NSW on a Campervan

[touchme]

Hi deljunks,
Indeed an exciting bunch for an adventurous road trip.
Not to pour cold water over your plans. but unfortunately your group profile may not fit well, in the following aspects.

1) space and privacy
Not easy sharing a single narrow alley and single bathroom with your maid and musketeers. Unless she's used to see each other changing clothes. (Bathroom too small to change inside).

Best way is to pay for baths, at camparks or free at beachparks.
The 6-7 berth truck won't hold enough water for all anyway.

2) Mindset
Unless your spouse was brought up in kampung/old houses/community, she may not enjoy it. I'm sure your maid will enjoy. As for kids, they need to be pre-educated.

For hikes and camping out, I play pretend with mine, as an army expedition, recceing, and trekking, taking fallen branches as guns, campfire at night, etc and teamworking. They (boys) enjoyed thoroughly, forgetting all the inconveniences/darkness. I reckon for first-timers, check-in every 3rd night. Hopefully, it works for yours.

Perth-Cervantes-Waverock-Fremantle-Bunberry-Margaret-Permenton-Albany will be a good first time diversed starter for them for 12 days.
Britz and Maui provides alright 6-7 berths campers. No need undeclare or anything. Just a headache handling a truck. But on the bright side, no headaches about planning/prebooking accommodation, getting to accommodation in time, unloading/loading/leaving behind of luggage/personal effects.

It's probably more dangerous walking/staying in the city, with drunks and crowds, than in the wild with a contained vehicle. I haven't heard of robbers attacking seemingly-poorer campervans yet.

At campsites, socialise with other campers, they will enjoy exploring the insides of other types of campervans. It'll be fun and enriching for the kids if you can overcome the above.

 

[deljunks]

hi,thanks for your reply.
if we were to split few days with campervan and few days of farm stay, which should go first would you advise?
thanks

Hi deljunks,
Indeed an exciting bunch for an adventurous road trip.
Not to pour cold water over your plans. but unfortunately your group profile may not fit well, in the following aspects.

1) space and privacy
Not easy sharing a single narrow alley and single bathroom with your maid and musketeers. Unless she's used to see each other changing clothes. (Bathroom too small to change inside).

Best way is to pay for baths, at camparks or free at beachparks.
The 6-7 berth truck won't hold enough water for all anyway.

2) Mindset
Unless your spouse was brought up in kampung/old houses/community, she may not enjoy it. I'm sure your maid will enjoy. As for kids, they need to be pre-educated.

For hikes and camping out, I play pretend with mine, as an army expedition, recceing, and trekking, taking fallen branches as guns, campfire at night, etc and teamworking. They (boys) enjoyed thoroughly, forgetting all the inconveniences/darkness. I reckon for first-timers, check-in every 3rd night. Hopefully, it works for yours.

Perth-Cervantes-Waverock-Fremantle-Bunberry-Margaret-Permenton-Albany will be a good first time diversed starter for them for 12 days.
Britz and Maui provides alright 6-7 berths campers. No need undeclare or anything. Just a headache handling a truck. But on the bright side, no headaches about planning/prebooking accommodation, getting to accommodation in time, unloading/loading/leaving behind of luggage/personal effects.

It's probably more dangerous walking/staying in the city, with drunks and crowds, than in the wild with a contained vehicle. I haven't heard of robbers attacking seemingly-poorer campervans yet.

At campsites, socialise with other campers, they will enjoy exploring the insides of other types of campervans. It'll be fun and enriching for the kids if you can overcome the above.

 

[touchme]

hi,thanks for your reply.
if we were to split few days with campervan and few days of farm stay, which should go first would you advise?
thanks

considering the time traveling to the farm and back to depot in city and all the luggage to/fro, I'll say do your 1-2 days' farm stay, within the camper rental, along your route, would be quite enough.
(Coming from a person who've gotten very lazy and laid back, when it comes to luggages/effects)

But definitely a lot of time/headaches saved from check-ins/outs

Sent from my phone using GAGT

 

[deljunks]

thanks so much for your advice.
will make some plan and work on it.
appreciated.
cheers

considering the time traveling to the farm and back to depot in city and all the luggage to/fro, I'll say do your 1-2 days' farm stay, within the camper rental, along your route, would be quite enough.
(Coming from a person who've gotten very lazy and laid back, when it comes to luggages/effects)

But definitely a lot of time/headaches saved from check-ins/outs

Sent from my phone using GAGT

 

[deljunks]

hi,
had wanted to make the travelling after cny and one of my friend suggest to travel after may as it will be a better weather to visit perth as now it is summer and there is forest fire?
is may a better period to travel?
if so I may postpone the travelling till then.
any advice?
thanks

considering the time traveling to the farm and back to depot in city and all the luggage to/fro, I'll say do your 1-2 days' farm stay, within the camper rental, along your route, would be quite enough.
(Coming from a person who've gotten very lazy and laid back, when it comes to luggages/effects)

But definitely a lot of time/headaches saved from check-ins/outs

Sent from my phone using GAGT

 

[touchme]

Deljunks, personal preference, depending on how well your family handles heat/cold. Mine gets agitated when hot. Love the cold, feels more like holiday.
Best at the flip of cold season, when the rates for rooms/vehicle halve to off-peak (low season rates). Normal touring in WA, is mostly coastal, so won't be that cold, unless you're going inland >200km

Better go more holidays this year, before your first goes P1, thereafter you have to scuffle with all the holiday makers and high rates.

My family went 4 hols every quarter, (TW/NSW/HKDo/CN) when my boy was 6, 3 years ago.

 

[shawn4881]

Hey all,

This thread is amazing! Thank you everyone who contributed.. I spent like at least 2 hrs reading through everything on here and it was really informative.

Tbh, a friend and I were planning to do a Campervan roadtrip from Sydney to Brisbane.. We nearly gave up and opted for a car instead as we read up about how we aren't supposed to park/camp in non-designated areas and the fines involved.. but this thread gave us (well me at least) some hope! So here's our rough plan so far..

29th Mar to 9th Apr (flight tixs have been booked and i think it shld be autumn period)
- Landing in Sydney 12pm
- Departing from Gold Coast 9am
- via Scoot with FlyBagEat package ($440/pax just in case anyone's wondering.. read up on the other threads that the price is still acceptable. I wanted to hold out awhile longer to try my luck but my friend didn't want to take the chance.)
- Choice of campervan (not booked yet): Jucy Crib (http://www.jucy.com.au/vehicles/jucy-crib-long.aspx) @ AUD $1,189.69 including a 20% deposit.. I've been trying to search other sites for a better rate but no luck so far.. the rate includes the transfer from both Sydney & Brisbane @ $20/transfer
- any advice/suggestions for a more affordable rate will be great!

Itinerary (it's not concrete, just a rough outline as of now, still really raw)
29th Mar: Sydney city
30th Mar: Bouddi National Park
31st Mar: Newcastle
1st Apr: Newcastle (friend's graduation is at 2pm!)
2nd Apr: Nelson Bay + Seals Rock
3rd Apr: Port Macquarie
4th Apr: Dorrigo National Park (as discovered on here!)
5th Apr: Byron Bay
6th Apr: Byron Bay + Gold Coast
7th Apr: Gold Coast + Brisbane
8th Apr: Return Campervan in Brisbane and take a train back to Gold Coast
9th Apr: Flight back to SG

Tbh, 3rd to 8th Apr has still not been planned out, so any advice/recommendations would be awesome! I do have a few queries as well if anyone cld assist me on them..

1. So we are basically allowed to park and sleep in most places (just don't get caught)?
2. Are hot showers easy to come across? I'm hoping we wld be able to camp somewhr near the showering areas so we can freshen up once we get up.
3. How does the charging work? From what I checked with Jucy, it takes approximately 4 hours of driving to charge the vehicle fully. So how often shld we head to a powered site? say every 3 days?

These are all I have for now.. Thank you in advance and appreciate it if anyone cld assist on it! =)

 

[touchme]

@Shawn, your rates looks great, considering that it includes the one-way dropoff fee, transfers and deposit, and still mid-peak period.
Only qualm is if the pop-up is sufficient for full stand-up in back cabin for comfort.

Itinerary is alright, but tight. Gold coast needs 1-2 more days. Skip Brisbane, nothing unless GC has no depot.

1) it's not summer peak, so as long as you're not obstructing traffic/parking/near residences, nobody will disturb you. Beach/gardens /Fast-food/Megamarts' car parks or ulu turnoffs are fine. If I can sleepover in Sydney city central park CP (short walk to Opera house) and Royal Botanic Gardens CP, with patrol cars swooshing by every 2 hours, I don't see what's the fuss, but that's winter, may-July.

2) Use Wikicamps AU app for reviews and mapping if you need amenities. The only bathing sites are beach parks (cold) and paid holiday parks, where you can pay a few bucks for shower then park away. Alternatively, gatecrash or donate after closing hours 7-8pm.

 

[touchme]

3) We went unpowered 2 weeks straight, in between hostels/cabin/motel/ or inns. Nuff said.
Don't see why pay $30-50 just to park a van/car and still sleeping in the same sheets. Unless we have heavy cooking, wanna stretch out/socialise/tv/billiards/swim, OR heavy rain/bad stomachs thru the night. Mind as well, double up for new beds/fresh sheets, for an occasional change.

When you done enough of 1) and 2), you'll realise 3). In fact there are active campaigns going on in OZ, against the high holiday park fees, and lack of value-adding amenities.
You'll see many locals actually boycotting these paid parks. You can survive on 12v and 5v, no need 240v.

Nonetheless, renters somehow seem to have an obligation to the holiday parks, they will tell you, must power up every 2 days, Bull, I usually smiled it off.

how it works; _lots of literature online)
Additional car battery in the back for 'room' use, that get charged one-way from the front car battery/alternator.
Meaning it won't discharge even if you left your friend head lights on, and flattened the front battery. Also if you depleted your back battery overnight, your car can still startup in the morning.

Enough to last you thru the night from 6pm to morning, as long as you drive 2 hours every day (likely). Afterall, you're only using led cabin lights, low-powered devices charging and voltage-self-regulating fridge.

 

[shawn4881]

Hey,

Thanks for the prompt reply!

I continued sourcing through yesterday and I stumbled across Spaceshiprentals! Their Alpha 2 Berth (http://www.spaceshipsrentals.com.au/vehicles/alpha-2-berth/) for the same number of days, etc. is $1,007.05 after adding everything in. I think the only drawback is there is no sink? However, I think we can make do without the sink to save the $180! HAHA!

Unfortunately, GC has no depot for both Jucy and SpaceShip. Hence, we would need to return them at Brisbane, so might as well explore the place I guess?

Thanks for the info on the paid showers at holiday parks. That sounds like a good plan. The other alternative for us would be to get a solar shower from kmart ($10 compared to $25 for rental) and use it as and when required.

"Don't see why pay $30-50 just to park a van/car and still sleeping in the same sheets." I felt exactly the same way when I found out about it. It doesn't make sense to me and that was one of the main reasons why we nearly dropped the idea! The surprising thing about SpaceShip was that they actually mentioned on their website that their campervans wouldn't need to be charge at power sites as they are 24hrs self-charging.. now that's a first! I guess the only reason now for us to stay at a power site wld be to charge my microsoft surface (3-pin plug, not usb charging sadly). Alternatively, we could just head to a library or cafe! HAHA!

After reading this thread, this seems like a good plan.. $500 for flight/visa/travel insurance.. $500 for campervan rental.. not too sure how much the petrol and parking would cost but ~$150 should be more than enough? Only thing left is food/shopping/own expenses.. Our budget was actually 2k/pax but perhaps we can now keep it at 1.5k/pax?

Oh yes, we are trying to do a farm stay in between. Anyone has any recommendations on that? The ones I checked online are pretty pricey.. I guess it wouldn't be a bad idea if we still stayed in our campervan but head to the farm in the morning for the farm activities? HAHA! I'm not sure.. just thinking aloud =)

 

[touchme]

varying rental rates depends on the age of vehicles and hidden pre/post-rental costs. As long as you have a backup rental, won't be held ransom by them on pickup. All the best.

Charging problem solved. Use this...for your 240v charging. $10
(opps, edit: looks like prices up, $12-15)

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=121842486711&alt=web
I ran a projector off it too.
Nice to bring on a group road trip, Hang a white cloth on the rear windscreen, plug in your movies thumbdrive, lie back on bed and relag, or chillout with a bottle of wine/beer outside in your campchairs with screen on van panels, or tied across trees...that's why I prefer dark ulu places..haha. You can't do this in holiday parks or public parks.

Your petrol estimates about right, $300 for 10 days. More savings if you can cook. Cheaper with ready to cook steaks/chops with free bbq pits. Again, gaming houses sell scrumptious full course meals on the cheap.

Perhaps try berry picking on farm, free farm visit plus earn$40-80/day...haha. Since you got wheels, you can privately arrange with farms if they are contactable online. I am not so much into this, so can't comment much. Much of the farm tours cost, accrues to the 2 way long distance transport.

Only thing we did, was made a friend at a mall and invited us for kids party at his farm, interesting visit. At a winery, we bought wine and asked for a free shower, and gladly welcomed, on their premium shower room for guests/vine workers .haha

 

[shawn4881]

WOW! thanks for that! $12-15 is still a good deal.. saves the time of finding a place to charge stuff.. and my friend can still use it in SG.. I would love to experience sleeping under the stars or waking up to a scenic place! So parks wouldn't be the most ideal.. probably just to shower and socialise wif other campers..

i realised i haven't taken into consideration toll charges.. are these frequent and expensive too? i emailed SpaceShips and they mentioned they wld let us know more when we collect the vehicle.. but i feel it's better to plan ahead and know how much we shld set aside for that..

we could definitely cook simple meals.. we aren't too fussy so it doesn't bother us much.. but we wld definitely try to eat out at times.. sadly my friend doesn't eat beef! but the gaming houses sound like a good idea.. hopefully my friend doesn't gamble his money away though lol!

Yeah, wld probably try to liaise wif the farm stay family and work something out.. just keen on experiencing the life at a farm at playing ard wif the animals that's all.. wld be quite a waste to overspend there! HAHA!

 

[touchme]

just pre-register on Sydney tolls website, once you have the vehicle#, with your credit card.
https://www.myrta.com/wps/portal/extvp/myrta/etoll/!ut/

They will auto debit from your card, few days after you enter Sydney city tolls. $4-5 for registrationv and same for each use. Other parts in your route itinerary no tolls.

It's a manual ERP that runs 24 hrs/7 days, where it snap vehicle pics. Then they likely manually scan thru the million pics daily, and tally the vehicle with the registry, and bill your card. I had been fined once, despite registering, wrote back and they realised their mistake. Hard time chasing back the admin fee from the renter for this.

The renter likely will sell you a prepaid card kindof, and charge more. You haven't mention the insurance options for the rental?

For data SIM use Lembara (still Telstra), good and cheap, $10/1gb/2 weeks with $1-2 airtime, (not sure if sale booth still at Sydney airport). Free calls between simultaneous signups. Don't tether unnecessarily, double/triple clock.

 

[shawn4881]

In other words, only Sydney city has tolls? Are they pretty frequent?

The renter as in the one renting us the campervan? Regarding the vehicle's insurance, we will be taking the full one, reducing our liability to $0. The prices are indicated are already inclusive of the insurance cost.

I checked out the Lebara's website. They are having a really good online exclusive offer for their prepaid cards.. all of which are going at only $5! Unfortunately, I'm not sure hw we can collect it as the promo is only till 10th March.. I've just dropped them an email and hopefully there is a way to work things out with them! =)

 

[touchme]

For your route only when entering Sydney center. I don't remember Brisbane has any.

Only other city is Melbourne, on some sections of its 2 major highways.

Guess still ulu down under.

 

[shawn4881]

Awesome! that's a relief.. i was worried it wld cost a bomb travelling between states.. quite excited about this trip.. just have to firm up some of the itinerary especially in GC and brisbane..

i might combine Dorrigo National Park with Port Macquarie on 3rd Apr or maybe even skip Port Macquarie..

the other issue is the long drive from Dorrigo National Park to Byron Bay.. might have to stop somewhere in the middle for that..

 

[touchme]

It's a bomb in Japan, about 10cts/km. But not in Aussie, almost all hw no tolls.

What's there at Macquarie?...just don't skip Dorrigo, nice hike/woods/falls (half-hour uphill turnoff from main route). But still plan a half day spend inside, with spots along the way.

Your way to Byron Bay, lots of beaches with facilities, no hurry. Stop driving when it;s dark, to catch views.
By the time you reach BB/GC, maybe already over-grossed with beaches..haha. Some beachparks in the centre stretch may have paid parking. Might be good to check-in some hotel/motel with free parking, at GC for a good wash.

Unless you need to be sleeping in the thick of city action, you don;t have a spend a premium on prime-space beds and parking, esp more when you have wheels, and action is just 10mins/10 km drive away.
Rule of the thumb, drive off 5-10 km any directions from any city centres and the rates stand tapering down, with free parking.

I am planning Sydney-GC this June too, but skipping Dorigo (done), more days for GC sub-par theme parks
just waiting for cheap airtiks, which isn't quite happening this year, with OZ and most other destinations, inc. osaka, chintose in Sep/Dec...

That siad, Hokkaido is wild, and waifu missing it dearly:-
http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/japan-271/hokkaido-under-across-14-days-self-drive-sep-oct-2013-a-4441548.html

Maybe you can fill me in with your post-trip updates/advices here.

 

[Honda91]

Hi touchme ...

Just a quick 1 .. usually u book your campervan in which website ...
Looking for 2nd ops
Planning for upcoming trip again ..

Thanks

 

[touchme]

Many agents springing out from time to time, can't update.

Knowing which vehicle you want, I'll choose an affiliated agent with their lowest cost or lowest deposit. Note the included items/compulsory takeup items carefully.(you'll know easily from the vehicle layout/web design/depot collection address).

No harm take it go price match with rival depot with compatible model, which will knock it off another 5-10%..Or you can do it, the opposite way . haha

Note that agents are usually just a one man online show, with 1 computer@home, maintain/promote their nice website, liase some emails/spam past emails, collect 5-20% deposit. (usually that's their commission amount as well). The latter makes the price difference between different agents.
You'll notice some agents handle enquiries/bookings for renters of diffetent continents.

The actual renters/depots position themselves with higher prices/rates at their website. In actual fact, they won't mind taking only half the amount, working through with the many agents they work with.

btw, what's your new itinerary?

 

[Honda91]

Many agents springing out from time to time, can't update.

Knowing which vehicle you want, I'll choose an affiliated agent with their lowest cost or lowest deposit. Note the included items/compulsory takeup items carefully.(you'll know easily from the vehicle layout/web design/depot collection address).

No harm take it go price match with rival depot with compatible model, which will knock it off another 5-10%..Or you can do it, the opposite way . haha

Note that agents are usually just a one man online show, with 1 computer@home, maintain/promote their nice website, liase some emails/spam past emails, collect 5-20% deposit. (usually that's their commission amount as well). The latter makes the price difference between different agents.
You'll notice some agents handle enquiries/bookings for renters of diffetent continents.

The actual renters/depots position themselves with higher prices/rates at their website. In actual fact, they won't mind taking only half the amount, working through with the many agents they work with.

btw, what's your new itinerary?

Noted .. but do share me ur usual website .. looking for alternative .. the usual 1 that I book is on the high side ..

Looking to get a 4 berth truck since I will be spending most of them with the truck ..


Anyway .. this trip I would prob have about 40 days plus minus ...

I will be landing at Perth and end at brisban

Hoping to cover all the main city
Perth to esperance to adelaide to Melbourne to Canberra to sydney to gold coast to brisban

Abit ambitious. . But I think with abit of planning can be done