V & C Impressions

Almost Grey Nomads caravaning around Australia

Author: Vincent

  • Cranbrook Caravan Park – Review

    Cranbrook Caravan Park – Review

    The caravan park and the town itself makes for a quiet place to spend a week. Cranbrook is small — just two shops, a 24-hour fuel station and a single hotel — but that’s part of its charm. It’s an excellent base to explore the surrounding region.

    We stayed for five nights on our way to Denmark and found it a relaxing stopover.

    • Website: Cranbrook Council
    • Fee Category: Paid, from $20 / un-powered
    • Booking: Yes, phone, Internet
    • Powered Sites: Yes
    • Dog Friendly: Yes
    • Amenities: Yes
    • Dump point: Yes
    • Pool: No
    • Fire pits: Yes, fire-restrictions
    • Telstra: Flakey
    • Starlink: No problems
    • Generator: Check with caretaker
    Our campsite
    Our campsite

    Our Experience

    We found this to be a pleasant park. The amenities were very clean — a little dated, but well maintained. Sites are reasonably level, requiring minimal adjustment, and there are a few drive-through options available.

    The caretaker was friendly and helpful. As the park was quiet during our stay, we were invited to choose our own site. Just note that office hours are observed — after hours there is no staff on site.

    Although the park is not fenced, this didn’t feel like an issue. Cranbrook is a very small town with little through traffic, and it felt safe and peaceful.

    While we were there, occupancy was around 30%, making it especially quiet.

    Cranbrook is approximately 3.5 hours from Perth and about 30 minutes from Mount Barker, which has an excellent (and very busy) bakery, a quality butcher, and a well-stocked IGA.

    Things to do around Cranbrook

    For ideas on exploring the area, the Shire of Cranbrook website is a good starting point. During our stay we visited:

    • The Pink Lake – about 12Km out of town
    • The Wildflower Walk
    • A wander around town
    • A local coffee shop

    Cranbrook promotes itself as “The Gateway to the Sterlings”, referring to the nearby Stirling Range National Park. The park is heritage-listed and well worth the short drive.

    We would stay here again if passing through.

    Cranbrook, WA

    The town started life as a railway siding. As such it was named Cranbrook by the Hon. J. A. Wright, Commissioner of Railways and Director of Public Works in 1889. The rail line connects to Albany region.

    The current population is estimated to be about 1100.

    The town promotes itself as ‘The Gateway to the Sterlings’, it’s a small town for the surrounding sheep and cattle farms. It has a single pub, some wheat silos and grain loading facilities. It is an ideal starting point for an exploration into the Heritage Listed Sterling Ranges National Park, also a 1/2 hour drive to Mount Barker.

    Some Pics

    Thanks for reading Our review of the Cranbrook caravan Park. Shadow, the van, and the two of us will catch you at the next campsite.

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  • Australian Wine Regions

    Australian Wine Regions

    What grows best where — and why

    Australia is one of the world’s great wine-growing countries, not because it grows one style well, but because it grows many styles exceptionally well. From warm inland valleys producing bold, full-bodied reds to cool coastal and high-altitude regions known for elegant whites and sparkling wines, Australia’s diversity is its greatest strength when it comes to wine making.

    Whats good about this if you are are travelling around Australia and you like the occasional wine, you get to try everything from the source, the various styles, also great food and it is an enjoyable way to spend a day or two.

    What grows best in any wine region comes down to a handful of fundamentals: climate, rainfall, soil, altitude, and proximity to the ocean. These factors influence how grapes ripen, how much flavour they develop, and ultimately the style of wine that ends up in the glass. A Shiraz grown in the Barossa will taste very different from one grown in a cooler region like the Yarra Valley, even though it’s the same grape.

    Understanding where different grape varieties thrive helps make sense of Australian wine labels and regions, and it also adds a new layer of enjoyment when travelling the country. Whether you’re visiting cellar doors, planning a detour through wine country, or simply choosing a bottle at the local store, knowing what grows best where turns wine from a mystery into a story of place.

    Tasmania vineyards
    Tasmania vineyards

    Wine Regions

    Below is a list of what each region is best known for regarding wine types/taste.

    Australia wine region map
    Australia wine region map

    Western Australia

    • Margaret River – Cabernet Sauvignon & Chardonnay
    • Great Southern – Riesling, Pinot Noir

    South Australia

    • Barossa & McLaren Vale – Shiraz
    • Clare & Eden Valley – Riesling
    • Coonawarra – Cabernet Sauvignon

    Victoria

    • Yarra Valley – Pinot Noir & Chardonnay
    • Mornington Peninsula – Cool-climate Pinot
    • Macedon Ranges – Sparkling & aromatics

    New South Wales

    • Hunter Valley – Semillon & Shiraz
    • Orange – High-altitude cool climate wines

    Tasmania

    • Tamar & Coal River – Sparkling, Pinot, Chardonnay

    Queensland

    • South Burnett – Semillon, Shiraz
    • Granite Belt – Chardonnay
    Barossa Valley Vineyard
    Barossa Valley Vineyard

    Our Experience

    We are not wine experts, but maybe could be described as budding wannabe connoisseurs.

    We enjoy our wines especially in the cooler months. I am primarily a Shiraz guy, while Cathy is a Sauvignon gal. We also like the occasional Gewurztraminer and various other types of wine.

    We have spent time at Stanthorpe wineries in QLD over the years. It’s a popular area to visit from Brisbane. We would often go home with boxes and boxes of wine meant to last 6 months and only lasted a month or two. It is certainly a great place to visit with plenty of places to stay.

    Added to our list recently is Clare Valley in SA, where we picked up a few Shiraz wines, which is not what they are known for. Cathy feels that the Clare Valley has nicer red wines than Stanthorpe. She is not a red wine fan.

    We stayed at Brinkworth about 20 mins north of Clare Valley and an excellent spot to camp. You can stay closer however we couldn’t find anything dog friendly at the time.

    Our review of Brinkworth RV Park

    We went to Auburn and the first winery we came to had 4 sites for camping and dogs allowed. We had a chat with them and turns our they hadn’t selected dog friendly in WikiCamp. All fixed now. Lesson here is to call and double check cause you just never know.

    Port Lincoln also had a few wineries and although they were nice, Clare Valley, in our opinion, is still a winner.

    We have just started our journey in WA coming across the Nullabour and looking forward to trying out a few Western Australia wineries.

    Thanks for reading Australian Wine Regions. Shadow, the van, and the two of us will catch you at the next campsite.

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  • January 2026 Expenses

    January 2026 Expenses

    Life on the road

    Well, we’re into February now, which means it’s time to look back at how we went financially in January.

    Overall, January turned out to be an okay month money-wise. It was also a fairly quiet time of year for us. Most of the campsites we stayed at had already been prepaid in December, which helped to keep January’s numbers looking a bit healthier.

    The Numbers

    Expenses January 2026
    Expenses January 2026

    Explanations

    • Accommodation– We’re still spending a fair bit here on bookings. Down in the south-west of WA, and at this time of year, we tend to prefer caravan parks — mainly for the facilities like power, water, and decent amenities. With the occasional heatwaves coming through, having access to air-conditioning has been a lifesaver.
    • Takeaway / Alcohol– This category covers coffee and cake, meals out, pizza, and the occasional drink. We’re in a wine region at the moment, with plenty of wineries, breweries, and natural food spots around, so we’ve taken the opportunity to enjoy what’s on offer.
    • Groceries– We’re still spending a lot of time in smaller towns where IGA is king. We’ve actually been pleasantly surprised by the range at IGA Denmark — lots of natural foods and pre-made meals. Not cheap, of course, but the convenience and choice have been good.
    • Mobile Data (Starlink)– Starlink has now been put on pause for this period. We use a combination of Telstra and Starlink, and when we’re close to towns or have reliable mobile coverage, we tend to pause Starlink. Doing this saves us a noticeable amount of money and works well for the way we travel.
    • Subscriptions– There was a yearly subscription payment in here. Subscriptions remain an area of contention for us, and something we continue to review.

    Summary

    Expenses – Sumary

    MonthTotalAcommodation
    (avg/ay)    		Expenses
    (avg/day)    		Per day
    December$ 8,211$ 87.5$ 177$ 264
    January$ 4,090$ 20.8$ 111$ 131
    February
    March
    April
    May
    June
    July
    August
    September
    October
    November
    A running totals and averages for the year 2026

    As you can see, the daily averages can swing around quite a bit. Accommodation bookings and the distance travelled are usually the biggest factors. Food, drinks, and eating out tend to stay relatively consistent from month to month.

    Now that we’re into February, our attention will start shifting north for the winter months. During that time, we generally do a lot more free camping, which usually brings accommodation costs down quite a bit compared to the summer period in the south.

    Thanks for reading January Expenses 2026. Shadow, the van, and the two of us will catch you at the next campsite.

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  • Hopetoun Beachside Caravan Park – Review

    Hopetoun Beachside Caravan Park – Review

    We stayed here over the Christmas and New Year period, and it turned out to be a great choice for that time of year. The park is nicely sheltered from the wind and is close to both the beach and the town, which has most of the basics you’d need.

    • Website: Hopetoun Beachside Caravan Park
    • Fee Category: Paid, from $37 / un-powered
    • Booking: Yes, phone, Internet
    • Powered Sites: Yes
    • Dog Friendly: Yes
    • Amenities: Yes
    • Dump point: No
    • Pool: No
    • Fire pits: Yes, fire-restrictions
    • Telstra: ? We used Starlink for our stay.
    • Starlink: Depends on trees
    • Generator: No
    Sunset, looking down the main entrance drive
    Sunset, looking down the main entrance drive

    Our Experience

    We didn’t really know what to expect when we booked this campsite. We’d never even been to Western Australia before, so everything was new to us.

    The campground itself sits behind the sand dunes and is surrounded by plenty of trees. That turned out to be a big plus because it was windy most days while we were there. The park is well sheltered, which often caught us out. We’d step outside the van, feel barely a breeze, and think, “Let’s go to the beach.” Once we got there, it was a different story. More often than not, it was blowing a gale.

    The beach itself is quite nice. It’s sandy, with some seaweed washed up along the shore. The water was clean, clear, and generally fairly calm, although definitely on the fresh side.

    The beach near the campsite sits on a point, which means you can usually find a more sheltered spot depending on which direction the wind is coming from.

    The facilities are adequate. They’re not the flashest we’ve seen, but considering how busy the park was, they were kept clean enough and did the job.

    One of the best things about this park is how close everything is. The beach, the shops, and everything you need in town are all within a five-minute walk. We stayed for a month, and there were times when the car didn’t get started for a week.

    Another pleasant surprise was the lack of midges, mozzies, and flies. There were some flies around, but nothing even close to plague proportions. Coming from Queensland, that was a definite bonus.

    The weather was great for most of our stay. We didn’t use the air conditioning at all, even though Perth and much of WA experienced a few heatwaves at the time. Looking at the weather maps, Hopetoun seemed to sit just south of the worst of it.

    If you’re looking for a quiet place to stay over the busy Christmas and New Year period in the south-west of WA, at a reasonable cost for the area, this should be high on your list. The campground itself was busy, but despite that, we still found it to be surprisingly quiet.

    Some Pics

    Thanks for reading Hopetoun Beachside Caravan Park. Shadow, the van, and the two of us will catch you at the next campsite.

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  • Starlink Roaming Plans Update in 2026

    Starlink Roaming Plans Update in 2026

    Starlink has updated its limited Roam plan in late 2025, replacing the old 50 GB option with a new 100 GB plan. While the headline change is the larger data allowance, there are a few important functional differences travellers should understand:

    What’s changed:

    • High-speed data doubled: 50 GB → 100 GB per month
    • No more paid top-ups: The old per-GB high-speed data add on are no longer available
    • Automatic fallback: After using the 100 GB high-speed allowance, the service continues on unlimited low-speed data (around ~1 Mbps) instead of cutting off

    In practical terms:
    You now get more usable high-speed data each month, and when it runs out, you’re not disconnected, the connection simply slows. Everyday tasks like email, web browsing, calls, text, and podcasts should still work, while video streaming is limited to very low quality unless you upgrade to the unlimited plan.

    With the old 50GB plan you could get more high speed internet by buying extra data, and so long as you kept your data usage low enough for the month, then it could work out cheaper than the full unlimited plan. This is not the case anymore.

    The fact still remains, if you like watching videos, Netflix, YouTube etc, then 100GB will not last long.

    Summary

    For a couple travelling full-time, the 100 GB plan can work well if video streaming is not part of daily use. For general internet tasks like browsing, email, social media, podcasts, admin, and trip planning, it’s practical and usable.

    For families that treat the internet like home broadband — with streaming, video calls, and background data use — 100 GB is unlikely to last a week, let alone a full month. In that case, the unlimited plan is the more realistic option.

    Thanks for reading Starlink Roaming Plans Update in 2026. Shadow, the van, and the two of us will catch you at the next campsite.

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  • Three Excellent Day Trips from Port Lincoln

    Three Excellent Day Trips from Port Lincoln

    Exploring Whalers Way, Lincoln National Park, and Coffin Bay National Park

    Port Lincoln works beautifully as a base if you like day trips without constantly packing up camp or the caravan. Everything feels remote once you’re out there, but you’re never too far from town if you need fuel, supplies, or a decent coffee.

    During our stay, we picked three day trips. Each one was doable in a day, even at a relaxed pace, and suits both grey nomads and families. No long hikes required, plenty of places to stop, and scenery that does most of the work for you.

    Whalers Way Sanctuary

    Whalers Way is one of those places where the landscape is the main attraction. Towering cliffs, endless ocean, and lookout after lookout. It’s ideal if walking long distances isn’t your thing, as most highlights are reached by short, flat paths from the car parks.

    On a hot day those rock pools would be inviting, unfortunately trying to get to most of them would be dangerous, they are not very accessible.

    One of the roads was closed so we parked up and walked the 20 mins to Wiles Bay. While there and looking real hard, we eventually found a couple of fur seals.

    Tips:

    • $40 entry, payable at Information Port Lincoln, they will give you a key for the gate.
    • Take a packed lunch, drinks etc, there are no shops there
    • Allow half a day, minimum
    • The road is unsealed, but nothing to challenging, any vehicle can do it.
    • Dogs are allowed, just clean up after them.

    Lincoln National Park

    Lincoln National Park feels big and untamed, but you don’t have to tackle it all at once. A slow drive through the park with a couple of short stops is more than enough for a satisfying day.

    The coastal views are stunning, especially where sand dunes meet the sea. It’s not a park that demands you rush. We found it best to choose one or two spots and spend time there rather than trying to see everything.

    Tips:

    • For Memory Cove, you need a key from Port Lincoln Information, $50 deposit, which you get back when key is returned.
    • For the park itself you need to get a free permit from South Australia National Parks and Wildlife Service.
    • Bring packed lunch, drinks, there are no shops here
    • Plenty of beaches to swim at
    • Allow a whole day
    • The caravan parks are easy to get to, except for Engine Point, which is along an unsealed road, but in our opinion one of the better ones.
    • The campground at Memory Cove is one of those picture perfect places, a sheltered beach, perfect sand, the campsites are small so tents only or small hybrid campers.
    • No Dogs

    Coffin Bay National Park

    Coffin Bay National Park is probably the easiest and most relaxed of the three, especially for families. The water is calmer, the beaches feel safer, and the whole area has a gentler pace.

    Even if you don’t have a 4WD, there are still beautiful spots to explore. The red road line on the map is all nicely sealed.

    This is an easy park to enjoy without overthinking it. It’s well suited to a picnic lunch, paddling in shallow water, or just sitting and watching the world go by.

    Tips:

    • Need a permit, which is free which you can get from South Australia National Parks And Wildlife Service
    • Almonta Beach is the place to go for swimming,snorkelling
    • Pack lunch, drinks, no shops here
    • The 4WD track to Point Sir Isaac is rough and hard going. Rocky with big potholes, slow going.
    • Seven Mile Beach is excellent to drive along and sand a bit soft in places. Stay high up the beach is best.
    • Big Yangie campground is easy to get to.
    • No Dogs

    If you enjoy a challenge, and have the patience, then a trip to Point Sir Isaac is a bit of an adventure. But allow all day, take note of the tides and warnings, a decent 4WD is definitely needed. Recommendation is that you should be on the beach approx 2 hours either side of low tide. We came back with 1 hour before high tide and were ok.

    We would have loved to stop and have a picnic along Seven Mile Beach, but we did not allow enough time.

    Thanks for reading Excellent Day Trips from Port Lincoln. Shadow, the van, and the two of us will catch you at the next campsite.

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  • Caravanning the Nullarbor – What to Expect

    Caravanning the Nullarbor – What to Expect

    A grey nomad’s guide to crossing Australia’s most famous stretch of road

    For many grey nomads, crossing the Nullarbor Plain isn’t just another drive, it’s a rite of passage. It’s one of those trips people talk about for years before they do it, and for good reason. The Nullarbor strips travel back to basics. What you get is space, silence, and a sense of scale that’s hard to find anywhere else in Australia.

    This stretch of country suits caravaners who are comfortable driving reasonable distances and doing a little bit of forward planning. If you want powered sites overnight, station stays are available along the way. If you’re set up to stay off-grid, it’s easier and cheaper.

    We stayed for 1 night at Cocklebiddy for $45, and that was for only power, there was a heat wave at the time 46 degrees, we needed the A/C.

    The Nullarbor also carries a strong sense of history and achievement. Towing a van across one of the world’s great treeless plains feels like a milestone. It’s not difficult in the modern sense, but it still demands respect. You’re crossing a remote part of the country where preparation matters, and that adds meaning to the journey.

    Planning

    For most travellers, the Nullarbor crossing is generally marked like this:

    • Start (east to west): Ceduna, South Australia
    • End (east to west): Norseman, Western Australia

    If you’re travelling the other way, then Norseman is considered the start and Ceduna the finish.

    According to Google maps, this is about 1,200Km.

    While the Nullarbor Plain itself doesn’t neatly line up with town boundaries, these two towns are widely accepted by caravaners and grey nomads as the practical bookends of the journey. Both sit on the Eyre Highway

    Road Conditions

    In a word, perfect, better in fact than many places closer to bigger cities. Trucks will be no problem, if you are slower than them, they will just go around, the road is plenty straight enough for them to get around easy.

    Fuel Stops

    As you can see in the map, no problems, all the roadhouses we stopped at had fuel, food, toilets etc.

    Lookouts

    There are now 4, which we came across, the first one being Whalers lookout, which costs money $10 , if it was Whaling season, we would have paid, but since it wasn’t we passed, the other 3 lookouts are free.

    We also noticed a few potential spots along the way that appeared to be closed, with signs and chains across the road.

    Distance between stops

    This part is really up to you. We aimed for around 300–400 km per day. That included stops for fuel, food, and the lookouts along the way.

    It’s also worth being mindful of how monotonous the road can feel at times. Getting out, stretching your legs, and taking breaks makes a big difference.

    Where to stay overnight

    WikiCamps is your friend here. There are plenty of free camps along the way, and most are much the same. Nothing fancy, just a patch of ground set back from the road. No facilities.

    Beware of the wind, when we went over the Nullarbor it was very windy every afternoon and at the campsites the bushes didn’t provide much shelter.

    If you want power, toilets, and a bit more comfort, then you’ll need to stay at a station.

    Border Crossing

    This is one area where you need to be prepared. There are biosecurity checks in both directions, and you will be stopped. In short, no fresh fruit or vegetables are allowed.

    To learn more have a look at our article State Border Food Rules

    Dogs (Pets)

    If you travel with a dog, 1080 baiting sometimes comes up when people talk about crossing the Nullarbor Plain. In online forums and Facebook groups, it can sound like a constant danger. Our experience, and that of many other caravaners travelling with pets, is that it’s no more dangerous than many other parts of the country.

    When we crossed the Nullarbor, we don’t remember seeing any 1080 warning signs at all. That surprises some people, but it highlights an important point, baiting isn’t permanent or always active. It’s typically carried out in specific areas, for specific reasons, and often for limited periods. If there’s no active baiting at the time, there are no signs to see.

    1080 baits are used across large parts of rural Australia, not just the Nullarbor. They’re mainly laid by pastoralist protecting livestock from wild dogs, along with government land management agencies running coordinated pest control programs. In some areas, conservation groups also use 1080 to reduce foxes and other feral predators that threaten native wildlife. It’s a regulated tool, used deliberately rather than casually.

    That doesn’t mean the risk should be ignored. 1080 is deadly to dogs, and sensible precautions apply anywhere it’s used. Keeping dogs on leads, avoiding scrubby areas, and sticking to established camps and roadhouses significantly reduces the chance of a problem. These are habits most responsible dog owners already follow when travelling through rural Australia.

    In reality, the Nullarbor isn’t uniquely dangerous for dogs. Many travellers cross it every year with their pets and never encounter an issue. Like much of remote travel, it comes down to awareness of your surroundings and making sensible decisions.

    Some Pics Along The Way

    Thanks for reading Caravaning The Nullarbor – What to Expect. Shadow, the van, and the two of us will catch you at the next campsite.

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  • December 2025 Expenses

    December 2025 Expenses

    What it costs to stay on the road full time

    I post these budget updates every now and again, it gives me a good reason to look at what has been spent, and why. Also it makes a good subject to write about as lots of people think that living on the road full time is cheap.

    Pro-tip, it is not.

    The Numbers

    What we spent in December 2025
    What we spent in December 2025

    Explanation

    Fuel – is a big one, we went from Brisbane, QLD to Hopetoun, WA via the Eyre Peninsular. According to my fuel app, we covered 6,100Km, at a cost of $2,850 (we left Brisbane in November, but most of the distance landed in December), Our average fuel consumption is –

    • Best – 17L/100
    • Average – 21.6L/100 at $47/100
    • Worst – 27L/100

    Looks like a lot, but if you take into consideration that our GCM is 6.4 tonne, and the car all loaded up (GVM) is 3.5 tonne all by itself, that is a fair amount of weight.

    If you want to understand more about GVM, GCM and what all that actually means, I’ve written an article here

    Groceries, Takeaways, Alcohol – This was a bit higher than normal, mainly because we went over the SA/WA border, so no fresh fruit & vegetables, plus it was extremely windy (no outside cooking) which meant that we got a little lazy and ate out a few more times than normal. When crossing the border heading west, the next big town is Esperance, which we never got to, Hopetoun is a small town, so small town prices definitely apply here.

    Caravan Park Fees – This is a bit of forward planning on our part, in WA at this time of year you need to book ahead, so plenty of bookings for January and February and even some as far ahead as Easter.

    Medication – A big jump here, Cathy has started taking some medicine and unfortunately it is not on the PBS, so full price is charged.

    Storage, Telstra – Not listed here as these are constant and come out of separate accounts, combined they come to $800/Month

    Subscriptions – Still stubbornly high. I’ve been chipping away at these since we started travelling. I cancel some, then others go up in price. Sigh.

    (I added another one … don’t tell Cathy!).

    Summary

    December was an expensive month, and it usually is. It’s the holiday season, so prices go up across the board. WA has also been a learning curve. You really do have to plan a long way ahead for summer and school holidays.

    We started planning a stay in Esperance back in August/September and still missed out. Esperance and Albany are extremely popular over the summer months, and availability disappears fast.

    Thanks for reading December 2025 Expenses. Shadow, the van, and the two of us will catch you at the next campsite.

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  • State Border Food Rules

    State Border Food Rules

    If you’re travelling Australia by caravan, you’ll get used to seeing border signs, quarantine bins and the occasional checkpoint.

    NOTE: Picture above is from Interstate Quarantine website , you can click on the icons to get more info on the checkpoints.

    If you haven’t dealt with it before, Australia’s domestic biosecurity rules can feel confusing. They’re not just for overseas travellers. They also apply when you cross from one state or territory into another. Here’s a simple guide to what those rules mean and how to handle them on the road.

    The Basics: What Usually Can’t Cross Borders

    You don’t need to memorise a huge list. The same patterns show up almost everywhere, also in our experience so far, the 2 states to watch out for is WA and SA and (Tasmania, we haven’t been there yet).

    • Fresh fruit and vegetables are the most restricted. This includes apples, stone fruit, tomatoes, cucumbers and leafy greens — basically anything from the fresh produce section of a supermarket.
    • Plants, soil, seedlings and firewood are nearly always a problem.
    • Honey and bee products are restricted in some states.
    • Meat, eggs and dairy can have conditions depending on the state and the type of product. Not too much to worry about here, if it came from a super market, should be ok.

    Most processed foods are usually fine. Think canned foods, dried/frozen goods, packaged snacks, long-life milk and anything commercially sealed.

    If it has been bought at a super market, and it has been processed in some way, then it will probably be ok, except honey.

    Honey is one to keep an eye on. Even if it was purchased in WA and hasn’t been opened, you may not be allowed to bring it back into WA once you’ve crossed the border.

    A simple rule that works well: if it looks like it came out of a garden, check the rules first.

    When biosecurity rules aren’t followed, it’s farmers’ livelihoods, local jobs, and entire regions that can pay the price if pests or diseases spread.

    What You Can Expect at Checkpoints

    Not every border has a manned checkpoint, but some do, especially where fruit fly zones or strict bio security controls are in place. South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania are known for this.

    If it is a manned checkpoint you will be asked to stop and let an officer look in your fridge or pantry. It’s usually quick and friendly. If you have something that isn’t allowed, you’ll be asked to bin it.

    The safe way to handle borders: use up your fresh food before you cross and plan to buy more on the other side.

    A Quick Look at State-by-State Patterns

    Here’s a simple overview of what caravan travellers tend to run into most often.

    South Australia, Western Australia & Tasmania

    These states have the strictest fruit and vegetable rules in the country because they work hard to stay pest free. Expect quarantine bins and check points.

    Fresh Fruit & Vegetables and honey are usually the sticking points here.

    WA SA border checkpoint
    WA SA border checkpoint

    Warning ⚠️ : Don’t forget the firewood, if you have any, unless treated then it is NOT allowed to cross many borders.

    Queensland, New South Wales, ACT, Northern Territory & Victoria

    These states have fewer statewide bans, but they do run fruit fly control areas. If your route takes you through a zone, the rules apply even if the states themselves have lighter restrictions.

    We have never travelled through a controlled zone so can’t comment about what may happen. As for going over the borders, well nothing there other than a sign saying Welcome.

    Australian Interstate Quarantine Booklet

    This should be your bible, check it out, do the right thing.

    The advice here is in general only, everybody likes different foods stuffs so please consult the pdf below.

    Link to Australian Interstate quarantine rules pdf
    Australian Interstate quarantine rules pdf

    Our Experience

    We have been on the road for over a year now, the only 2 states that we have personally encountered that deals with border quarantines with manned check points is SA and WA. The other state’s and territory’s sometimes have signs, mostly nothing.

    If we are going into SA, or WA, we make sure we have no fresh fruit or vegetables on board before we reach the border, we don’t normally have Honey, so that is a non issue for us.

    The check point guys are usually friendly, so long as you are co-operative and honest, there will be no issues. You may have to throw some food out, but it won’t be much if you have prepared before hand.

    Disclaimer: This information is intended as a general guide for caravan travellers. Biosecurity rules vary by location and can change at short notice, so it’s always best to confirm current requirements with official authorities before crossing any border.

    Thanks for reading State Border Food Rules. Shadow, the van, and the two of us will catch you at the next campsite.

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  • First Full Year on the Road – What Comes Next in 2026

    First Full Year on the Road – What Comes Next in 2026

    Hello 2026

    We’ve eased into 2026 the same way we like to ease into most things these days. Parked up, settled for a while, letting the rush thin out before we move again. Christmas and New Year have become our pause time. A chance to reset, look back, and quietly think about what’s next before the roads fill and the weather turns.

    Last year was our first full calender year on the road, but with a few prior commitments to satisfy before we were truly free. A trip to Hawaii (June), and to the Rugby Lions in Adelaide (July) put us in parts of Australia at the wrong season.

    We have been travelling for about nine months all up. There was a stretch back in Brisbane for appointments and life admin, but once we hit the road again, we really felt like we were living the way we’d talked about for so long. Slow mornings. Fewer deadlines. Days shaped by weather, road conditions, and how we felt rather than calendars.

    Reflections on 2025

    We started the year in Millicent, SA at this caravan park, a great place to base yourself to wait out the busy Christmas/New year period. It was here we did many day trips, Mt Gambier, Southend, Beachport and other small towns in the area.

    Cathy snorkelled in a sinkhole, one of those experiences that sounds slightly mad until you’re floating there, surrounded by stillness and impossibly clear water.

    After January, we headed to Victor harbour, hung around there for a few weeks, then headed to Melbourne for a few weeks.

    Us at the Victor Harbor sign
    Us at the Victor Harbor sign

    Then the idea came to go to Mildura to catch up with some friends who happened to be there, This was the beginning of March, wow it got hot, so what do you do, head south to the coast. Eagle point was our target. We went from being cooked in the heat to nearly needing a heater in the space of a week.

    Then we started heading up to Sydney going around the coast heading through Gippsland a part of the country we hadn’t given enough thought to before, and one we already know we’ll return to.

    Not everything was postcard perfect. There was the morning we woke up in Bredbo to find icicles outside the van, no heater inside, and a very clear lesson about preparation. That problem got fixed later, but at the time it was one of those laugh-or-complain moments that travel seems to serve up from time to time.

    We stayed with friends in Sydney, then up to Brisbane to collect a few bits a pieces, get the caravan serviced, put in a gas heater, then back to Sydney to drop off the car & caravan, then Shadow then to catch our flights to Hawaii.

    After we got back and had a rest it was onto Adelaide. I know what you are thinking, Adelaide in July, are you mad? This was another of those prior commitments we made before hitting the road.

    Afterwards we tackled parts of the Oodnadatta Track. It was at this time the caravan suffered some damage, mostly cabinetry and plumbing. We had the constant wheel alignment issues that we finally got fixed in Alice Springs.

    Read about how to keep an eye on your Wheel Alignment the easy way

    At this time, a change in plans meant we had to head back to Brisbane. We crossed the Plenty Highway, stayed in Winton and then drove to Charlotte Plains Borehead Camping for the hot bores.

    Vince & Cathy at the Winton sign
    Vince & Cathy at the Winton sign

    After finishing with Brisbane, we headed to Adelaide, which is much nicer in summer, then on to the Eyre Peninsular and finally rolled into Western Australia for the first time in December.

    WA had always felt like a “one day” destination, something we talked about and never quite reached. Then suddenly there we were, tyres dusty, dog settled in the van, looking west and wondering why the heck it took us so long to get here.

    Along the way, it was often the smaller, unexpected moments that stayed with us most. We spent time in Coober Pedy, sleeping underground and appreciating just how clever people can be when the landscape demands it.

    Then there were days that felt quietly special, like feeding the dolphins at Rainbow Beach, standing on the shore early in the morning and sharing the space with locals.

    Not everything went smoothly. It never does. But 2025 taught us that setbacks don’t cancel the journey. They just change the shape of it.

    Looking ahead to this year

    The long straight road 2
    The long straight road ahead

    For now, the plan is to stay in WA. We’ll head north as winter sets in, follow the warmth, and then spend a few months in the NT before drifting south again as summer creeps closer.

    The Horizontal Falls is on the list, after being cancelled last year, hopefully we make it this time.

    After that it is on to doing the iconic Gibb River road, then into the NT.

    What happens after that is still up in the air.

    We will find a place to stay over the next summer holidays like we did this year and last year. We just don’t know where yet. WA again or shall we head east for something completely different? Add your suggestions in the comments.

    One thing we’ve learned is not to lock ourselves into plans too tightly. Flexibility has become one of our most valuable travel tools.

    In Closing

    As one year rolls into the next, we’re reminded that this life isn’t about ticking boxes or covering ground quickly. It’s about finding a rhythm that works and sticking with it. Here’s to another year of quiet mornings, dusty roads, and figuring it out as we go.
    Wishing our fellow travellers a calm and safe start to 2026.

  • Greatviews at Port Lincoln – Review

    Greatviews at Port Lincoln – Review

    We originally booked 4 nights, but with so much to see and do in the area we extended our stay to 7 nights. We found the campsite to be in a convenient location being centrally located by the National parks.

    • Website: N/A
    • Fee Category: Paid, from $20 / un-powered
    • Booking: Yes, phone
    • Powered Sites: Yes
    • Dog Friendly: Yes
    • Amenities: Yes
    • Dump point: No
    • Pool: No
    • Fire pits: Yes, fire-restrictions
    • Telstra: Flakey
    • Starlink: No problems
    • Generator: ?
    Shop at the entrance to the property
    Shop at the entrance to the property

    Our Experience

    There are various camping options from self-contained to power and water hookups, we opted for the budget option – fully self-contained, which means we were put in the back paddock – our choice.

    We had great uninterrupted view of Port Lincoln, which was great, unfortunately that also came with a few windy days.

    The ground was not level where we were, so levelling ramps needed. Also the grass is that corse prickly stuff, not a big deal however it does have burrs, we had out matt out so Shadow could move around without his boots on.

    The location is excellent, only about 5 minutes from Port Lincoln itself, which was a nice little town and 20 mins from Coffin Bay.

    The shop sold veggies, eggs – chicken and duck eggs. An assortment of meats, bacon, ham steaks, etc. Lots of home made jams and pickles. Worth stopping even if not staying there.

    Views over Port Lincoln area
    Views over Port Lincoln area

    We would definitely stay here again, location is good, host was friendly.

    Attractions Nearby

    There are 2 National parks nearby and a sanctuary, if you are into drives, walking, fishing, swimming there is plenty here, also the camp owner may be able to help with finding a dog sitter while you go out and explore, Bonus.

    • Whaler’s Way Sanctuary – Dog friendly
    • Lincoln National Park – NOT dog friendly
    • Coffin Bay National Park – NOT dog friendly
    • Local wineries
    • Usual coffee shops etc

    Thanks for reading Great views at Port Lincoln – Review. Shadow, the van, and the two of us will catch you at the next campsite.

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  • Silverton Outback Camels – Review

    Silverton Outback Camels – Review

    We stayed here for 2 nights, a quirky place, with lots of animals freely wandering around. This is definitely not your typical caravan park. Would we stay here again, yeah, why not?

    • Website: Silverton Outback Camels
    • Fee Category: Paid, $12.50 per person/night
    • Booking: Yes
    • Powered Sites: No
    • Dog Friendly: Yes
    • Amenities: Yes, 1 toilet, no showers
    • Dump point: No
    • Pool: No
    • Fire pits: Yes
    • Telstra: Yes
    • Starlink: No problem
    • Generator: No
    Sunset at Silverton Outback Camels
    Sunset at Silverton Outback Camels

    Our Experience

    We arrived mid afternoon, and were greeted by Peter who showed us where the campsites are.

    The campsites are level and on dirt so if it was raining it could be very slippery. Being on the edge of a desert, this probably an unlikely scenario.

    There is not much shelter from the wind here, so we left the awning packed away this time has the wind was getting up during the day.

    The single flushing toilet, is a short walk away, dodging the animals and the Mad Max paraphernalia to get there, it is a single out house with a door that sort of locks. Gaps everywhere.

    There is no power or water, you have to be self contained to be here, which includes collecting your grey water.

    The animals were all friendly, and nosy especially the Emu and Ostrich. there’s dogs, cats, goats, water buffaloes, camels, pigs, donkeys, lamas, dingo’s to name a few.

    We found Silverton Outback Camels to be a good location to explore around Silverton and Broken Hill, and the sunsets to be spectacular.

    We would definitely stay here again when passing through.

    Thanks for reading Silverton Outback Camels – Review, Shadow, the van, and the two of us will catch you at the next campsite.

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