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Post Info TOPIC: My 15 month plan
yeoeleven


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My 15 month plan
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After the 12 month plan posted earlier on this thread I have come up with a 15 month plan to travel round Australia, based on covering 1000 kms per month in either four weekly trips or fortnightly. The budget would be based on a fortnightly pension, 500 kms of petrol and 14 nights at $22 per night for a powered site. I currently do not spend over $100 per week on food so overall that would be around $600 per fortnight. The rental assistance plan is still available wherever I am in Australia providing I can get to a Centrelink office within 3 weeks of the rental expenditure.

6 weeks to go and I will be setting off on my travels. I have been working out approximate distances and planning where to be at specific times.

Nerang to Sydney 860 kms Sydney to Melbourne 1049 kms Melbourne to Adelaide 911 kms Adelaide to Perth Via Esperence 3000 kms Perth to Broome 2200 kms 

That leg involves around 8000 kms and I want to be in Broome ready to go across the top in the driest time around May. Approximately 8 months after set off. All in all I could travel 1000 kms a month and achieve my objective but the spanner in the works will be the Nullabor where I expect to travel 900 kms in a few days. Tentatively I plan to follow the 1000 kms per month and allow extra time around the coastal drive to Perth with its many coastal towns and scenic drives.

The next leg would be from Broome to Darwin 1836 kms Darwin to Cloncurry 1714 kms Cloncurry to Cooktown 1307 kms  overall around 5000 kms with an anticipated 1000 kms per month taking 5 months so I would be in Cooktown by October next year.

The last leg would be the 2000 kms from Cooktown to Nerang my starting off point and following the 1000 kms per month  plan should take a couple of months.

They say the best laid plans of mice and men are oft to go astray but some idea of how the trip is expected to go will be helpful, anyway, we will see how it pans out. Any comment will be welcome and from other posts on this forum I have noted that my trip across the Nullabor would be most likely against prevailing winds and my drive round the Great Coastal Road will be on the wrong side.

 

John

 

 

 



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gordon_adl


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That sounds like a fantastic trip. Good luck and have fun.

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lilly31


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Hi john have you consider free camping as well save you some money .. lots of good camps out there ..some do have power for a donatation...and some do also have hot shower... Camp 6 book good one to get if you dont already have it ...Good luck on your trip i envy you ...but will be me soon too.

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Travel Bug


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Sounds fabulous John.

I have watched the progress of your van with great interest..... 

It's great that you are almost ready to go. You should be very pleased with yourself.

Safe and happy travels. smile

 



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 Cheers. Pam.

Safe and happy travels everyone.

 
Cruising Granny


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At least youh ave a plan. Good for you! Well done.

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wendyv


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John,
I have been advised that the best way to do the Great Ocean Road is, in fact, from east to west, which I think is the way you plan to go.


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Cruising Granny


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I did it from west to east, camped at the Narrawong van park. Beaut spot but it would be cold and windy right now.
East to west would give the better panorama if you can take your eyes off the road long enough to look. There are a lot of spots for sightseeing and pic opportunities all along. The road is quite hilly and winding in places. It is a beautiful experience.

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Loki


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Happy Travels! You've given it a lot of thought and it sounds like an excellent plan. I'll look forward to your comments as you travel around.
I have a similar van, will set off soon and have thought about installing a solar system to make it more self sufficient for free camping - confusing, expensive etc. I'll run it as is from Melbourne to Brisbane via Kidman Way etc. and see if it would be worthwhile, then make the decicion in Brisbane.

The Great Ocean Road is great from east to west, one of the best scenic spots we found was the one least signposted on the main road!

Have fun, enjoy your travels!

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Bent Axle Bob


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Make sure you allow time for the Blackwood River region in WA. Late autumn is great, if a little chilly. Many really good camps along the river, mainly old logging campsites set amongst some tall timber

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Dougie


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Be prepared to change your plans often John. It's a long way & there's lots to see, & you will meet a lot of nice people enroute, & at least you have an idea of your itinerary even if, so good luck mate & enjoy.

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ozjohn


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Best of luck if you expect tp average $22 per night staying in Parks, but if you do some Bush Camping then you'll be OK.
Across the top from late mid May through to October is probably  the best time.
Hope you enjoy many happy trouble free days (Months) and that the trip is the fabulous adventure you've always imagined.
Cheers Ozjohn.



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Have done the GOR many, many times. Either direction is wonderful, but the best view is from the passenger seat! biggrin



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yeoeleven


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The set off time is getting closer now, I have given notice to vacate my premises on the 5th August and expect to be setting off on my travels earlier than expected.

I have booked in to the Trial Bay Eco Tourist Centre ( South West Rocks) taking advantage of the $20 per night for a powered site offered earlier on this forum and arriving on the 20th August.

So there will be a two week gap before I reach there from the Gold Coast a trip of just over 400 kms. Does anyone have any experience of travelling down through Ballina, Grafton and Coffs Harbour and can offer suggestions as to accomodation enroute.

I am happy to free camp if the sun shines since I have folding 120 watt solar panels and a 105 AH deep cycle battery but would be stretched for power without their input.

Getting very excited now that my 12 month plan is finally getting realized 4 months early.      http://51933.activeboard.com/t39891223/my-12-month-plan/

John



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Clare46


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John

There is spot at Grafton, I think it's the racetrack which allows camping. I've not stopped there and I'm not sure if there is a charge of not.

Have a great trip & travel safely   smile



-- Edited by Clare46 on Wednesday 27th of July 2011 03:29:55 PM

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Patto44


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Belligen is only about 20 k's off the hwy - check Camps 5 (or 6)

Cheers,

Patto



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Elle on Wheels


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Hi I am not on the road yet and have an acerage in Denmark WA which is on your route so if you would like some free camping at my place and a shower etc you are very welcome.

 



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yeoeleven


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Thanks Elle,

I will be happy to look you up when I am getting closer to Denmark.

I will be posting my travels regularly so you will know when I will be approaching.

Looking forward to spending time at your place.

Would like to link up with forum members on my travels so would appreciate any posts to make contact. Am looking forward to meeting many at Gunbower Island http://51933.activeboard.com/t43065880/summer-get-together-gunbower-island/

John



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