6 tips for your first caravan holiday

Whether you’re craving a cosy inland escape or a sun-soaked beach holiday, working out where to go can feel a little overwhelming. Thankfully, state tourist websites offer a great starting point for your3 research, with guides and directories to help you work out where you can park your caravan and set up camp. 

Explore the sites below to work out where powered sites are and what amenities are available on site:

Ideally, your holiday will come and go with no hiccups, but sometimes luck isn’t on our side. Caravan insurance may help offset some of the financial burden should the holiday gods throw a spanner in the works. Depending on the policy, caravan insurance may help cover:

• damage to your caravan caused by a fire, storm or flood
• food spoilage if there’s an unexpected power outage and your fridge stops working
• the contents you permanently keep in your caravan if they’re damaged or stolen
• temporary accommodation for you and your pets if your holiday caravan can’t be used after an insured event.

Be sure to read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement for all the ins and outs of what’s included in the policy and when.

If parallel parking in front of a crowd makes your heart race, then this tip is for you. Reversing a caravan — especially if you’re new to it — can be a tough skill to master. Before you head out, practice a few times at home or in an empty carpark until you get the hang of it. If you’re travelling with company, and negotiating a tight space, have your companion shout out which way to manoeuvre to help avoid an unwanted bump or scrape.

Native animals are typically more active at dusk and dawn. As they seek out their pray, they can be fast and unpredictable around roads, making it difficult for drivers to know what to expect. Stay safe on the way to your destination by:

• Timing your drive: avoid leaving at sunrise and sunset.
• Being alert: keep an eye out for animal warning signs so you can slow down or stop if needed.
• Never swerve: avoid harsh turns as you may lose control of your vehicle.

Caravans these days have a lot of storage space, but you’ll be surprised at how quickly you can fill it all up! Prioritise the must-haves, before the creature comforts. Here’s some ideas to start with:

• Kitchen: utensils, pots, pans, basic herbs and spices and oil.
• Living: bed linens, towels, pillows, throws.
• Clothes and shoes: choose garments that are suited to your itinerary and location.
• Toiletries: toothbrushes, toothpaste, sunscreen, shampoo, toilet paper, sanitary items, shaving products and so forth.
• Electronics and batteries: chargers, torch, extension cords, power leads, radio, generator.
• Emergency: first aid kit, medication, fire extinguisher, spare items.
• Maintenance and repairs: ramps, tyre pressure kit, duct tape.
• Outdoor: collapsable table, camping chairs, tent, portable BBQ equipment, guy ropes, pegs, screen shields.