NT camping road trip with a 12 month old

Just wondering if you think this is a good idea?

DH & I are right into 4wding and camping, and had always planned on taking DD with us - small easy trips first to get her used to it, and then if she likes it, some good decent holidays. One of our dream holidays is a road trip up north, my parents did it last year and we were so jealous! They're doing it again now and keep sending MMS pics of the sunset at Ayres Rock etc, makes me want to go so bad!

Anyway, DH's best mate called the other day, they've started saving for a 3 week trip to Darwin and back in June next year. He wanted to know if we'd go with them and another couple. DD would be just turning 1. We'd love to go, but I don't know if that's a good age to take her on such a huge trip? It would be an amazing experience, but should we wait until she's older to attempt something like that?

We'd have our Patrol, and an enclosed trailer with a roof-top tent on it. She'd be sleeping in there with us. So one concern I have is that we'd have to lock all the window/door zips so that she can't open them and fall out.

Any other hints/tips/ideas would be appreciated, or if you just wanna let me know we're nuts for considering it that's great too! :lol:

I think if she's used to the car and long haul drives, then she'll travel fine. Our longest trip was from Melb to Adelaide - we only had to stop twice, for breakfast and lunch! She was almost 2. We did a five hour drive when she was 8 months, she traveled fine until about four hours in. Then we just stopped, had a nappy change and a breather, and we were on our way again. We also did a drive to Mildura, so took us just under 7 hours, and again, she traveled without a hitch.

We've slept in both a tent and a camper. She's fine in both, absolutely loves it. If you guys love to go camping, I wouldn't stop. We have a dvd player in the car that only comes out if she gets restless (so the novelty doesn't wear off), and she'll happily watch Play School as we go. I think the earlier you get them used to long drives, the easier it is for them and you, and the further you can go!

Enjoy!

We travelled from Melbourne to Perth and back last year when DD was 13 months old and she handled it fantastically :D. We took our caravan though, but with three kids it was kind of handy LOL!

She handled the long drives by watching DVD's, eating snacks and playing with a bag full of toys, etc. She loved nothing more than pulling everything out of a bag (it was filled with small toys, shells, stickers, etc) and starting all over again when I refilled it!

I don't think you're nuts at all, it sounds like fun :D

Thanks guys :) The furthest we've driven with her so far is 45 minutes, and we're doing that again tomorrow. She's really good in the car, just sleeps or looks out the window. Until the car stops that is, it has to be moving.

Our next big test will be on Saturday, we're going on a 3-4 hour trip, and then back on Sunday. I guess we'll just start getting her more and more used to the car, and do some overnight camping when she's a bit bigger.

The other thing will be what to pack for her, we're gonna need some kind of ground covering cos I don't want her crawling around in the dirt.

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DD just crawled around in the dirt ;). It's hard to keep them in one spot at that age unless you've brought along a play pen or portacot which isn't that practical, and a lot of babies hate being contained when there is so much to explore! I just made sure I had plenty of changes of clothes so I could change her when she got filthy! I did this too for DS2 when he was 12 months old :).

Good luck on your big drive on Saturday!

Thanks Trish :) I might just let her get dirty, not bringing a porta cot or anything. It'll be an experience for her anyway :)

Tomorrow's trip might be off now, we've got a sick dog. I took DD 45 minutes away this morning though to pick up some stuff, and the car trip itself is fine, she just sleeps. It's after that she becomes unsettled and will only sleep on me for some reason, and only a very light sleep.

I'm guessing things will be very different in 11 months though! And at least she's ok in the car.

Yep, things will be MUCH different by then! She'll be fine :)

Great time of year for a trip up the guts!
And if you need a washing machine I'm in Alice :D

Ooh Kim, I'll probably be craving a washing machine! By the end of the trip I'll be well and truly over washing things in a bucket lol :lol: