The Vance family took a break along Victoria’s rugged coast to test the waters, before they head to the Northern Territory later this year in their brand new Jayco Flamingo Camper Trailer from Prestige Jayco Bendigo. Here they tell us about their relaxing getaway. 

 Warwick and Lindy Vance have always been true campers. When roughing it in the middle of the bush without modern comforts, they are in their element – as long at the seaside is close by.  

When daughter Eleanor, nine months, arrived, they wanted to retain their lifestyle but had to make a few adjustments.

 They decided to purchase a 2011 Jayco Flamingo camper trailer from prestige Jayco Bendigo which would enable them to enjoy their camping trips with the added comforts to accommodate Eleanor’s needs.

  ‘‘When there was just two of us we could easily sleep on the floor, but with Eleanor we needed something that would make life a lot easier,’’ Warwick said. 

 The family set off for Bear Gully, near Wilson’s Promontory, Victoria, on their first family holiday in March. The family heard from other campers that Bear Gully was a top spot next to the beach, and this trip was a test-run for their big trip to the Kimberley, Northern Territory, mid-2011. 

 Lindy’s parents and sisters family joined them for their annual family holiday. Living apart, Warwick said the family tried to get together for a holiday once a year to catch up, relax and enjoy the great outdoors. 

 They spent four days in the national park, walking the rugged coastlines, and enjoyed roast dinners while spinning a few yarns in front of the open fire. They set up a special area for Eleanor and her cousin, Giacamo, 13 months, to play freely, and Eleanor even had her own pint-sized camping chair. 

 ‘‘We haven’t been able to let the kids outside during the evening this summer because of the mozzies, so they really enjoyed themselves,’’ Warwick said.  

Warwick said the camper trailer came in handy because there was no power supply at the camping grounds, so everything besides the microwave ran off a battery pack. ‘‘It’s really good. The lights, stove, CD player and mobile phone chargers all run off battery, and it doesn’t need 240 volts of power,’’ Warwick said. 

 ‘‘We know that when we do make our trip to the Kimberley this year, we’ll be set. 

 “I found it a breeze to drive, and so did Lindy – she drove it halfway home and almost forgot she was towing a camper trailer.’’ Warwick said he was not a ‘‘hands on’’ type of person, working in an office for most of his life, but found he could set up the trailer up quite easily.

  ‘‘When we were first looking to purchase it the guys at Prestige Jayco in Bendigo spent two and a half hours going over everything, it was really helpful. I knew how everything worked before we arrived, and I’m definitely not a handy man,’’ Warwick said.  

So all that was left to do for Warwick and the family was to relax and take in the scenery.