Written by Brian Karlson

We frequently encourage our staff to jump on a relocation deal and experience the journey themselves, from requesting a vehicle to returning it as a driver.

In the beginning of March I chose to relocate a 3-berth campervan for Travel Wheels from Brisbane to Sydney. The vehicle was listed on Transfercar’s website, allowing three days to travel the distance. I brought my partner along and we flew in to Brisbane from Sydney on a Thursday afternoon after work with Tiger Airways, which cost us only $35 p/p all included. A friend of ours picked us up from the airport and we went to the Riverside for some drinks and oysters before staying over at his place.

On Friday morning we picked up the campervan from the Travel Wheels depot, which was a bit out of town but easily accessible with public transport. As we only had 3 days to relocate, it is advisable to pick up the campervan as early as possible so not to waste any time. We were there at 10 am and the vehicle check and instructions from the friendly staff took only 10 minutes.

The campervan came fully equipped with a kitchen (utilities, microwave, two burner gas stove, fridge and sink) and sleeping bags and sheets. We headed towards the Gold Coast which only took around 1 hour from the depot, had a coffee at the beachfront of Surfers Paradise before we took it slowly down to Byron Bay.  With frequent stops we arrived by mid afternoon. We checked-in at Clarkes Beach Holiday Park ($40 per night for two adults and campervan) providing us access to much needed hot showers and toilets. The campervan kitchen was used to prepare a gourmet meal of pan fried chicken with pesto, Uncle Ben’s Rice, Greek Salad á la Wooly and a bottle of Semillon from Hunter Valley.

Camping life is early to bed and early to wake up. 9.30 am Saturday our journey continued further south. We already decided to stay at Port Macquarie for a feast of oysters and prawns. With about 30 commercial oysters farms along the Hasting River around Port Macquarie, we had to give the seafood a try and it was sensationally good – maybe even better after having driven approx. 400 km. We stayed overnight at Sundowner Tourist Park located centrally for around $50 for one night.

Sunday morning was basically just about getting back to Sydney. From Port Macquarie to Travel Wheels’ drop-off depot nearby the airport, is about 400 km and 5 hours of driving in no traffic. But even on Sundays, traffic in Sydney can be dreadful – so allocate enough time to get through the city. We had to return the vehicle at 4 pm latest.

The total cost of having 3 days on the road and 1 extra night in Brisbane came to:

Flights from Sydney to Brisbane for 2 pax ($70)
2 nights at powered sites at campgrounds ($90)
Petrol (approx. 110L at $1.40) ($154)
Total ($314)

Not including food and other common living expenses

Being on the road ourselves relocating is well worth the effort for us as we can then assure that the product we are offering to travellers is of a high quality. Relocating is a fantastic way to explore the country, and get away and do something completely different for a change. Bring your surfboard or fishing gear and hit the relocation wagon.