RV in Australia
RVs have been a long established means of touring or
vacationing in Australia. The size of the country, plus the
comparitively small population, has made it a requirement to
plan well for an extended trip.
Many visitors from North America or Europe are surprised by the
scale of the country, roughly equivalent to each of these
continents.
I have driven by car many times between Sydney and Perth, from
the East (Pacific Ocean) coast to the West (Indian Ocean)
coast. This is a distance of 4000 Kilometers or 2500 miles,
driving 10-14 hours a day takes 4 days. (the Indian Pacific
train trip takes 2 1/2 days, by air it's 4 hours)
Now consider that one third of the area of the country is the
state of Western Australia. WA has a population of 1.5
million, of whom 1.3 million live in Perth. This compares with
the total Australian population of 20 million. So there is not
much in the rest of the State. Crossing the Nullabor plain
there is a gap between service stations and motels, for fuel
and rest, of 100 miles or 160 Km.
The dream of many an Aussie on retirement, is to travel around
the country in some form of RV. So there is a growing, and
continually refreshing market for all types. Motor homes, class
A, B, or C, conventional trailers, or caravans, fifth wheelers,
and camper vans. Along with conversions, professional or home
grown, these vehicles are increasingly seen on the highways
throughout the country.
Another factor affecting the design requirements of an RV for
use in Australia, is the climate variances. The Northern areas
are tropical, the Southern areas are temperate, and get snow in
the high country.
Throughout the country, but especially in the centre and on
the West coast, there is a high proportion of sunshine, and
ultra-violet exposure of people and materials can be a problem.
Temperatures can range from 40-45C in Summer, to -10-15 in the
Winter. Of course this is the "wrong way round", and you can
escape a freezing Europe or North America for a Hot Christmas
vacation.
RV rentals are readily available in all areas of the country,
and you can pick up and drop off at different points. You can
find your own beach, with no-one around, or visit a camel farm,
or gold, or diamond mine.
If you would like to be a little more adventurous, you can
rent a 4x4 RV and experience the outback. There are also
guided tours in 4x4s so you can go and see the bush, and the
wildlife - crocodiles, anyone?
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