Caravanning 'newbies' surprised by brilliant detail on roads during year-long holiday
Michelle and Rino spent 336 days driving clockwise around Australia, meeting up with family and friends along the way.
Self-proclaimed “newbies” to caravanning, Michelle and Rino Santin spent months preparing for their almost year-long trip around Australia. While having “drinky-poos” on the weekend, the couple discussed their plans while placing pins in a large map hanging in their lounge room.
After Rino, 60, retired late last year, the pair packed up their new caravan and 4WD and set out in October, heading south from their home in Goonellabah, a suburb of Lismore in NSW. Sticking mainly to the coastline, Michelle, 53, and her husband spent the next 336 days driving clockwise around the country, meeting up with family and friends along the way.
While their holiday was filled with “many lucky experiences”, there was one detail in particular they did not expect — so many other Aussies had the same idea.
Couple stunned by number of other caravans on the road
“It was absolutely amazing the number of caravans, campervans and motorhomes that were on the road,” Rino told Yahoo News on Sunday.
“It was nearly to the point where — I didn’t make a point of counting vehicles — but you could say three out of five vehicles, especially the further west you went, were a car towing a caravan, a motorhome or a campervan.”
Michelle noted many of the travellers were young families, adding she “loved seeing the kids using their imagination” and spending time in nature. “It was just brilliant,” the disability support worker, who documented their trip online, said.
It’s no secret Aussies love caravanning and camping, with more people than ever taking to the open road. In 2023, there were almost 859,000 caravans and campervans registered, according to the Tourism Research Australia.
Family breaks taboo to share true cost of epic caravan trip of Australia
Full-time caravanning couple reveal biggest regret of grey nomads they meet
Caravanning family's $25 Kmart solution to common camping problem
Caravanning 'newbies' break down cost of trip
After returning home last weekend, the Santin’s shared a breakdown of their trip on social media, outlining the cost of their 41,500km trek and encouraging anyone else who is “contemplating travelling” to “just do it”.
The adventurous couple who “don’t like sitting still” told Yahoo their largest expense was their activities, costing them $29,489. From the Spirit of Tasmania to museums, sunset cruises, tours and snorkelling, the Santin's said there were so “many highlights” — including a vending machine in South Australia’s Coffin Bay that offers a dozen fresh oysters for just $11.
“We enjoyed ourselves so much,” Rino said.
Another major part of their budget was $15,837 on accommodation, Michelle said, adding that although they did find some free camping sites, they felt more confident staying in caravan parks for the first trip.
In addition, the couple said they spent just over $11,000 on petrol and close to $10,000 on groceries.
While weekend trips away are on the cards for now, the couple said they can’t wait to plan their next lengthy road trip and rejoin the crowds on the roads.
Travel tips from the Santin's:
Take a towing course before hitting the road.
Make sure you chat to people in the area.
Book some of the more popular activities and accomodation in advance if you can.
Don’t stress if sometimes things don’t work out — focus on possible alternatives.
‘Just get out there and bloody do it’.
Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.
You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
