Crazy?our first travelling hol....with kids

hi
Just a suggestion instead of staying in Broken hill try staying out at Penrose park at silverton really cheap for families plenty of space and things for kids to do. we took a family on their first holiday 4 kids and they were so pleased that we suggested we stay there the kids had so much to do and space to run and make a noise and I think it cost about $25 per night for a family on a powered site
barb

Hello,

We travelled Sydney to Perth in late 80's with our 3yr old son. He drove us insane with constant chatter and questions, but we look back fondly on it now. Its good training for them to do it I reckon. Can't help with a crowd though, I only had 2 boys and they could go a week on 1 pair of undies :-)

Broken Hill and surrounds are quite special IMHO.

Have a great trip
Mike

Hi,
We camped with 4 kids. It was fun but tended to be a bit of work. Will you be towing a trailer for all your stuff? We did before we upgraded to an old jayco dove. When you consider that you will need tent , bedding for 6, chairs, stroller, food and clothes, cooking and eating gear, it could be squeezy. Overloading a roofrack is very bad. If you are using van parks, most of them have a basic camp kitchen and bbq. Use these when available. Have you thought about maybe hiring a camper. There is a fair bit of storage space and a floor for the little ones to sit, crawl and sleep. They have a kitchen area, sink, stove, water tank and gas bottle all attached that will save you carrying all that stuff in the car. Have fun planning and remain flexible. Try not to fit in too many kms in a day. Our kids were very good travellers but they still got sick of being stuck in the car day after day.
Good luck and cheers
Sally

Hi

We did Sydney to Centre return in 2000 - total 8000kms in 2 weeks with 3 kids then in our Prado. Was way to quick but we were part of a large group.

We all stayed in paid accomodation, cabins, vans etc. Even stayed underground at Coober Pedy. We had our gear in back and also up on top. If I had 4 kids and camping with all the gear required I think you need a trailer for all your gear or camper trailer or one of the wind up camper van types. I currently have a Jayco Swan and something like that or slightly smaller Jayco Eagle size would carry all your gear and allow you to camp, leave the stuff there and travel sight seeing without an excess load on board. There are plenrty of cheaper entry level camper vans etc on the market that may suit you if you are careful in your check of it.

Whatever you do, take plenty of photos and video etc as the time goes fast when you are covering so much distance in such a short time and will help prompt both the kids and your memories later on. Have fun, wish I could just hook up and go too. Cheers....

l didn't think there's anything at Penrose Park that will occupy a 5 or 6 yr old for long, they're really too young to be out of sight scampering around the countryside by themselves,
Silverton is a reasonable spot to go and have a look at... and maybe ride a camel or two..or have a squiz at the "Mad Max" pub..and the art galleries etc but with your kids age BH is a better place to stay, it's not far away

Hi Cols6

We have 5 kids (10 weeks, 3, 5, 6 & 8 years) and we have been camping/touring with them right from the very beginning. Until this last trip over Christmas we have also used a tent the whole time.

My suggestions when travelling with the tribe would be first and foremost be flexible and remember you are on holidays - sometimes (read that as usually for us) you won't be packed up and on the road at the time you had initially planned (but does it really matter?); give yourself plenty of breaks on the road (we usually try and stop every 2-3hrs max, and look for a park with playground equipment so the kids can burn some pent up energy); bring along a selection of books, toys etc that the kids select themselves and keep in their own little backpack; we have a selection of kids albums on the mp3 player which we put on and all sing along (ABC have some great Australiana ones).

If we have a long day or two in the car we try and have a shorter day (or no travelling) the next day. At the campsite give the kids some duties to do (hold the tent pegs; collect twigs; open up the chairs etc) as they feel more involved.

If you are staying at caravan parks (plenty of washing opportunities there). You don't need to take as many kid's clothes as you might otherwise - let the kids get dirty (we have one set of clothes they use for a few days running and then keep a 'clean' set aside for trips to town etc. We don't bother about pyjamas, etc (takes up too much space) and put the kids to bed in thermals (if cold). Also if you are going through towns etc on your trip, you don't need to bring all the food for the whole trip with you. You may pay more in some towns, but it saves you alot of space.

I wouldn't rule out staying at campsites in national parks etc for a few nights, interspersed with caravan park stays - that way you can get away from the crowds a little. Good campsites that we have stayed at that fit within your planned trip and have been kiddie friendly include Mungo National Park (has showers at the Info Centre & drop toilets at the campground); Mutawinji National Park (showers(?) and toilets); Kinchega National Park (showers at the shearers quarters & drop toilets at the campsite).

Finally back to my first point, its easy to get frustrated if you don't keep an open and happy perspective during the trip. Our family trips which have ranged from the Grampians, High Country, Flinders Ranges, Broken Hill to Birdsville go down as our most memorable times together. The kids have an absolute ball and nowadays are disappointed if we are not going away during the holidays somewhere.

Anyhow hopefully some of these ramblings will be of help for you. Get out there and enjoy it :)

cheers

Hi, We have travelled with the 2 littlies in a prado for years and found it is much smaller than the other cars but with years of adjusting we have it down to a very fine art and recently did the Hay river (simpson desert) with friends who had 4 kids. they had a southern cross tent and in it had a double swag and 3 single swags all of which went on the roof. Sometimes they used the tent sometimes just the swags but you will need the tent for caravan parks of course. Honestly take a day pack for each kid IF THAT! they got day pack sized bags made so no room was waisted they had no handles. Sounds like you will be around towns alot so buy food as you go, have the exact amount of cutlery and peruse the hiking section of camping shops to get things small. your trip is more than possible but I would HIGHLY reccommend you do quite a few 2 or 3 nights trips first. We have friends with all good intentions , hate it then never go back. I am assuming you have camped before. practise makes perfect. enjoy

Hello, we are travelling for a year or more in a van with 4 kids, ages 3,3,5,7. We have only been travelling a couple of months now but the main things we have learnt is that the kids will find fun wherever they are. They spent 2 hours one day trying to carve a chair out of a tree stump by bashing it with a stick! In caravan parks, most charge per child so it is really expensive. Ring ahead and find ones that only charge per site. You need very little clothes for you and kids. We have a sealed container with nappy san in it and soak the clothes at the end of the day prior to washing to get the stains out and then rinse- all ready to wear again. I get sick of wearing the same clothes but the kids don't care at all. The other thing is perhaps you could stay in some state forests/ national parks even for 1 or 2 nights. These are our saviour as there is plenty of room and the kids can get up early and make noise rather than us having to tell them to be quiet all the time like in the caravan park. Also travel takes a long time with toilet stops, food stops etc so I think we travel less than we thought. We prefer to travel long days, then stop a few days rather than a little each day. And plenty of bribery goes a long way. Good luck- it will be fun. Leah