"The problem with doing nothing is not knowing when you're finished" - Benjamin Franklin

vk6tnc · Guru

What do The Experts Know ?

milo · Guru

I'm always told its cheeper to travel overseas than home...

Cruising Cruze · Guru

yes the one on the right side is

John Illegal maybe ????

Plendo · Guru

Looks like a jerry can, on the back of a van somewhere in Australia.

The article is on the money, I have lived for extended periods in a number of asian countries (Japa, Thailand, China, and the Philippines), amd it is just so much cheaper in many of them. The only caravans I have seen in Asia are trade displays, I am not aware of any industry supporting nomads.
Most of the Australians I have met who are there for extended periods, rent a house (I will us non capital city Philippines as an example) for maybe $400 a month, hire a maid for another $500, and live very cheaply.

Ultimately we will spend some time each year in the Philippines, the climate is great, the people are warm and friendly, and the places you can see are just out of this world. Just stay away from the far south of the country.

Anvid · Veteran Member

We reluctantly agree with life Overseas. We recently drove along the east coast to Cooktown and back and had a great time but we always had to be aware of the costs of such things as trips to the islands. The prices to most of the islands are quite ridiculous for the ferrry fares and then the excess for food and accommodations. It is not that things on those islands are any better or special than overseas. The Whitsundays and islands even around Brisbane seem to think that everyone should go and live for the day. cry

Last year we took a cruise on the Pacific Jewel (Mutiny of the Bounty) and saw some fabulous islands - for free - Dravuni in Fiji, Tonga and other. Yes, the ship did offer expensive shore excursions but you didn't have to use them you could walk around and do your own thing. I think our total expenses on the ship was under $20. and we had good food and great entertainment. biggrin

We have travelled about in Asia and again after paying airfares and insurance - life was so economical and often their 'services' such as medical and dental are often superior to Australia and alot cheaper even when you do pay for them without insurance. And the local people appreciate your patronage and give you 'service'. At times we feel that some Caravan operators think that they are doing you a 'service' by being there and are not friendly and charge as much as they can get away with. confuse

We have lived here most of our lives and feel that we are Australian and want to support Australia as much as possible but even our politicans seem to prefer to go overseas as much as possible when on their holidays. It appears that the government is not against new arrivals who have never paid local taxes coming here and accepting the many benefits of Australia without contributing to our society. disbelief I believe Centrelink will penalise us if we go overseas for over 13-weeks (reduce the pension).

Australia is a great place but whether we can continue to live here as we have in the past is another matter. Fortunately we have been around and through Australia several times so we are now slowing down. We really feel that we have lived in the best years and have made the most of it but for new nomads, it will be a challenge.

jimricho · Guru

There will be many GNs who from time to time will choose to take a cruise or go "OS" for a holiday, including cheap SE Asia "Eco" tours, but the suggestion that all but a tiny minority of us will choose to spend a significant portion of their retirement life "grey nomadding" on an international scale is in my view a nonsense.

That said however, Australian tourist destinations are finding it difficult to compete with overseas destinations for the higher-value shorter-term holiday maker.

brickies · Guru

What your saying is right Jim this may be a good thing for the rest of us who just want to poke around Australia

mongrel · Guru

cant agree with you more never been os .have no wish to probably should to compare.however if we keep the $s here in aus maybe our local tourist destinations will get better and more attractive to os visitors.and keeping our people here.what a agreat country we have .seen a alot of it and never get bored with it I try to promote this country whenever and wherever I can ,but being an aussie I appreciate what we have....Mongrel

barrie · Guru

Australia is a tourist rip off ,just compare the cost of flying within this country against flying overseas and hotel costs.

Santa · Guru

I agree, Australia certainly is an expensive holiday destination, however it's because we demand such a high standard of living, retailers simply have to pass the costs on.
For what our last trip cost we could have spent a month in SE Asia. blankstare