Seeing Australia in a Campervan – a Must Do!
Globetrotters would know that there are just some places that is just perfect for a road trip. Destinations as culturally diverse as Europe or Malaysia-Singapore meant that there are unique experiences waiting for you in its nooks and crannies. The same thing is true for a vast place like Australia, a country-continent which offers a manifold of terrains and landscapes.
Indeed, the best way to explore the land down under is by renting a camper van and getting to see sights you won’t normally see if you stick to tours and roads frequently traveled. Here is your ultimate Australia campervan guide.
Best Places to Visit in a campervan on a Tasmanian Road Trip
If you want to really get away from the city, a Tasmanian Road Trip is the perfect route to map. It is a picturesque tour of Australia’s rural side, filled with secluded beaches, mountainous landscapes, and a variety of wildlife. There are two ways to start this trip. One is an overnight ferry, aboard the Spirit of Tasmania from Port Melbourne, rides across Bass Strait, and docks in Devonport. Your rented campervan can be stowed in the ferry’s cargo bay.
Get ready to visit Cradle Mountain National Park, the old-world capital city of Hobart, Mount Wellington, and Salamanca Market.
The Great Ocean Road
If you want to visit epic beaches and breathtaking campsites, there is no better route than The Great Ocean Road. This 250-kilometer drive will show you Australia’s natural beauty from limestone rocks of The Twelve Apostles jutting out the ocean to the beautiful beach of Loch Ard Gorge.
Other sites to look out for include the Arch, naturally sculpted and stands 8 meters high at Port Campbell, Campbell National Park, Bay of Islands, and Triplet Falls at Otway National Park.
The Red Centre
If you want an opportunity to appreciate the heritage and culture of the Aborigines, this is the best route to take. The Red Centre road trip takes you, not only to Australia’s true outback, but gives you a tour of its ancient landscapes and isolated swimming holes.
Make sure you visit Alice Springs, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, West MacDonnell Ranges, and Kings Canyon.
Things to do Before the Trip
Make sure you practice driving the campervan first. By now, you know that in Australia you drive on the left. If you are from a country that drives on the right side of the road, an adjustment period just to get used to it is needed.
Learn all the road rules and road signs in the routes you will be traversing. Most of the time, there are no lane markers on the road. So if you are just getting used to left-side driving, the first couple of days may be difficult.
Remember to look at what is coming before your drive over one-lane bridges. You do not want to get stuck in one and cause traffic.
~Plan a rough route. Some travelers want a level of spontaneity in their trips. But Australia is enormous, if you are not doing this for a couple of months, you will not be able to visit the places you want to because times has been wasted getting lost. Just a rough skeleton of your itinerary for the duration of the trip will do.
~On your itinerary, map out gas stations, supermarkets, and restaurants just in case you want to make a stop over. You should also pin camping sites and hostels.
~Pack up on food, drinks, and other supplies before you hit the road. It is recommended that each person list down all the essential items that should be in your cupboards including medicine, first aid kit, and other special dietary needs. You can replenish these items on your stopovers.
~You will need to find gas stations that offer cheap petrol. Download an app called MotorMouth to help you find where cheap gas stations are located in your area. Remember that saving money is key to enjoying this trip. You will want your expenses to go to experiential offerings like food and tours.
~Do not forget to do maintenance checks on the campervan every 500 kilometers. Check the tires, water and coolant levels, and the brake fluid.
More importantly, make sure to book your campervan for hire in advance. It is one less thing to worry about once you arrive in Australia, plus you will have more time planning and getting to your destinations. Click here to compare rates and rent your campervan of choice!
