Aussie Adventure 2017

Tues 21 Nov  -  Well here we go again! This is the last planned part of our overseas campervan journeys. A very early arrival into Brisbane where we picked a cheap rental and set off to set up our phone and bank account. In the afternoon, we viewed our first camper in Brisbane. Brisbane city covers the largest area of any city in the world so this camper turned out to be 50kms away. It was OK but not quite right. We had short listed about 6 campers online for inspection. Off to Carolyn and Gary’s, Carolyn is Linley’s daughter. They made us very welcome along with daughters, Jessica and Hannah.

Wed 22 Nov - We started our camper search in earnest with a very rough one near Carolyn’s and then off down the Gold Coast for another roughy before lunch. In the afternoon, our luck (or research) improved and we found a reasonably tidy one before eventually finding the one we have bought. (photos attached) It is a 2005 Ford Transit Swagman, 6.1m which has been recently been renovated. Back to Carolyn’s for a swim in their magnificent pool before a barbeque.

Thurs 23 Nov - This was a buying day as we had to set up everything for living -  bedding, cooking, crockery etc. Fortunately, there was a huge mall near Carolyn’s with a Kmart, Big W, and Target. Back “home” for another afternoon swim. Great steaks on the Barbie for dinner.

Fri 24 Nov  - We spent some time jacking up our vehicle insurance before off shopping again for the outside stuff including a solar panel. Back home and we were thrilled when our credit cards arrived in the post allowing us to get a CRN essential for us to register a vehicle in Queensland. We just had enough time to rush to the Qld Transport to get the vital document. Another swim before another great barbeque. We could get used to this lifestyle (bbqs & swims – not the shopping!). The day was capped off when the sellers of the camper rang to confirm that they had completed the necessary checks and the camper was ready to pick up the next day at 3:00pm.

Sat 25 Nov -  We spent the morning buying the non-perishable groceries and alcohol. Our bedroom at Carolyn’s and our rental car are now getting very full! Off down the motorway to the G.C. again for the handover. All good. Val lead the convoy back to Carolyn’s. This was the Queensland election day and Carolyn and Gary were hosting an election party which we gate crashed. A great night.

Sun 26 Nov -  Val and I are still waking early so we started packing the camper before breakfast. I spent the morning and some of the afternoon installing the solar panels. (Hot work in the Queensland sun on a white roof!)  Gary built a shelf for the microwave and Val & Hannah bought the last of our “stuff”.  Eventually we started our short trip to Ipswich. The camper did all it was supposed to and we spent the night at the Ipswich showgrounds. Cooking, the bed, shower and washing are great We discovered we might have a slight problem with either our fridge or our house batteries.

Mon 27 Nov – We drove to Bunnings to buy storage stuff, filled with LPG and diesel and a short drive to Lowood to check out the Storage place where we will store the camper in two weeks’ time. All good and we are now in the Lowood Showgrounds. Still sorting stuff out but getting there!