As we have just been accepted to the site, would like to tell you a bit about us. My name is Paul and my wife is Jean. Now retired and in our early 60's, we have been caravanning in the UK for a couple of years for something to do, now that all our children and grand children have moved over to Australia and we have lots of time on our hands. We currently have a 2007 Coachman VIP 460/2 caravan, pulled by a Hyundai Santa Fe.
We have recently been granted our Australian 'Parents' Permanent Residency visa's and will be moving over to re-join the family in WA, in the near future. We have been thinking about taking our UK caravan over with us as we love it and know how expensive their Australian cousins are to buy. We would be sticking to normal roads and campsites as we know the UK caravans are not suited for off roading, especially in Aus.
Would like to hear if anyone has imported their van into Aus from the UK and how it went. Listening to people in the trade, they discourage it obviously so would like the views of experienced Grey Nomads who have done it them selves.
Looking forward to picking up tips and advice on the forum and maybe meeting up somewhere in the future with new friends.
Welcome Gale8, enjoy here and out in the Aussie playground when you get here. In the mean time enjoy the playground over there.
If you are worried about repairs etc to your van, there are heaps of repairers here so sure you will find someone to sort things out for you if needed.
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Live Life On Your Terms
DOUGChief One Feather (Losing feathers with age)
TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy
DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV (with some changes)
We have an Autotrail Motorhome imported from the UK, we have had it about 12 months, and although not built for off road, we have had no trouble to date sticking to the main roads. Mind you we have yet to venture too far from home. We feel very comfortable in our choice as the finish of the UK fitout is superb. There are a few of these getting about in Aus now and I think they will become very popular. Hope to catch up with you one day in the great outdoors. A premature welcome to Australia.
Cheers
Greg
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Greg & Shas
"Take kindly the council of the years gracefully surrendering the things of your youth"
The Autotrail Motorhome's are constructed only 13 miles from our home in the UK and we have been in quite a few at Caravan and Motorhome shows. Really nice quality vehicles.
We used to have an AutoSleeper Ravenna a while back. Loved it. However, we sold it, as at the time, I was working away for two weeks in four and we just didn't use it enough.
Now we are retired, find the caravan great for leaving on site and using the car to get about. Pro's and Con's to both really.
Looking forward to our new life in Aus and who knows, we might meet up somewhere in the future.
Nice looking set up you have there. Welcome to the GN forum. I am a relative newcomer to the forum (but not caravanning) myself.
There are quite a few European/UK brands on the roads in Australia. The oft quoted difference between Australian caravans and those from Europe is the strength of the chassis. There is a reason for this and it's the quality of our roads especially in the more remote areas. Some European brands advertise that their Australian delivered vans are designed with a more rugged chassis to cope with our conditions. There is a message here. The roads along the East coast between, say, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane are pretty good. WA may be a bit more challenging.
I'm not trying to put you off bringing your van (I am not familiar with the model) and you should be alright on the main road network if you drive to the conditions. A lot depends on the type of travel you have in mind. I don't know what the costs are in bringing your van to Australia viz-a-viz selling up in the UK and buying a van over here. Either way I'm sure you will find Australia a safe and welcoming place to tour in a caravan and, as mentioned, there are many places that can service and repair your van as needed. Remote areas are well known for the helpfulness of the locals and I am confident that you will find a friendly face to help out whenever you need it.
Thank you for your valued opinion in my quest to have experienced motorhome / caravan owners thoughts on importing my caravan.
It's reassuring to hear that the Eastern States road systems would be suitable. We have visited WA quite a few times and are familiar with the roads, which in all honesty, are better than in the UK in most cases.
We wouldn't be going off road, just staying to the main road system.
