If you've ever had a desire to see kookaburras,
koalas and kangaroos in their natural habitat, you will relish the book
Australia Calling: The RV Travel Handbook by Lionel Mussell. Lavishly
illustrated with color photos, the book covers everything from choosing
an RV type, planning More...
your trip, what to pack, emergency preparation, the best communication
devices to have when you're in the outback, to (best of all)
descriptions of the various travel routes to and from major points of
interest in all regions of Australia, including the island of Tasmania.
It was surprising to see photos of Australian RVs as well as vehicles
made by manufacturers familiar to Americans, such as Winnebago, and to
note the contrast in body styling. Australian RVs as well as those made
for Australian distribution appear to be on the small side in
comparison with American models. If looks are an indication, we'd say
it's a safe bet that Aussies value utility and durability over glitz
and glamour when choosing an RV.
You'll enjoy Mussell's easygoing, informal writing style, peppered here
and there with Australian vernacular such as caravans for trailers and
cuppa for cup of coffee.
Aside from useful advice about trip planning and budgeting, the real
meat of Australia Calling consists of Mr. Mussell's detailed,
generously illustrated travel routes that cover the entire continent.
Mussell possesses an intimate knowledge of Australia off the beaten
tourist path and offers expert advice on where to go, what to see,
where the campgrounds are, and where to eat.
We've all heard of Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne, but who knew that
towns with names like Caloundra, Mooloolabah, Maroochydore, and Yandina
also have attractions worth exploring -- like the Ginger Factory at
Yandina or the Siding Spring Observatory near Coonabarabran in the
foothills of the Warrumbungle mountains? From wine country in the
temperate valleys of southeast Australia and its great cities of
Melbourne, Victoria, and Sydney, you'll follow the Pacific coast to the
Great Barrier Reef and the beaches of tropical Queensland, then drive
across the desert wastes of the central outback to Ayers Rock and Alice
Springs. Or follow the less traveled north coast, washed by the Coral
Sea, home to ancient aboriginal culture and more akin to Asia than to
the rest of Australia. Find yourself in the metropolitan port of Perth
in western Australia on the Indian Ocean, and return to southeast
Australia via the South Coast Highway where you can gaze out over the
Southern Ocean from majestic cliffs, knowing the nearest landfall is at
the bottom of the world.
As if that weren't enough, scattered throughout the book are many
practical tips to make your journey safer and easier. If I have a
criticism, it would be the lack of detailed maps of each region.
However, Mr. Mussell stated early on that he omitted them on the
assumption that most readers would have their own maps (less likely,
though, for American readers). All in all, Australia Calling offers an
entertaining and comprehensive look at the facts and possibilities of
Australian RVing
Very practical, precise and
helpful By: G. Pinder
While
in the process of planning a one month RV/motorhome trip through
Australia, I was having great difficulty finding appropriate planning
information for such a trip. Most of the guide books provide lists of
things to see of course - but not in a manner suitable for
planning a RV/Motorhome trip e.g. where is each must see
location in relation to major roads, where are the good RV/caravan
parks to stay the night. Then I came across the author's web-site
(http://www.caravanning-oz.com/) and immediately ordered his book.
While waiting for the book to arrive I sent the author some more
immediate questions - which were answered very quickly. The book
arrived and it had all the detail I had been looking for contained
within the route notes e.g. Melbourne to Sydney via Hwy 1. The author
has continued to answer my questions as they arise and even offered to
review and provide further input to the full day-by-day itinerary once
it is complete. I could not be happier with this purchase and the help
provided by the author.
