Travelling Australia with a caravan can be an exciting and adventurous road trip. There is so much to see, so many options and a whole range of experiences waiting for you to discover. But it’s not something you can do at the drop of a hat.

As romantic as it sounds, packing you and your family into the car and hooking up the caravan isn’t exactly practical. You do have to do some planning. Here are some tips and suggestions about what to keep in mind when planning your Great Australian Road Trip.

Be prepared!

The first thing to do is decide what sort of recreational vehicle will suit your needs. Is a caravan the best option, or will a motorhome or camper trailer work best? If you are planning on a lot of off-road camping and travelling, motorhomes or campervans can be a better option. It’s pretty obvious, of course, but if you are planning on travelling for a long time, and to remote areas, make sure you pack enough food and water to last while you’re out of sight of civilisation. Make sure you have a first aid kit handy, because you never know when you might need it, and ensure that spare tyres for both your car and the caravan are on board and ready to go. When packing your caravan, make a checklist of everything you’re taking, so you don’t leave anything behind, and pack the heaviest items over the central wheels, to evenly distribute weight across the caravan. And make sure all motorhome parts are in full working order.

Drive safely

Before leaving home with the caravan attached, make sure that you have fitted special rear view mirrors, you have attached the electrical cable for the caravan’s stoplights, and that the tow bar is secure and the right fir for both your vehicle and the van. Check weather conditions, both locally and at your destination, and be aware if there is rain, or dust storms ahead. If you are feeling fatigued while driving, stop at a rest station and have a power nap, and when approaching rail crossings, creeks and other road hazards, slow down and drive carefully across them. Watch for animals on the road, whether they’re livestock or wild animals such as kangaroos or wombats, especially at dawn and dusk.

Camp safely

Make sure you only set up camp in designated areas, and if you need permits or permission, make sure you have it before you set up. If you’re lighting fires, do so in the pits provided, and make sure that the fire is out and covered before you leave. Any rubbish should be taken with you, and if there are no toilets in the area, any human waste should be buried in the ground. Be careful of snakes and wear shoes and socks in the bush, and take some mosquito coils and repellent, especially if you camp near water.

Plan your trip

Don’t forget to book into caravan parks before you leave as you don’t want to arrive and find it fully booked. Research your travel route carefully and take note of pit stops, roadhouses and especially petrol stations, so you can plan your fuel stops, whether it’s petrol or food, or both. And enjoy the adventure.