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Choosing the right campervan or motorhome is like finding the perfect travel companion.
Australia's vast and diverse landscapes offer endless adventure opportunities, from the breathtaking coastal routes to the rugged outback. Whether you’re planning a short-term escapade or a long-term journey, selecting the ideal campervan is crucial. It involves evaluating your travel needs, understanding different vehicle specifications, and considering the logistics of your road trip.
Prepare for Your Journey
First of all, determine the duration of your trip. If you are a first timer, consider starting with a 5-7 days trip to see if you like the van life. If you want to visit two or more states, allocate 3-6 weeks for this adventure. Working out your budget as this stage can also help determine the duration of your trip.
Budget list example:
- Camper van rental fee (range from $100 - $400/day)
- Campgrounds (starts from $50 per night)
- Fuel (approximately $30/100km)
- Tolls ($100)
- Groceries (from $100 per week)
- National Park Permits or Entry Fees (from $50 - $300)
Once you’ve worked out a rough budget and duration, you can start planning your itinerary.
Plan Your Itinerary
Designing an effective itinerary will maximise your Australian campervan adventure. Start by mapping out key destinations, considering both popular spots and hidden gems along the way.
Allocate sufficient time for each location and factor in "travel buffers". We suggest not exceeding 3-4 hours of driving each day. This will avoid fatigue and allow you to explore at leisure and enhance your overall experience.
Consider seasonal weather patterns: The Australian spring and summer (November to March) is the best time to visit the East Coast, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia. Whereas autumn and winter (April to October) is the best time to visit the northern parts of the continent like Broome, Darwin, Alice Springs and Cairns. If you have a tight budget, travelling during shoulder seasons will save you some money.
Determine Your Campervan Needs
Assessing your campervan requirements for travelling in Australia is paramount, as it ensures a comfortable journey tailored to your preferences. Based on your travel group, determine the size of your campervan and equipment needed. Have an honest discussion with the group to discuss travel styles and comfort so you can set expectations right from the start.
Other important factors to discuss include the vehicle capacity and size, fuel efficiency, must have amenities like shower and toilet or air-conditioning. If you are travelling through the Australian Outback or National Parks, a 4WD Camper may be needed to tackle the unique terrains.
Assess Travel Group Size and Individual Needs
Evaluating the size of your travel group is the first step in selecting the ideal campervan. This ensures everyone has sufficient space and access to amenities. Consider the different needs of each group member. For example, a senior family member may not be able to climb up an upper bunk bed. Larger groups often require bigger vehicles with space to move around and enough storage space.
A smaller travel party can afford a compact campervan for easier manoeuvrability and fuel efficiency. For example, couples might find a two-berth model sufficient, whereas families may prefer a four or six-berth to ensure everyone's comfort.
Choose Your Campervan or Motorhome Type
Now that you have a budget, itinerary and a good understanding of your travel group’s expectation, it is time to choose your RV.
There are 3 main types of RVs for hire in Australia:
- Campervans: Campervans are smaller vans that have basic amenities such as a small kitchen and double beds. They are easy to drive and park. A hitop campervan refers to having an extended roof for more head space.
- Motorhomes: Motorhomes are larger RVs with ensuite shower and toilet. You can expect a wider corridor, more storage space and wider beds. There will also be air-conditioning units for climate control in a motorhome. There are a wide range of motorhomes in Australia from budget models for families and luxury motorhomes for people who love nice things in life and prefers premium facilities.
- 4WD Camper: Many roads in National Parks or the Australia outback are unsealed. These terrains require a 4WD Camper. Due to its performance requirement, 4WD Campers are equipped with very basic amenities to keep the vehicle light load.
If you need vehicle recommendations, feel free to give us a call on +613 8866 5585 or send an email to [email protected]
Insurance and Vehicle Damage Liabilities
For peace of mind when travelling, we often recommend customers to purchase the Inclusive Package that will reduce their liability to Nil (most 2WD vehicles).
When selecting your campervan, it is essential to understand the insurance policies offered carefully. Understand the extent of coverage including liability, collision, and theft. Pay attention to the security bond or excess amount if you wish to opt out on the full insurance cover.
Additionally, be sure to review the rental conditions of your campervan or motorhome. This may include the renter’s responsibilities, mileage limits, fuel policies, and late return fees etc. Some suppliers may also have restrictions on where you can travel, such as off-road or remote areas. Adherence to these rules is vital to avoid potential policy invalidation and unexpected costs. Last but not least, check for inclusions and services offered with your rental package such as kitchen equipment, bedding and linen and roadside assistance etc.
Book Your Campervan
Look for Special Offers
Looking out for special offers can substantially reduce your rental costs, allowing you to allocate more of your budget towards activities on your trip. Take advantage of seasonal discounts, early-bird offers and long hire discounts that are featured on our website.
Book Early
Given the popularity of campervan travel in Australia, especially during peak seasons, reserving in advance can prevent disappointment and ensure you secure your preferred vehicle. Popular travel times include long weekends, school holidays, warmer months and dry seasons. Additionally, booking early can often yield better rates plus the early bird discount. As demand increases closer to departure, prices can rise and choices may become limited.
Check the Booking Terms and Conditions
Before finalising your campervan hire, be sure to take note of the terms and conditions in case you need to alter or cancel your booking. Booking alterations can include change of dates, change of pick-up or return location, change of camper van model etc. Understand what are the terms and conditions and associated costs for booking amendments.
Cancellation Policies
Understanding the cancellation policies of your campervan rental is crucial to avoid unexpected costs or inconveniences.
- Timeframe: Check how far in advance cancellations are allowed.
- Fees: Understand the penalties that will incur in an event of a booking cancellation.
- Refunds: Understand the refund policy and percentage returned.
Ps: Cancellation policies may vary between different camper van models.
We highly recommend taking out private travel insurance cover to protect yourself from unforeseen cancellations.
With more than 17 years of experience, Aussie Campervans and Car Rentals have helped thousands of travellers get on the Aussie road fuss free. We look forward to assisting with your campervan needs. Call +613 8866 5585 or send an email to [email protected] for more assistance.
