Top Tips For Travelling With Friends In A Campervan
A road trip with friends can be an unforgettable experience. The places you see and the experiences you have are ones that will likely be replayed in your mind as beautiful memories forever.
The thing about road tripping is, that while it offers so much freedom and exploration, it also tends to take a little more planning to ensure things go as smoothly as possible.
In this guide, we will cover the top tips for travelling with friends in a campervan, so you can plan for a trip of a lifetime.
So, read on to find out all you need to know before you embark on your next road trip with friends, as well as all your incredible options when hiring a campervan from Mighty.
What are some advantages of travelling in a campervan?
Now you might be thinking, why should my friends and I rent a travel van? And, the answer is simple. Being on the road with good company is where lifelong memories are created. From staying at campgrounds that are immersed in nature, to visiting small towns that you may not have otherwise passed through, this freedom of exploration is an incredible experience that we believe everyone should have.
Your road trip itinerary planner details all the highlights you might want to explore, like Byron Bay, Sydney and Bathurst… but it’s also the small towns that you get to see while travelling between these spots that can be the real gems in your trip.
Another great aspect of renting a van to travel is the budget-friendly aspect. You see, all you pay for is your camper, a campsite, food, petrol and experiences. Your home is on wheels so no need for public transport, car hire, accommodation or plane tickets, plus you have all you need in the van so you can enjoy picnic dinners by the ocean or in a park, rather than eating out all the time.
Travelling in a campervan can also get you out of your comfort zone and helps you to meet new people. From the people in the campground to those who just love to chat with travellers, the cool new people you can come across can sometimes end up becoming great friends.
Travelling around Australia in a campervan also puts you on the road less travelled. You see, you’re not just jumping on a plane and getting to your destination. You’re making your way to your destination in your home on wheels, aka a campervan, and many times have an option of travel routes in which you can take to get to your destination. Even just filling up with fuel and lunch in a small town can be a magical experience that would have not been had if you weren’t on a road trip.
Campervans are also fully equipped to make the experience as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. Mighty vans for example are all well-equipped with everything you could possibly need at your fingertips, like a fridge, freezer, microwave, gas cooker, sink, toaster and kettle, ensuring your road trip is a joy at every stage.
Choose your group wisely
When it comes to choosing the right people to travel with, this can be a make-or-break decision. Everyone travels differently, and just because you’re friends with someone doesn’t mean you will be the same type of traveller. Some people love luxury, whilst others prefer more intrepid adventures. So, choose your group based on your interests.
Also, if you’ve going to be travelling with more than one other person, you need to make sure that everyone gets along. A lot of the time you’ll be sharing a campsite or campervan together, so surrounding yourself with great friends who get along is kind of a big deal, and it will make your road trip all the easier.
Another thing to note is the kind of activities you’re going to be doing on your road trip, and ensuring all those who are keen to come along also want to do those activities. If you have one friend who only wants to sit on the beach all day and another who only wants to go hiking, then planning your itinerary is going to be a little tricky. Or perhaps one person in your group loves going to wine tastings or bar-hopping, but another in your group doesn’t drink, this difference in wants and needs may end up causing unnecessary tension or leave one person feeling like the trip isn’t as fun as it could be.
Assign roles to each group member
Another thing that can be an important step when planning out your Australian road trip with friends is to assign roles to each group member so everything runs smoothly and you don’t end up in any sticky situations.
For example, imagine turning up to a beautiful campground right on the beach in New South Wales, only to discover that no one in your group actually ended up booking you a spot! This simple mistake can be easily avoided by assigning everyone a job so that all the need-to-do’s are done.
These roles should cover the basics like grocery shopping, campsite bookings, road toll purchases, activity bookings and the driving route planner.
Plus, if you have a few people who can drive, then it is a great idea to split up those long drives with different drivers so everyone gets a chance to enjoy the scenery and rest between their turns to drive.
Plan meals in advance
When planning your Australian road trip with friends, it can also be a great idea to plan meals in advance and be aware of what everyone in your group likes and any intolerances they may have. Knowing these little details can really help when planning out the types of meals you’re going to be making on your travels, as well as ensuring everyone is fed and happy.
The other good point to note is that while your campervan may be well-equipped, it’s still not a full-sized kitchen so thinking about delicious and easy meals can really help make mealtimes run smoothly. There are some great recipes that are perfect when you’re on the road, so having these in mind will streamline your grocery shopping experiences, have you cooking up delicious meals and give you more time to explore your beautiful surroundings.
When planning these meals out, it’s a good idea to be aware of what your camper has available so you can create simple yet tasty dishes. All Mighty campers feature a fridge, freezer, microwave, gas cooker, sink, toaster and a kettle. With all of this, there are so many great dishes you and your friends can cook up.
Encourage open communication
Open communication is important when travelling in a campervan with friends. You'll be living in a small space with people whom you perhaps haven’t lived with before, and we all know that everyone has their own individual wants and needs.
Living in a campervan with friends can be a beautiful experience, as long as there is good communication and everyone feels like they are able to be themselves and understood. Simply communicating and understanding each other is the key to this.
If however, a situation does arise where there is some tension, make sure you take the time to hear what everyone in the group has to say and resolve any issues so you can get on with your fun-filled road trip!
Plan your activities in advance
Knowing your itinerary and the places you’ll be visiting means that some pre-planning for activities is a great idea, especially so you don’t miss out on any incredible experiences.
For example, things to do in Sydney include the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb and Taronga Zoo visits, these two experiences are best to be pre-planned to ensure you actually get to experience them.
Some campsites, such as some in Byron Bay can be very popular and often book out ahead of time. By pre-booking, you can ensure you not only have a spot, but you may even be able to request a prime spot with ocean views.
Allow for some flexibility
We’re all for planning activities in advance to make the trip as incredible as it possibly can be, although it is still important to have some flexibility in your itinerary. This way, if unexpected opportunities arise you can take advantage and enjoy an experience that may not have been pre-planned.
Make sure you have the right camper
A great camper is something that will make your road trip with friends all the better, and Mighty Campers have such an impressive range to suit every budget and group size.
For small groups of two, you’ve got the option of the 2 Berth Highball or the 2 Berth Deuce which also has a shower and toilet.
If you’re a couple with a child then we think the 3 Berth Deuce Plus is a great option and also features a shower and toilet for convenience.
Those with four people travelling have the option of the 4 Berth Double Down or the 4 Berth Double Up which features a shower and toilet.
Then, for those travelling with six people, the 6 Berth Big Six with a shower and toilet is the way to go.
These campervans are all well-equipped and will get you to where you need to go in comfort.
Agree to pack lightly
The key to successfully packing your campervan is to pack lightly. You see, you’ll have limited space, and if you want to be as comfortable as possible then you want to be able to pack everything away so it’s neat and tidy.
The trick is to pack lightly and smartly so that you have all that you need for your trip, while also keeping the space it takes up to a minimum. Also, when packing, instead of using hard suitcases and bags, it’s a good idea to use soft bags so that you’re not wasting any space and all your belongings can fit right into their spot without unnecessary bulky luggage.
Make a joint travel playlist
Nothing quite beats an awesome music playlist when on the road. From pop hits to the classics, having a great playlist on your road trip will really set the mood, enhance the fun times and even make those long drives all the better.
Before you set off it’s a great idea to create a group playlist with your friends so you can all enjoy some great tunes when on the road
The best way to see and do more is with a Mighty camper
So there you have it, our tips and tricks to road-tripping with friends, to ensure your trip is as enjoyable as possible, and you get to see all the Australian attractions that are on your list!
If you can’t wait to get on the road then make sure you book your Mighty Camper today in a branch or online. Plus if you’re looking for more travel inspiration then head over to our blog, it will leave you wanting to get on your Australian road trip as soon as possible.
