Before heading off on your first campervan trip from Melbourne, there are some tips you should consider. Planning is essential to your trip, and you should ensure you have thought of everything before jumping into your campervan. Our tips include carefully planning the length and budget of your trip, to utilise sat nav and create an itinerary that keeps you on track. Check out all 8 of our tips in more detail below to help bring your campervan trip from Melbourne to life.
1. Select your trip length and budget!
Before setting off, you need to determine how long you want to travel for and your budget. From Melbourne you can choose from weekend trips to long two or three week drives that take you across Australia, enjoying coastal views as you drive. You want to allow enough time to see everything you want to see, and build time in for rests too, so we recommend overestimating your time to give you time to enjoy your trip.
You will also want to consider your budget, ensuring you have the funds for a long trip. When setting your budget, you will need to consider petrol costs, where you will camp, and if you need to pay for camp pitches, food costs, and additional costs like toll bridges and if you will need to pay for parking at attractions.
You will also want to consider your budget, ensuring you have the funds for a long trip. When setting your budget, you will need to consider petrol costs, where you will camp, and if you need to pay for camp pitches, food costs, and additional costs like toll bridges and if you will need to pay for parking at attractions.
2. Create a list of dream destinations!
You should consider where you want to visit during your trip. From Melbourne, there are plenty of destinations you can travel to, including Canberrra, Cairns, Perth, and Brisbane. Along the journey, there are plenty of destinations you can visit too, allowing you to see even more of Australia. You can enjoy coastal paths, national parks, and unique towns from Melbourne, providing something for everyone to enjoy.
3. Choose the attractions you want to see!
As you list your destinations, consider the attractions you want to see. This can help you to plan your trip and allow you to consider if your budget will allow you to see all of these attractions. You can visit National parks, learn about Aboriginal culture, take in stunning coastlines, and even attend festivals and events. You will want to check the dates of any festivals or events that you want to visit to ensure that your trip lines up with them.
When considering the attractions you want to visit, consider whether anyone else will join you on the trip. Do you need to plan some family-friendly activities or adventures to placate the thrill seekers in your group? When travelling with clothes, planning the attractions you want to visit together is worth planning.
When considering the attractions you want to visit, consider whether anyone else will join you on the trip. Do you need to plan some family-friendly activities or adventures to placate the thrill seekers in your group? When travelling with clothes, planning the attractions you want to visit together is worth planning.
4. Design an itinerary!
After you have picked your destinations and attractions, it's time to create an itinerary. This helps ensure you hit every attraction you want and allows plenty of time to enjoy your trip. As part of your itinerary, we recommend that you consider:
Considering these stops will ensure you won’t run out of petrol and have plenty of time to grab essentials and rest without driving too far. Some parts of your journey might take you on remote paths, so make sure you have planned these stops accordingly. When planning your itinerary, it's also worth considering:
- Petrol station stops
- Supermarket stops
- Powered sites for charging your campervan
- Campervan dump stations
Considering these stops will ensure you won’t run out of petrol and have plenty of time to grab essentials and rest without driving too far. Some parts of your journey might take you on remote paths, so make sure you have planned these stops accordingly. When planning your itinerary, it's also worth considering:
- If there are any spots you want to visit that are off the beaten track?
- If you want to meet other travellers or avoid the crowds?
- If there are time-specific experiences you want to enjoy?
5. Assess your parking and camping options
You will also want to consider where you can stay as part of your planning. There are plenty of places where you can camp for free to keep the cost down, or you can choose to pay for holiday parks, which usually feature more amenities, like on site restaurants and shower blocks. It's also worth refreshing yourself with the rules about where you can and can’t park during your trip to avoid any fines.
6. Pack appropriately!
No matter where your road trip from Melbourne takes you, you must pack appropriately. Consider the weather before you leave, and if you will be heading into different climates. You will want to ensure you have the following, regardless of where you go:
- Sun protection: including sunscreen and hats, which should be used irrespective of the season
- Walking gear: like sturdy boots and a rucksack for any snacks and water you will need
- Light layers: to help you keep cool and avoid overheating in the changing climate
- Water bottles: to avoid dehydration on day trips. Refillable water bottles are ideal, with many towns offering free water stations
- Items to keep children occupied: like games and toys that will keep them busy on long drives
7. Pick the right campervan
Part of your planning also involves choosing the right campervan for your trip and your needs. Consider the storage space on the campervan, whether it has facilities or whether you will need to stop at campsites for showers, and if the living space is big enough for your family. It's also worth considering whether you will cook in the campervan or eat out, and ensure you have enough space to feed everyone there.
8. Use a navigation app!
Make sure you have a navigation app downloaded to ensure you can complete your journey. It is good to use an app that can be used when reception is limited too, preventing you from getting lost in remote areas.
Start Planning Your Trip from Melbourne Today!
Planning your campervan road trip is essential to ensure that you get the most out of your journey. A big part of this is your campervan itself and you will want to ensure you get a good price.
Travellers Autobarn have some of the best prices on campervan hire in Melbourne, making your new road trip more accessible. See deals on campervan hire in Melbourne to plan your trip today!
