From our experience, travelling around Australia in a caravan with kids is a wonderful, yet testing experience. It’s a great way to explore Australia’s beautiful landscapes, discover new communities and spend quality time with your family. But, as with any adventure with children, it can run more smoothly with some planning and preparation. Here are some tips on how to make the most of travelling with your family in a caravan:

1. Choose the right caravan and vehicle

Choosing the right caravan is crucial when travelling with kids. Make sure it has enough space to accommodate your family comfortably and that you have the ability to carry your desired belongings to make the most out of the trip. You should also consider the comfort and convenience your family requires to enjoy your time together. If you are still deciding on the type of camping set-up, check out our blog post on the most common options available here. If you have decided on a caravan set-up, then it is crucial that you understand how much your chosen vehicle can tow and how much payload you will have for your belongings. If you have a large family, you may need upgrades to your car to allow for a larger payload in the caravan.

2. Pack wisely

When packing for your trip, think about the essentials your family will need, such as clothing, bedding, toiletries, food and water. If you love remote travel like us, then you must also ensure your caravan and car are equipped with the essentials to survive if you get stranded. To make it easy for you, you can check out our road trip packing list which is a free downloadable checklist.

Don’t forget to pack some toys, games, and books to keep your kids entertained during the travel days. Ipads for long drives are great and there are many educational apps such as ABC Reading Eggs, ABCMouse, Kahn Academy and Lingo Kids that will keep your children learning on the road.

We use a great car seat organiser with a kids seat buddy for all of Zara’s crafts, games and entertainment so she can easily access these while we are travelling.

3. Plan your route

We wouldn’t recommend planning your whole trip stop-by-stop, but it is wise to roughly plan your route ahead of time and research the attractions and activities along the way. Try to include stops at family-friendly destinations like beaches, national parks, playgrounds or museums. This will keep your kids engaged and excited about the trip. We will always ‘brief’ Zara on the plan for the day. This allows her to understand the basic plan and timeframes for the day and involves her in the trip planning.

4. Keep to a routine, if you can…

Children thrive on routine, so try to keep meal times, bedtime, and playtime consistent, even when on the road. This will help your kids feel more comfortable and less likely to become cranky or irritable. We work around Max’s sleep routine and try to travel around meal times.

5. Keep safe

Safety is essential when travelling with kids. Make sure to pack a first-aid kit and bring any necessary medications. Always supervise your children and teach them about the importance of road and caravan park safety. You can practice what to do in certain situations with your children. For example, what to do if they see a snake or are approached by people they don’t know. If your child is old enough, teach them how to use UHF radios or mobile phones in times of emergencies. We give Zara a UFH handheld radio if she wants to play and be out of the line of sight.

6. Keep your kids involved in all aspects of travelling

Encourage your children to be involved in the trip by letting them help with navigation, meal planning, and even setting up camp. This will make them feel more invested in the adventure and more likely to enjoy it. If you have a few jobs each child can do for set up and pack down, it makes the load on your a little lighter. It could be as simple as filling up all water bottles and putting them in the car. 

7. Be flexible and give yourself a break

While it’s important to stick to a routine, it’s also essential to be flexible. Unexpected delays or plan changes can be stressful for everyone, so try to remain adaptable. There are days when travelling with kids that are a complete write-off. As a parent, you will need to balance changing moods, sickness and poor weather along the way and it can be hard to make the best of a terrible situation. In moments of true frustration or exhaustion give yourself the appropriate ‘circuit breakers’ and take the opportunity to do some deep breathing. Simply moving your body can improve your mood and outlook on a situation, so I’m suggesting you do some star jumps and impromptu dancing and you will be amazed at how you will feel to manage tricky parenting situations better.

Caravaning around Australia with kids can be an exciting and memorable experience – and it isn’t for the faint-hearted! We hope some of these tips help you and your family in creating memories while camping across Australia.