Free camp or Caravan park for our maiden voyage???
buffy61 said
05:58 PM Jan 22, 2013
Hopefully get the van within the next week!
OMG...lost so much money bring NZ $$$$ here!!!
Anyway...the deed is done and car is sorted. So...thinking about the first dummy run (with the dummies at the wheel!!)
Ultimately we want to free camp but we dont have solar power or generator yet. Wondering if we should go to a national park for a few nights or a caravan park.
Want to test all the systems and see how it goes.
Live in Brisbane and dont want to go too far. Any ideas??
Buffy
ps.. here is a pic of the inside... the club lounge was the clincher!!! :)
Which side of Brisbane are you from? If the South side there are some lovely free or low cost camp sites out from Beaudesert on the Scenic Rim.
My preference though for first time out would be a van park, some great parks down on the Gold Coast down the Southern end or down on the Tweed, shouldn't be too busy now as the holidays are almost over.
Cheers
David
vkgreenie said
07:41 PM Jan 22, 2013
Hey Buffy
We are in Bris Vegas, and have been hiding while the "little darlings are on holidays"
Went for a run down the NSW north coast last week on a seek and find mission, and yes the weekly rates drop dramatically in parks from the 29th Jan. Big choice of parks, from Fingal, Kingscliffe, Pottsville, Hastings Point to name a few.
We are coming out of our cubby house on the 29th and wil be "on the road again"
We might cross paths. Just keep you eye open for the Val and the RetroLiner.
Cheers and beers
P & W
Dougwe said
07:43 PM Jan 22, 2013
I tend to agree with RD, Buffy. Go to a CV park, that way you have power and can try everything out and can disconnect the power while there to try other things if you can or want to. My shakedown trip was a CV park over seas.
I live in Sth West Gippsland, Vic and went 40 mins away to Cowes on Phillip Island. :)
brickies said
07:54 PM Jan 22, 2013
Buffy if you want to get things sorted a trip to Maleny Showgrounds plenty of room to practice parking your rig, powered site and water $15 a night and chance to try out using all your gear
neilnruth said
10:15 PM Jan 22, 2013
I agree with the above. CP for the first time. Then try a freecamp when you have the solar etc. Just getting used to the bed, the cupboards, the ensuite, the awning etc is all part of the first trip.
Gerty Dancer said
10:32 PM Jan 22, 2013
Even taking an unpowered site in a caravan park can be an adventure when you are new to the game. Enjoy!
grandpabob said
12:39 AM Jan 23, 2013
Hi Buffy You may like to consider Esk CP its not to far and has a wealth of things to do and see. Somerset Dam, Historical walks etc. Just have a great time no matter where you go.
Popeye said
01:49 AM Jan 23, 2013
I second Esk CP. A great place and CP.
jimricho said
02:57 AM Jan 23, 2013
Popeye wrote:
I second Esk CP. A great place and CP.
Ditto, stayed there on my return from Nth Qld last spring.
deadlyprincess said
09:16 AM Jan 23, 2013
Hi Buffy, a freeby with power, shower (hot or cold), toilet and water at hand is our place at fernvale, 5 acres to play around with where you can try out your new toys including a camp fire!
way2gokev said
01:04 AM Jan 24, 2013
Hi Buffy. Like you I pick up the van late next week and I will being doing a maiden voyage with the new van. Hav'nt towed for 2 years but still have the old Patrol, so I know how to drive that, 22ft of luxuary home behind me you better do a shake down cruise. So my choice is gunna be a bit of a road trip, then park up somewhere that has ammenities but wide open spaces and test my abilities and iron the problems out if any. I would not be heading for a caravan park without abit of practice, could be very embarrising. If things go wrong you can swear and curse without the prospect of being locked up for the night for disturbance. One of the biggest test is making sure the van is following you, you can see with your side mirrors past the van and you are happy and capable in traffic. Anyway best of luck and hope nothing untowards happens on your maiden voyage. cheers Kev
brickies said
01:31 AM Jan 24, 2013
That why I picked Maleny showground plenty of room to practice back without everyone at the caravan park watching for you to make a mistake which they do
Hopefully get the van within the next week!
OMG...lost so much money bring NZ $$$$ here!!!
Anyway...the deed is done and car is sorted. So...thinking about the first dummy run (with the dummies at the wheel!!
)
Ultimately we want to free camp but we dont have solar power or generator yet. Wondering if we should go to a national park for a few nights or a caravan park.
Want to test all the systems and see how it goes.
Live in Brisbane and dont want to go too far. Any ideas??
Buffy
ps.. here is a pic of the inside... the club lounge was the clincher!!! :)
Hi Buffey
Which side of Brisbane are you from? If the South side there are some lovely free or low cost camp sites out from Beaudesert on the Scenic Rim.
My preference though for first time out would be a van park, some great parks down on the Gold Coast down the Southern end or down on the Tweed, shouldn't be too busy now as the holidays are almost over.
Cheers
David
Hey Buffy
We are in Bris Vegas, and have been hiding while the "little darlings are on holidays"
Went for a run down the NSW north coast last week on a seek and find mission, and yes the weekly rates drop dramatically in parks from the 29th Jan. Big choice of parks, from Fingal, Kingscliffe, Pottsville, Hastings Point to name a few.
We are coming out of our cubby house on the 29th and wil be "on the road again"
We might cross paths. Just keep you eye open for the Val and the RetroLiner.
Cheers and beers
P & W
I tend to agree with RD, Buffy. Go to a CV park, that way you have power and can try everything out and can disconnect the power while there to try other things if you can or want to. My shakedown trip was a CV park over seas.
I live in Sth West Gippsland, Vic and went 40 mins away to Cowes on Phillip Island. :)
Somerset Dam, Historical walks etc.
Just have a great time no matter where you go.
I second Esk CP. A great place and CP.
Ditto, stayed there on my return from Nth Qld last spring.
Hi Buffy. Like you I pick up the van late next week and I will being doing a maiden voyage with the new van. Hav'nt towed for 2 years but still have the old Patrol, so I know how to drive that, 22ft of luxuary home behind me you better do a shake down cruise. So my choice is gunna be a bit of a road trip, then park up somewhere that has ammenities but wide open spaces and test my abilities and iron the problems out if any. I would not be heading for a caravan park without abit of practice, could be very embarrising. If things go wrong you can swear and curse without the prospect of being locked up for the night for disturbance. One of the biggest test is making sure the van is following you, you can see with your side mirrors past the van and you are happy and capable in traffic. Anyway best of luck and hope nothing untowards happens on your maiden voyage. cheers Kev
Thanks Princess....have sent you a message.
Cheers all!!