General
Notes, Helpful Information & Commercial Links
Contents
Publish
Your Own Internet Site for Family & Friends
Roadside
Assistance for Your Caravan
Caravan
Park Groups - May be worth Joining
Travelling
with Friends and Other People
Publish your own Internet (web) site
for Family & Friends
Roadside Assistance for Your Caravan
Roadside Assistance – You may have it
for your car but it probably doesn’t include coverage for your caravan. The
free roadside assistance that came with our car purchase had run out during the
first Australia trip and we, not wanting to be without an assistance package
took out a new cover that did include coverage for our caravan. It was just as
well because shortly after leaving Merredin in Western Australia we needed it.
It turned out that David and Merrilyn had always had RAC coverage that would
have covered them but most “roadside assistance” programs do not provide cover
for caravans so you might say we ducked a bullet. Check this out and take it
out if you are not covered – See details of our mishap in the “W.A’s Goldfields
& Home” section of our first trip where we travel through Merredin and
although there was nothing wrong with our caravan we ran out of spare tyres and
couldn’t get a replacement until the next day.
Page Link - See "Coolgardie, Southern Cross &
Merredin".
Mobile Phone & Internet Coverage
Mobile Phones – Telstra with the nextG
coverage should be considered a must if you are leaving the metropolitan areas.
On our Central Australian trip we had this and were delighted with the cover we
had. See the following where we tried to make do with another telco - 2007 We
originally all had Optus phones, which were mostly useless coming up the
Western Australian coast. Our old CDMA phone from Telstra had coverage nearly
everywhere so it is probably best to have a Telstra phone for continuity of
coverage. Once we entered Northern Territory the Optus was OK but still Telstra
clients had a better or stronger coverage than us. The situation continued down
the east coast where we enjoyed coverage but at much inferior signal strengths
than the Telstra clients. We very much overcame this problem by purchasing a
Big Pond wireless internet coverage and using “Skype” (voice over internet
protocol) when we didn’t have Optus cover. Note: Coverage with all carriers is mostly
restricted to populated areas so if you want continuous cover you will need a
satellite phone.
Internet Coverage – Do not use caravan
park wireless internet services if you want high speed, reliable or continuous
connection. In nearly all cases we found the service offered was intermittent
or poor (there was an exception in Exmouth where the service was excellent).
Purchasing a “Big Pond” wireless service has given us coverage nearly
everywhere we stopped and it is fast and efficient. Buying an “hourly” coverage
where you pay for time will allow you to access the internet and use VOIP for
phone calls at the same time.
Membership of Caravan Park Groups
Join them all ? – No, not all
but if you are going on a major trip we suggest that you consider
joining the majors after ascertaining their suitability to your circumstances.
This can be done on an as you get to one to use it basis or they can be joined
in advance. If you join in advance you will be supplied with a card and a list
of caravan parks etc. Some of the membership advantages include automatic
discounts on stays, free forward bookings, discounts on other services etc. The
cost varies but may be earned back, sometimes on your first few stays. Should
you want to join in advance below are some links that are also invaluable
sources of information on the caravan parks represented by the groups. If you
are only doing short trips it may be more economical to do your site research
from the links below and before you book a park join online to get your
discount when booking. For reference we will not be renewing our memberships
when they expire until we look like needing them.
Big 4 Holiday Parks – This is the one
we used & use most but we have noted a fall in standard appears to be the
case on our Central Australia trip. The notable exception to this is parks
owned and operated by the Aspen group where they give you a 10% off voucher
each time you visit them – We will not be renewing this one as we use our Aspen
vouchers now – http://www.big4.com.au/
Top Tourist Parks of Australia Ltd –
Our next most used – http://www.toptourist.com.au
Family Parks – Our least used as they
generally take pets but if you have a pet probably the only one that will give
you any value – An exception to our usage is the Shelley Beach Caravan Park in
Ceduna which is an excellent and we think the only choice in the area – http://www.familyparks.com.au/
Notes:
Not all caravan parks are in a group so some
extra research will be needed to be sure you have checked out all of your
options at any location.
If you book a caravan park that does
belong to a group you do have somewhere to lodge a complaint or suggestion if
you have a poor experience.
Caravan parks in groups are generally required
to meet standards and expectations in order to retain their membership although
on our Central Australia tip it became apparent that these standards are
dropping.
We have only commented on
caravan parks with extended information if we found them to be exceptionally
good or bad. Then our comments have been kept to the relevant problem or joy.
It is not our intention to recommend one caravan park over another but we are
not shy of recommending a caravan park if we really enjoyed it or found it to
have a particular advantage in location or facilities. We have never
recommended or otherwise a caravan park that we have not stayed at other than
to suggest that it may be a better option than the location we used. All of
these comments are distributed through the trips in an as it happened basis and
there is no general list of caravan parks on this site.
A link to the site we use to check out reviews
on caravan parks can be found on our front page which can be selected from
the index at left see “Grey Nomad – The Idea” in the “Useful Links”
section.
Helpful Hints for Caravanners
Shoes and Dirt – Mary has come up with
a neat way to arrange shoelaces to make the normal shoe a slip on so you do not
traipse too much dirt into the caravan. It also allows a check for bugs or
bities that may have moved into them. If there are Dingos in the area leave
shoes on the roof of the van or bring them inside, as they are quite keen on
them. We have also learned to arrange the step and mat in a configuration to
allow one to sit on the step and put them on and off without getting the mat
etc dirty.
Travel Times – Caravanners should try
to travel in cities and heavily built up areas between 10:00AM & 3:00PM.
This will help to avoid traffic and gives plenty of time to set up on arrival
at any destination. In country or low traffic volume areas an early departure
can work well but a late arrival should still be avoided.
Hiking Shoes – Do buy a pair of
proper hiking shoes. We have seen so many people that have purchased their
hiking boots after “doing an ankle” and as many of the trips have a lot of
walking in them buy a pair of hiking boots. Joggers are NOT hiking boots – Do
you see joggers jogging in 
hiking
boots? NO!
Hiking Stick – The adjustable hiking
sticks are invaluable. These sticks are not for “old people” but make
hiking over rough terrain safer. They can be purchased for around $25.00 and
will probably save you from a fall or twisted ankle within the first few uses.
The Wave – Nearly all caravanners
either wave or lift a finger from the steering wheel as a greeting to their
fellow caravanners that are travelling in the opposite direction. This wave
seems to include motor home owners after you leave populated areas. It is a
nice touch and can in the outback lift itself to a very enthusiastic wave from
all occupants of the respective vehicles.
Freebie Camping Spots – There are
numerous free camping spots provided by state governments on roadsides, which
cost nothing to stay at overnight. These might at first seem to be unsecured
and although you can not usually leave your caravan whilst travelling around
the area they are some of the nicest spots to spend a day and or night at. Be
assured that even if they are empty when you arrive they will usually fill up
before the sun goes down. Some of our fondest memories are from these freebie
spots. The 24-48 hour camp and rest sites are most prolific in the less
populous areas. There are also sites made available by or in national parks
that are very cheap and are some of the nicer spots where you can stay for
prolonged periods.
Extra Water – When in the outback we
are carrying two or three extra 15 litre water bottles that are easily
purchased from any supermarket. The addition of a water drip fitting (that will
seal) to the top of the bottle allows the air to enter when it is opened and
not when it is closed. This means that there is no spillage when the valve is
closed and allows the bottle to be re-used. When not required we empty one of
these containers and store it for when it is.
Scuffs or Thongs – It is a good idea to
have a pair of scuffs or thongs to use in the caravan park showers to help
protect from picking up any nasty infections that may be lurking on floors.
Fly
Home for Re-Invigoration
Fly Home – We have discovered that to
fly home every 4 months or thereabouts reinvigorates and refreshes us in
readiness for us to continue our trip. Originally we looked at these diversions
as a bit of a nuisance (although they were always most enjoyable) but in fact
they have been beneficial with our enthusiasm for our trip being renewed each
time we took one.
Traveling with Friends and Other People
Travelling
with Friends – Our first trip
started out with us travelling with our friends David & Merrilyn
Peck and due to their need to get home to spend Christmas with family ended
with our travelling on our own. As we enjoyed both times and parted with David
& Merrilyn on the best of terms this left us in
the unique position of being able to analyse both situations in an unbiased
way.
The Pro’s – There is a great feeling
of security when you take some of home with you!
When first starting out it is nice to travel in
tandem to learn from one another’s mistakes and to support one another in
remedying those situations.
On your first few roadside camps where no caravan park is available
(some people prefer these because they are generally cost free) it is nice to
know that you have friends next door in case they are needed. This is in fact a
learning curve thing, as we never saw any trouble in these places that would
appear to be as safe as any other place you might camp.
Some things could be shared in for example the girls would take it week
about to cook a roast dinner.
Tools, tapes, screws and glues could be shared as needed.
Security duties can be shared in that 1 person can be left with the
caravans (in unsecured areas such as roadsides or unoccupied car parking areas)
whilst the others can head off to see or check something.
With planning at the beginning you can be increasing your spares in the
way of tyres etc if you
have compatible vehicles.
Outside influence from friends can often see you doing or seeing
something that you would not normally have considered which can be a great
plus.
The Con’s – It is hard enough to cater
to a partners whims without increasing it by extra factors!
No matter how hard you try you will have to bend to make it all work for
everyone which means that you will, at least initially, leave places sooner or
later than you want in order to stay together. After a time you will learn to
part and re-meet which will remedy this problem.
It doesn’t count as to how well you thought you knew your friends you
don’t know all of their idiosyncrasies. Unless you have previously lived with
them, their “home character” has been left at home when visiting with you or
put in a draw whilst you visited them in their home. This of course also
applies to yourself or selves. We are all complex individuals and these
complexities will become apparent and have to be catered to when you are
traveling together especially if you do so too closely. Of course it goes
without saying that the reverse is true and your friends will be putting up
with the peculiarities that you and your partner inhabit.
Differences in standards will become apparent and need to be tolerated,
dropped or lifted to meet which can be very difficult.
Different people want to and are able to do different things. Great care
must be taken so as not to allow others to cause you to miss out on doing
something you want to do. Conversely it is important not to try to push an
unwilling individual to do that with which they are not willing or comfortable.
Traveling Alone as a
Couple
The Pro’s – You will be doing whatever
you want within of corse the restrictions of your own
relationship!
There is no commitment to others to be ready at any time to do anything.
If you make a silly mistake the only ones that will know are those that
you wish to tell.
Plans can be changed on a whim.
You will meet more people as you are not in a group situation when you
arrive anywhere.
Traveling will be at your own pace.
The Con’s!
Your sense of backup for emergency situations will have disappeared.
It is nice to socialise with your friends and
that will be very much missed.
Conclusion - If managed
well it is all good, just different types of good!
Spare
Spare – Spare
Last revised: Date Wednesday, October 12, 2011