To take a suitcase or a backpack?

Hello
A bit random n silly but we're going out in June to Perth and are hoping to stay in one place for up to 6 months and then travel. Whilst working we want to share an apartment or similar and don't want to spend too much money buying things out there. When we do move we want to hire a car/campervan so do you think it will be viable to take a suitcase instead of struggling with a back pack?

Your thoughts please

hey,
its not teh worst question if uve never been before,
but there are backpacks with wheels also, so u get the best of both,for travelling backpacks are so much suited in my opinion,and in oz i brought a big estate car, was a 4 litre automatic and i was 18, u dnt need insurance because u automaticaly get 3rd party and if u got a cheap car thats all u need, and then u can sell the car 2,if u do buy a car make sure it has a thing called rego then ur ready 2 go,this will probs end up a much cheaper and make it feel more your own,the car was big enough to put the seats down and have a double bed for 2,again this is just prefrence, hope it was some help
good luck
james x

o also just seen some of ur other post,i drove australia so if u have any other questions about places to go then id be happy to help x

I think you will 'struggle' more with a suitcase than a backpack.

Buen Viaje

Quoting CanWay

I think you will 'struggle' more with a suitcase than a backpack.

Buen Viaje

Yeah you right

A backpack with wheels sounds like an incredible idea. I would go with that!

In my experience, a backpack is way more practial (your hands are free), and you can pack quite a lot of stuff in a 80-90 Liters backpack (if you know how to pack to save space).
For day-trips (e.g. hiking) you'd need a smaller, ca. 30 liters backpack (you can carry it on one shoulder even while carrying the big pack), and you can carry wallet, passport, cellphone, etc. in a small always-on-you bag.
In addition, backpacks don't catch much attention from potential luggage-thieves (unlike fancy suitcases), and second, if it's a quality hiking backpack, it's sturdy enough to survive all the manhandling the luggage usually goes through on a long trip.
Look for a backpack with detachable/movable top lid - you can stuff more things in it as the lid stays horizontal.

[ Edit: Edited on 12-May-2012, at 12:32 by anamarija ]

a backpack is more convenient to me bec. if it is with wheels it may may cause you inconvenience. You wouldn’t want to get stuck in stairways, the uneven roads, sidewalk or pavements, etc. They can also get in the way when you are taking public transportation...

but you can also with the backpack with wheels

-snip-

Moderator comment: please see Forum Rules

[ Edit: Sorry, no promos please. Link to Forum Rules added. ]

Quoting anamarija

In my experience, a backpack is way more practial (your hands are free), and you can pack quite a lot of stuff in a 80-90 Liters backpack (if you know how to pack to save space).
For day-trips (e.g. hiking) you'd need a smaller, ca. 30 liters backpack (you can carry it on one shoulder even while carrying the big pack), and you can carry wallet, passport, cellphone, etc. in a small always-on-you bag.

In my opinion, 'a 80-90 l backpack' and 'practical' in one sentence sounds odd... and a 30 l one for day trips?? Last years, I've always travelled with a backpack of 27 l, and that was big enough!

Shameless brand promotion I know, but theres a certain company that sounds a bit like forth race.. that make a Duffel bag with backpack straps that is literally indestructable, the thing is not particularly heavy, totally waterproof and you can attach it to pretty much anything, up to and including a Yak. Ive taken mine Hiking, Camping, on Weekend breaks round Europe, North America, the more Icey bits of Canada etc etc etc and I swear by it!

Good luck,

Tom, England