I've just past the magic age of 60 and with my partner, Di (who has yet to reach that magnificent milestone), we started thinking about what to do now that the kids have left and the house is too big and there's heaps of places we haven't been and heaps of things we haven't done. Our minds turned towards travelling this great land and living out of a caravan - started doing some research online and found heaps that just confirmed how little we really knew. So many options and so many salespeople who'll apparently say anything if it helps them make a sale. What I'm hoping for is to get some "real-world" advise about what's involved, where to go to get accurate information and if possible, the chance to meet and actually talk to some people who are doing this - we're in Adelaide so if there's any nomands that wouldn't mind sharing their experience and knowledge over a coffee or a beer or whatever I'd really appreciate it.
Thanks in advance
DAve & Di
GaryKelly said
08:22 PM Apr 1, 2013
You've come to the right place, D&D. No shortage of experienced GNs here who are more than willing to share their stories. Within a week or two of reading the forums, you'll be experts.
Yuglamron said
08:48 PM Apr 1, 2013
Firstly welcome to the forum,secondly, you have started by asking questions which is the right thing to do.We all started being non nomads and we learn something new every day and as Gary said all the knowledge in the world on here from general stuff to experts in various fields.
I don't know which way you want to go, Motorhome Caravan and tug,camp trailer ,whatever, there are fans of all of those on here. All with lots of experience.
If you were thinking of a motorhome a good place to start would be a company called rental relocations.
You can rent a motorhome to relocate from say Adelaide to Melbourne for a small fee and fuel allowance. A set time to get from A to B.
It gives you the opportunity to see what suits,small medium ,large and different setups as well. You don't get a great deal of freetime but it does give you something to base research on.
I am not sure if there is anything similar for caravans but you can rent campertrailers to try and see if they suit.
I'm Lynn and hubby is Les There's a terrific book called "The Grey Nomads" written by the GN's that started this web site. I got it from Collins Books online for $3.50 (brand new) they were having an 88% special. It has heaps of answers to nearly all your questions...including things you never thought of lol.
We live up north from you, in the Mid North of SA. In a little town called Laura, the home of Golden North Ice cream. We have bought our caravan now, just waiting for our youngest to finish Yr12 so we can sell up and start traveling...so hopefully in 2015 and counting down
If you want to chat here or meet up let me know :)
the rocket said
10:29 PM Apr 1, 2013
Hello and welcome. If you come to Brisbane be sure to get in touch. We are at this stage of life also. We are "rebirthing". A new life awaits that is exciting yet full of trepidation. new experiences. hold on, like us, you are in for a wild ride.
OzDave said
11:27 PM Apr 1, 2013
Thanks to all who responded, and so quickly - I wasn't expecting that.
Gary - don't know about being an expert - the more I "learn" the less I seem to know - I'm putting it all away for a bit because my brain's full :)
Yuglamrom - thanks for the link. I'll check that out a little further when my brain stops hurting :) Got to be honest, the motor home option doesn't appeal that much since the accommodation and the transport is in the same package so if you get somewhere, set up and realise you forgot essential supplies like beer and the pub's 5 km away what do you do? pack up so you can drive down there. Given the number of people with them I guess I must be missing something and that's something else I have to learn. What is really attracting my attention at the moment are fifth wheelers their size is both their strength and their weakness - costs are pretty high though. But I'm not rushing a decision - still a heap more to learn.
Lynn, know Laura - not as much as I know Golden North - best ice cream in the country I reckon. I've ordered a book from the ABC called the Grey Nomads Guidebook - is that the same thing? Also ordered dome DVDs from GreyNomad 101 - hope they're useful. Love to meet you and if we get to traveling your way I'll be in contact.
Rocket, my partner comes from Caboolture and she's going up there in July - I want to go with her but don't know if I'll be able to. I'm sure she'd love to meet up and have a natter. I don't know if there's a pm function on the forum to exchange contact details but I'll figure out something.
Thanks again all - I'll keep on reading and learning although probably not in the same proportions :)
Dave
Grams said
11:31 PM Apr 1, 2013
Yep Dave that's the book, well worth reading.
neilnruth said
12:26 AM Apr 2, 2013
Welcome Ozdave. This is the best forum for quick answers. Everyday there are dozens of posts and lots of answers to lots of questions. And that book is great. It's mentioned on the opening page for this website.
Sheba said
02:43 AM Apr 2, 2013
Don't know if you realise the Greynomads 101 DVD's are not connected to this site. They look as though they'll have good info. though.
Cheers,
Sheba.
wendyv said
03:25 AM Apr 2, 2013
If you haven't already come across it, worth looking at caravanersforum. Lots of excellent info and advice on there about the travelling lifestyle and some very good technical advice on caravans, fifth wheelers and vehicles to tow same.
Pete49 said
05:12 AM Apr 2, 2013
wendyv wrote:
If you haven't already come across it, worth looking at caravanersforum. Lots of excellent info and advice on there about the travelling lifestyle and some very good technical advice on caravans, fifth wheelers and vehicles to tow same.
As long as you don't mind censorship, misinformation and general bloody mindedness its ok
I've just past the magic age of 60 and with my partner, Di (who has yet to reach that magnificent milestone), we started thinking about what to do now that the kids have left and the house is too big and there's heaps of places we haven't been and heaps of things we haven't done. Our minds turned towards travelling this great land and living out of a caravan - started doing some research online and found heaps that just confirmed how little we really knew. So many options and so many salespeople who'll apparently say anything if it helps them make a sale. What I'm hoping for is to get some "real-world" advise about what's involved, where to go to get accurate information and if possible, the chance to meet and actually talk to some people who are doing this - we're in Adelaide so if there's any nomands that wouldn't mind sharing their experience and knowledge over a coffee or a beer or whatever I'd really appreciate it.
Thanks in advance
DAve & Di
Firstly welcome to the forum,secondly, you have started by asking questions which is the right thing to do.We all started being non nomads and we learn something new every day and as Gary said all the knowledge in the world on here from general stuff to experts in various fields.
I don't know which way you want to go, Motorhome Caravan and tug,camp trailer ,whatever, there are fans of all of those on here. All with lots of experience.
If you were thinking of a motorhome a good place to start would be a company called rental relocations.
You can rent a motorhome to relocate from say Adelaide to Melbourne for a small fee and fuel allowance. A set time to get from A to B.
It gives you the opportunity to see what suits,small medium ,large and different setups as well. You don't get a great deal of freetime but it does give you something to base research on.
I am not sure if there is anything similar for caravans but you can rent campertrailers to try and see if they suit.
Anyway good luck and enjoy the research phase.
http://www.standbyrelocs.com/
I'm Lynn and hubby is Les
We live up north from you, in the Mid North of SA. In a little town called Laura, the home of Golden North Ice cream. We have bought our caravan now, just waiting for our youngest to finish Yr12 so we can sell up and start traveling...so hopefully in 2015 and counting down
If you want to chat here or meet up let me know :)
Hello and welcome. If you come to Brisbane be sure to get in touch. We are at this stage of life also. We are "rebirthing". A new life awaits that is exciting yet full of trepidation. new experiences. hold on, like us, you are in for a wild ride.
Gary - don't know about being an expert - the more I "learn" the less I seem to know - I'm putting it all away for a bit because my brain's full :)
Yuglamrom - thanks for the link. I'll check that out a little further when my brain stops hurting :) Got to be honest, the motor home option doesn't appeal that much since the accommodation and the transport is in the same package so if you get somewhere, set up and realise you forgot essential supplies like beer and the pub's 5 km away what do you do? pack up so you can drive down there. Given the number of people with them I guess I must be missing something and that's something else I have to learn. What is really attracting my attention at the moment are fifth wheelers their size is both their strength and their weakness - costs are pretty high though. But I'm not rushing a decision - still a heap more to learn.
Lynn, know Laura - not as much as I know Golden North - best ice cream in the country I reckon. I've ordered a book from the ABC called the Grey Nomads Guidebook - is that the same thing? Also ordered dome DVDs from GreyNomad 101 - hope they're useful. Love to meet you and if we get to traveling your way I'll be in contact.
Rocket, my partner comes from Caboolture and she's going up there in July - I want to go with her but don't know if I'll be able to. I'm sure she'd love to meet up and have a natter. I don't know if there's a pm function on the forum to exchange contact details but I'll figure out something.
Thanks again all - I'll keep on reading and learning although probably not in the same proportions :)
Dave
Don't know if you realise the Greynomads 101 DVD's are not connected to this site. They look as though they'll have good info. though.
Cheers,
Sheba.
As long as you don't mind censorship, misinformation and general bloody mindedness its ok
Pete