We are packing up at the moment and leaving Melbourne for a "work our way around Aus" trip, basically following in the footsteps of Stookie and Lil... LOL
Our original budget for a off road van was $25000 but that changed when I went to re-register our faithful old 90 model 80 series after sitting unused in the front yard for nearly two years. too much deterioration and $$$$ to rectify so we picked up a 97 80 series petrol auto on gas for $7000 instead and swapped all the accessories from the old one to the new one. We sold the old 80 for $3000 which is paying for a new OME suspension kit on the new one so we should have no problems on the trip.
We had found a nice 18" Jayco outback for $24000 but after spending money on another car it was a bit out of our budget now and after reading on how they fall apart on corrugated roads we opted not to go for a outback Hawk either so a hard floor camper was then decided as our best option.
Thanks to this site, a thread I was reading had a link to campers for sale and I found a Supreme Getaway off road caravan advertised for $21000.... I called the owner and a deal was struck..... we now have exactly the touring setup we were originally after for only a few grand more than our original budget.....
Can't wait to pick up the van and get on the road now.....