Hi All,

I am a single woman, hoping to pluck up the courage to venture out on my own.  I'd appreciate any tips/ideas.  Thanks, Karen.

Just do it

I would suggest a small motorhome rather than a caravan. The CMCA (Caravan and Motorhome Club of Australia) is great for tips, insurance, and has a 'singles' group who give great support to each other. As above,..... "Just do it"!

Hi Karen I'm in the same boat as you. I'm by myself but it's something I really want to do and I think we've just got to brave enough to do it. I'm looking at a campervan rather then a caravan as I think a camper would be more manoeuverable for me. Good luck and who knows, we may just bump into each other on the road. I'll be interested in the feedback you get. Teresa

Hi Karen. There are a few of us in NZ also. Go girl... just do it... !
Having been around NZ... I would be interested in joining up with someone there ( for safety's sake... snake ignorance etc ) to do some ex-tented trips there. If anyone wants some company, sing out ( e-mail )
I used to driving, can change a tyre & can produce a mean meal.
I'm 51.  coastalong@clear.net.nz

HHi Teresa - thanks for your encouragement.  I agree with you, a camper sounds like the better option.  I'm doing plenty of research and trying to save a few bucks, but as you say - we may meet on the road one day!  Good luck!

Hi thanks for sharing your experiences, though I think NZ is a little less threatening...as you say no snakes to worry about!  Though I have to admit its not the snakes that worry me, its the the thought of upacking the camper/tent to find you've been carrying a hitchhiker in the form af a hairy Huntsman spider!  Yes a strong independant woman I am....until I come face to face with an 8 legged monster!  Good luck with your travels!  Karen.

Hi again Kazma. Personally I would stick to a dual rear wheel drive camper unit & one accessible from the drivers seat into the unit itself....
The dual wheel 4 better chance & ease if you need to get yourself "unstuck", along with still being able to carefully drive even if one tyre is flat & you can get yourself in a good position to remedy the situation.
The other... for personal safety & staying dry.
Things that clallenge a sole journeyer there & have differences from here.
 I live on the West Coast South Island, the most rugged coast, dense bush, high elevation dirt tracks, high rainfall & sudden cold conditions. One primary skill needed here is weather sense & ability to read water flow & depth for frequent river crossing given that access into out most unspoiled back country / high country is via the many braided waterways exiting our coastlines. 
Being proficient at using ground tackle, winches & packing methods for extraction safety are needed. That said though, our cell coverage is good & as there is not the vastness, getting lost & being unreachable is not as high a risk factor as it would be there I imagine.... 
PS.. We do have huntsman spiders... & white tails.... but thank the Lord, no snakes... ( shudder )  PS. 4 anyone interested, I would swap my home 4 six months here for a mobile home there....