Adventurers Diary
Buying our Motorhome
Very quickly, once we had decided to do this big trip, we considered our mode of transport. We decided on buying our Motorhome as for us this was the preferred option.
Table of Contents
Our decision to buy our Motorhome
We liked the Motorhome for several reasons. It was completely self reliant with all the amenities in the vehicle. A shower, toilet, cooking facilities and relatively comfortable bed are always going to be accessible. If we pulled up somewhere and it was raining we didn’t need to get out of the vehicle. We liked the security knowing we didn’t need to go anywhere at night to find the toilets, showers or bbq’s everything was right with us whenever we needed it.
Of course, the down side was we wouldn’t be able to go anywhere remote but there’s so much to see in areas we are able to go, we decided we were ok with that. We can always hire a 4wd but with my mechanical skills, going offtrack where others don’t go is fraught with danger, if we had problems I wouldn’t want to rely on my skills to get us on the road again.
New or Second Hand
I did some research and found we could buy a secondhand Motorhome for around $65,000. We decided on a budget of $60,000 – $80,000 maximum to spend.
Buying our Motorhome second hand provided the opportunity to receive extras within the vehicle and I felt I could use my negotiation skills to more benefit to us. I have never bought brand new except for Adele’s Suzuki Swift. Any vehicle brand new and you lose thousands of dollars the minute the vehicle hits the bitumen. With a Motorhome there was considerable benefit to buying a used vehicle.
Given we were planning a two year trip and then we would sell it to buy a car again, resale was a major consideration. We wanted to buy at the right price to ensure resale was fair and reasonable.
What we wanted in our Motorhome
I researched the benefits of a Motorhome and identified some of the basics we needed in the Motorhome. I wanted a 3L engine for power we would undoubtedly need. We wanted the cabin over the drivers cab for Matthew to sleep. Also we wanted an island bed, big enough to fit me given I’m almost 6ft tall. Plus, we liked a more open plan, some had narrow walk ways and felt claustrophobic.
Once Matt had said he wanted to come with us and we became aware of the slide out option we felt the extra space would become essential. Of course this also meant our budget simply wasn’t going to be enough. All of a sudden we were going to need almost double what we originally planned. This gave me months of stress as I considered how we could budget spending that much.
Where we looked at buying our Motorhome
Rather than looking just locally, I decided all of Australia was an option. The world is a small place now and flights are relatively cheap. We knew exactly what we wanted and opening up a bigger area to find the perfect vehicle meant we had more to choose from.
Remote locations can be better opportunities. Less population means there is likely to be less enquiry and interest. I bought my last vehicle, a Toyota 86, from a Private Seller in Gladstone. With just 13,000kms on the clock it’s still being run in and it was only driven by his partner to work and back most days. I saved 30% on what he paid for it.
When to buy our Motorhome
We were planning to leave in February 2016 and therefore we thought buying our Motorhome around November would be the ideal time. However in July I found a Winnebago Esperance I had been watching which was listed at just $119,990 was reduced to only $109,990. I immediately rang the company and he remarked how quick I was, he had only reduced the price an hour ago. All other similar Winnebago Esperances I had seen were advertised and sold between $125,000 and $139,000.
I talked to him asking a range of questions including why the price was as it was. He told me they had too many in stock and wanted a quick sale. I told him we’d consider flying down from Brisbane to have a look and this prompted him to tell us it had been knocked around a little and wasn’t in normal condition for it’s age.
We considered it but the timing just wasn’t right. It was still over 6 months before we were due to leave and the holding cost for that period of time seemed illogical to us. Still, it seemed great value and sure enough it sold very quickly.
This set a precedent for me however and I felt if I could stay patient another one would eventually come up.
Buying our Motorhome Privately
I also felt negotiating with a private seller can be a lot more financially rewarding in the right circumstances. A dealer has costs and therefore less room to negotiate so my focus was on finding a private sale. We kept looking around the dealerships in Brisbane, mainly Brisbane RV’s at Burpengary and Talvor at Northgate. As time got closer however I began to lament the one that got away and thought it might have been a regretful decision to not have moved faster and have purchased it.
Motorhome Sites
I followed a number of websites including:
http://www.caravancampingsales.com.au/
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-motorhome+sale/k0
http://www.sydneyrvgroup.com.au/used-motorhomes
https://www.cmca.net.au using the Members Market tab which is open to the public.
In October I found an advertisement for a Motorhome which was what we were looking for. A nice couple who live near Newcastle in NSW and understood their Motorhome and had completed 3 laps of Australia in previous Motorhomes.
Choosing the Brand of Motorhome
We had it narrowed down to the Jayco Optimum, Talvor Hayman and Winnebago Esperance and chose the Winnebago based on their history and the reviews I had read.
My son has got me to watching those trading shows on TV and a simple common question they ask customers is “what would you really take”, so I asked the question and made an offer accordingly which the seller was happy to accept. We were now the proud owners of our first ever Motorhome.
I find most Private sellers to be fairly genuine and honest. Trusting a dealer is a difficult concept to accept, not that I suggest trusting anyone in the sale of a vehicle as wise.
I have had my mechanic check it thoroughly and he has told me it is in excellent condition so we are very pleased with out purchase.
How was the process of buying your motorhome or are you looking to buy now? We’d like to hear about your experience?
Thanks, Kevin & Adele
Indefinite Leave
Our readers also enjoy reading:
Motorhomes v Caravans – the facts
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Photography and Socials
Our camera equipment we use for all of our photos and videos are:
Samsung Note 10 Plus Phone – https://ebay.to/2XOjXhi – Most of our photos are simply from our phones. The Samsung phone cameras are pretty insane. Our phones have 512gb storage in ours but the 256gb in this one is heaps. We have sourced this one which is approx $500 less than we paid for ours.
Canon 800d – https://ebay.to/2XQYnsk – the latest DSLR Canon 24mp camera, buy here to save.
Lenses – Canon 50mm lens – https://ebay.to/2yQwPed This is the lens I use the least, ideal for still, close up shots.
Canon 24-105mm lens – https://ebay.to/3eCueUo This is my all round, everyday use, zoom lens. Amazing quality, great price.
Canon 70-300mm lens – https://ebay.to/2XlOZ0I – I use this one a lot for long range shots.
Sigma 10-20mm lens – https://ebay.to/2TWt0vA – My wide angle lens for all my inside photos & video plus lots more, love this lens.
Our Go Pro 7 Hero Black – https://ebay.to/38wMc7V – is an awesome piece of equipment. I use this for all underwater, action video and some general use. Buy here brand new and great value.
Mavic Pro Platinum Drone – https://ebay.to/2ARPxTo This is an absolute ripper of a drone. The Fly More Combo will provide you with everything you will need. I use this for all my aerial footage and this price is well below other retail stores.
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Adventurers Diary
14 Australian Islands to Visit on your Big Lap
Australia is home to a massive 8,222 islands. Seeing them all on a Lap of Oz is unlikely but we have narrowed this list down to 14 Australian Islands to visit on your Big Lap that you really shouldn’t miss.
If you did see one island a day every day it would take over 22 years to visit them all. Can you imagine that experience, it would be amazing.
Each of them have a natural beauty all of their own. Stunning beaches, incredible sunrise and sunsets, clear crystal waters and amazing animals and marinelife to experience.
From Dingoes to Quokkas, historic lighthouses to war time relics, penguins, seals and incredible wineries, our best islands of Australia include them all.
Table of Contents
Our 14 Australian Islands to visit on your Big Lap:
When traveling Australia ensure these islands are on your list of places to see. Queensland dominates with 8 of the 14 Australian Islands to visit on your Big Lap with 2 from Western, Australia and one each from New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania.
1. Penguin Island
Let’s start with the smallest and probably least well known on our list.
Situated just 600m from the beautiful town of Shoalwater near Rockingham in Western Australia is Penguin Island.
As the name suggests it is home to a declining number of Little Penguins. Over the years the number of Penguins has reduced due to predators including Australian Sea Lions and also occasional fires that effected the island.
A Discovery Centre is now located on the island looking after injured Penguins and each day there is a Feeding show at 10.30am, 12.30pm and 2.30pm.
You can visit the island via a 5 minute ferry ride and also enjoy walking trails, beautiful beaches where you can swim and snorkel and enjoy a picnic along the beach.
How to get to Penguin Island
Penguin Island is a 45-60 minute drive south from Perth to Shoalwater. From Mersey Point at Shoalwater it is a 5 minute ride on the ferry to the island.
People risk walking to the island however it is considered dangerous and deaths have occurred attempting the crossing.
How much does it cost?
The cost for the Ferry to Penguin Island is:
$23 for an adult,
$21 Concession
$19 for a child
$65 family of 2 adults and 2 children
The cost for the Ferry to Penguin Island plus watch the penguin show at the Discovery Centre is:
$32 for an adult,
$29 Concession
$25 for a child
$89 family of 2 adults and 2 children
Visit the website for more information
2. Fraser Island
From possibly Australia’s least known island to one of the most high profile islands of the country.
Fraser Island off Queensland’s Cooloola Coast is approximately 360kms north of the city of Brisbane. It is World Heritage listed and the Largest Sand Island in the world.
The island is renowned for the most pure breed of Australian Dingoes, the shipwreck of the S.S. Maheno, incredible lakes such as Lake McKenzie and its fantastic fishing from the beaches.
The island has no sealed roads and a 4wd is necessary. Drive the incredible beaches and tracks including 75 mile beach and see pods of dolphins and Humpack Whales during the migration season.
Whenever planning a trip to Fraser Island read our Ultimate Guide to Visiting Fraser Island. This will tell you everything you want and need to know to visit Fraser Island.
Read Everything to See and Do on Fraser Island for all the best places to go and fun to have while you are there.
How to get to Fraser Island:
Catch the barge from River Heads near Hervey Bay to Kingfisher Bay Resort. It is a 45 minute crossing and you do need to book ahead.
From Inskip Point the barge drops you off at the very southern end of Fraser Island. It’s a short 15 minute barge trip across and there is no need to make a booking as the barge runs regularly back and forth.
How much does it cost?
Traveling to Fraser Island from Hervey Bay, the cost for the Kingfisher Bay Ferry is $180 for a standard 4WD.
To take a 4WD on the Manta Ray Barge from Inskip Point, the cost is $130.
You will also need a vehicle pass, cost is $52.75 for one month. Camping fees are $6.55 per night per adult.
Read about: How we ended up on an Island in Lockdown
3. Moreton Island
Little brother to Fraser Island, Moreton is located directly out of Brisbane.
A 90 minute barge trip will deliver you and your 4WD on to the beach to explore this spectacular island with an incredible history.
The island was a key figure in the defence of Brisbane during WWII when Japanese submarines entered Moreton Bay and were planning their attack.
Concrete bunkers and gun placements still remain as a memory of it’s place during these times.
The island has gorgeous beaches and bays and a drive around the island takes in so many incredible views. Don’t miss a visit for lunch at the Gutter Bar and sunrise and sunset from Cape Moreton Lighthouse.
The fishing is superb all year around and enjoy spotting dolphins and Humpback Whales during season.
Watch our video for everything you will need to know for a trip to Moreton Island.
How to get to Moreton Island:
From the Port of Brisbane catch the Micat Ferry to the Tangalooma Wrecks.
Do a Full Day Moreton Island Tour with Australian Sunset Safaris.
How much does it cost?
The 45 minute Barge trip costs us approx $260 for our Triton 4WD, cost depends on your vehicle size.
You will need a vehicle pass, cost is $53.65 for one month. Camping fees are $6.60 a night per adult.
Website: Department of Environment and Science
Read more on: Camping Fraser Island and Moreton Island
4. Kangaroo Island
Known locally as just KI, Kangaroo Island is a very special place in South Australia.
It is so different to anywhere else. Just 16kms from the mainland there’s only a few bitumen roads, no lights, no traffic and abundant natural beauty.
Reported as the most expensive Ferry in the world per distance traveled, it may just be the lack of tourists that makes KI so awesome.
Visit Remarkable Rock and Admirals Arch, call in to some amazing wineries and distilleries, find hidden beaches and watch seals in their natural surroundings.
The fishing is fantastic. Make sure you take a squid jig and catch your own fresh calamari.
We highly recommend finding time and the budget to visit Kangaroo Island.
Another option is the full day Kangaroo Island Experience tour from Adelaide
How to get to Kangaroo Island:
From Adelaide drive south on the Main South Road for approx 90 minutes to Cape Jervis.
From Cape Jervis catch the SeaLink Ferry to Penneshaw on Kangaroo Island.
How much does it cost?
The Ferry prices to Kangaroo Island vary significantly depending on your vehicle and what you take with you. Check the Ferry prices on the Sealink website.
Read more: How much does it cost to travel to Kangaroo Island
5. Great Keppel Island
Once a thriving tourist island destination with the famous slogan “Get wrecked on Great Keppel Island” the resort closed in 2008 and 10 years later most of the resort was demolished.
Now the island offers great day trips, camping and overnight accommodation.
We visited the island on a Sailing trip aboard the Yacht “Grace 2” with Sail Capricornia cruises.
Our day was filled with snorkeling the coral, walking over to deserted beaches and a delicious lunch on board the yacht.
However you choose to see Great Keppel Island is definitely worth the day out.
How to get to Great Keppel Island:
The Freedom Fast Cats Ferry operates from the Rosslyn Bay Marina every day.
We took the Sail Capricornia Cruise on the Yacht “Grace II”.
How much does it cost?
The Freedom Fast Cat Ferry cost is $45 for Adults or $30 for a Child aged 4-14 yrs.
Check the website for further details.
The cost for Grace II with Sail Capricornia is $130 for adults and $85 for children under 16 years.
Read all about Sailing on Grace II here.
Read about the Yeppoon region: 13 Nights in Yeppoon and Capricorn Coast
6. North Stradbroke Island
Another island located off Brisbane is Straddie.
Until 1896 it was simply Stradbroke Island however a storm separated the island forming North and South Stradbroke Island. South Straddie is only accessed by boat or ferry, there are no barges to the island.
The North Stradbroke Island however has established townships and bitumen roads making it accessible to 2WDs. Camping is available in the townships or along the Ocean beach on the Eastern side of the island if you have 4WD.
The Stradbroke Island Hotel is famous for it’s food, drinks and great views.
Barges leave every day from Cleveland to the island.
How to get to Stradbroke Island:
Stradbroke Ferries leave from Brisbane’s bayside suburb of Cleveland every day with barges to the island.
How much does it cost?
The 45 minute Barge trip costs up to $114 to travel one way for a 4WD. Cost depends on your vehicle size and when you travel.
You will need a vehicle pass, cost is $53.65 for one month. Camping fees vary depending where you camp but are approx $20 per night.
Website: Department of Environment and Science
7. Rottnest Island
Home of the extremely cute Quokka, a native marsupial found only in very limited areas of Western Australia.
Rotto as it is locally known is just 18kms off the coastline from Fremantle in Perth Western Australia.
Take a Ferry across the Bay to Rottnest Island and enjoy the magnificent beaches. We booked the combination of the Ferry plus a tour to watch Humpback Whales and Sea Lions in their natural habitat at Cathedral Rocks.
You can hire a bicycle to ride around the island or take the bus.
There is so much to see and do on Rottnest Island we recommend staying a night or two.
How to get to Rottnest Island:
The Rottnest Express Ferry leaves from the B Shed, Victoria Quay at Fremantle, just near the WA Maritime Museum.
How much does it cost?
For costs with the Rottnest Express Ferry check their website here.
7 Essentials – Tours to Experience
- Reefsleep in the Whitsundays is an amazing adventure. Spend the night on a pontoon sleeping in a swag on Hardy’s Reef in the Great Barrier Reef
- The Ocean Rafting tour from Airlie Beach is a truly fun day out. They took us to the best snorkeling places and the entire day was amazing
- For the best Full Day Island tour in Cairns we recommend the Fitzroy Island tour
- The Humpback Whale Swim in Exmouth remains one of our ultimate highlights of our time around Australia. We highly recommend doing this tour
- If you are on the East Coast, you can swim with Humpback Whales on the Sunshine Coast. The tour leaves from Mooloolaba
- Swimming with Whale Sharks at Exmouth is also extremely popular and a great day out with the team from Eco Adventures on Lattitude 22
- One of Queensland’s most under-rated beach destinations is north of Noosa on the Sunshine Coast. It is only accessible by 4WD or a tour. The Double Island Point and Rainbow Beach 1 Day tour is a great value day out to see some pristine beaches and local history
8. Fitzroy Island
Do you ever dream of spending a winters day on a tropical island, laying on a stunning white sandy beach with turquoise waters, swimming and snorkeling with beautiful Green Sea Turtles and enjoying a cocktail with a stunning ocean view.
Fitzroy Island near Cairns has this and so much more.
A short 45 minute ferry ride from Cairns brings you to this exquisite island on the Great Barrier Reef.
A short coastal walk through the rainforest will bring you to breathtaking Nudey Beach. This beach is often named in the list of World’s best beaches but despite it’s name it is not a nude beach.
Read more: Things to See and Do in Cairns
Take a tent and camp at Fitzroy Island for as little as $37 a night or enjoy a stay at the Fitzroy Island Resort.
How to get to Fitzroy Island:
We drove to the Cairns Wharf where we parked our Motorhome at the large carpark in Pier Point Road. Walk across the road to the Cruise terminals for the islands and book in for your day trip to Fitzroy Island.
How much does it cost?
We did the Fitzroy Island Full day trip with Fitzroy Island Adventures. They were fantastic and we had an awesome day on Fitzroy Island. Cost was $85 each.
Read more: A Day Trip to Fitzroy Island in Cairns
9. Bribie Island
The big difference with Bribie Island to most of the other islands in this list is you can drive to Bribie at any time making it one of the easiest accessed of the 14 Australian Islands to visit on your big lap.
A bridge to the island was built in 1963 from the mainland and remains in place today.
But don’t let easy access fool you, much of Bribie Island remains uninhabited National Park.
Take a 4WD and drive the incredible pristine beaches and discover the wildlife and WWII bunkers. Bring your boat or hire one and enjoy the pristine Pumicestone Passage waterways.
Swimming, fishing and watersports are all very popular and quite safe. Sunsets from the Passage looking toward the Glasshouse Mountains in the distance are sensational.
Bribie Island is a 45 minute drive north of Brisbane and a very popular weekend destination for locals.
There are lots of accommodation options at Bribie Island including the recently opened Sandstone Point Hotel and Big 4 Holiday Resort.
How to get there:
Take the Bruce Highway to the Caboolture/ Bribie Island exit 152 and follow the signs to Bribie Island along Bribie Island Rd.
How much does it cost?
The cost to go to Bribie Island is Free.
To drive on the beach of Bribie Island you will require a Vehicle pass. The cost is $51.50 for a one week permit.
10. Bruny Island
From the south of Tasmania just below Hobart lays magnificent Bruny Island, a paradise that is just waiting for you to explore.
This small island of just 50kms in length is actually two islands. North and South Bruny Island is connected by a “neck” which is a narrow sandy isthmus.
Visit wineries, Bruny Island Chocolate Co, Cheeses and Lighthouses plus see the Little Penguins as the come back at night after a long day searching for food.
We can highly recommend the Pennicott Cruise of Bruny Island, an incredible day out discovering the bays and rough coastal waters of Bruny Island as well as seeing Seals, Dolphins and lots more.
The fishing is superb including squid. If you love fresh calamari you will love Bruny Island.
Tasmania is truly amazing and Bruny Island is a great place to explore while you are there.
This is one of our very favourite locations around Australia therefore it’s high on our list of 14 Australian Islands to visit and one not to be missed on your big lap. Make sure it’s on your itinerary.
How to get to Bruny Island:
The Ferry service leaves from the coastal town of Kettering in Tasmania and is a short 15 minute journey to Bruny Island.
How much does it cost?
The Ferry cost to Bruny Island is as little as $38 for a vehicle less then 6m.
Contact SeaLink Bruny Island Ferry’s on 1300 127 869 for prices if your vehicle is longer than 6m.
Read about: The Very Best of Things to See and Do in Tasmania
11. Phillip Island
Just 90 minutes drive from the bustling city of Melbourne in Victoria is Phillip Island.
The island has a huge history of Australian Motor Racing. The Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit hosts V8 Supercar racing and the annual Australian Motorbike Grand Prix.
Australia’s great Motorcar race, the Armstrong 500 which is now the Bathurst 1000 originally began at Phillip Island in 1960 before moving to Bathurst in NSW.
The Penguin Parade at Phillip Island Nature Parks is another fantastic experience. Watch as the penguins waddle their way up the beach past the enclosures allowing a close up view and wonderful experience of the cute little guys as they head home.
Check out the chocolate factory, visit a brewery or winery, see the Koala Conservation Reserve or go fishing from the jetty.
Don’t miss Churchill Island, a day spent living in the past where you shear sheep and milk cows and learn more about our historic days of yesteryear.
There’s so much to see and do on pristine Phillip Island.
You can buy the Phillip Island 4 Parks pass to save when visiting. Get to see:
- Penguin Parade
- Koala Conservation Reserve
- Historical Churchill Island
- Single entry to the Antarctic Journey at the Nobbies Centre
How to get to Phillip Island:
Take the Princes Highway M1 from Melbourne and turn off on to the Bass Highway M420 all the way to Phillip Island.
How much does it cost?
There is no cost to visit Phillip Island.
12. Whitsunday Island
You can bring out all the superlatives you want but none ultimately will perfectly describe just how incredible is Whitsunday Island.
The Whitsundays are located off Airlie Beach in Queensland in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, one of the World’s Seven Great Wonders.
The highlight of Whitsunday Island is Whitehaven Beach, one of the world’s most spectacular beaches and often rated as one Australia’s best beach.
It’s sand is pure 98% silica and the ocean waters are crystal clear and unforgettable.
The north end of Whitehaven Beach is Hill Inlet. Take the walk through the National Park to the lookout to view the swirls in the water throughout the river. Some say this is the 3rd most photographed location in Australia.
Check out our: The Best Beaches in Australia 1-10
We loved the Ocean Rafting Tour out of Airlie Beach. They took us to the best snorkeling places, it’s fast so you spend maximum time having fun and they are the only tours allowed inside Hill Inlet.
We did the Whitehaven Beach Northern Exposure Tour and it’s a fantastic day out in the Whitsundays.
Another incredible experience is Reeflseep, a night sleeping on a pontoon under the stars on the Great Barrier Reef.
Check out prices and details for Reefsleep here.
Read more: Ocean Rafting the Great Barrier Reef in Whitsundays
How to get to Whitehaven Beach:
The only way to get to Whitehaven Beach is by private boat, tour boat or seaplane.
There are a number of tours from Airlie Beach to Whitehaven Beach. We have done 3 different tours and they were all fantastic but our favourite was the Ocean Rafting tour as mentioned above.
Cruise Whitsundays Full Day tour is another great day out to Whitehaven Beach.
How much does it cost?
Prices vary on each tour but you can enjoy a fabulous day in the Whitsundays including Whitehaven Beach for $140 to $199 per adult.
Read about: Top 13 Best Things to do in Airlie Beach & Whitsundays
13. Magnetic Island
From Townsville in North Queensland, “Maggie” Island is just 8kms and a short 20 minute ferry ride.
Go Topless and hire an open roofed car for a fantastic fun day exploring the pristine bays and beauty of the island.
The stunning beaches are lined with Palm trees and the extraordinary views are made even more spectacular as the sun rises and then sets late in the afternoon.
Keep an eye out for Koalas as the island has a large population of over 800 of our furry friends. You can also discover Rock Wallabies which are very easy to spot around the headlands.
Explore Picnic Bay, Geoffrey Bay, Horseshoe Bay, Honeymoon Bay and Alma Bay. Take the Forts walk to the Magnetic Battery
There is lots to do in Townsville with Magnetic Island being a genuine highlight of your time in North Queensland.
How to get to Magnetic Island:
The Ferry leaves from the Breakwater Ferry Terminal at the south end of The Strand. Parking is available for a standard vehicle at $8 a day.
How much does it cost?
Book your Townsville to Magentic Island Ferry here for $34.
Hire a topless car or mini moke on the island and enjoy a fun day exploring Magnetic Island. Contact Tropical Topless cars on 07 4758 1111 for prices and to book.
Magnetic Island Accommodation
Stay a night on Magnetic Island at Peppers Blue on Blue located on Nelly Bay and enjoy car hire, buffet breakfast, return ferry and explore all the islands magnificent 23 Bays and Beaches.
Read more: Townsville, a Big Country Town in North Queensland
14. Montague Island
Just 9kms east of Narooma in New South Wales is Montague Island.
There are no permanent residents on Montague Island except for the Muttonbirds, Little Penguins and Seal colonies.
The island is looked after by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services and access is by guided tours only.
We visited with Wozza from Montague Island Discovery tours and did the snorkeling and Montague Island tour combo and it was so awesome.
First we swam with the Seals, an amazing experience before taking a walk around the grounds and Lighthouse of Montague Island.
This is a stunning region of Australia’s coastline and a visit to Montague Island is the perfect way to enjoy New South Wales second largest island.
How to get to Montague Island:
Montague Island Discovery tours operates from Narooma in New South Wales.
Phone Wazza on 0412 312 478.
What does it cost?
Cost is $135 an adult and $110 for a child.
Let us know if you have visited any of these islands and your thoughts.
These are just our favourite 14 Australian Islands to visit on your Big Lap. Are there any islands we have missed? Send us a comment and let us know.
Safe Travels
Kev & Adele
Indefinite Leave
We are Adele & Kevin, an Aussie couple from Brisbane in Queensland Australia who have embraced our adventurous spirit and ventured out to explore the world around us. We had spent so much time overseas we decided it was time to see our own truly amazing country and we needed to take some time to see everything it has to offer.
Our Aim is to inspire others to travel and help design the greatest adventure they can experience.
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Photography and Socials
Our camera equipment we use for all our photos and videos are:
Samsung Note 10 Plus Phone – https://ebay.to/2XOjXhi – Most of our photos are simply from our phones. The Samsung phone cameras are pretty insane. Our phones have 512gb storage in ours but the 256gb in this one is heaps. We have sourced this one which is approx $500 less than we paid for ours.
Canon 800d – https://ebay.to/2XQYnsk – the latest DSLR Canon 24mp camera, buy here to save.
Lenses
Canon 50mm lens – https://ebay.to/2yQwPed This is the lens I use the least, ideal for still, close up shots.
Canon 24-105mm lens – https://ebay.to/3eCueUo This is my all round, everyday use, zoom lens. Amazing quality, great price.
Canon 70-300mm lens – https://ebay.to/2XlOZ0I – I use this one a lot for long range shots.
Sigma 10-20mm lens – https://ebay.to/2TWt0vA – My wide angle lens for all my inside photos & video plus lots more, love this lens.
Our Go Pro 7 Hero Black – https://ebay.to/38wMc7V – is an awesome piece of equipment. I use this for all underwater, action video and some general use. Buy here brand new and great value.
Mavic Pro Platinum Drone – https://ebay.to/2ARPxTo This is an absolute ripper of a drone. The Fly More Combo will provide you with everything you will need. I use this for all my aerial footage and this price is well below other retail stores.
_______________________________________________________________________
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Adventurers Diary
Why our adventure around Australia is entirely planned!
Our adventure around Australia is entirely planned and we’re glad it is!
Table of Contents
Why our adventure around Australia is entirely planned
We began with a plan of traveling around Australia for two years and every single day was planned. 5 months into our trip and I realised why I was so glad it is. I’ll get in to why shortly.
Originally the decision to plan was simply because it’s been how I’ve lived my life. With over 30 years in Business I’ve learnt one of the most important messages is “Fail to Plan and You Plan to Fail”.
So to embark on something this big it was natural that planning it was going to be important to me.
Our entire itinerary was planned before we set out on our adventure
Where the Bloody Hell are ya! Our Australia Itinerary
A Long List of Places to See and Things to Do
I spent 12 months choosing the route we would travel. I researched the places we should visit, the things we needed to see and where we wanted to go. A lot of time was spent reading other people’s experiences on Facebook and we visited camping and caravan shows and gathered so many catalogues.
Through other people’s experiences we had a list of so many places we wanted to go and things we wanted to see.
But how would we remember them all?
Sometimes our Adventure around Australia doesn’t entirely go to plan
At the 4 and a half month mark of the trip we reached a point where the dynamics changed and a few things hadn’t gone to plan. One struggle for me was that the first 4 months were so much fun, every day new adventures, new plans, new experiences.
But all of a sudden the weather had been cloudy and a bit wet, we’ve been stuck in some caravan parks that were busy and not as much fun and we hadn’t had as many experiences to enjoy.
In fact we’d had some long days couped up in the Motorhome and for 3 adults on an adventure, that was less than fun. It’s inevitable with 3 of us in a small space like a Motorhome that after a while small things would begin to get on each other’s nerves.
Maybe it’s just been that we’d been missing our Mothers and our younger son back home.
We are making many new friends on the road but our friends at home are relationships forged over decades and we missed them too.
On those days when I’ve had fleeting thoughts of do I want to quit, having the plan really helps keep me focused on our future.
Good Friday Easter 2017 was not a good Friday at all for us! Read about what went wrong – Get the f###ing Fire Extinguisher!!
A Plan Helps Keep you Focused and on Track
Having the plan puts into writing all the adventures I’m still looking forward to experiencing. Without the itinerary it would be easier to just give up when times are tough and it’s inevitable that there will be tough times.
Many travelers hit the road with no end date and in those circumstances it’s perfect to go where the sun takes you. There’s no set time limit and if you miss something you can always come back and see it another time.
You don’t have that luxury when your Big Lap has an end date.
We believed at the time that it’s an enormous country to see in a certain time frame.
Without a plan we are likely to miss many places we would never see if we had no direction or understanding of what we wanted to see and do.
7 Essentials – Tours to Experience
- Reefsleep in the Whitsundays is an amazing adventure. Spend the night on a pontoon sleeping in a swag on Hardy’s Reef in the Great Barrier Reef
- The Ocean Rafting tour from Airlie Beach is a truly fun day out. They took us to the best snorkeling places and the entire day was amazing
- For the best Full Day Island tour in Cairns we recommend the Fitzroy Island tour
- The Humpback Whale Swim in Exmouth remains one of our ultimate highlights of our time around Australia. We highly recommend doing this tour
- If you are on the East Coast, you can swim with Humpback Whales on the Sunshine Coast. The tour leaves from Mooloolaba
- Swimming with Whale Sharks at Exmouth is also extremely popular and a great day out with the team from Eco Adventures on Lattitude 22
- One of Queensland’s most under-rated beach destinations is north of Noosa on the Sunshine Coast. It is only accessible by 4WD or a tour. The Double Island Point and Rainbow Beach 1 Day tour is a great value day out to see some pristine beaches and local history
A Simple Tracking Process enabled us to plan our Adventure
Before we left I created a really simple and basic process to track everything. I had a Word Doc and just wrote in each state of Australia and every time I read of another great place we wanted to see I’d put it in under that state.
Then I created an Excel Spreadsheet, I like spreadsheets lol, and started filling in where I wanted to be every day. I made notes of attractions and highlighted School and Public Holidays.
As part of our planning I enter all School Holidays, Public Holidays, Easter, Christmas etc into our spreadsheet. This way I can work out where we need to be that will be suitable to stay with MACKS, our Golden Retriever.
In some places there can be restrictions and difficulties finding places to stay over the holiday periods when you are traveling with a pet. By planning it we have a lot less issues to deal with in this regard.
It was an extremely sad day when we said goodbye to our Golden Retriever in June 2017 A Tribute to MACKS the Best Dog I’ve ever known
Planning Our Adventure Around the Weather and Work
Planning for us is also about the weather.
We will work out what days are best with blue skies and sunny conditions to wind and swells if going on a boat trip or fishing. We will then look to plan our days at places where photos are important.
If the weather is ugly we use those days for writing blogs, editing photos and posting on our social media.
Because I was trying to work and we were running Indefinite Leave we also worked out ways to stay in places with no phone coverage at times that were easier for us to not be available.
Basically it involved weekends and still does.
If we are going off grid then we try to do it Friday to Monday.
For us, planning is vital to making our adventure work.
You may also enjoy reading Always take the weather, the weather with you
A Map of Australia
The other thing we did was buy a big Australia map for the Motorhome. As our adventure around Australia is entirely planned, I put stickers on the map with each month of our trip.
The first 12 months each month was written in Red and placed on the map of roughly the region we would be at that time. Then the following 12 months was in Blue.
It turned out to be almost exactly how it went.
We left Brisbane in February 2016 and took until June to get to Cairns. By August we were in Broome before making our way down the WA coastline until we got to Perth in November.
We left Early December and made our way to Kalgoorlie before arriving in Melbourne mid January to make the trip across the Bass Straight to Tasmania.
Read about where we started out on our adventure: First Destination on our Road Trip Adventure
Once we were back from Tassie in mid Feb we did the Great Ocean Road and Kangaroo Island before heading up the middle and back to Darwin by May 2017.
This was when we changed a few things as it was too cold to head south yet so we spent some time in North Qld before enjoying Central Queensland a few months later.
After that we explored NSW for nearly 8 months and took many other various but shorter trips.
We got almost perfect weather the whole time.
In general, it all went how we wanted and expected it to and we always felt we saw what we had set out to see. You’ll never see it all but we did see what we wanted.
We haven’t finished yet either 🙂
A Plan Helps you Maximise Your Time
I believe, to travel without researching is to travel blindfolded.
We know lots of people like the spontaneity of not knowing where they are going but if, like us, you want to maximise your time plus not live with the regret that you missed lots of places on the other side of the Country you wished you had seen, then some form of plan is ideal.
A plan isn’t definitive, it’s just a guide. It’s flexible and open to change which we did plenty of times. But essentially our whole 4 years driving around Australia went according to plan.
We did so much in the first 3 months as our adventure around Australia is entirely planned Pinch me, this can’t be real
Our adventure around Australia is entirely planned and I’m bloody glad it is.
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What are your thoughts, are you a Planner like me or prefer to go where the Winds blows?
Safe travels
Kev & Adele
Indefinite Leave
We are Adele & Kevin, an Aussie couple from Brisbane in Queensland Australia who have embraced our adventurous spirit and ventured out to explore the world around us. We had spent so much time overseas we decided it was time to see our own truly amazing country and we needed to take some time to see everything it has to offer.
Our Aim is to inspire others to travel and help design the greatest adventure they can experience.
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Photography
Our camera equipment we use for all of our photos and videos are:
Samsung Note 10 Plus Phone – https://ebay.to/2XOjXhi – Most of our photos are simply from our phones. The Samsung phone cameras are pretty insane. Our phones have 512gb storage in ours but the 256gb in this one is heaps. We have sourced this one which is approx $500 less than we paid for ours.
Canon 800d – https://ebay.to/2XQYnsk – the latest DSLR Canon 24mp camera, buy here to save.
Lenses
Canon 50mm lens – https://ebay.to/2yQwPed This is the lens I use the least, ideal for still, close up shots.
Canon 24-105mm lens – https://ebay.to/3eCueUo This is my all round, everyday use, zoom lens. Amazing quality, great price.
Canon 70-300mm lens – https://ebay.to/2XlOZ0I – I use this one a lot for long range shots.
Sigma 10-20mm lens – https://ebay.to/2TWt0vA – My wide angle lens for all my inside photos & video plus lots more, love this lens.
Our Go Pro 7 Hero Black – https://ebay.to/38wMc7V – is an awesome piece of equipment. I use this for all underwater, action video and some general use. Buy here brand new and great value.
Mavic Pro Platinum Drone – https://ebay.to/2ARPxTo This is an absolute ripper of a drone. The Fly More Combo will provide you with everything you will need. I use this for all my aerial footage and this price is well below other retail stores.
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Where to Find Us
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Adventurers Diary
47 Caravan Motorhome RV & Camping Accessories to make life easier
For a great road trip around Australia you’re going to want a number of our 47 Caravan Motorhome RV & Camping Accessories to get you through and make the trip comfortable and enjoyable.
We can’t take everything but there’s some essential items that will make life a lot easier when traveling and we have put together this list of our most popular 47 Caravan Motorhome RV & Camping Accessories.
These are all the essential gadgets, tools, safety and security equipment, power, water, photography and planning must haves we use for our road trip.
Table of Contents
Our 47 Caravan Motorhome RV & Camping Accessories
Here is our full list in no particular order:
1. Wikicamps
No list can start without the number one essential.
Wikicamps is a phone app which allows you to find Caravan Parks, Campgrounds, Free Camps, Water, Dump Points, Information Centres and other places of interest. You can map out your course and mark your favourite places you want to stay.
It’s an absolute essential for anyone traveling Australia. Cost is just $7.95 in your app store.
It’s not the only app to finding the best locations though, you can also download the CamperMate app which is Free.
2. Camps 10 Book
The Camps 10 Book is another great way to find the best locations to stay in Australia.
The book has been out for years and is now in its 10th edition. Take it with you and find all the best camping locations and more from right around the country. By far the cheapest place I found it is on ebay.
3. Hema Maps
Hema Maps are the best source of maps for traveling Australia and we use ours all the time.
They have a large range of detailed maps for wherever you are looking to go.
No need to get lost, unless you want to….
4. Fire Extinguisher & Fire Blanket
We learnt the hard way just how vital a Fire extinguisher is and it’s high on our list of must have items. In our story Get the F###ing Fire Extinguisher, we discuss the reason and importance of having a fire extinguisher on board.
We highly recommend ensuring you have the right fire extinguisher and it is in working condition plus a good Fire Blanket as well.
5. First Aid Kit
One of the first items we bought when we worked out what accessories we needed for our Motorhome was a good First Aid Kit. You want to make sure in case of an emergency you have all the right equipment at hand.
We also made sure ours included a snake bite kit just in case.
6. Camping Table & Chairs
One of most used essential items in our Motorhome, and it would be the same in any Caravan, is the simple Camping Table and good value Camping Chairs that don’t cost a fortune.
You’re going to put them to good use so it’s worth getting a table that works well and chairs that are robust and comfortable. You will be packing these up often, dragging them over to happy hours and giving them a thorough workout.
There are so many choices to suit each individual.
7. Personal Fan
Adele bought herself a little present for summer and she uses it all the time. This “cool” little Portable Mini Neck fan gives her some relief from the relentless summer heat and she loves it.
Adele bought this one for under $20 from Ebay.
8. Portable Speaker
A good Portable Stereo speaker is a great addition. It doesn’t need to be too elaborate because most of the time you can’t have it too loud but it’s great to listen to your favourite music through a good speaker even in our RV.
We have this JBL Portable Bluetooth Speaker and it’s perfect for us.
9. Headphones
Headphones are really handy on the road and I use mine a lot when I’m on my laptop. Sometimes I might be watching YouTube after Adele has fallen asleep and I’ll use them to make sure I don’t wake her up. I’ve got a set of Bauhn headphones that provide great sound but there’s a huge range on Ebay.
10. Binoculars
With so much to see and not everything can be viewed closely, a pair of binoculars are a vital bit of equipment for your travels. We use ours especially when watching Humpback Whales but their use is never ending and you’ll be glad you have some on hand when you need them.
11. Headlamp
We were walking back to camp from finishing up watching Origin on the big screen at Big 4 Rollingstone one night and if it wasn’t for our headlamp we were wearing we would have stood on a massive snake. That told us just how important they are.
No good comes from walking around in the Australian outdoors in the dark without a light.
They are also great to use when fishing at night. They have so many uses and they aren’t expensive to purchase.
12. Extendable Tension Rods
Extendable tension rods are fantastic for overhead cupboards so when you open the door everything doesn’t fall out. The first person to open our cupboards after setting up camp would always have something fall on their head.
It was almost guaranteed.
That is until we bought these extendable rods from Daiso and placed them across to stop anything falling out. It works brilliantly and it’s really easy and cheap to do.
If you don’t have a Daiso store handy you can order them on Ebay
13. Torch
We really love our 1000 lumens Tech Light torch.
It is made of Heavy Duty, Aircraft Grade Aluminium and it’s beam reaches up to 390m. Perfect for spotting wildlife at night and keeping you safe when heading to the amenities at night. It has 3 settings, High Low and a Strobe light.
The adjustable head means you can widen or focus the beam plus the torch is fully rechargeable, no batteries.
We use ours all the time and it’s been perfect. We can highly recommend it.
Read more: One of our favourite most used items we travel with
14. Board Games
Board games are a great way to spend an evening as a family of a couple. Great games we all know such as Scrabble, Battleships, Snakes and Ladders, Chess and Monopoly are perfect along with Pass the Pigs, Balderdash or Cards against Humanity.
Even a simple pack of cards can produce hours of fun and challenges.
Adele remains our Snakes and Ladders Champion while Matt & I are tied level at Big Chess.
15. Pet Accessories
For the first 2 years we traveled with our Golden Retriever and before we left we bought her a new collar, lead, dog bowl, a nice comfy bed and a mat. We found a lot of what we wanted on Ebay and it was so much cheaper than in store.
16. Sirocco Fans
Every Caravan, Motorhome or RV should be fitted out with Sirocco Fans. Built originally for marine craft they are perfect for our use. They can be tilted and moved to face every direction, are very low draw on power and work great.
They are small and compact and take up only a small amount of space.
17. Hand Held UHF
A good quality Hand Held UHF is ideal and I like this Uniden UH750 5 watt UHF for long range and quality. The 5 watt range will give you maximum distance, especially handy if you need help.
18. Toilet Deodoriser Satchets
You’re going to need some chemicals for your toilet in your Caravan or Motorhome. We use the Porta Pak range of chemicals which break everything down and reduces smells.
19. Portable Barbecue
A great BBQ on the road is the best addition to your cooking needs and there’s nothing better then the Weber. Cook a steak, heat up a Pizza, it even backs up as an oven.
We have the Weber Baby Q and wouldn’t be without it.
20. Jerry Cans
I really like these low profile designed Scepter 20L Diesel Jerry Cans. I find them so much easier to handle and they have a air valve to provide faster flow when pouring. They come with their own built in funnel also.
I’ve got 2 of these and they are ideal for storing fuel when travelling.
They are available for either Diesel or Petrol.
Check out our blog: Tips on Saving Fuel Costs While Traveling
21. Mobile Phone
When we first started traveling we started out with iPhones but then found that Samsung took far better photos. When we first switched over Adele had a Samsung 8, then we both got Samsung 9’s and now the Samsung Note 10 Plus which are amazing for photography.
Personally we would recommend Samsung phones over iPhones when doing the lap simply for their photographic capabilities.
22. Drone
We love our DJI Mavic Pro Platinum Drone. A good drone captures insane footage and provides a perspective you wouldn’t see any other way.
The Mavic Pro range are perfect for travelers as they fold down to such a compact size.
I also use my drone for fishing and have even caught sharks with it. I use the Gannet Bait release as an attachment to my drone which releases my bait wherever I want to land it.
23. DSLR Camera
We have a Canon 800d with all sorts of lens but we aren’t photographers and aren’t trying to be one. For us this simple easy to use basic DSLR does the job we are looking for.
This Nikon Coolpix 1000 might not take professional photos but they shoot great images and the 125x optical zoom means you can get a closeup of a crocodile or a Humpback Whale from a long safe distance away. Even photos of the moon can be captured brilliantly. This will be our next camera.
24. Action/Underwater Camera
Our videos and underwater footage changed when we bought our Go Pro 7 Hero Black. These are insane action cameras that record at incredible quality.
We also bought an extra battery for those times you urgently need it only to find the battery in it is flat. My head mount is another one I use a lot plus the car mount.
5 Essentials – Camera Equipment
The Mavic Pro Platinum Drone Fly More Combo will provide you with everything you will need and it is what I use this for all my aerial footage
The Go Pro 7 Hero Black is an awesome piece of equipment. I use this for all underwater, action video and some general use.
We both love our Samsung Note 10 Plus Phone. Most of our photos are simply from our Samsung Phones. The cameras in the Samsung phone are pretty insane.
The distances you can shoot with the Camera – Nikon P1000 are simply amazing. It has an incredible optical and digital zoom!
We use our HP Sphere 360 Laptop with 8th Generation Intel Core i7 processor for our everyday use and for editing our photos
25. Selfie Stick
When any old Selfie Stick won’t do we bought this Hoco Wireless Selfie Stick which is extendable to 1.6m. It comes with an inbuilt fold out tripod, remote control and a light.
We bought ours in Black but they also come in Pink. We have found it on ebay for $24.95 which is less than we paid for it.
26. USB Charger
There’s lots of Dual USB chargers available to buy but most have one port at high speed and the other is low speed. When both of us need to charge our phones in the car only one of us gets any decent charge before arriving at our destination.
I went looking for a Dual USB Charger that has both ports charge at high speed and whilst they aren’t that easy to find I did end up successful.
This Baseus Dual USB Car Charger provides equal max output from both ports and it’s only $15.
27. Power Bank
Having back up power has been absolutely essential, especially when we have a full day of adventures and we want to ensure we stayed charged to capture all the photos and footage on our phones.
We have a couple of different sized Power banks. The smaller compact and light 5000mah Cygnett models are easy to carry and give us at least one full charge. The bigger Cygnett 15,000mah model gives us 3-4 full charges and is no bigger then our phone.
28. Ampfibian Power Adaptor
An Ampfibian is an essential device for every Motorhome, Caravan and RV. This will allow you to plug your 15amp power cable from your Van to any household 10amp/ 240v power outlet. It’s waterproof, safe and so easy to use.
We have been using ours for over 4 years and it still works perfectly every time.
Read more on the Ampfibian: 15 Amp to 10 Amp – Ampfibian
29. Extension Power Lead
We use a 20m power extension lead to ensure we can reach our power source when we need to. Campgrounds will sometimes have the power socket a small distance away or if we’re staying with friends this ensure we can reach where we need to.
30. Drinking Water Hose
Hoses comes in different colours signifying their intended use. A common green garden hose isn’t graded for drinking purposes and you’ll need a Blue or White Drinking Hose which is designed for potable water.
31. Grey Water Hose
You don’t want your grey water running back into your outdoor under awning space so direct it away to under a tree or an area suitable with your own Grey Water Hose.
32. Tyre Deflators
When you are driving on sand or corrugated roads deflating your tyres provides a better ride and ensure improved traction. These great deflators are perfect.
Simply set the desired tyre pressure, install it on your tyre and it will deflate to the desired tyre pressure.
There are 4 in the pack, set the first tyre before heading around to each other tyre. By the time you finish they’ll be deflated and ready to remove. Fast, easy and compact, the perfect way to lower your tyre pressure.
33. Collapsible Water Containers
We carry an extra 100L of drinking water in collapsible water containers the same as these ones from BCF. This doubles our capacity to 200L allowing us to Free camp for longer.
Another option is these Scepter Jerry cans available on Ebay which we like also.
34. Water Bladders
Water bladders are another great idea. We have several friends who travel with them and love them and we’re looking at going down this option too. They are designed to simply fit across the floor in the back seat of your 4wd.
There’s a 60L option that will fit in front of the back seat or the 125L option that goes right across the back floor. They are made from Premium Grade material and meet Australian Standards.
Read about: Finding Water as you Travel
35. Wheel Levellers
We destroyed plenty of Wheel Levellers over our first few years. Many couldn’t handle the weight of our 4.5t Motorhome so I ended up making my own.
The option of making your own though isn’t for everyone. Ours are great and a couple of years on they still work perfectly but they are big and a bit heavy.
A mate of mine had a Wheel Leveller he was going to throw out and he offered it to me so I took it and have used it a few times when I needed an extra one and have been pleasantly surprised at it’s quality.
It’s a Blue Camec Wheel Leveller and it’s really sturdy. After the use we have given it I still can’t fault it. At around $30-40 each or $65 – 70 for a pair they are good value. They are rated for 4t and are made from tough polypropylene plastic.
36. McHitch Trailer Coupling
The McHitch Automatic Coupling is a must have security device for every Caravan or Trailer. An Australian invention the McHitch has won awards worldwide and has the right size to suit you.
Check out the popular 3.5t model on Ebay, however there are lighter and heavier types for different requirements.
37. Brass Hose Fittings
Buy some good quality brass hose fittings and you’ll have so many less problems with leaking water and broken parts. I always used cheaper plastic ones that would break or leak all the time. Since buying these good brass Hose fittings I haven’t had any issues.
It doesn’t hurt to have a back up set either. I’ve left my tap connector behind more than once.
38. 4 Way Tap Handle
If you are on the road full time traveling Australia there’s going to be times when the only access you have to drinking water is through a tap without a handle. Sometimes this will be at Information Centres, Water Stations, Parks or other places you source water.
The 4 way tap handle ensures you have access to fresh drinking water when you need it.
Read more about: The 4 way Tap Handle
39. Portable Folding Clothesline
A folding clothesline is the ideal way to dry your clothes when traveling. Once you are finished simply fold it up and pack it away. They are easy to use and the base can be pegged down to keep it from falling over.
40. Collapsible Bucket, Washing Basket & Kitchen Sink
Collapsible bucket, washing basket, kitchen sink.
We have had so many uses for our collapsible buckets, the kitchen sink and the collapsible washing basket while travelling and camping. The 4wd Supacentre Ebay store has a great range of collapsible items perfect for reducing space.
41. Generator
A good Generator is going to ensure you have power supply regardless of weather. If anything goes wrong with your power supply you’re not going to be left without much needed electricity. It also allows you to use a few appliances you may not be able to otherwise.
We have a EU20i Honda Generator we bought from the Generator Place at Capalaba in Brisbane. It hasn’t missed a beat and the Honda’s are a fantastic quality and generally quiet generator. Check out the range on their Generator Place website
Yamaha are another fantastic Generator. We travelled for around 2 years with another family who used a Yamaha ef2400is and it was brilliant. At 2.4kva it had extra grunt and was very quiet for it’s size. You can check out the range of Yamaha generators from Tentworld.
Another option is the much cheaper Kings generators from 4wd Supacentre. They have their detractors but there’s no doubting their popularity if your budget isn’t as high. At almost a quarter of the price you could buy 3 and still be ahead.
Read more: Generators and our Honda E20i and Changing Oil in Honda Generator
42. Portable Fridge/Freezer
A portable Fridge/ Freezer is a great back up to your main fridge in your Caravan or Motorhome. We went with a Waeco for our Motorhome which we also began using in the 4wd. The Waeco 75L combi is an excellent option.
Engel are commonly considered the best quality portable fridge freezer and many people attest to having had their’s for decades. The Engel 75L portable Fridge/ Freezer is another great option.
The 4wd Supacentre produces the Kings range at a much cheaper price and have a 70L portable Fridge Freezer that may be more suitable to your budget.
We now have a Vitrifrigo upright fridge in our 4wd. It provides us much greater access to our fridge space, it cost a lot less then a portable fridge freezer plus slide and with a big 130L capacity it has ample room for everything we want to put in the fridge.
43. Recovery Tracks
Recovery tracks are an essential item for your 4WD if you are heading off the bitumen. These will get you out of a lot of situations you might find yourself in, especially if you get bogged in sand.
We didn’t bother with the expensive models and bought these ones for up to a third of the price of others. Whilst I haven’t needed them personally they have been used to get others out of some tricky situations and worked perfectly. They are less then $100.
TREDS are a very good Australian made set of recovery tracks and very popular.
MAXTRAX are also Australian made and high quality recovery tracks. Often retailing for $299 you can buy a set much cheaper on Ebay. Save yourself almost $50.
44. Compressor
We have been spending a lot of time on the sand at Fraser Island, Moreton and Straddie and therefore a Compressor to air up our tyres is an essential part of our gear.
Our Thumper Max Twin Compressor from Kings hasn’t missed a beat and we have no hesitation in recommending it for value for money.
45. Portable Solar Panel
A 200w folding solar panel from 4wd Supacentre has been an excellent addition to our travel gear. I can simply put it on the car roof or wherever it will best access the sun when we pull up. The only negative is it only works with AGM batteries and we now have Lithium in our 4WD.
Read about: Solar – Creating and Managing our Power
46. Battery Charger
One of my very favourite extra bits of kit has been the new Battery charger. This Victron 15A Bluesmart Battery Charger allows me to quickly provide a boost charge any time my batteries get low. You can track it via bluetooth and an app on your phone and it is very fast to charge the battery if it is low.
47. Rechargable Drill, Light, Dustbuster, Blower & Chainsaw
For great value cordless power tools I like my Ryobi gear. I’ve got a few tools in the range now and each one does the job exactly as I want it to. They all come with us in the Motorhome and take up little space or weight and are all very handy Caravan Motorhome RV & Camping Accessories.
Cordless Drill
The Cordless Drill was the first of my tools in the set. I’ve had it for years now and it’s always been brilliant.
Portable Light
We have an 18v portable Light which we use outside often at night. It always works and never lets us down.
Dustbuster
Next I added the Dustbuster to our range. I’ve always found Cordless Hand Vacuum’s can be very hit and miss in their capacity to do the job but this one works great. It’s a bit noisy but they usually are.
Cordless Blower
For our time on Fraser Island for almost 5 months as Caretakers I bought a Cordless Blower and the new model is a ripper. It claims to blow up to 245kmh. I’m not sure if it reached those levels but it worked brilliantly and got a lot of use without any issues.
Cordless Chainsaw
My next purchase will likely be the new Ryobi 18v Cordless Chainsaw. I’ve heard previous models haven’t been so great but this latest offering might just do the job I need. The reviews I’ve read suggest it works much better.
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Our Readers also enjoy reading:
Having the right gear for traveling is important and we wanted to research some great opportunities for researching and buying these products for you.
This also provides you some ideas about the gear we use when on the road. Do you have any other items that you can recommend for us to add to our list of 47 Caravan Motorhome RV Camping Accessories?
Safe travels
Kev & Adele
Indefinite Leave
We are Adele & Kevin, an Aussie couple from Brisbane in Queensland Australia who have embraced our adventurous spirit and ventured out to explore the world around us. We had spent so much time overseas we decided it was time to see our own truly amazing country and we needed to take some time to see everything it has to offer.
Our Aim is to inspire others to travel and help design the greatest adventure they can experience.
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Photography and Socials
Our camera equipment we use for all our photos and videos are:
Samsung Note 10 Plus Phone – https://ebay.to/2XOjXhi – Most of our photos are simply from our phones. The Samsung phone cameras are pretty insane. Our phones have 512gb storage in ours but the 256gb in this one is heaps. We have sourced this one which is approx $500 less than we paid for ours.
Canon 800d – https://ebay.to/2XQYnsk – the latest DSLR Canon 24mp camera, buy here to save.
Lenses
Canon 50mm lens – https://ebay.to/2yQwPed This is the lens I use the least, ideal for still, close up shots.
Canon 24-105mm lens – https://ebay.to/3eCueUo This is my all round, everyday use, zoom lens. Amazing quality, great price.
Canon 70-300mm lens – https://ebay.to/2XlOZ0I – I use this one a lot for long range shots.
Sigma 10-20mm lens – https://ebay.to/2TWt0vA – My wide angle lens for all my inside photos & video plus lots more, love this lens.
Our Go Pro 7 Hero Black – https://ebay.to/38wMc7V – is an awesome piece of equipment. I use this for all underwater, action video and some general use. Buy here brand new and great value.
Mavic Pro Platinum Drone – https://ebay.to/2ARPxTo This is an absolute ripper of a drone. The Fly More Combo will provide you with everything you will need. I use this for all my aerial footage and this price is well below other retail stores.
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Where to Find Us
Follow us, Subscribe, Like, Share, and Comment on our website and social media here:-
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/indefiniteleave/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indefinite_leave/
Website: https://indefiniteleave.com.au/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/indefiniteleave
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com.au/indefiniteleave/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/indefiniteleav3
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Elaine
May 7, 2017 at 4:21 pm
Well like the look of your final choice can you tell me how long it is also auto or manual and if you don’t mind aroun your price? Thanks Elaine
Indefinite Leave
May 8, 2017 at 3:06 pm
Hi Elaine. Thank you for your message. Our Motorhome is 8 metres long. It is the dual Auto and Manual. Ours is a 2009 model and generally sell around $125,000 to $135,000. Hope this helps 🙂
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