In our case the bed follows us I would say.............
I follow the car bonnet and the bed brings up the rear..............
Zoomtopz said
09:44 PM Feb 16, 2012
About 5yrs ago , while we were still poking around in 'old Inter' .
Ran into a bloke in an old Inter Aacco 4X4 , he was telling me ,
got to th end of a road he would turn here , turn there , just to
see where it took him. I'm a bit like that . Ok I might be going
from a to b , but I like to Enjoy th journey .
Richo
golivers travels said
11:32 PM Feb 16, 2012
Cupie wrote:
We seem to be a bit different to most of you guys in that we always have a detailed plan; but we don't stick rigidly to it. It is only a guide & cost do-ability assesment.
1. It starts with an idea of where or what we want to see .. A theme I suppose.
Suppose I am a bit like you Cupie. I am a list person and planner but we do not always follow religously.
We usually have a theme, most of the time it is Birdwatching and Photography so we need to be in certain areas of Australia at certain times.
I have spread sheets and tables of items for the van that I can print off and use as check lists and even where items are to be placed in the van.
But everyone is different. I think now that we have retired I may become a little less anal!!!!
cheers
Glenda
-- Edited by Cupie on Thursday 16th of February 2012 12:21:24 PM
Atlas said
11:34 PM Feb 16, 2012
Cupie,
Thanks, that's kind of what I was after :)
JRH said
11:34 PM Feb 16, 2012
golivers travels wrote:
Cupie wrote:
We seem to be a bit different to most of you guys in that we always have a detailed plan; but we don't stick rigidly to it. It is only a guide & cost do-ability assesment.
1. It starts with an idea of where or what we want to see .. A theme I suppose.
Suppose I am a bit like you Cupie. I am a list person and planner but we do not always follow religously.
We usually have a theme, most of the time it is Birdwatching and Photography so we need to be in certain areas of Australia at certain times.
I have spread sheets and tables of items for the van that I can print off and use as check lists and even where items are to be placed in the van.
But everyone is different. I think now that we have retired I may become a little less anal!!!!
cheers
Glenda
-- Edited by Cupie on Thursday 16th of February 2012 12:21:24 PM
Just follow the bonnet and enjoy the drive.
the rocket said
11:43 PM Feb 16, 2012
Cruising Granny wrote:
The only itinerary you probably should have is a rough idea of departure date, and in which direction you will point the bonnet as you leave the driveway. As everyone else has said it's then a matter of a day to day thing. The features and sights you want to see and experience. How long you want to spend there will depend on what you are enjoying - or not. You may have some idea of the geographical features, beaches, regions, points of interest. There's a lot more to this travel gig than sitting in the driver's seat watching the countryside slide by. It really is an experience. Then there's the chat time. Always allow chat time. Whether it be happy hour, coffee, lunch or just a chat at the bowser while refuelling. Someone somewhere, anywhere will want to know about you and your travels. It can take hours and days to explain it. It's all part of the fun. Will you be free camping or van parks? Or even friend's driveways and backyards? As far as RV's go there are so many options. From motorhomes - petrol/diesel/gas. Camper vans, caravan & tug, all personal choice. There are no rules to this except the road rules of course. So many options - so little time.
you are right cruisin granny, so true, so true. rocket n strop
JRH said
11:47 PM Feb 16, 2012
the rocket wrote:
Cruising Granny wrote:
The only itinerary you probably should have is a rough idea of departure date, and in which direction you will point the bonnet as you leave the driveway. As everyone else has said it's then a matter of a day to day thing. The features and sights you want to see and experience. How long you want to spend there will depend on what you are enjoying - or not. You may have some idea of the geographical features, beaches, regions, points of interest. There's a lot more to this travel gig than sitting in the driver's seat watching the countryside slide by. It really is an experience. Then there's the chat time. Always allow chat time. Whether it be happy hour, coffee, lunch or just a chat at the bowser while refuelling. Someone somewhere, anywhere will want to know about you and your travels. It can take hours and days to explain it. It's all part of the fun. Will you be free camping or van parks? Or even friend's driveways and backyards? As far as RV's go there are so many options. From motorhomes - petrol/diesel/gas. Camper vans, caravan & tug, all personal choice. There are no rules to this except the road rules of course. So many options - so little time.
you are right cruisin granny, so true, so true. rocket n strop
Dead right Chris so little time so just get out there and do I say.
dropbear68 said
03:34 AM Feb 17, 2012
I figured just drive out of town and keep going, no set itenery, no set time to stay in one particular place, no hurry no nothing, got plenty time to see the place
Beth54 said
03:43 AM Feb 17, 2012
I like to research when I know I'll be heading in a certain direction. I don't want to miss anything along the way.
As an example, I'm heading to Victoria later in the year, so I'll be researching and making a list of places to see, things to do, rellies to look up.
dropbear68 said
04:44 AM Feb 17, 2012
Im very history orientated, I like the bushranger era, early colonial times, so anything like this or old mines etc ill stop for, I do like the Murray River and the little towns that dot its path, always plenty too see
jimricho said
03:44 PM Feb 17, 2012
dropbear68 wrote:
Im very history orientated, I like the bushranger era, early colonial times, so anything like this or old mines etc ill stop for, I do like the Murray River and the little towns that dot its path, always plenty too see
An interest such as history adds a whole dimension to one's travel. Some planning is essential, it's too easy to miss something really worthwhile if one just wanders aimlessly.
B-T said
09:59 PM Feb 17, 2012
Atlas,.
Cupie made the comment "Fail to plan and you Plan to Fail. IMHO this only applies to purchasing your first caravan with little knowledge of what caravanning is all about - a high risk strategy.
As for itinaries - Ok for short trips will limited time available - but other wise Nah! We said goodbye to the house (sold) drove to the end of our road where it met the north/south highway, opened the champers and toasted our good fortune. We then flipped a coil to see whether we turned righ or left and oit has been magic ever since.
If you need assistance in getting the planning for your van up to speed I have recently completed a CD to this end. "Planning Your First Caravan"
Cheers John
Framptonxx said
12:32 AM Aug 15, 2023
Hi eveyone, I agree with what everyone says, it's not possible to plan an itinerary for something like the Big Lap. We're from Canada and plan on arriving in Sydney somewhere around july 2024 to do the big lap over the next 12 months.
Doing the Big Lap, starting in July would you recommend going south and clokcwise or north and counter clockwise?
Thanks!
Whenarewethere said
06:19 AM Aug 15, 2023
Welcome. Secondly because this is such an old thread. I would start a new thread. When people see 2012 at the top they will more than likely ignore it.
Possum3 said
09:25 AM Aug 15, 2023
Cruising Granny wrote:
The only itinerary you probably should have is a rough idea of departure date, and in which direction you will point the bonnet as you leave the driveway. As everyone else has said it's then a matter of a day to day thing. The features and sights you want to see and experience. How long you want to spend there will depend on what you are enjoying - or not. You may have some idea of the geographical features, beaches, regions, points of interest. There's a lot more to this travel gig than sitting in the driver's seat watching the countryside slide by. It really is an experience. Then there's the chat time. Always allow chat time. Whether it be happy hour, coffee, lunch or just a chat at the bowser while refuelling. Someone somewhere, anywhere will want to know about you and your travels. It can take hours and days to explain it. It's all part of the fun. Will you be free camping or van parks? Or even friend's driveways and backyards? As far as RV's go there are so many options. From motorhomes - petrol/diesel/gas. Camper vans, caravan & tug, all personal choice. There are no rules to this except the road rules of course. So many options - so little time.
Welcome to the Forum Frampton XX.
Granny got it right.
-- Edited by Possum3 on Tuesday 15th of August 2023 09:27:10 AM
Dick0 said
10:07 AM Aug 15, 2023
Being primarily a free-camper I choose a destination then roughly work out a route to get there. I then choose the next destination and do the same. No time limits though because all depends upon what there is to do and see along the way. Works for me.
Grumpytoo said
11:24 AM Aug 15, 2023
To answer your question about direction of travel it will depend on your starting point. The seasons here are inverse to Canada and therefore the tendencies here are to head north in winter where you have the tropical dry season and then work your way south when the weather warms up. This avoids being in the north during the wet season. Having said that you will not get the extreme winter in Aus that you get in Canada.
Any way enjoy the trip when you get here
Glenn
Cuppa said
11:55 AM Aug 15, 2023
Framptonxx wrote:
Hi eveyone, I agree with what everyone says, it's not possible to plan an itinerary for something like the Big Lap. We're from Canada and plan on arriving in Sydney somewhere around july 2024 to do the big lap over the next 12 months.
Doing the Big Lap, starting in July would you recommend going south and clokcwise or north and counter clockwise?
Thanks!
Hi. Our first lap (a figure 8) with a 2wd bus based motorhome took us 18 months & circa 45,000kms. We could very easily have taken longer & travelled further. However 12 months is a pretty reasonable timeframe. Many folk from overseas often think they can manage a lap in much less. I consider 12 months to be a sensible minimum, but if you don't need to book a return flight I'd still suggest that you leave it open if you can to allow for an 'extension' if you find that you want to.
If you plan to take a look at some of the 90+% of Australia that having a 4wd allows you to experience you will want longer! That said there is still more than enough to see & experience in 12 months without leaving sealed roads. A vehicle which you are comfortable to take just a few kms along rough or dusty roads (not necessarily 4wd) will open far more camping spots up for you if you think you might enjoy nature & peace as an alternative to caravan parks. It will need to have the means to stay off grid if you do. At a minimum power for overnight (or longer) & onboard water & toilet, sleeping & cooking facilities. If prepared to go to caravan parks every few days your off grid requirements will be less than if you want to stay off grid for more than a couple of nights at a time. Camping off grid is, in my view, the only way to experience natural Australia. Waking with the dawn chorus of the birds looking out onto beaches, deserts or forests without another person in sight is hard to beat! It is, I think something that Australia probably does better than just about anywhere else in the world.
I don't think direction makes a huge difference despite some commentary which may suggest one direction over another. Driving into the wind can be a pain, but whichever way you go, you'll experience it at some point.
The key is in the timing to be where you want to be when the weather is best. Hard to pick as weather patterns change, but 'following the sun' is what most folk 'doing a lap' try to do. Of course because this is what most try to do if you follow suit everywhere you go will be relatively busy. If you are prepared to experience hotter & more humid conditions (for example) then campsites will be less crowded & you will have a completely different experience.
As someone who lives in the southern half of Australia, I am most attracted to the year round warmth & the many differences of the Top End tropics when we travel, & unlike many I have come to love the tropical wet seasons, but if on a fixed timeframe the possibility of being unable to proceed because of flooded rivers etc is not ideal, even though it is exciting, dynamic & adventurous. However there are stunning places right around the country. Anyone who has been around will have a list of 'don't miss' places in their heads, but do try to save yourself some surprises rather than reading up on everything. I can guarantee that your very best memories will be from the 'unexpected'.
FWIW, if you are arriving in July (winter in the south) I would be heading north from Sydney. Bear in mind that whilst there is heaps of wonderful coastline between Sydney & Cairns the eastern coastal strip is also the busiest & most expensive part of Australia. However the rest of Australia has as much & more to offer, with less traffic & population density. I prefer beaches to ourselves & having enjoyed the east coast once am now happy to give it a miss in favour of the rest of the country. :)
Tasmania is worth a month or two if you can fit it in. Lovely place & quite different to the rest of Australia.
Horses for courses - depends on your personal preferences.
-- Edited by Cuppa on Tuesday 15th of August 2023 12:00:10 PM
Possum3 said
12:18 PM Aug 15, 2023
Framptonxx wrote:
Hi eveyone, I agree with what everyone says, it's not possible to plan an itinerary for something like the Big Lap. We're from Canada and plan on arriving in Sydney somewhere around july 2024 to do the big lap over the next 12 months.
Doing the Big Lap, starting in July would you recommend going south and clokcwise or north and counter clockwise?
Thanks!
From Sydney in July; I would do the big lap counterclockwise, my reasoning being weather, mainly the wind direction across the Southern Nularbor Plain.
Are We Lost said
05:15 PM Aug 15, 2023
Any chance of starting earlier than July? The roads are packed with vans travelling north from Sydney in May and June, and back the other way 5-6 months later. My preference would be to spend winter in the north and summer in the south, with that goal taking precendence over prevailing winds. Is your plan mainly around the outside or through the Red Centre? Unless you do a figure 8, or a lot of backtracking, there is a huge area you miss out on.
I think what would be better is to come up with a list of places you want to include and note when is good to be there and when not. And a lot of that depends on your personal interests. Are you happy in tourist season or prefer to sacrifice "best time" for less busy. Which of these appeal more ..... beaches, fishing, outback, mountains, snow, red centre, isolation, nightlife, aboriginal culture, heritage and more. With some key goals, and some places in mind. go the Bureau of Meterology (BOM) and get some climate statistics for those areas. There is a huge amount of climate data available. Then you can work out a tentative time plan.
As you are from Canada you may find the colder climates fine, but maybe have some difficulty acclimatising to the hot north. Also you probably want to avoid the northern wet season ... strongest in mid summer. You also have the risk of cyclones.
Framptonxx said
03:14 AM Aug 18, 2023
Thanks everyone for all the great replies, to answer a few of the questions
We own an old camper van here in Canada and we really like travelling this way. We prefer being out in nature more than caravan parks whenever we can. Purchasing the van is my biggest concern, we don't want to spend a month travelling to find the van and buying a vehicle from 17000Km away is complicated for the seller and for the buyer, but I guess it will be part of the adventure!
As far as the weather is concerned, hot or cold we don't really mind, we get everything and in every season here, but we'd like to avoid extreme weather like cyclones ... and "traffic jams". My original thought was to be somewhere between Sydney and the Gold Coast for winter and then go back south to Victoria and Tasmania for spring.
We can't stay more than 12 months, that's the maximum tourist visa you can get, 12 months over a 18 month period.
We do plan to try and visit the red center but our goal is to go from place to place, without a predefined itinerary and decide as we go.
Thanks Again!
Cuppa said
10:39 AM Aug 18, 2023
Framptonxx wrote:
My original thought was to be somewhere between Sydney and the Gold Coast for winter and then go back south to Victoria and Tasmania for spring.
As I said 'Horses for Courses'.
That's certainly not how I would spend July/August/September. To me it sounds like a 'waste' of your limited time, the best months of the year .... if you intend to drive a 'lap'.
Best months to visit Tassie weather-wise are Nov -March.
I'm in Victoria at the moment (home) - Overnight temps down to around +2 to minus 4 deg.c (so far). Daytime temps 7-13 & often grey & wet. Late September/early October is spring. (getting a bit warmer, but often wet & windy). September/October in Tassie will still be predominantly wet, windy & at risk of snow & frosts. In short not the most appealing weathers to be camping in.
Spending those 3 months or more where you suggest is a big chunk out of a 12 month trip & if you want to experience the country's natural & wild 'jewels in the crown' 'predominantly in the north & the central deserts). I'm guessing that at some point you would wish you had done things differently.
Top End overnight temps between 11-20 & Daytime temps 25 -30 currently
By early October Top End (Cairns to Broome) that changes to 25-30 overnight & 35-40 daytime with humidity rising to 100% & constantly wet clothes. The Wet season/cylcone season can begin anytime from as early as November or as late as January & continues through late May/early June.
At this time of the year the central deserts will also be experiencing minus overnight temperatures, but T shirt weather during the day.
You will struggle to be everywhere at the optimum times, so picking a couple of places which are the biggest attraction to you & aiming to be there at best time, & then fitting everything else in around those is likely the best you can do.
An example. Kakadu National park is predominantly about Aboriginal culture & wildlife. The optimum wildlife experience really requires that you are there early in the dry season. Whilst there is still plenty of water in the many billabongs - the reward is wall to wall birdlife as far as the eye can see. When the water is sufficiently low to attract huge numbers of different wading birds. And waterfalls still flowing. Too early the experience is driving from cultural site (rock art) to cultural site -with little to see between them as mostly the roads have forest right to their edge. (You'll still see crocs etc at some sites & birdlife on Yellow Waters). Too late - the magnificently huge numbers of birds have dwindled away & waterfalls have dried up.
If nature is your thing, for a 12 month trip I suggest that buying a 4wd is almost mandatory. A good option would be a Toyota Troop carrier with a pop top roof camper conversion. This will provide you with the greatest flexibility in regard to where you can camp & to visit places with best natural attractions & wildlife.
FWIW my 'top picks' are probably (in no particular order) the Kimberley, Cape York, the East Pilbara, the South west corner of WA, the Red centre & the West coast of Tasmania. (Plus Kakadu if there at the right time). My all-time favourite locations are the Dampier peninsula pindan cliff coastlines north of Broome, all of the north Kimberley, the gorges of Karijini NP, the Bungle bungles, The Iron Range rainforest, the magnificently scenic white beaches among one of the planet's top biodiversity hotspots in the SW corner of Western Australia & our best ever two camp spots [drum roll] - 'Running Waters' in the east Pilbara & Cape Domett on the East Kimberley coast.
You may find flicking though our blog(s) useful to provide a bit of inspiration?
-- Edited by Cuppa on Friday 18th of August 2023 11:05:57 AM
-- Edited by Cuppa on Friday 18th of August 2023 12:41:53 PM
Are We Lost said
12:36 PM Aug 18, 2023
I agree with most of what Cuppa said. Starting from Sydney in July is not ideal. Could you start from Cairns? Then progressively head south as Spring approaches? Or if it has to be Sydney, do a quick delivery type trip futher north in a few days, and effectively start from there. Will those wasted kilometres be worth it?
When reading responses, be aware that some have differing views on what weather conditions are good and bad. I come from Sydney and find the heat up north uncomfortable, so would only want to be there in the cooler half of the year. Similarly, the appeal of Tasmania in cooler weather is not appealing, but I found mid October to be fine. Down around zero overnight but some days were T shirt weather. In some places, off season means some attractions are closed.
I suggested that as you were from Canada, the cooler temperatures may be less of an issue for you. Rainfall and wind are a different story, hence the suggestion to look up climate statistics.
You would be able to sell it for a similar price after 12 months .... or may find a dealer prepared to offer a buy back deal.
Toyotas are more expensive than other brands, but do hold their price well.
Tony Bev said
01:57 PM Aug 18, 2023
I usually make a fairly rigid plan of
Where we are going
Which low cost/donation/free camp we will stay at
Which roads we are going to travel on
The calculated kilometres
I then budget for the fuel, and add 50% (just to be sure)
But... At the first corner/cross road, the plan then changes, to just go in the general direction
Framptonxx said
12:33 AM Aug 19, 2023
The reason we're thinking of starting in Sydney is the plane ticket price and it's about the only way to get to Australia from Eastern Canada, without doing 3 or 4 layovers. This being said depending on where we wind up, I agree, we'll go north or inland for a few months and try and slowly make our way south. I realize it's not possible to be at the right place at the right time of year all the time.
The Toyota Troop carrier is an interesting vehicle, it's definitely something we'll look for. It really depends on what's available when are ready to purchase.
Cuppa, very nice blog!
If any of you ever want to come to Canada, don't hesitate to contact me. Canada is as big and spectacular as Australia but without the snakes, spiders and crocs :))
Many thanks!
Wannabe nomad said
05:13 PM Aug 19, 2023
I want to catch try and catch up with a friend in Kununurra.
I've only done one serious solo trip (with no plans at all), when I first bought my x-trail in 2020 I only made it as far as Alice from Murray Bridge and realised how unprepared I was and returned home.
However, I've learned a lot since, bought better stuff, done a 4x4 course and been back and forth to Melb (visit the grandkids) mostly free camping. I've been on short trips with the local 4x4 club and Oonandatta Track with the hubby. Now I think I'm ready.
Anyway, as I don't have my own power I will need a Caravan Park every 3 or 4 days so I have to be a little organised so I've made a rough plan using wikicamps. Checking out what places have a fridge ext. I'm planning on going from Murray Bridge to Darwin back to Katherine, across to Kununurra all the way down the coast, across the Nullabor and home.
I've told the hubby, who has no desire to come with me, I will be gone approx 3 to 4 months or whatever. I've added points of interest I don't want to miss to wikicamps; I'm open to staying somewhere if I really like the place (or if I get sick which I often do) and I've joined Aussie house sitters because who knows what might come up just when I fancy a bit of a rest.
Personally I found planning possible things I want to see or do and adding them to my wikicamps itinerary fun.
I have a leaving date (1st week in June 2024) but no other dates. I have an approximate time frame and will, where necessary book things the day before. If I want to go a particular tour and it's not available for 3 days then I'll hang around for 3 days. Or I like the place stay longer.
My point is it's good to have an idea of where and what you want to do and you do need some idea of how much you can afford to do. But, if you have it totally planned you will need to be prepared for it change, because it will.
I figure the old age pension will go into my bank wherever I am and I'm not getting any younger so yolo
Possum3 said
07:53 AM Aug 22, 2023
Framptonxx wrote:
If any of you ever want to come to Canada, don't hesitate to contact me. Canada is as big and spectacular as Australia but without the snakes, spiders and crocs :))
I can outrun them - We don't have to worry about all the varieties of Bear that will sneak into your camp and rip your arms off, or the Malicious Moose and Caribu - Let alone the meters of snow and ice that will freeze you to death.
But it is a very pretty place with friendly people (except maybe a couple of hockey players).
I follow the car bonnet and the bed brings up the rear..............
About 5yrs ago , while we were still poking around in 'old Inter' .
Ran into a bloke in an old Inter Aacco 4X4 , he was telling me ,
got to th end of a road he would turn here , turn there , just to
see where it took him. I'm a bit like that . Ok I might be going
from a to b , but I like to Enjoy th journey .
Richo
Thanks, that's kind of what I was after :)
Just follow the bonnet and enjoy the drive.
Dead right Chris so little time so just get out there and do I say.
I figured just drive out of town and keep going, no set itenery, no set time to stay in one particular place, no hurry no nothing, got plenty time to see the place
I like to research when I know I'll be heading in a certain direction. I don't want to miss anything along the way.
As an example, I'm heading to Victoria later in the year, so I'll be researching and making a list of places to see, things to do, rellies to look up.
An interest such as history adds a whole dimension to one's travel. Some planning is essential, it's too easy to miss something really worthwhile if one just wanders aimlessly.
Cupie made the comment "Fail to plan and you Plan to Fail. IMHO this only applies to purchasing your first caravan with little knowledge of what caravanning is all about - a high risk strategy.
As for itinaries - Ok for short trips will limited time available - but other wise Nah! We said goodbye to the house (sold) drove to the end of our road where it met the north/south highway, opened the champers and toasted our good fortune. We then flipped a coil to see whether we turned righ or left and oit has been magic ever since.
If you need assistance in getting the planning for your van up to speed I have recently completed a CD to this end. "Planning Your First Caravan"
Cheers John
Hi eveyone, I agree with what everyone says, it's not possible to plan an itinerary for something like the Big Lap. We're from Canada and plan on arriving in Sydney somewhere around july 2024 to do the big lap over the next 12 months.
Doing the Big Lap, starting in July would you recommend going south and clokcwise or north and counter clockwise?
Thanks!
Welcome. Secondly because this is such an old thread. I would start a new thread. When people see 2012 at the top they will more than likely ignore it.
Welcome to the Forum Frampton XX.
Granny got it right.
-- Edited by Possum3 on Tuesday 15th of August 2023 09:27:10 AM
Being primarily a free-camper I choose a destination then roughly work out a route to get there. I then choose the next destination and do the same. No time limits though because all depends upon what there is to do and see along the way. Works for me.
Any way enjoy the trip when you get here
Glenn
Hi. Our first lap (a figure 8) with a 2wd bus based motorhome took us 18 months & circa 45,000kms. We could very easily have taken longer & travelled further. However 12 months is a pretty reasonable timeframe. Many folk from overseas often think they can manage a lap in much less. I consider 12 months to be a sensible minimum, but if you don't need to book a return flight I'd still suggest that you leave it open if you can to allow for an 'extension' if you find that you want to.
If you plan to take a look at some of the 90+% of Australia that having a 4wd allows you to experience you will want longer! That said there is still more than enough to see & experience in 12 months without leaving sealed roads. A vehicle which you are comfortable to take just a few kms along rough or dusty roads (not necessarily 4wd) will open far more camping spots up for you if you think you might enjoy nature & peace as an alternative to caravan parks. It will need to have the means to stay off grid if you do. At a minimum power for overnight (or longer) & onboard water & toilet, sleeping & cooking facilities. If prepared to go to caravan parks every few days your off grid requirements will be less than if you want to stay off grid for more than a couple of nights at a time. Camping off grid is, in my view, the only way to experience natural Australia. Waking with the dawn chorus of the birds looking out onto beaches, deserts or forests without another person in sight is hard to beat! It is, I think something that Australia probably does better than just about anywhere else in the world.
I don't think direction makes a huge difference despite some commentary which may suggest one direction over another. Driving into the wind can be a pain, but whichever way you go, you'll experience it at some point.
The key is in the timing to be where you want to be when the weather is best. Hard to pick as weather patterns change, but 'following the sun' is what most folk 'doing a lap' try to do. Of course because this is what most try to do if you follow suit everywhere you go will be relatively busy. If you are prepared to experience hotter & more humid conditions (for example) then campsites will be less crowded & you will have a completely different experience.
As someone who lives in the southern half of Australia, I am most attracted to the year round warmth & the many differences of the Top End tropics when we travel, & unlike many I have come to love the tropical wet seasons, but if on a fixed timeframe the possibility of being unable to proceed because of flooded rivers etc is not ideal, even though it is exciting, dynamic & adventurous. However there are stunning places right around the country. Anyone who has been around will have a list of 'don't miss' places in their heads, but do try to save yourself some surprises rather than reading up on everything. I can guarantee that your very best memories will be from the 'unexpected'.
FWIW, if you are arriving in July (winter in the south) I would be heading north from Sydney. Bear in mind that whilst there is heaps of wonderful coastline between Sydney & Cairns the eastern coastal strip is also the busiest & most expensive part of Australia. However the rest of Australia has as much & more to offer, with less traffic & population density. I prefer beaches to ourselves & having enjoyed the east coast once am now happy to give it a miss in favour of the rest of the country. :)
Tasmania is worth a month or two if you can fit it in. Lovely place & quite different to the rest of Australia.
Horses for courses - depends on your personal preferences.
-- Edited by Cuppa on Tuesday 15th of August 2023 12:00:10 PM
From Sydney in July; I would do the big lap counterclockwise, my reasoning being weather, mainly the wind direction across the Southern Nularbor Plain.
Any chance of starting earlier than July? The roads are packed with vans travelling north from Sydney in May and June, and back the other way 5-6 months later. My preference would be to spend winter in the north and summer in the south, with that goal taking precendence over prevailing winds. Is your plan mainly around the outside or through the Red Centre? Unless you do a figure 8, or a lot of backtracking, there is a huge area you miss out on.
I think what would be better is to come up with a list of places you want to include and note when is good to be there and when not. And a lot of that depends on your personal interests. Are you happy in tourist season or prefer to sacrifice "best time" for less busy. Which of these appeal more ..... beaches, fishing, outback, mountains, snow, red centre, isolation, nightlife, aboriginal culture, heritage and more. With some key goals, and some places in mind. go the Bureau of Meterology (BOM) and get some climate statistics for those areas. There is a huge amount of climate data available. Then you can work out a tentative time plan.
BOM Climate Statistics
As you are from Canada you may find the colder climates fine, but maybe have some difficulty acclimatising to the hot north. Also you probably want to avoid the northern wet season ... strongest in mid summer. You also have the risk of cyclones.
We own an old camper van here in Canada and we really like travelling this way. We prefer being out in nature more than caravan parks whenever we can. Purchasing the van is my biggest concern, we don't want to spend a month travelling to find the van and buying a vehicle from 17000Km away is complicated for the seller and for the buyer, but I guess it will be part of the adventure!
As far as the weather is concerned, hot or cold we don't really mind, we get everything and in every season here, but we'd like to avoid extreme weather like cyclones ... and "traffic jams". My original thought was to be somewhere between Sydney and the Gold Coast for winter and then go back south to Victoria and Tasmania for spring.
We can't stay more than 12 months, that's the maximum tourist visa you can get, 12 months over a 18 month period.
We do plan to try and visit the red center but our goal is to go from place to place, without a predefined itinerary and decide as we go.
Thanks Again!
As I said 'Horses for Courses'.
That's certainly not how I would spend July/August/September. To me it sounds like a 'waste' of your limited time, the best months of the year .... if you intend to drive a 'lap'.
Best months to visit Tassie weather-wise are Nov -March.
I'm in Victoria at the moment (home) - Overnight temps down to around +2 to minus 4 deg.c (so far). Daytime temps 7-13 & often grey & wet. Late September/early October is spring. (getting a bit warmer, but often wet & windy). September/October in Tassie will still be predominantly wet, windy & at risk of snow & frosts. In short not the most appealing weathers to be camping in.
Spending those 3 months or more where you suggest is a big chunk out of a 12 month trip & if you want to experience the country's natural & wild 'jewels in the crown' 'predominantly in the north & the central deserts). I'm guessing that at some point you would wish you had done things differently.
Top End overnight temps between 11-20 & Daytime temps 25 -30 currently
By early October Top End (Cairns to Broome) that changes to 25-30 overnight & 35-40 daytime with humidity rising to 100% & constantly wet clothes. The Wet season/cylcone season can begin anytime from as early as November or as late as January & continues through late May/early June.
At this time of the year the central deserts will also be experiencing minus overnight temperatures, but T shirt weather during the day.
You will struggle to be everywhere at the optimum times, so picking a couple of places which are the biggest attraction to you & aiming to be there at best time, & then fitting everything else in around those is likely the best you can do.
An example. Kakadu National park is predominantly about Aboriginal culture & wildlife. The optimum wildlife experience really requires that you are there early in the dry season. Whilst there is still plenty of water in the many billabongs - the reward is wall to wall birdlife as far as the eye can see. When the water is sufficiently low to attract huge numbers of different wading birds. And waterfalls still flowing. Too early the experience is driving from cultural site (rock art) to cultural site -with little to see between them as mostly the roads have forest right to their edge. (You'll still see crocs etc at some sites & birdlife on Yellow Waters). Too late - the magnificently huge numbers of birds have dwindled away & waterfalls have dried up.
If nature is your thing, for a 12 month trip I suggest that buying a 4wd is almost mandatory. A good option would be a Toyota Troop carrier with a pop top roof camper conversion. This will provide you with the greatest flexibility in regard to where you can camp & to visit places with best natural attractions & wildlife.
FWIW my 'top picks' are probably (in no particular order) the Kimberley, Cape York, the East Pilbara, the South west corner of WA, the Red centre & the West coast of Tasmania. (Plus Kakadu if there at the right time). My all-time favourite locations are the Dampier peninsula pindan cliff coastlines north of Broome, all of the north Kimberley, the gorges of Karijini NP, the Bungle bungles, The Iron Range rainforest, the magnificently scenic white beaches among one of the planet's top biodiversity hotspots in the SW corner of Western Australia & our best ever two camp spots [drum roll] - 'Running Waters' in the east Pilbara & Cape Domett on the East Kimberley coast.
You may find flicking though our blog(s) useful to provide a bit of inspiration?
-- Edited by Cuppa on Friday 18th of August 2023 11:05:57 AM
-- Edited by Cuppa on Friday 18th of August 2023 12:41:53 PM
When reading responses, be aware that some have differing views on what weather conditions are good and bad. I come from Sydney and find the heat up north uncomfortable, so would only want to be there in the cooler half of the year. Similarly, the appeal of Tasmania in cooler weather is not appealing, but I found mid October to be fine. Down around zero overnight but some days were T shirt weather. In some places, off season means some attractions are closed.
I suggested that as you were from Canada, the cooler temperatures may be less of an issue for you. Rainfall and wind are a different story, hence the suggestion to look up climate statistics.
A vehicle something like this.
https://www.caravancampingsales.com.au/items/details/2007-toyota-troopcarrier/SSE-AD-15690701/?Cr=0>s=SSE-AD-15690701>sSaleId=SSE-AD-15690701>sViewType=showcase&rankingType=showcase
You would be able to sell it for a similar price after 12 months .... or may find a dealer prepared to offer a buy back deal.
Toyotas are more expensive than other brands, but do hold their price well.
I usually make a fairly rigid plan of
But...
At the first corner/cross road, the plan then changes, to just go in the general direction
The reason we're thinking of starting in Sydney is the plane ticket price and it's about the only way to get to Australia from Eastern Canada, without doing 3 or 4 layovers. This being said depending on where we wind up, I agree, we'll go north or inland for a few months and try and slowly make our way south. I realize it's not possible to be at the right place at the right time of year all the time.
The Toyota Troop carrier is an interesting vehicle, it's definitely something we'll look for. It really depends on what's available when are ready to purchase.
Cuppa, very nice blog!
If any of you ever want to come to Canada, don't hesitate to contact me. Canada is as big and spectacular as Australia but without the snakes, spiders and crocs :))
Many thanks!
I've only done one serious solo trip (with no plans at all), when I first bought my x-trail in 2020 I only made it as far as Alice from Murray Bridge and realised how unprepared I was and returned home.
However, I've learned a lot since, bought better stuff, done a 4x4 course and been back and forth to Melb (visit the grandkids) mostly free camping. I've been on short trips with the local 4x4 club and Oonandatta Track with the hubby. Now I think I'm ready.
Anyway, as I don't have my own power I will need a Caravan Park every 3 or 4 days so I have to be a little organised so I've made a rough plan using wikicamps. Checking out what places have a fridge ext. I'm planning on going from Murray Bridge to Darwin back to Katherine, across to Kununurra all the way down the coast, across the Nullabor and home.
I've told the hubby, who has no desire to come with me, I will be gone approx 3 to 4 months or whatever. I've added points of interest I don't want to miss to wikicamps; I'm open to staying somewhere if I really like the place (or if I get sick which I often do) and I've joined Aussie house sitters because who knows what might come up just when I fancy a bit of a rest.
Personally I found planning possible things I want to see or do and adding them to my wikicamps itinerary fun.
I have a leaving date (1st week in June 2024) but no other dates. I have an approximate time frame and will, where necessary book things the day before. If I want to go a particular tour and it's not available for 3 days then I'll hang around for 3 days. Or I like the place stay longer.
My point is it's good to have an idea of where and what you want to do and you do need some idea of how much you can afford to do. But, if you have it totally planned you will need to be prepared for it change, because it will.
I figure the old age pension will go into my bank wherever I am and I'm not getting any younger so yolo
I can outrun them - We don't have to worry about all the varieties of Bear that will sneak into your camp and rip your arms off, or the Malicious Moose and Caribu - Let alone the meters of snow and ice that will freeze you to death.
But it is a very pretty place with friendly people (except maybe a couple of hockey players).