Women travelling alone

jenr · Veteran Member

Women travelling alone

nomadic1 · Senior Member

Hi Jen, I'm a solo woman GN and have been for a couple of years now. To be honest I don't understand how anyone can put up with another person in such close surroundings for any great length of time. Even when I'm in campsites (as opposed to caravan parks) there always seem to be other people around - thus there is never a need to feel nervous. There have only been 2 or 3 days in 2 years that I've been completely alone - and I've actually quite enjoyed that.

Everybody panics and thinks of all the worst case scenarios when they're contemplating a major life change - you'll be fine. Just relax and enjoy your travels.

jenr · Veteran Member

Thank you yes I am quite happy with my own company (and my dog)

extreme potato · Veteran Member

I spent four months on the road t the beginning of the year and had a wonderful time. There was never a time when I felt nervous and can't wait to do this indefinitely. I am sure that if you trust your instincts, you will be fine. If you are worried or suspicious, move on.
(And it is good to see you again Nomadic1, just one of the many solo travellers I met on the way.)

dawa · Guru

jenr wrote:
Hi there my plans are to head off late next year I am going to hire a campervan for a couple of weeks just to see how we go ( me and my dog)
Is there many solos women travelling around our country? If so have you ever felt worried or nervous because you are alone?

I travel alone and I camp alone.

There is hardly ever anyone else where I camp.

I am never fightened or nervous at all.

If we think about all the nasty things we will scare ourselves silly.

Dawa

jenr · Veteran Member

Thank you for your replies my parents have been on the road for years Mum said she has met so many women travelling alone and that they all love it :)

beiffe · Guru

You will find more females travelling solo then male. Not sure why, but it is not uncommon to camp with three or 4 solo females and sometimes I am the only male.

I feel that if you camp where you feel safe you will become more comfortable as time goes by. Starting out just make sure you have company before you stop and check them out before committing to stop for the night.

Best to look around and if it doesn't look right then move on.

Be aware of the areas that don't like independent campers (call us what you like). If an area has advertised they don't want us campers then I go straight through their area and go to where we are welcome. It is easy to plan your travels to bypass these areas.

Get out there and enjoy as you only get to live once.

Regards
Brian

jenr · Veteran Member

Brian what do you mean independant campers?Surely not campers who travel alone?

Happywanderer · The Master

Independent Campers is another term for free camping jenr.

Jillybeans · Veteran Member

Hi there, I've had plans to travel OZ solo for quite some time now......last week I flew to QLD and bought myself a good size camper and plan to take off in the new year with my dog ( Jake). I drove the camper back from Brisbane to the central coast where I live, it took me a couple of days as I was taking it easy in my new unfamiliar truck feeling quite nervous all the way home. ......so high and wide. I thought I did quite well ( 930 km's) until I pulled into my daughter,s street and took out a couple of low laying tree branches..... oops!.........I'll look out for those critters from now on

Both nights I stayed in caravan parks only so I could rest easy without any night time stresses, when I hit the road full time I plan on free camping.

I'm quite open for any handy hints or advice from any solo travellers....PLEASE......lol......I'm excited but also feel like I'm heading into the unknown.

Thanks

jetj · Guru

I've met heaps of ladies travelling alone but not so many men.

dawa · Guru

jetj wrote:
I've met heaps of ladies travelling alone but not so many men.

in almost a year i have met one man and no women

Having a great ol time

dawa

billeeeeeee · Guru

dawa wrote:
jetj wrote:
I've met heaps of ladies travelling alone but not so many men.
in almost a year i have met one man and no women
Having a great ol time
dawa

No Women, Hmmmmmmm!!!!!!, Well Nomads , all my life i have though i was the only person who was sane , I was wrong, I met Julie, and found that there r two ppl in this world that r sane, ...Then !!!! we bumped into Yoeleven (John) and now !!! there r three of us,,who r sane, heheheh,,,im very excited about comming back to the main land , might pop into u in planet beautiful some time Dawa........U might b the third person that ill meet that is sane,. stay excited Dawa..............Billeeeeeeeee

-- Edited by billeeeeeee on Tuesday 11th of December 2012 04:29:30 PM

countryroad · Senior Member

Maybe Denniliquin isn't on many folks...gn's.... radar. not so many ute drivers.

Think Denni was where you are dawa. Loved reading abt your fridge. Hope it's going well and you have sufficient power now.

dawa · Guru

countryroad wrote:
Maybe Denniliquin isn't on many folks...gn's.... radar. not so many ute drivers.

Think Denni was where you are dawa. Loved reading abt your fridge. Hope it's going well and you have sufficient power now.

yes.....frige is now working real well.

the reason i don't meet up is that i camp for 6-8weeks in one spot

dawa

dawa · Guru

billeeeeeee wrote:
dawa wrote:
jetj wrote:
I've met heaps of ladies travelling alone but not so many men.
in almost a year i have met one man and no women
Having a great ol time
dawa
No Women, Hmmmmmmm!!!!!!, Well Nomads , all my life i have though i was the only person who was sane , I was wrong, I met Julie, and found that there r two ppl in this world that r sane, ...Then !!!! we bumped into Yoeleven (John) and now !!! there r three of us,,who r sane, heheheh,,,im very excited about comming back to the main land , might pop into u in planet beautiful some time Dawa........U might b the third person that ill meet that is sane,. stay excited Dawa..............Billeeeeeeeee

-- Edited by billeeeeeee on Tuesday 11th of December 2012 04:29:30 PM

Not me......I am crazy woman. Insane people have more fun

Dawa

jenr · Veteran Member

Thank you for your replies Jillybean good luck with your travels! Yes watch those low branches :hehe:

Shogun · Senior Member

I thought I was sane once but was mistaken :)

jules47 · The Happy Helper

I could believe that Shogun!!!!!!!

billeeeeeee · Guru

Howdyeeeee Nomads ,may i give a big hi ti all u B Boomers,, ..May i clarify something ,, i forgot to mention Marj!!!!!! , i will say it again , how can we mention Sanity ,and Marj in the same sentence,????? Marj has been one step ahead of, , sanity all her life, keep going Marj, . stay excited ppl, we only get one shot at life,,, sooooooooo lets make the most of it ,,c u all!!! out there in planet beautiful,,,,, PS, we all love ya Marj, Billeeeeeeeee

bill12 · Guru

All I can say is......DON;T PANIC, DON;T PANIC; DON;T PANIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!

billeeeeeee · Guru

bill12 wrote:
All I can say is......DON;T PANIC, DON;T PANIC; DON;T PANIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!

.......

wendyv · Guru

Jillybeans wrote:
Hi there, I've had plans to travel OZ solo for quite some time now......last week I flew to QLD and bought myself a good size camper and plan to take off in the new year with my dog ( Jake). I drove the camper back from Brisbane to the central coast where I live, it took me a couple of days as I was taking it easy in my new unfamiliar truck feeling quite nervous all the way home. ......so high and wide. I thought I did quite well ( 930 km's) until I pulled into my daughter,s street and took out a couple of low laying tree branches..... oops!.........I'll look out for those critters from now on

Both nights I stayed in caravan parks only so I could rest easy without any night time stresses, when I hit the road full time I plan on free camping.

I'm quite open for any handy hints or advice from any solo travellers....PLEASE......lol......I'm excited but also feel like I'm heading into the unknown.

Thanks

One hint: - measure the height of your rig at the highest point, then keep that measurement where you can see it when driving - maybe taped to sunvisor? That way, when you come to bridges, parking areas etc., you will know whether you will fit.

Nomad246 · Senior Member

Excellent advice WendyV,,, I've seen when the "height doesn't allow for the vehicle"

Cheers

Cruising Granny · Guru

Jillybeans wrote:
Hi there, I've had plans to travel OZ solo for quite some time now......last week I flew to QLD and bought myself a good size camper and plan to take off in the new year with my dog ( Jake). I drove the camper back from Brisbane to the central coast where I live, it took me a couple of days as I was taking it easy in my new unfamiliar truck feeling quite nervous all the way home. ......so high and wide. I thought I did quite well ( 930 km's) until I pulled into my daughter,s street and took out a couple of low laying tree branches..... oops!.........I'll look out for those critters from now on

Both nights I stayed in caravan parks only so I could rest easy without any night time stresses, when I hit the road full time I plan on free camping.

I'm quite open for any handy hints or advice from any solo travellers....PLEASE......lol......I'm excited but also feel like I'm heading into the unknown.

Thanks

Perhaps you could use a pilot to guide you around those trees. Try guiding an 8 metre wide load along the highways and biways of this country, and trying to miss trees and overhead powerlines. It can be tricky but it's team work.

I'm often the only woman in an all male camp when I'm working. Some guys are a bit funny about it, but I'm sensitive enough to remove myself from their space. Their loss.

I've been living and travelling on my own most of my life. Since 1996 when I first went to the Kimberleys I have been doing is totally solo with my caravan, and the "spare room".

The "spare room" is the awning and camp bed I use when I'm on the job.

Unless you advertise that you are a woman travelling alone, it would not be obvious to the passing traveller.'

If you listen to the news you will be aware of the problems which could arise from time to time. eg the bloke who broke his bail bracelet is believed to be heading to WA from NSW. He's been reported at Ceduna, so we have a pretty good idea which road he's on, and his travel plans. So camp at the roadhouses instead of on the cliff top of the Bigh.

Most of it is common sense. You can lock yourself in you motorhome, and if you don't like what's going on you are able to get out of bed, sit in the drivers seat and move on to a safer site.

Safe and happy travels to you wherever you go. It's a small world when you have wheels under you.

Jillybeans · Veteran Member

Thankyou so much people for your advice, yes I must measure the height of my van "Henry" and stick it where I can see it, my memory sucks.

Common sense and instinct I have plenty of, .......most days. I won't advertise travelling solo and have now put a battery powered radio on my list of must have's.

I'm dragging my adult son with me next week to trial a few days free camping in the national parks, I'm hoping he will spend some time out in the real world with me until I find my travelling legs, and work out exactly what I need to live out there. I'm sure I will be fine and so looking forward to packing up and moving on to the next chapter of my life.

Thanks again for your replies to my post, I hope we get to meet some where along the way, cheers.....

jetj · Guru

It won't take long before you think nothing of it. You might find another single to travel with for a short while to get confidence. Best of luck.

Cruising Granny · Guru

It's a very good idea to install a UHF two-way radio. You can hear other traffic when you're on the highway, and you can also call for assistance. There is usually someone somewhere in range who would hear you or relay your message. A hand-held is ok, but remember to keep it charged otherwise it's useless, and its range is much smaller. There will be times when you won't be in mobile phone range. Telstra Bigpond is the most broadly accessible, but they aren't everywhere.

Jillybeans · Veteran Member

Thanks jetj, I am hoping to meet up with other single GN, and maybe I will find someone who won't mind a travelling companion for a short time. I'm sure I will adjust to my new life style, Jake (dog) wil be 3years old soon so he's still in that ratty puppy mode.....since I finished up at work l've have been taking him every where with me....at times I've been amazed at just how well behaved he can be, other times I just want to wring his neck, he is very protectiive and needs to learn when not to be on gaurd duty.....but we'll sort it out as we go along....Thanks for your reply...cheers smile

extreme potato · Veteran Member

I always carry two camp chairs and set them up outside at my table as soon as I arrive. This gives the impression of more than one traveller but, better still, fellow travellers know they re welcome to sit and talk. It was rare for me not to spend some time with others. On my travels, I met up with Nomadic1 and Cruisin' Granny from this forum and quite a few solos. (Browse my blog if you want to know when and where.) But you will be made equally welcome by couples on the road, many of whom take pity on singles like me who don't like to cook. I had more home cooking while I was travelling than I ever have at home!