Tips for Travelling in a Campervan with Kids

A campervan holiday is a great way to travel with kids in Australia. It gives you the freedom and flexibility to travel at your own pace and to whichever destinations you choose. You can take as many toilet breaks as you need, and you have enough space to bring along everything needed to entertain the kids. It is cost-effective, adventurous, and most of all, a fantastic bonding experience between you and your loved ones. But no one is doubting that at times it could be a little challenging. Every parent knows that travelling with children is not always an easy feat, but travel is always what you make of it.

Here are our top tips to ensure a smooth and enjoyable family campervan holiday:

1. Proper planning

As the saying goes, if you fail to plan, you plan to fail! This is definitely the case with travelling, especially when kids are involved. What type of holiday are you interested in? How old are the children? Which destinations do you wish to visit? How long will you travel for? Will you stay at campsites every night?

Make sure you think about all of this before you book your campervan. We recommend not trying to fit too much into one trip. Yes, Australia has a lot to offer and you probably want to see and do as much as you can. But it is also an incredibly huge country with lots of space between each city. Give yourself enough time to account for regular breaks, relaxation with the children, and maybe the occasional hissy-fit of displeased kids!

Having a simple daily itinerary will save you a lot of headaches. Our suggestion is if you are travelling with kids, you try not to drive any further than 200 – 300 kilometres a day, and sometimes do no driving at all. This will ensure everyone has ample time to rest, and you don’t put too much pressure on the whole family.

2. Packing well

Packing for a holiday is never easy – it’s common to either pack too much and wish you brought less, or not pack things that you later wish you had. If you are travelling on your own, it’s great to pack light. But when it comes to travelling with kids, there’s a lot more you need to think about. That extra jacket or  first aid kit might have come in very handy. This, again, comes down to proper planning. Write lists, stock up, and always pack a few spare key items.

To finalise your packing list, make sure you check what living equipment is included in your campervan hire. Most of the time, linen, pillows, kitchen equipment, and some cleaning equipment will be included in your campervan. Some things you should consider include;

• Clothes – think about the climate you will be travelling in and enough spares
• Extra cleaning equipment – perhaps sick bags, wet wipes, and
• Snacks for the road – dried fruits, nuts, cheese, biscuits
• Entertainment – books, colouring pencils and paper, DVD player, games
• Sunscreen, insect repellent, small first aid kit

3. Driving and safety tips

The most important aspect of any road trip is ensuring the utmost safety for yourself and your family. Taking regular breaks will ensure everyone – not just the driver – is well rested. If your kids get tired, they will likely become restless, which can become a distraction for the driver. Luckily, in Australia there are many designated rest stops along main roads. Most of which have toilets, picnic tables, and enough green space for the kids to run and play. Some will even have kids playgrounds, coffee, tea, and refreshments. You can find rest area maps for all Australian states online. Check out NSW’s here.

Make sure your vehicle is equipped with the proper anchor points to fit baby seats or booster seats. If you are hiring a campervan, it’s best to confirm if the age of your children is appropriate for the vehicle you wish to hire. Travellers Autobarn Hi5 campervan is a perfect vehicle for families, seating and sleeping up to 5 people. It has 3 front seats and 2 back seats with anchor points, to ensure the safety of your whole family.

So, think your ready for the best family holiday of a lifetime? Check out the latest deals and specials on campervan hire in Australia.

We’ve got many more Family Travel Tips to read and inspire you on your next adventure, come and explore.