Planning a campervan trip to explore Australia? Before you arrive in Australia and begin your trip, there are a few essential things to know that will help make your trip as smooth as possible. Choosing the right campervan, allocating your budget, and itinerary planning; these are just a few of the things that will help make your upcoming Australia road trip a dream!
To help you get your ducks in a row, we have put together this list of our top 12 tips for your very first campervan holiday. Let’s dive in!
1. Choose a campervan that’s the perfect fit
Just like Goldielocks, you want to have the campervan that’s just right. At Mighty, we have a wide range of campers to suit different travellers with different travel styles. Our options include:
· 2 Berth Highball
Our 2 Berth Highball is the perfect compact weekend campervan or rig for the outdoor adventure couple looking for a budget-friendly travel option.
· 2 Berth Deuce
This vehicle can sleep up to two adults with two singles or a double, as well as a kitchen, toilet and shower on board. Our 2 Berth Deuce is the next level of comfort for couples.
· 3 Berth Deuce Plus
This camper sleeps up to two adults and one child with two singles or a double as well as a kitchen, single bed, toilet and shower on board. Our 3 Berth Deuce Plus is perfect for a small family of three.
· 4 Berth Double Down
This camper is perfect for those outdoor heavy adventure trips where you are craving simplicity and a budget-friendly way to explore. Our 4 Berth Double Down is another compact adventure campervan, but is designed to sleep up to four adults.
· 4 Berth Double Up
Our 4 Berth Double Up adds another level of luxury to a campervan trip for four. With a full kitchen, toilet and shower on board, this is better suited to longer campervan trips and families and friends looking for a little more room indoors for entertaining!
· 6 Berth Big Six
This is a spacious campervan with three double beds, a full kitchen, a convertible dinette area as well as a shower and toilet. Our 6 Berth Big Six is the largest of our fleet, sleeping up to six adults.
While there is no one-size-fits-all, choosing the right camper will ensure you’re comfortable as you explore our stunning country. When deciding on the right campervan for you, be sure to consider the length of your trip, family needs and budget!
Top tip: No matter which campervan you choose, be sure to read up on Australian road safety and regulations before you drive. A bit of reading up will help ensure you are safe on the roads during your trip!
2. Immerse yourself in local culture
Australia is often known for its beach culture, but there is so much more diversity to the culture of this country than meets the eye. Each state has its own modern culture, be that sport, cuisine, entertainment and so on. But Australia also has a strong Aboriginal Culture that goes back more than 60,000 years!
Each area will have its own customs and cultural identity, so it can be a good idea to familiarise yourself with Aboriginal culture and customs before travelling. This is not just to be respectful, but also to enrich your own experience! Don’t know where to start? There are plenty of great Aboriginal tours and experiences that you can join during your trip. This is easily one of the best things to do in Australia.
3. Download the thl Roadtrip App
The thl Roadtrip App is the ultimate way to find places to stay across Australia, especially for first-time campervan travellers. On the app, you will find an interactive map with highlighted campervan amenities, including:
LPG swap stations
Public toilets
Dump stations
Free wifi
Explainer videos for your campervan
Free camps
Paid campsites
Laundromats
Supermarkets
Using GPS, you will easily be able to navigate your way from attractions to campsites and more. The best part is all of this is available offline. So, you can have it with you no matter how patchy the service gets. When it comes to the question of “how to travel around Australia”, this app is a must-have.
Top tip: Be sure to download this road trip itinerary planner app before you begin your trip. It is bound to be one of those campervan accessories you won’t want to travel without!
4. Make an itinerary
Australia is filled with so many incredible places to visit, that it can be tough to cram everything into your trip. Planning an itinerary ahead of time is a great way to stretch your travel budget and ensure you tick off all of your bucket list spots stress-free. If you’re travelling as part of a group, an itinerary will also ensure everyone is happy and gets to visit what they like. A few things to consider when planning your itinerary, include:
What part of Australia do you want to explore? Desert, rainforest, beaches or a mix?
Since it’s your first time travelling in a campervan, it may be a good idea to plan a smaller trip to get a feel for it. In addition, it can be smart to decide ahead of time how long you’ll be travelling. That being said, one of the beauties of travelling in a campervan is flexibility. If you’re enjoying a place, stay a bit longer than you planned! Don’t enjoy a place as much as you were expecting? No problem. Just hit the road and use the road trip itinerary planner, thl Roadtrip App, to find another place to stay for the night. Easy as that.
6. Set yourself a daily budget
Another perk of campervan travel is saving money on accommodation that you can spend on activities and food. To ensure your dollars are well spent, it can be a smart idea to set yourself a daily budget for your trip. Why not try using a budget trip planner to help you get the most bang for your buck! A bit of forward thinking with your money will ensure you don’t run out of cash. That way, you’ll get to experience, try and taste everything you want on your adventure. For more ideas on budget travel, check out our top tips for a cheap campervan trip in Australia.
7. Plan around public holidays
If your idea of a good holiday is wide open spaces and fewer crowds, then it may be a good idea to travel outside of public holidays, school holidays and peak season. Travelling outside of these times will give another level of freedom to your campervan holiday. Travelling outside of peak time can mean you avoid missing out on activities or top caravan parks. Plus, you can enjoy a more ‘go-with-the-flow’ holiday if you choose.
8. Download key information
Interestingly phone reception services reach 99% of the Australian population but cover only 27% of the land mass. Large stretches of the Australian Outback don’t have reception available. So, if you’re exploring these areas, you need to be prepared. It can be a good idea to download information like maps and your itinerary to your phone so that you can still view it, even in patchy reception.
Also, if you are unfamiliar, it is a good idea to familiarise yourself with dangerous animals in Australia. That way, you can know what animals to steer clear of on your travels.
9. Take lots of fun games and entertainment
A campervan trip is exciting and fun, filled with endless opportunities for exploring. But sometimes part of the fun can be putting your feet up after a day of adventuring. When you want to rest after a long day or the weather is poor, it can be good to have a few entertainment options and things to do that require no electricity. A few top campervan-friendly entertainment options include:
Books
Cards
Board games
Downloading movies onto your smartphone or tablet
10. Stay at a mix of accommodation
Australia is home to some incredible caravan parks and freedom camping spots. Caravan parks are a great option for those days when you need to plug into power and use facilities at a campsite. Free camping on the other hand, is a great way to save money or enjoy more secluded places that may not have caravan parks. Overall, it can be a good idea to stay at a mix of both over your trip.
Packing for a campervan trip is much simpler than you may imagine. While you should remain mindful of not overpacking, travelling in a campervan means that you have the luxury of a little extra space. It’s important to pack a variety of clothes to ensure you cover all your bases. This is especially important if you’re planning to explore some of the more untouched rural areas in Australia or visit a variety of landscapes.
When it comes to shopping for food and water for your trip, it’s also a good idea to pack more food than you think you’ll need. Again, this is more important when planning a long stay out of populated areas. Also, be sure to pack lots of your favourite snacks, because after all, you’re on holiday!
12. Get inspiration from other campervan holidayers
Travelling in a campervan has been growing in popularity over the years. As such, there are plenty of travellers who have been in your shoes before as first timers. The best part? Seasoned travellers are usually more than keen to share their advice and travel inspiration. It’s a great idea before leaving to research and look out for other people and itineraries online. You’ll learn lots of tips and get great ideas for your own adventure. For ideas, check out our list of top Australian road trip itineraries.
Feeling excited for your first campervan holiday?
A campervan holiday is the perfect way to explore the country, all while enjoying the comforts of home and the convenience of travelling with your bed and kitchen in tow. By putting a few of these tips into practice with some preparation and research, you're guaranteed to have the time of your life on your very first campervan trip!
