Welcome to the Solo's Forum

Webmaster · Guru

Welcome to the Solo's Forum

Fran · Newbie

Is it realistic for a 50 something female to travel Australia on her own?

nancyhector · Veteran Member

Hi,

I live in Greenvale, Qld, 245kls from Townsville, 205kls from Charters Towers (going South) and about 250kls from one of my favoutite places (going North) Innot Hot Springs.

Contact me if you will be passing this way and returning, and want some company and share petrol.

suenami · Senior Member

It sure is Fran. In my research over the past 18 months I've discovered a huge number of adventurous women doing it solo - and we're all over 50. I'm 57 and went around in 1972. I decided to sell my house to fund everything and I will be a permanent nomad. You meet some wonderful like-minded people including men and women doing it solo. You'll meet up with them again in the next town or wherever. Tag along with others. It's like making new friends every day and some will be firm forever friends. So if you choose you needn't be on your own much at all. There's always a helping hand if you need it. I'm on the far south coast of NSW if you're ever this way.
Cheers

nancyhector · Veteran Member

I posted a reply yesterday, but can't see it now. Have lots of trouble seeing posts.

nancyhector · Veteran Member

NOW its working!! Great to have this space.

Fran · Newbie

Hi Sue - thanks for that - I love to travel but am on my own now but would love to travel Australia the Grey Nomad way. What sort of rig would you advise - I was thinking the camper van type rather than caravan - I am not mechanically minded and would be concerned I cannot manage to stabilise etc on own. I also have never been a "camper" - but am willing to have a go! Would love some advice. Fran

Extaff · Member

Hi Sue and Fran and all you other solos out there. Nice to know there are other female lone travellers. I have a small motorhome, built on a Nissan Navarra ute. I find her really easy to drive, as long as you don't try to push her faster than she wants to go, and let her decide which gear she wants to use. So far I've done many short trips of 1 or 2 hours, plus one interstate trip of 1,000klms each way. Enjoyed every minute of it! I free-camped each time and didn't feel nervous at all. In the process of getting a few things fixed, then intend to hit the road come Spring. I'm in the Hunter valley, if anyone's coming thru I'd love to meet you. Love the cat, by the way!

suenami · Senior Member

Fran, my original thought was a campervan until I decided that I would be a full time nomad and that my rig would be my home (I don't have time to learn from my mistakes). You don't need to be mechanically minded, just a bit of common sense. My first stop was this website were I found the article on Venture 5th wheelers. Pretty impressive and they are easier than towing a van. Venture (in Toowoomba) put me in touch with a 55 year-old who sold her house bought a fifth wheeler and Falcon Ute and just took off. She had never towed anything before and after a couple of hiccups with hitching and unhitching she's having the time of her life. She did post to me some of her travel stories plus a copy of "The Wanderer", which opened up a whole new world. The "nomad" way would be 'take your time and enjoy'. The destination is not the main event. I joined the CMCA and belong to a couple of forums and have learned much in the last 18 months. "Google" anything you want to know. I can post you some back issues of the Wanderer if you like - that'll give you heaps to ponder. Wander around some RV and caravan dealers and see what they have on offer. I'm a long-time camper so a camp fire has great allure for me. Could go on forever. Getting impatient now to sell my house - not much in it but it will cover my needs. Will leave my number if you'd like to talk. Cheers smile

nancyhector · Veteran Member

Now that my health is on the mend, I am also thinking about selling the house and making a 'rig' my home.
Turn 62 soon, and feel this should be the time to 'get-out-there', but where to AFTER that? Never be able to buy back in the housing market. Or am I too much of a scardie-cat, having roamed the world in my miss-spent youth, mostly as a BMW 750 pillion.

suenami · Senior Member

Good Question. That's why it's taken me over 12 months to come to this deision. If I look that far ahead I won't do anything. But I imagine I would settle happily in a caravan park when I can no longer get around. Centrelink told me I can get rent assistance (even on the move they say).

Marilyn Porter · Member

Asked earlier in the month on 'Grey Nomad forum' about a traveling partner from Daly Waters or Alice Springs to the Hunter Valley. Reckon I'm too late to advertise here, I'm leaving tomorrow.

Might be lucky though. I will be leaving Dunmarra on Sat 30/8 heading towards Alice, but staying Sunday night on a cattle station off the Tanami. Will be in Alice about Monday lunchtime then heading south. Originally planned on Oodnadatta Track but now going on the tar - longer but quicker & more reliable - so to Port Augusta, Peterborough, Broken Hill, Cobar, then
Hunter Valley. Driving a Troopie, with my dog - he's not the driver, camping along the way, staying at caravan parks (that welcomes dogs). Have to be smart about the trip as I need to be back home by Sat 6/9.

So if anyone needs a lift, there is a one way seat available. Looking for company along the way - it's a long drive. Slim's conversation is limited to bark 7 woof.

Ole Grizzly · Senior Member

Well, how lucky is Slim then. A seat by himself, head out the window, barking at nothing, and having a great time.....

Stay well Marilyn..enjoy the drive..and pull over when tired
See you back in the forum when you get home.

Happy Travelling

NannyMon · Veteran Member

Hi Everyone,

I have just joined today and was browsing. How lovely you all sound.

Good luck with your trip Marilyn. Put your seat belt on Slim, mum is ready to roll. I have a seat belt for my little dog and he loves it, sit up there and looks out the window and he can see everything. Barks at all the other dogs we past.

Take care ...... Monica

Helen · Veteran Member

Hi
Have just joined and thrilled to find the forum. Travelling alone is a great adventure but to exchange ideas with others in the same boat gives a true feeling of community
I am 64 and have been on the road for 15 months. Have spent the past couple of months near Melbourne to help out with my new grandson.
I have a Coromal Pioneer van, 13 ft, towed by an XTrail which I find works well. I have had to be quite strict about weight as I tend to pack too much. I am sure this is a problem with those of us permanently on the road.
Taking off again in Oct. See you out there! Helen

Bubs · Senior Member

Hi
I have just joined and am thrilled to read this forum and find like minded people with the same fears, are scared stiff, but doing it anyway!!
I have just sold up my home and every material thing I owned, in New Zealand, and landed here in Melbourne (at my Sister's), and in the process of looking at motorhomes to live permanently on the road.
I am 54, and will need to work as I go. I know I can do it and look forward to MY adventure!
I think my Son's think I've 'lost the plot'!
Bubs

NannyMon · Veteran Member

Hi Helen,

Nice to meet you, fifteen months, that's a long time, I admire you for that, as yet I have not hit the road, I have only done the one little try out trip, see solo page. Like you I think I will have trouble keeping my weight down in the van, I find myself thinking oh I must take that out and put in the van. I don't have a caravan but a little Hi ace, I have only just bought it but for my little dog and myself I think it will be big enough, at this stage I'm only using it for trips. I was not sure I could handle towing a caravan hence the Hi ace.

Like you I was thrilled to find this forum, as I know nothing about caravanning, but I have always wanted a van of some kind. I hope you keep in touch and let me know how things are going for you.

Oh are you using your computer from your van, if so, how does that work.

Take care ..... Monica

NannyMon · Veteran Member

Hi Bub,

Wow look at all us newbies. I joined yesterday. Unlike you I have not sold my home or car but just bought a little van to trip around it. I was not that courageous ... good on you. Even though I haven't sold anything I am still scared stiff, thinking have I made a mistake buying this van. At the moment I am running two vehicles as I didn't want to sell my little car, I am very fond of it and I'm not quite sure if I will like been on the road permently. I figured if I just bought a van I could see how it went. Like you I will have to watch my pennies, I am older than you and I been retired for the past 3 years and I am not sure if I would be able to get a job again. I thought I would save and then do a trip and come back home and save again. Again unlike you my son did not think I had "lost the plot" but encouraged me, he came with me when I bought the Hi ace. Originally I said I wasn't going to buy it but he said "Mum what have you got to lose, buy it if you don't like it, sell it and you will probably get your money back". So I took a deep breath and bought it. I drove it home and have done one trip in it, and now it is in been serviced and I hope to get on the road soon just for a couple of weeks.

Good luck with your motorhome hunting. Please keep in touch and let us all know how your going.

Take care .... Monica

Helen · Veteran Member

Hi Monica,
Yes I use my computer on the road. Have a laptop and Bigpond wireless modem so I can be in touch wherever there is reception. As I like to bush camp as well, I have an 80 watt solar panel and a 150w converter so can be without power forever. A great option except when it is cold and I need a heater!!
Cheeers Helen

Basil Faulty · Guru

Helen wrote:

great option except when it is cold and I need a heater!!
Cheeers Helen

That Helen is what single blokes are for..... to keep you warm and secure....

suenami · Senior Member

MMmmm, Basil does that mean I should hold off on the heater decision confused

dave06 · Guru

Sue, stick with the heater, it doesnt snore, it wont wet the bed and it wont leave the porta pottie seat up or wet, and it wont make promises that it cant keep, or drink all your booze

suenami · Senior Member

Geeez! Didn't know about the "drink all your booze" bit weirdface

rosey · Senior Member

Last year we met a lady of "mature age" travelling alone in Tasmania...on a HARLEY! weirdface

It was extra-ordinary to hear this softly spoken Scottish lady's voice from under all the pre-requisite leather gear! Anyhow, she said she was having a ball, camping in a little one-lady tent, and making friends wherever she went. According to her, she hadnt felt threatened at all during her 6-week trip, nor lonely, and she was free to make her own plans. It goes to show you dont need a whole big rig to enjoy yourself alone. smile

NannyMon · Veteran Member

Bubs wrote:

Hi
I have just joined and am thrilled to read this forum and find like minded people with the same fears, are scared stiff, but doing it anyway!!
I have just sold up my home and every material thing I owned, in New Zealand, and landed here in Melbourne (at my Sister's), and in the process of looking at motorhomes to live permanently on the road.
I am 54, and will need to work as I go. I know I can do it and look forward to MY adventure!
I think my Son's think I've 'lost the plot'!
Bubs

How are you going Bubs, any luck with finding a Motorhome

Marilyn Porter · Member

Made it home, 4,500 km later from Nutwood Downs, NT to the Hunter Valley, NSW. Slim was delighted to arrive home, to meet up with his other mates, Snowy & Strewth. It was a long drive by myself - just wish I had a travelling partner.

NannyMon · Veteran Member

Marilyn Porter wrote:

Made it home, 4,500 km later from Nutwood Downs, NT to the Hunter Valley, NSW. Slim was delighted to arrive home, to meet up with his other mates, Snowy & Strewth. It was a long drive by myself - just wish I had a travelling partner.

WELL DONE Marilyn,

I was wondering how you got on. Did Slim travel ok. Perhaps next time if you advertise a little earlier you can find a travelling partner. I am pleased you arrived home safe and sound .... take care ... Monica

KATE MYERS · Newbie

There are so many places that are on the beaten track that I feel a solo woman can do it in safety. I am looking at taking 4 months long service leave in 2009 and want to escape the Central Coast (NSW) winter and head north. Hopefully camping will be the go for me . Not interested in clocking up heaps of car miles, would rather make camp in a populated area and then do day walks etc maybe a bit of casual work in the town. Looking for suggestions for suitable places in Queensland perhaps Maroochydore way ?

suenami · Senior Member

Kate, have a look at workaboutaustralia.com.au as well as the whole of this web site. Then there are more. Qld appears to be great for nomad work opportunities.If you haven't been there before, anywhere you go will be good.
Cheers

nancyhector · Veteran Member

Hi Kate,

There is always work up this neck of the woods. (see ads on this web-site). Greenvale is also a fabulous oasis, esp if you like birds. Today the main group is Parakeets. Not just one or two but a flock of about 30-50!. What a sight and sound!!

Also, VERY unpoluted air to breathe for those of you who react to pollution.

Can't wait for some of you to get here!