I began my journeys around and about Oz in 2011. There were any number of grey nomads around for company and I never felt alone. I was quite at ease going up to people and having a bit of a talk. I participated regularly with the online community on Grey Nomads.
I had many acquaintances and some I will never forget. Some even allowed me to travel with them. The trek around Australia with Billeeeeeee and Julie was amazing. Along the way we met up with Sandra and Daryl (Old Boar) who joined us at Timber Creek and travelled the rest of the way with us.
I will be forever grateful to Billeeeee and Julie for their assistance on another trip to Wuruma Dam when I had an appendicitis attack. They arranged for me to get to the hospital in Bundaberg and then looked after miss mollie and my van until I could get back. That was a life saving effort.
I still hear from Sandra and Darryl but unfortunately Billeeeee and Julie seem to have disappeared. Anyone know of their where abouts?
Anyway, the purpose of my post. I had a heart attack in 2019 just before the Covid nonsense so curtailed my travel. Each year I have serviced and cleaned the van ready to go but something always stopped me. There was the episode of the hailstorm that put my van in the panel beaters. They had it for nine months because of shortages of parts and staff. If I had known that that was going happen I wouldn't have bothered. You would have to had eagle eyesight to see the damage. The insurance company found $25,000 worth of damage and wanted to write it off. Much fighting and arguing. Still not sorted completely.
Anyway, then came the bushfires. So no go again.
Then daughter came home to stay for six months so put off again. She lived in the van. (all her stuff filled up the spare room) That was nice though.
By now I had lost my confidence. Would I cope with the congested roads? Everything seemed hostile. Caravan Parks and Free Camps were overcrowded. What about personnel safety. I was beginning to wonder if starting again was worth it. I am definitely old now. Maybe I should just give in and retire to my chair in front of the TV.
So, I thought this year would be the year. and what have we? a war!! a possibility of running out of fuel. Crowds. Safety. Food shortages. My round of Doctor visits begin in April. More delays.
Can someone give me a picture of the true situation out there, with no rose coloured glasses? Are people still as friendly? or am I going to spend the entire time all by myself?
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.
The roads less travelled are still out there and they provide all the joy of travel without the negatives. Age is a state of mind. Cheers, Peter
Peter and Margaret, Yes. I have travelled the roads less travelled most of the time. Spent a lot of time wandering out Quilpie way, way behind the dog fence fossicking for Opal. Birdsville twice. Won't go again the roads (or lack of them) are a bit much for the van that is now 18yr old. Not so worried about fixing it but being stuck over 100ks from the nearest town in a place with no roads or addresses even NRMA Complete care is of no help. Yes. As I said I am worried for my personal safety and to go there would seriously challenge it. I would really like to go somewhere on the east coast but I think that would be impossible. "No overnight parking" and crowded caravan parks are all there is. or so it appears. Can you advise me differently?
Enjoy your travels Regards Mel
-- Edited by msg on Sunday 15th of March 2026 03:39:59 PM
If your mind is made up, it is unlikely that anyone can advise you differently Mel. But it is a very big country and there is always somewhere new to explore. We are both "about 80" and I am building a new motorhome, just in case I loose my heavy license. We have seen lots, but there is still a lot more to see, and the more remote, the better.
Peter,
You are right, there is always places to find. The question is do you want to. According to your map, you have neglected the opal fields in the far south west areas of Qld. IE south west of Eromanga. There are no roads and few tracks. You have to know where you are going. I have been there more times than I can count but I wouldn't venture without a guide.
If you are interested in boulder opal this is the place. Though I found that I have lots of pretty coloured, rocks that's all they are. You can't do much with them. Unless you are into serious mining the ones you find are rejects and not good enough to make into jewelry. You should try out that way if you are going out to Big Red again.
Regards Mel
