Douglas Family Do Oz Home Page
We (Greg 32, Bec 33, Kai 11 and Taylor 10) decided that we wanted to travel Australia a couple of years ago whilst reading another families travel stories in a 4wd magazine. Although easy to say at the time, it has proved to be harder than we originally thought to let go of everything that we know.
Since deciding to travel, we have sold our house, most of our possessions and set our departure date.
We will be leaving Brisbane on the 8th of October 2007 and have to be in Mackay for the 1st of November for my Grandmas 100th b'day. From there we are hoping to be around Canberra somewhere for Christmas. Apart from that, we want to get to Adelaide early February and be in Darwin around April/May (after the wet season) and start heading west.
We are hopeful that we will be away for at least a year. Depending on finances, i may have to work here and there to keep some funds flowing in. I don't know if this is possible, but we are going to try and travel on between $350.00 and $400.00 per week. This means, we'll have to stretch our budget a little to be able to rent cars from perfect car hire companies. Yes we know that it will be tight and if we move reasonably slowly it should be fine. If we move to quick the cost of petrol alone will make a mess of our finances.
A year ago we bought our 05 Nissan Patrol GU Series 4. When we picked it up it had a Nissan bull bar and IPF driving lights. Since then i have added a remote 4 way immobiliser alarm, TJM battery separator, 115 a/h deep cycle battery, second separator for the camper, Vi-air compressor, drop down table on the rear door, drawer system with space for an 80l Weaco, cargo barrier, pod gauge, snorkel, roof racks, EFS 80mm lift, Kenwood stereo, twin solar panels and regulator, roof console, wind deflector, pipe for fishing rods, Gunyah, GPS and IPOD cradles, Inverter, 6 12v sockets, Roo lights and space case on the roof rack, slotted front rotors, 285/75/16 Wrangler M/T, 2 fire extinguishers, poly-airs and a shovel holder on roof rack. Now that was a busy year.
A full build-up can be viewed at Greg and Bec's Touring Rig
The Camper Trailer started as a custom made galvanised trailer with an extended draw-bar (it was always going to be turned into a camper). We added the canvas top, 3 tool boxes, 4 jerry can/water holders, 60ltr water tank with manual pump, pull out kitchen, 210 a/h deep cycle battery which charges off the car, 3 12v sockets, kenwood stereo with 2 6x9 speakers in boxes, 45mm square axle with 10 inch electric brakes, 285/75/16 Cooper STT tyres and our newest edition the 'innerspring mattress'.
By doing this trip, I am hoping to introduce my wife and children to another type of lifestyle. To show them that there are other things in the world besides possessions, money and 60 hr work weeks, and yes the kids will still have to do schoolwork.
To my little boy at home with Mum (hope you're looking after her), we'll miss you buddy and you better come and visit.
I'd like to thank Steve & Jen Baile for allowing us to use this site and for setting it up for us. We think that it is a great idea and really appreciate it.
Greg Douglas