Eating out

[Guest Andy]

Morning all,

 

me and the wife are provisionally planning our trip to oz which we hope to do at the end of Febuary. We are planning to rent a motor home and drive up the East coast taking in all the sites and looking for potential areas to settle. We are looking to do this trip as cheaply as possible ( within reason ) and were wondering about the costs of eating out. We will use the motor home for meals also but that will soon get tiresome so we will want to get out a bit, we have 3 children who eat like horses so nothing to fancy, so how much can we expect to pay in an average restaurant for us all to eat. I realize its a kind of open ended question but any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated.

 

Also we reckon this trip will cost us around the £13,000 mark:shocked:, this broken down is basically, £4,500 for flights, £3,300 for motor home, £1,000 to park up in parks, fuel £,1000 + £3,000 spending money. We are going for a month.

 

Does the above sound reasonable?:unsure:

[Guest guest36762]

Hello new mate

sounds plenty. If you're eating out in a pub or reasonably cheapo restaurant, mains are usually around 15-20 dollars, kids meals around 6-10 dollars, beers/glass of wine around 6-7 dollars. It can be surprisingly expensive. If you eat at maccas it's much cheaper, though it makes you feel nauseated

[ali]

Sorry Andy can't reccomend places to eat ... but if you do the motor home thing - please let me know what it's like/if it's worth it etc., we're thinking of doing some of the west coast with friends at some point (a plan hatched on a night out by the wives lol) ... so will be very interested in your experience of doing it this way

 

Cheers

 

Ali x

[Guest The Pom Queen]

Hi Andy

We are a family of 5 and meals out vary from $50 for fast food to around $140 in a restaurant.

If you are not tied to dates and where you go when you arrive take a look at the standby campervan rentals you can sometimes pick them up for $1 per day including free fuel or a fuel allowance. Rental Relocations Australia New Zealand United States Canada - Hire Now at StandByCars

When we have done our drives around Oz in a camper van the average price for an overnight powered site has been $50 in the established parks ie Big 4 (plenty to do for the kids) we did once stay on a site for $25 in Mackay but it wasn't a site where you would want to stay longer than you have to :jimlad:

The camper van is a great way to see Oz, we usually go with the Britz Escape 5 berth a lot nicer than the Maui 6 berth.

[Guest chris955]

Is that the best price you can find for a motorhome ? It sounds expensive. As far as eating out as you say it is difficult to say really. Because you will have cooking facilities in the vehicle I would take advantage of that which will save an awful lot. Obviously you don't want to be spending your holiday cooking but every other day would help. There are plenty of places to eat all the way up the East coast, some cheap and some expensive, it's just a matter of checking them out first.

[calNgary]

Just remember not to go to the middle of the tourist areas to eat and you won't pay a fortune. Make use of the Driver Revivers you will see en-route,they are good for a toilet stop and free cuppa (its nice to give a small donation) especially with kids. We did Adelaide to Brisbane last xmas and it was great fun, Ninentendo DS's are a god send,lol.

 

Places like Lonestar Steak House do kids eat free on Mondays. Eagle boys Pizza do cheap pizza's on Tuesdays. The RSL clubs are normally reasonable in price as are some of the surf clubs right on the front at the Gold Coast. Also bear in mind the free BBQs in parks or even buy a small BBQ and park up somewhere.

 

If you fancy having a look around the Gold Coast Hinterland / South/ West Brisbane, give us a yell,if we havent moved we have room for a camper and an electric point you are welcome to use for a night or 2.

 

Have a fab time although im sure you will.

Cal x

[Guest The Pom Queen]

Just had a look at how much our camper cost us in June/July for 23 days for the 5 berth Escape and the full Britz pack which was all the insurance, outdoor table, chairs, bedding, towels, etc etc it came to $4958, when I first quoted up it was coming in at $5600, but I did a bit of bartering as you do, lol.

[TheOptimist]

That sounds amazing Andy! I have absolutely no advice on cost of eating out though!

 

You guys are gonna have so much fun! :wubclub:

[pablo]

The campervan thing is something i'd like to do,but not on a reccie tbh,i wouldnt fancy spending that much time behind the wheel,wont it be a bit cramped with kids etc?

Sounds quite pricey as well,$50 a night=$350 a week,ive seen rentals for roughly that much were you would have a proper kitchen and be more inclined to cook?

IF its just a holiday your looking at i understand you doing the campervan thing,but if it was me going on a reccie i would be booking a cpl of rentals in the 2 or 3 areas i fancied tbh.

But no doubt you've thought of everything and decided the campervans the way to go,as i say i'd like to do it meself if were ever settled there,but only to see the little towns,villages we wouldnt be likely to settle in anyway,im not sure of distances between places on the east coast tbh,but i just wonder are you going to end up getting cheesed off driving from place to place+spending too much time in little places that it wouldnt be viable to live in anyway?

As i say i suppose its if your looking at it as a holiday or a reccie to research areas.

Soz if that sounds like im throwing a wet blanket on the idea andy,its not meant that way,im just thinking out loud tbh,and there some of the things i would be thinking if it was me in your shoes,thats all,hope yer have a great trip anyway:wubclub:

[Guest Andy]

The campervan thing is something i'd like to do,but not on a reccie tbh,i wouldnt fancy spending that much time behind the wheel,wont it be a bit cramped with kids etc?

Sounds quite pricey as well,$50 a night=$350 a week,ive seen rentals for roughly that much were you would have a proper kitchen and be more inclined to cook?

IF its just a holiday your looking at i understand you doing the campervan thing,but if it was me going on a reccie i would be booking a cpl of rentals in the 2 or 3 areas i fancied tbh.

But no doubt you've thought of everything and decided the campervans the way to go,as i say i'd like to do it meself if were ever settled there,but only to see the little towns,villages we wouldnt be likely to settle in anyway,im not sure of distances between places on the east coast tbh,but i just wonder are you going to end up getting cheesed off driving from place to place+spending too much time in little places that it wouldnt be viable to live in anyway?

As i say i suppose its if your looking at it as a holiday or a reccie to research areas.

Soz if that sounds like im throwing a wet blanket on the idea andy,its not meant that way,im just thinking out loud tbh,and there some of the things i would be thinking if it was me in your shoes,thats all,hope yer have a great trip anyway:wubclub:

No wet blanket mate:laugh:, you are just being realistic and we have thought about the best way to do this trip price wise and practcality wise and we both felt that in order to see as much and do as much as possible this would be the best way. I dont think we will be travelling massive distances each day as we have a month so the idea will be to dirve for a couple of hours first thing do something in the middle of the day before driving on to a camp site early evening. We will be travelling from Sydney up to Brisbane and then on up to the great barrier reef as well as visiting friends in Noosa so all in all we think the motor home is the best route.

However Pablo, i do think you make some great points and we have thought those too.:wubclub:

[pablo]

No wet blanket mate:laugh:, you are just being realistic and we have thought about the best way to do this trip price wise and practcality wise and we both felt that in order to see as much and do as much as possible this would be the best way. I dont think we will be travelling massive distances each day as we have a month so the idea will be to dirve for a couple of hours first thing do something in the middle of the day before driving on to a camp site early evening. We will be travelling from Sydney up to Brisbane and then on up to the great barrier reef as well as visiting friends in Noosa so all in all we think the motor home is the best route.

However Pablo, i do think you make some great points and we have thought those too.:wubclub:

Good stuff mate:wubclub:,i was just looking at it as i would tbh,i know you dont need me to point out the pitfalls of the campervan thing,but yer just do dont yer,well "I" do,too much to say for meself!:laugh:

But it was meant in the right spirit andy,just giving yer food for thought,but as i say,you've probably thought it all thru anyway.:cute:

Re eating out,in SA "TYKE" took us to a few pubs,and there was decent meals for $10,snitchzels mainly,they seem to be popular in SA because a fair few germans settled there,i found the pub meals pretty cheap tbh,dont buy guinness tho,$9 a 440 ml can in SA:mad:,tooheys old i went on,you drink lager tho i think?

[Guest Andy]

Sorry Andy can't reccomend places to eat ... but if you do the motor home thing - please let me know what it's like/if it's worth it etc., we're thinking of doing some of the west coast with friends at some point (a plan hatched on a night out by the wives lol) ... so will be very interested in your experience of doing it this way

 

Cheers

 

Ali x

No problem ali,

 

when we return i will give out a lemmingesq post and let you know how we got on:yes:

[Guest Andy]

Hello new mate

sounds plenty. If you're eating out in a pub or reasonably cheapo restaurant, mains are usually around 15-20 dollars, kids meals around 6-10 dollars, beers/glass of wine around 6-7 dollars. It can be surprisingly expensive. If you eat at maccas it's much cheaper, though it makes you feel nauseated

Thanks new mate,

 

sounds about the same as here then:yes:

[Guest Andy]

Hi Andy

We are a family of 5 and meals out vary from $50 for fast food to around $140 in a restaurant.

If you are not tied to dates and where you go when you arrive take a look at the standby campervan rentals you can sometimes pick them up for $1 per day including free fuel or a fuel allowance. Rental Relocations Australia New Zealand United States Canada - Hire Now at StandByCars

When we have done our drives around Oz in a camper van the average price for an overnight powered site has been $50 in the established parks ie Big 4 (plenty to do for the kids) we did once stay on a site for $25 in Mackay but it wasn't a site where you would want to stay longer than you have to :jimlad:

The camper van is a great way to see Oz, we usually go with the Britz Escape 5 berth a lot nicer than the Maui 6 berth.

Thankyou, thats some great info which we will look into:wubclub:

[Guest Andy]

Is that the best price you can find for a motorhome ? It sounds expensive. As far as eating out as you say it is difficult to say really. Because you will have cooking facilities in the vehicle I would take advantage of that which will save an awful lot. Obviously you don't want to be spending your holiday cooking but every other day would help. There are plenty of places to eat all the way up the East coast, some cheap and some expensive, it's just a matter of checking them out first.

Alright Chris,

 

I have looked at a couple of prices for the motor homes and that seemed somewhere near although we will try to get that price down a bit nearer the time.

[Guest Andy]

Just remember not to go to the middle of the tourist areas to eat and you won't pay a fortune. Make use of the Driver Revivers you will see en-route,they are good for a toilet stop and free cuppa (its nice to give a small donation) especially with kids. We did Adelaide to Brisbane last xmas and it was great fun, Ninentendo DS's are a god send,lol.

 

Places like Lonestar Steak House do kids eat free on Mondays. Eagle boys Pizza do cheap pizza's on Tuesdays. The RSL clubs are normally reasonable in price as are some of the surf clubs right on the front at the Gold Coast. Also bear in mind the free BBQs in parks or even buy a small BBQ and park up somewhere.

 

If you fancy having a look around the Gold Coast Hinterland / South/ West Brisbane, give us a yell,if we havent moved we have room for a camper and an electric point you are welcome to use for a night or 2.

 

 

 

Have a fab time although im sure you will.

Cal x

Hi cal,

 

thats very kind of you and we may well take you up on that :yes:, you are a star:wubclub:

[Guest Andy]

That sounds amazing Andy! I have absolutely no advice on cost of eating out though!

 

You guys are gonna have so much fun! :wubclub:

Alright kat,

 

it is kind of exciting when you start planning it, even down the road if we decide not to move there then this is still the holiday of a life time that we will never forget.

[TheOptimist]

Alright kat,

 

it is kind of exciting when you start planning it, even down the road if we decide not to move there then this is still the holiday of a life time that we will never forget.

 

I really believe that spending money on a once in a lifetime experience is something you will never ever regret. Material things eventually die/break/fade but memories like that will stay with you forever, for all the family. And in addition you get to see where you might be living! Perfect and so exciting!

 

You really deserve to have an amazing time after everything you and your family have had to endure with the visa process, so enjoy it and have the time of your life! :yes::hug:

[Guest sceadugenga]

Hi Andrew, most of the camping grounds/caravan parks have a BBQ area.

Hit the supermarkets and get sausages, steaks and chops with all the ready made salads etc you can eat. Buy a bulk pack of paper plates to save on dishes.

A lot cheaper than pub grub etc and you can make sure the kids are eating healthy.

Another day you can get bread rolls and cold meat, salad etc for change.

Every so often rent a cabin to give yourselves a "space break". They have cooking areas so you can cook what you like those nights.

Keep "eating out" down to about one night in two, you'll soon get sick of it otherwise.

[Guest guest37336]

Hi Andy.

 

Can't really say anymore as the advice given has said it all, BUT.

 

I will say this, you lucky, lucky, barsteward. Don't fancy a second driver do you mate, I am house trained (well nearly) get on with kids, as they are as immature as me half the time, and I would willingly clean out the on board dunny for you mate.

 

As I said, you lucky, lucky, barsteward.

 

Cheers Tony.

[Guest Andy]

Hi Andy.

 

Can't really say anymore as the advice given has said it all, BUT.

 

I will say this, you lucky, lucky, barsteward. Don't fancy a second driver do you mate, I am house trained (well nearly) get on with kids, as they are as immature as me half the time, and I would willingly clean out the on board dunny for you mate.

 

As I said, you lucky, lucky, barsteward.

 

Cheers Tony.

Alright Tony,

 

If i had the space mate you would be more than welcome, however if i took you i would have to take all my other mates on pio so i would be hiring a double decker,

actually that sounds like a plan:jiggy::jiggy:

[Guest guest37336]

Alright Tony,

 

If i had the space mate you would be more than welcome, however if i took you i would have to take all my other mates on pio so i would be hiring a double decker,

actually that sounds like a plan:jiggy::jiggy:

 

Well, now you say that Andy.:idea:

 

I should be getting my PCV licence fairly soon, all aboard the PIO round Australia bus trip.

 

Cheers Tony.:wink:

[Guest sh7t man no way]

theres heaps of good eating places on the east coast route andy--but most places have outdoor cooking areas (parks/beaches ect) if you find a spot to settle go to the food shop buy your dinner,and cook it on the beach,and watch the sun go down--how about a pio members driving route,you can park up at there place meet them have a feed,and not worry about where things are,and they can give you heaps of info on that area--sounds like the trip of a life time andy--enjoy it mate--shopping malls have loads of places to eat in,if you like that sort of thing:wubclub:

[fleabo]

If your kids are on adult meals you are probably looking at around $80-100 per meal out. If you hire a mobile home you'll find you want to use your on-board cooking facilities more often than you may be think. Eating out loses its novelty factor quite quickly. Enjoy your planning. Check that your motor home has enough seat belts. Merry Christmas.

[fleabo]

Also we reckon this trip will cost us around the £13,000 mark:shocked:, this broken down is basically, £4,500 for flights, £3,300 for motor home, £1,000 to park up in parks, fuel £,1000 + £3,000 spending money. We are going for a month.

 

Does the above sound reasonable?:unsure:

 

Where is the beer budget?:wink: