10 Reasons to Hire a Campervan to Travel Australia

If you are wondering if renting a campervan is worth it, we have put together a list of the top ten advantages of travelling in a campervan so you can decide for yourself.

1. Travel with freedom 

The luxury of a campervan family trip is that you aren’t tied to any flights or hotel bookings. Aside from your pick-up and drop-off locations and dates of your campervan - there aren’t many rules. There are no mandatory stops or vigorous route planning when it comes to van travel. Instead, you are free to explore Australia at your own pace.

In addition, unless you plan on booking your family vacation during the busiest spots in peak season, campsite bookings aren’t required. If an area or location tickles your fancy along the way, stay a bit longer. If you change your mind about somewhere or the Australian weather takes a turn for the worse - you can easily drive to sunnier pastures. No setting up tents, moving luggage in and out of rooms, just you and everything you need on board, ready to tackle the open road.

2. Get off the beaten path 

There are thousands of vehicle-accessible campsites throughout Australia. From simple council campgrounds, well-groomed holiday parks with facilities galore, and freedom camping spots, there are plenty of options to get off the beaten path. In fact, some of the best sights and views in Australia are tucked away from the dazzling lights of the major cities. A campervan helps you to reach and stay near these hard-to-reach places.

However, when travelling to rural parts of Australia, you can expect to encounter some unsealed roads. There are road restrictions in a Britz 2WD campervan, so it's important to check the restrictions as well as the conditions of these roads to ensure they are safe to drive. If you prefer to get even further off the beaten path, it may be worth considering renting a 4WD camper. For more ideas on getting off the beaten path for your family vacation, check out our range of popular routes around Australia.

Top tip: Don’t forget to download the thl Roadtrip app. This app showcases campsites, free camping, as well as other helpful tools for an Australian road trip.

3. Get up close with Australian nature 

Few other forms of travel offer so much daily interaction with the natural world as van travel. As Australia is home to a diverse range of nature and wildlife attractions, what better way to experience it all.

In a campervan, you can immerse yourself in nature between golden sunrises and fiery sunsets. Enjoy a morning coffee in the shade of the trees while spotting koalas snoozing above. Settle into the nights in the outback illuminated by the moon, stars and campfire. Park up in the rainforest with the smells of eucalyptus as you see a cassowary wander past your door or a dolphin playing in the waves at a beachside campsite. There is really nothing like a campervan to experience all this and more on an Australia road trip.

Top tip: It is important to understand the safety precautions when encountering Australian wildlife. Research the areas you will be travelling to and the kinds of animals that reside there. That way, you can best prepare for these wild encounters.

4. Bring the whole family 

A campervan trip is perfect for a family holiday. Bring your youngsters along for the ride with the security of Britz’s family-friendly campervans. The kids will love the ice cream, playgrounds, and new places to explore. Some of the best Britz campervans for travelling with young kids include:

• 2+1 Berth Venturer Plus. The 2+1 Berth Venturer Plus is perfect for a growing family of three. It comes with three seats, a car seat add-on, a toilet, a shower and a full kitchen.
• 6 Berth Frontier. The 6 Berth Frontier is the ultimate adventure machine. This motorhome has room for up to six family members, three double beds, a shower, a toilet and a kitchen.

A campervan is also perfect for young kids to continue with their scheduled naps and feeding while on the road. With great storage solutions on board, kids can bring a few toys along and other home comforts. That way they feel right at home, no matter where you venture.

5. Make new friends 

When travelling as a family, staying at holiday parks with playgrounds is a great place for your kids to make new friends. However, children needn’t be the only ones making new friends. Australian campsites are famous for their friendliness and communal spirit. Strike up a conversation as you linger around the barbecue or other shared area. Swap travel stories and itinerary advice, and who knows, you may even find an adventure family to explore Australia with.

6. Enjoy home comforts on the road

There is something invigorating about enjoying home comforts while exploring the country. In a campervan, you can enjoy the consistency of sleeping in the same bed every night. As well as that, you’ll be able to put your feet up in the comfort of your caravan after a long and tiring day exploring. Between your well-equipped campervan and fully serviced holiday parks, you’ll have all the vital conveniences such as heat, light, a comfy bed and hot water for your laundry. Britz campervans are economically configured and well equipped. Your wee home on wheels will feel, well, homely!

7. You’ll eat well 

Having your own kitchen on board makes mealtimes a pleasure - whether it’s stopping for a quick cuppa at a picturesque rest area or whipping up a picnic from produce bought at a farmers market. Not only does this offer a seasonal and healthy taste of the country, it means you’ll be dining inexpensively, too.

Top tip: There are so many supermarkets and small shops scattered across Australia, but these items can become more expensive further inland and in remote areas. We recommend stocking up on all your basics like rice and pasta in major cities. Then, you can just replenish with fresh fruit and vegetables along the way.

8. Stretch your budget 

Travelling Australia isn't typically considered a budget destination, but there are plenty of ways to travel on a budget with a campervan:

• Use your campervan kitchen. Stretch your holiday budget by making the most of your campervan kitchen. Cooking home-cooked meals is a great way to stretch your holiday budget.
• Enjoy the campervan discounts. Take advantage of Britz’s early booking discounts, long-hire rates and other special promotions.
• Take advantage of cost-effective camping. Hotels and Airbnbs often don’t come cheap, especially if you have a large family. Staying at a mix of freedom camping sites or scenic reserve camps as well as holiday parks will help keep your costs down.

For more information in free places to park up, check out our guide to everything you need to know about free camping in Australia.

9. Travel without stress 

Having the freedom of a campervan is unbeatable. We have all experienced the hassle of booking and managing accommodation, transits and transport, not to mention lugging a suitcase from place to place. In short - it's exhausting and stressful.

Enter van travel. Enjoy a hassle-free Australian campervan road trip with Britz’s late model, fuel-efficient vehicles, which are surprisingly easy to drive. Highways are well maintained, country roads are generally very quiet, and towns are campervan friendly with plenty of easy parking.

Top tip: For a carefree road trip, ensure you are familiar with the Australian road safety rules and regulations.

10. Bring your pets 

For some, pets are just another member of the family, and it just doesn’t feel right to leave them behind. Luckily, when you hire a campervan with Britz you can travel with your pet and bring them along for the journey!

Taking your cat or dog on the road is such an incredible experience. Showing them new places as you explore Australia is such a wonderful feeling and guaranteed to be enjoyed by pets and owners alike. All you need to do is add the pet fee for cleaning at the time of booking (AU$299 per hire), and your furry friends can join in on the fun!

Top tip: Check out Pet-friendly Australia’s website to find pet-friendly campgrounds and campsites along your trip. It is also a good idea to note dog parks and dog beaches for those daily walks along your trip. There are plenty of dog-friendly spots scattered throughout Australia.

Time to explore Australia in a campervan? 

Whether you are looking to explore off the beaten track, save money, enjoy delicious meals anywhere or just revel in the luxury of time freedom - hiring a campervan has it all. For more information on renting a van to travel Australia, check out our guide to everything you need to know about renting a Britz campervan and our blog.

Ready to explore Australia in a campervan? Choose the right camper for you and book your Britz campervan online today. Then it is as easy as picking it up from any Britz branch to begin your family trip around Australia.