Epic Campervan Road Trip: 10 Things To Know Before Your First Trip

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A campervan road trip is one of the best trips for adventure lovers!

Beyond adventure, you’ll find many other good reasons to justify your travels by campervan.

However, make sure to read about these 10 things you should know before your first trip.

Then, your road trip will be truly epic.

CONTENTS – In this article, you’ll find some very effective hacks for your first campervan road trip, including:

10 Things You Should Know When Planning Your First Campervan Trip
1. Choose the Right Vehicle
2. Get Familiar with The Basics of Driving a Campervan
3. Plan Your Route in Advance
4. Pack Carefully for Your Campervan Road Trip
5. Be Prepared for Breakdowns
6. Leave No Trace
7. Obey All Regulations
8. Don’t Forget Your Camera!
9. Obey the Speed Limit
10. Have fun!
Final Thoughts on Your Campervan Road Trip
Next Steps

10 Things You Should Know When Planning Your First Campervan Trip

A campervan trip is a perfect way to see Australia, or any country.

You can travel at your own pace, stopping whenever and wherever you want.

Then you can see and experience everything the country has to offer.

However, you need to know a few things before you hit the open road.

So we have teamed up with Travellers Autobarn to bring you the top 10 things to know before your first campervan trip.

1. Choose the Right Vehicle

The initial thing you must do is choose the right vehicle.

There are many different options from which to choose.

So, it’s important to take some time to figure out what camper van will work best for you.

Think about things like:

How many people will be traveling with you?
What kind of terrain you’ll be driving on?
How much storage space will you need?

You should also ensure that your vehicle is properly equipped with all the necessary safety features.

2. Get Familiar With the Basics of Driving a Campervan

If you’ve never driven a campervan before, don’t stress out.

Just be sure to take some time to get used to the size and maneuverability of your vehicle.

It’s important to get familiar with the basics before hitting the open road.

Especially practice parallel parking and reversing.

Plus, you want to become comfortable with any special features your campervan may have.

Before you know it, you’ll feel confident driving on your campervan road trip!

3. Plan Your Route in Advance

One of the good things about a campervan trip is that you can pretty much go anywhere you want.

However, it’s still a good idea to plan your route to make the most of your time on the road.

Decide which sights you want to see and map out a rough itinerary.

That way, you don’t miss anything important.

4. Pack Carefully for Your Campervan Road Trip

Packing for a campervan trip is different than packing for a regular vacation.

One reason is you need to be mindful of the space limitations of your vehicle.

Keep in mind the fact that you’ll likely be doing a lot of cooking and eating in your campervan, too. So make sure to pack plenty of non-perishable food items and all the cookware and dishes you’ll need.

And don’t forget about clothes.

You’ll want to pack for both warm and cold weather since the temperatures can vary greatly depending on where you are.

5. Be Prepared for Breakdowns

Even if you meticulously maintain your campervan, breakdowns can still happen—especially if you’re driving an older model.

So it’s important to be prepared for this eventuality.

Do that by packing a basic toolkit and some essential spare parts, like tires and engine oil.

You must also ensure you have breakdown coverage from a reputable company, just in case something goes wrong while you’re on the road.

That alone will give you additional peace of mind on your campervan road trip.

6. Leave No Trace

When camping in a campervan, it’s important to practice “leave no trace” principles to minimize your environmental impact.

What this phrase essentially means is:

Packing out all your trash
Respecting wildlife
Being careful with fires

In other words, no one would know you were even there.

Not only is this good for the environment, but it will also help ensure that future generations can enjoy van camping as much as you do today.

7. Obey All Regulations

This may seem obvious, but it’s worth the reminder.

When camping in national parks or other protected areas, make sure to obey all posted regulations.

This includes everything from quiet hours to fire bans.

Not only will this help preserve these areas for future generations, but it will also prevent you from getting fined or even arrested. Eek!

8. Don’t Forget Your Camera!

A campervan trip is a perfect opportunity to take some amazing photos.

On your campervan road trip, you’ll likely encounter a beautiful countryside with plenty of photo-worthy scenery.

So pack a good camera and plenty of memory cards.

And don’t forget to bring along a tripod so you can capture some stunning night shots.

9. Obey the Speed Limit

One of the most crucial things to remember when driving a campervan is that you need to obey the posted speed limits.

It is especially important in national parks and other areas where wildlife is present.

Not only will this help keep you and the wildlife safe, but it will also help prevent damage to your vehicle.

10. Have Fun!

Above all, remember to relax and have fun on your campervan road trip.

It is supposed to be a fun and relaxing vacation, so don’t stress out if things don’t go according to plan.

Just roll with the punches and enjoy the experience.

Final Thoughts on Campervan Road Trip

When you follow these tips, no doubt you will have a great time on your first campervan trip.

Remember to drive safely, obey all regulations, and leave no trace. And most importantly, don’t forget to have fun!

Whatever happens, you’re sure to create great memories that will last a lifetime.

Have you ever been on a campervan trip? What tips would you add to this list? Let us know in the comments below.

Happy travels!

About Jackie Gately, editor-IN-CHIEF

I'm Jackie Gately, your travel confidante and the creative force behind Enjoy Travel Life, awarded the "Best Casual-Luxury Lifestyle Blog (USA)" in Travel and Tourism by LUXlife Magazine for four consecutive years.

With 25 years of published expertise, I'm a seasoned writer, editor, and photographer curating inspiring travel guides and lifestyle tips for empty nesters. I hope to kindle your spirit of exploration, encouraging you to overcome obstacles and turn your dreams into reality.

Learn to minimize your pre-travel angst and maximize the joy of exploration with insights from my experiences. Let's make every adventure a celebration of this exciting phase of life! 

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