Our columnist Margarethe Honisch was in Australia for a month during a long trip. During this time she went on a road trip with a camper.
But that wasn’t as romantic as I thought. All sorts of costs were incurred for nine days, such as insurance, campsite fees and the vehicle itself.
Even things like enjoying a beer on the beach were not allowed in Australia. Honisch finally capitulated – and spent the last night in a hotel.
Picture this: you park on a secluded beach, open the door in the morning and let the sea breeze blow through your hair while you sleepily sip your coffee. You are happy and content and you realize that you don’t need anything but nature to be happy. Our trip with a camper through Australia should be something like that.
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If this column were a film, the contrast cut would come now. Because for Australia you have to put a lot on the table for your dream of hippie life. And you are usually not woken up by the sound of the sea, but by your neighbors, who are standing around you a meter and a half away and calling their three children together at 6 a.m. to continue their journey.
But let’s start from the beginning. In April I spent about a month in Australia. Australia is a big country with a very poor rail network. So to get away from the big cities that have airports, you have to drive yourself – or hop on one of the Greyhound buses. So we decided on one Camper.
The first reality check came quickly
The choice fell on a classic Mercedes Sprinter, which made a good impression on us and had everything you need: sleeping area, kitchen sink, shower and toilet. Ten days of hippie life alone, including insurance, cost 2,700 euros. Steep, but okay: At least we save on the hotel costs, are flexible and can spend the night in beautiful, secluded places. At least that’s our idea.
First we went from Sydney to the Blue Mountains: a beautiful landscape with eucalyptus trees that shimmer blue when the sunlight falls on the landscape. Here was the first reality check. All campsites far and wide were already fully booked. Stop spontaneously where you like it? Not in Australia! As an independent free spirit, you have to make your travel plans four weeks in advance.
We were handed a list of free campsites and wished us every success. Since the nearest campground was a simple rest stop just off the highway, we decided to take the 45-minute drive and find another spot in the mountains. No beach, but fantastically beautiful, located on a small stream in the middle of the forest. All you had to do was ignore the main road next door and the other 40 camping cars that desperately parked in the middle of the path because there were simply no more spaces.
It didn’t get any better – just more expensive
Well, we’re in the mountains, we thought. It gets even better. In fact, it didn’t get any better – just more expensive. If you are looking for a campsite in trendy Byron Bay, you have to pay an additional 100 euros for it. There is a water connection, electricity and the smell of charcoal that wafts over the site at 9 a.m. when the first sausages are being grilled. We opted for the muesli during the time because Australians have a similar idea of bread and cheese as Americans.
If there were no campsites on the beach, then at least we wanted to sit down on the beach with a beer in the evening. Beer in the supermarket costs about 2.50 euros per bottle. After all, only a seventh of the price in the restaurant. However, drinking alcohol in public is forbidden, which is why we found ourselves between the parked campers.
We did what any sane person would do
After nine days we had almost made it: we were on the Gold Coast and only had one stop left before we were allowed to return our vehicle in Brisbane. The problem: We hadn’t looked for a campsite yet and the next free spot was again in the middle of the forest – with no water and no electricity.
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And that was exactly the moment when we surrendered. Our romantic imagination was already destroyed anyway. Up to that point we had spent a total of almost 3500 euros in nine days for the camper, pitches, petrol, food and drink. For sleeping on a thin foam mattress, having to shower in flip-flops and eating instant soup in the evenings. So we did what any sane person would do at this point. We parked the camper and booked a night at the Four-star hotel. Cost point: Another 300 euros. But at least it was worth it this time.
So if you also want to feel the pure freedom and experience bohemian life up close, then get ready, yours travel planning half a year before and start saving now for an independent hippie existence.
Margarethe Honisch is a financial blogger and author. On your website Fortunalista and her eponymous Instagram-Account She gives tips on retirement provision and investments. She writes the column “Make more with money” for Business Insider.