After chatting with a mate at work post-Easter, I learned he and his partner took the train from Melbourne to Warrnambool to spend the long weekend with family. In Australia, long-distance train travel isn’t as common as in the UK or Europe — people usually drive or fly instead.
But it wasn’t the transportation method that captured my attention; it was the destination itself.
I frequently drive between Melbourne and Adelaide to visit family, a journey requiring 9–10 hours depending on bathroom breaks. Departing at 6:30 in the morning typically results in mid-afternoon arrival.
Recently, my children and I have begun adding stopovers in country towns along the main route. These areas remain largely unexplored, and numerous mountain bike trails between the two cities await discovery.
I have significant advantages: my work environment allows remote operation from anywhere, and I have every second weekend free when my children stay with their mother. Currently, I take short mountain biking trips during these free periods.
This Easter, camping in a swag provided adventure but limited convenience. Cabin stays offer better amenities but prove expensive, discouraging extended stays.
The central question: should I, like many Australians currently doing, purchase a camper trailer?