P is due for 10 weeks long service leave at the end of this year, and we have tentatively decided to use it to do a "big trip" around Australia in the caravan - that's me, hubby P and 7yo son B. We'll probably leave in April or May 2010 - the basic plan atm is to head up the Qld coast, go up to Far North Queensland, across to the Northern Territory & do Darwin, Kakadu, Alice Springs and Ayers Rock, then keep heading across the top of WA and down the WA coast, and finally back over the Nullarbor.
We already own an A-Van that we used to do a 3 week trip around Victoria last year, as well as a few shorter trips in NSW.
It's very exciting - I didn't sleep well last night from thinking and planning!
The biggest challenge will be to save the money. A rough estimate of $1,000 week will mean saving $10,000 in 6 months - our petrol is covered in P's car lease, so that will need to cover accommodation, food and sightseeing. I'll be using this blog to track how we're going with it, as well as our planning and preparations. And then finally - updates from the trip!
Congratulations! It sounds like a wonderful opportunity and a great adventure!
ReplyDeletePeace and Laughter,
Cristina
Woo hoo! Take lots of pictures so I can live vicariously through you!
ReplyDeleteWoo hoo!!! Sounds very exciting. I will look forward to reading all about your planning, preparation and finally the trip. :) You will be busy covering that many km's in 10 weeks!
ReplyDeleteHow exciting!!! Boy, you'll be on the go trying to do all that in 10 weeks. Mum & Dad just took 9 weeks to do from after Kakadu, down WA and home. You'll love Uluru - it's such a magical place. Billy will also be a great age. Christy has just loved our trips, and both girls have learnt so much.
ReplyDeleteLibby
Excellent Kez, ya got room for me? What fun, lots of planning now to keep you busy.
ReplyDeleteTania
How Exciting-
ReplyDeleteDH and I spent a couple of years doing a similar trip in 96- 98 and we did a lot of free camping.
Blessings
Louise
How exciting! Good luck with the planning! I look forward to reading more!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful!! I look forward to hearing about your adventures. What a fabulous learning experience for your son.
ReplyDeleteHooray! Another friend hits the beaten track ... another adventure story to read (did you read the subclause 'must keep friends posted' before you signed on?)
ReplyDeleteAnd hopefully another day closer to OUR turn to announce a big trip (or series of trip-lets).
Very Jealous! How exciting :-) I've always wanted to do a coast to coast trip here in Canada. Looking forward to hearing about this adventure.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes, thats a great adventure you are planning. I know how you feel all exciting and so much planning to do.
ReplyDeleteMy family have doen several trips around some of Australia, hoping to do the big lap in a few years. In 2000 we travelled for 6 weeks from vic tor darwin and back down via outback QLD NSW. Another trip for 6 weeks again was from vic to the Kimberleys and back and we have done a few other smaller trips.
I have a blog that I have written about our camping and trips with lots of tips and ideas, your welcome to check it out for some help, email me if you want some more info.
http://www.familyfriendlyozcamping.com.au/