caravan log book of pre-trip trips

Trips in Caravan

1.       Sydney, Bendigo and back via Hay, Bathurst, Sydney  = 2200km

2.       Sydney to Burralow creek and back first free camp with Mick = 80km

3.       Sydney to Lake Lyell and back = 300km

4.       Sydney to Burralow and back by myself  = 80km

5.       Sydney to Burralow and back with aus4wd = 80km

6.       Sydney to Gouburn and back camped 1 night at Belanglo and 1 at mates front yard = 600km

7.       Sydney to Cessnock  and back camping 1 night at horse ranch = 400km

8.       Son of trials Mittagong = 400km

9.       Christmas 10-11 Sydney –Mansfield camped Tarcutta, sheepyard flat, Corronyong, Canberra home also went via Cabramarra Australia’s Highest town = 1700km  

10.   4-5-6 of march went to lake lyell with new truck for first run = 370km 2 nights

11.   25^th of april easter went to Clarence town great weekend away = 480km towing 3 nights

12.   4/5^th of june Belanglo state forest =  300km 1 nights

13.   11/12/13 of june = putty rd up to milbrodal = 370km 3 nights

14.   30/10/11 to 11/11/11 = mums to lane cove national park = 100km and 12 nights

15.   11/11/11 = drive from lane cove to seven hills mechanic and install new wheel bearings then back to Warnervale = 130km

16.   11/11/11 to 13/11/11 = Warnervale to Clarence town and back camping = 260km   2 nights

The caravan

we Purchased a new caravan after looking at many second hand ones and finding they seem to hold there value.

Caravan is a Jayco 17.55-5 bunk bed pop-top 2010
reason purchased
1.solid walls all round.
2.Light and easy to tow
3.easy to get in and out of bush camps
4. Price is right

Options fitted
solar panel
twin 100amp hr batterys
twin water tanks
twin gas bottles
alko drop jacks
tregg hitch
gas oven
air con

roll out awning with walls

truck we are taking for the trip

2002 series 3 patrol dual cab

chassis extended and gvm upgrade.
zd30 motor with the following mods- 3" exhaust, dawes valve, high flow intercooler, rapid chip
tyres- BFG Km2 Mud terrain because they look great.
custom canopy to carry bikes, kids toys, tools and spares
lukey custom rock sliders
Smart bar bull bar and winch

The plan

3 Years ago Kate and myself decided that heading around Australia was what we wanted to do. I wanted to have a break from work and spend time with my family. We need to go before Jessica started school but needed some time to make all the following things come together

What needed to be done
1. Sell investment property (which we were doing anyway as it was costing to much and I don't expect it to have an increase in value for a long time)
2. Finish our house off so we could rent it out.
3. Purchse a caravan that was setup up to free camp.
4. Purchase a new tow rig
5. Save enough money to enjoy up to 12months on the road
6. Save up Money for emergency funds and for when we return.
7. Reduce our cost of living.