campervans
Apr 10th 2007 | 8:32 pm
#16
I am the walrus.. face it
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 367
From: Devon, UK
Re: campervans
Last edited by carlosthegerbil; Apr 10th 2007 at 10:24 pm.
Apr 10th 2007 | 8:59 pm
#17
Timelord
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,834
From: Lost in space...
Apr 10th 2007 | 10:19 pm
#18
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 57
From: South Northants, UK
Re: campervans
H all,
It's great to see this thread.
We are a family of 4 (daughter 11, son 8), and are thinking of doing the motorhome bit. We currently have a motorhome over here which I have looked at shipping over to Oz, but as everybody seems to say about vehicles, it doesn't seem worth it!!!
We are going for a reccie to Brisbane in May and hopefully can then decide if Oz is for us or not.
We are currently waiting for hubbys references (he's a carpenter/joiner) for TRA to come back so its all gone a bit flat at the moment, but this post has got me fired up again.
Melanie
It's great to see this thread.
We are a family of 4 (daughter 11, son 8), and are thinking of doing the motorhome bit. We currently have a motorhome over here which I have looked at shipping over to Oz, but as everybody seems to say about vehicles, it doesn't seem worth it!!!
We are going for a reccie to Brisbane in May and hopefully can then decide if Oz is for us or not.
We are currently waiting for hubbys references (he's a carpenter/joiner) for TRA to come back so its all gone a bit flat at the moment, but this post has got me fired up again.
Melanie
Apr 10th 2007 | 11:47 pm
#19
youngy73
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 940
From: kewarra beach, cairns
Re: campervans
im up in cairns. have you considered renting a 4wd with a camper top or a troopy which has the camper coversion. if your only going to rent for a few weeks ro travel up it will make your trip a lot more interesting. much more can be accessed by 4wd. fraser for a starters.
Apr 11th 2007 | 1:17 am
#20
Just Joined
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 6
Re: campervans
Hi, my hubbie and I moved to melbourne last July NO REGRETS!!!! Weather fantastic, wildlife amazing and scenery out of this world!!! Anyway, we boughyt a second hand campervan (4 berth) from Beeltlemania, Moorabbin- East Melbourne. It's a Mazda converted camper, cost us $7000, and has been taking us to national parks with no problems every- weekend when not working. Definately the best move we made since coming out here.
Best of luck anyway- if you want some more details i'll forward them-
Andrea
Best of luck anyway- if you want some more details i'll forward them-
Andrea
Apr 11th 2007 | 4:23 pm
#21
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 191
Re: campervans
Have a look on www.campsaustraliawide.com.
We got the Camps3 book a few years ago and now a Camps4 book is out I think.Covers all of Oz.Lists all point where you can stop in a camper for free or very little charge.
We got the Camps3 book a few years ago and now a Camps4 book is out I think.Covers all of Oz.Lists all point where you can stop in a camper for free or very little charge.
Apr 12th 2007 | 5:31 am
#22
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,376
Re: campervans
There's meant to be a place in Kings Cross Sydney where you can buy/sell campervans... It might be leaning towards the backpacker end of the game though... 
There's also a place up here on the Northern Beaches whose name I forget... I'll have a look later and post a link...
There's the NRMA here in NSW or the RACQ in Queeensland... I definitely would not consider what you are without full membership of one of these or similar from one of the other States.
4X4 van IMHO wouldn't really be needed... You can always hire a one off for Fraser Island or wherever else you particularly want to go that requires it... You'd be amazed at where people get their campervans...!
Big 4X4 plus caravan is probably the most versatile way of doing it but might cost a fair bit more in the long run...
Big4 are the largest operator of campsites in Oz... Check them out...
New thread...? Good idea...
There's also a place up here on the Northern Beaches whose name I forget... I'll have a look later and post a link...There's the NRMA here in NSW or the RACQ in Queeensland... I definitely would not consider what you are without full membership of one of these or similar from one of the other States.
4X4 van IMHO wouldn't really be needed... You can always hire a one off for Fraser Island or wherever else you particularly want to go that requires it... You'd be amazed at where people get their campervans...!
Big 4X4 plus caravan is probably the most versatile way of doing it but might cost a fair bit more in the long run...
Big4 are the largest operator of campsites in Oz... Check them out...
New thread...? Good idea...
Apr 12th 2007 | 11:05 am
#23
Timelord
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,834
From: Lost in space...
Re: campervans
How many of all the vans you see running around Oz are 4x4...? Not many that I've seen on my travels up and down the East Coast... How do all those backpackers get on then...?
Apr 12th 2007 | 2:32 pm
#24
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 187
From: From Cesspit London to Glorious Sydney
Re: campervans
Park at any Big4 park. There are loads. We parked from $15 per night, use their power, showers etc. Ensuites are more. They mostly have pools etc, and are all really nice. If you go outside of big4, you can end up in a bit of a dump, so be warned.
We used the van when we came here until we found a house, had a brilliant time, and was cheaper overall than a car and motels, and had loads of fun.
Apr 12th 2007 | 3:59 pm
#25
Life is good
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,019
From: Perth, WA
Re: campervans
there is a place in Kings Cross somewhere, my mate sold her camervan there.
Don't buy a VW is you are doing long distances....ours died on us, so did our friends...great fun though. Drove from Fremantle to Sydney, great journey.
Have fun.
Don't buy a VW is you are doing long distances....ours died on us, so did our friends...great fun though. Drove from Fremantle to Sydney, great journey.
Have fun.
Apr 14th 2007 | 6:54 am
#26
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,376
Re: campervans
We did. We used Britz campervans, had one for a month. No campervan is cheap. You need all the insurance as the way they do accidents here is pay now, sort out fault and refund later. Cant remember what we paid, it was either $2k or $4k, and Britz is the cheapest, so you will know which price is right if you get a quote from them. Britz have slightly older vans, but still nice, clean and reliable. Apollo are middle of the road, nearly all new vans. Maui were the most expensive (Same company as Britz !), but all brand spanker vans with lcd tv's, satellite dishes etc. Britz is fine I would say, and we saved $1k over what Apollo would have been.
Park at any Big4 park. There are loads. We parked from $15 per night, use their power, showers etc. Ensuites are more. They mostly have pools etc, and are all really nice. If you go outside of big4, you can end up in a bit of a dump, so be warned.
We used the van when we came here until we found a house, had a brilliant time, and was cheaper overall than a car and motels, and had loads of fun.
Park at any Big4 park. There are loads. We parked from $15 per night, use their power, showers etc. Ensuites are more. They mostly have pools etc, and are all really nice. If you go outside of big4, you can end up in a bit of a dump, so be warned.
We used the van when we came here until we found a house, had a brilliant time, and was cheaper overall than a car and motels, and had loads of fun.
We hired our van with www.campette.com with NO upfront costs! We paid $500 for 2 weeks rental and THAT WAS IT! The reason we chose them!
Apr 14th 2007 | 10:07 am
#27
Lee N Liz
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 63
From: In Limbo
Re: campervans
HI all
I am writing this sat in our campervan in a free wireless site nr Surfers paradise. My wife and I have been on the road for 13 weeks now and are thoroughly enjoying it.
I totally agree with The Sub Main Man about buying a camper rather then renting. We hired a camper in WA for a few weeks (cost inc insurance $100 a day) which was fine for short term. Having got the bug for it, we bought our own vehicle in Adelaide because we intend on travelling all the way round and up to Cairns. Because of the timescale involved, we would have spent the same money renting one as we would have buying one, but we have the collateral at the end.
Just make sure you buy a decent one and avoid buying of a backpacker if possible because they're generally in very poor condition. We paid about 3000 English Pounds and although it's 1988 it's done us proud and people are always commenting on what a lovely example we have.
Our top tip for wishing to buy: grab a 'trading post' paper out the newsagents, hire a car for the day and spend all day driving round looking at what you can get for your money. There's plenty out there for sale.
I am writing this sat in our campervan in a free wireless site nr Surfers paradise. My wife and I have been on the road for 13 weeks now and are thoroughly enjoying it.
I totally agree with The Sub Main Man about buying a camper rather then renting. We hired a camper in WA for a few weeks (cost inc insurance $100 a day) which was fine for short term. Having got the bug for it, we bought our own vehicle in Adelaide because we intend on travelling all the way round and up to Cairns. Because of the timescale involved, we would have spent the same money renting one as we would have buying one, but we have the collateral at the end.
Just make sure you buy a decent one and avoid buying of a backpacker if possible because they're generally in very poor condition. We paid about 3000 English Pounds and although it's 1988 it's done us proud and people are always commenting on what a lovely example we have.
Our top tip for wishing to buy: grab a 'trading post' paper out the newsagents, hire a car for the day and spend all day driving round looking at what you can get for your money. There's plenty out there for sale.
I think if you are only going to do this for several weeks it would be worth renting. But if you’re looking at something more long term then purchasing and selling at the end would probably be cheaper.
Now for the thread hijacking!
We are planning the same too. Me, the wife, and two kids are hoping to travel around for about 3 - 4 months. A once in a life time adventure really & who knows where we will end up (bankrupt probably).
I figured there would be others doing something like this. It would be great if we could hook something up. Share the research so to speak.
Things that need to be researched:
Where is the best place to buy a campervan, & best place to sell one?
Is there something like the AA or the RAC other there?
Do I drive around the whole country, or do I take the train for some of it?
Do I need a 4x4 campervan? Or is that just for the west?
Would a car and a caravan be a better option?
What is a good guide to the location of camping/parking sites?
Prices?
Should we start a new thread about this?
Now for the thread hijacking!
We are planning the same too. Me, the wife, and two kids are hoping to travel around for about 3 - 4 months. A once in a life time adventure really & who knows where we will end up (bankrupt probably).
I figured there would be others doing something like this. It would be great if we could hook something up. Share the research so to speak.
Things that need to be researched:
Where is the best place to buy a campervan, & best place to sell one?
Is there something like the AA or the RAC other there?
Do I drive around the whole country, or do I take the train for some of it?
Do I need a 4x4 campervan? Or is that just for the west?
Would a car and a caravan be a better option?
What is a good guide to the location of camping/parking sites?
Prices?
Should we start a new thread about this?
Apr 14th 2007 | 10:16 am
#28
Lee N Liz
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 63
From: In Limbo
Re: campervans
HI all
I am writing this sat in our campervan in a free wireless site nr Surfers paradise. My wife and I have been on the road for 13 weeks now and are thoroughly enjoying it.
I totally agree with The Sub Main Man about buying a camper rather then renting. We hired a camper in WA for a few weeks (cost inc insurance $100 a day) which was fine for short term. Having got the bug for it, we bought our own vehicle in Adelaide because we intend on travelling all the way round and up to Cairns. Because of the timescale involved, we would have spent the same money renting one as we would have buying one, but we have the collateral at the end.
Just make sure you buy a decent one and avoid buying of a backpacker if possible because they're generally in very poor condition. We paid about 3000 English Pounds and although it's 1988 it's done us proud and people are always commenting on what a lovely example we have.
Our top tip for wishing to buy: grab a 'trading post' paper out the newsagents, hire a car for the day and spend all day driving round looking at what you can get for your money. There's plenty out there for sale.
I am writing this sat in our campervan in a free wireless site nr Surfers paradise. My wife and I have been on the road for 13 weeks now and are thoroughly enjoying it.
I totally agree with The Sub Main Man about buying a camper rather then renting. We hired a camper in WA for a few weeks (cost inc insurance $100 a day) which was fine for short term. Having got the bug for it, we bought our own vehicle in Adelaide because we intend on travelling all the way round and up to Cairns. Because of the timescale involved, we would have spent the same money renting one as we would have buying one, but we have the collateral at the end.
Just make sure you buy a decent one and avoid buying of a backpacker if possible because they're generally in very poor condition. We paid about 3000 English Pounds and although it's 1988 it's done us proud and people are always commenting on what a lovely example we have.
Our top tip for wishing to buy: grab a 'trading post' paper out the newsagents, hire a car for the day and spend all day driving round looking at what you can get for your money. There's plenty out there for sale.
I think if you are only going to do this for several weeks it would be worth renting. But if you’re looking at something more long term then purchasing and selling at the end would probably be cheaper.
Now for the thread hijacking!
We are planning the same too. Me, the wife, and two kids are hoping to travel around for about 3 - 4 months. A once in a life time adventure really & who knows where we will end up (bankrupt probably).
I figured there would be others doing something like this. It would be great if we could hook something up. Share the research so to speak.
Things that need to be researched:
Where is the best place to buy a campervan, & best place to sell one?
Is there something like the AA or the RAC other there?
Do I drive around the whole country, or do I take the train for some of it?
Do I need a 4x4 campervan? Or is that just for the west?
Would a car and a caravan be a better option?
What is a good guide to the location of camping/parking sites?
Prices?
Should we start a new thread about this?
Now for the thread hijacking!
We are planning the same too. Me, the wife, and two kids are hoping to travel around for about 3 - 4 months. A once in a life time adventure really & who knows where we will end up (bankrupt probably).
I figured there would be others doing something like this. It would be great if we could hook something up. Share the research so to speak.
Things that need to be researched:
Where is the best place to buy a campervan, & best place to sell one?
Is there something like the AA or the RAC other there?
Do I drive around the whole country, or do I take the train for some of it?
Do I need a 4x4 campervan? Or is that just for the west?
Would a car and a caravan be a better option?
What is a good guide to the location of camping/parking sites?
Prices?
Should we start a new thread about this?
Apr 14th 2007 | 10:22 am
#29
Lee N Liz
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 63
From: In Limbo
Re: campervans
HI all
I am writing this sat in our campervan in a free wireless site nr Surfers paradise. My wife and I have been on the road for 13 weeks now and are thoroughly enjoying it.
I totally agree with The Sub Main Man about buying a camper rather then renting. We hired a camper in WA for a few weeks (cost inc insurance $100 a day) which was fine for short term. Having got the bug for it, we bought our own vehicle in Adelaide because we intend on travelling all the way round and up to Cairns. Because of the timescale involved, we would have spent the same money renting one as we would have buying one, but we have the collateral at the end.
Just make sure you buy a decent one and avoid buying of a backpacker if possible because they're generally in very poor condition. We paid about 3000 English Pounds and although it's 1988 it's done us proud and people are always commenting on what a lovely example we have.
Our top tip for wishing to buy: grab a 'trading post' paper out the newsagents, hire a car for the day and spend all day driving round looking at what you can get for your money. There's plenty out there for sale.
I am writing this sat in our campervan in a free wireless site nr Surfers paradise. My wife and I have been on the road for 13 weeks now and are thoroughly enjoying it.
I totally agree with The Sub Main Man about buying a camper rather then renting. We hired a camper in WA for a few weeks (cost inc insurance $100 a day) which was fine for short term. Having got the bug for it, we bought our own vehicle in Adelaide because we intend on travelling all the way round and up to Cairns. Because of the timescale involved, we would have spent the same money renting one as we would have buying one, but we have the collateral at the end.
Just make sure you buy a decent one and avoid buying of a backpacker if possible because they're generally in very poor condition. We paid about 3000 English Pounds and although it's 1988 it's done us proud and people are always commenting on what a lovely example we have.
Our top tip for wishing to buy: grab a 'trading post' paper out the newsagents, hire a car for the day and spend all day driving round looking at what you can get for your money. There's plenty out there for sale.
I think if you are only going to do this for several weeks it would be worth renting. But if you’re looking at something more long term then purchasing and selling at the end would probably be cheaper.
Now for the thread hijacking!
We are planning the same too. Me, the wife, and two kids are hoping to travel around for about 3 - 4 months. A once in a life time adventure really & who knows where we will end up (bankrupt probably).
I figured there would be others doing something like this. It would be great if we could hook something up. Share the research so to speak.
Things that need to be researched:
Where is the best place to buy a campervan, & best place to sell one?
Is there something like the AA or the RAC other there?
Do I drive around the whole country, or do I take the train for some of it?
Do I need a 4x4 campervan? Or is that just for the west?
Would a car and a caravan be a better option?
What is a good guide to the location of camping/parking sites?
Prices?
Should we start a new thread about this?
Now for the thread hijacking!
We are planning the same too. Me, the wife, and two kids are hoping to travel around for about 3 - 4 months. A once in a life time adventure really & who knows where we will end up (bankrupt probably).
I figured there would be others doing something like this. It would be great if we could hook something up. Share the research so to speak.
Things that need to be researched:
Where is the best place to buy a campervan, & best place to sell one?
Is there something like the AA or the RAC other there?
Do I drive around the whole country, or do I take the train for some of it?
Do I need a 4x4 campervan? Or is that just for the west?
Would a car and a caravan be a better option?
What is a good guide to the location of camping/parking sites?
Prices?
Should we start a new thread about this?
Apr 14th 2007 | 10:24 am
#30
Lee N Liz
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 63
From: In Limbo
Re: campervans
mmmm Wot happend there
lol
lol
HI all
I am writing this sat in our campervan in a free wireless site nr Surfers paradise. My wife and I have been on the road for 13 weeks now and are thoroughly enjoying it.
I totally agree with The Sub Main Man about buying a camper rather then renting. We hired a camper in WA for a few weeks (cost inc insurance $100 a day) which was fine for short term. Having got the bug for it, we bought our own vehicle in Adelaide because we intend on travelling all the way round and up to Cairns. Because of the timescale involved, we would have spent the same money renting one as we would have buying one, but we have the collateral at the end.
Just make sure you buy a decent one and avoid buying of a backpacker if possible because they're generally in very poor condition. We paid about 3000 English Pounds and although it's 1988 it's done us proud and people are always commenting on what a lovely example we have.
Our top tip for wishing to buy: grab a 'trading post' paper out the newsagents, hire a car for the day and spend all day driving round looking at what you can get for your money. There's plenty out there for sale.
I am writing this sat in our campervan in a free wireless site nr Surfers paradise. My wife and I have been on the road for 13 weeks now and are thoroughly enjoying it.
I totally agree with The Sub Main Man about buying a camper rather then renting. We hired a camper in WA for a few weeks (cost inc insurance $100 a day) which was fine for short term. Having got the bug for it, we bought our own vehicle in Adelaide because we intend on travelling all the way round and up to Cairns. Because of the timescale involved, we would have spent the same money renting one as we would have buying one, but we have the collateral at the end.
Just make sure you buy a decent one and avoid buying of a backpacker if possible because they're generally in very poor condition. We paid about 3000 English Pounds and although it's 1988 it's done us proud and people are always commenting on what a lovely example we have.
Our top tip for wishing to buy: grab a 'trading post' paper out the newsagents, hire a car for the day and spend all day driving round looking at what you can get for your money. There's plenty out there for sale.
