Hi & thanx V for your post n your set up looks Fab....yes I will look up your blob forsure..I jus love reading the forum helps to get my A into G n GOGOGO..I'll no doubt catch U along the highways otherwise on your blog..so til next read..Merry Xmas whever U may be & safe travels..J

G'day all, from another newbi to the forum.

First of all may I wish you all a very "Happy and Fullfilling New Year".

I am not new to travelling and camping solo,I have been doing so since 2001 when my cicumstances changed and purchased 4x4 and Track camper trailer to get away from it all.

Mostly I travel to the Western Australian Goldfields armed with a metal detector, usually I can find enough to pay for the fuel, I have met many great people whilst out bush infact a few are now lifelong friends.

I am now facing a new challange, now at the age of 70 I am sick and tired of cleaning 3br house, gardening, bills etc and want to hit the road full time and be totally free. I guess I should be contacting CentreLink too sort out any pitfulls in selling house in order to finance a mobil home etc.

My brain has been working overtime trying to figuar out the "what ifs" I am sure most people have been through the same situation.

I will welcome any advice I can get on here or by email.

 

Kind regards to all

 

Burnie

Thanks for reply Pam,

And yes there is plenty of information to be found on this forum, I guess my post is a bit vague too.

Burnie

benton wrote:

---

Hi Nancy..I'm a 'newbie' and wondering too how to get started...i am wondering..in yours and others experience, do 'singles' feel more secure in 'trying' it first before launching into the considerable expense of buying a van etc. I suppose it's a difficult question, but with the wanderlust pulling and the wide open spaces out there just waiting to be explored, do you think some 'solos' would be prepared to have a sharing member, on the road with them! I don't really know how one would vett the other as both are unknown strangers but sharing the same passion. Is there a 'check-list' for this. I am 62, single, physically fit, non-smoker, occasional drinker, have basic mechanical and first aid knowledge, cook, love the outdoors, photography, drawing, painting, walking, fossicking, fishing, camping etc and feel I could be good company. Do you think I may get an opportunity, and if so what should i do in the meantime other than post regularly? 

Any advice appreciated. Regards 'benton'.

-- Edited by benton on Wednesday 4th of January 2012 08:38:46 PM

-- Edited by benton on Wednesday 4th of January 2012 08:43:06 PM

-- Edited by benton on Wednesday 4th of January 2012 08:44:06 PM

---

 Hi and welcome to the group.To answer your question regarding solo's sharing,yes i believe there are people out there willing to share.My proviso would be that i got to know the person and had trust in that person before I commenced that "journey".

As a matter of interest I have been looking for someone to accompany me to Coober Peedy around March/April this year taking about 3-4 weeks.I think it would be a great trip to do,but too far to go alone.

Hi and welcome Benton. Please tell us a bit more about yourself.
If you have the wunderlust I recommend you follow it. Choose your preferred mode of travel/camping etc and just go.
While you may travel alone, you will never be lonely. You will meet thousands of other nomads doing what you are now planning to do.
I chose caravan and tug because I need a vehicle while the van is parked up. As you can see my van is my full time home.
It all comes down to personal choice and there is plenty of choice when it comes to doing this travelling stuff.
Hi Burnie and welcome also. As far as Centrelink is concerned they don't really understand this mobile lifestyle, but I've been doing it since 2004. You can have a certain amount of money invested, check with them, and you are entitled to have a home to live in. If you choose a caravan to be that home, so be it.
Please do your best to remain calm while educating Centrelink in these matters. Don't take their advice for granted. Get an independent opinion from your accountant. You can never have too much information. Even your bank will be able to advise you in some of these matters.
All the best to both of you, and keep us posted of your progress. I for one love hearing fellow nomad's stories.

Hi All.. I am going to start staying overnight in my CRV, starting on the Central Coast... Any ideas anyone??

Many thanks to all for the frendly welcome,Have been haveing a look at this site for a

little while so about time i joined. Such a happy and friendly place,hope to see fellow grey

nomad members on the road some day. Will keep it short as not real computer savvy. All pretty

new to me.

Hi all
I am very new to this site. I am solo female who will be 64 - 65 when I retire and plan to go on some driving adventures.. I am keen to discover where people go and what to consider for a vehicle and plenty of other tips and advice..........

Welcome Barina. "New" only lasts for a little while. All you have to do is ask.
Now with this driving adventure thing, you go wherever you want to go. Destinations you've always wanted to see, hobbies you want to follow, eg plants, wildlife, bird watching, surfing Cactus Beach, sun baking on as many beaches as possible, climbing Ayres Rock, sticking a pin in a map and going there.
Everyone has a different reason for doing this nomadding thing. To quote another Nomad, it's not the destination, it's the journey.
Just do your homework, do some planning and do it.
The vehicle will depend on your driving experience and capabilities. Camper vans and Ford Transit style vans are a popular choice. Small buses such as the Toyota Coaster also so a good job. There's always towing a small van or various other van-type portable accommodation.
Ex rentals give you a great choice. Then, will you be doing this full time, or just short trips for a few weeks or longer?
Will you be selling up, renting out or going "home" between trips?
So many things to think about.

It depends on how many ks you do, and how quickly. Slow and steady wins the race. Diesel is my fuel of choice - distance for power and dollars.
Rego and insurance are normal for any vehicle, depending on age and size.
Site fees vary from $20 or less, up to $40+ in the peak tourist season areas such as Cairns and Broome and places in between. Inland is usually cheaper, but of course everyone wants to do the coast. Once again, personal choice, and do some homework on the internet. Read up all you can. Joining Top Tourist, Family Parks and Oz Parks will give you some discounts at their parks. Big 4 is upmarket, focussing on families with playgrounds and all the trimmings.
Many choose free camping. Once again personal choice. It means setting yourself up to manage without 240V power utilising solar and batteries and the vehicle's power source.
There is a book called Camps 6 which lists as many camping sites as possible at time of publication, including national parks. Parks don't allow dogs or other animals, and there is usually a small fee to enter. This book is available online or at your local newsagent and camping/fishing store.
Research, research, research. You have all ahead of you.
Read through the forums on this site. There is so much information on all threads which could be of use to you right here.
Have fun.

..welcome 'zues4506'..interested to hear/see hwo you do it. I too am a newbie here and am interested in feedback and ideas from any/everyone.
'benton'

I'm another solo, new to the forum, with a chihuahua and lorikeet in a Toyota Hi ace. Mainly travelled north from Sydney to Brisbane and feel confident knowing where to stop and camp overnight mostly free stops.

I want to venture further but not sure about the big trip yet. I seem to collect or take too much stuff and want to come home and unload.

-- Edited by jetj on Wednesday 22nd of February 2012 12:05:30 PM

You could always tag along with some of us Jet.

There are a few of us leaving Ariah Park NSW on the 15th April, bound for Darwin and then the West Coast.

You can do any or all sections of the trip and there would always be someone within Cooee should you need assistance or a morale boost at any time.

If you are interested let me know and I will give you details

The same applies to anyone else who would like to give it a go as well.

Thank you Ma, a wonderful offer, and I do intend to do it in the future but too much going on at the moment to be away for too long. The best I can do is a few weeks.