Gidday, we hope to set out shortly after Easter, and we do mean 2012.  I'm Caz and all this is new to me.  Den is my partner and he is just so gung-ho.  I can't wait to set out though.  Maybe my enthusiasm will overtake Den's once we get started?  I hope to be able to make email contact with you experienced people out there.  At this stage I'm not too sure how to go about achieving that end?  I've seen quite a lot of my wonderful country (Aus) and I can't wait to see much more.  I guess any apprehension is all about leaving the old comfort zone but our van will be comfortable and I will adapt.  Den, I'm sure, wishes he could fast-forward to a little after Easter.  I'm glad I found this site.  I'm into cooking.  Spent 7 months camping and cooking for our building crew when my late hubby and I owner built our house.  Plus we used to camp at Newnes Valley in NSW for a week either side of Easter with a big group of stalwarts and we cooked up a storm.  We did this every year from 1975 to 1993.

Den and I both live in rural NSW.  Me on property and Den in a town.  We are busy making lists to equip our van.  I don't know who may read this but if anyone has any basic "golden" rules for beginners I'm up for receiving that info.

Bye
Carolyn

Hi Caz and welcome

Maggie and I are where you guys are at. Took delivery of e new Colarado a week ago and now looking around at caravans.

Cheers


Derek

Welcome Den and Caz
I have only to say, that I am envious.
My wife and I have another 2 years to wait before we hit the wallaby trail.

Only advice I have is to live every day like its your last.

Aart

Carolyn and Den,, we rarely stay in caravan parks, we're bush campers because that's what we enjoy, having a fire and cooking in a camp oven by a river somewhere is what it's all about, no "golden rules", just common sense, things like making sure your fire is out and taking your rubbish with you when you break camp.
If you get the chance go to a Camp Oven Get Together (COG) you'll meet a great bunch of likewise minded people and learn heaps, I know I did.

pd

Welcome along guys, get out and amongst it, I have learnt or should I say my opinion is that you shouldn't wait until you have all the stuff you think you need, just get out and do it, mistakes will be made , but you adapt, you discard stuff and replace with what will work, it takes years to bring it all together, but that's the fun. I think every one comes away from a camp out with new ideas and seeing different ways of doing it.

Mistakes and disasters are great to look back on, part of the journey.
The boys and I camp in a tent, we have no 4WD just a trailer, but we get amoungst it.

Hey Caz & Den,
From my experience... the first couple of trips you will take 10 tonne of equipment - everything including the kitchen sink!  Then gradually you realise you havent used 'that widget' in the last 5 trips, so next time you leave it home.  Eventually your 10 tonne decreases to 2 tonne, half a tonne etc etc until you get to the stage where you take what you use and need regularly rather than everything that may possibly come in handy.
Enjoy yourself along the way and chalk all up experiences up to the compulsory learning curve   ;D

Regards
LG

Hi Caz and Den. You only get what you pay for is the goldem rule I live by. Overall it seems to work, always a lemon in the mix somewhere though.

If you don't use it at home, it's a fair bet it won't get used on the road.

Welcome and enjoy the circus.  ;D

ps,  See your GP before going to a COG and get a script for "castironitis".  Take the tablets well before the COG because "castironitis" is highly contagious..... ;)

cheers

Hi guys, we are also decking out our camper trailer (after doing Oz on bike, 4wd & tent) & found a site (not advertising here) called "Drifta kitchens". You will have many questions that will arise from answers & so it can become drawn out. I agree with Michaelb in that mistakes are good to learn from but believe it is nice to get some good info for starting out your kit as it can be expensive. Look at the "my trailer setup" to get some ideas. Hope this helps & I look forward to getting some info from "out there".

Welcome to the forum guys.


Derek [smiley=chef.gif]

G'day & have fun out there,
Cheers