The Nomad … news, views, comment, opinion

August 29

We Need a Hero
Why is it that all of the superheroes have to be American? After Superman, Batman and Spiderman, comes – would you believe – Captain RV!
That’s right folks. Finally, we have a Kryptonite powered man of steel to right our wrongs and deal with the nefarious villains that stalk the campsites and camping grounds. So, look out over-charging caravan park owners, beware campers who leave mud in the showers, shiver and shake all of you who jump the van park laundry queue. Judgement day is coming!
Actually, Captain RV is none other than pint-sized California resident Chris Valenta who dons his cape and fights the forces of evil bureaucrats in his home town of Antioch.
The concept came about when Chris took objection to the ordinance passed by his city council to prevent RVers from parking their rigs in their own driveways. 
Chris initially participated in a 10-person sub-committee comprised of citizens and city council members as a way of voicing his concern. But when they failed to agree on how the law could be revised, Chris decided to take drastic action.
Three times a week, the fearless Captain RV dons his cape and hits the streets informing passersby of what he believes is the city's encroachment on the property rights and freedom of RVers. 
Chris and his family generally holiday in a 30-foot motorhome and he also owns an older rig that he is fixing up. 
"My motorhome is the most beautiful thing in the world," says Captain RV. "It's where I spend time with my family and make memories with them. Look, there are times when a man has to take a stand and protect his property. My RV and my driveway are my property."
If Captain RV has any regrets, it is that he didn't retire sooner from his other job as a semi-conductor engineer in Silicon Valley. 
"It's neat being a superhero," he says. "If I knew it was going to be this much fun, I would have done it years ago." 
JOB VACANCY
Wanted Australian superhero to wear “Grey Nomad Man” cape. Duties include lifting caravans into impossibly tight campsites, stopping development-mad jokers from destroying our beachside camping areas, and preventing caravan park fees from going up faster than a speeding bullet. Interested? Email us here explaining why you are suited to the job.
And email us here if you have come across an injustice that you feel ‘Grey Nomad Man’ should investigate.

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August 28

Staying Focussed
A new survey has revealed that the major cause of motor vehicle crashes in this country is – somewhat surprisingly – absent-mindedness!
According to the 2008 AAMI Crash Index, driver inattention is a factor in 44 per cent of all car collisions, whereas only 37 per cent of crashes are the result of the more commonly associated factors - speed, exhaustion and inebriation.
I guess as people who spend long stretches behind the wheel, grey nomads are as susceptible – if not more susceptible - to distractedness and inattentiveness as the next driver. It’s important that we remind ourselves that the consequences of us making a mistake driving a big rig and often on country roads can be exceptionally devastating.
AAMI surveyed more than 2500 Australian motorists to compile the index, which it says demonstrate how drivers must change their behaviour to avoid accidents. Alarmingly, one in 10 drivers surveyed admitted to exceeding the speed limit most of the time.
"While governments and the police can discourage speeding and drink-driving through education and enforcement, it's impossible to legislate against absent-mindedness," AAMI spokesman Geoff Hughes said.
"Drivers need to make better decisions about their fitness to drive, whether it be refraining from driving when emotionally charged or consciously taking a break when fatigue sets in."
Being honest about it, I guess we have all at one time or another been guilty of driving when we probably shouldn’t have. Let’s try to make sure it doesn’t happen again. And stop being so absent-minded!

August 27

Bloomin' Canberra
Things are really gearing up for a spectacular Floriade Festival in the nation’s capital this year.
More than one million bulbs are growing on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin for the 21st year of the event, which runs from September 13 to October 12. The theme will be ‘Films that Shaped our Nation’, a tribute to Australian films that will feature a floral ‘'red carpet’'. Organisers are also introducing a Floriade NightFest program, with lanterns, lighting, a bar, food stalls and Canberra region wine tasting.
The ACT Government has been running a $1 million marketing campaign on radio, television and the internet in a bid to lure even more visitors to this year’s colour-filled event. Many of the nearly 400,000 visitors to Floriade last year were hardy grey nomads who were happy to brave the Canberra cold. Organisers hope to attract more than half a million flower lovers this year.
So, if you’re into spectacular floral displays and you are not lucky enough to be over in the west enjoying the wildflowers, which incidentally are supposed to having a fantastic season, then Floriade could be for you. And Canberra with its galleries and museums is always worth a visit. As an aside, however, according to the National Visitor Survey the number of visitors from outside the ACT are down by 100,000 in the first quarter of 2008 from 2007, and numbers for those staying overnight are down by 44,000! Anyone have any theories as to why that might be? Did you enjoy your last trip to the Canberra? How soon would you go back again?
And finally, is there anyone out there enjoying the wildflowers somewhere? Drop us a line to let us know where and what is looking good. And if you’ve got any pics you could email through, all the better.

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August 26

The Winds of Change
I hope I’m not becoming obsessed with weird and wonderful RVs from the US, but I was very interested to read about Brian Brawdy and his self-made green machine.
This former New York policeman has apparently spent the past few months touring America in a biodiesel-powered recreational vehicle that draws its electricity from six solar panels and a wind
turbine. His home on the road is supposed to capture rainwater from the roof and store it in tanks. The water is then filtered so that Brian can use it to drink and bathe. His Ford Super Duty pickup is connected to a sleeper-camper that includes a fridge, shower and microwave ... all powered by nature. And he reckons that as long as there is sunshine, wind, and the occasional rain he can travel indefinitely.
He has a wireless monitor which tells how much electricity the solar panels and wind turbine are generating at any given time. He also has a weather station, so if he's getting low on water, he can check the radar and see when the next storm is coming to replenish.
“There are a total of six solar panels called photovoltaic cells,” Brian says. “Three mounted at an angle just above the windshield, and three more on the top of the rig.”
But what about those cloudy days? The vehicle’s retractable wind turbine is attached to a pole that telescopes out 25 feet in order to reach the wind that turns the blades, charging four batteries in the camper.
"It will find its way, whichever way the wind is blowing and then as it goes that's when it'll power everything on the inside," says Brian.
Now this story has been widely reported in the American media but I’m just curious about a few issues. Obviously, the vehicle has a lot of solar panels so good luck to him with that. But a wind turbine? Has anyone out there, got any expertise in how much electricity one presumably fairly compact turbine could generate? And what about collecting rainwater to drink and bathe in. I’m not sure what size his water tanks are or how much it rains in the US but I reckon an Australian nomad could get pretty thirsty and pretty grubby pretty quickly if he or she were relying on RV-collected rainwater to drink and to wash with. Incidentally, how much rainwater could you collect from an RV-sized roof? Do any of you out there collect rainwater while you’re travelling? Email us here. We’re curious!
Oh, and Brian’s RV can still run on diesel. He says he’d like to go with biofuels but, for now, there aren't enough service stations carrying it to allow him to do that 100 percent of the time.

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August 25

Take Care 'round the Fire
Wasn’t it shocking to hear about the Bendigo man who died last week after falling into an open fire place in Victoria's west? While the man wasn’t camping at the time – indeed, the incident happened at an open fireplace in a hotel’s beer garden – it still shows just how dangerous campfires
can be.
According to police the 49-year-old had been sitting on a ledge near the fire just before staff noticed he was actually ablaze. The workers tried to put the fire out with a garden hose and the man was then airlifted to hospital – but it was too late.
I must admit I’m always a little bit nervous when I see people tottering about near roaring campfires, sometimes with loose pieces of chopped wood or rocks laying around nearby. Obviously, one stumble or trip can be very, very nasty.
So, what precautions do you take when you are sitting near a campfire? And do you extinguish the flames with water every night before you turn in?
Again, it is pretty common to see people go to bed leaving their fires roaring away. Clearly, some people like to wake up and rekindle their fire in the morning but is it worth the risk of sparking a bushfire or having floating embers scorch an awning?
Finally, is pouring sand or earth on a campfire an acceptable way to put out a fire when you are moving on? This seems to be a fairly common practice but I worry that the next camper – possibly a child – will put their hands into what they assume to be cold ash and get a painful surprise?
Any thoughts on campfires in general? Email us here.

August 22

American-style Touring
We are so lucky that here in Australia camping in the bush and national parks and rest areas is such a relatively safe experience. Apart for the extremely rare, super high-profile unsavoury incident there are incredibly few problems for our Outback campers. In fact, the biggest issue most of us have to face is the odd evening when our sleep is disturbed by slightly noisy fellow campers. The situation in the US, it seems, is not quite so relaxed. Over there, free camping or ‘boondocking’ as it is called is still popular with thrifty full-time RVers but it does require caution.
Many of the giant Wal-Mart stores in US shopping centres allow RVers to park overnight for free on the unspoken understanding that campers will spend a few dollars in the store. From the budget-minded RVer’s perspective, this arrangement works well as it offers the peace of mind of knowing that round-the-clock security is in place.
Many of the interstate rest areas in states like Mississippi have 24 hour armed security guards and, like they do in this country, the presence of other RVers and truckers generally offers extra reassurance to twitchy campers. Nonetheless, problems inevitably do occur.
In a country with such a well-publicised reputation for being awash with guns and violent criminals, security is a real issue for American ‘boondockers’. The forums on popular RVer websites are constantly abuzz with safety tips and security advice.
One internet user, a retired police officer who spent 33 years with the California Highway Patrol, posts: " I would under no circumstances spend the night in a rest area. Every creep in the world spends time in them. Remember, criminals take vacations too.”
Another post reads: “There is usually enough people in the area (not to mention truckers) so security is not much of an issue. Of course, I don’t worry much. Any potential threat would have to get by my 190 pound English Mastiff. And then there is the 9mm in my headboard.”
Joseph, from Virginia who lists his hobbies as building flintlock rifles and varmint hunting, is another who chooses to look after his own security.
“If the bad guys are breaking into your trailer, they are undoubtedly planning to deal with whomever they find inside,” he says. “Since it’s highly unlikely that help will get to you in time, you’d best be ready to defend yourself.”
Another post read: “When travelling, I always keep a handgun/shotgun in the coach portion of my RV. It is very wise to take all the precautions already mentioned by others, but an RV is, at best, an insecure shelter that causes some people to think that the owner is wealthy.
Whenever stopped for a lengthy, or just overnight, stay, one of my weapons is always loaded, and within reach; when travelling, or out of the coach, they are kept unloaded and securely stored.”
High-tech security devices such as panic buttons placed just inside the RV are quickly growing in popularity in the US. These gadgets are often supplemented with weapons, such as guns, whistles, personal alarms, pepper spray, flashlights and mobile phones to boost feelings of safety.
Happily, the security fears experienced by Australian caravanners and motorhomers are nowhere near as severe as those felt by their US counterparts. However, personal safety is a growing concern for many travellers here and, who knows, maybe one day we will see 24-hour guards at some of our rest areas. Maybe if, heaven forbid, we ever get to that stage it could be time to call it a day.
Have you had any unsavoury incidents while camping Outback? How secure do you feel when spending the night in the bush? What steps do you take to increase your sense of security. Email us here.

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August 21

Ahoy there, Landlubbers
Well, I don’t know where all of this incredible motorhome innovation is going to stop. I have got no idea whether it has made its way Down-under yet but, in the US, the Terra Wind amphibious RV is causing quite a stir.
That’s right ... an amphibious RV. It’s basically a motorhome that allows you to turn off the road and into the lake ... as it magically transforms itself in to a boat. The company proudly says it is making vehicles to meet the needs and desires for the land, the lake, and the luxury ... and at with prices starting at a not-so-paltry US$850,000, they would want to be.
Happily, some cynic had the good sense to ask them the question: “Why would someone want a motorhome that goes into the water?”
The answer: “ If you are taking a trip across the country and you find a lake you can drive right into it; boat across and drive out the other side, then keep on going.”
Makes sense, doesn’t it? Who do I make the cheque out to?
Once I’ve taken delivery of my new dream machine and want to switch from road to marine use, I simply place the road transmission into neutral and put the marine transmission into gear.
The hull is 100% aluminium and so does not rust. The only steel parts are the suspension and axle components.
You can even use your slide-outs while on water and there is a six-foot swim platform that folds out from the back deck. You can fish, layout, or dive/jump from there.
The 42.5 foot motorhome can reach 6 to 7 knots on the water and is 8 feet 6 inches wide. Sadly, however, it can’t go out to sea, so I guess we’ll have to rely on the Spirit of Tasmania for a while yet.
So, where do we go from here? Has anyone come across a flying motorhome or caravan yet? I mean why spend cash on a flight over the Bungle Bungles when you can just engage rotors, and helicopter blades pop out of your roof ... and then it’s up, up and away. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is going to seem a bit pedestrian now.

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August 20

Busting the Budget
Well, our story last week about the increasing number of luxury van parks out there certainly sparked a bit of interest. However, it seems that when it comes to luxurious camping, we ain’t seen nothin’ yet.
We reported in the these columns on June 26 (see Nomad archives) that the Sal Salis eco-tents camp at Cape Range National Park in Western Australia was open for business charging lucky campers $685 per person, per night twin share for a five-star luxury African-style safari experience they won’t forget – or hope they won’t forget – in a hurry.
It’s been brought to my attention that the “luxurious, eco-sensitive and romantic” Longitude 131° camp in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is offering pretty much the same deal.
This is camping, grey nomads ... but not as we know it. As the blurb says of the 15 elevated tents that contain wardrobes, private bathrooms and vanity basins.
“A white dome roof and flowing fabric draped from the centre create the illusion of camping. But unlike the early pioneers and explorers, guests revel in sublime comfort. The flick of a bedside switch is all it takes to raise the blinds and watch the spectacular moods of Uluru at sunrise. Meticulously designed to remain cool in summer and warm in winter, you have reverse cycle air-conditioning for complete control over your personal climate.”
Of course, there are also gourmet meals, a reception, daily cleaners and even a library. And the cost of a two night- twin share package in one of these luxury tents ... $1,980!
Now, I know we deserve a bit of pampering after a night or two in the wilds, but is this going too far? Would you be tempted to temporarily vacate the van to shell out for a couple of nights of tenting luxury. If so, email us here ... we’d love to hear from you. Have a preview of what you get for you money with this video tour. Click here.

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August 19

Rockin' the Boat
Amazingly, it’s nearly time for the 47th annual Henley-on-Todd Regatta in Alice Springs again. On what is billed as Australia’s longest running iconic event, competitors will race in bottomless ‘eights’, ‘oxford tubs’, ‘bath tubs’ and ‘yachts’ through the deep coarse sand of the dry Todd River.
Cheering them on will be the usual strong contingent of grey nomads who like to make this extraordinary spectacle part of their Big Lap plans. This year, the regatta will take place on Saturday, August 30, and will include an extravagant Grand Parade and plenty of other entertainment.
The whole bizarre concept began back in 1962 when the Alice Springs Meteorological Bureau proposed an actual regatta, along the lines of the UK’s famous Henley-on-Thames race between Cambridge and Oxford Universities. The idea was taken up by the Rotary Club of Alice Springs, and the fact that the town was 1,500 kilometres from the nearest large body of water was never seen as a problem!
The rest, as they say, is history and the madness that descends on the city reduces the most mature, conservative business people into the roles of vikings and pirates crewing battle boats bristling with mortars and high-pressure water cannons.
The regatta is run entirely on a volunteer basis by the three Rotary Clubs based in the Alice and the entire proceeds - well over a million dollars raised over the years – is allocated to local, national and international humanitarian projects.
If you’re going to be in the vicinity make sure you make the effort to get along. It’s something - like the Birdsville Races – that is uniquely Australian and something you won’t forget in a hurry. Click here to read more about Alice Springs.

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August 18

Space Savers
As we all know technology doesn’t tend to stand still for long and the electronic communications options of grey nomads are constantly improving. After a few ‘teething’ problems Telstra’s Next G network has - by and large - been successful.
But while it happily boasts it offers coverage to 99 per cent of the population,
Next G certainly doesn't reach 99 per cent of Australia. Indeed, more than half of the country is out of reach and that means we’re out of contact in a lot of our favourite Outback country.
Satellite has long been an option ... but the price was considered by most to be too prohibitive to be a full-time solution. Times, however, they are a ’changin’.
Having just done a deal with Abu Dhabi-based satellite operator Thuraya, Optus is about to introduce a new satellite service that should be cheaper, and feature the kind of mobiles you can slip into a pocket.
According to a report in the IT section of the Australian, Thuraya's handsets are nothing like the usual satellite bricks. They are as small, light and natty as any mobile in the city markets. They have colour screens, cameras, GPS and Bluetooth. Most also do double duty. They'll latch on to the conventional Optus GSM/GPRS network when in range of a tower, then switch to satellite when out of GSM range.
The newspaper says buyers can use them for voice calls, data, fax, SMS messaging and GPS navigation services - just about everything your intrepid outback traveller might need. You should even be able to dial 000 in an emergency.
The details of pricing have yet to be announced. However, if you you spend more than 120 days a year beyond the reach of conventional terrestrial mobile services you could qualify for a government subsidy. Approved applicants get back up to 60 per cent of the retail price, up to a maximum $1000, but you need to apply and be approved, before you buy the handset.
Optus says the Thuraya satellite phones will be available nationally through Optus MobileSat dealerships and Optus Business sales channels this month. Later in the year you'll be able to pick one up at Optus World retail stores.
Other gadgets for the Thuraya service, including portable high-speed data terminals and marine kits are said to be coming "in the future".

August 15

The Lap of Luxury
What do you reckon on the rise and rise of the luxury caravan parks? It seems like they are everywhere now. You know the ones ... where heated indoor swimming pools, spas, mini-theatres, licensed restaurants and conference rooms are the norm.
Now you’d have to be daft not to enjoy a bit of luxury now and again, wouldn’t you? While there are millions of people slaving away in offices and factories who probably wouldn’t appreciate being told that travelling around Australia full-time can be a tough gig ... the fact is that it can be. Road conditions can be challenging, the driving distances are enormous, and living in relatively confined quarters can take some getting used to. Poor us! Whether you are travelling in a luxury fifth wheeler or a tent, there are times when you just want to forget about the budget and pamper yourself.
Are you one of the nomads who does so by checking into a resort-style park, perhaps with an ensuite? But sometimes even that isn’t enough. At the Cairns Coconut Holiday Resort, for example, you can now go one step further. Not only do campers have their own private toilet and bathroom - with spa bath - they also have a barbecue and laundry!
But is this trend necessarily a good thing? Does it represent a further threat to the future of the traditional van park? Do you get upset by, in some places, effectively being forced to pay for luxury facilities that you neither need nor want? What’s the most you’ve been asked to pay for a powered site at one of these parks? Email us here to share your thoughts.

August 14

Who's in Charge?
Okay. It’s time to find out who really wears the trousers when grey nomad couples sit down to buy the rig, plan the big trip, and choose the place to camp for the night.
It will probably be no surprise to learn that, according to Caravan Industry Australia research, women seek ‘liveability’ and practical use in the internal layouts and designs of motor homes, campervans, caravans, pop-tops and camper trailers. Men’s thoughts, on the other hand, still turn to the motoring and towing aspects of RV travel.
“Anecdotal evidence from dealers reinforce the impression that women influence how kitchen, living areas and sleeping berths are set up,” said Caravan and Camping Industries Association of South Australia President, David Benson. “They want the RV to be extremely user friendly so they can maximise their leisure time while on holiday ... they don’t want to be doing housework.”
Decor, colours and “wearability” of fabrics are other design issues that have designers thinking, and most were initially raised by women,” said Mr Benson.
The research also showed women grey nomads carry the most influence on selecting a park or camping area. Seems like it’s all one way traffic so far.
So does that sound like your relationship? What happens when one of you wants to head north and the other wants to head south? What happens when one of you wants to take that dream trip in a second-hand tent and other wants to blow the super on a monster motorhome with slideouts and all that jazz? Email us here to share your thoughts ... and to give us a clue on who is the King or the Queen of the caravan.

August 13

Mine, Yours and Ours
The resources boom has had an amazingly positive effect on Australia’s economic strength but it is also having a profound effect on our travelling experience ... and not always for the better.
Of course, part of the joy of the grey nomad experience is being out there and really understanding what is happening in communities that we might otherwise only hear about in the news. However, to see first-hand the volume of activity and the environmental effect of mining in say Western Australia is really something of a shock to many.
The reaction of Ross, who wrote to us recently from the Pilbara is probably fairly typical.
“The evidence of the mines and mining activity is everywhere,” he said. “The number of trucks and the amount of work they are carrying out is just mind-blowing ... we had no idea.”
And communities are being changed. In Karratha, for example, unless you own your own place or are employed by the mining industry you simply can’t afford to live there any more. Small businesses, government departments and non-government organisations struggle to hold on to staff. A modest four bedroom house now sells for more than a million dollars and rents are out of control, stretching from $1500 - $2800 per week.
And the country itself is also changing ... and again, not always for the better. Take the Pilbara’s Burrup Peninsula. This is sometimes described as the world’s oldest and largest work of ceremonial art – an entire landscape given over to unbroken cultural narratives stretching back nearly 30,000 years. Along some valleys, nearly every surface is engraved with Aboriginal rock art featuring birdlife, animal figures, footprints, outstretched hands and even Tasmanian Devils. Like so many other places, however, the peninsula is also seeing increasing industrial activity, including a gas processing plant, a fertiliser factory and iron ore port facilities. It is now the only place in Australia to feature on the World Monuments Fund's list of the most endangered sites.
According to some, the gathering momentum of fossil capitalism has treated the peninsula as an industrial sacrifice zone, scarring the silent terrain with roads, infrastructure corridors, pipeways, power lines and quarries.
And last year, the Western Australian Government signed off on a massive new gas plant – Woodside’s Pluto Project. Already, some 170 boulders containing rock engravings have been moved.
“The Federal Government stood back and watched, declaring the whole Archipelago a National Heritage property while agreeing that specified leases should still be blasted flat for more heavy industry,” said WA Greens Senator Senator Scott Ludlam. “Pluto is being bulldozed into existence on the northern flank of the Peninsula, on an artificial plateau that will be visible for miles in every direction ... forever hereafter, the ancient Burrup will be dominated by this architecture.”
Scary stuff. What do you think of stories like these. Is this the price of progress or an act of short-sighted madness? Have you visited the Burrum Peninsula? What do you think about the activity there? How has the resources boom affected you travelling experience? Email us here. We would love to hear your feedback.

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August 12

Taking Stock of Supers
A lot has been written about how the soaring cost of fuel has hit the grey nomad lifestyle hard …. but could it be that recent shocking superannuation perfor-mances are a bigger problem? Well, Ben Yates, the CEO of the Caravan RV and Accommodation Industry of Australia, certainly thinks so.
"Fuel is not the major concern - it's more what people have lost in the value of their superannuation with the stockmarket the way it is,” he told the Age newspaper.
However, he is also quick to point out that grey nomads are still in it for the long haul.
"With the nomads, they are pretty much set on what they're going to do but they may stay extra in one location instead of moving around so much," he said.
It would seem to confirm reports we have had that while people are more aware about conserving fuel, high fuel prices and superannuation disappointments haven’t really stopped them from taking trips. The bottom line is that, whatever anybody says, the grey nomad phenomenon is very much alive and kicking
Jim Carnavas is the president of the Caravan Trade and Industries Association of Queensland. He told the Age, "The hiding Super has copped over the last six months has scared a few people but I don't think our business has suffered as badly because the alternatives are just as expensive."
Indeed, Mr Carnavas says that, as a whole, the caravanning sector of the tourism industry is doing well while other industries struggle in the face of rising fuel costs and a high dollar.
"There's definitely been a downturn but only on last year ... last year was a double-digit rise," he said. "I'm hoping it will be shortlived because we've had six good years prior to that.”

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August 11

Comrades in Vans
Our Nomad story at the end of last week about the Lightning Ridge Police Bush Safari opened up an interesting debate about the merits – or otherwise – of travelling with other people, particularly friends.
Of course, the Bush Safari is designed for a couple of specific purposes ... to give people the confidence to get out into country they might not otherwise have felt able to see; and to enjoy the company of like-minded folk on an adventure of limited duration.
But what about those nomads who set off on the Big Lap in convoy with their best friends? We are hearing mixed messages on the wisdom of travelling with friends.
Some of you say it offers a chance to share a fantastic experience with other people you are close to and whose company you enjoy; it lessens the risk of spending ‘too much time’ with your partner; it means you are never short of card-playing partners; and your sense of security is increased.
However, on the other side of the coin, there are certainly pitfalls. You may have different rigs and very different ideas about how you like to travel; you may be on different budgets and different time schedules; you may suddenly find your best friend since childhood is actually a bit more controlling and bit less interesting than you had realised; and, importantly, you may find yourself just hanging with your old friends instead of making the effort to get out and make new ones.
Certainly, there are more than a few nomads out there who have been once bitten twice shy, and who have seriously fallen out with lifelong friends because of on-the-road personality clashes.
We would love to hear your thoughts on the subject. We have had a couple of correspondents argue that the best way is to meet people as you travel, move together for a while and then part company. Do you agree? Certainly, building a certain degree of flexibility into any travelling together arrangement seems crucial, as does setting out the ground rules before you leave. No one wants to risk offending a friend by suddenly announcing they want to head off in a different direction.
In this day and age of mobile phones and laptop computers, it’s easy to meet up with each other again at some later stage.
And what about solo travellers? Are things different for you? Is it more important or less important to be a part of a group for all or some of the journey?
Email us here with your thoughts and experiences.

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August 8

Join the Convoy
If a journey across the Outback alone; battling the dust, the distance and the dunes is all a bit too daunting – and lonely sounding – for you, then help is at hand.
Of course, you can always hook up with one of the many commercial 4WD tour operators out there, but you can also join the Lightning Ridge Police Bush Safari which is organised by local police and community members. This year’s jaunt to Birdsville and back marks the 18th year of the Bush Safari, and the aim, as ever, is to raise money for local charities whilst having fun. The event has raised in excess of $250,000 over the years, while guiding people from the Outback New South Wales opal mining town to all corners of the country. Previous adventures have included the Top End, Cape York, the Barossa, and the far reaches of Western Australia.
Organisers say the Safari is a great adventure for families and couples who are unsure about going alone, but it is also perfect for people who like to travel with a large group. Around 150 to 200 people from all walks of life take part each year, helping to create a very special atmosphere.
This year’s 14-day trip will begin at Lightning Ridge on Sunday, September 28, with registration the day before. Much of the 3600 kilometre route is across unsealed roads and wends its way from Lightning Ridge to Innamincka via historic Eulo and Thargomindah and the famous Dig Tree. From Innamincka the road will lead onto Diamantina Crossing – now better known as Birdsville - and further west to Boulia. The Safari will water at the famous Walkabout Creek Hotel in the little town of McKinley and onto Winton via Kynuna. The Waltzing Matilda Centre will be a highlight in Winton as will the Stockman’s’ Hall of Fame in Longreach, on route to Ilfracombe. The trekkers will make their way to Augathella via Isisford and Blackall, the town made famous by shearer Jackie Howe. From Augathella it is all down hill to Bollon and return to Lightning Ridge.
"It is not a race ... it is a leisurely jaunt through the outback with a view to providing the most scenic, entertaining experiential trip for those who dare," said Safari committee member, Laurie Cree. "This is such an amazing opportunity for people to get out and see their country in an undaunting way – while also contributing to the Lightning Ridge Community."
He says Safari participants were always well looked after and activities were organised during the evenings, including balls, talent quests, trivia competitions and a good old sing-along around the campfire.”
Registrations for the 2008 Birdsville and Back Lightning Ridge Police Bush Safari are being taken now – to book your place early contact Lightning Ridge Police Station on
(02) 6829 9799.
Have you had experience travelling in a convoy? Is it better than travelling alone? Why? Email us here to let us know whether you think travelling with others - whether they be strangers or established friends - is a smart move.

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August 7

Sleepless in the Van
Well, our story earlier this week certainly stirred up a bit of interest in the wonderful world of sleep, or, perhaps more accurately in some cases, the lack of it.
It seems that many of you are most troubled by night-time toilet issues. For those without an in-van or in-motorhome toilet, the prospect of a 2am stroll to the amenities block or even to nip behind a bush is apparently enough to get you worrying about it even before your head hits the pillow.
And those of you who like your free bush camping will identify with Susan who tells us of her long-standing fear of visiting drop toilets by torchlight. Oh, but it’s all part of the fun, Susan. If life was too easy it would be ever so boring.
Another dilemma that some of you wrestle with is just how close to the amenities block you should set up in van parks. Obviously, if you’re nice and close you don’t have so far to walk at night – or in the day for that matter. But then, what about the procession of other midnight toilet visitors crunching the gravel and flashing their torches as they walk past your rig? It seems that some of your worst nights of sleep ever have been within earshot of the hand dryers!
Could ensuite toilets be the solution? Or are they an overpriced luxury that adventurers like us shouldn’t need? Email us here to give us your view of the growing trend towards offering ensuite facilities in van parks? Should there be more of them?

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August 6

Experience the Binns
Have any of you four-wheel drivers out there had a crack at the Northern Territory’s newest four-wheel drive route, the Binns Track, yet?
The route which stretches more than 2,000 kilometres from Mount Dare on the South Australian border up to Timber Creek, in Western Australia is supposed to be pretty special.
It passes through Alice Springs and Tennant Creek as it winds through many of the Territory's lesser known nature reserves and national parks such as the western Simpson Desert, East MacDonnell Ranges, Davenport Range National Park and Gregory National Park.
Apparently, it was made possible by the Territory’s commitment to create more four-wheel drive journeys, and the government’s allocation of extra funds to make that possible. The project targets the 217,000 interstate and 86,000 international self-drive visitors each year.
The track has been named after Bill Binns, who worked for Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife for 32 years and advocated linking a series of remote tracks together.
He reckons the new route highlights some of the most untouched parts of the Northern Territory.
"The journey allows visitors to experience the changing vistas of the Territory, progressing from Australia's sandy heart to the rugged outcrops of Gregory National Park and sub-tropics of the north," said Mr Binns. "This trip is an outback bush experience ... it's really about your feelings ... away from the millions on an uninterrupted adventure."
Sounds good to us, Bill. And it’s nice to know that fresh adventures are available to grey nomads who like to get off the blacktop now and again. Anyone out there driven the track yet? Email us here to give us the heads-up.

August 5

Counting Sheep
How do you sleep when you are out there on the road? Do you find yourself waking up desperate for the toilet more often than usual? Are you particularly twitchy if you are camping alone in the wilds? Do you hear distant engines and wild beasts that aren’t really there?
There are very few things worse than finding it hard to sleep and ... well ... people of a certain vintage are notoriously bad at getting a full night’s shut-eye. However, it seems there is no real reason for this ... for most of us, it’s all in our heads. A new American study has found that seniors simply needed less sleep — about 1.5 hours less, in fact.
"There are definitely older people with insomnia," one of the study’s authors, Elizabeth Klerman of Brigham and Women's Hospital said. "However there may also be some older people who 'create' insomnia if they believe that they 'need' 8 to 9 hours of sleep and therefore spend more time in bed (lying awake) than needed to achieve the amount of sleep needed.”
To come up with their findings, the scientists studied 18 subjects ages 60 to 76 and 35 younger subjects, ages 18 to 32, all of whom were healthy and not on medication that might affect sleep. After monitoring their sleep at home, the subjects were regularly instructed to lie quietly with their eyes closed and to try to sleep, for as much as 16 hours daily for several days in a row.
At the end of it all, the study also found another age effect. That, given the same amount of time in bed, older people take longer to fall asleep. Well, I reckon they’ve got that right. And when you combine that with the sound of dingoes howling in the distance, or salties splashing around in the river, or even that noisy group of so and so’s in Site 38 having a late-night chat, it’s no wonder some of us spend hours counting sheep each night!
But what to do about it? Apparently, mild sleep problems can be tamed with relatively easy steps:

• Don't do anything stimulating in the hour before bed — even talking on the phone.
• Go to bed and wake up at about the same time every day.
• Mute disturbances: Cover light sources, block out noise with earplugs and keep those pets out of the way.
• Never look at the clock in the middle of the night — no matter what as apparently it can make you more anxious about not sleeping.
• Keep the van cool — Easier said than done when you’re up in the Territory, of course, Apparently, the optimum temperature for sleeping is about 20 degrees.

Oh, and if you still can’t sleep. Well go and join the party at Site 38 of course!
Do you have any sleep tips? Do your sleeping patterns change when you are on the road? Email us here to share your thoughts?

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August 4

Outback visitors Surge
Well, it seems the grey nomad phenomenon is alive and kicking after all!
Last week, we reported that some caravan park operators in the Gold Coast were saying that numbers were down by as much as 50% ... but that’s certainly not the story in other parts of the country or in other parts of the state.
Outback Queensland appears to be thriving despite the fuel price surge, the credit crunch and poor performing superannuation accounts. Indeed, several western Queensland towns report capacity bookings.
According to a report in Brisbane’s Courier-Mail, the Outback Queensland Tourism Association said that while the floods had brought a lot of suffering to a lot of people it had also helped the Outback come alive.
In Charleville, for example, the ABC reports that the town’s free caravan park – which caters for overflow from the paid caravan park – has opened six weeks earlier than last year.
Murweh Mayor Mark O'Brien says new records have been set for the number of visitors at the town's main attractions this year. He says that it shows that, despite concern over fuel prices, that people are still heading out on trips.
“Perhaps some of our traditional grey nomads are not travelling quite the distance they used to,” he speculates in an interview with the national broadcaster. “Perhaps they are coming to a region like ours and staying for a bit longer instead of doing the trip right up into the Gulf and so forth.”
According to the Courier-Mail, the two major attractions in Charleville – the Cosmos Centre and the bilbies – are both experiencing record numbers of people coming through.
And Blackall Visitor Information Centre has also had record numbers of visitors, while Longreach is at almost 100 per cent visitor occupancy. Oh, and the northwest is showing similar growth.
So there you have it. Paying more at the bowser may be pretty painful but it’ll take a lot more than that to get us off the road. Life, I reckon, is just too good!

August 1

Too Wicked for Words
Whether we find them funny or just offensive, I bet there’s not many among us who can resist reading the graffiti words that adorn the backs and sides of the ubiquitous Wicked campervans.
The rental company has achieved a certain degree of notoriety with its artistic and sometimes provocative vehicle decorations. Normally driven by overseas backpackers, they can be seen on the roads and in camping spots anywhere from Broome to Bega.
An example of the sort of message on the vans – but certainly not the most controversial one – is:
“Men would notice women's brains more if they jiggled when they walked.”
But, from here on in, it seems the Wicked spray painters will have their creative wings clipped. This follows a series of rulings from The Advertising Standards Board which was acting in response to a number of complaints. The group’s chief executive officer Alison Abernethy says Wicked Campers has now agreed to remove slogans deemed by the board to be offensive.
"The board considered the slogans to be misogynistic and demeaning to women and that they served to commodify women and could not be considered humorous or acceptable," Ms Abernethy said. "The advertiser has listened to community concerns and will remove the slogans which are causing offence."
Queensland Premier Anna Bligh was among those unhappy with the Wicked slogans and has lodged a further complaint over the text "Save a Whale - Harpoon a Jap", which she labelled racist.
So, what do you reckon … have the Wicked artists gone too far and is it about time they were reigned in? Muddy Martin who runs the Ningaloo Caravan and Holiday Resort in Western Australia certainly does. He has apparently banned Wicked vans from entering his park because of what he says are their crude messages. Incidentally, the Advertising Standards Board is urging anyone offended by a message to take a photo that contains both the slogan and the van's registration details and forward it onto them.
Or do you disagree? Do you think the Wicked vans are just a bit of fun that liven up some long days of driving? Email us here to take part in the Wicked debate.

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