Who else lives in their caravan 24/7?

Baz421 · Guru

RE: Who else lives in their caravan 24/7?

oldboar · Senior Member

Guess we'd better agree to differ then as we've met quite a number (particularly in the country areas of the eastern states) that have given the advice I previously stated. Obviously in camps in high demand, courtesy demands making room for others rather than exceeding posted time limits but otherwise we'll continue staying on if not affecting others.

Darrell & Sandra.

grae and deb · Senior Member

hi great to read everyones stories. to add to the thread , we have been on the road now 2 yrs , never regretted a day not doing the adventuere , we are travelling woking our way around oz , meeting some beautifull people and some funny experiences , luckily we have never come across rude , etc fellow travellers as some posters talk about , hope we never do , as darrell says common courtesy goes a long way ,so happy travels everyone whereveer you are , were in nth beaches area of sydney , in the bush , working , go 3klms up the road and traffic chaos ,so where we are based is heaven at night
grae and deb

rockylizard · Guru

Baz421 wrote:
ParamountCruiser wrote:
oldboar wrote:
Not unusual for us to camp up for extended periods in good free camps ( have frequently been advised by caretakers/council rangers, etc that posted time limits are to enable legal eviction of trouble makers. Perhaps they know more about the camps under their care than some self styled experts on this forum).
Well, there you go
I always thought that time restrictions were put in place so that everyone had the opportunity to utilise these camp sites around the country.
Apparently not so Neil,, someone also commented on another thread that this behaviour doesn't do anyone any favours,,, I've NEVER met a ranger with this opinion.

Gday...

I have been on the road full-time for five years now - sold the lot - no regrets at all. I intend to keep moving around enjoying this wide, brown and exciting land as long as I am sufficiently healthy and mobile.

Should the time come when illness etc means I can't keep up this lifestyle then I will, as mentioned earlier by some, either go to a 'permanent park' or rent a place and put the van up on blocks in the backyard.

Regarding being allowed to overstay posted time limits at camps. There have been dozens in QLD and NSW and many in VIC I have stayed at where the 'official' responsible for the camp has had no compunction letting me stay longer than that posted limit. Quite often, when I am having a natter with them early in my stay, they actually offer a longer stay - of course with the proviso not to plant a garden In each of these instances, they have indicated the time limit had been posted by council because of 'undesirables' miss-using the facility and they had no legal way to 'evict' them. By setting a time limit, they have something they can legally enforce, should the need arise.

It must be remembered these places that have been so hospitable are the inland towns with an actual camp for travellers, NOT those 'rest areas' so many GNs think are camping. Those on the main highways, and in populated areas (and with 'attractions' nearby) certainly are over-subscribed with travellers between May to Sept and need to be 'apportioned' out for better sharing.

Inland towns WANT the traveller - they are friendlier and helpful and welcome of our $$$. Especially if the traveller is a thoughtful, clean, considerate and also friendly visitor.

cheers - John

Phil C · Guru

I have always been a great believer in what you sow is what you reap.

Therefore if you are nice to people and friendly then (most times) that is what you will get back.

We met some wonderful people a few years ago when we had our camper trailer we are still friends.

This business of overstaying at a free camp is a bit rough if you ask me. It highlights the fact that we are not all on the same moral level and that some people get as much as they can irrespective of rules and common decency. Some people need a good kick in the pants to wake them up. confuse

I must say this thread is very interesting, I cant wait to hit the road when I get my clearance from the orthopedic surgeon.

Thank you to all of you who have contributed irrespective of the detractors (and, they are entitled to their opinions) it is my opinion that we live a full and wonderful life, on the road in our little wheeled homes.

There has never been a greater truism as "one mans junk is another mans treasure" (forgive the sexism, im not into PC)

Take care and travel safe.

-- Edited by Phil C on Sunday 20th of July 2014 12:00:02 PM

Bas + Eve · Senior Member

Some wonderful comments have been posted. Life is a short journey, go out and enjoy it mate.

banjo · Senior Member

Been full time for just over 2 1/2 years now, never regretted it at all, my wife does have family and grandkids withdrawal occasionally, but a quick flight back soon eases that for her, and she's usually very happy to get back to our nomad lifestyle.

Only thing I miss is my big shed and my motorbike, otherwise nothing. Wife keeps mentioning a "base" somewhere again, but I cannot see the point myself, maybe buy a block and stick a shed on it somewhere one day.

Only downside I can see is if I ever have to be home based again I would go nuts with boredom pretty quick.

As for health issues, I've had one full knee reconstruction while on the road, just parked up in a CP near the hospital and spent 8 weeks there, hardest bit was getting in and out of the van for the first week after my op.

We have all our usual tests, bloods etc. and get our prescriptions from any doctor that we are near. All our medical records are on the system so any doctor can access them if needed.

If anything we are healthier now than before we took the plunge, as we keep active every day and also ride our pushbikes.

When I went back to see my normal family doctor last February, he commented that, I looked much healthier and happier and what had I been doing with myself !

Sort of explains itself really.

Pet-els · Veteran Member

HI, I've been on the road for two years, met some great people, in the last nine months, spent three of them in Tas. What a great place.

Did the full length of the Murray River on Safari [CMCA] with 20 MH 7 Vans, took just on a month from Khancoban NSW to Goolwa SA. Camped mostly in golf clubs etc.

Presently parked on a farm at Port Macquarie while I attend to medical matters.

PeterH

Andrea · Senior Member

John and I sold up in July 2008, been on the road full-time since December '08 in our 5th-wheeler, never looked back.

For those who fear medical emergencies, in 2012 John had a mini-stroke which left him with double vision (now corrected with a stick-on Fresnel lens, so he still has his driver's licence!); we'd always shared the driving, and I discovered that I COULD hitch and unhitch on my own. My home for about three weeks was at the Bendigo Showgrounds (shared with Ashtons Circus for one week, and a huge market on another weekend - fascinating!).

Last year, when John was to have a full hip replacement at Port Macquarie Base Hospital (after a twelve-month wait) he instead had a heart attack on the operating table, just before the surgeon started. After an air ambulance flight to Sydney to have two stents inserted he returned home, only to suffer two bleeds inside his skull two weeks later, caused by the anti-coagulants. That entailed a helicopter flight to Newcastle, followed by three weeks rehab in Wauchope. Now he's finally had his hip replacement (last month) and next week we'll be back at 'work' property-minding.

We've been fortunate in finding places to park while being 'nailed down' - most recently for several weeks by people we'd house-sat for twice in the last couple of years. So we're still intent on continuing our travels, can't wait to get started again, which will be in November, after we've fulfilled a couple more jobs. we'll head for Adelaide first, then back across to WA, then...who knows?

The road leads ever on...enjoy!

Andrea

Mike C · Senior Member

Wow Andrea that certainly proves that one can survive a major health issue full time on the road..

I dream someday that I will be able to do it. I would love to sell up everything and basically devoid myself of all worries and responsibilities.
at just shy of 60 we own all our toys and have saved enough to be ineligible for the pension and as a self funded retiree I can almost pay my self the equivalent (weird system we have here).

Unfortunately the boss is 10 years my junior and thinks I am mad.. my worry is by the time she catches up to my way of thinking it will be a little to late.

However I will keep working at it and hopefully will get lucky.

enjoy the life style

cheers

Mike

Baz421 · Guru

rockylizard wrote:
It must be remembered these places that have been so hospitable are the inland towns with an actual camp for travellers, NOT those 'rest areas' so many GNs think are camping. Those on the main highways, and in populated areas (and with 'attractions' nearby) certainly are over-subscribed with travellers between May to Sept and need to be 'apportioned' out for better sharing.
Inland towns WANT the traveller - they are friendlier and helpful and welcome of our $$$. Especially if the traveller is a thoughtful, clean, considerate and also friendly visitor.
cheers - John

John I have copied a small portion of your post. Agree with your comments and we stay mostly bush/inland areas and promote small towns to others we meet going toward them,, ie bakeries are always a favourite or a good fuel deal.

I'm no angel and have overstayed, but my diatribe previously was directed at those who overstay and prevent others from a fair go at the sites,,, if it's empty then I see no problem with overstaying for reasons some have stated and especially if rangers etc give OK.

Phil C · Guru

I have read a few comments regarding over staying at free camps.

I guess that if the place is crowded and its been a few extra days time to move on.

For me, if I find a place that has very few people there and its a peach of a place, I would probably stay for a while.

However I do believe that rules are made for the guidance of the wise and blind obedience of idiots so it wouldnt be such a big deal for a day or two extra (ive softened my previous stance after reading a few entries).

There are so many sweet spots in this vast brown land so why would you waste too much time in one place? I guess the fuel tank would be the only answer to that one.

In Australia we have always given people a fair go, I do believe that is the measuring stick we should apply to this moral dilemma.

Safe travels