G'Day from Rocky!

[The Alberto]

G'day all.

Just wanted to introduce my family, say G'day and share our Expanda experience thus far.

We ordered our new 18-57-6 OB in June 2010 and after a couple of minor delays, we collected it on the 22nd of December 2010.

I only just found this Forum early last month, and mate I can tell you, I wish I had found it earlier. I know everyone posts the same thing, but there really is an abundance of knowledge on here and I have already implemented a few tips that I have read.

We previously did the tent thing and then upgraded to a Camper trailer and then to a 17ft Supreme pop-top. My wife then decided that she required a Shower and toilet in the van, so "Happy Wife - Happy Life" - I ordered the Expanda. This thing is heaps more van than I ever thought I would own (I am really a swag and camp fire kind of bloke), but it is so comfy and the family just loves it. She had a few teething problems (nothing major, the factory did not silicone the screw fixing the radio aerial properly, so when the van was 4 days old and it was pouring rain, water was filling up the cupboard above the table and they also did not fix the table to the wall properly so it was a bit wobbly) which I fixed myself as we are 3 and 1/2 hours from a Jayco dealer. Apart from that she has never missed a beat!

So far we have made a couple of trips to Agnes Waters, 2 trips to Cairns (I can highly recommend the "Super Ensuite Site" at the Big 4 Cairns Coconut Resort if you are lucky enough to get it), numerous trips to our local beach (Yeppoon),we are currently planning trips to the Big 4 "Camp and Care Weekend" (16th and 17th November at Capricorn Palms Mullumbin Beach Yepoon) and we have 14 nights in Airlie Beach (Big 4 Adventure Whitsunday) from Boxing Day Onwards.

We have just upgraded the old Tug (2010 Mitsubishi Triton GLX-R) to a new 150 series Prado D4D. The first time towing will be the trip to Capricorn Palms, so I am looking forward to the comparison between these two.

Here is a pic of the day she came home..



Thanks again to all, looking forward to learning from, and hopefully contributing to the forum.

Cheers

 

[Brad]

Welcome Andrew and Jules!! Another 18 to the forum is a good thing. I can only wish for a list of destinations you describe in your post on my back door.
Enjoy the forum.

 

[Burnsy]

Welcome guys, we're lovin ours too! Dont forget to add your van to this poll, the 18's need some help http://www.expandasdownunder.com/showthread.php/762-Size-Poll?highlight=Size+poll

Cheers.

 

[The Alberto]

Welcome guys, we're lovin ours too! Dont forget to add your van to this poll, the 18's need some help http://www.expandasdownunder.com/showthread.php/762-Size-Poll?highlight=Size+poll

Cheers.

Done & I see what you mean, the 16s are killing us!

 

[Deano]

Hey Andrew and Jules, welcome aboard. Everything is on this site. Just type it in and search. Sounds like all your destinations are sorted!
Cheers
Deano

 

[BUSH PALACE]

:welcome:Gday Andy and Jules hows the gun turretts in Yeppoon havnt gone off yet !!!! anyway welcome and enjoy expanda land we all do ...

 

[chartrock]

Welcome Albertos to the friendly forum . Magic lot of places close by your town Keep us posted on your trips and new tug.

 

[Holden_man]

Done & I see what you mean, the 16s are killing us!

Yeh mate but we've got em nervous, we're sneaking up on em...
welcome guys :welcome:
What Burnsy failed to mention (not surprisingly) , was how great it was to also have another Qlder in the mix.
It's a lot of fun in here, and great help to boot, we've learnt heaps, and still learning.
Enjoy

Jas

Ps nice van too...

 

[MolongMick]

G'Day and Welcome Andrew and Jules.

You seem to have followed the path of the wise and stumbled into expanda land.

The journey is obviously worthwhile and by the sounds of it you live in luxury wherever you go.

Have plans to go up to your neck of the woods soon (mid to 3/4 way through 2013), just sorting out some time restraint problems first.

Are there any good free camping spots up that way?

 

[cruza driver]

Great intro Alberto, its good to have you on board :welcome: Sounds like the Expanda has had plenty of use since you got it.

 

[The Alberto]

Thnaks everyone for the warm welcome! We try and use the van as often as possible even if only a trip to the beach for 1 or 2 nights - the kids love it and look forward to every trip.

G'Day and Welcome Andrew and Jules.

You seem to have followed the path of the wise and stumbled into expanda land.

The journey is obviously worthwhile and by the sounds of it you live in luxury wherever you go.

Have plans to go up to your neck of the woods soon (mid to 3/4 way through 2013), just sorting out some time restraint problems first.

Are there any good free camping spots up that way?

Yeah mate, my wife class it "glamping" and has decided that she does not rough it anymore.

As for free camps, there is not in the way of genuine quality free camping up this way, apparently our vision less council has decided that this is not something they support or encourage. The best ones to my knowledge are Boyndale Bush camp on the banks of Awonga Dam. A long way from anything (about 30 min from Gladstone and about an hour 45 from Rocky, but awesome, right on the dam, toilets, and good grassy sites with Barra and red claw so close you can hear them calling you!). Northern bank of the calliope river has some nice sites, there is a carpark at the Kershaw gardens (entrance at the roundabout off High St not the highway) if you are stuck and need to stop. There is a stop on the left at Yaamba heading north about 45 min from Rocky there is a pub and a servo but nothing else, then there is St Lawrence and Marlborough behind the pub. Apart from that nothing really in the Rockhampton area free. There are some state forest parks north of Yeppoon in the Byfield area, Red Rock, Waterpark creek and Upper Stony creek. These are managed by QPWS so must be booked and paid for online now, but not too much $. Still about 45min or so from yeppoon though, but if it is beautiful scenery, crystal clear flowing creeks and peace and quiet this is perfect. IMO though, the best spots are in the van parks in yeppoon, our favorite is the Big 4 Capricorn Palms at Mullumbin beach and Coolwaters at the causeway. The island view caravan park is also very good and has awesome views very close to the beach. I love this area and all it offers, I hope you have a great time wherever you camp.

 

[MolongMick]

Thanks for that, I will note these down.

 

[Glenn]

Welcome Aboard Andrew, Jules & Family, you guy's sure live in a nice part of the Country !!

 

[Antman]

Done & I see what you mean, the 16s are killing us!

Welcome Alberto. and yes the 16s are for very good reason lol...
Enjoy the forum.
Ants

 

[crystal674]

Welcome Andrew and Jules!

Lovely to see some members so close to us!

We often spend the weekend at Boynedale Bush Camp or at the Calliope
River.

The girls just love marshmallow over the campfire.

Would be very interested to meet up for the weekend after Christmas if your up to it.

Our two oldest girls are the same age as yours.

Crystalyn

 

[Creating Memories]

Great intro. Just chasing some Rocky local knowledge. We are coming through early December on way to Gold Coast. Looking at doing a stop over, for one night in Rocky. Which van park would be your suggestion for a pleasent overnight experience? I am leaning towards the Southside Hol Village. but would love your local opinion.

Regards Creating Memories. aka Steve

 

[The Alberto]

Great intro. Just chasing some Rocky local knowledge. We are coming through early December on way to Gold Coast. Looking at doing a stop over, for one night in Rocky. Which van park would be your suggestion for a pleasent overnight experience? I am leaning towards the Southside Hol Village. but would love your local opinion.

Regards Creating Memories. aka Steve

Hey Steve,

I am not really sure about the Southside Holiday Villiage as I have never had the need to stay there, can't actually even say I have driven in - I have driven past a thousand times though. I can only go on secondhand information and that is that it is fairly cramped. I also know that the railway line is VERY close to the back of the park and it is situated right beside a wetland reserve so Mozzies can be an issue. They are also doing major construction work on the Yeppen Lagoon Roundabout (Main entrance to Rocky from the South) - this is only about 1k up the road from the park, so not sure if the noise will carry. I know that the Big 4 Tropical Wanderer Resort used to be quite good. It is on the Northside of the river, and is just a few k after you come into town from the North. You will drive past the Uni, then Bunnings and it is on the left when heading south. It is probably closer to everything (shopping centres etc) and whilst the front is right on the HWY, the sites etc are situated a bit of a way back. This used to be the place to stay, but like I said, I have not been there for ages. Check the Big 4 website. Honestly though, if you can spare the time and don't mind the additional 80k round trip, I would overnight at one of the parks in Yeppoon. Cooler, quieter and some have ocean views. Try Coolwaters, Big 4 Capricorn Palms and Island View Top Tourist. Hope this helps, have a great trip and enjoy the roadworks from here to Gympie!

 

[The Alberto]

Welcome Andrew and Jules!

Lovely to see some members so close to us!

We often spend the weekend at Boynedale Bush Camp or at the Calliope
River.

The girls just love marshmallow over the campfire.

Would be very interested to meet up for the weekend after Christmas if your up to it.

Our two oldest girls are the same age as yours.

Crystalyn

Hi Crystalyn,

Thanks for the welcome.

Would love to meet up, unfortunately we will be in Airlie Beach the weekend after Christmas. Good to see there are other members up here too!

I also love Boynedale, haven't been for a couple of years, but got some good Barra and Redclaw last time I was there.

Let me know next time, we are always keen to get away!

Andrew

 

[The Alberto]

Hey all,

Thanks for all the welcomes!

We just took the Expanda and the new tug out for a trip to Big 4 Capricorn Palms Yeppoon for their annual "Camp and Care" charity night. Yeppoon is just 40k down the road from us and we try and get down there whenever we can. Awesome spot, the kids just love it. It is also the last chance I will have to get the WDH settings just right before our trip to up to Airlie Beach in December. The Prado towed great, it is still standard, so it is much softer and lower in the rear than what I was used to with the ute, but the additional power and stability was very pleasing as well as the Automatic .

I thought I would post up a couple of photos.


Hooked up


Set Up


Brand New Waterslide - the kids loved it!


Back in the Shed

 

[Xpandafan]

Welcome folks, glad you finally found us. Lovely to have another 18 in the fold. And nice to have your recommendations for spots around Rocky. Still enjoy the feeling of stepping into our Expanda...and in seeing the look of surprise when others check it out. Owning an 18 is also a time saver. We rarely want to spend hours looking at other vans anymore.