Depends on your mindset, health, finances, make 2 lists, one not nomadic and one for the road, list pros & cons of both, might make the decision easier, probably you will get better advice from people on this forum who are already nomads, John.

I have just turned 72, have been living and travelling around for the last 24 years, it has its ups and downs with a few problems regarding medical situations and beauracratic idiots but, even though I am able to buy back into having a base I have no interest in doing so, maybe high care when I can't keep going.

I endorse the comments above. You are only as old as you feel.

I reckon that the average age of travellers outback is well over 70 years. Of course, most of them are couples, but there is a surprising number of singles on the road as well. The vast majority of roads on the tourist routes are sealed and well serviced with regular roadhouses etc.

In the year 2000, my wife and I went from Cooma NSW to Gladstone Qld, we then turned inland, eventually finishing up in the far SW corner of Qld. We then went South to Tiboorburra. We left the caravan there and drove through Camerons Corner to Innaminca SA. Heading West from Camerons Corner there is a series of sand dunes. The road surface was very good. Coming over one dune we met a 4 year old Nissan Bluebird car towing a small back-door caravan. Since I didn't have my van on at that stage, I moved over to the far left to give the car/van combination as much room as possible. I was looking in the left door mirror as they went past. My wife said "That was a woman driving that, and she was alone". We proceeded on to Innaminca, and when we got there, the publican asked us which way we had come. He then asked us "Did you see a 74 year old woman driving a caravan on the way?" I told him where we met the rig, and he said that he was glad because they were a bit worried about her. When we returned to Tiboorburra a few days later, she was still in the caravan park. Talking to her, she had lost her husband a few years before, and ultimately decided to go see Australia. I can't remember where she had been, but it was quite a trip. She was able to do everything except reverse the caravan. She either got someone else to do it, or uncoupled the van and pushed it into place. Her family were aghast at the thought of her doing this, and gave her a mobile phone, telling her to call in when she had reception. She had been on the go for 4 months, from memory. So, Yes! it is feasible.

In Daly Waters NT, we camped next to a campervan driven by a solo woman. Again, she had been on the road for a while and was enjoying the trip.

 

There is nothing better than to sit around in the evening at a caravan park, chatting and socialiasing with fellow travellers. Many of the parks have resident bush poets and listening to their stories and poems in the actual environment - nothing can bet that.

 

Regarding dogs, a large number of travellers outback take their pets with them. Obviously there are places you cannot go eg National Parks, but even then I have seen people with dogs in them.

It all depends on the personality and the person's health and fitness. Sadly, my wide died 18 months ago, and I now 80 years old and have a serious disability. I am restricted to 125 km radius from my home, but am trying to get that restriction lifted. I still have my caravan, but the car I have is not suited to tow it. I will buy a smaller van and as soon as possible, head outback again. The lifestyle, the scenery and the people out there. If you are the least bit interested, go do it. You'll never know if you never go...

-- Edited by erad on Friday 4th of April 2025 09:18:54 AM

-- Edited by erad on Friday 4th of April 2025 09:25:54 AM