First timer

Dougwe · Chief one feather

First timer

Dave83 · Senior Member

Hi Dougwe,

My condolences mate. I'm sure there are many who will tell you that the best advice is to simply "just do it".

There are a million pieces of advice, but the best I could probably suggest is make sure that everything is serviced and up to scratch, keep an amount of cash in reserve for emergency repairs and ongoing maintence - and the rest will sort itself out.

Happywanderer · The Master

Welcome Dougwe, You will find lots of info on this site that will be helpful.
If you want to free camp a good idea is to get the Camps Aus Wide Vol 6. Lots of great info in there. Just go with it and on your days off head away for a few days, get the feel of it and head a little further each time seeing different sites along the way. Also make note of any places suggested by us on here as that is additional most of the time to whats in Camps Aus book and will come in handy while travelling.
Have fun and enjoy.

Ma · Guru

You have the basics well covered D. Now get yourself camps 6 or find a camps 5 in a second hand book store or somewhere and all that's left to do is get out there and gain some experience.

You will be surprised just how your perspective will change once you start out doing things on your own. I know first hand.

All the best

kandagal · Guru

I'm glad you've decided to not 'give up' but to 'go on'. May you have safe, enjoyable travel. See you out there

pauline · Guru

Just get yourself a full tank of fuel and hit the road.
Cheers

Vic · Guru

Sorry to hear of your loss Doug, others here have been through the same thing so know where you're coming from.

Agree with the other comments above, as well as Camps 6, they also put out another book on Caravan Parks which is more inclusive that other publications you can buy, so if your looking at caravan parks as well it is worth getting too.

http://www.travelguideuniverse.com.au/Caravan-Parks-Australia-Wide-2nd-Edition/9780975001790.htm

You may also be interested in this National A'Van group, I was a member for 7 years when I had my folding A'Liner and they were a great group of people, unfortunately no longer have the A'Liner but do miss it at times, and the people I met with them. See;

http://www.avanclubaust.org.au/

-- Edited by Vic on Sunday 9th of October 2011 12:44:32 PM

Rip and Rosie · Guru

You are very welcome Dougwe, and you will find lost of support and advice here.

My advice is the same as Pauline's - fill up the car, hit the road. Only decision is whether to turn left or right at the end of the street.

Cheers
rosie

Gerty Dancer · Guru

Welcome Doug. I like your choice of tug, nice comfortable ride. I owned a 1983 Falcon for 23 years, and drove it over many what you might call "4WD tracks" with no damage. Maybe the modern ones arent as high off the ground, but dont be shy about leaving your van and heading off on a dirt track or two.
Very best wishes to you.

lilly31 · Guru

Welcome Doug ... you will find lots of advice on here ..great site ...I agree if you are ready to go ....fill up your tank and hit the road .....

Sheba · Guru

Welome from me too Doug. Took me about 18 months after buying the Campervan, to actually do my first trip to Cairns and back, from near Rocky. I'd been a bit scared to try it on my own, but a friend came along in hers, and said "Come on, let's go to Cairns."

We left the next morning. Free-camped all the way. Got home, and couldn't wait to get started again. It's addictive.

Like the girls said, just fill up the tank, and go.

Cheers,

Sheba.

Boroma577 · Guru

Rip and Rosie wrote:
You are very welcome Dougwe, and you will find lost of support and advice here.

My advice is the same as Pauline's - fill up the car, hit the road. Only decision is whether to turn left or right at the end of the street.

Cheers
rosie

I agree with the others Dougwe and if you can't decide which way to turn....toss a coin.

Welcome to the forum.

sharon · Veteran Member

Hello,

Firstly, my deepest sympathy to you on the loss of your wife. It must be a very hard time for you and a big decision to get up and travel. Fill the tank, hitch the home and take off. Doesn't matter where, just go, enjoy. You'll meet lots of interesting people. All the best. sharon and strop

jules47 · The Happy Helper

Welcome Dougwe - keep the dream going - the best memorial I think. Just go whenever you can - join in the forum here often - there are get togethers around the place - meet some of the crazies on this site (and some of the not so crazy!!) - I have made some really good friends on here - met a few of them, hope to meet a lot more shortly - check out the "get together" section on the forum. Most of all - enjoy every day as it comes.

Helena · Guru

welcome to the forum Doug we have a sportsliner A'Van they are great little rigs have travelled twice for four month trips and all went well. Good luck Helena.

shazartist · Senior Member

Welcome Dougwe, and condolences on your loss, but congratulations on your attitude.

Cheers Sharon

Fairy-Nuff · Veteran Member

I am new to this too,.Dougwe. And like you, I am taking short trips for a while (I have to keep working to fund the travel). Nice people on the forum. Met some of them last weekend and hope to meet more in the future.

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Thankyou to all that have gone to the trouble of replying so quickly. I have taken notice of what all of you have said and I am heading off this Friday for 4 nights, only one hour away but away. It's a start. Good to see another Sportliner out there Helena.

Dougwe · Chief one feather

I had a 1972 Falcon panel van for 10 years and did the same thing until the kids arrived on the scene then had to sell it.

-- Edited by Dougwe on Monday 10th of October 2011 04:19:46 PM

Onedodger · Guru

smile Welcome Dougwe.

The best advice I can give is just get out there and do it, join in at happy hour even if you do not drink and talk to as many travelers as you can, listen to what they are saying and you will get a motsa of info.

See ya round mate.

Cheers Dodg.

Happywanderer · The Master

An hour away is good dougwe. I have started doing the same while getting Myrtle sorted. Going from Echuca to Greens Lake, just in behind Elmore. Its just the right distance to giving that feeling of being out in the country and enjoying the peace and tranquility.