HOW WE AFFORD TO TRAVEL Australia Full time with a family | HOW TO DO IT YOURSELF | What’s the cost?
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- čas přidán 9. 07. 2024
- In this episode we cover an interesting and highly opinionated topic. The affordability of travelling Australia in a caravan or camper with a young family.
Now we all know that travelling Australia is incredibly expensive, with rising inflation and poor economic outlooks, the cost of food, fuel and accommodation is at an all time high. In this episode I’m going to explain how Teagan and I prepared, planned and most importantly afforded our extended 12 month trip around Australia.
It should be noted that everyone is different and this video is not financial advice or advocating methods that are not suited to you, but just to show you how we, as a family made it happen in 2023.
I truely do believe that it is possible for almost anyone to replicate a trip like this at some point in your life and my advice, is do it sooner rather than later. You never know what is around the corner.
In any case, I hope you enjoyed today’s episode and you have received some helpful and useful information from it. I look forward to seeing you in the next episode of XPLORINGOZ
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00:00 - Introduction
01:33 - Vehicle setup
04:05 - Our experiences
04:53 - Preparation budget
06:49 - Safety margins
08:13 - Cost of living - Accomodation
11:53 - Fuel
12:37 - Food
13:39 - Housing & Furniture
14:17 - CZcams income
15:43 - What do you want?
16:19 - Conclusion - Auta a dopravní prostředky
What can I say ?? A really well thought out video that dives much deeper into the planning and expectations that someone might have when thinking about this lifestyle. We rarely go out for dinner either and found that planning and making our own meals helps a lot with budget. You have such an honest and unbiased approach when presenting a video . I appreciate the effort for yet another good one. Thanks to you both !
Thanks Jim, I appreciate those comments.
It's easy to get lost in the world of unrealistic social media reels and stories and forget about the whole picture.
Hopefully this episode will help others in the planning stage, or perhaps even get some to start the savings stage for a future trip of a lifetime 🤞
Thanks Nathan, been watching your videos for several years now. Amazing resource for anyone into 4x4 or camping. Appreciate all the time effort that goes into it.
Videos like this one remind us why we are slaving and saving to do our own lap in a few years.
Thanks mate, these comments are really encouraging 🙏 So glad the episodes have been valuable.
Don't loose focus on the end goal, I can confirm it's 100% worth it when it comes 👍
We traveled 20 years ago around OZ.
We added 10% on our normal food bill as there was big supermarkets in every big town.
Fuel we added 50cents per litre to even out the price in different areas, and estimated 22,000 km travelling and came up with a figure.
Worked on 3 nights a week in parks plus extra things to see we added $5000.
This meant at the end we were not far off what we set and had a great time too. 😊
For sure, there are certainly some good points here. It's so hard to estimate what you might use or buy here and there, but in the end I don't think it's quite as different and some make it out to be 👍
Excellent effort once again mate. I retired last year after 40+ years of work and raising 3 beautiful kids to adult standard. My wife and I pooled our respective incomes and efforts over the years to the point where we were able to pay off our mortgage and pay cash for a new car and van. With the kids it was trailers and tents. Now for us, a bit more comfort. Your contribution to our travel preparations has been significant. Thanks again mate!
That's awesome and I'm so glad you guys are in that position. It must be a good feeling to not only own what you have and live a comfortable life, but to have a great family that owes its credit to you and your wife, such a good story 👍
I appreciate the support for the channel to, its always very much appreciated 🙏
Well done Nathan for such an honest informative presentation…. once again!Having travelled for 10 months,30,000km with my family of four was the best thing we ever did! Just another family bond for us.The free/cheap/isolated camps were the highlights of our trip. Living a plain simple life on the road just became the norm.
All the best to you and your family!😀
Thanks mate, I appreciate that.
I agree, the experiences and bonds we form are honestly priceless and it can be hard to convey that message to people who haven't done anything like this before.
We are having a ball and still have plenty of adventures to come 👍
Right got it!! ✅double the budget for grog!!! 🍻🍻🍺😜😂
Haha absolutely!
More scotch!!! 🥃
Great work Nathan. You and your family come across as really nice people and I always enjoy watching your videos. Also along the way I've learnt so much from you and you would have saved me hundreds indirectly so I hope you and your family have a great trip and make memories that last a lifetime. Cheers
Thanks Peter, I really appreciate that. I'm so glad that these videos have been able to help, after all, this is why I started and continue to produce them.
I really appreciate the contribution, it means a lot and is very encouraging 🙏 This will definitely help too 👍
Hopefully we'll be able to catch up in person at some point 🤞
G'day Nathan, I for one appreciate the time and effort you take, not only in presenting your personal revues regarding the way you and your family travel and also the equipment/products which you personally use, your approach and presentation comes across as being sincere and honest.
Yes I too can testify to the fuel price shock as we travel the big state from our home base in the Pilbara to our place in the Albany/Mount Barker region, $2.19.9 Cpl at home, $1.65.9 Cpl in the Perth metro area.
Thank you again for your CZcams channel, especially the Pilbara series.
Safe travels : Joe Fury
Thanks mate, I appreciate that 🙏 I'm glad that these videos are well received. As I mentioned in this episode, I don't run this channel like a business and I'm genuinely content in making these videos in the hope that it can help others and point them in the right direction.
That Pilbara trip was right up there with one of the best trips we've done! Such an awesome landscape 👍
This is probably one of the most honest and accurate video on this platform. I agree with everything this guys says, and it also very honest. I’m about to do this trip in a camper trailer. Which I bought new. I also bought a new Isuzu base model to travel safe. This video has some inspiration behind it. Subscribed
Awesome, thanks mate I appreciate that 🙏
Everyone is looking for something a little different and YT can skew what 'you really need'.
All the best for your travels, who knows might see you out there somewhere 👍
Thanks for all your vids. Here's some appreciation. I just found out how to contribute so here ya go 👍
Mate, this is never expected but so very appreciated. Thanks so much 🙏 It's always very encouraging and I'm really glad this channel can help others a resource for 4WD and travelling 😃
I appreciate your video's and efforts, thanks very much and God bless you and family.
30 years ago WA was a free campers dream. Very different today and way too many people doing the same thing.
For sure, a lot has changed with the explosion in popularity in this field. Still plenty of options inland, but the coast (anywhere in Aus) is a very different story.
That was a really good video. Well done. Sounds like you put in a lot of thought and effort and planning to get to where you are today.
Thanks mate. Absolutely, this was not an overnight idea and 4.5 years ago it felt like a dream. Slowly and surely, we worked towards our goal and we are now reaping the rewards 🙏
Well done Nathan, great videos. We really enjoy your family’s travels. Thanks for sharing
Thanks mate, I appreciate that 🙏
Love it Nathan. As usual very insightful and informative. Well done, I hope you guys are all well and loving life.
Thanks mate 🙏 Mate, we certainly can't complain! We are happy, healthy and on the trip of a lifetime! Nothing to complain about here... just can't believe that we are over half way already 😔
Thanks Nathan, love all your videos!
Thanks mate, appreciate that 🙏
thanks for sharing Nathan, happy travels.
No problems, thanks mate. We are having the trip of a lifetime out here 👍
Great video Nathan, very clear and honest as always.. keep on enjoying the travels and all the best..
Thanks mate, appreciate that 🙏
A great honest video good on ya mate enjoy ya travels
Cheers mate, appreciate it 🙏
First time here came from the caravan essentials video, I'm glad I found this channel. It's gonna be lots to watch!
Awesome, welcome. Appreciate the view and comments and here's hoping you enjoy some of our other content 👍
Great information. Thanks for sharing. Happy travels. Nicole & David :D
Thanks guys, glad it was helpful 🙏
A thankyou for your video and a small help with the drone.
Thanks so much man. I really appreciate this. It's very encouraging, not expected, but thoroughly appreciated.
I'm on the waiting list for a new one to replace the crashed one... here's hoping they come back in stock soon 🤞
Good insight. Thanks for the great content!
Thanks mate 🙏
Good video
Very down to earth.
Clear and concise with no bs
Thanks mate, that what I was going for. Appreciate it 👍
Eloquent, informative and inspiring. Thank you.
Thank you, much appreciated 🙏
Very well explained. Valuable advise.
Thanks, much appreciated 🙏
Ring so true to us as we done the big lap back in 2011. Brilliant work mate👌
Thanks mate, everyone is a little different, but its certainly possible 👍
Really interesting video this one is and the insight you have given in planning you adventure.
Cheers
Thanks mate, appreciate it and hopefully it can help others in a similar position 👍
Thank you mate for your honesty👍
Thanks mate, I'm glad you enjoyed it 🙏
A great video. Well done. Thanks.
Thanks mate, appreciate it 🙏
Wow
Absolute perfect episode. Honesty !!!!
Well done
Thanks mate, appreciate that 🙏
Great video mate, professional, methodical and informative as usual. Looking forward to our turn to travel Oz. You guys are certainly an inspiration. Thanks keep up the good work.
Awesome, thanks mate it always encouraging. I'm glad this could help 🙏
Well said mate, thankyou 😊
Thanks mate 🙏
Brilliant video - really well articulated
Thanks mate, appreciate that 🙏
Thankyou thankyou thankyou, your honesty, enjoyment for life and family make you my number one CZcamsr. Wishing you Smooth sailing guys .👍🏻
Awesome, thanks so much for that mate, really do appreciate it 👍
Thanks for sharing mate, nothing comes easy for anyone. Still it’s hard to beat the quiet solitude of a remote location with a camp fire a good friend and a billion stars . Also nice to meet the amazing people who travel around.
Right now we are 2 weeks into 4 weeks annual leave camped in a secret location south of Exmouth. We have a 2020 Reconn2 it’s great.
Happy travels. 😁👌
So true! So many new places, experiences and people out there! It truely is a unique style of travel and exploration.
I hope your trip was everything you'd hoped for and go the Reconns!
Good to see the 200 in Cairns this morning. Definitely covering some Kms!
💪 We are in town! Heading off tomorrow though. One thing I've learnt while travelling 'the big lap' is that 12 months is not nearly enough. This is a good chance for us to see a whole lot and then plan future trips focussing on certain areas 👍
Another great Video🤙🏼
Might come across you guys at some point around Oz, we depart Perth on Friday next week 👌🏽👊🏼
Awesome mate! That must be exciting, bet you can't wait.
Well, we are about as far away from WA as possible at the moment, in the Cape York Peninsula 👍
well done Nathan in dealing with an important topic. Your articulation and objectiveness in whatever you cover is a pleasure to listen to. Your clarity of thought shows.
Always looking forward to your videos.
PS. loved the EtOH sacrifice you guys had to make whilst touring
Thanks mate, I appreciate that very encouraging comments.
I hope that others may be able to find these episodes useful and hopefully provide some ideas to allow many more to head out and explore this awesome country for themselves 🤞
Definitely planning our 1/2 lap - our kids are adults now, so it’s just us with a custom slideon poptop flatbed camper
Very good advice
Thanks mate 🙏
Thanks for sharing how you thought things through and made them work for your family.
You're welcome, hopefully others can take something from this to plan their owns adventures too!
Thanks
Nathan, you hit the nail on the head mate- hard work and sacrifices along with good financial advice = freedom.
I have just retired and preach this to our kids so they hopefully do not take the long road to financial freedom but able to enjoy life along the way.
Cannot wait for our AOR van to be ready to hit the road (tracks)
Stay safe and thanks for your great info as we have become familiar with ✅✅💯💯
Thanks mate, I'm glad this was able to resonate.
I believe that a certain proportion of the younger generation are disillusioned by social media and the unrealistic livelihoods of a small sub-strata of hyper successful people. For the rest of us, it's a matter of hardworking and focus.
I bet you guys can't wait! Here's hoping we might be able to catch up in person some time 🤞
Yeah good effort mate.
This topic has always interested me, as you have likely already worked out.
I often look at the cost of the hardware and the ongoing costs of doing something like this and wonder how people can afford to do it.
Long term planning for most things in life is critical, imo, as well as having a backup for when things inevitably go wrong.
We spent a lot of years grinding and saving as well but for us it was about being financially secure.
Boring as hell I know but not having to get up and go to work is a dream come true for me.
For sure, it's sure an interesting and personal topic. Everyone is different and has different ways of affording this type of lifestyle.
Hey, it's not boring at all. What you have done has worked perfectly for you! I can only hope that I'll make it to retirement, happy and healthy as well! Your are living your dream and to be honest, that's all that really matters in the end 👍
You never know, maybe I'll look back and wish for something different, but that's a problem for a future Nathan 😆
Thanks mate 👍
Another great vid Nathan, good to hear young people can and do still PLAN (financial planning) music to my ears. Enjoy!!
Thanks Dave! This plan has been a long time coming, but we wouldn't change a thing now... living the dream...
I might have to get some tips from the expert though to get that 300 series one day 🤔 😆
@@XploringOz ❤️
Awesome video! Your doing a great job 😊
Thanks man, appreciate that 🙏
Like the new addition to your channel 👍 Will be following the adventures
Thanks for this video… we are starting the new financial year with the 20/80% savings 🎉
Thinking we might do some overseas trips on cruises though because your right, fuel and food are the biggest expenses so going to try and cut them out…
Are you and Tegan going to do a Q&A video?? I’d love to know her home schooling program
Thanks a lot. Cool. The thing i had to smile was the „mid size“ Trailer. Which is clearly a very, very big size trailer over here in Europe. :D
Glad you liked it 👍
Haha, yes our trailer is dwarfed by some of the setups over here in Australia and some people can't believe we as a family of 4 live out of it, but it really does suit our needs very well.
Cheers, 👍
Well said. You have a new subscriber.
Thanks mate, I appreciate that 👍
Great video ✊
Thanks mate, appreciate it 👍
Great advice! Here's to sticking to baked beans so I can do the same. Cheers
Haha, thanks mate.
Travelling Australia at the moment, in this economic climate is expensive, but the memories are much more valuable 👍
Great video mate with good tips. Also doing the same. Don't piss your money up the wall on unnecessary items that make you feel good for 10 minutes and clutter the house. Save hard make sacrifices and enjoy travelling Australia
For sure, couldn't agree more! Pays off in the end 👍
I plan to travel within 12 months, your video is good insight. Thanks
Awesome, well I'm glad this could help a little 👍 Bet you can't wait! I know I was when the departure date was within 12 months
Great video mate
Thanks mate, appreciate it 🙏
Hi Nathan
Very nice vid and excellent presented subject.❤
I must smile when you said stick to your plan!
Sometimes circumstances change your plans. Not avoidable…
I guess I am one of a few very late commer …
Yep, 1985 my motorhome was ready in Germany for shipping to Australia, roro ship place was organized .
Then a house building approval suddenly unexpected early arrived with obligations in 24 month to be finished. Had to trap that…
Plan to give up for the big lap around OZ? Never.
We are in 2023 now and guess what, our 32 year’s Asia stint comes to an end in 2024.
My lc200 and van are ready in MEL since 2020 garaged. 3
3 years covid time delayed us but, I stick to my plan.
Wish you save travel and happy days😊
Cheers mate
Always appreciated Holger!
I do agree with you there, the unforeseen circumstances can change plans and I guess COVID is a reminder to us all of exactly that.
We can't change what is out of our control, however I do believe there is a lot more in our control that we sometimes think. We certainly had times we struggled during COVID to maintain our savings plan, but we are certainly enjoying the rewards now 👍
I bet you can't wait for the Oz exploration! I'm hoping we can catch up when you are here!
Well said
Cheers mate 🙏
I thought you were going to come clean with the viewers Nathan & tell them you’d been working as an exotic dancer 😂 OR that you had an Only Fans account or something but alas it didn’t come to fruition 🤣 😂🤣
In years to come you will look back and be glad you did it inn2022/23 as the prices of things will only get higher and it will get harder and there’ll be other priorities in you life that come up.
I’m certainly glad we did the big trips travelling before my health went south and I began to struggle physically.
You are wise beyond your years & you did well to get yourselves to the position you have in order to have this time and to do it with such a great rig 👍🏻
Another great episode.
Great video Nathan! Great to see the focus on the experience, the gear should be just there to enable that to happen. We're planning to take off for term 3 next year after our first attempt was knocked on the head by covid. Our van does not have a factory installed grey water tank. From your experience, do you think it'd be worth getting one installed to be able to stay at the "self contained" camp sites?
Thanks mate, glad you enjoyed it 👍
Sorry to hear the first attempt didn't work out, stuffed a whole lot of plans up hey 😔
I guess it depends on where you camp. We have only been in a handful of places that require a fixed grey water tank (places that actually check). There are a few that require you to be self sufficient, but grey water can sometimes be allowed to be disposed on site.
If you're camping a lot in CV parks, then don't worry.
Personally I like having one as we can hold it and dispose of it away from campsites and where others might want to setup. Further, no doubt that over time national parks and the like could potentially add restrictions and requirements for holding your own grey water, in this case having a tank will future proof your setup 👍
Hope this helps a little 🤞
Great video mate. Got any footage of the drone failure?
Thanks mate, unfortunately not. Because the battery dislodged on impact, the file didn't save. I thought I'd capture it on the Dashcams however, I left it to long and it recorded over the file 🤦♂️
Great episode, i would worry about routine with the kids sleep etc
I suppose as they get a bit older +5 yrs they would adjust and be better suited to long travels.
Thanks mate, for sure. These kids are awesome travellers, getting used to long distance from the time they were born!
They have been adapting to life on the road very well and very surprisingly!
@@XploringOz Glad to hear we go a a couple of hours out practice i suppose for the bigger trips, Drive safe Mate :)
Mate great video. If not to personal, can I ask what do you do/did. It’s interesting when you listen to UTubers what they did before they hit t he road. People like mechanics trades in general can make it seem all so easy to us “former” office workers.
Before I retired I purchased the van and car did the mods (paid) so was better than reasonably well set up. But there are always improvements as you know. AND definitely those unexpected repairs/problems
Again great video and all the best.
Hey mate, thanks for the comments. I'm glad that these episodes have been both entertaining and helpful for others in similar circumstances.
I can confirm that I'm not in any trade or physical type work. I'm office based too. The 4WD and camping community is a passion that has got out of control 😆
Honestly having done all sorts of trips I don't think I could recommend 4x4 adventures to people that aren't already involved in it as a hobby. It's just too expensive. Australia is a big country and you could travel in a 2wd or AWD for years before you run out of things to see and visit and it will cost significantly less. Being on road is also much less stressful and reduces the chance of things going wrong. Our Ford Moneo gets 5.5l / 100km diesel, we can drive that thing melbourne to Sydney on one tank and the tires are like $150 instead of $500 etc. Glad we have our Jeep but that's really because we live in the mountains if not I wouldn't consider 4x4 travel as an option, for the same cost you could go to Europe many times lol.
Although I don't disagree about the costs of travel, it certainly can be very cheap if you want it to be, just depends on how you travel and what luxuries you really need on the road.
Many lessons to be learnt from the humble backpacker lifestyle! 👍
Great video mate 👍and of course never compromise on booze
Thanks mate 🙏 Absolutely 🍻
Hope you don’t get roasted for your quality advice and position. Sacrifice is the key. Well done. A lot of people will be having to make sacrifices now for the foreseeable future or sell things.
Thanks mate, here's hoping it's received in the manner in which it was designed 🤞
For sure, there are some interesting times ahead, particularly for those who have over leveraged 😬
good video
Thanks, appreciate it 👍
CZcams is helpful but sometimes makes unrealistic. It try to seed us needing 23ft Van with 800A battery system. 200k van with 250k american trucks. They talk like its must have item or cant do travel. We end up buying 200 series and 18ft with 240amp lithium. And tell you what its doing just fine. Thank you for sharing though. Alot of people would have found helpful
Absolutely, the power of marketing these days is enormous! And with everyday people on YT advertising on behalf of them, it's everywhere and easily absorbed!
Not everyone needs these things, and most people are happy with very general setups which is perfect 👍
Nice advise and incite.
Thanks mate, appreciate that 🙏
@@XploringOz what are your plans for the Reconn post trip? Are you keeping or selling?
@@johnflynn556 Very much hoping to continue to use this for many years to come in the future, but as we all know the economy is unstable at the moment, so here's hoping we can pull it off 🤞
@@XploringOz Damn! I was hoping you might want to sell it (I am in W.A.). :) I am thinking of shortly joining the waiting list and ordering a R4T SE. I hope you can keep enjoying it. Safe travels.
@@johnflynn556 Haha, well I can attest that they are a great van! We still love ours and there's very few, if anything we would change if we had our time again 👍
Often free camps aren't worth it, if they leave you too far from where you want to be it can cost a lot in fuel to get there and back repeatedly. Paying $50 for a family to stay in a caravan park is pretty good value and they usually have a lot of entertainment. And it's safer, we've had some run ins with unsavoury people at free camps.
For sure, there's lots to consider and depends solely on what you want from that area. We generally head super remote for our 'relax' days where we just sit back and recoup and do nothing. Peaceful, cheap and relaxing 👍
I think many people fear failure and spend a lot of money on their vehicle and caravan, with all the bells and whistles, only to find they are over weight and over burdened. I think the key is to keep it simple, keep the weight down and enjoy the experience. As a utube binge viewer, I enjoy the lower cost adventurer. I don’t like watching the fancy dudes with all gear, high level undisclosed sponsorship and make believe stories! I do enjoy your productions. Just relax a little more….
Thanks mate, I appreciate the honesty. Yes, the over the top stuff is becoming all too common these days and I think the general viewer can see through the 'acting'.
I will try, however the trip episode style of video is not something that comes naturally, so I'm just trying my best to bumbled my way through 😆
Les Hiddins drove remote parts of australia with a swag and a old Land Rover with no windows. Don’t need the washing machine and tv…
So true 👍
Knowing what you know now. Would you do it again?
Mate, absolutely. No questions asked.
The memories, experiences and general lifestyle that we have encountered on this journey has had a huge impact on our lives and will remain with us forever!
Am I looking forward to getting back into a house again, also yes. But all in all, I'd do it over the same way 👍
Thanks for your content.
It’s a bit sad that you have to explain and justify yourself to people that give you a hard time for providing them free content.
Possibly they are jealous but aren’t willing to make the sacrifices that you have.
Thanks mate, ahh it's all part of it. Everyone has different experiences and outlooks on all sorts of topics. I don't go out there to pretend I know everything, but I'm happy to offer my opinion and experience to those who might want to be pointed in the right direction 👍
So full transparency, Tegan, the kids, or the unplanned repair/maintenance costs has increased the alcohol consumption?🤣🤣🤣
Haha, definitely the costs 😔 🤦 😆
Clever answer Nathan, but really, just between you & me. I promise I not to tell anyone
Nathan, I really enjoy your videos, but if CZcams doesn't cover the cost of production, to be honest you should just stop. You will save money, and you will gain an enormous amount of time with your family. We would miss your content, but this is your life, and your family's life, don't waste it on youtube... You don't owe us (anonymous viewers) anything. Social media is worthless in the long run (imo). Live your life. Enjoy your time on the road. You can always come back to youtube... 🙂
Thanks mate, I appreciate that. To be honest, the trip videos are primarily for us as some would have noticed. They don't perform well, but they also aren't designed to, they are designed so that we can look back on our adventures for years to come.
The other videos, well it's turned into a bit of a hobby for me. I can't promise regular uploads, partially on this trip, but I certainly will keep them coming for some time yet 👍