Planning for Your Long-Term Trip - Ultimate Aussie Bucketlist

Beer is in the esky? Well, jump in and let’s go – simple. Yeah right!

It’s not so simple leaving for an extended trip. Even a week away requires some thought and organisation. The more people that are involved, the more complex the situation gets. Do you have a family, or perhaps pets? What about owning your own home or business? What about your job, your friends and your belongings? Do you have the right vehicle and necessary equipment to leave?

We hear the stories of those who describe their trip as spontaneous and without a plan. Well, to a certain degree that may be true – but no trip is without the need for planning. At some point, in your mind, the idea of travel becomes more than an out-of-reach aspiration and actually becomes a reality.

So now what?

Here at the Ultimate Aussie Bucketlist, we want to share some helpful information to get the ball rolling! Everyone’s situation is different – but generally this will apply to anyone. We can’t necessarily give you answers – but perhaps our questions might help point you in the right direction.

No one can give you the right answers better than yourself – you know yourself and your situation like nobody.

An old motto I remember is “The Five P’s” – Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance.

Your Career

What do you do for work? Are you in a employment contract?

Do you plan on working on the road in your current position (if you’re able to)? What is required of you?

Do you resign, take leave, unpaid leave, long service leave – again, assess what’s best for you. And of course – never burn bridges when you leave – you may be back begging for your job haha.

Would you like to find work as you go? How versatile are your skills? Can you plan this ahead of time?

Perhaps stay at certain places for longer? Is there a time-frame for your travels?

If you work, will it give you the lifestyle you seek while travelling? Do you understand the reality of working while travelling?

How about starting a business as you travel? Is there longevity in your choice – or perhaps a short-term project?

Just remember – at the end of the day, a job is a job – you’ll always have the opportunity to find work when you come back. Get in touch with your old employers, prepare resumes and call around before you get back home – be ready to get back into it again.

Money, Money, Money

Generally income/savings dictate your trip. Travelling costs… guess what – MONEY. And after that, more MONEY.

In the lead up to our trip, we worked two jobs each and planned our trip based on the reliance of savings. We had no residual income from a rental property or online business. Initially we didn’t like the idea of finding work while travelling around Australia because we didn’t want anything to detract from the lifestyle of 100% focus on enjoying everything we did. BUT – if you have any inclination of maintaining/creating any form of income – plan it before you go. (Though, you might find mid-trip inspiration and start building from the road – there’s nothing wrong with that either!).

If you decide to work online – get a foundation built first – it will ease the stress and the amount of time it will consume while on the road.

REMEMBER – some online jobs require adequate phone/internet reception. You’ll find in your travels that you’ll be in places that don’t have any form of signal. Look at investing in signal/Wi-fi boosters.

If you want to pick up odd jobs and short-term jobs as you go, join Facebook groups like Backpacker Jobs in Australia etc. Scan Airtasker and Gumtree if you want to pick up odd jobs. General handyman work, cleaning, house sitting, farm work and hospitality jobs are abundant around Australia.

Want your social media to earn you a living? How will your content differ from hundreds or thousands of other Aussies who occupy the world of social media. Are you a photographer who’s work can generate an income from services such as Shutterstock or Adobe? Wearing an Akubra and taking the same photos as everyone else will not make you a star.

If you’re living on savings (as we have for a while now), be prepared to watch your bank account drain – it can be hard to watch sometimes. You want to make sure you’re justifying every purchase you make.

If you can develop residual income that is consistent, and requires little upkeep – you’ll be in an amazing position to travel full time and REALLY experience a freedom that would be like none other!

Others may have been in the workforce for years, and have reached the golden years of retirement – with access to your superannuation. My grandmother and her partner travelled 9 out of the 12 months each year when they reached retirement. They lived an amazing lifestyle and had so many adventures.

Your Home

Do you rent or own a home? Most people will fall into these two categories.

If you’re renting:

When does your lease end? Ideally you’ll want to time your departure with this date. We left two weeks prior and just paid the remaining two weeks. This took some of the stress away from leaving by a specific deadline. Give your notice of intention to leave well in advance. Ensure all outstanding payments are taken care of.
Bond cleaning. Oh… probably the least favourite activity of all time? Do you do this yourself or pay to have it done? Depending on the rental size, expect to pay between $300-$600. With this option – you can choose a company with a guarantee that you’ll receive all of your bond money. If you clean yourself, the place should be basically empty – dont skimp on the cleaning because the real estate inspectors are ruthless! Read the terms and conditions of the exit report and check off each requirement as you go. Ensure you have photos of pre-existing damage so they don’t blame you.
Store or Sell? Unless you live in a 100% furnished rental, you’ll need a place for your personal belongings. Long term storage – this can be expensive. If you choose this option, request quotes from every company you can find and get the best deal. Will you need a moving truck to take it all to the storage depot? Remember, if you’re leaving for an extended time, be aware of certain items that need to be properly wrapped and stored. Moisture absorbers and plastic lining can be your best friends! If you decide to sell everything – chances are you’ll lose money on many items, and you’ll have to deal with the headaches of second-hand buyers… e.g. not turning up, trying to haggle… Do you price your belongings for a quick sale, or do you have time to find someone willing to pay the right price? And along with that, remember when you come back to your town/city – you’ll have nothing. We decided to sell most furniture and store smaller personal belongings at a friends place – a good option if it’s available.

If you own:

Do you sell? Selling will provide you with a large sum of money and could fund a trip that would last years (if you owned it). Perhaps you’d want to buy a large motorhome or caravan and make that your home. Obviously selling comes with the uncertainties of what the real estate market is like if/when you return. But again – do you actually plan on returning? What is the real estate market like – if you’re unsure, seek qualified and professional advice. Your mindset on life changes once you begin life on the road – some dislike the uncertainty and lack of routine while others relish in the spontaneity and sometimes uncertainty of it all.
Do you rent out? This, unlike selling, means ties to your life back “home” are never truly severed. You’ll have insurances, tenants and a property to take care of – it’s still your responsibility. Renting out allows someone else to pay for your mortage – hopefully with some cream on top for you! If you want to ease some of the uncertainty – hire a rental manager and don’t be afraid of having a thorough screen process for prospective tenants. Ensure you’ve received the proper advice and instructions on how your tax situation might change.
Your belongings… do you include them as part of the property when you rent out, and factor this in to the rental price? Of if you’re selling, do you completely uproot by selling everything? Storing your belongings and furniture is another option – and this will come with a price tag especially if you have a lot of furniture and belongings.

Vehicle Choice

Oh – the million dollar question! New or used? 4WD, AWD or 2WD? Van, rooftop tent, camping tent, swag, hammock, caravan, bus, motorbike, pushbike, trailer or unicycle? There’s a multitude of combinations – and there could be multiple that suit your situation. The blue or red one?

4WD versus 2WD. This is an obvious one. Are you interested in taking your vehicle off-road and perhaps visit some unique places that Australia has to offer? This opens up some amazing places – but 4WDing comes with extra insurances and increases the chances of damage to your vehicle. If you’re new to it – get some lessons and practice before you leave. For some, having a 4WD is a no-brainer as it’s their type of lifestyle. We love having a 4WD (campervan) as it allows us to get to most places. Keep in mind your fuel economy as well – and will it be diesel or petrol? Remember having an AWD vehicle will help you in some situations, but beware of clearance when taking it off road.
Towing a Caravan. If you’re towing anything – ensure you know what you’re doing. Practice getting into tight spots and getting out of tight spots. Test braking distances and ensure you’re weights are all legal. Learn how to pack the caravan in a way that ensures the weight is balanced as evenly as possible. New or used? What’s your budget? How important are warranties to you? If buying second hand, make sure it is thoroughly inspected first – inside, outside, chassis, electrics and gas. Your life is in the hands of these remarkable vehicles – don’t take it lightly. How readily available are parts? Do you have a long wait time on the caravan? How important are the luxuries for you? There’s nothing wrong with comfort as you travel! With a caravan, you can park it up, unhitch and do day trips with your tow vehicle. Ensure you have equipment to level and stabilise you caravan at your campsites – and have the right safety measures in place so that it can’t be easily stolen when unattended. You’ll find some places and roads will be too small and tight if you’re towing – plan ahead.
Campervan. The last year or so has seen a massive increase in campervans making their way around Australia. Sometimes you wonder how some of them make it! Having a campervan comes with a lot of flexibility and versatility – but generally at the cost of space, and generally they aren’t 4WD. We own a Mistubishi Delica – so a campervan that is a 4WD. It suits our lifestyle and the way we travel – but for you, it may be different. Be prepared to live in a small space – and unlike a caravan or motorhome, you’ll probably be impacted by weather conditions more directly.
Rooftop Tent. Again, this is another pretty flexible option. It is a pretty cost effective option and allows canopys/toolboxes to be used for storage. One of the cons that you’ll have to deal with is getting up and down everytime you want to get into your tent. Remember, any form of fabric that is in constant exposure to the elements is more prone to mould, mildew, breakdown etc.
Motorbike or Pushbike. Personally, this option gets me excited the most – but my wife has something else to say… You’ll need to pack light – and I mean, very light. Can you fit a small jerry can somewhere? Do you have a super compact tent? What about tyre repair and chain kits? Does the bike need to be modified to carry extra weight? The positive is the flexibility to go pretty much anywhere – even places a 4WD can’t get to. Just be prepared – you’ll experience the elements to the fullest. Make sure you know what you’re getting yourself into. Because of the time it takes to get places – you need to be realistic of where you can go. Also, a motorbike or pushbike is easier to steal when unattended. Do everything you can when on the road to be seen by other vehicles and keep two steps ahead of other vehicles on the road.
Other Options. There’s also options of just using a regular vehicle, packing your tent or swag and joining in on the adventure. Even a hammock if you’ve got somewhere to set it up. At the end of the day, generally, someone travelling in a $1,000 set up can experience the same views and experiences as someone travelling in a $500,000 set up. Make a judgement based on your own circumstances.
Unicycle. I’d love to see this one day 😉

Note: Vehicles and caravans require maintenance. Plan which places you may need to stop for general maintenance. Perhaps research some reliable mechanics and pre book a rough date. When choosing a vehicle – keep in mind how easy/difficult it is to get parts AND how easy it is to get mechanics to work on it.

Other Things to Consider

Here is some specific smaller items that you may need to factor into your planning:

Telling friends and family of your plans. Keep them in the loop! This keeps relationships strong and provides a safety net for you because people know where you are and where you are going.
Do you have pets? Bring them – or not to bring them? Leaving a loved pet behind is out of the question for some – pets become part of the family. Just remember it is your responsibility keeping your pet healthy and happy and a safe animal to be around. They’ll get plenty of love from other travellers.
Redirect or change your mailing address. Update your bank, phone plan and any other service you use – you don’t want to miss out on important mail. Or better yet, have everything set to electronic mail.
Have a farewell party. Your family or friends may do this for you, but if not, set a night or day aside to say your goodbyes.
If you’re travelling with a partner or your family – ensure you have all sat down together and discussed what this trip means for each of you and what is expected from everyone. It requires team work and constant communication. Travelling long term can be intimidating and uncomfortable for some.
Schooling for the kids. If you’re leaving for an extended time – ensure your children maintain an education. Online work keeps them up to date. Also, give them the opportunity to learn and develop from the adventures of travelling. Teach them how you manage finances, and what dictates smart purchases. This lifestyle is incredible for learning a real-world education. Have them diarise experiences with landmarks, animals, activities and encourage them to spend time with other children at caravan parks and camping spots.
Are you heading in a lap – clockwise or anticlockwise? Research the weather of different regions based upon where you might be at that time of year.
Consider your safety if you’re travelling alone. Take measures to ensure you are safe on your travels – don’t give the wrong people the right opportunity to take advantage of you. Consider satellite phones and GPS trackers. Lock valuables and always let friends or family know where you are. Make the right friends at campsites and you’ll find people will look out for you – don’t be shy.
Don’t be dodgy. Sounds a bit odd? Camping facilities cost money – if there is a fee associated with stayin, ensure you pay. National Parks are notorious for people camping but not paying. For the majority of people who do the right thing – it is quite agitating to see people free-loading. If you’re looking to cut down costs, there are an abundance of free camping spots available.
Invest in camping apps/books. Research and plan, create itineraries and save your favourite places. We personally use a couple on an almost daily basis.
Pack light. I’m trying to improve on this point. You’d be surprised at how little you actually need while on the road. Keep it to the essentials and have a little space for the luxuries.
Remember Australian wildlife. As you travel, you’ll start seeing signs and warnings of crocodiles and stingers, cassowaries and snakes, along with sharks and other dangerous animals. Don’t let it scare you from being adventurous, but hike safely and swim safely.
Be mindful of phone service and the ability to get internet signal. You won’t have full bars everywhere you go, so plans ahead of time if you know you’re heading away from main towns.
Talk to people! Talk to the locals, talk to shop owners and talk to other people who are travelling. You be truly impressed at the stories you hear and the life experiences that other people have had. We love chatting with those much older than us because of the awesome stories they tell.
Create a packing list. There may be some items unique to you – but overall, we pretty much travel with the same equipment. Check out lists online, talk to other travellers. Hopefully soon we’ll create one here for you.
Remember – things go wrong. Things break and not everything will go the way we planned. Prepare to be flexible and always have a contingency plan for when things do go wrong. It’ll all be part of your learning experience.

The Most Important Tool

There’s one last vital point that we’ll share. It’s not one that we’ve mastered, it’s definitely a working progress for us, but it’s one we are reminding ourselves of frequently.

It’s your trip, it’s unique to you and you should never let anyone or anything deny the importance of that.

Social media isn’t some form of a bar or tool for measurement or comparison. Nothing should be more impressive or breathtaking as the moments and experiences YOU have. No one can replace the feelings, the smells, the smiles, the inside jokes and stories, the ups and downs – the moments that your eyes behold.

It’s not cliche to say your experience is the best experience you’ll ever have. No one is ever going to take that away from you. There’s no reason to compare.

Enjoy your travels to the fullest!

Joel and Daniela