Well, after the Outback trip in September, we took the plunge and bought a caravan.
We are preparing to explore Australia once the borders open - hopefully by January 2021. Until then, we will do a few trips around our state of NSW to get a "feel" of caravanning.
We figure that it's like boating but easier in that there is no risk of falling overboard, and if you run out of groceries, you can just find a supermarket and stock up!
The van is a 19 foot long (internal) New Age Manta Ray fitted with semi-off road options such as raised full independant suspension and heavy duty cabinetry. It also has aircon, 12V fans, a smart TV, Clarion sound system with Fusion speakers, island bed, built-in ensuite with separate shower and toilet, external shower, awning, lock boxes, two gas cylinders, two jerry can holders, 2 x 110L water tanks, 1 x 110L grey water tank, rear-view camera system, stability control, electric brakes and full three-way fridge/ freezer.
There is loads of storage and plenty of 12V power outlets throughout, including externally.
The van is easily towed by the Landcruiser, but due to the van's heavy and solid construction, frankly I wouldn't want to tow it with anything less than a V8 diesel as I don't want to be sitting on less than 80 km/h climbing up steep hills while towing it and I don't like overworking engines if I can avoid it.
After stocking up the van with what we thought we would need, we decided that a short "shakedown" trip was required, so we picked a place not too far from home that would be close to the beach. Shellbarbour was our choice and we booked the caravan park.
However, before heading down and trying to reverse the van into a camp site, we thought it best to have a few practice attempts first. So, on the Sunday before we headed off, we headed down to a factory complex (it's always quiet on Sundays) and practiced reversing into right angle spots.
After about 45 mins and several successful and stress free reversals on both sides, we decided we were good to go!
On the day of departure, I fitted the towing mirrors (didn't think they were necessary but unsure of NSW legal requirements, so did it anyway), hooked up the van, and off we went.
Towing was easy enough and the electric brakes on the van made stopping so easy.
We arrived at Shellharbour in about 1 hr 45 mins, and then, with the help of the manager, backed the van into the spot first go. It was so much easier than I expected.
Once parked, it took us about two hours to set up for the first time. This included:
Chocking the wheels
Levelling the van with Jockey wheel
Dropping & setting up stabiliser legs
Fitting the security lock on the hitch
Connecting power (our 10m lead was too short. Drove to Bunnings to buy a 25m one)
Connecting drinking water hose
Connecting waste hose
Pulling out awning (had to get the manual out for that one!)
Securing the awning with ropes and pegs
Laying out and pegging down mat
Setting up table and chairs.
Checking everything was OK.
Had to call New Age dealer to find out how to get fridge to run on gas while we went to Bunnings, they were very helpful and talked me through it in a couple of mins.
After the trauma (not really) of setting up, we sat down and relaxed for a bit before going for a walk around the park to see what was happening and what other vans were like.
I cooked dinner outside on the portable gas burner.
The following day we walked along the shore and over the rocks until we could go no further. We then went up some stairs into a street where we then walked up a hill to get to the main street to take us into Shellharbour village where we stopped for a coffee before heading back to the van. The water took on different shades of blue and looked very inviting.
Lunch was a quick bite then chilled out for a bit chatting to some guy in the park before jumping in the car and going for a drive to the town of Jamberoo. We had a drink at the pub and then headed back to the van around 5pm. That night was the State of Origin decider, so I sat down with the manual and worked out how to get the TV working. After tuning the TV and setting up the aerial, we had perfect reception and watched the disappointing result while having dinner in the van.
Day three had us breakfasted and in the car by 9:30am, leaving the van at the park, we headed to the Illawarra Fly and Treetop Walk. we drove through Macquarie Pass to get to Robertson, then hung a left to get to our destination.
HOWEVER, before departing, we did a test on the van by disconnecting the water supply and power, turning on the gas and making the van run in "freecamp" mode for 24 hours. This meant that the fridge ran on gas, the taps were supplied by the water tanks and pump, and all power was from the batteries only.
The treetop walk is just that, a walkway through the tree canopy abour 20m - 30m above ground level. There is a tower to climb, which we did, mind you I had to stop a few times before I could reach the top, but when I did, it was worth it as the view was awesome!
The view from the top of the tower looking down to the walkway (which was already 20m above ground level) below gives you an idea of the height we were at.
We left the walk and headed to Robertson Pie shop for lunch. However, on the way we saw a sign to Carrington Falls, so we decided to go. Fed by the Kanaroo River, the falls are 160m high and the water then runs into the valley below.
The river is quite pretty and there are picnic grounds there as well as people swimming in the river itself.
After walking around the trail (it's only about 600m), we then headed back to the car and drove to our lunch stop. Sadly, Robertson Pie Shop was fairly ordinary and nothing like the reviews online, but you can't win them all, right?
Back to our van for the final night. We walked into Shellharbour for dinner at the Andaman Thai restaurant - which was actually as good as the reviews suggested.
The following morning, we packed up out van, which took about 1 hr 30 mins and then headed back to Sydney. The drive home took us a little under 2 hours and the Landcruiser pulled the van up Mount Ousley without a problem.
Findings from the "Shakedown" run:
I think, once we work out our routine over the next couple of runs, we should be able to park and set up in 45 mins or less. Same with the pack up time.
The outdoor mat under the awning works well to stop grit and dirt coming in, but not grass or larger debris. As such, we will add a mat to the internal doorway as well as in front of the steps at ground level to wipe our shoes on.
Twin battery set up ran CPAP with humidifier on and still had 80% charge in morning.
After the 24 hour "freecamp" test, we had 80% charge left in the batteries, and with a sunny day, we would have been back to 100% power in the space of a couple of hours.
Need to pack a rubber mallet to hammer in the mat pegs rather than doing by hand.
Fridge works brilliantly and everything was kept cold, whether it was connected to the car, powered by gas or 240V mains.
Car fridge in back of car would be handy to store drinks rather than use up fridge space for these.
We only ever needed to pull out the manual three times over the course of the trip.... for the awning, to find out hot to tune the TV, and to see how to empty the toilet cassette.
Other than that, it was easy and logical.
The refinements will come over the next couple of short runs and by the time we are ready to do a big trip, the van (and we) will be ready.
Want to know how we came to choose this caravan? Click here.
Andrew & Stephanie
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