Table of Contents
- FINANCES
- Picking the right van
- PLANNING YOUR ROUTE
- What to take
- Children and Education
- Pets
- FAQs
- Summary
G’day fellow adventure seekers! Are you thinking of your next big adventure? If this involves hitting the road with your family and furry friends, buckle up because we’re about to show you how to plan the ultimate year-long caravan trip around Oz.
Look, planning a trip this big can be overwhelming. I know this because my wife and I are experiencing this right now. When she came to me last year and said, “Tim we need to go on a big trip around Australia with the girls”, my initial reaction was UMMM, the planning of that if too overwhelming, no way.
It is a big call to just up and leave your house and/or job for a whole year. But never fear, while the initial planning may be off-putting, it will be well worth it in the end and the memories you make for yourselves, and your young ones will be priceless. Needless to say, after pondering for a few days and doing a lot of reading, we decided to give it a whirl.
Follow us on the journey with a range of valuable hints on the planning side of things, from mindset to finances, from what your caravan choice for your family to mapping out your route.
Traveling with children and fur babies can throw up some curve balls, so we will try to give you the low down on traveling with kids and pets as well, including home-schooling suggestions (yes we already home-school prior to tripping) and keeping your four-legged pals happy and safe on the road.
So, grab a coffee and get ready. We are stoked to be on the journey with you.
FINANCES
One of the first topics to cover will be finances. How on earth are we going to have enough money to travel around for a year? Well, the great thing is there are options. The simplest might be to go for less than a year. But if you are super keen on making for the year here are some hand tips.
First things first, you gotta budget. Sit down and think about all the things you’ll need to pay for while you’re traveling. These typically are fuel, food, accommodation, activities. You name it, unexpected expenses too ’cause you know they’re gonna happen.
The big question is, how much do we need to survive on the road. This can differ widely depending on your lifestyle. Basic rule of thumb, budget $1000 per week. If you have expenses still to pay at home, this could go up a little.
Most people fall into one of the following 2 categories – sell everything and hit the road, or keep your house and rent it out to come back to when done. Obviously, if you sell everything, you may have more cash in reserve to begin with, while if you own your house and plan on renting it out, you will have a constant stream of income coming in through this week after week.
I won’t go into details currently about expenses, as that will come from us personally when on the road, but we are planning on sticking to that $1000 mark pretty closely. In order to do this, here are some handy tips to get you started –
Tip 1 – To save some cash, get your cook on! Whip up some delicious meals in your caravan kitchen and save some serious coin. And, hey, cooking your own meals means you can have pizza for breakfast, right?
Tip 2 – Earn some cash while you’re on the road. It’s totally doable, folks! Thanks to the rise of remote work, you can work while traveling. Consider picking up some freelance work or starting a travel blog to earn some extra dough.
Tip 3 – You could even pick up casual work around the traps. My wife and I for instance are both teachers, so we will look for a few casual relief spots in a couple of areas to top up the bank account.
Picking the right van
When it comes to planning a long-term trip in a caravan, choosing the right caravan for your family and lifestyle is crucial. It is going to be your home away from home for an extended period of time, so you want to make sure you love it. If you are lucky enough to already have a caravan, you still might want to consider some of the following suggestions below.
First off, consider the size of the caravan. You want something that’s roomy enough for your family and pets, but not so big that it’s difficult to manoeuvre on the road. Take into account the number of beds you’ll need, as well as storage space for all your gear and supplies. We have a vintage 15 foot Viscount the 8 of us will be travelling in, but we can live in a shoebox, so room is not an issue for us.
Next, think about the layout of the caravan. Would you prefer a separate shower and toilet, or are you okay with a combined bathroom? Or no bathroom at all, like us? Think about your specific needs and preferences, and choose a layout that works for your family.
Now, let’s talk features. There are a lot of bells and whistles available when it comes to caravans, from air conditioning and heating to entertainment systems and solar panels. You probably want to consider what features are important to you and your family, and choose a caravan that has them or can have them installed. Our main instalment was our off grid solar setup. Our local auto-electrician did the work for us, and we purchased an inverter to go with it so we can work on the road when free camping.
Something else to keep in mind is your pets. You will need to make sure you have ample ventilation and natural light, as well as secure storage for pet food and supplies. If you go out for the day and have a couple of kitties you will leave inside you will need to make sure they do not overheat.
While we are making our journey in out 1979 retro van, this does not mean that will be everyone’s cup of tea.
PLANNING YOUR ROUTE
Why is planning your route so important? Well, it helps you stay on track and budget. You don’t want to find yourself lost in the middle of nowhere with no supplies or an empty fuel tank. Plus, having a rough idea of where you’re headed allows you to book pet-friendly campgrounds and find family-friendly attractions along the way.
Wikicamps is a great place to start when looking for sites when you know where you are headed.
Speaking of pets and family, it’s important to choose destinations that cater to both. Look for campgrounds that allow pets and have amenities like playgrounds and swimming pools for the kids. And when it comes to attractions, think about what the whole gang will enjoy. National parks are always a good bet for outdoor enthusiasts, but you must be mindful of taking pets into them, while cities offer museums and theme parks for those who prefer a bit of culture or excitement.
Now, onto the fun stuff. Here are some top destinations for long-term caravan trips with families and pets:
The Great Ocean Road in Victoria: This scenic drive offers stunning coastal views, quaint towns, and plenty of pet-friendly beaches.
The Red Centre in Northern Territory: If you’re up for some rugged adventure, head to Uluru and explore the vast Outback.
The Queensland Coast: With over 7,000 km of coastline, Queensland has plenty of spots to park your caravan and enjoy the sun, sand, and surf.
And lastly, timing is everything. How long you will be gone for and how far you can go may play a factor. Consider looking on various websites on how long it will take to get from place to place. For us, we will have a whole year, but many seasoned lappers will tell you that is not nearly enough time to see everything. Also, take into consideration the best time of year to travel to certain regions and destinations. Say, you might not want to be in the southern states during winter, nor the northern parts in summer. Do your research and plan accordingly to make the most of your trip.
What to take
Packing has never been one of my strong suits. Luckily, my wife is all over this and is very thoughtful of what we will need on our trips away. But if storage is limited, tough choices must be made. You want to ensure that you have everything you need for a comfortable and enjoyable journey without overpacking and cluttering your limited space.
Obviously, you will need to pack basic supplies such as clothes, toiletries, bedding, and kitchenware. However, when you’re traveling in a caravan, space is at a premium, so it’s essential to pack items that are compact and multifunctional – do most of your items have more than one use?
Portable grills, camping chairs, and folding tables are some of the top products that are perfect for long-term caravan trips with families and pets. These items are compact and can be easily stored in the caravan, providing you with comfortable seating and cooking facilities wherever you go.
If space is super limited, try something like the URPRO Outdoor Chair which is super lightweight and packs down to very little. We will be stacking 5 chairs in our storage so something like this is ideal.
Whereas if you are cooking a lot outside, the portable Ziggy or Weber Go-Anywhere could be options.
When it comes to packing for your pets, be sure to include their food and water bowls, bedding, and any necessary medications. You may also want to consider purchasing pet travel accessories such as collapsible food and water bowls and portable pet beds.
These Zenify collapsible bowls do not take up much space, while we will be using a cat litter box with a lid similar to this.
Organizing your belongings is also key to maximizing your space in the caravan. Use packing cubes or storage bags to keep your clothes and personal items organized, and use space-saving techniques such as rolling clothes instead of folding them. I know the amount of washing we go through at home, so it can be a big shift moving into the van.
Other essential items are must haves and not to be left off your inventory is a first aid kit, satellite phone and a portable air compressor.
Children and Education
One of the best experiences you can have with your family is any time you are together, and that includes in a caravan. However, it’s important to consider the impact on your children’s education while on the road.
There a couple of options you can consider for them if they will be out of school for a period of time. One option is to enrol your children in distance education or online schooling programs if that is available to you in your area. This can provide a structured learning environment and allow your children to continue their education while traveling. Another option is to homeschool your children, which allows for a more flexible schedule and personalized learning experience. This is what we choose to do currently (Grade 4 and 1) and will do on the road. I have some hand hints on content, resources and structuring your learning throughout the day in an upcoming blogpost.
No matter your choice, it is important to incorporate educational experiences into your travels, such as visits to museums, national parks, and historical sites. These experiences can provide hands-on learning opportunities and make education more engaging and enjoyable for your children. There is so much you can get out of a trip to a national park, historic site or even a beach.
When packing for your trip, (this was not mentioned in the packing section) be sure to include educational materials such as reading and writing books, educational games, and art supplies. You can also use technology to supplement your children’s education, with tools such as e-books, educational apps, and online resources. A simple Lenovo tablet like this one can be used with apps like Literacy Planet or Prodigy Maths to add to their program.
Overall, with proper planning and preparation, it is possible to balance your children’s education with the adventure of long-term travel in a caravan.
Pets
As I mentioned earlier, we are travelling with our dog, Charlie, a border collie and our two cats, Bronti and Jasmine. When it comes to traveling in a caravan with pets, there are some important safety and consideration factors to keep in mind. Here are some tips to ensure your pets stay happy and healthy on the road:
Tip 1 – Make sure your pet is up-to-date on all their vaccinations and flea/tick preventative medications. It’s also a good idea to bring along their medical records in case of an emergency.
Tip 2 – Pack enough food, water, cat litter (sand could be a substitute if available) and treats for your pet, as well as any necessary bowls and storage containers (mentioned above)
Tip 3 – Bring along a pet brush and wash. Dogs especially can get into a bit of a messy state.
Tip 3 – Make sure your pet has a microchip and wearing a collar with your name and phone number shown.
Tip 4 – If your pet is not used to traveling or living in a caravan, start taking them on short car trips in the car and spend nights in the van prior to get them used to this life before hitting the road for a long-term caravan trip.
Tip 5 – Check the pet policies at campgrounds and other destinations to ensure that they are pet-friendly and any restrictions they may have. Wikicamps is a go-to for this.
FAQs
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Can I bring my pets along on a year-long trip around Australia? Absolutely! Many caravan parks and campgrounds in Australia are pet-friendly. Just make sure to check the specific pet policies of each place you plan to visit and bring all the necessary supplies to keep your furry friends comfortable and safe.
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How can I ensure my children receive an education while on the road? There are several options to consider. You can enroll your children in distance education or online schooling programs that offer flexibility for travel. Another option is homeschooling, where you can design a curriculum that suits your family’s travel lifestyle. Be sure to explore local attractions and incorporate educational experiences into your travels to enhance their learning.
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What are some essential items to pack for a year-long trip with children and pets? Some essential items include clothing suitable for various weather conditions, bedding, toiletries, kitchenware, first-aid supplies, pet food, bowls, leashes, and toys. It’s important to pack efficiently and consider the limited space in your caravan. Don’t forget to bring entertainment options for both children and pets to keep them occupied during the journey.
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How can I stay connected and find resources on the road? Utilize technology to stay connected with loved ones and access valuable resources. Carry a reliable mobile phone and consider investing in a satellite phone for remote areas. Join online forums, social media groups, and travel communities focused on caravanning in Australia to connect with other travelers and gain valuable insights and recommendations.
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How do I handle emergencies or unexpected situations during the trip? Prepare for emergencies by carrying a fully stocked first-aid kit, knowing emergency contact numbers, and understanding the local emergency services in the areas you plan to visit. Consider investing in roadside assistance services to handle vehicle breakdowns. Stay updated on weather forecasts and have a plan in place for any potential weather-related emergencies.
Summary
So, there you have it folks. While, this is by no means a fully comprehensive list of things you must take or think about prior to your big lap of Oz, we have considered it some of the most important info we have found in our preparation.
The fact that you have made it here means you are considering taking this adventure and we encourage you to move past the seemingly daunting task of the initial planning finances, caravan or camper setup, equipment and packing, education of kids and pets, and just get out there and do it.
We have not spoken to anyone who has regretted their choice to take the plunge and go for it. Life is too short to sit on your hands. We know that by the time we reach 80, we want to have experienced as much as possible, and want to show our daughters how to live an adventurous life.
Let us know in the comment section below if you are about to set off on you adventure as well, or have done the trip and have your own list.