One of the main arguments that ‘traditional’ grey nomads use against those who forego a caravan or motorhome in order to travel Australia while staying in cabins and motels is that they are missing out on the sociable aspect of the camping lifestyle.
But veteran motel travellers, Ken and Pamela Martin, beg to differ. Indeed, they say they meet stacks of people on the road, particularly in remote areas, and they are constantly struck by the kindness of strangers.
“In all of my travels around the world, and I think I’m up to about 30 countries, I have never met people so friendly and helpful as the middle of Australia,” said Ken. “A lot of these people are actually travellers from overseas but they seem to be infected by something to do with the remoteness and lack of contact with the outside world.”
Pamela (above left) and Ken (above right) have been impressed by the camaraderie they experienced when travelling in regional areas.
The couple, both 64, did toy with the caravanning lifestyle some 15 or so years ago but, when they hired a camper to test the water, Ken said he quickly realised it wasn’t for him.
As a self-described ‘tightwad’, he also delved into the economics and estimated it would cost very approximately $180,000 for a camper, or car and caravan setup.
“This would have given us 1,800 nights’ accommodation at pubs, motels and caravan park cabins with fees ranging from $70-140 a night,” he said. “And, going the way we have, we now have the SUV to take us to all the places that a camper or caravan couldn’t go.”
The couple now have their SUV travel system down pat.
“We have our personal luggage, a picnic set that contains virtually everything down to salt and pepper and oil, corkscrew, bottle opener, and other basics,” said Ken. “A portable car fridge is absolutely essential for beer drinkers like me.”
He says that, at a stretch, the pair could sleep in the laid-down back of their SUV, but haven’t yet done so.
The closest they came was when they were crossing the Nullarbor recently and phoned ahead only to find the Balladonia Roadhouse was fully booked.
“After making some comment about having to sleep in the car, this angel said ‘oh we can’t have that, give me your number and I’ll call you back’,” said Ken. “She then rings back and says ‘okay, I’ve got you a room but it won’t be ready till 5.30pm,’ which, of course was fine by us.”
Ken says though that on arrival, they were shown the room and told they couldn’t use the wardrobe or anything from the fridge.
“It was perfectly obvious that this was her private accommodation,” he said. “How selfless is that?”
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