We are in the process of planning our trip around the block. Like many people on this forum we intend through necessity to stay off road as much as possible. One question for those who tow caravans are there any or many places where you can unhitch your van and leave it securely while you explore the sights. The only times we have camped off road before we have stayed with our van.
In my experience - others might have more idea - but it is probably not a good idea to leave a van parked without people around, I mean other campers. For instance, we camped at Gregory River when we wanted to go into Lawn Hill, there were quite a few camped there as well, and we all took it in turns to "stay home" while others went in - keeping an eye on the unattended vans - then reversed the procedure when they came back. Did this a couple of other places as well - just need to allow the time to do the reciprocal - anyway that's my take on it.
Enjoy your trip - keep in touch - we love to see photos, hear where people stay etc.
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jules "Love is good for the human being!!" (Ben, aged 10)
Kumbia between Dalby and Kingaroy have a small Apex park. While there earlier this year a few came in parked their van, set it all up and left for the day. Didn't come back till late. They didn't ask anyone to keep an eye on it but we all knew they were off for the day and what they and their vehicle looked like for when they came back. One couple went away over night up the mountain, They did lock it to the side posts of the park while they were gone. None came to any harm but the campers there were all a good honest lot. Don't think you could do that in too many places.
You can get hitch locks for the van to lock the tow hitch so no one can get another tow ball on to it. There's also wheel locks. In an nicer world it wouldn't be a problem, but ....... Safe and happy sightseeing.
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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.
All things said and done, I do agree with all that been said before me .. but with all this info, don't forget to be alert even in Caravan Parks ..
At a major CP on the East Coast, Solar Panels were removed from the top of a Motor Home and were seen by more than a dozen people who simply assumed that a professional agency had been contracted to do some electrical maintenance ..
I wont leave anything behind .. vehicle .. trailer .. whatever if its not in at least a semi-secure situation and with someone (a friend) agreeing to keep a visual watch for me .. this can be a problem at times restricting your opportunities, but .. hey .. haven't had a problem so far and still have my stuff !
Having just finished the lap, and having seen what I've seen, I prefer to make sure all personal items are secured out of sight at all but the major CP's ..
I do travel alone and free-camping is my preferred choice .. so go and enjoy .. I wouldn't change my life for anything.
Free camps are a lot better than CP's, we were in our van at 0100 in Melbourne CP and asleep, awoken by our window being lifted up and the struts broken, when somebody tried to get in, so beware in caravan parks.
Free camps is the way to go, but do not leave things in view in tug or van.
