There’s no denying it – travelling around Australia in a caravan is one of the best ways to experience our great outdoors. With hidden gems waiting to be discovered off every beaten track, caravanning allows you to see and experience things you’d never notice from a hotel room.
Just because your abode follows you around on wheels doesn’t mean you have to compromise on comfort. These caravan hacks will keep you as cosy as a 5-star hotel’s king-sized bed.
1. Pack Outdoor Furniture
Along with essentials like food and toiletries, you should always pack plenty of outdoor furniture for a caravanning trip. No matter where you’re headed, having somewhere to sit and admire the scenery is bound to make your journey more enjoyable.
Consider the type of furniture you’ll need – foldout chairs are a must, but if you’ve got enough room, why not pack an entire outdoor dining setting?
2. Keep Bugs at Bay
Travelling by caravan usually involves nightly outdoor gatherings. To avoid having to deal with itchy mozzie bites, keep some bug-repellent handy. For a more natural remedy, herbs like basil, sage, peppermint and rosemary can help get rid of insects.
Tie up some sage leaves and light their tips in the evening to enjoy a night free of bothersome bugs.
3. Illuminate Your Caravan
Looking for reliable ways to illuminate your caravan and campsite? Lighting is an obvious necessity, but with a little imagination you can create a charming ambiance. Candles will give your caravan a warm and welcoming vibe – just be sure to never leave a candle unattended.
If you need a portable source of light, lanterns are lightweight, compact and easy to carry. And of course, you can’t go wrong with a high-powered torch.
There are many other ways to utilise available kitchen space in your caravan. Use empty Tic Tac containers to carry your herbs and spices, and glue fruit baskets to the walls to create additional pantry space.
4. Utilise Kitchen Storage Space
When living in extra-close quarters like a caravan, kitchen storage space is almost non-existent. If you can’t stand going without a well-stocked kitchen, utilise every inch of space with a hanging shoe rack. They’re cheap to buy, simple to put up and incredibly effective. You can use your shoe rack to store small, high-use items such as food, cleaning supplies and toiletries, so you always have quick access to these essentials whenever you need them.
There are many other ways to utilise available kitchen space in your caravan. Use empty Tic Tac containers to carry your herbs and spices, and glue fruit baskets to the walls to create additional pantry space.
5. Sleep Better
A good night’s sleep is an absolute must when it comes to travelling around Australia in a campervan. Sure, caravans might not have as much space as the average hotel room, but that doesn’t mean you can’t create an ideal sleeping environment. Purchase curtains (or make your own with deeply lined fabric) and hang them over the windows to keep your caravan nice and dark.
Be sure to bring your comfiest pillows as well as thick mattress toppers for extra comfort. Dressing gowns, slippers, eye masks and ear plugs are also welcome.
Ingenia Holidays has beautiful park locations throughout Queensland and New South Wales where you can stay the night – or your whole holiday!