AUSTRALIA
General tips : See our blog page
Internet / Mobile phone :
Compare phone providers here. Initially we chose a SIM from Vaya, $16 monthly, free calls and txt, 1.5GB data, but the Optus network coverage wasn’t so good in remote areas so we changed to Boost Mobile on the Telstra network, $20 per 28 days, free calls and txt, 2.5GB data.
Camping
- Caravan and Motorhome Club of Australia (CMCA) gives access to Geowiki App for free / cheap camping and dump stations.
- Cheapest gas bottle fills
Android Apps
- Google Keep Notes, handy for jotting down ideas, writing blog notes offline and shares across devices.
- Petrol Spy, find cheapest gas price.
- Wikicamps is very popular in Australia.
- Australia Parks, good for info on National Parks.
-
maps.me, an offline map with an excellent database, even shows walking trails.
Our Favourite Travel Guide – Australia’s Best Road Trips from Lonely Planet
- And for our friends who borrow our van, here is a Avan Ovation Welcome Pack –RV Welcome Pack
CANADA
Visas :
Internet / Mobile phone :
- Mobile Phone SIM card www.virginmobile.ca $70 Prepay unlimited minutes, 2GB data, or just use pay as you go for calling and txt, (use wifi for data), $15. There are lots of free wifi spots – Tim Hortons, Walmart, supermarkets etc.
- Check out this link for available providers, coverage and comparisons http://www.comparecellular.ca/coverage-maps/
Canada RV / Camping :
- www.discovercamping.ca BC parks
- www.pc.gc.ca Parks Canada $67 pass for park access, not camping, approx $32 per night
- www.sitesandtrailsbc.ca British Columbia parks – some free
- www.boondockerswelcome.com park at other RV owners homes, also check their Resources page for great links.
- www.freecampsites.net interactive map with free / cheap camping
- www.telusplanet.net/public/waters/index good links page for RV related sites
- Frugal RV
- www.hellobc.com/drive holiday planning
Canada trading sites
USA
Visas
- USA VWP http://www.estaonline.com/index.html
- USA B2 visa http://www.travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/visit/visitor.html
USA RV / Camping :
Internet / Mobile phone :
AT&T Gophone, $10 SIM pack, $45 per month free calling, txt, 6Gb data with carry over.
Android Apps
Mostly paid apps, but well worth the money…
- Allstays Camp and RV
- Sanidumps
- Freecampsites (just links to the web site above)
- Google Keep Notes, handy for jotting down ideas, writing blog notes offline and shares across multiple devices
- Gypsy guides, GPS based audio tour guides http://gypsyguide.com
- gasbuddy, find cheapest gas price. May be restricted on foreign devices, use http://www.gasbuddy.com
- Ultimate Campgrounds (may be restricted on foreign devices, you may have to root your android and change Locale to Canada or USA)
-
maps.me, an offline map with an excellent database, even shows free wifi sites.
-
iOverlander, an app used by Europeans as they travel and find great overnight parking. Easy to add new sites and it records your personal travel history
House sitting
- Trusted Housesitting for a break from RV cabin fever.