Motor home

[jow104]

Planning a return trip to Australia in the period 15 th January anytime upto 31 March.
I have been quoted $205 plus $40 per day (van and insurance) 4 berth tourer
this seems quite high price to me any suggestions ? (21 days) .Pick up Melbourne drop off Brisbane or reverse direction.

[bitingmidge]

Woody,

I believe there are different rates for "victims" from overseas!! (which is fair enough I reckon!!) Check this link for an example:http://www.getaboutoz.com/catalogues/catalogue_br/see-aus_rates_br_04-05/frameset_rates.htm

That way we get to dud people who don't live around the corner I guess!

This seems to go on in every country, and is the reason I rarely book a car before arriving at my destination...(although sometimes packages can work the other way?? :confused: )

If you are travelling with someone from here, that may be an option, or it may be worth browsing the Campervan and Motorhome Club website: http://www.cmca.net.au

Hope you can do better than that rate, you could stay in some great B&B's, pubs and guesthouses and hire a flash car as well for the same dough!

P

[TheDad]

I wuz gunna recomend the cmca, but you aslready have a link

enjoy Australia, hope to see you in Casino (big CMCA village here!!!!)

GAz

[jow104]

Yeah we hired a car last time because we thought van rates and insurance was pricey.
Looks like the same again.

Enjoyed the trip down the mountain from Tentafield to Casino last time. I wouldn't like tobe going the reverse direction though! Unless cruise control is fitted.

[DanP]

I think the prices of motor homes is not just dear, but closer to exhorbitant :mad: You can hire a car for $60 - $100 a day. Cheaper the longer you have it, and get a hotel room for $80 - $150 a day. So by my figurings, you get:

$80 a day for a mid sized car.
$100 ish a day for a decent hotel room, not the Hilton, but decent.

That puts you $60 a day in front ($1320 for the 21 days), not to mention cheaper fuel costs, cost for powered/unpowered sites at van parks, easier to get around, more comfortable, etc.

IMHO you would have to be mad to get the motor home.

Dan

[jow104]

Yeah Dan P , You are right, plus the insurance (and without cover for water damage at all).

Its just if calling on someone they do not feel that they have to oblige with accommodation etc.

[Wood Borer]

Jow,

Look us up when your in Melbourne, if you are here in January, February or early March. I reckon we might be able to get a few of the BB boys together and have a BBQ and maybe a cold one or two.

[jackiew]

went touring in nz in August ( the only month we could go ... ran ahead of the bad weather the whole 2 weeks :D ) and looked at motorhomes there. I got the brochures from travel agents here in oz and then did a heap of searching on car hire sites and decided I was better off booking a car direct through one of the global car hire companies via their Australian office rather than through a travel agent.

check out ALL of your memberships ... RAC/AA/Credit Card etc and find out which car hire companies they have a deal with. Its amazing the different organisations which turn out to give you discounts on stuff.

Some of the car hire internet sites have absolute rubbish on them about when their offices are open etc and won't let you book automatically if they reckon their office is closed at that time. Ring them up direct and ask. I could have got a better deal with one company but their website insisted that I couldn't pick up a car from Dunedin in the afternoon - i.e. the office shut before the flight from Australia arrived at the airport. This turned out to be wrong - they must lose quite a few customers that way.

We stayed in cabins at holiday parks - we wanted 3 separate beds which meant that we were staying in the pricier cabins but it was still very good value for money. Holiday parks often have a card which you can buy for about $20 which give you discounts on your first nights stay at every park in their group. If you are touring around as we were in NZ you definately got your money back - and they will ring ahead and book the next night for you for free ( saves the cost of the phone call ) and we can also use the NZ card in Australia for one of the holiday park chains here for 2 years.

While a motorhome gives you flexibility it also means that you are at the mercy of the particular vehicle. We met unhappy campers whose heating packed up in their van or who had other problems with the van and they didn't find the hire company too sympathetic. If you get sick of the enclosed space and you've already paid $X per night accomodation as part of the rental its very hard to justify a night in a motel for a change.

BTW in my experience you can put up with anyone staying in your home for a night or even 2 ( 3 nights is pushing it). Just be aware that they might want you to return the favour. And be generous if you save a nights accomodation - pay for a takeaway - buy them a good bottle of wine - bring flowers or chocolates. I prefer potential guests to be up front about when they are planning to leave .... and to leave when they say they are going to.

Australians tend to be pretty up front so if you say "can you put us up" and it isn't convenient they probably will say "NO" and then go to a lot of trouble to help you find alternative accomodation. You can always ask "Can you look up the phone number of somewhere to stay locally" which means if they offer you accomodation they probably want to.

[craigb]

Wrt to what Jackie said, when we were in NZ a coupe of weeks ago, I couldn't believe the number of campervans that were on the roads. Seemed like every second vehicle was a "Maui" or "Britz" van.

So they must be a better deal over there than what they are in Australia. Which given the price you qouted seems an absolute rip-off.

Personally, I'd rather drive a car than a truck anyway.

[simon c]

If you are coming from overseas, the best option to to try and link the vehicle rental to the purchase price. A lot of airlines/travel companies do deals where if you pay or a flight you get travel extras that can be used for accomodation, cars etc.

With regard to campers, unless you are going to spend a lot of time off the beaten track, it would be much cheaper in Australia to hire a car and then pay for accomodation at budget motels, caravan parks etc as you go. One of the advantages of campers is that they have cooking and cooling facilities but unlike in the UK, most motels in Australia have cooking facilities too and you can probably afford to buy a cooler and fill it up with ice every day on the money you save.

Not sure if you know anybody in Melbourne or Brisbane as there is a significant extra fee for picking up/dropping off your vehicle at the airport, but parking at Melbourne is also very high as is a taxi so it is sometimes worth just paying the extra to just be able to jump in you car when you arrive without any hassles.

Simon

[jackiew]

be aware that the schools are out here in january which means that january is peak period for prices for accomodation and everything else ( i.e. its like august in uk ... no-one without kids would voluntarily take their holiday in august in the uk cos you know you are going to be ripped off everywhere you go ).

If you can hold off until February you will have much more choice of accomodation and will pay less for it.

[Grunt]

Another consideration is that it is damn hot in Australia in January and February. March is the best time of year to visit Melbourne.

[Wood Borer]

We do have an antidote for the heat though.

It comes in glass containers or aluminium containers. You drink the contents and it gives you relief from the heat. You can drink the antidote in colder weather but it always seems to go down better in the warmer weather. :D

[Sturdee]

Jow,

Look us up when your in Melbourne, if you are here in January, February or early March. I reckon we might be able to get a few of the BB boys together and have a BBQ and maybe a cold one or two.

Yes, I would look forward to meeting you John.

Peter.

[jow104]

WHAT CAN I SAY TO ALL THOSE REPLIES BUT THANKYOU

Janet & I will be pleased to post our holiday plans. Last time we booked a last minute price (Christmas Eve) and departed New Years day this year. We did the northern half of NSW and S.Qld. We had the pleasure of meeting and staying with forum members on that occassion. Had a supertime and would have changed our residence with the U.K. at the drop of a hat.

[RETIRED]

The cheapest place we found to rent cars was via Backpackers hostels. Might be worth a look at.

[jow104]

Do I get wheels with that one ? Or is that a thumbing job.
When I was 16 :) I thumbed from London to Milan (italy) in 3 days. Took me about 2 weeks to get back to London (was on a 7 day firms holdiday) I was getting a bit dishevelled I think and they wouldn't pick me up.

Interested if you put up the link to the backpackers ( it might make me feel young again perhaps)

[Iain]

What Woodborer said but be careful in Cobram as one of the BB's will be watching.
Drop in for a snort if you are going to Phillip Island to see the show put on by the penguins and Japanese tourists, we are on the way, no admission and you may even take some authentic Australian Pony droppings away as a souvenir ;)

[RETIRED]

Gooday. If you are heading down to The Island and Iains I am on the way. Call in for a cuppa.

Do a search on backpackers and hostels. Don't be fooled by the name, some of these places have 4 star accommodation at budget prices.

This gives you some idea of the prices. Perth based I know but it is the first I found.

http://www.clubred.com.au/hire.htm

[jow104]

Nice Album Ian, weve got some riders in our family too.

Robo, Thanks , I thought you were having me on (backpacking at 67, not likely)

[RETIRED]

Robo, Thanks , I thought you were having me on (backpacking at 67, not likely)
Would I do that? :)

[fxst]

No Comment

[bitingmidge]

There again, there is this mob called Wicked Campers, who have a rather simple approach to fitting out campers http://www.wickedcampers.com.au
and their prices run rather competitively lower than the mainstream bunch.

Good luck!

P

[jow104]

Thank you bitingmidge

Sent off an enquiry to the above, although Mrs. Woody is rather concerned re their title.

Will keep in touch.

[jow104]

Can anyone please help with a link to mileages between towns chart for Australia . Victoria (melbourne to the east coast, north to sydney and brisbane mileages required)

[Dylan SJ]

WhereIs (http://www.whereis.com.au/whereis/mapping/geocodeAddressesForDirectionsEntry.do) can give you distances and a trip map.

eg.
FROM: CITY CENTER BRISBANE Queensland
TO: CITY CENTER MELBOURNE Victoria
1674.27 km (shortest route)

To go along the coast, you will need to add a stretch at a time.

[Iain]

My place to 's, about 20km.
My place to Brudda's about 100km.
Melb to Syd about 800 to 1100km depending upon which way you go, fuel is rarely going to be a problem and most servo's are 24hour these days on major routes.
Hey, we even have McDonalds, KFC as well as a few others, including Pizza Hut (Ughh) Domino's (worse) and the ubiquitous hamburger joints along the way, vary from place to place.
Pub food is generally good and reasonably priced and fuel prices are outrageous.

[jow104]

To Dylan S = that was a good one, very useful even printed the routes between iain and other locations.

Thanks Iain, We nearly took a flight offer up for this Wednesday evening (u.K.)but it was pushing it a bit.
£505 + 125 extras.

Wicked campers rates are definately the lowest and insurance rates are very reasonable.

[Kev Y.]

jow104, this site may be of some use to you..

www.travelmate.com.au

[vsquizz]

John, don't go to Victoria, its full of Mexicans. Come to the land of sand, it'll be hot as hell, full of flys, blowflies, tiger snakes and redback spiders, also heaps of Pommy Backpackers serving the beeer in pubs.:D

Another great Ad for WA:rolleyes:

Cheers (from little england):D

[Wood Borer]

Squizzy is half right.

Don't make your first visit to Victoria otherwise your visit to WA Sandgroper Country will be disappointing. If you visit WA first, you will be delighted but the follow up visit to Victoria will be even better. :D

We know you have already visited Australia before and if you play your cards right you might even be able play us off against each other. In that way you will be treated like a King all over Australia.

As you know, Australia is a great place everywhere. Perhaps you could collect a bit of timber from each State and make something using it all to remind yourself of your trip. Sharpern your tools well before you start, beautiful timber has it's price - lots of sharpening ;)

[jackiew]

fuel prices are outrageous.

we think they are outrageous ... to anyone from Europe they are ridiculously low .... last time I went back the price in the uk was somewhere between double and three times the price here ( the difference is mainly taxes )

the other big difference is food is very cheap here compared to the uk, especially eating out. Took three young teenagers and myself out for a meal in a pub restaurant with a family dining area. 4 meals ( nothing fancy and one was off of the kids menu), three desserts, 2 rounds of soft drinks ( service was slow) and it cost the equivalent of around $140 :eek: . This was in the East Midlands which is a comparatively cheap area to live in ... in London I would almost certainly have paid more.

[jow104]

To Squizzy,
I had a ticket on the ss ORSOVA to Freemantle in 1954 but got homesick before the sailing date, took up the courting game instead but W.A. is definately on our must see list in the next 2/3 years god willing.

To Victoria and NSW ,

We are coming sometime in the next 8 weeks.

[AlexS]

...To Victoria and NSW ,

We are coming sometime in the next 8 weeks.

Best we lock up our daughters! :D
and our timber!

[jow104]

Best we lock up our daughters! :D
and our timber!


Very advisable, but I must confess the younger ones only want to jump me at the traffic lights these days, or get past me on the motorways.

[Kev Y.]

Very advisable, but I must confess the younger ones only want to jump me at the traffic lights these days, or get past me on the motorways.

Getting jumped by young women at traffic lights may get you in trouble with the law over here. :eek: :rolleyes: :p

something to do with public indecency(?)

[Iain]

The only thing indecent about it is that it has never happened to me ;)
Wish mode off.

[jow104]

My memory is fading ;)

[jow104]

Booking a van today with Wicked Campers starting at Sydney 15th January returning to Sydney for flight home 10 or 12 th February.2005.

So should be carrying some stocks of the wet stuff.

[Wood Borer]

Keep us up to date with your travels John.

I will PM you my home phone number in case you can't contact me any other way.

[Iain]

I had a couple of PM's with Jow and might try to organise a weekend at my place if anyone is interested, I've got 5 acres and the horses won't mind being kicked out of one of the paddocks for the weekend.
BYO tent and whatever, even got a big hayshed if anyone wants to pitch a tent without getting wet.
Might have to organise a portaloo or something though.
Thoughts anyone, a chance to meet a real live pom :D :D :D (apologies to jow from us colonials).
Could even run power if anyone wants to bring a scrollsaw or whatever.

[jow104]

Sound great Iain.

If its a weekend party can I suggest for openers either Saturday 29th January or Saturday 5th February.

But I can be entirely flexible, except I shall want to be back in Sydney Saturday 12 Feb for flight home.

[Wood Borer]

Sounds spot on to me. Won't stay the night and I can't make it on Feb the 5th but other than that, keep me in the loop.

[jow104]

One of those days...........................

Digressing from woodwork, I had the previous day reserved flight seats to Oz, and during the next 24 hours I was making arrangements for van hire, kennels for pets, and all the things you do when arranging your hols. I then telephoned the travel agents to confirm the booking and make the payment. That’s when things started to go wrong. I gave all the usual details, card number, and date of birth, passport number etc. etc. and then........................

the man on the other end of the telephone said I would have to fax a copy of my credit card front and back, and my bank statement heading. NOT BL O,O.D..Y LIKELY I SAID. and told him I was reporting to the credit card company.

The credit card companies fraud department knew of the other sides name and told me to cancel all arrangements and never to do such a thing as requested.



I am pleased to say I have managed to keep the same holiday arrangements with a new booking agent but this did curtail woodwork pleasures for the day.

[jow104]

Thanks again for your welcoming gestures to our intending visit in Jan/Feb and
I see that woodborer has responded.

Had a minor scare yesterday with the booking set up, but hopefully things have sorted themselves out.


Janet & I (john) are looking forward to our trip but although we have booked a small camper van we are not retired hippies (honest). We will more than likely stay at motels etc. on route as we did in January this year. Its sometimes very comfortable to have a van when touring instead of a car, you can change to go on the beach or dressup for a restaurant if its necessary. Also if motels are fully booked you can always park somewhere for the night. OR CAN YOU?

[craigb]

Good too hear that your trip is going ahead.

Somebody has told you though haven't they that January is the peak holiday time here?

If it's not too late, you'd be much better off rearranging you hol for late Feb early March. Not only would it be much cheaper, but the weather would be better too.

IMO Jan/Feb are the worst months of the year weather wise. At least in Sydney they are.

Stinking hot and humid, yep sounds like Oz in Jan&Feb.

[jow104]

SOME LIKE IT HOT

But thanks for your concern though.

[bitingmidge]

SOME LIKE IT HOT

But thanks for your concern though.

Mad Dogs and Englishmen?

:rolleyes:

P
:D :D :D

[Iain]

Some local councils will not let you park the night in a car park or sleep in your vehicle unless in a prescribed park, this is mainly along beach areas.
Shouldn't really be a problem and with a bit of perserverance should be able to find something.

[echnidna]

If you are coming down the Great Ocean Road or to the 12 Apostles or Warrnambool etc I should be able to give you accomodation.

[Iain]

If he can't get in at Framlingham :p
:o :o :o

[jow104]

If you are coming down the Great Ocean Road or to the 12 Apostles or Warrnambool etc I should be able to give you accomodation.
Echnidna, Bob thomas,

Thank you Bob, definately putting timboon on the map. Hope I dont need the repairs though.

[jow104]

Australians certainly giving me a welcome, I learnt that Wicked Campers Sydney depot closes at 11.30am on Saturdays and my arrival time is 8.3oam at Sydney Airport and "wicked Becki" has responded after being informed how tight things were for pickup of the intended hired van.


Hi John



If by some strange chance you are delayed, please give us a call as soon as you land in Sydney or as soon as you are aware that you will be running late and we will help you out ;-)



Kindest regards



Wicked Becki



Messages like that warm the cockles of my heart.

[craigb]

Jow, enjoy your trip, just don't say you were'nt warned

[Sturdee]

Almost makes you wish the plane will be running late just to see how wicked Becki will help you. :D :D :D

Peter.

[jow104]

Peter I shall let you know of course how wicked she was.

Craigb, In the U.K. it is not unknown to have had 3ft of snow and minus temperatures from January to March. So we are what the Americans call snow birds. Thats why we want to leave the northern hemisphere at this time of the year and then we hope to get 42c at least. Also bear in mind that we are touring so the old airconditioning is on most of the day and sometimes we feel cold :eek: Your traffic conditions at rush hour are like our Sunday mornings (except harbour bridge, somehow I didnt pay the toll last time, I often wonder if I was on the wrong side of the road at the time).

[Kev Y.]

JOW, this is just a "technicality" but one way of overcomming those "NO CAMPING" areas, is to PARK for the night.

Apparently the differece between CAMPING and PARKING, is that with CAMPING, you actually set up chairs and tables outside the motorhome/camper.

PARKING is apparently classified as just stopping and NOT setting up any outside comforts.

Just a small tip which may help you on your visit down under.

[jow104]

Thanks for the tip Brudda, if they lock me up I shall tell them you were my accomplice.

Plans so far for our epic voyage are:-

First two weeks NSW.

2nd two weeks Victoria.

[BobR]

Hi John,
We were on the road for 3 1/2 months last year in our caravan travelling from Sydney across to South Australia, up through the centre and down the west coast and back across the Nullarbor to Sydney. Our rest area bible was Camps Australia Wide. This publication is very uptodate on rest areas, free camps, national parks, state forests & parks, and low-cost caravan parks. More that half of our trip was free camping. Not as easy on the east coast (free camping). Their website is www.campsaustraliawide.com (http://www.campsaustraliawide.com) . This site also provides updates to the publication as well as changes to state goverment legislation re camping in rest areas. Hope this helps.

Bob

[jow104]

Thanks BobR for th interest and link to campaustralia.

What bedding in a van is traditional to use for Australia? We are travelling light from the U.K.
We thought you might be using something like a cotton sleepingbag without any insulation etc?

Our transport is only a campervan so will most probably only be used as a standby if a suitable motel site is not available.

In the past we have hired the big jobs in the USA & U.K. but the insurance terms are now becoming to onerous when renting those vehicles.

Do you know of the best and most scenic route returning from Portland Victoria to Sydney NSW? It is our intention to drive into Victoria via the costal route from Sydney to Melbourne and along to Portland.

[BobR]

Unless we get an unseasonal cold snap, a light sleeping bag should do the trick when sleeping in the camper van. I suspect that on many nights you won't even crawl into this.

The most scenic road will most probably be the one that you are taking on the way down. It depends on what type of scenery interest you. Having said that, if you return through Albury/Wodonga you can call into Canberra and look at the Capital. It is just a few hours run then from Canberra to Sydney. As with most travelling holidays, time is going to be your enemy. You will wish for more time when you get around Lakes Entrance and the Great Ocean Road. Being our peak holiday season accomodiation fees can increase by 50% and vacancy rates almost zero in the popular locations. For example, a powered site at a beach caravan park on the south coast of NSW is AUD32.00 per couple while an unpowered site is AUD28.00. After about the 28th January this will drop to AUD22.00 and AUD18.00. Not sure how these prices compare with motel prices. If I can be of any more help just ask.

Bob

[jow104]

Thanks Bob, looks like my travelling insticts are still coming through good chosing that route. Being doing it since I was a kid on a bike, then hitchhiking, and finally trying out the Aussie continent.

[Iain]

And when he arrives, this is the discreet vehicle that will be seen cruising around NSW and Vic :eek:

[bitingmidge]

Well when I originally suggested wicked campers, I MAY have accidentally forgotten to mention, that they are a bit hard to lose in a carpark!!!
:D :D :D :D
P

[jow104]

Goodness gracious me what a picture :cool: :cool: :cool:

Do you sell the whitewash stuff in Aus. the kind that you can put on glass and then rub off at a later date. The old fashioned stuff.

[Iain]

Just spend 2 days driving on NSW backroads and the vehicle will be red, no need for camoflage :D :D (Victorian roads are much cleaner :p )

[Wood Borer]

Just travel at night but be careful of the roos. :D

[jow104]

My daughter, a retired WPC, rings me up to give me a warning. It would appear in Europe (France particularly) gangs are roaming caravan parking sites and injecting gas (anesetic type) into the mobile caravans at night, making the occupants unconscious and then stealing their possessions.

Heard anything like that in Australia?

(PS I told her no problem its so warm I reckon we would have our windows open so gas would disperse)

[craigb]

My daughter, a retired WPC, rings me up to give me a warning. It would appear in Europe (France particularly) gangs are roaming caravan parking sites and injecting gas (anesetic type) into the mobile caravans at night, making the occupants unconscious and then stealing their possessions.

Heard anything like that in Australia?

(PS I told her no problem its so warm I reckon we would have our windows open so gas would disperse)

Nope nothing like that. You'll only get gassed in your van over here if you let loose a fart in the night. :eek:

Seriously though, WADR to your daughter, it sounds a bit like an urban myth to me.

[Toggy]

Or maybe just bypass WoodBorers shed & BBQ's:D

Ken

[RETIRED]

Woody read this.

http://ourbus.yoll.net/woody.htm

http://www.motorhomesaustralia.net/robboindex.html

Hope you enjoy.

[jow104]

OK , I've started.

John & Janet.

[Iain]

I have heard of the gassing before many years ago in parts of Europe but never in Australia, maybe a new career path for someone ;)
The worst I have ever encountered was in Oodnadatta many many moons ago when I went to fill up with petrol and was called aside by the owner of the servo whose Mrs jacked up the price on the bowser, Bastards.

[Grunt]

Thanks John, this is just what I need to suppliment my income and pay for my tool addiction. :D

[jow104]

Craigb Have a look at this picture taken at 2pm today,
GIVE ME SUNSHINE LOTS OF SUNSHINE next month in Aus. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v330/devonwoody/snow1.jpg

[Daddles]

Well when I originally suggested wicked campers, I MAY have accidentally forgotten to mention, that they are a bit hard to lose in a carpark!!!
:D :D :D :D
P

Campers might be hard to lose in a carpark, but try the other end - My MG is lower than most people's windows. :D

Richard
Soft top? Soft top? Oh, that's the thing clogging up the boot. :p

[jow104]

Forum members might need to visit this site prior to my intending visit.

http://www.nafi.com.au/timbertips/barbecue-trolley.html

[RETIRED]

All fired up and waiting. :D :D

[ozwinner]

A bit OTT, expecting us to feed you.
We are allowing you into our country, you should be feeding us. :D
Ill have 2 of them flattened prawny thingies, a piece of whiting, and chips.

Al :)

[echnidna]

Yeah -but it was an Aussie website!!!

[jow104]

A bit OTT, expecting us to feed you.
We are allowing you into our country, you should be feeding us. :D
Ill have 2 of them flattened prawny thingies, a piece of whiting, and chips.

Al :)

If you have a word with your immigration at Sydney I'll bring some prime
Angus rump steak (Scottish).
Going through immigration last time the fellow in front of me in the queue got marched away in irons, and he only had a sandwich that he had been too mean to throw away.

[Sturdee]

....... the fellow in front of me in the queue got marched away in irons, and he only had a sandwich that he had been too mean to throw away.

John, its a trick we learned from the English. :D

Convicts came her in chains and leg irons for 14 years, which turned into life, for stealing a loaf of bread to feed a starving family. Just returning the favour. :D :D :D


Peter.

[jow104]

To Peter

Can you arrange a repeat of this (I have been a very bad boy over the last 67 years) but I would not consider this a punishment.

If you were to study English history some of those (poor people) most probably had a better life than being a resident of this country at the time. The were subjected to many abuses as workers by their employers, and it was most probably not until almost the 20th century that the lot of the common people was bearable.

But lets forget the past and say most of us are now living in paradise.

[jow104]

The air tickets to Sydney (arr.15th January) have finally arrived in the post today after 3 promised dispatched dates did not materialise.

Misses has got back the smile to her face.

Jack the temperatures up please.

[Kev Y.]

Sorry the thermostat has broken, you will just have to take pot luck..
ever since Iain has retired there is no-one looking after things!

and just a word of warning, victoria is well known for having 6 season in one day..

[Iain]

Just getting rid of the rain at the moment pending your arrival, although it's clear at the moment 6.40am, however, as Brudda said, that could all change in the next few minutes.

[Wood Borer]

Any news of John?

[BobR]

Had a message from him just before he left the UK. He was heading up to Lismore as soon as he arrived. Will be back in Sydney for Bar-BQ this weekend.

Bob

[Iain]

Last email he said he will call me on 26 Jan to let me know what is going on.
Will keep you posted.

[Wood Borer]

Thanks gentlemen.

[AlexS]

He was in Grafton NSW yesterday, travelling on schedule. Should be in Sydney on Sunday.

[RETIRED]

Who needs tracking software when we have THE WOODY FORUM MAFIA?? :D :D :D

[Kev Y.]

So does that make you DON ? :confused:

[RETIRED]

Hmmm. :D

[jow104]

Another consideration is that it is damn hot in Australia in January and February. March is the best time of year to visit Melbourne.

Looking through some of my dated post I came across this posting of yours :D :D :D :D :D :D :eek:

I seemed to remember we wore jumpers (wooly ones :D ) the first of Feb when we met.

Pleased to say we are coming back in November 05 for another visit via Perth WA which also includes two weeks touring of New Zealand, so if any Kiwis can give us some links for touring the south island I will be interested.

[Chisel]

Planning a return trip to Australia in the period 15 th January anytime upto 31 March.

I'm not sure what all the fuss is about - its only a two day drive from Melbourne to Brisbane!! :D :D

[Enjoy! If you are in a van there are some damn fine campgrounds right on the beach all down the south coast of NSW. Don't know about south of the border, though ... :rolleyes:. Just stay clear of all school holidays.]

[jow104]

Chisel

Been there done that :D

This is another trip for November this year. Got my visa today ;)

Been told that Perth is a warm place, so thats the first stop. :cool:

[Cliff Rogers]

...Been told that Perth is a warm place, so thats the first stop. :cool:You don't know what 'warm' is till you come North of the tropic. :rolleyes:
Umm... that would be South of the Tropic for you blokes on the other end of the planet.

It is the 3rd last week of Autumn, 11.30 at night & I'm sitting here with the fan on & the temp is 26.6C in the office. :D

[Christopha]

Als' Crapatorium and florists have a couple of fine examples of Australian camping vehicles for your holiday of a lifetime ( it will certainy seem like one!). Both vehicles come with a free roll of heavy duty aluminum foil for the safety chapeau of your own design....

[Iain]

But this one is real class: