Rlyss

Hi everyone.

I've decided to go on a short road trip (two or three days), by myself, for various reasons. I live in Melbourne (Australia) and am considering going to Adelaide, since I've never been there. I'm told it's roughly an eight hour drive.

I've never been on a road trip, never been on a vacation on my own, and since I've only just decided to do this today, It's all still in the making.

I'll be driving, what do you do with the car when you're out sightseeing during the day? Do I just try and find an all-day carpark, or do I have to keep moving it around to obey time limits in the city?

Does anybody have ideas on what one 20-year old guy can do on a three-day road trip, on his own? I'm recently single (has a little something to do with the going away by myself for a while), but I'm not interesting in strip clubs or sex in backpackers' hostels. Museums, art galleries, bushwalks, all that sort of thing would be fantastic, plus plenty of time to read, get to know some backpackers perhaps.

I'm willing to do everything cheap, I'd even love to sleep in my car or a tent out in the country if I was allowed, but I think it's illegal and it's winter here in Australia. So I'll most likely be looking up hostels to stay in.

Has anyone got some hints, tips, or ideas for a short road trip for one?

maleficent

I've only been to Adelaide once, and I flew in from Sydney.

Not sure how expensive parking is in Adelaide, or if there are free public parking.

Road trips have an advantage in that you can control your schedule, have plenty of good driving music, lots of munchies and alcohol free drinks while driving, and a cell phone for emergencies. It's fun just hitting the open road and going. I always liked it when I didn't have a particular destination in mind (I was younger then and way less anal) and just see whereever the road takes me.

Since you're a young, single guy, and one of your objectives is to meet people, rather than dealing with a car, why not pick a destination and hop a train - some trains might have people doing exactly what you are doing - it'd be a fun party.

If you haven't been, and are looking for a destination idea, go to Alice Springs - Ayers Rock was spectacular. Or do some wine country touring, South Australia has a very impressive wine country.

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Rlyss

Thanks maleficent, I've decided to go to Canberra after a weekend's thought.

I'm not totally free of restrictions though, I have uni starting again on Monday the 26th, so I have one week to work with.

At the moment my plan is to leave early on Monday morning, go north into New South Wales, possibly sleep somewhere around Wagga Wagga. Then head south-east to Canberra, find somewhere to stay in Canberra (backpackers hostel) and see the sights (War Memorial, Parliament House, museums, Telstra Tower, etc.), then head south-east to the Victorian/NSW coast, and then travel back to Melbourne along the coast, and I'll probably stay one night somewhere along the way.

So that's:
- Leave Monday morning
- Stay in Wagga Wagga overnight
- Get to Canberra on Tuesday midday, stay Tues & Wed nights
- Leave Thurs morning
- Stay somewhere Thursday night
- Back in Melbourne late Friday evening

I was considering taking a train but I like the idea of the road trip. I'm more nervous now than I was a few days ago but I'm still super excited. I think two nights in a hostel in Canberra won't cost too much ($40-60 at most), if I stay in a dorm, and I should get to know some people.

Meridae'n

Read my post in the regional forum mate. Can hook you up in Wagga no probs, might even be able to get you laid...

I said might.

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