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Reading about RVing in Australia would be difficult without understanding some of our "lingo" (language). Believe it or not we do speak English but with the "Aussie drawl" at it is known, and our uniquely Aussie lingo it may sometimes be hard to understand us. Mind you we do have trouble understanding the deep southern American accent some times.
Here is a small list of some more common Australian terms to do with motorhomes or campervans that you may see me refer to in upcoming articles.
Bowser is the generic term for a petrol (gas) pump.
Free Camping equals Boondocking. We do it often and there is lots of opportunity to free camp in some fabulous places in Australia. Many motorhomes are set up for independent living with solar power and can get away from mains power hookups for many days at a time. As motorhoming is booming though, it is getting harder to find places on the eastern seaboard.
Bins equals basement. We call the basement storage area the bins -- great for keeping the BBQ and other outdoor entertaining items. There is one motorhome for sale at the moment we have seen with a side bin so large it fits a car using hydraulic rams to slide it out and down.
Disc Bowls. If you socialize with Campervan and Motorhome Club members you may get to see a game of "disc bowls." This is similar to lawn or indoor bowls but can be played on any surface with discs instead of bowls. The "green" is a piece of rope with four pegs attached in a rectangle that can be pegged into the ground anywhere giving a consistent size. It is great fun and anyone can play.
Cab equals cockpit. The driving area of the motorhome
Powered site equals hookup. A site, usually in a caravan park, with 240m-volt power water and sometimes sullage (waste disposal). I am not aware of any caravan parks in Australia that have either pay TV or phone hookups. We have only one park that is dedicated just to motorhomes. Some caravan parks are very basic and only provide power with share water taps and no sullage. It depends on how remote the town is. One town in South Australia is so permanently dry there is only one caravan park in town that had a tap and that is at a bowser where you pay for water as you would fuel.
Drive thru site equals pull through site. Again, not many in Australia. Usually only an issue for those towing.
Car caddy equals Tow dolly. Not that common as a full trailer is seen more often -- usually with “tinnie” (boat) and other items as well. A-framing is starting to become more popular as it now legal in all states.
Petrol equals Gas. We refer to our fuel as petrol. Many motorhomes are diesel powered, though.
Gas equals LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gas) available at most service station (gas station) bowsers for gas-powered vehicles. Bottled gas for appliances (fridge, stove and hot water) is a different mix of propane and butane and is available in 4 and 9kg (9 and 20lb) bottles. Automotive LPG cannot be used legally in your motorhome appliances in Australia.
Pop top equals Penthouse top. Common in the smaller van type conversions although also sometimes found on very large home made vehicles.
Fridge equals Refer or refrigerator.
Divan equals Gaucho. Fold out bed.
Caravan equals travel trailer. In Australia there are more caravans on the roads than motorhomes but more people are now seeing the light and upgrading.
Now that you have a better understanding of Aussie terms you will be at home with Aussie motorhomers.
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