NSW travel: Six tips for your post-lockdown campervan trip

Now that regional holidays are permitted in NSW, you might want to try campervanning as a budget-friendly travel option for families as well as solo travellers. Here are six tips to get you started.

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Now that regional travel is a go from next month and ski season is back on, here are six tips on how to make the most out of a campervan holiday in regional NSW.

PHYSICAL DISTANCING

Taking a campervan road trip is the perfect option for families who want to minimise their contact with others during the pandemic.

Travelling and sleeping in the one vehicle reduces interaction in public spaces, and campervans come with in-built showers and toilets, meaning you can be completely self sufficient.

People can keep their distance from others while travelling in a campervan. Picture: Dee Kramer Photography

CEO of campervan hire site Gallivanting Oz Belinda Mason said they were already seeing a surge of families turning to campervanning post-lockdown.

“Motorhome hire provides the perfect opportunity to explore your own backyard in Australia, and maintain your social distance at the same time,” Ms Mason said.

“The unique thing about a motorhome holiday is that you still enjoy a fantastic travel experience while following all the latest health advice.

“It’s not hard to practice social distancing once you’ve escaped the madding crowd. Relax and enjoy exploring at your own pace, with all the comforts of home and an incredible new view each day.”

CHOOSE THE RIGHT SIZE

Campervans come in different sizes, and you can easily find one that suits your holiday.

Solo travellers and couples can opt for smaller, two-seater options while families of up to six can go for the more sizeable options, closer to motorhomes.

Campervans usually are hired/sold in terms of ‘berth’, for example a six berth campervan sleeps six adults, a four berth sleeps four etc.

To conserve on space, the dining table usually folds down and into a bed base for the kids, so don’t be concerned if your motorhome only has one visible bed when you get your hands on it.

Campervans can get you closer to nature than larger caravans. Picture: David Finnegan

Couples who want to save money should go for the cheaper and smaller options, which consolidates the dining and bed space (meaning you need to convert your table to a bed each night).

If you’ve got a bit of extra cash and don’t want to make your bed each night, splurge on the more spacious ‘slider’ models. These campervans expand on the side, creating more floor space and have separate dining/bed sections.

SHOULD I BUY OR RENT?

There are plenty of places where you can get good rates on campervan hire — but remember to return it undamaged.

If you are looking to travel for a long time, say a year travelling Australia, or you want to take family holidays every year, buying may be right for you.

Make sure you’re going to get use out of it — a brand new Jayco campervan will set you back over $100,000.

Campervans can fit families as well as solo travellers.

If you’re new to campervan holidaying, take a tester trip with a rental company, where you can pay by the night (at off seasons you can score smaller units for less than $100 a night).

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF NEW TECHNOLOGY

Campervanning in 2020 looks a lot different to what it did twenty years ago.

The compact vehicles can pack in a lot of amenities, and with the right van you can bring a fully-functioning bathroom, kitchen and loungeroom with you.

Most new campervans have duel batteries, one to power the motor and another that charges while you drive, which powers the electricity and water system.

Campervans these days have full kitchen and bathroom setups.

If you charge up enough (when you’re driving and at campsites), you can last without an electricity hook-up for one to two days, making it perfect for those looking to get off the grid.

The hellish camping toilets of the past are over with modern campervans coming with a fully flushing electric toilet.

The all-in-one models popular with families come with bluetooth compatibility, a television, stove top and microwave, fridge and airconditioning.

PICKING THE RIGHT CAMP SPOT

The beauty of road tripping with a campervan is being able to close to nature and camp in some of NSW’s most stunning national parks and beaches.

However, just because you decide to hire or buy a campervan doesn’t mean you can set up anywhere.

Camping just anywhere can be illegal in NSW, but you won’t be stuck for options with most tourist destinations, regional towns and road trip hot spots having low cost and sometimes free camping grounds and campervan friendly overnight parking spaces.

To make the most of you campervan, check out the NSW National Parks website for campsite info.

National Parks make for great camping grounds.

CAMPERVANS V CARAVANS

Here is a handy checklist when deciding whether you need a caravan or campervan.

Campervans:

-Handy for more off experiences and camping in National Parks

-Convenient for fast pace road tripping and stopping frequently

-More comfortable for drivers with little trailer driving experience

Caravans:

-Great for long term (one year +) travelling

-More suitable for long term stays and caravan parks

-More spacious and better suited to big families