Making the decision to head off on a major caravanning trip is always a big deal … especially when you’ll be on your own, and you haven’t got a lot of towing experience.
For Narelle Jensen, like so many others, there were a lot of factors to consider. Safety and security were way up there and so, of course, was cost.
Indeed, before she put down a deposit on a Silversun Pluto van which will be delivered in August, Narelle thought long and hard about simply combining staying in cabins with the occasional night sleeping in the back of her Toyota Kluger.
Ultimately, though she calculated that staying at cabins and motels would probably average $150 a night, which would be well over $50,000 for a year; while staying in her little van at showgrounds might cost around 20% of that.
Narelle says she will be unstoppable when she hits the open road. PIC: Cizza
“To stay in cabins for a year or more would cost way more than my van,” she said. “And this way, I will have my van forever to continue travelling this great country … and I will be able to stay longer at one place and not think of the cost.”
Narelle also said staying in cabins would have meant eating out more and led to a higher food budget.
And there was also a social consideration.
Narelle is nearly ready to roll.
“I decided that, with the van, I would be in company rather than on my own in a room,” she said. “I would rather hear noise from people than feel isolated while doing such a long trip.”
Narelle is calling her adventure her ‘sabbatical year’ and plans to go south first, but has no hard and fast plans.
“The thing I am most excited about is to actually be finally doing this trip around Australia and having the confidence to do it on my own, she said. “This is exactly what I need to get me out of my comfort zone and I know that, once I get the van and hit the road, I will be unstoppable!”
And what about after the Big Lap?
“I’d like to join a local caravan club and do fun weekends away,” said Narelle. “And I’m sure my grandies will be up for some little trips with nanna, too!”
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We love the freedom of caravanning, being able to camp out in the bush by ourselves.
We’re not interested in the social side of things, listening to people’s life stories doesn’t interest us.
Oh dear
Talk’s cheap when you are one of a couple…. let’s see how you fare with that attitude when one of you is left alone to camp in the bush
Hi. I’m a 70 year young woman and I’m looking at travelling possibly with my car and a small caravan. Looking forward to meeting other wanderers. Cheers.
You will love it, once you get away from your home your van is your home on wheels.