Kindred spirits discovered through the journey
Two Aussie acquaintances rented an RV, which they named Millie, and travelled from Adelaide to Perth in 10 days
Have you ever thought of driving an RV across the outback in Australia—thousands of kilometres plus? My dad, David Crane, had—and last year, he and another Australian took the plunge, and they had a blast.
Jenny Giacobone and Dad met through mutual friends, and one evening, Jenny sort of jokingly asked Dad to join her on a trip from Adelaide to Perth, a distance of approximately 2,100 kilometres. She had been interested in buying an RV for a while, but before she committed, she was keen to hire one. She had heard about a great deal being offered by an Australian RV rental company, Kea. The company was closing its Adelaide office, relocating its RVs to Perth and Melbourne, and offering vehicles for a daily rate of $35; the usual rate was $200 per day. There was only one catch: it had to be done in 10 days.
“Not keen to do the trip solo, Jen half-seriously asked me to accompany her,” said Dad. “I half-seriously said yes, and we left it at that.”
A few days later, Jenny phoned and asked again. Dad, always up for an adventure, responded, "why not?"
The adventure begins
The two met in Adelaide after Dad drove his four-wheel-drive a preliminary 2,000 kilometres through New South Wales and Victoria, visiting some "antique aunts" on the way.
“We met, picked up the motorhome, took instructions and set off,” said Dad.
It was as simple as that.
"Our motorhome was a two-berth, self-contained campervan on a 2.4-litre, six-speed manual," he said, "(a) turbo-diesel Ford Transit van, six metres long."
Dad said that they were a bit daunted by the bells and whistles at first, and what they thought was restricted space.
“We soon adjusted and space wasn't a problem,” he said. “The van proved to be easy to drive, easy to manoeuvre and park, and it was fun and responsive.”
Dad said he and Jenny became immediately fond of the RV, and decided to give it a name.
“We christened the motorhome Millie,” said Dad, “and I think we re-christened it at a few pubs along the way.”
Some of the highlights
Dad's trip with Jenny—and Millie—took him around Spencer Gulf, along the southern coast of South Australia, across the Nullarbor Plain to Norseman, to Esperance, then back up to Kalgoorlie and to Perth. They visited all the villages, tourist spots and many interesting country pubs, which proved to be great photo opportunities and tourist attractions just on their own.
“We visited a lot of Aussie pie shops too—a definite highlight,” he said.
An interesting experience for the pair was the 146-kilometre straight stretch of road on the Nullarbor.
"The coastal landscape was magnificent, as was the Great Australian Bight and Cape Naturaliste walk," said Dad.
Dad was also impressed with one particular golf course they passed on their journey.
"We actually visited what we think was the longest golf course in the world—18 desert holes at different locations along the way," he said. "I am going to play it next time."
Saying goodbye to Millie
The two adventurers arrived in Perth having used up the 10 days and the allotted 3,800 kilometres.
“We were very sad to hand back Millie," Dad said. "She had become part of our lives for 10 days.”
In Perth, Dad and Jenny hired a car and toured southwest Western Australia for a week. They followed the coast to Albany, staying in the Margaret River wine region—a favourite vintage was the Swooping Magpie Cabernet Franc. They travelled through the countryside back to Perth, which they proclaimed to be a beautiful part of Australia.
Dad and Jenny had an amazing trip, and although Dad's acquaintance, Jenny, really was just that, they have proven to be kindred spirits in their love for adventure and travel.
The two have become firm friends, thanks to Millie, and they are ready for more adventures in the vast countryside of Australia.
Their advice to other new travellers: just do it.
