How to estimate the cost of your road trip

One of the main considerations when deciding to take an extended road trip is the cost. How do you work out how much it will actually cost? Once you are on the road the bulk of your money will be spent on fuel, food and accommodation. Following this is probably the cost of going on tours and tourist attraction fees.

Reading the posts on travelling forums it is generally agreed that trips, as an average, cost about $1.00 per km. I know there are a lot of variables, including where you choose to stay (bush, cheaper camping or more expensive resort parks); how big your family is, the age of your kids and so on. But if you start with a budget of $1.00 per km, and work it out from there, at least you will have some idea to start with, then add extra for side trips, visiting of theme parks etc. The less takeaway food you buy the cheaper the trip.

I always recommend that you have an emergency fund (a high interest online savings account is good) in case of unforeseen events like a mechanical or medical issue. Also if your time is not too restricted and you have portable skills you can pick up work as you go. You don't have to save the whole $20k before you go.

Around Australia on a unicycle!

This has got to be the hardest way to travel around Australia... by unicycle! Australian actor Samuel Johnson arrived in Margaret River today. He has completed 7,733km out of the 15,000km so far to break the world record (for the longest journey on a unicycle) and raise over a million dollars for breast cancer. What keeps him going? His 35 year old sister, Connie, who has 6 - 12 months to live...

 

Check out his epic journey here and DONATE!
http://loveyoursister.org/

The Dynamics of Caravan Stability

Caravan stability is an evolving area in which a fair amount has yet to be established and proven. The interaction between trailers and their towing vehicles has been understood by the transport industry since WW1, but almost all has only been described in engineering papers and substantially in mathematical terms. Collyn Rivers is about the only technical writer attempting to explain this subject in reasonable clear English.    

His article attempts to discuss the technicalities of caravan towing dynamics in relatively plain English for those keen to know more on the topic but, like so many, cannot understand far more technical documents that cover this complex subject. Written by Collyn Rivers, an internationally recognised author on technical subjects in the automotive electrical, solar, and caravan/camping industry, this article provides design guidelines and tips that assist owners to avoid major buying and usage errors.

This article has been written specifically for ExplorOz, with a longer, more technical version to be available from the author’s website at a later stage. You can find it here http://www.exploroz.com/Vehicle/Caravans/Caravan_Dynamics.aspx

Great site for travel planning

I LOVE Tourism Australia's website for info about road trips, events, walks, tourist highlights and general stuff about Australia. You can look up each area for a checklist of things and places to see and routes to drive. Check it out http://www.australia.com/explore.aspx

Campervan Hire gives you holiday freedom

When you hire a campervan trailer for your holiday travels, you become a self-contained unit and you can enjoy the freedom that comes along with that. You are carrying your bed, food, toilet, and other creature comforts with you.

Sleeping

All campervans, even the most economical, will provide a space for sleeping. This frees you from the hassle of searching for a place to spend the night and the cost of a room, as well. You experience the freedom of not being committed to choosing a hotel/motel or other accommodation facility which can be quite expansive, depending on your location at the time. With a campervan trailer you can choose a lovely campground to sleep in or a rest stop along the road. Campervans generally sleep from two to six adults. If you are very tall or very wide or both, be sure and test the beds to make sure you will fit comfortably. Campervans for hire will come equipped with linens, but you can bring your own if you like.

Food

On the road you are free to eat the foods that you want when you travel in a campervan. You go to the grocery store and buy the foods you like. You will be able to enjoy your holiday meals wherever you are: the middle of a bush, the beach, on a mountaintop, etc. The larger vans will be outfitted with a refrigerator and the smaller ones may only have a cool-box that you will need to feed with fresh ice daily. A gas cook top generally comes with all campervans. The smaller vans will have a two-burner and the larger ones will have a four-burner. Some of the models will also have a microwave oven. You can expect to find a kitchen water supply in even the smallest vans. The more luxurious models will have hot water. The clean water holding tank size is usually dependent on the size of the vehicle and you will need to make sure that you restock it with potable water as needed.