Arrange Greetings for friends and Relatives

or do you just need some help write something appropriate, then try this site
what to write in a card

Insure the car








Packing




To Do - List


Packing - List


Turn off the phone and turn message machine On


Pack the Backpack


Now which way?

Preparation for the trip.

Before you leave - Things to consider before leaving:

Things to do: (for a Printable list or request editable version at Nomadic Life)

Cancel the newspapers & periodicals, and any other regular deliveries

Have the mail diverted, or have someone take care of it for you. Are you a Pensioner Concession Card (PCC) holder? There is free mail redirection with Australia Post.

Empty the fridge either completely, or just immediate perishables, and take out the garbage.

Turn off all electricity if possible (on long trips), or just the hot water system. If you want to keep the fridge/freezer running DO NOT TURN off the mains. To return to a defrosted fridge/freezer is no a pleasant thing to do. Know which electrical switches (at the junction box) turn of which items, and be sure you only turn off what you WANT to turn off.

Turn off the mains water, to help prevent flooding if a pipe leaks. This is less likely in warmer climates, but a constant threat in the very cold areas. If you live in a home unit it may be best to do it anyway, so you don’t flood your neighbours if a pipe leaks. Make sure you unplug as many appliances as you can. If the fridge, and telephone is being left on then make sure the electricity to them stays on, but be sure to turn off everything else that you can. Items like Videos and TV running on Standby, not only cost money to run, they can be dangerous.

Do you cut off the phone before going? If not, how will phone messages be handled? Can you pick them up on the road (some phone systems allow this, check your phone manual) or will someone need to listen to them, and deal with them for you? Or do you just turn off the answer machine & turn down the ringing, so phone is not heard outside (thieves may hear it ringing un-answered).

People who live in home units should consider leaving a key or at least contact details of where to get one, with another resident during absences. If there is an incident e.g. a burst water pipe, the Strata may have to gain entry to get it fixed.

Are there any accounts that require paying while you are away? Who will take care of them, and how? Can they be set up with either the bank or the supplier, to be paid automatically? To have something cut off for non-payment can be an expensive exercise, not to mention frustrating. You might have to arrange reconnection while you are on the road if the service is essential.

Suspend, or cancel Paid TV, and you home-based Internet service, but make sure you arrange the mobile connection for your travels.


Is there a neighbour who can keep an eye open, and check for expected and unexpected visitors perhaps?

Is there anyone depending on you to do something? E.g. voluntary organisations, relatives or friends who require help, are their needs being met while you are going to be away?

Have you got pet/s that requires boarding out? Will a relative, friend or neighbour take care of them, or do they go into pet boarding? Will they need vaccinations etc before being accepted? Make sure pets are dealt with well in advance, as there may be a time delay between the vaccinations and acceptance into the facility.

Who will water the plants, or mow the lawn etc? There are watering options from Hardware shops or Nurseries, check out those options for shorter trips. For security it is important that your home looks lived in or it is more at risk of burglaries.

Be sure all valuables are at least out of sight. Better still, store them off-site e.g. safety deposit box at the bank, or at your solicitors, or with someone you trust completely.

Do you need a house sitter to take care of most of the above for you? Or do you need to make sure the locks are good, and that all doors and windows are locked. You may wish to notify the local police station to keep an eye on the place. Who will you leave a key with for emergencies, or to air the place out etc while you are away?

What sort of home security do you have? Will the place be safe with you gone? You may need to install a burglar alarm, which is a Back-to-Base type. Or should it be a simple alarm, which activates at the House or Unit? Whichever type it is, be sure to leave contact details of someone who can check it if it does go off. Driving the neighbours crazy with the noise is not a good option, you will return eventually, and they will not be happy.

Be sure to make sure your home insurance is up-to-date, and fully paid. Insurance companies require you to notify them if your residence is un-occupied for any length of time. Make sure you notify them of your absence. You may want to notify the Police using this notice, Police Notification Form which you can fill in and hand to them. Also read this Home Safety Pamphlet from the Police, and see more on our Home Safety page.

Be sure to check any credit card, Licences, Pension cards, car registration, Boat Licence etc are all up-to-date by checking the expiry date, and be sure they are with you.

Click here for a printable an abbreviated version of this list above, or request and editable version from us at Nomadic Life

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When you arrive:
Stop for the night early enough to check out possible caravan parks in the area.

Arriving early is essential if you are camping rough. You may need to drive down unfamiliar roads, and doing it in the dark can be extremely hazardous. Setting up camp in the dark, can be difficult, if not downright dangerous (e.g. rising tides). There have been incidents of people camping in places which in daylight they would never have done. E.g. in the flight path of incoming birds, or on a nest of ants, or even a cricket pitch, and been woken in the morning and asked to move because the locals want to play cricket on their pitch.

Do you plan to see certain attractions; if this is the case which Caravan Park is better situated to allow ease of access? You may need public transport to get around, or have to walk everywhere, (if you travel in a campervan) so bear this in mind when choosing where to stay.

When you have found a Park, check out the actual site you have been allocated, before you unpack & set-up camp. It may be too near the toilet block, or too far away. It may be next to noisy campers, the BBQ area or the pool etc. By all means park the van, but do not unpack everything at that stage. Stop, have a cup of tea, unwind a bit, then decide if that is the right site. If not, request another if there is one available. It may not be possible if it is the height of the season.

Do not camp under a tree, as there are risks of lightening strikes and falling branches. You may wish to risk it in a Van, but never in a tent.

If you get caught in a thunderstorm, don’t take shelter under a tree. Your car is a safer place.

Respect the rights of others. Tents and caravans are often close together, which means noises e.g. loud voices, TV, radios, pets, which will annoy you, and others, so keep that in mind, and don’t be guilty of it yourself.

Check that there is not a total fire ban in the area you are camping in, (or are going to that night), before lighting up. If there is a total fire ban you may need to adjust the menu for the evening meal.

Wear shoes, sandals or at least thongs at all times. There are many things you don’t want to step on, or in. You might consider investing in a pair of suitable footwear for all conditions e.g. fishing, swimming or collecting wood etc. Suitable footwear is available at reasonable cost, and could save injury to your feet. Even showering in shared amenity blocks has its hazards, and not all can be seen. Fungal infections are a complication you can well do without; consider wearing thongs/flip flops or all purpose footwear.

When cooking, if it is essential to have an open fire, always respect the power and danger of campfires. Keep fires within a contained area, within a ring of rocks (know which are likely to explode if they get hot & be sure they are dry when you start) also make sure to have an outer ring of gravel or cleared dirt to help protect against the fire spreading. Always keep children away from the fire. Have an extinguisher/water bucket and/ or fire blanket handy, in case it gets out of hand. When you have finished, always make sure the fire is completely extinguished before leaving it un-attended. Rake over the embers, and if necessary, douse carefully with water, but be very certain it is out. It only takes a spark to ignite a bushfire, be sure it is NOT your’s. Call to report it if you accidentally cause, or see one call 000 or for more information.

Are we having fun yet? This is of catch cry of children, but it is important to keep sight of the issue on a trip such as this.

When everything is organized, planned, packed, and checked you can hopefully start having fun. After you have planned a few successful caravanning/camping trips you will find it gets easier and easier. You will know what you need, and what you don’t. Refine your list as you go along, and delete the items you don’t need. What did you forget to take last time, but need to take this time? To request an editable version from Nomadic Life or just use this version.

With an editable version you can add or subtract items to your packing list, print it, and keep it with you. It also helps to have the list when you are packing up to move on, or before leaving home to check if you have packed it. You may wish to go so far as to say where the items are stowed, which helps find them in the restricted spaces. If you pack items in numbered storage boxes, which are clearly labelled with the contents, then you just need to say which box number it is in. Always return the item to the right box and you will be able to find it next time you need it.

See also 4x4 Extreme Repair, Banking, Boating, Budgeting, Calendar, Choosing a Caravan, Entertainment, Fishing, Food, Health, Mechanical, Mobile Communications, Motoring Associations, National Parks, News, Packing, Planning, Public Transport, Recipes, Road Conditions, Safety, Supplementing your income, Towing Tips, and Weather.

Are we having fun yet? I bet you are, so enjoy the trip.

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