jun 1, 2018
Stretch60 wrote:
Hopefully all good now Bob, i go under the knife in two weeks, prostate cancer. Looking to take early retirement, and start the grey monad thing after recovery.
Yes Stretch60, I was lucky this time, but need an annual test to make sure it does not take a turn in the wrong direction (had a lump under the arm & lymph nodes going off their t*ts).
Then get out amongst it after you get better. I know I have several years planned to cram as much travel in as possible.
We have just planned our first Nullarbor trip to take place in August/September/October 2018, which will be with our next yet to be found caravan! Our little 18'6" poptop is not going to cut the mustard for this & it is time to upgrade so that we are well equipped to free camp as well as some caravan park stays.
Starting from Melbourne we will spend a couple of days with relatives in Adelaide, before taking on the crossing of the Nullarbor on our way up to Monkey Mia. Back down to Perth, Margaret River & along the South West WA coast before crossing back across the Nullarbor to Ceduna, Streaky Bay, Venus Bay, Clare, Swan Hill & Bendigo before heading home.
Of course, there are also all the stops & free camps in between along the way as we explore what so many think is such a boring drive. Our mouths are watering at what is to come & we are so excited & cannot wait for August to get here so that we can start on this wonderful adventure. We are not daunted by what lies ahead & know we are going to be well prepared. If anyone has any tips, feel free to pass them along!
If anyone else is considering or planning a trip across the Nullarbor around the same time, then we would be happy to convoy up. Maybe it is your first trip as well & are apprehensive about doing it alone? Or maybe it could be your 10th crossing. Either way, if anyone wants to tag along with a couple of mid 50's we would be happy to have you join us.
Bob & Deb
Take a mugs tip and try you little van out there for a while and talk to anyone and everybody about their van and set ups - then upgrade if you still desire.
The course you have planned is quite doable with little light van - Probably a lot easier than some of the new "Glamour" vans.
I have found on longer stretches of a journey, such as the Nullarbor crossing, that I sometimes come across the same people, at a few different camps, or when we stop for fuel/smoko
Have a good road trip
Wife's parents did the Nullarbor three times in a 10ft 6in caravan. No need to upgrade your van for a trip like that.
In fact I'd be thinking ''better the Devil you know than the Devil you don't''. So many teething problems with new vans these days. No dealers on that stretch.
Upgrade when you get back. Whatever, have a great trip & stay safe.
Thanks to everybody for the replies.
Possum3
Our current van is a 2002 Jayco Heritage poptop 18'6". We want to change as we do not have a shower/toilet in our current van & now want to be self contained. Recently we started doing free camping (where there were toilets) & have loved it so much that we want the ability to stop anywhere we like. Having stayed off grid a few times we have sorted through those teething problems & now know what set up we want going forward to take us to the end of our travelling days. We also realise that we do not need to go out & buy some Godzilla van to do this. There are a few in that mid range that can fit the bill just nicely.
Tony Bev
Not sure we will come across anyone we know. Although I have said that Deb could go to Antarctica & see someone she knows! I am loving the Wiki Camps app & all the info it provides. So easy to find a spot when you are ready to pull up.
Desert Dweller
Only upgrading for the reasons I listed above. The ability to see more of our great country & leave things as we found them by being self contained is important to us. I think the van we choose will be up to the job; I generally leave no stone unturned when I make a major purchase.
Bob and Deb,
We are basically the same as you, ages, Nullarbor virgins lol. Flown across a fair number of times but never driven across. We are going to do the same as you but in April /May 2019 for a month or so and starting in WA heading to Port Augusta and then down around the Eyre peninsular and home again.. We are calling the trip our pre retirement warm up. We cant wait to go.....usually we are time poor due to work commitments still, so that's why we need to fly to the eastern states.
We also had a 1998 Windsor Dynasty 19ft pop top which we owned for 10 years and had no worries with, but upgraded to a 2008 21 ft full van with separate toilet/shower, air cond, battery etc. We have had this van 3 years now and much prefer the on board amenities and also find it quieter inside. The pop top was also getting a bit heavy being as it had an awning hanging off it, my wife found it awkward so hence the upgrade. As much as we liked our old van, personally we would not go back to a pop top.
Good luck with your trip.
Cheers AL
-- Edited by sandgrooper1 on Thursday 31st of May 2018 01:28:17 PM
We are looking forward to it, albeit delayed after a cancer scare
Hopefully all good now Bob, i go under the knife in two weeks, prostate cancer. Looking to take early retirement, and start the grey monad thing after recovery.
Yes Stretch60, I was lucky this time, but need an annual test to make sure it does not take a turn in the wrong direction (had a lump under the arm & lymph nodes going off their t*ts).
Then get out amongst it after you get better. I know I have several years planned to cram as much travel in as possible.