Do you Plan or Mosey?

briche · Guru

Do you Plan or Mosey?

Hoodathunkit · Senior Member

I had a mildy agitated discussion with my M.O.T.H. on Sunday about our prospective future travels. I asked him what he hoped to see and do, I told him I would like to go to some of the festivals and gatherings that happen... like the Birdsville races etc...

His response was, "You can't plan anything, you can't rush from here to there, you just see what happens." I like the idea of heading to somewhere for a reason, either to see the sites or go to a festival or visit someone as well as taking what comes and seeing what happens, ie; you may find some work or like the fishing somewhere.

So my question is "Do you just mosey...or do you have some sort of plan???.....

Grams · Guru

We will just be going to see what's there, it won't be a planned thing. Unless of course something is happening in a certain area that you are heading too, then you stick around for it.

Les and I have our favourite places to see, some we have never been too others he has seen and wants to show me. We are planning on being back with our kids for Christmas each year. So our time is our own. We are just going to pick a place up ahead, then see what is there to enjoy, like sights, museums, fairs, shows, markets, etc etc. if it means staying for a few weeks to see something then we will.

Gerty Dancer · Guru

We do a bit of both... sometimes there's something on that we'd like to attend, so we do a bit of planning to ensure we are there, but at other times we wander. Its nice to have extra days even when you are "going somewhere" to take side trips/stay longer in a nice place etc.
For example, you need to book weeks ahead for some really interesting things like the Coober Pedy Mail Run, and we wandered in that direction timing our arrival to suit. It was well worth it!

villatranquilla · Guru

"all plans subject to change at short notice" is out motto

neilnruth · Guru

This is a continuing issue in our household. Usually, as soon as it is decided that we will head off for somewhere in particular, my hubby has the maps out and is plotting a daily itinerary. Sometimes I can cope with this, sometimes I rebel. Twice now, because we liked a place, he has been willing to break with the itinerary and stay longer. Last year we actually prolonged our stay away longer than ever before. Then there are the times when I want to know where we are going and for how long. So I think it all depends on the mood and the reason for going .... and maybe even on the weather. So Hoodathunkit, maybe a mix of both would satisfy your M.O.T.H.

Birdy1710 · Veteran Member

sometimes, only sometimes, it,s good to be on your own, saves a lot of arguments. i just head in a general direction and make it up as i go.

hako · Guru

We just say Ok, we've got 4 weeks free and we haven't explored southern NSW so we'll just wander down heading generally south....no particular route and no thinking we have to be at X on X. Sometimes we travel 600km a day and sometimes only 50km. This way it's a new discovery trip.

neilnruth · Guru

I like the sound of that. Even some of the many places we have already been sound as if they have more to see now, years later.

herbie · Guru

We like to just wonder along at our own pace, no particular destination to be at a certain time or date.That is why i do not like to book c/ van parks in advance, as it puts one under a dead line to get there .The beauty of free camping you do not have that worry , in most places about no spot ,as long as you get there before 3ish is my rule of thumb. And if you miss out on that spot just nosey on and find another camp.

NeilandRaine · Guru

We usually have a destination (open to change)in mind but never a time table, we try not to do much more than 100k's a day and if we do we spend a bit more time when we do stop

beiffe · Guru

My biggest problem is deciding to move.
I don't make plans as I only break them and I never decide to move till the morning and I have had breakfast unless I want to get to somewhere for a reason.
I always stop somewhere for three days at least EVERY week and the new week starts the day I leave the last stop.
We are all different so do what you feel is best for you. Some rush around like a chook with its head cut off while some like to look around (even if it is just walking the bush etc).
Try both styles within reason and see how you go, what makes you more relaxed and comfortable because if you are just starting out you might surprise yourself at where you will end up.
Same as caravan parks and bush camping never disregard either and many combine the two to suit their needs.
Regards
Brian

Hoodathunkit · Senior Member

Morning Everyone, thank you all for your responses, I like the sound of a bit of planning and a bit of just moseying along. I get bored very easily so just sitting around watching the grass grow for to long would do my head in... So I will be looking for interesting spots for long walks and interesting people for chats and giggles....

AmandaJayne · Guru

No plans here either.. we just go at our own speed, stop when we feel like it etc.... atm.. we're on the Ayre Highway to get ourselves to South Oz... but when we get there.... ummmmm... I dunno..... we'll just wait and see eh... it can be fun to do and no pressure.. we're rigged out to be self sufficient so bush stops are fine with us :)
Altho there are a few friends we'd like to see along the way... just have no idea when we'll get there.......

aussietraveller · Guru

We plan the general direction we are going to travel and then take it as it comes all plans are very flexible which puts some extra fun in the trip because we believe that the journey is just as important as the destination possibly even more so.

Drifters · Veteran Member

We decide we are going north south east or west and head off with a general idea of where we want to get to. The problem is we keep finding things that distract us so we stop until we decide to move on again. We even get to where we set out for sometimes. We recently sat out the front of a café in Rainbow Victoria and watched while several caravans drove down one side of the street did a U turn and drove out again. The town has a lot to offer the nomads and welcomes them with open arms and has a lot to see. The problem is you have to stop, get out of the car and talk to the locals to find the treasures that it has. We just sat there sipping our coffee thinking those people will go away and tell people they went there and will never know what they missed. So for us it is take your time, talk to the locals and find the treasures and then move on. We want to experience it not just see it.
Phil & Sue

herbie · Guru

Drifters wrote:
We decide we are going north south east or west and head off with a general idea of where we want to get to. The problem is we keep finding things that distract us so we stop until we decide to move on again. We even get to where we set out for sometimes. We recently sat out the front of a cafÃ© in Rainbow Victoria and watched while several caravans drove down one side of the street did a U turn and drove out again. The town has a lot to offer the nomads and welcomes them with open arms and has a lot to see. The problem is you have to stop, get out of the car and talk to the locals to find the treasures that it has. We just sat there sipping our coffee thinking those people will go away and tell people they went there and will never know what they missed. So for us it is take your time, talk to the locals and find the treasures and then move on. We want to experience it not just see it.
Phil & Sue
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Â The only way to see and enjoy this big country is as you say; STOP & STAY AWHILE. , Could not think of just driving from place to the next and never experiancing what the area has to offer.Some of the most unlikly places turn out to hold the most memories.Was talking to a lady not long ago who said they were just heading back to thier home in Vic,after going around the block, but said she cannot remember much as her husband never stopped in one place other than to sleep.So in reality they may as well saved their money and stayed home. So sad but true storey.

neilnruth · Guru

So all she can say is 'Yes, I've been around Australia.' What a pity.

herbie · Guru

neilnruth wrote:
So all she can say is 'Yes, I've been around Australia.' What a pity.

In one word YES. I felt so sorry for her, She appeard a nice lady, but he appeared to be a couch potato.Like chalk and cheese...I believe the only way to enjoy this life style is you have to be compatible and give and take ,laugh at each others mistakes along the way.There has been times my wife has wanted to go see what ever ,and i have thought to myself ..mmm don't know if i am up for this ,but i go and most times happy i went .some times the same thing happens when i want to do/ see some thing she is not that interested in but she goes with me and she ends up enjoying it or she some times says i only went because i want you to tag along to see ( what ever )

Gerty Dancer · Guru

I met a couple who'd been "around the block" in 9 weeks.

herbie · Guru

Yep the ones i have met also have been about three months, you ask did you see such and such and they look at you as though you are from another planet.

If you are on a tight scedual i recon it is silly to try and do the Block ,that way you really skim the surface. Best to pick a state or area and do that.

beiffe · Guru

I have met people who have done the block in three weeks. They drove from daylight to dark every day.
They pulled in about 10 at night in Howlong VIC and planned to be in Brisbane that night. They had two kids in tow so I bet they did not see very much but they would have burnt some fuel though.
Later in life they will possibly put of travelling as they have seen it all and did not enjoy the experience.
Regards
Brian

Dougwe · Chief one feather

I do both, a little planning and then wing it as I go, I have made a few changes lately, some forced and others just cos a can. All good fun either way, as long as you are out in t he playground it's no biggy.

EllenajoeL · Senior Member

Its just my opinion (of course), but my signature is....

A good traveller has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving. ~ Lao Tzu

wink