Hi Ulrika,

I started camping with a tent as a young adult, then campervan, motorhome (loan), camper trailer and now pop top caravan. I am now retired and have done a couple of trips around Oz plus some part trips around. My wife and I are planning another one soon as she is retiring from work end of this month.

We just like the freedom of being able to pick and choose where you want to go without any fixed itinerary, but with a general idea of where you want to go, but with the freedom to chanage your mind while you travel. It is the wide open spaces and the opportunity to explore parts of your home country that you would never get to otherwise that motivates us, plus the nice people you meet along the way.

You can purchase a book called Camps 5 from any book shop and some newsagents (or online) that will give you a lot of info on free camping etc, see link;

http://www.campsaustraliawide.com/

This is regarded as the bible for many for free or cheap camping spots by many.
NRMA (Sydney National Road & Motorists Association) shop also sells a booklet on caravan parks around Oz that shows prices and conditions etc that may help. Badgers Caravan Reports is also a good link,
http://home.vicnet.net.au/~badger04/  and for Off Road Camping see Ozcamps Independent Camping, see the link; http://caravanersforum.com/ozcamps.php

In general, for reasonable weather in Oz, travel north in the winter/Autumn months and south in spring/summer to avoid some extremes of weather. 

Hope this helps,

Vic



-- Edited by Vic41 on Thursday 4th of June 2009 12:25:36 PM

-- Edited by Vic41 on Thursday 4th of June 2009 12:29:01 PM

-- Edited by Vic41 on Thursday 4th of June 2009 01:56:17 PM

-- Edited by Vic41 on Thursday 4th of June 2009 01:59:08 PM

Hello Ulrika and welcom to Grey Nomads, and Australia.
My urge to tow a caravan around Australia began when I was very young, but it took me more than 30 years to fulfill my dream.
This style of travel gives us the opportunity to see the country at ground level, at the speed we choose. I personally don't free camp very much, but I do enjoy caravan park life.
My van is my permanent home. I don't have a house anywhere. I also travel by myself, but I'm never lonely.
Travel is enjoyed in many forms, as are the destinations.
To me it's seeing "what's over the next hill". The forest (bush), the countryside, any natural features in the region I'm travelling through. Then there's the wildlife, animals and birds in their natural habitat.
I have also been camping, by a river, lake or beach. It's the freedom to enjoy the place at my pace with special friends or new ones, to sit around the campfire sharing travel tales and experiences. Going fishing when the mood takes me and the tide is right.
Hitching my caravan up to my 4 wheel drive and pointing my car in a new direction to explore new country, a new town, a new community, a new river, lake or beach.
Sometimes I even return to a favourite place or a place I'd visited when I was much younger.
It's a very down to earth, grass roots form of travel, rather than flying over it to get to a destination quickly, but missing the journey. The journey is a big part of this lifestyle or form of travel. All the best to you. Regards Christine

Crusing Granny and Mike and Judy!

Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts on camping.

Have a nice weekend out there on the roads.

Kind Regards,
Ulrika

G'day Ulrika ...

When I announced my decision to retire at age 57, my colleagues said that I would be back within the year.  They asked what I was going to do  ..  I told them that I was going to travel Aussie by caravan. 

Having committed myself I thought that we should do something about it.  So we did & for the last 10 years have spent 3 to 6 months of the year on the road.  I've stopped counting but when I last checked we had travelled over more than 180,000km in the van.  Others have done lots more.   We still maintain our house in the suburbs, mainly because our children & grand children live nearby, and our desire to have a home base in case of illness etc.

We had never owned a van before retirement but  had  lived in many towns in our home State of Queensland.  My work took me to all of the Australian Capital cities many times.  As a youth I had spent lots of time in the bush.  But there was just so much more to experience, especially in the more remote areas.  So we decided to do so while we could.

Many of those who post to this forum often stay at 'bush camps' or 'free camps'.  The publication that Vic41 mentioned lists most of these camps Australia wide.  They are often located outside the townships. 

We prefer to stay at Caravan Parks.   Most towns have at least one of these parks and they are probably the most popular option for overseas tourists although I imagine that many of the more adventurous or experienced ones stay at bush camps.

 

 

One of the things that continues to attract us is the great sense of comradery and adventure.   An added bonus is the wonderful people that we meet along the way.  Some remain friends for life while others become a fond memory.... part of an enjoyable afternoon or evening.   There's just so much to see and experience and so many great people to meet.

 

In Australia, the vast majority of nomads travel in caravans of various sorts, from the most basic to those that have all the facilities of home.  Bush campers are frequently self sufficient for long periods.

Most overseas tourists seem to opt for motor homes along with a sizeable number of locals.

 

I suppose that I am rabbiting on a bit .. so Ill stop there hope this helps a bit.

 

Hi Cupie!

Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts on camping !
Very kind.

Regards,
Ulrika