NSW on a Campervan

[sellun]

Surprised you din look this up b4 your jun nz trip, and that you shared little on your nz thread..

Nevertheless, you've done your better sightseeing roadtrip in NZ.
OZ isn't as awesome, in terms of terrain and adventures, but costs-wise is lower by about 30%, attractions are spaced further (1-2 hrs) apart, as opposed to NZ 30 mins apart. Hpwever, it's good if you taking it slow with more leisure (hikes/camping/hangaround).

True that cold is good, costs 50% lower, but also daylight is 50% less, meaning double days needed as opposed to summer.

OZ is just too big and varied for my suggestion, and unknown is your likes. If you are in for more:
A) Attractions/Coastal/Beaches/Shopping = Melbourne-Sydney.
B) Adventures/Beaches/Shopping = Brisbane-Sydney
C) Vastness/Nature/Peace = Darwin-Alice Springs or Adelaide-Alice Springs
D) Small-family Activities/Sightseeing = Albany-Perth-Kalberri
E) Mix of C & D : Tasmania (yup, nz like, but less explored wilderness)

F) Nothing much (unless you consider Great Ocean Route + Grampians here) = Melbourne-Adelaide
G) Cannot comment/ not done/ but sounds nice = Cairns-Brisbane, Darwin-Broome-Perth

* above based on 12-18 days itinerary

I guess for first time OZ, A is best, visiting the 2 largest cities, beaches, more wildlife, but also the most commercialisation cf. rest of OZ here.

hehe, I did look up this thread before my nz trip, lunn89 is my account too. In fact it was this thread which inspired me to try out campervaning! and all 6 of us LOVE IT! My nz thread is quite dead now as I am not much of a writer.. however i would love to answer any enquires regarding my experience . In fact I'm quite active at the south island thread (can't get over NZ )

We love love love the winter and the short daylight doesn't affect us much (except for less driving time) as we love to just hang out in the van and cook creative dishes ourselves. super fun if you camp with the right people!

Wow. thats alot of choices to select from..

We're more siding to Tasmania but have concern about the cost. It'll probably cost more than all the other choices right?
We do not shop AT ALL.
We did kayaking, skydiving, horseback riding in nz already. So unless there's other unique activities available, don't think we will be looking out for adventures. I do want to see a whale in the wild if possible tho.

Main objective is to get near the nature, do freedom campings at amazing places, love camping right by the sea/ocean, would love to just sit by a camp fire and chill too!

Of course, it would be best if we could keep the cost as low as possible!

 

[touchme]

hehe, I did look up this thread before my nz trip, lunn89 is my account too. In fact it was this thread which inspired me to try out campervaning! and all 6 of us LOVE IT! My nz thread is quite dead now as I am not much of a writer.. however i would love to answer any enquires regarding my experience . In fact I'm quite active at the south island thread (can't get over NZ )

We love love love the winter and the short daylight doesn't affect us much (except for less driving time) as we love to just hang out in the van and cook creative dishes ourselves. super fun if you camp with the right people!

Wow. thats alot of choices to select from..

We're more siding to Tasmania but have concern about the cost. It'll probably cost more than all the other choices right?
We do not shop AT ALL.
We did kayaking, skydiving, horseback riding in nz already. So unless there's other unique activities available, don't think we will be looking out for adventures. I do want to see a whale in the wild if possible tho.

Main objective is to get near the nature, do freedom campings at amazing places, love camping right by the sea/ocean, would love to just sit by a camp fire and chill too!

Of course, it would be best if we could keep the cost as low as possible!

Glad to learn of your camper love & nz love (latter hard to not luv)
For me, nz was in 2000 and 2005, quite enough, and wont be visiting until my kids are teens, esp after learning that adventures costs have more than doubled/triped since then. (eg. nearly $300 for a bungee jump?)

You already splurged a lot on NZ, Tasmania being more 20% ex- than rest of OZ, shd be cheap le, but may be too similar to yr NZ, less the adventures and commercilaization. Mind as well, do something with a different twist.

From your description, I would suggest NSW, north of Sydney up to Coffs (actual intent of this thread, at least start oz with their trademark city.). Both forest./beach freecamping amenities and sites are awesome, with electric pits/firewood thrown in. (firewood from kiosks ex- AUD15 for bag of 5 sticks). Nice hikes in the waterfall parks and Dorigo NP. Ulu beaches (off-road) available for tactical open fires (after loading up free firewood stock). Whales in Jun-Jul on the coastal stretch. Again the kick is to catch it from sea cliffs, without those paid boat rides.

Frankly there is no end to going low costs. As mentioned there are campervans for $20/day, seats/sleeps 3, with tent extensions. I dunno how you feel about driving a 6-berth truck, instead of 2x 3-berth instead, for more versatility and 2-3x lower rental/base/admin charges. After last year's TW and HKDo self convert mpv-to-campervan trips, I realised nothing beats cooking outside, sipping hot brews/soup, and eating direct from hotplate, over portable gas stoves, in the cold open beside your bonfire, so technically those cheapie wickedcampers (c/w with fridge/portable stoves) suffice, purely for sleep/storage. Check-in or gatecrash hostels/caravan parks only when raining. free toilet/shower amenities plentiful

oops, realised you guys are vegans. Being lunn89, and 25yo, i presume you guys are budding youngsters?

My next trip in Sep is Darwin-Kakadu-Katherine (10 days) will be a twist, party of 5, 4wd-ing and tent-camping (shamely both first time xp in oz)

correction; 2nd time 4wd in NT, phobic after stucked in mud and towed out by parkrangers. (heng, was free, tribes with pajero wanted $$, rental company would hv charged a bomb)

 

[sellun]

Glad to learn of your camper love & nz love (latter hard to not luv)
For me, nz was in 2000 and 2005, quite enough, and wont be visiting until my kids are teens, esp after learning that adventures costs have more than doubled/triped since then. (eg. nearly $300 for a bungee jump?)

You already splurged a lot on NZ, Tasmania being more 20% ex- than rest of OZ, shd be cheap le, but may be too similar to yr NZ, less the adventures and commercilaization. Mind as well, do something with a different twist.

From your description, I would suggest NSW, north of Sydney up to Coffs (actual intent of this thread, at least start oz with their trademark city.). Both forest./beach freecamping amenities and sites are awesome, with electric pits/firewood thrown in. (firewood from kiosks ex- AUD15 for bag of 5 sticks). Nice hikes in the waterfall parks and Dorigo NP. Ulu beaches (off-road) available for tactical open fires (after loading up free firewood stock). Whales in Jun-Jul on the coastal stretch. Again the kick is to catch it from sea cliffs, without those paid boat rides.

Frankly there is no end to going low costs. As mentioned there are campervans for $20/day, seats/sleeps 3, with tent extensions. I dunno how you feel about driving a 6-berth truck, instead of 2x 3-berth instead, for more versatility and 2-3x lower rental/base/admin charges. After last year's TW and HKDo self convert mpv-to-campervan trips, I realised nothing beats cooking outside, sipping hot brews/soup, and eating direct from hotplate, over portable gas stoves, in the cold open beside your bonfire, so technically those cheapie wickedcampers (c/w with fridge/portable stoves) suffice, purely for sleep/storage. Check-in or gatecrash hostels/caravan parks only when raining. free toilet/shower amenities plentiful

oops, realised you guys are vegans. Being lunn89, and 25yo, i presume you guys are budding youngsters?

My next trip in Sep is Darwin-Kakadu-Katherine (10 days) will be a twist, party of 5, 4wd-ing and tent-camping (shamely both first time xp in oz)

correction; 2nd time 4wd in NT, phobic after stucked in mud and towed out by parkrangers. (heng, was free, tribes with pajero wanted $$, rental company would hv charged a bomb)

Awesome! We spent much lesser than expected for NZ. All included about S$2.5k including flight, campervan, campervan parks, food (all self cooked except for one night buffet @ QT), kayaking, horseback ride, skydiving(~$550), petrol, buying of honeyssssss.

We chose a 6berth camper due to lack of experience (no longer now!) and lack of drivers, only have 3!. We actually enjoyed each other's company very much. I guess you gonna go with the right company. 6 people living together in a van can be very VERY MESSY but lots of fun!.

Our 6berth camper although is hugeeeee but is very very very easy to drive! mainly also due to all the nice patient drivers at NZ. We love driving there so much!

I see, so you would recommend us starting at sydney? and.. where should we end? Probably will go for about 10 - 12 days including flying time. Many of our friends envy our NZ trip after seeing our photos, so we might have more people joining us resulting in two campers travelling this time round. (can be both good and bad) more people more problems

 

[touchme]

Guess your tpt, accommodation and food already covered in your truck. Spendings only on adventures and shopping. Keep it up.

Depending on your billing cycle, remember to pay off your security deposit $8-10k first, before it incurs interest charge ($6-8/day). Is there a 2-3% card surcharge too, both ways? (In oz there is)

More about my company last trip.

 

[jimbok]

Just realized even Singapore passport requires a Visa application to enter Australia? Where do you guys usually apply the visa from?

Thanks.

 

[touchme]

Just realized even Singapore passport requires a Visa application to enter Australia? Where do you guys usually apply the visa from?

Thanks.

http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/australia-trial-317/visa-australia-2951847-new-post.html
3x Free for mature edmwers , courtesy Mrs.Kang. you qualify. Else $15-25 each.

 

[jimbok]

Not that I like the country, but it's the nearest place to feel and experience total freedom and vastness of nothingness. I enjoy US/Canada/NZ and Swiss Alps more, with their more rugged terrain and landscapes.

O track can go, but not covered by insurance, we drove a saloon car (not 4wd) back then, no prob. Ulu but still about every 30 mins a tourist car drives past either way. Traction is no prob, with gravel over sand. Drove hi-top inside Kalberri NP (WA ) on similar terrain too, for about 100km also good.

Bigger concern may be clotting of air filter or radiator driving on fuming sand for hundreds of km (but no point hundreds kms/days in desert, 100+ km /half day suffice)
(Looking at gmaps now, seems the 100km section from maree to the T-intersection is enhanced - yellow lined now, but takes the fun away le)

Relocation deals do appear about 1 month -6 weeks, before date, typically they give 7-14 days for you to reach their desired depot, which may fit your schedule, saving aud1000 on your rental. Real deal because they short of vehicles in cities to the outback,which they charge a lot more.
(Most 1,way rentals are from busy cities to remote cities, technically your Alice-Melbourne is doing them a free favor.)

buzbuz has a good point in her suggestion.

Just to update on our rental so far...

Have been monitoring the relocation offers from Vroom, Apollo, imoova, transfercar but so far Oct deal is not out yet.

Not sure if mid to end Oct is a peak period for campervan travelers? We are afraid if we cannot get any relocation deals and had to go the rental way but end up no more vehicles available for rent. That would be the worse thing to happen.

 

[touchme]

Just to update on our rental so far...

Have been monitoring the relocation offers from Vroom, Apollo, imoova, transfercar but so far Oct deal is not out yet.

Not sure if mid to end Oct is a peak period for campervan travelers? We are afraid if we cannot get any relocation deals and had to go the rental way but end up no more vehicles available for rent. That would be the worse thing to happen.

End-October is still mid season, won't be out, but price may jack when limited.
Suggest you go one of the agents to book and place small deposit first to secure. Still refundable within few weeks cancellation (read t+c). Salamanda traveltakes 5% deposit only. At most lose aud30-50, but save hundreds on relocation deals.

 

[jimbok]

End-October is still mid season, won't be out, but price may jack when limited.
Suggest you go one of the agents to book and place small deposit first to secure. Still refundable within few weeks cancellation (read t+c). Salamanda traveltakes 5% deposit only. At most lose aud30-50, but save hundreds on relocation deals.

Have placed a booking from Salamanda. The deposit cost is AUD$149. If a reloc deal comes 22+ days before our collection date we will just have to forfeit the deposit which is still a lot cheaper.

One thing I like to check, does the camper van (we got Apollo Endeavour as the agent mentioned HiTop for 2 adults max, we have 3) come with inverter (AC plugs) for us to charge our electronic devices (laptop, camera batteries)? Seems like your earlier post did not mention the details(only upon request?). Thanks!

All 3 of us cannot wait till the date comes, its our first campervan road trip together.

 

[touchme]

Have placed a booking from Salamanda. The deposit cost is AUD$149. If a reloc deal comes 22+ days before our collection date we will just have to forfeit the deposit which is still a lot cheaper.

One thing I like to check, does the camper van (we got Apollo Endeavour as the agent mentioned HiTop for 2 adults max, we have 3) come with inverter (AC plugs) for us to charge our electronic devices (laptop, camera batteries)? Seems like your earlier post did not mention the details(only upon request?). Thanks!

All 3 of us cannot wait till the date comes, its our first campervan road trip together.

Why your Salamanda Endeavour deposit so high, I deposit AUD37 for 2 weeks booking 2 months back? ($670 total before add-ons)

I did mentioned few posts back, they will bs you 3 pax cannot take Hi-top, no law govenring it, no need tell them 3, just claim 2, no difference in insurance or claims either. It seats and sleeps 3. It;'s because they charge about 70% more for endeavour, yet the vehicle is shorter by 1 feet, and definitely more cramped, with no walk-thru. On day of collection, you collect Hi-top and drive off with 3-4 pax, they also no hew. (maybe threaten you police catch, singaporeans best bait). Read back last few posts away.

The inverter is only when plugged in to AC wall mains outside van before can use. Independant cannot run. Hi-tops have Ac (AU pins) plugs inside too. Clarify with Apollo, Salamanda know nuts, they only travel agents, on day of booking, they disappear, apollo won;t hew, cannot claim with them anything either. Not I niao, just helping edmwers here dun get chopped by amdks. almost 2x costs what is necessary

Only thing is Hi-top top deck bed sleeps up to 50kg according to specs (shd take 60+ kg, without violent movement upstairs). Endeavour deck plank a little thicker (claims up to 80kg). I booked it for my other traavel companions, cos their top sleeps 2 teenage boys.

 

[touchme]

Traffic & Parking Fines:

Watch the contracts t&c, I missed this last time, cos past no traffic/parking fines. For every fine requested for drivers particulars from apollo, a AUD75 admin charge is imposed/auto-deduct from credit card.
I had 3 fines:
1) 1 authority-mistaken one, $5 for toll (claimed back admin fee),
2) 1 expired parking @Bondi, NSW $101 (appealed twice, succeeded before tehy seek particulars)
3) 1 speeding 68kmph at 60kmph road @Grampians, VIC $189 (appealed to VIC police, succeeded, but notification was sent to apollo (3 days) way before actual fine notice was issued, 2 weeks later)
Quite a handful of research and writing after returning home 2 months' before good news.

My other companions' van, 3 fines: 1 same expired coupon,$101, 2x speeding>10km of limit, $289 each (VIC), typical singaporeans kiasi, didn;t wanna wait for appeals (despite my offers), total spend AUD829 on a AUD670 rental, and rich nvm.. True, that in foreign lands, we get pardons as a tourists.

Morale: dun speed in urban, tourist, slight populated areas. I was more concerned about some speedy drives on national HW1 thru the southern NP forests, but din come. Rather morale is Dun Speed at all Times, (have to add this..lol) without writing skills, patience and persistence.

 

[touchme]

So i suggest, if your third pax is under 65 kg, I suggest you cancel/refund that endeavour booking, just declare 2 pax for a Hi-top. Even heavy, can be reinforced with some wood strip buys, on your own over there, for $10-20.

Btw, just wondering why your deposit 4x more than mine, How long/period of your booking (drop off if any), and how much total rental? Share rental agreement screenshot if possible.

Hitop rental can really save almost half of endeavor if managed correctly.

 

[jimbok]

So i suggest, if your third pax is under 65 kg, I suggest you cancel/refund that endeavour booking, just declare 2 pax for a Hi-top. Even heavy, can be reinforced with some wood strip buys, on your own over there, for $10-20.

Btw, just wondering why your deposit 4x more than mine, How long/period of your booking (drop off if any), and how much total rental? Share rental agreement screenshot if possible.

Hitop rental can really save almost half of endeavor if managed correctly.

Actually the rental for Apollo Endeavour is AUD$1040 by itself.

For our itinerary we will need to pay a One Way Fee of AUD$350. So instead I opted for the AUD$62/day all inclusive package for total of AUD$620 for 10 days just to save trouble.

We opted for the GPS until also, just incase...

Total rental is AUD$1040+620+100 = AUD$1760

Had a little email conversation with them checking on the HiTop for 3 adults. I guess is probably too late to declare 2?

 

[jimbok]

Traffic & Parking Fines:

Watch the contracts t&c, I missed this last time, cos past no traffic/parking fines. For every fine requested for drivers particulars from apollo, a AUD75 admin charge is imposed/auto-deduct from credit card.
I had 3 fines:
1) 1 authority-mistaken one, $5 for toll (claimed back admin fee),
2) 1 expired parking @Bondi, NSW $101 (appealed twice, succeeded before tehy seek particulars)
3) 1 speeding 68kmph at 60kmph road @Grampians, VIC $189 (appealed to VIC police, succeeded, but notification was sent to apollo (3 days) way before actual fine notice was issued, 2 weeks later)
Quite a handful of research and writing after returning home 2 months' before good news.

My other companions' van, 3 fines: 1 same expired coupon,$101, 2x speeding>10km of limit, $289 each (VIC), typical singaporeans kiasi, didn;t wanna wait for appeals (despite my offers), total spend AUD829 on a AUD670 rental, and rich nvm.. True, that in foreign lands, we get pardons as a tourists.

Morale: dun speed in urban, tourist, slight populated areas. I was more concerned about some speedy drives on national HW1 thru the southern NP forests, but din come. Rather morale is Dun Speed at all Times, (have to add this..lol) without writing skills, patience and persistence.

Wow... the parking fines admin fees are crazily high, we will take note on this. Thanks!

 

[jimbok]

Actually I searched for Apollo HiTop is at AUD$82/day.

Endeavour is AUD$104/day. So if I managed to get the HiTop for rent, we save about total AUD$200...

 

[Prawnfart]

the penalty is crazy!

 

[yeerk009]

Hi TS, I am currently planning a caravan road trip for 2 from Perth to Exmouth from the 31st Dec to 12 Jan 2015, got a few questions to ask you....

1. Given that our travel period is during their peak period as well, the cheapest deal we could get was with a 2 Berth Van with Hippie campers for around AUD 100 per day, for a total of around $1100 AUD. Any experience to share about the supplier hippie campers?

2. We are given a choice to add on liability reduction insurance @ AUD 20 per day, which reduces the Bond payable to secure the vehicle (Normally $2500) to just $100, our liability is also reduced to $100.

3. GPS rental from the rental company is around $10 bucks a day which is kinda ex as well...do you usually buy the GPS? Or are there any other ways of getting a cheap GPS from SG loaded with Aussie maps.... :/

4. Any other tips on where to go from Perth to Exmouth and things to expect will be great!

Do you think paying a total of around $200 for the insurance is worth it? Or could I get a better deal if I buy normal travel insurance from SG before flying over and dun get the insurance from the rental company? Does the travel insurance from NTUC cover caravan rentals too?
Do you know the normal price of travel insurance from NTUC?

Thanks in advance

 

[touchme]

Hi yeerk009:

Your less explored road trip from Perth to Exmouth sounds interesting, and at a good time. I've only been furthest 700km north from Perth at Kalberri NP. Do look forward to a trip from there to Broome. Just curious, does Hippie have a depot in Exmouth, and how you planning to return from there? or is it back to Perth?

1. The price just about there for peak peroid. Hippie is runned by Apollo, as far as Sydney /melbourne is concerned, could be nationwide. Condition and facilities are alright. Your booking is from agent (eg. salamanda) or direct?

2. Again, this depends on your driving experience, but frankly WA is quiet, no traffic to cause concern. Unless the CDWaiver package comes with free camping chairs/tables/GPS, and so needed, it is not necessary since your local travel insurance do cover vehicle rental up to $1.5-2K, (camper included for NTUC as of june 2014).

3. 1 week GPS rental costs more than buying a GPS there. MInd as well buy and freeshare with edmw travellers here. Gmaps and Sygic on prepaid $10-$20 1-2Gb vodafone/telstra/lebara SIM for 2 weeks, probably does better (telstra rcmd for WA}. Then again, your route is almost only 1-2 major highway north or south, can't get lost, unless you side turn and venture off-roads, else road atlas provided by campervan company is sufficient.

4. As mentioned, up to Kalberri NP only: Actually nothing much, guess, the usual places:

• Perth has its hotel casino if you are into it. There is a high ground Hilltop park, overlooking the whole Perth on your way north out of city.
  Along the first 200km, a few big towns with bigger malls for your groceries/shopping. Thereafter it's small towns with nice beaches and bays.
• Koala Park by the Lake forgot name, drving break.
• Pinnacles NP: You can drive in day,night, and sleep within the pinnnacle structures, many camped within.
• From there, inland only forests and forestry, like ou will take the newly constructed Indian Ocean Highway, looking out for MH17, while on the way to:
• Geraldine, beach, beach/fitness park. (good for picnics and showers)
• Kalberri beach and town for civilisation, and little east into Kalberri NP, if you like hiking, some interesting rock features here. The camper can handle the 60km gravel/sand drive in/within/out inside park.

Further more would be famous Monkey Mia, shallow massive beaches where wild dolphins dock, waddle and play ( paid hug service or DIY). In WA, the whole inland is beach (desert) sand. it's desert meet beach all the way. The rest, research them and i'll hear from you.

Your travel insurance shd be $40-50 each for 2 weeks. Book early, you can actually make claims if your trip is cancelled before your flight out.

 

[yeerk009]

Hi TS:

We plan to rent it from the depot in Perth and go on a roundtrip back. I'm not sure if they have a depot at Exmouth, but one-way rentals are super expensive I've heard!

We booked through an online site called MotorhomeRepublic, it seems pretty famous and legit, and the service they provided us was good! They pretty much source for alternative vehicles for you if the one you chose was not available (we initially wanted to book one from Keen As Campers) It seems that they managed to get a vehicle for us that was not available on Hippie's website directly, so I would recommend trying this website.

Thanks for your suggestions, we heard Exmouth has some pretty good snorkeling sites that's why we decided that it was worth the drive up there.

Will update you about our trips or any other questions that might pop up along the way

 

[touchme]

yeerk09:
Do share your trip and tips on WA.
Thinking of taking the same route next month.