How To Travel Australia In A Campervan With Babies, Toddlers And Young Kids

If you are ready to get out adventuring with your little travellers, then we have you covered. Let’s dive into our top tips for how to travel Australia in a campervan with babies, toddlers, and young kids.

Can you take kids in a campervan?

In short: yes! There are endless reasons to take your kids on a campervan holiday. With the right preparation, you can make amazing memories on a family campervan trip. That being said, there are a few things to keep in mind so that you can not only survive your first family camping trip - but thrive!

Best campervans for travelling AU with kids

Britz campervans are categorised by how many people they can fit, but there is a bit more to it than that. While family size is a factor, when you rent a travel van it is more important to consider how much room you need. For example, if you have a smaller family but a fussy baby who you will need to rock to sleep, you may prefer a larger space.

The other big consideration is whether or not you want a self-contained campervan. Having a toilet and shower on board can be incredibly helpful, especially if you have a young baby or a toilet-training toddler. Two popular options at Britz for families are:

2+1 Berth Venturer Plus

2+1 Berth Venturer Plus is designed for the growing family. With room to fit two adults and one child comfortably, this is a great starter van. Some of the top features include:

• Shower and toilet
• The ability to have a booster seat accessible from the front behind the driver
• Rear double bed
• Single bed in the front
• 2 seats in the cab/1 in the rear
• Full kitchen
• 110L fridge
• Microwave

6 Berth Frontier

The 6-berth Frontier is designed for larger families or those looking for more spacious living. Enjoy panoramic views through the large windows around the living area, as well as multiple sleeping areas for the whole family. Other features include:

• Lots of extra room
• Three double beds
• Two seats in the cab and four in the rear
• Shower with hot water
• Full kitchen
• 130L fridge
• Microwave

These are just some of the options available for families. View the full range of campervans to see what will suit your family best.

Car seat requirements in a campervan

It’s a legal requirement to make sure children are restrained in a car seat. Children aged six months up to four years must use rear-facing or forward-facing car seats with an inbuilt harness. Whereas children from four years to seven years can be in a car seat or booster seat.

If you are wondering if you can bring your own baby seat or booster seat in the Britz campervans - yes you can! However, ensure that it meets the Australian guidelines. If you are unsure or just want to save packing the bulky car seats, you can hire booster seats from all thl branches for $36 per hire. Book this ahead of travelling to ensure there is availability.

For a more detailed overview, check out our guide on child restraints for campervan rentals.

Planning your family trip well ahead

It’s important to plan ahead with any campervan trip, but it’s especially vital when you’re about to travel with young kids. Planning will help to remove any added stress while you’re out on the road. That way you can soak up these precious moments as a family.

When planning your trip consider choosing family-friendly campgrounds and campsites to stay that the whole family will enjoy. If you are looking for free camping sites, try to look for campsites with large open spaces where kids can explore. When choosing caravan parks, look for those with a playground and kid-friendly amenities.

thl Roadtrip app

The thl Roadtrip app is a great tool to help plan your family trip. From pre-arrival videos to an inbuilt road trip itinerary planner, this is the ultimate Australia road trip companion.

Camper videos

Before you set off on your trip, it can be helpful to know the layout of what comes in the van, as well as how to operate everything inside. The thl Roadtrip app features a range of walkthrough videos to do exactly this. That way, you can show up for your booking ready to hit the road.

Offline maps

Take your travel plans with you wherever you go with the convenient offline maps integrated into the thl Roadtrip app. This handy guidance allows you to plan your adventure all from within the app! From caravan parks to dump stations, playgrounds, top attractions and more, you can map out all the important stops before you arrive to pick up your camper. Check out our website for more details on what to expect at pick up.

What to pack for kids on your campervan trip

A campervan is your tiny home on wheels. This means you’re able to bring a few more creature comforts than you otherwise would when travelling in a car. Plus, there’s no need to pack and repack over and over - win!

Your campervan will be pretty well equipped, but you’ll want to spend time thinking about the necessities for babies and toddlers. Pack a variety of clothing, including light layers, rainjackets and swimwear as well as the usual toiletries that they would use day-to-day. You also want to make your campervan feel nice and homey for your kids, so ensure to pack a few of their favourite items, including:

• Toys
• A few books
• Blankets
• Porta potties

In terms of camping supplies for kids, like a stroller or playpen, try to keep things as lightweight and compact as possible. If you are planning a lot of adventuring on your campervan trip, it may be worthwhile bringing a child backpack carrier. This can easily pack down in your suitcase when not in use.

Sticking to sleep schedules made easy in a campervan

Keeping to a regular sleeping schedule on the road will help make the transition in and out of holidays as smooth as possible. One of the benefits of travelling in a campervan is the ability to stick to these routines. With a bed on board, you can squeeze in those much-needed naps. It can be helpful to bring a few familiar sleep items from home. This can help kids get used to sleeping in an unfamiliar environment. These comforting things may include things like:

• Blankets
• Favourite toys
• Night lights
• White noise machine (ensure this is battery powered so you can use it when not plugged into power)

Little homey touches can be a game-changer in helping kids nap while you’re on the road.

Plan to stop regularly with tiny travellers

Another bonus for campervan travel is that you can stop anywhere and anytime that suits your family! When planning your itinerary, ensure to allow plenty of time for stops at parks, beaches, playgrounds and more. This way, you’ll help to get the wriggles out and settle your tiny travellers. If your child is walking, allow them to run around and let off some steam. This may even help them to nap in the car.

Overall, it is a good idea to limit driving to less than five hours a day total, depending on your kids’ travel style. If your kids don’t have the patience for longer drives, try to choose an itinerary with less driving.

Top travel tip: If you have a baby, try to plan stops around feeding time. That way they’ll be settled in the car again for their naps. The thl Roadtrip app is a great itinerary planner to help with this. Take advantage of the offline maps to map out all your stops and find the perfect stops along the way.

Plan holiday activities for the whole family to enjoy

When planning your campervan trip, it can be helpful to write down a list of activity ideas for when you’re out on the road. Look to stop at family-friendly attractions, such as:

• Zoo and wildlife sanctuaries
• Interactive museums
• Water or adventure parks
• Markets

The journey is part of the adventure, so make the most of that time too. While you’re driving, there are some great options to entertain your kids on the road. Some of our favourites include:

• I-spy
• Audiobooks
• Snack necklaces

It can be helpful to consider ideas for when you stop as well. Aside from visiting parks, bringing along age-appropriate games such as a football, skipping ropes, frisbees and so on, will help to break up longer travelling days.

Ready to book your road trip as a family?

A campervan road trip is a fantastic holiday idea that you and your kids will remember for life. While travelling with kids can pose additional obstacles, with a little preparation and planning, it may become your new favourite family tradition. For more information on travelling with kids, check out our top tips for a family campervan holiday in Australia.

Ready to get out there and start adventuring? Book your Britz campervan online today and give your whole family an experience to remember.