We're caravanning over to WA with three kids - Need your ideas and support!!!
OK, so we have finally decided that we will be caravanning from Melbourne to WA (and back LOL) over 6 weeks.
We are very excited, but I'm also getting really freaked out! It is a LOOOOONG drive and DD isn't brilliant in the car. She's better than she was (she used to just scream - once she screamed the entire time on a 3 hour trip ), but she has her moments.
We have bought on eBay a DVD player with two screens for the car and I've read up on some good games and activities for the boys to do while travelling. We plan on travelling for no more than 4 hours a day (unless the kids are doing particularly well!) with lots of stops along the way.
We will be staying at a resort in Mandurah for one week which I think will give us a much needed break from the caravan and hopefully refresh us for the trip back. We plan on either travelling from the south of WA, up to Perth then home or vise versa - we still haven't mapped it all out yet.
So, I need your ideas/suggestions/moral support haha! I think it will be fun and a great experience for us all. I just get a bit doubtful when people say something negative about the trip. We DO know we have three kids and that they can become cranky and they can misbehave LOL! I need to hear positive things - encouragement, good experiences, etc...
TIA
Last edited by ~Trish~; July 7th, 2010 at 01:23 PM.
Oh Trish, that sounds FABULOUS!!! I've never been to Melbourne, but I imagine it as a very urban, populated place. Have no idea on the scenery you'll see on the way over, but in WA, the scenery's always changing, and always magical DH and I were down south just recently, and there are some beautiful old growth forests - you can just stand there and just feel the energy all around you, its so peaceful. And our coastlines - WOW!! Go to the same place two days in a row, and it'll look completely different. Oh, I'm jealous of you!
As far as your kids are concerned, I really don't know how they'd go. I'd like to think they'd be excited looking at the changing scenery, they'll see a lot of kangaroo's and probably some other beasties It'll definitely be an experience, and I'd HIGHLY recommend bring several extra memory cards for your camera, you're gonna need them!
Oh, and don't forget to let us know when you're gonna be in Mandurah or Perth, and we'll have a meetup!
Thanks Berenice! I was born in Perth (moved to Melbourne when I was 3 /12) and used to visit every few years, but I haven't been back since I was 14! I have awesome memories of stunning beaches and scenery . I've never been down south, but have always wanted to.
I'd love to do a meet up while we're there!
I'm also looking forward to visiting my Perth family again, my Granddad will be turning 100 this year!
Last edited by ~Trish~; July 7th, 2010 at 01:23 PM.
DVD players ROCK. I think you've got your greatest asset right there
I also think you're being very sensible only doing a few hours a day. Alana will get used to the car travel and it'll just become habit.
You can pick up some activities/small toys for the kids before you go (they don't have to be expensive) and wrap them up. Then every now and again produce a package for them to open and enjoy. I did this with Natty for our last holiday about a month ago... A book, a pen, a colouring book, some bubbles, etc.
We went on a 3-week camping trip when Natty was 18mo. I'll preface this by saying I didn't want to go but went because I knew DH was desperate to. So that wasn't a great frame of mind to be in and I didn't enjoy the first few days. However as Natty became accustomed to the camping cot/tent and the new routine (or lack of it, LOL!) it became quite enjoyable. I do have some very happy memories from that trip.
Another positive thing is that the kids get to spend heaps of time with their dad. Not sure what your daily routine is like and whether your DH already has lots of time to spend with them, but I have found this to be the most fabulous thing about our holidays. DH has all this time to bond with the kids and take part in all aspects of their daily care. It gives me a break and gives them all a perfect opportunity to enjoy one another.
I think the boys will have an absolute ball! I would happily do another trip like that with Natty now, but Phoebe is my weakest link atm, LOL! You will have an awesome time.
How fabulous that your grandfather will be 100! What a wonderful celebration you will all have.
Take loads of photos!
Wow, that's a massive trip! It's going to be great fun for the kids, and having a caravan would make it all a lot more flexible for you, which is probably good with three kids too.
The southwest of WA is lovely - there's lots to do and see for grownups and kids.
Hope it's a great experience for you guys. We used to do big family trips every now and then, including road trips, and they're memories you keep with you always. I'm sure it was hard on our parents sometimes (three bickering kids in the back), but I have great memories of the trips.
We're caravanning over to WA with three kids - Need your ideas and support!!!
), but she has her moments.
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DH and I were down south just recently, and there are some beautiful old growth forests - you can just stand there and just feel the energy all around you, its so peaceful. And our coastlines - WOW!! Go to the same place two days in a row, and it'll look completely different. Oh, I'm jealous of you!
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