Crikey, the roads are absolutely chockkas with travellers. I estimate that at least 50% of the vehicles on the road from Daly Waters to Darwin have been Caravans, Motorhomes or Campers (and I'm probably being conservative).
Just about all of the caravan parks in Darwin have got "No Vacancy" signs out the front and I was lucky to get into the Malak Park on McMillans Road this morning. A bit pricey at $210/week plus power, but all sites are on-suite and it was either that or head back down the track to free camp. The park runs a funny system- they allow people to extend if they wish to, and so they don't take bookings. You lob up after 10 in the morning and, as people leave, they book new people in - a bit strange n'est ce pas?
I have a few things to do while I'm here so I'm booked in for two weeks and then heading for the West. Any GN's visiting Darwin give me a PM if you'd like to get together for a yabber.
Couple of nice free camps on the way up, three nights at South Warloch, north of Larrimah and two nights at Bridge Creek, north of Hayes Creek, but get in early, the places are full by about 3 o'clock in the afternoon.
Serves me right for travelling during the school holidays I suppose.
Well done to get a park Mike. That non-booking system is more common than you think in the northern hemisphere of Oz. First in, best dressed. In the west from Jurien Bay north, and across to the NT. Did you happen to notice number plate origins? I'm a number plate watcher. It gives me an idea where people are coming from to be where they are, if you get my drift. Darwin should be nice right now. Enjoy the warmth. I've been paying $200 per week here in Cairns for 12 months, but power is included. It's still a big bite. Cairns seems to be the town of levies. Everything here related to tourism gets a fuel levy, a reef levy and there seem to be some mystery levies. Enjoy. Cheers Chris
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20ft Roma caravan - Mercedes Benz Sprinter - SA-based at the moment. Transport has no borders.
Management makes the decisions, but is not affected by the decisions it makes.
It's hard to estimate the state-by-state breakdown. There are a lot of Vic and NSW plates, but so there should be with their population. Quite a lot of Qld, but that's because they're next-door. I have noticed a lot of WA plates (there were 6 including me out of 23 last night) and what seems to be a dis-proportionate number from Tassie (must be getting away from the cold)/\ LOL.
The weather is beaut. 31 today and not a cloud in the sky and according to the radio, it's raining in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart, Adelaide and Perth. Gee I'm upset - NOT.
While I've got your ear, what's wrong with the oztagalong site. It's a great idea, but nobody seems to be using it. The last entry was last December. Come on you GN's - Stick your itinerary in there and let's hook up.
I don't know what happens on the tagalong site. Well, not really true. It's a good idea I had, and my partner (business) is a great site builder. He deals with the advertisers who also believe it's a good idea. My job is promotion and publicity. I've sent promo material to various travel web sites, maazines, posters around van parks, and posters on my van. Anything else would cost money. It's a non-profit site at this stage. I find the travelling thing is a bit seasonal. Apart from we nomads who are on the road all the time, the others are seasonal. Some travel in the convoy of mates on their annual trips to wherever. They don't need a tagalong as they already have theirs. Maybe I should get energetic again and hit the noticeboards and the other caravanners' websites and forums. Anyway, keep the faith and add your details and see what happens. As for "hooking up", it seems all my nomadic friends are over west and I'm stuck here in the east. I'd much rather be over in the west. However, that time will come. Cheers Chris
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20ft Roma caravan - Mercedes Benz Sprinter - SA-based at the moment. Transport has no borders.
Management makes the decisions, but is not affected by the decisions it makes.
