We would like to say hello to all the folks belonging to the Grey Nomads Tribe,tribe being meant in the nicest way.We are starting out to meander our way around this great land.my name is Martin,my wife is Sylvia.Our gear is a Ford Falcon EL station waggon,a Jayco Penguin camper trailer.We also have our mate Wally the Staffie pup .Kind regards to all the GN'S.

Gidday Dave normally greets Newbies, he is a Guru, and I am just a lesser, but in his absence, I greet you. Tells us where your from and where you are heading. If you need any advice or a good joke, just ask

Thanks Two Bob.We live in North Arm Cove NSW.As for where we are heading well that depends if the steering wheel pulls left or right when join the Pacific hwy.Seriously we are not making any serious plans about destinations.We both love life,people,a good laugh a few cold ones etc.

Hi and welcome Martin and Silvia. When are you heading off? I'm sure you'll find lots of good advice and friendship in this forum. I've recently joined and I have found everyone very helpful and friendly. Happy travels.

Hi Martin and Sylvia.
A big welcome this is a great place to hang out, Have fun.
Cheers Frank.

Welcome from me too.... I'l probably get a bolloking from Dave as he is the self elected welcomer....
Enjoy the forum, I hope you get as much out of it as I do.

Hello Martin and Sylvia, nice to see you. I am a relative newbie here also; husband and I are Aspiring Grey Nomads, just need to sell the house first. You sound like you are "planning" your roaming about the same way we are! LOL Enjoy!

Thank you for your kind welcome.We are planning to leave early in the new year.At this stage we are just going to"go".Cheers martin.

Hi and welcome from another newbie as well!! I'm a Kiwi who's recently come over, specifically to do the Grey Nomad thing, after seeing a programme on TV about it, 7 yrs ago, and couldn't get it out of my head!! I have just taken possession of my Winnebago Freeway and am as proud as Punch!! Just getting it all cleaned up, (choked on the dust driving it back from Nagambie on Tuesday), and am outfitting it as well. (Giving it a 'Womans touch' as it has been owned by a 'bloke' with 2 sons). Hope to set off full time after Christmas. Cheers, Dianne

Bub's
While I do not know your experience with such as a Winnie, I suspect it is all new and exciting.

May i suggest the following

Get a check list together of things you need to do everyday
ie  Check the lights all work, and how to change same
    Know how to check the engine, oil and water, and how things should look
    Know to tap, each tire, to be sure it is fully inflated
    Know how everything should sound, and act. Stop and check if not same

these are the thing good truckies do, who do long distances everyday

also
    Familarise yourself with it as a whole mechanically, how it should be and how things should look - are they in the same place, even undernearth

    Know how to change the spare, on all wheels (some have duals on the back)
    Know how fill and when to empty tanks (grey if aplicatable)
    Know where the batteries are, and that they require "topping up"

I may be telling you how to "suck eggs", but if not said and understood, your trip may be downgraded.

Also remember, to check things like fuel gauges, against odometer, so you never run out of fuel, because the fuel gauge is not as accurate as it could be.

I suppose what I am saying, do a couple of short safe trips to start, and get your comfort zone, and not look like a dork, when it becomes a way of life.

Twobob.
Well said a good check list, weather be a tent,trailer-tent, RV or van.
Short trips to try out are the goooooo.
Cheers Frank. 

I appreciate your words of wisdom and thank you for giving me the "gen".I would also like to say a big thank you to all the other kind Grey Nomads who have written to us.We will be travelling on the tar only with a Jayco Penguin and my trusty el falcon waggon oh and Wally our three month old Staffie.We have had a camper trailer,caravan,and campervan.The camper trailer had to go after an episode at Moonee Beach,trying to put the bloody thing up by oneself was an experience,I nearly had to phone the SES to rescue me from its inards.Oh well happy days are ahead with the Jayco.(I hope lol).Cheers to everyone martin and Sylvia.