Was on this forum a while back briefly, but lost all of my details including user name, and have changed internet provider due to the NBN so a different email hence had to come back with a completely new ID.   I've actually got a pop top camper now.  A Diesel Toyota Hiace 1985 in very good nick.  Also bought a Shelta Pod from the UK to use as a stand-alone annexe/shelter.  More on that later.   Had a great trip in a hired pop top camper before we invested in our first current one to Port Lincoln from here in Melbournes North about 18months back.  Fantastic trip and a great place to visit.  Went Via Robe, what a great spot that camping ground is right on the sea front.  We'll do a lap in the camper, see if we like the experience and if so invest far more heavily in some permanent gear.   No idea what yet, will watch and learn and see how we go on our first apprentice lap.

Two points before I go further.  Seems to me that the unpowered sites generally speaking have the best locations in any camp site that I've seen thus far, hence I think I'll be aming for self sufficiency   The other one is there seems to be a lot of sedantary people that dont move very far from their vans once they set up.  I guess we are all different.  both my wife and I love to walk distances and generally speaking will pick the camping ground closest to town, so we dont have to drive at all once we are in a camping spot.

Done a few small trips thus far.  Stand out camping ground for us so far, has been Wangaratta, right next to town and what a lovely town it is as well.   Must be one of the few RSL's in Aus that has a craft beer on tap!

Anyway back again.  Just wish I could have used my previous user name, whatever it was..... Palace something I'm sure.