Hitting the road in a caravan or motorhome is an increasingly popular way to see Australia. Are you ready to take your home travelling? 

Taking off and travelling around Australia in a motorhome or caravan is no longer the pipedream it once was – it’s something that a number of us are doing with increasing regularity.

At the last count in 2023, there were almost 859,000 registered caravans and campervans in Australia, and in the same year, we collectively spent 60.6 million nights in a caravan or a park. 

So, if you want to realise that lifelong ambition of exploring Australia on your own terms but don’t know where to start, here are nine tips to help you get on the open road. 

Choose your mode of transport carefully 

Caravan or motorhome? Your choice, but both have pros and cons. While a caravan will be cheaper than a similar age and spec motorhome, you do need a vehicle capable of towing it – and that means two things to maintain rather than one. A caravan could be a good option if you’re stopping in places for any length of time, as you can use your car as normal, but a motorhome could be suitable if you’re travelling pretty continuously. Our tip? Hire something first to make sure you like it – an online search will find some good options.  

Make sure your mobile home is in good condition 

In the lead-up to departure, make sure the caravan or motorhome is in good working order. Get it checked over by a mechanic if you’re unsure about what to look for. That way you can minimise the chances of anything happening that could put a dampener on things. 

Plan your trip carefully 

If your trip’s all about leisure, you don’t want the added stress of running low on fuel or not being able to find somewhere to park up for the night. That’s why preparation is key. By being very realistic in how far you’re going to travel, where you’re going to refuel (or recharge!) and where you’re going to eat, you can remove some common stressors. And remember – towing a caravan, for example, will have a big impact on your fuel economy, so take that into consideration! 

Remember to book 

Just because you’ve got your bed with you doesn’t mean a holiday of no bookings! Campsites can get booked up quickly, so make sure you reserve your spot in advance – and don’t just turn up expecting a vacancy. 

Know your limits 

If you have a caravan, you can tow something equivalent to the towing capacity of your car or your tow bar – whatever’s lowest. The Royal Automobile Club WA (RAC) advises adding 200kg onto the technical weight of the caravan to take things such as bedding and belongings into consideration.  

Maintain balance! 

A good trip will help you find balance for yourself – but you’ve got to make sure your caravan is balanced too! The RAC advises loading up the heavier items first, just forward of the axles, low to the ground and evenly on both sides. Don’t store heavy objects up high – this will affect the centre of gravity.  

Take the power 

Powers needed when you’re on the road – and a solar generator is a smart choice, turning your holiday home into a mini mobile power station. 

Practise driving before you head off 

Towing a caravan or driving a motorhome is very different to driving a regular car, so make sure you practise before you head off. You will need to get your caravan into some tight-ish spots at caravan sites, for example. If two or more people are going on a trip, it’s wise to think about the driving. While one person may generally take the wheel on car trips, it’s unrealistic to expect one person to do all of the driving on a long caravanning holiday. So, have a few trial runs before you set off! 

Pack carefully 

A mobile home is a pretty confined space, so make sure you’re only packing what you need. Choose clothes that will dry quickly – and if possible, take a handheld vacuum cleaner with you for those rogue crumbs that get everywhere! 

Preparation is key 

Whether you’re all set to take to the road as soon as possible or have a caravanning or motorhome trip pencilled into your future retirement plans, preparation and planning are key. From mapping out your route to including an extended trip in your financial planning, the greater the preparation the better the experience will be.