How to Plan a Family-Friendly Campervan Trip in Australia
Planning a family campervan road trip can be a little daunting, so to help make it easy, we’ve put together this handy guide.
But first, why take a family campervan trip?
A family campervan trip is the perfect way to explore the beauty of Australia and create lasting memories. Travelling in a campervan rental gives you the freedom to design your own itinerary and set your own pace. In today’s fast-paced world, we don’t often get the chance for uninterrupted family bonding, away from the distractions of everyday life. When you travel by campervan, there’s a sense of immediate escape from all those daily demands. Instead of watching screens, you can watch sunsets. It’s a wonderful opportunity for everyone in the family to slow down, feel connected to nature, and have new, exciting experiences.
And let's not forget the practical benefits. With a bathroom and bedroom on board, the kids can nap or use the toilet whenever they need to. No more searching for public toilets or traipsing back to the motel for a rest. Best of all, with your accommodation and vehicle all in one, a campervan trip is a cost-effective way to enjoy a family holiday. With a kitchen on board, you can cook your own family meals and save loads on eating out. Plus, there are stacks of great Australian experiences and activities to enjoy when you’re travelling by campervan that don’t cost a cent!
Image: Visit Victoria
Seeing Australia by camper
From the white sands and sapphire waters of the Whitsundays to the dusty red outback of the Northern Territory, Australia is a country of vastly diverse landscapes. And there's no better way to truly immerse yourself in its natural wonders than a campervan road trip. In fact, Australia boasts some of the world’s most breathtaking scenic drives, from the iconic Great Ocean Road to the stunning coastal routes of Queensland.
Where you decide to explore, chances are you’ll have the opportunity to have a close encounter with some of Australia’s native animals in their natural habitats. The kids will never forget seeing kangaroos bouncing on the beach at Cape Hillsborough or chubby quokkas looking cute on Rottnest Island!
Your guide to planning a family campervan holiday
There’s a lot to think about when planning a family campervan holiday. Let’s take a look at some of the must-knows to make it a whole lot easier…
Choose the best camper for your family
Before you book your campsites or pack your bags, the first and most important step is to book in the right campervan rental for your family. Travelling together in a campervan that is too small, too large, or just not quite what you need can really put a dampener on your holiday.
One of the first considerations when choosing the best campervan to hire is how many people you’ll be travelling with. Apollo campers come in a range of sizes to suit every type of family.
For smaller families who are staying in campgrounds and don’t need an onboard shower and toilet, our 4-berth Endeavour Camper is a great option. For larger families looking for all the bells and whistles, our Euro Deluxe Motorhome has three large double beds and all the must-have amenities. And if you’re planning on travelling off the beaten track, you may want to consider our 4WD Adventure Camper.
To help you choose the best campervan, you’ll also need to consider:
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How much space do you need for storing your gear?
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Do you want extras such as a TV or DVD player?
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Is the family dog joining the fun? The good news is that Apollo campervans are pet-friendly!
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Your budget. Don’t forget to factor in fuel and campsite costs into your campervan budget.
Write a list and pack ahead
As any parent knows, travelling with children involves a fair amount of packing!
Whether you’re planning a long weekend or weeks away, having everything your family needs will make your Australian road trip more comfortable and enjoyable.
The last thing you want is to park up for the night and discover you’ve forgotten something important like medication or your child’s favourite bedtime teddy.
Writing a family camping checklist and starting your packing in advance gives you time to think of everything needed. It also means you can think carefully about things you don’t need. After all, you don’t want to be struggling for space because you’ve packed a heap of gear you’ll never use.
TOP TIP: The first step in planning your packing list is to check what’s included in your hire. This will help you know what you need to pack.
Stock up on groceries and snacks
If you’re travelling to remote areas, you may find that grocery prices are higher than in the cities. You may also find that some items are not available, so stocking up on groceries, drinks, toiletries, and snack foods in advance is always a good idea.
If you’ve booked an Apollo motorhome with a kitchen – which includes a fridge/freezer, cooktop, and microwave – you’ve got the option of planning home-cooked meals. This helps save money on eating out while you get to enjoy your favourite foods. Knowing what meals you want means you can plan a shopping list and stock up on ingredients you’ll need.
Research destinations
Australia offers a vast array of family-friendly destinations and attractions. To make the most of your holiday – and reduce the chances of last-minute decision-making on the road – it’s worth spending time researching what you want to see and do. This can also be a great opportunity to get the kids involved. You may like to draw up a map that they can follow and check off along the way – this can help reduce those ‘are we there yet’ moments!
TOP TIP: Check out some of our unforgettable experiences for inspiration.
Plan your travel route
While campervan travel is a great way to enjoy flexibility and be spontaneous, you may like to have the peace of mind in having a planned travel route. Mapping this out in advance also means you can avoid doubling back or spending long hours driving when you’re likely to be tired. This can be especially important when you’ve got littlies on board! Some things to consider that will help you plan include:
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Which campsites will you stay at along the way?
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How often will you need to fill up on gas? It’s a good idea to map out petrol stations if you’re travelling in remote areas.
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Which attractions and locations do you want to stop at?
TOP TIP: To help you get started creating a road trip planner, check out some of our popular Australian itineraries.
Be flexible
As you travel, you’ll probably want to make lots of unscheduled stops. The kids may be getting restless or hungry, or you might see something along the way that looks interesting. You may even decide to stay longer in a spot that you really love. With that in mind, it’s worth allowing some extra flexibility within your itinerary.
TOP TIP: It’s a good idea to pre-book your campsites – this means that if you arrive late, you won’t have to worry about whether there will be any sites left.
Pack portables
Nowadays, just about anything can be broken down into portable pieces, and kids' gear is no exception. If you’re travelling with an infant, make your life easier by bringing a travel crib. Lightweight, easy to break down and compact, these portable cribs make travel much easier. Infants thrive off the familiar, so it’s a good idea to practice using the travel crib with your child prior to the trip if possible.
Stay at family-friendly caravan parks
Just as important as having the right campervan, choosing the right campsites can make all the difference to your holiday. The good news is, Australia is packed full of fantastic family-friendly campsites and holiday parks. These usually have facilities to make your holiday comfortable and enjoyable, from laundry and barbecue facilities to swimming pools and water slides, playgrounds, and games rooms. And because there will be other families staying, the kids will make new friends – and amazing memories!
Ready for a family trip to Australia?
Imagine how excited the kids will be when you say you’re about to book your Apollo campervan for a family road trip of Australia! Then all you have to think about is whether you’ll explore a national park, hit the beaches, or check out the theme parks (or maybe a bit of each!). Don’t put off that all-important family time any longer. You can book your Apollo campervan online and then pick it up from any of Apollo’s 10 branches throughout Australia. You can even pick up your camper at one location and return to another – it’s easy as with Apollo!