Taking a holiday trip in a campervan can be a great way to spend time together. You and your spouse, family, or friends can travel the country enjoying some of the unique sights Australia has to offer and then transforming your vehicle into your lodging for the evening whenever you decide to set up camp. However, before you head out on the road, you have to decide which campervan to hire. There are numerous sizes and different options.
The Size
This is the biggest decision you have to make and is usually determined by how many people will be going on your trip. If it’s just you and your spouse or significant other, you can take a two-person campervan. These campervans are smaller and easier to drive since they’re the size of a traditional van or large SUV. If you have more people, you’ll need a larger vehicle. There are campervans that sleep up to six so bigger families can still fit in one unit.
Do You Have Children?
Note that some of the smaller campervans don’t have child restraints and cannot be fitted with child seats so you can’t hire them if you have young children traveling with you. You’ll definitely want to talk to the campervan hire company to narrow down your options to only those vehicles that can be fitted with seats for young children.
Do You Need a Shower?
Some campervans come equipped with full showers and toilets while others do not. The vehicles without showers and toilets are usually smaller, which is something to consider if you are nervous driving a large vehicle. If you do choose this option, you will need to find alternative shower locations and stop for restroom breaks regularly. You may want to choose campsites that offer toilets, showers, and other amenities, too. While it does narrow down your camping options, it’s not always a bad idea if you’re not sure you want a bigger campervan.
Will You Go Off-Road?
If you plan on going off-road, you need to look for a campervan hire in Australia that offers four-wheel-drive capability. These vehicles are made to handle rugged terrain, which means they’re usually more compact than other campervans. There are some 4WD options that sleep five, though, so don’t be discouraged if you have a large group. If you are going to go off-road in your vehicle, make sure you get a vehicle capable of doing so. Trying to take a standard campervan onto difficult ground may result in getting stuck or tipping the vehicle over on its side.
Other Options
In addition to these options, you can customise your campervan even more by purchasing additional items. Most campervan hire companies have add-ons such as camp chairs and tables, GPS devices, fans, and heaters. These additional items can help make your trip more comfortable, especially if you don’t have your own and don’t want to purchase them. These other items are often designed to fit more easily into the campervan, too, so you don’t have to worry as much about space.