How much Planning is really needed

[chrisj1982]

Hey all,

The missus and I have set a date of August 1  2017 to head off on our big lap. Finally.
Just wondering for those who have done it.. how much have you planned and how much have you winged it?.. we where looking at having a general direction and a list of places we wanted to visit.

In regards to planning where did you start?

The Rig and camper are big lap ready and by August 2017 finances will be sorted for a year or 2 worth of travel.

[glenm64]

Ive done a couple of big trips the last 2 years.
I do a bit of research on the areas to find best camp sites, things to do and places to visit, work out a rough route, but just go with the flow.
We like to travel when we feel like it, and change according to weather or tips from travellers you meet as you go.
It doesnt feel like a holiday to me if you have to keep to ridgid plans. Some of the best things weve done have been unplanned.
As long as your not OCD, otherwise you wont sleep at night.



Cheers Glen

[trevc]

Ive done a couple of big trips the last 2 years.
I do a bit of research on the areas to find best camp sites, things to do and places to visit, work out a rough route, but just go with the flow.
We like to travel when we feel like it, and change according to weather or tips from travellers you meet as you go.
It doesnt feel like a holiday to me if you have to keep to ridgid plans. Some of the best things weve done have been unplanned.
As long as your not OCD, otherwise you wont sleep at night.



Cheers Glen

We did a year pretty much like this. Winter in the north and Tassie in March were our only preconceived destinations.

[Joff]

Apart from 2 or 3 dates we had to catch up with people - wife's bday with inlaws on Hamilton Is, 3 weeks with friends in the gulf, we winged it completely

[campingaroundoz]

We head off in a week, we sorta know which direction we are heading but thats about it.

[tk421]

We did a 3/4 lap a few years ago. No real plan apart from be in WA before cyclone season and do Gibb Riber Road. If you have too much of a plan you spend your time chasing the timetable and missing out on things you might see but don't because you need to be somewhere else. Being malleable makes it way easier.

When planning I tend to choose 'must sees', & 'things to see if we have time' and that's it.

[speewa158]

When planning I tend to choose 'must sees', & 'things to see if we have time' and that's it.
[/quote]
Talk to fellow travelers about what they have seen  & been . Don't be to put off by the bad stories as everybody sees different thing looking at the same view . Travel at your own speed & always fuel up as soon as you hit town . lf you want to leave you can at any time  .
                                              Enjoy                   

[dave.sue]

The only date i had to to remember was when i had to go back to work 😅😅

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[GROB]

Been on the road now for 3 years no plans , no direction  ,the only thing that controls us is where the next bit of work is ,just can't win lotto so have to keep some $ coming in

[austastar]

Hi,
     Our biggest decision is usually whether to turn left or right when we drive off the boat.
Cheers

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[Rumpig]

Hi,
     Our biggest decision is usually whether to turn left or right when we drive off the boat.
Cheers

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you won't get far if you turn left straight away, just goes to a car park from memory doesn't it ?...lol

[austastar]

Hi,
    Yep, been lost in there more times than I care to remember.
Cheers

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[Paddler Ed]

The only time I've ever planned anything was coming back from Cairns to the NSW Central Coast - I knew when I needed to be back down there to start a job, but beyond that we didn't know anything... had a rough idea of a route down, but that was it...

What I have learnt:

• People with no deadlines to meet are a lot nicer (and helpful) than those who have a deadline
• Allow time for things to go wrong/distract you - we had about 2 days slack in our plan, (2 weeks or so) so call it 10% and you'd be about right. This allows time for roads to be closed/campsites to be under water after a big dump of rain... (see point 1 - those who had a deadline were up and out, those who had no deadline helped everyone else out)
• Talk to the visitor information centres on your travels for detailed info on the area you're in
• Look at how much you'd gain from the memebrship of Top Parks/Big 4; Top Parks is $40 for 2 years membership, so after about 10-15 nights in Top Parks you're ahead. This is useful for those times where a car is in for a service or similar that might take a bit longer than you'd expect
• Don't expect to be able to get in to see a GP quickly in regional towns - as the GP numbers are based on permanent population numbers, and the catchment sometimes quite big - you are often best going straight to the hospital. I know it seems wasteful, but it can sometimes be the only way to see a GP. This is based on my experience in town (we look at about 2.5 weeks to get a GP appointment at the practice we use) and the recommendation from the local visitor information centre.
• Caravan parks will often collect post for you if you warn them in advance

Hope that helps a bit; it's based on my experience travelling and working in a caravan park.

Ed

[Bird]

I'd plan where things are and in what order...

You'd be pissed if you had to backtrack constantly to see things you had on the *MUST SEE* list..
Not saying you should set times to be here and there, just what you wanna see and where it is...No point looking for Wilpena Pound when you arrive in Alice.

YMMV

[speewa158]

Time is a fad out of Switzerland , chuck your timing devise  in the glove box  . Eat when hungry , Sleep when tired , & when you got to Go Go   .
This is why you are on the Wallaby to escape the Rat Race  . Are You With Me