Solo 4WD traveller reveals 'challenging' reality of camping around Australia
Despite some challenges, Miray Aksakalli, 25, says the liberating reality of travelling and camping around the country in her 4WD is 'as good as it looks'.
A young solo traveller has revealed the realities of life on the road after deciding to pack her bags and camp around the country in her 4WD following a tough breakup.
Twenty-five-year-old Miray Aksakalli's four-week trip from her home in Victoria to Western Australia has turned into eight months and she has no plans of turning back anytime soon, joining a cohort of young Aussies turning their backs on a traditional way of life.
After breaking up with a long-term partner, Miray decided to stop putting her dreams on hold. "I had dreamt of Western Australia for a long time by this point," she said. The dream remained just that due to her relationship and being very ‘settled’ in routine life. "When the relationship ended, I thought now's the time, I’m gonna do this," she said. "I had no reason not to, and the perfect opportunity to just go for it."
She set out in a 2010 Toyota Prado fitted with a roof tent on top in March for a planned four-week trip, reasoning the time frame felt "doable" and if she hated it, she could turn back. "But of course I instantly fell in love with the state, the lifestyle, living out of my car, being independent, figuring it out and learning so much each day,' she said.
Miray was even on her way home from the north of WA when she realised she was "the happiest I've ever been" and decided to stay put, working short-term contracts as a midwife to top up her funds.
"I found work a few days later to fund me a little longer and just didn’t leave," she said. "It’s now been nine months of galavanting around the state."
Now staying in a small town for the foreseeable future, she plans to get into diving, fishing and snorkelling before continuing on the rest of her Australia lap.
Reality of solo 4WD camping for young Aussie woman
When questioned on the realities of travelling around Australia as a solo young woman, Miray said it's "as good as it looks".
"Of course, it comes with challenges," she conceded. "I would say the weather is probably the biggest challenge on the road as you are at its mercy 24/7." If it's raining or windy, she said she's left "car-bound until it passes".
She adds it "can be stressful" finding a place to camp, "especially doing it solo."
Decision fatigue travelling alone is also something that she finds challenging.
"You get to a point where you just wish you had someone else to help make decisions but getting through those moments where you simply have to just figure it out and keep going, that’s what makes you a stronger, more resilient person at the other side of all of this," she said.
For women, she advises to "trust your gut" when it comes to safety.
"You will know if someone or a place doesn’t feel right," she said. "Keep your wits about you, your fuel tank full and your location settings."
"In saying that, as a girl solo travelling I haven’t had any issues so far and have felt incredibly safe," she added, saying she's been inundated with offers from kindhearted travellers.
"It's been refreshing to see and feel that there are some really lovely strangers out there willing to help," she said.
🐍 Common threat at popular camping ground prompts warning to Aussies
🏕️ Fears raised over Aussie state's free summer camping scheme
🐢 Tracks on remote beach lead Aussie caravan family to 'amazing' discovery
Big lesson on the road for young woman
Miray told Yahoo that during her travels, her biggest lesson has been to simply take action. "Whatever it is you want in this life, you truly have to just back yourself, believe in yourself, and just go for it," she said.
She adds that when planning the trip, she warns not to believe everything you see online when it comes to expensive high-end travel gear.
"You don't need a lot to get out on the road, and you definitely do not need all the big fancy stuff you see online," she said. "I've learnt that this life is literally what you make it. A lot of people back home don’t think they can actually be happy, or change their life. But what I’ve learnt is anything is possible." she said.
Looking back, she says she would "never believe" the life she is living now.
Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.
You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
