Hi Guys, my name is Wayne my wife is Jeanette we have been retired for just on 18 months and are thinking of reverse mortgaging the joint and buying a second hand motorhome and have a look at the sights. We have two dogs and a cat which would travel with us, we need some advice and tips from persons who know all about what we want to do, we have never been caravanning before, how safe is it ? how expensive is it ? can i watch tv in the outback ? can i get the internet when out wherever ? so many questions please advise, thank you.
Welcome to the gang Wayne and Jeanette, enjoy here and out in the playground.
Now, phew! where do I start? All I can say is, get your motorhome if that's how you want to travel. No matter how you travel it is great out here in the playground. I have been playing now for 4 years now since I lost my wife, most of that time I was away from home base 8 months out of 12 each year. I decided this time last year I was waisting money so worked on a big plan and set it in motion. Bought a new Tug, got home and sold it, bought a new Den and have been out here full time since early September last year, 2014. Best thing I did.
Love the freedom to do what I want when I want. If I decide to stay longer I do. If I decide to keep on going instead of stopping for the night somewhere, I just keep going. I did just that yesterday, I was due in Townsville today but got to my choice of camp for last night and said to myself, self, keep going. If I make the wrong choice I can only kick myself up the your know where but can't reach so get away with it.
Make sure you have some Solar Panels up on the roof and a couple of good batteries all wired up with good size cable. "Maybe" a generator as back up if needed (I'm ducking for cover on that one). Get a copy of "Camps Australia Wide" and the "Wiki Camps" app for you phone. With all that stuff you can choose if you go into a CVP or free/alternative camp, your choice.
I have Telstra Internet and iPone connected to Telstra. All works for me. Yes there are some signals weaker in some places and some just don't have cover, that's the system we have here in OZ. We could talk to man on the moon, many moons ago now but we can't talk to our mate down the road, mmmmm. Ooops, soap box time, no, no way not now.
Mate, the moral of the story is, JUST DO IT.
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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)
Welcome to the Forum Wayne & Jeanette we live in an absolutely fantastic country that definitely needs to be explored, if you are travelling in a motor home you will need to think about secondary transport as a significant number of motor home people do tow another vehicle for sight seeing etc when they stop at a location. Most places have T.V reception but if you get well off the beaten track you will need to look at satellite options. As for the cost of travelling it all depends on the choices you make there is free camping or Showgrounds/caravan park options ranging in price from around $20 per night to $80 per night peak time on the coast we have found that our average cost is between $90 &$100 total cost fuel food site fees per day staying in caravan parks.
You will have a great time out in the big playground, just take your time and stop to smell the Roses
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Life was meant to be enjoyed Australia was meant to be explored
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I've only belonged to the Grey Nomads for a short time. Have done short trip caravaning for a long time, the longest was across to WA from NSW last May. The forums are great and I have been going through them all, there is so much advice on so many subjects, I now have a book to note them all down. I would suggest your browse the forums and all of your questions will be answered.
