The joy of a caravan getaway
23 Nov 2016
If you’re wanting to discover more of our very own backyard, why not consider taking a road trip? Not only does it offer freedom and convenience, but also a unique travel experience. Here are some other reasons why hitting the road is the best way to explore Australia.
Travel at your own pace
The biggest advantage of a caravan getaway is that you are not at the mercy of transport timetables. You have the freedom to travel at your own pace and to make changes to your itinerary as you go along. “It’s as easy
as un-hitching and trekking wherever the rugged road may take you,” advises Tara Eller, Group Marketing Manager at Apollo Caravan and RV Sales.
You are self-sufficient
On top of not having public transport schedules dictate your holiday, accommodation is another thing you don’t have to worry about. “Travelling in a caravan gives you the freedom to take your home with you,” says Eller. “Everything you need is within reach and it’s an easy set-up and pack-up.”
It’s cost effective
Although purchasing the vehicle and the initial set-up may be costly, travelling around in a caravan is one of the cheaper travel options. Because the only expenses you really need to cover are petrol, food and camping fees, you save a fortune on restaurant and hotel bills.
It’s the journey, not the destination
Driving around gives you the ability to explore parts of the country that are commonly overlooked if travelling by train or plane. From the coastline to the expansive outback, there are many hidden gems to uncover. “The whole trip becomes an adventure,” explains Eller. “Not only will you get to enjoy visually appealing sites at every turn, you’ll also come across fellow caravanners who’ll want to swap travel stories. So it’s crucial not to forget the cheese and wine.”
Tara Eller’s top tips for travelling in a caravan are:
- Ease into it. If you’re new to the whole experience, start your new caravan journey with a few weekend trips to get comfortable with towing, parking, exploring and packing.
- Understand your payload capacity for the caravan and pack accordingly. Distribute the weight evenly, with more towards the front than the back, this ensures too much weight isn’t taken off the tow ball.
- Create a running checklist. Once you start to get comfortable with your small trip, write a checklist of items you need while travelling. This will help you be prepared for what items need to be packed in the future and ensure maximum comfort and enjoyment.
- Have a set-up/pack-down routine. Once you get good at it, you will maximise your time to relax and avoid any issues.