Buggered if I know how some people travel over 600 k's per day every day towing a van.
We had to make Tamworth in a hurry so Wednesday morning was at Lismore. Victoria. Friday morning was in Tamworth NSW. I know some will say that's nothing, and when I used to drive all night I would of thought the same. Let me say this old fart really felt it considering the most we travel is 150 to 200 a day
In the 'good ole days' I would drive from Swan Hill Victoria to Brisbane in a day ... but now I am more comfortable doing between 75Km to 200Km in a day when travelling.
However, sometimes circumstances force a 'rushed trip'.
A couple of years ago, my M-I-L in Sale VIC was diagnosed with bowel cancer - I was in Kalgoorlie WA at the time.
Having taken almost three months to get to WA, I drove back to Sale (3,200Km) with the van in four days = 800Km each day.
I promised myself I would never do that sort of trip again ... but family sometimes makes us do things we would prefer not to do.
Cheers - and hope you catch your breath - John
-- Edited by rockylizard on Saturday 2nd of January 2016 03:55:37 PM
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2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE Auto - 2008 23ft Golden Eagle Hunter Some people feel the rain - the others just get wet - Bob Dylan
When I was in the RAAF we had to get to places often in a hurry, we were posted to Sale from Pearce in WA. Traveled 800 to 900 clicks a day in our non air conditioner Datsun 1600. In those days there was 250 miles of dirt on the SA side of Eucla. Never again!!
Now we travel as little as 40KM and the most is 300, towing our caravan. It's about the journey now, not the destination.
Be safe
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Ex RAAF, now retired. EX Electrician/Teacher.
Homebase is Murray Bridge Tourist Park (in a cabin). New Horse.. 2020 Ford Everest Titanium, Jayco swan for touring.
I know a couple who will drive up to 700 Klm's when they are on the road give or take a few kliks . Their type of trip/travelling/camping, is getting to a place and staying for a week or more. The bits in between are not of any interest to them. They were amazed that we would take two weeks Perth to S.A. or even longer. They are quite happy driving like this and can give me 10 years. They have a "strict driver rotation" every hour, do a "Laager up" at lunch time and have a nap. Then will drive till they've reached their camp spot. Up very early and off they go again. Beats me how they do that. Towing a small caravan, they both love driving. I would hate to pay their fuel bill. We are the 250 to 300 max sort of travellers, stopping at every fence post that looks interesting.
As they say at sea "Different Ships Different Long Splices"
-- Edited by elliemike on Saturday 2nd of January 2016 04:40:22 PM
Big daily distances travelled goes with different stages of ones life, the annual family road trip interstate on annual leave/school holidays were the norm for years, with limited time available you had to cover the k's quickly. Not something I like to revisit these days, but still cover 3-400 easily with van with stops, depends on the trip.
After talking to & observing many travelers at CP happy hours over the past 4 years, the standard thing seems to be:
1. Drive 500kms plus per day.
2. Call in at a couple of iconic points of interest for half an hour on the way just to say that you've been there & done it all.
3. Wash your tug & van on arriving at the CP just in case your OFF ROAD STICKER has any dust on it.
4. Walk fluffy white dog & don't pick up its poo.
5. Go over to the amenities block for a shave, shower & **** so that you don't have to use the en-suite that you've been wasting fuel dragging around.
6. Visit local bakery & overload on calories.
7. Drive 500kms plus per day.
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Cheers Desert Dweller.
Our land abounds in Natures gifts. Of beauty rich and rare.
We came over to WA from Northern Victoria in a bit of a hurry - think we did four nights, maybe five. By the time we got to our desitination we were all jet lagged!!!!
We usually do 100 - 200k a day love to stop and see what is around - and if we really like a place might stay a night or two or even three - we have no agenda, apart from our destination.
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jules "Love is good for the human being!!" (Ben, aged 10)
We have in the past travelled Sydney to Exmouth in six to seven days 5600 km. X 6, first day Sydney- Broken Hill 1160km leave Sydney 2am Arrive BH by 4.30 pm or Sydney - Renmark.
When we get this van right, we won't give a toss be 100-300 ks per day. Cause we will not have any more time frames to stick to.
Some people just like "quickies" I prefer to take it slowly and enjoy it.
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Steve, Di & Ziggy We named our Motorhome "Roadworx" because on the road works "On The Road Again" Ford Transit with 302 Windsor V8 conversion, C4 Auto, 9 Inch Ford Diff All Lighting L.E.D., 260 Amp/h AGM, 530 Watt Solar + Kipor Backup Gen.
We drove about 20 kilometres yesterday to get from our bush camp to a van park in Carnarvon.
Then had to wait for the office to open to book us in. Bloody great deal though for 3 nights and we night stay longer after that exhausting drive........
Keith - you made me laugh with your numbered points......but so many seem to be like that. We met a mid-aged couple recently who had done The Lap in 6 weeks - god knows how many hours a day he drove. They stopped one night at Salmon Gums CP and when he told me this, I asked him what they stopped and looked at - nothing !! All the daylight hours was spent driving. They got into Salmon Gums about 6pm and were gone by 5am.
Why do people like this bother - is it just to say they've done it......I would have though it would have been easier just to drive up and down a main highway or motorway and then go home at night - do this for a week or two and then you can say you've had a "holiday" and youre now relaxed and seen the country !
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Cheers Bruce
The amazing things you see when nomading Australia
We are not on the road these days, but when we were (For about 20 years on and off) I used to like to get away about an hour or so before daylight. Then by 8 or 9 am I could put away a good feed of bacon and eggs and tomato and felt like a million dollars. My best mate thought I was stupid, as he and his darling used to always pull out at about 9,10 or 11 am. We all have different ideas and the good part is we can live our life the way we want, much better than Syria or Turkey etc, etc. These days I don't pull the caravan out at 5 or 6 am, I pull the body out of bed at 9,10 or even 11am. At 76 I can't imagine what I will be like when I get OLD.
Simmo
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Hard work never killed anybody but why take the chance.
Our best friends did a lap in 9 weeks. We asked them ''did you have a great time?'' They replied, ''THERE'S NOTHING OUT THERE TO SEE''. The driver had a great tan on his right elbow, other than that they were white as ghosts! Their eyes had a peculiar stare!
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Cheers Desert Dweller.
Our land abounds in Natures gifts. Of beauty rich and rare.
I think a camel pulling a caravan in the suburbs of Melbourne would be news headlines all over the country!!!!!!!!!!
But yes - we meet so many people who have six weeks off, and want to see all of Australia - some of them with children or animals. Could not imagine anything worse - ok fair enough if you are working and only have your annual holidays - but choose a different area each year, spend your time around there, and get to know the places you visit. This is a huge country, with some amazing sights to see - need to take time to smell the gidgee trees!!!!
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jules "Love is good for the human being!!" (Ben, aged 10)
We were in Jabiru for lunch one day and got word that one of our dogs was gravely ill in Adelaide.
Drove 300km to Katherine to spend the night.
Did Katherine to Kulgera the next day (1464)
Did Kulgera to Adelaide the next day (1248)
Our dog lasted for another week so we were able to say goodbye.
We usually plan for 3 or 4 big days at the start of a trip (600) per day, but then only 150-200 after that and stay 2-3 days at each place.
So used to bundy card lol 35 years of that !! .. NO rush these days.. Lol..
I can still put in the miles.. over 10,000 miles in 4 weeks driving twice across U.S..
I a Ford Transit too.. Not the luxury of a Datsun .. lol
= 800Km each day.
The driver had a great tan on his right elbow, other than that they were white as ghosts! 
Their eyes had a peculiar stare! 
