Travel & Holidays Do you take extended holidays from home?

We're trying to work out where we think we want to be for (semi) retirement and what it would be like day to day. We've had an amazing summer and Autumn, so many sunny days. June is just rainy and boring though. I think it might be good to head off for a couple of months and come back for spring skiing. Does anyone have ideas for a cheapish couple of months away each year? Anyone have a camper or caravan? I thought this may be a good idea but does all the driving get annoying? I also wondered about a cheapish block/ house in north q'land for holidays. Anyone doing this?

 

Sounds exciting @ellejay

How about the likes of house sitting all over Australia?

My retired in-laws fly 3-4 months to HK every year, so maybe overseas travel can be an option too.

 

Actually house sitting sounds interesting. We used to do house exchanges too. I'll have a look, thanks

 

Retired Victorian friends bought a beach unit in coastal northern NSW. They spend the winter months there (3-4 months) then holiday rent it during the summer months. The rental income pays all the holding costs.

Another retired couple bring their caravan to Tweed Heads for a few months each winter.
Marg"

 

I'd be interested in trying both those options. The winter weather in coastal nsw doesn't seem that great looking at the news, that's why I thought Q'ld but they're getting lots of wild weather too.

 

Been doing that for a while now,and if you target the free campsites the cost factor is very low..
We just have a toyota pop top,cost about 12k full solar fridge stove,plus you get to talk too a lot of people from all walks of life,the link below may help..
Campgrounds near URBENVILLE, NSW

Camping at Tooloom Falls - NSW

 

Wow, thanks for the link! I'll do some reading. I'm finishing work end of August and would be interested in any cheap options for a couple of months away.

 

I'll be back ...
Wiki camps app is worth its weight in gold! Just about every camp site in oz, free ones to

Being from vic just follow the line of grey nomads escaping the artic chill and heading north!

 

I use house sitters works great as long as you get the right ones. I do this cos I have 2 dogs and I don't want them in dog kennels. You can be my house sitter if your ever in Perth, and I need someone.

 

we have just rented an apartment in Richmond/Melb for 12 months so that we can fly over whenever we want and visit our daughter etc. live between Perth/Melb and also means we can visit other States. We also have a car there, plan is to get the car on ferry and go to Tassie.

I would be wary about buying anything until you actually rent/live in the area for at least 6 months to work out whether it will suit your lifestyle.

 

They bought in Kingscliff, just south of the Qld border.
Marg

 

My parents do the grey nomad thing, pack the caravan and head north for the winter. They love it.

 

Must admit it's mainly about the mutt in my avatar...she's one of us. We'll be taking her to NZ and she may end up in Europe with us, that's if we dont have to apply for a visa for Europe after today.

 

There are a few different house sitting sites around and you pay to register etc. Worth the sign up fee.
I think doing a combination of caravan and house sit would be very cost effective, plus the house gives you the homely side plus a good amount of time in a town to experience it.

Vans vary in price significantly but open up many options once you get it. You can take a week to get to the house sit so you're not rushed.

The driving around oz is what you make it, depends on a number of things really- how far you want to go, how much time you have, $, sight seeing available. The more ground you cover the more fuel you'll use so staying put in a caravan park longer saves fuel but then there's accom fees.many have deals where you stay 7, but pay for 6 nights etc

I stumbled across my map today by coincidence, i was going to update it but ill do it later not to much had been added anyway

Connect the dots type arrange where we've lived, worked and travelled

 

I like this idea. I wonder if we'll be brave enough to go for it? We'd do it in September but I'm not sure about buying a van because we're going to NZ indefinitely in the new year and it'd cost a fortune to export although would be great to have it in both countries. May need to do a mix of house sitting, camping and car camping.

 

@ellejay have a look into roof top tents. Or a good old tent. Perfect to get away

 

We have an onsite cabin as a getaway. Its interesting watching the flock of pensioners move in during February (still hot but off peak) and stay till March before wandering further north. You have to eat wherever you are, and the caravan park fee generally includes utilities so they find the cost impacts marginal (utilities not used at home covers off peak park fees)

Cheers,
Scott

 

I can see the appeal of having your own place to return to. Sounds very nice!

 

@ellejay ... network like crazy with people that live where you want to holiday to ... and talk them into having a holiday where you live. Swap houses and you're done