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Caravanning around Australia

by Alexandra Middleton | 24 Oct 2013

To explore Australia with a caravan in tow is a truly unique experience. Not only does it give you the freedom to make up your itinerary as you go, but with all your essentials on board, it’s an affordable way to see it all. 

Whether you’re interested in a short getaway or are planning a lengthy trip around Australia, caravans are a comfortable way to travel. Equipped with all the latest mod-cons such as televisions, hot showers, supportive double beds and fully functional kitchens, travelling by road doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice any of the creature comforts of home.

Overnighting

While a fully equipped rental caravan will come at a higher price, you can always hire a basic model and make the most of the facilities at caravan parks across the country. These parks offer clean bathrooms, kitchens, BBQ facilities and powered sites to charge your devices.

An overnight stay will generally set you back between $10 to $25, depending on whether you want a powered or unpowered site.

Caravan parks offer a welcoming community atmosphere, with many hosting drinks evenings complete with bush poets or musical entertainment. When planning your caravan getaway check out online forums such as thegreynomads.com.au for advice on where to stay.

Camping

If your preference is for secluded campsites off the beaten track, websites such as ozcamps.net offer an extensive list of free camps located across Australia.

These campsites are a great way to soak up the beauty of the Australian landscape at no cost. Use these campsites as a base for hikes or day-trips or simply enjoy each other’s company or a good book.

An added bonus is that as long you aren’t camped in a National Park you can bring your dog along for the ride too.

Ever the friendly bunch, don’t be surprised if vanners camped nearby drop in to chat or invite you round for a happy hour drink.

When free camping one thing to remember is that you will need to bring all your own supplies, including water and a power supply, be it solar panels or a generator.

If you have any injuries or ailments the set-up when you get to camp could be a deterrent to caravanning, however there are plenty of gadgets that will make the process quick and painless, such as electric awnings or gas struts to lift the bed. Before hiring or buying a van ask the staff if you can do a trial set-up so you won’t have any unexpected surprises on the road.

With no flight to catch or check out time to adhere to, caravanning allows you to take your time and get to know the towns you travel to, and the personalities living in them.

Where to go

The Gibb River Road

If you’re looking for a bit of adventure, The Gibb River Road, which takes you through the heart of the Kimberley Region of Western Australia, is where you’ll find it. A rite of passage for die-hard vanners this trip requires considerable preparation but delivers huge rewards. While the track can be a bit rough and bumpy at times, requiring you to cross rivers and tackle corrugated roads, the scenery is some of the best Australia has to offer – a mix of aged rock faces, rivers, savannahs, bushland and gorges, made all the richer by its strong Aboriginal history. The 660km dirt track extends from Broome/Derby on the west coast to Kununurra/Wyndham on WA’s eastern border.

The east coast

Ambling from beach to beach along Australia’s east coast is the perfect way to enjoy a caravan. With caravan parks and free camps located up and down the coast you can practically step out the front door of your van straight onto the sand. As well as being a great way to explore Australia, caravanning is all about relaxing and enjoying the moment. A trip along the east coast is characterised by lazy days in the sun, a mix of long morning walks, hours spent reading your book, afternoon swims and holiday siestas. Wherever you start your adventure, from the top or the bottom, you won’t be able to avoid finding a spot you love.