We did it! A mini-lap(*), but still a lap, all around Australia; 25,000kms in 6 months. This blog isn’t really about traveling, but we could not finish the lap and not write a little something about it. TRAVELERS Firstly, it isn’t as unusual to do the lap as I had previously imagined. We met many fellow travellers and they can largely be classified into 3 main types
There is a great facebook group FAMILIES ON THE ROAD – TRAVELING AUSTRALIA with discussion tips on what to do, where to go and meet-ups along the way. (https://www.facebook.com/groups/FOTR.Australia/?fref=nf). THE EQUIPMENT We did our lap in a Mitsubishi Pajero and a Jayco Swan Outback. CAR - There are really only 3 options if you are planning to do the lap; The Toyota Landcruiser (which was our preference but was too expensive), The Nissan Patrol and the Mitsubishi Pajero. Our Pajero consumed a little more than we liked, but it did the job and we had absolutely no problems with it. We had many debates about the need for a bull-bar, snorkel, raised suspension etc.... Conclusion : we did not get any of it because it was too expensive, and we did not need it! CARAVAN / CAMPER - Our dearly loved Jayco was amazing. It was the best choice. We would not have been able to go to many of the places in a caravan so the outback camper trailer was indispensable. We were a little overloaded at the beginning of the trip and took hours setting-up and tearing down. By the end of the trip, we could do it in under 10mins flat! (without unhooking from the car, and without the annex.) Note : Bring the minimum and go to Op shops if there is a change in weather or you find that you need something. For kids toys, our box of lego was a life-saver and other toys and books were "exchanged" at op shops along the way. WHERE TO STAY As we were wwoofing, we were mainly staying on the farms where we worked. Whilst we were traveling, our preference would be to wild camp. (Cost : FREE) It took us a while before we got the hang of just pulling over in the middle of nowhere and just setting-up. The trick is to get off the main road, off-road if possible and pick a flat spot, sheltered from the wind (very important if you are by the coast). We would have done nothing but Wild Camped if not for
Second choice would be to bushcamp in a National Park. (Cost $5 to $8 per person per night) There is often nothing more than a drop toilet in the form of facilities but you are in a protected national park on an amazing stretch of beach, by a pretty lake or mountain. There are also some really nice private properties that offer camping facilities. Facilities and prices vary. Here are some of our amazing finds : Bush Camp Sites WA - Dampier Peninsular – Embalgun Community in Middle Lagoon NT – Mt Isa – West Lichetfield Cattle Ranch Queensland – Byfield Camp Stay SA – Connawara – Bellwether Wines (Check wikicamp app for details) Byfield Campstay, North Queensland - A magnificent garden, friendly hosts, eco-toilets & showers, communal kitchen that doubled as yoga space Bellewether Wines, Coonawara SA - Beautiful campgrounds, lovely host, winetasting, campfire, a gorgeous bath and free laundry!! Caravan Parks. These we HATE. (Cost $50 to >$100 per night for family of 4). It’s akin to sleeping in a car park. That being said, we stayed in a couple because they were easy. Most had pools, tennis courts, laundry facilities, wifi and other children to entertain our kids! We joined Top Parks and got 10% discount off the rack rates. (Big Four also offers membership discounts.)
(*) Our lap was a mini because we did not make it to Uluru, to Sydney, to Tasmania....
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