Intro and question

[MD23]

Hi there...
I'm in the process of trying to convince the husband that we simply must have a Jayco Expanda.
We have three boys (ages 5, 8 & 11) so I think now is the perfect time.

I'm planning a 'trial run' over the Easter holidays by hiring a 4WD and Jayco Expanda through Britz and I'm trying to make it as exciting and stress free as I possibly can for us.

My problem is where to go...

We live in Melbourne so the husband thinks that for a trial run we don't want to have to travel too far...fair point. He thinks 7hrs each way max should do us.
We live in Melbourne so Easter time is miserably cold - I think we should head up north as far as we possibly can to get better weather. Don't want to be stuck inside a van (even if it is an Expanda). Somewhere on the coast though...not much of an inland gal
The 8 year old (after much research at the caravan and camping show) has decided that Port Stephens is the place to go...husband thinks too far, I think we'd be pushing it (and each other's patience) for a first time trip.
The 5 year old isn't fussed where we go and the 11 year old just wants to know if there'll be WiFi *rolls eyes*

My goal for this first time trip is to show the tribe what a fabulous idea it was to hire a Jayco, that we've all had an amazing time and we can't wait to do it all again...in our own Expanda!

Any thoughts/suggestions/ideas would be greatly appreciated.

 

[chartrock]

Welcome MD23. :welcome: What a great way to convince the doubters. Get him to read what forum members think of their Expanda and how easy they are to set up.

Living in Qld I can't help you much with places close to Melbourne but there are some really nice spots on the south coast of NSW. I am sure some of our members will give you some names of top spots.

Good luck with hubby and hope to see you on the road sometime.

 

[Gallo]

I took mine to Canberra in the middle of winter with my wife, 5 and 9 year old. Minus 1 overnight and all we did was put electric blankets on, put the air conditioner on heat and have a couple of small heater fans sitting on the bench. I slept in my underwear and kicked the blankets off each night. It was very cozy. I'm currently in Port Stephens at Big 4 Soldiers Point and today was 43 degrees..zipped up all windows AC on cooling and a couple of cooling fans on the bench tops....it was bliss. Port Stephens will be approx 11 hrs from Melbourne. There is wifi here but you have to pay for it.. Our expanda was the best investment you we have ever made. Ps I have been up here at Easter time and have been swimming in the pool here. Was about 25 degrees most days, if not there is an indoor heated pool.

Hope it helps.

 

[MD23]

Thanks for the quick replies!

Last year we hired a 6bth Apollo motorhome and went to Canberra (it was freezing!)...we spent one night there, took the boys to the War Memorial and got the hell out!
Headed over to Bateman's Bay and then made our way home down the coast.
We had a fantastic time. The boys had a ball. I drove the entire way with the 8 year old as 'co-captain' (6 speed manual...loved it!) and it was great to just pull up where ever and when ever we wanted to take a break and have everything in the motorhome ready to go.

Would love to do Port Stephens I'm just concerned that it's a long trip for our first time away. I've never driven a car towing a van before so I don't want to 'rush'...a shorter trip would make more sense.

 

[Brad]

Welcome MD23.
Wow that is a long way for a first trip.
How about Narooma or Malacoota?
Fishing is good. Golf course at both these places. Huge inlets to investigate.
Malacoota was an old army base as well. So if you know where to look, the kids can investigate old bunkers as well.

 

[greynt]

Hi there...
I'm in the process of trying to convince the husband that we simply must have a Jayco Expanda.
We have three boys (ages 5, 8 & 11) so I think now is the perfect time.

I'm planning a 'trial run' over the Easter holidays by hiring a 4WD and Jayco Expanda through Britz and I'm trying to make it as exciting and stress free as I possibly can for us.

My problem is where to go...

We live in Melbourne so the husband thinks that for a trial run we don't want to have to travel too far...fair point. He thinks 7hrs each way max should do us.
We live in Melbourne so Easter time is miserably cold - I think we should head up north as far as we possibly can to get better weather. Don't want to be stuck inside a van (even if it is an Expanda). Somewhere on the coast though...not much of an inland gal
The 8 year old (after much research at the caravan and camping show) has decided that Port Stephens is the place to go...husband thinks too far, I think we'd be pushing it (and each other's patience) for a first time trip.
The 5 year old isn't fussed where we go and the 11 year old just wants to know if there'll be WiFi *rolls eyes*

My goal for this first time trip is to show the tribe what a fabulous idea it was to hire a Jayco, that we've all had an amazing time and we can't wait to do it all again...in our own Expanda!

Any thoughts/suggestions/ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Hi MD23,

Welcome to the forum, lots of great tips and info here.
Another suggestion is the Holiday Hub in Pambula.
Must admit have not been there for a few years but was fantastic
park for families to stay at. Clean facilities and good indoor pool area
and close to Merimbula which has lots to do.
There used to be a small theme park called Magic Mountain.
Fishing and other things to do as well. Temp is not to bad as well.
Drive is approx 8hrs, with a 1 hr break at Lakes Enterance.
HTH
Cheers
greynt

 

[BUSH PALACE]

:welcome:Welcome there MD23 now thats using your noggen , hiring first hope you enjoy it but we know you will ...

 

[fishinglizard]

Pambula beach. I have been there heaps of times, I was there once in July day time temps where nice, and theres an indoor heated pool. And a bike track that goes all the way to Merimbula with only one busy rd to cross I think.

Lizard

 

[acmackie]

Welcome
We stayed in Eden for a couple of nights last August and although the nights were cool it was not cold.

 

[Stan53]

Hi there...
My problem is where to go...

We live in Melbourne

Try Echuca. It's only around a 4 hour run. It's reasonable close. Or maybe Swan Hill.
We live in Frankston and the only reason we are not out and about is that we have new wheels and no tow bar just now. And we are in a Jayco Swift. We did Adelaide in July last year. It was just a tad colder than we are used to but one fan heater fixed it all.

 

[MD23]

:whoo:Update!!!:whoo:
We've booked the van and the car and the site for the week after Easter!!!!
We are getting the 18.57-8 model with a Toyota Landcruiser and we've booked for Surfside in Warrnambool.
I really had my heart set on Tathra but Warrnambool is a lot closer, I know the road (first time towing anything!) and there'll be lots to keep us occupied there.
I can't wait!! :high5:
Thanks so much for your replies/suggestions.
I'll keep you all updated.

 

[Stan Lee]

Ha ha

If it makes u feel better your 11 yr old is VERY normal!! I have 2 squids that ask re wi fi. Warnambool is nice AND don't forget to visit a little cafe called "fish tales" beautiful feed

We did the GO road a couple of winters ago. We where lucky no rain but needed the heater running!!

Curious to c how u go towing the 18 ft and if u can talk ur better half into buying one

 

[MD23]

Curious to c how u go towing the 18 ft and if u can talk ur better half into buying one

I'm youtubing how to tow/reverse a van lol...I replaced a toilet in our house by youtubing how to do it, this couldn't possibly be any more difficult!

'Better' half? He may rule the roost but she rules the rooster. Just have to make him think it's his idea & decision

 

[macca]

It's a lot harder than putting in a toilet!

 

[MD23]

It's a lot harder than putting in a toilet!

I think I may have needed a tongue-in-cheek emoticon after my sentence :wink:

 

[Stan Lee]

Just ask for a drive thru site!!!

 

[brismacca]

Hi MD23,

We have 3 boys as well, aged 7, 11 and 14 and recently upgraded from a Swan to a 16.49-4. Much easier to set up. Just got back from 2 weeks at Tallebudgera and had 5 days out bush before that. We all love it, wouldn't swap it for anything!!

 

[Pace]

:whoo:Update!!!:whoo:
We've booked the van and the car and the site for the week after Easter!!!!
We are getting the 18.57-8 model with a Toyota Landcruiser and we've booked for Surfside in Warrnambool.
I really had my heart set on Tathra but Warrnambool is a lot closer, I know the road (first time towing anything!) and there'll be lots to keep us occupied there.
I can't wait!! :high5:
Thanks so much for your replies/suggestions.
I'll keep you all updated.

Welcome MD23, nice van and tug there, will accommodate your family well. Be weary of the road works just on the other side of Waurn Ponds till Colac. We just got back from there, here is trip report. http://www.expandasdownunder.com/showthread.php/2393-Pace-s-Warrnambool-Jan’13-trip.

PM me if you need to know anything else. Cheers Pace.

 

[Bank of Dad]

Try Merimbula, Mallacotta, Marlo or Paynesville - that's my tip for the coast.

Don't overlook Swan Hill, Mildura, Echuca or Deniliquin either. Inland but on rivers and that time of year usually warm by day and cool by night.

We have the 17.56-2 & with your family you will love it; we do!