Camping Tips

Best Way to Road Trip in Australia – Caravan or Camper Trailer?

You’ve chosen a destination, attractions to explore and mapped out road trips. But what’s the best way to get from A to B?
Between state-of-the-art caravans or camper trailers and the humble tent, camping in Australia’s great outdoors has options for any budget and lifestyle needs.
Each camping rig comes with its own set of benefits and challenges for travellers to consider. However, identifying the pros and cons of individualcamping styles usually comes with trial and error.

If you’re after comfort, many good caravans, motorhomes and camper trailers can provide it. For adventurers who prefer to rough it out, camping vehicle options offer the basics to luxurious homes-away-from-home.
Australia has some of the best road trips to drive. For the ultimate trip, your mode of transportation is one of the most critical decisions to make. Ready to explore what Aussie’s outback has to offer? Here are the pros and cons for each:

Tackling Caravans

Caravans can be put into main categories, pop-tops and full.
Pop-tops have a lifting roof section, designed to reduce wind resistance on the road. Whereas the benefits of a full caravan areits solid design and minimal to no set-up – simply unlock the door and step inside after a day of exploring.

However, with the extra amenities, luxuries and comfort of a caravan comes a higher price tag.

Caravans are popular because of theirlarger living areas. They also offer:
• Kitchen space
• Double, queen and/or single and bunk bed options
• Shower/toilet
• Plenty of storage solutions
• Hassle-free camping as no setup required
• Variety in size and luxury features

The cons include:
• Restricted access to some locations, National Parks and roads
• Harder to park and store
• Pricier than other camping alternatives
• Heavy and may require a larger vehicle to tow it

When You Should Choose a Caravan

If you’re after extended comfort or taking a longer road trip around Australia, a caravan can be an ideal choice.
Anyone travelling extended journeys or families bringing along the kids may benefit from higher levels of comfort, space and amenities caravans offer.
The Parkes 13 is a compact hybrid caravan designed for couples. These caravans offer enough comfort for short or extended trips, and push the limits of travel with an independent suspension system for off road adventuring.
On the higher end of the price and luxury scale, the same range also caters for familieswith up to two kids and anyone who wants to create a home away from home.

Important Considerations when Buying a Caravan

Off Road Travel
If you want to go off road, then choosing a caravan made specifically for the purpose is critical.
Regular caravans are not designed to safely tackle the conditions of unsealed roads. Nor do they have the right suspension. Off road caravans have a higher ground clearance, heavier chassis, all-terrain tyres and stronger cabinetry for rough-road travel.

Layout
Carefully consider how you intend to use the caravan and the space you need. The caravan manufacturing industry caters to a variety of requirements. Make sure to check the layout of your chosen model to ensure it’s right. Some caravans will also offer the flexibility to add extra storage, amenities and features.

Towing Capabilities
Make sure your vehicle has enough power to tow the caravan. Every car and caravan have critical towing-related numbers on the compliance plate or manual. These figures must be cross-checked for safety and braking considerations.

Plan Your Stay
Caravans are much harder than camper trailers to park and store. Plan your stay ahead to find the best caravan and camping sites for your road trip. You can find some more tips for caravanning around Australia here.

Camper Trailers

Camper trailers offer versatility and adaptability, and can be a practical option for those with smaller budgets and requirements.
From the humble, basic box-trailer to off road ready and power-packed with modern luxuries, camper trailers fold multiple ways to cater.

If you choose to travel around Australia in a camper trailer, there are three types to weigh up.
1. Flip-over Campers: Features a sealed hard top midst travel which becomes a suspended off-the-ground floor once unfolded
2. Soft Floor Campers: Ideal for one-night stays, these campers are set up by removing the vinyl cover, pulling the canvas out and extending the internal frame
3. Windup Hard Floor Campers: Have the closest interior layout to caravans out of the camper styles and involves mechanically lifting the hard roof to set up and expose the canvas sides and off-the-ground floor

You’ll find many variations of these camper trailer types to choose from based on your camping style, comfort levels and where you plan to take it.

The benefits of camper trailers include:
• Lighter and safer to tow than caravans and motorhomes
• Offers a closer-to-nature camping experience, with canvas roofing and sides more open and flexible
• Accesses more off road locations
• Consumes less fuel
• Easier to store

On the flipside, cons of campers are:
• Less storage and cupboard space
• Time consuming to set up and pack down (allow at least an hour)
• No instant access to interior if you pull over on longer drives
• Canvas walls offer minimal privacy and can encourage more bugs inside
• No amenities such as a toilet or shower

When You Should Choose a Camper Trailer

Despite their size, many modern camper trailers are still power-packed with essentials.
For creatures of comfort, consider windup hard floor campers which offer similar features to a caravan including beds, an indoor kitchen and living room area for a fraction of the price.
If you’re exploring Australia’s outback, here are the top five off road camper trailers to choose from.

Travellers contempt with less comforts will benefit from flip-over or soft floor campers. Soft floor campers offer more floor space than flip-overs, but can be a hassle for one person to set up and pack down. For this reason, solo travellers may prefer other caravan or camper trailer alternatives.
Whilst the fundamentals of camper trailers are similar, the biggest cost over a basic camper trailer is the options and accessories offered.
Buying a caravan or camper trailer is a big expense. But with the purchase comes endless adventures and the flexibility to be able to head off whenever the next trip calls.
At PMX Campers, we are camping and caravanning enthusiasts with over 8 years’ experience selling off road camping solutions. To find out which options are best for your needs, chat to our staff for more information.

Caravanning around Australia is an adventure that many people dream of completing at least once in their lifetime.

Australia offers many unique attractions and caravanning through diverse terrains is not a journey to take lightly. You’ll need the right preparation and a tough caravan that can handle the Aussie outback. However, with the right planning and equipment, your caravanning trip can be safe and successful.

Driving

Before starting your trip make sure your caravan’s fully loaded weight (Aggregate Trailer Mass or ATM) can be properly towed by your vehicle. If you’re having issues, you can always rent a vehicle with a stronger towing capacity or try reducing the loaded weight of your caravan.

Fuel can be one of the biggest expenses when caravanning. Keeping to a constant speed just under the road’s limit can help to conserve your car’s fuel while driving. When towing your caravan, it’s also important to keep an eye on the traffic behind you and to your side, as strong winds can be created from cars and trucks passing in the opposite lane.

Drivers should also try to drive with the wind blowing behind them if possible, as driving against the wind can increase fuel consumption and make towing your caravan difficult. To combat this, consider timing breaks to wait until the wind drops or changes direction.

What to Take

While still important, taking enough food and water for your trip is only one part of stocking your caravan. Other important items that will help ensure a safe trip include:

• Correct towing aid for your vehicle
• Wheel chocks
• Fire extinguisher
• Caravan jack
• Towing mirrors
• Extra coolant and oil
• Spare fan belt
• Insulation tape

When it comes to consumable goods, travelling with two to three litres of water per person per day is essential. Bringing enough fuel on your trip is also important as some roads may not have fuel stops for up to 375 kilometres.

Having a CB radio in your car can also be useful. As outback driving can often be single lane and high speed, this will enable you to contact trucks and other motorists to avoid dangerous driving situations and will also come in handy for emergencies. Two-way radio ‘walkie talkies’ are also a good addition to your car and can help when reversing and parking your caravan.

Planning Your Route

If you’re planning to travel around coastal Australia, be prepared for a journey of roughly 14,000 kilometres, not counting diversions or detours. The ‘rim route’ is best travelled counter-clockwise, driving from west to east at the bottom of the country and east to west along the top. This will help take advantage of wind patterns and reduce your overall fuel consumption. This route can be completed along ‘Highway One’, the only fully made up road around the continent. It also has rest areas with toilets roughly every 100 kilometres.

Climate in Australia varies most from north to south. The top end of Australia will be much hotter in summer, while the bottom of the country can get to freezing temperatures during winter nights. Planning to avoid the wet season (roughly from November to March) up north will also make your travels easier, severely reducing the chances of floods and cyclones limiting travel.

Planning Your Stay

Mapping where you’re going to stay ahead of time can help you prepare and plan your journey. Powered and unpowered caravan and camping sites will give you a safe place to park your caravan and enjoy the community of other campers.

The campsites you visit may also have shared amenities like bathrooms, showers and laundries. These are great opportunities to refresh yourself from the road, especially for those with smaller caravans which may not come equipped with showers or other amenities.

Campsites can also have their downside. Washing lines and other shared amenities can fill up quickly or be left in bad condition, while the early morning noise and lack of privacy may leave you eager for your own space.

Caravan and other campsites can let you rest and recharge while also providing activities for the kids. Check with campsite operators ahead of time for further details, such as if pets are allowed.

With the right plans in place and a quality caravan to travel with, your trip across Australia will give you the experience of a lifetime.

If you’re looking for caravans, insurance or camper hire for your next adventure, contact the friendly team at PMX Campers today.

If you’re getting ready for an Aussie roadtrip adventure, you might be wondering how to keep everyone entertained. Going outback is great, but steering some kids away from the iPad to experience the wildness can be a challenge.

There’s no denying how much fun camping is though. And nothing severs our ties to technology quite like grabbing your caravan or camper trailer and exploring everything the outback has to offer. Most camping ventures need proper planning to be successful – especially if you’re bringing the kids. But your preparations should involve more than just choosing a location and preparing the caravan, plan for some fun activities too! Here are a few great ideas to get you started:

Cool off with Water Activities

Water activities is one of the best parts of camping throughout the warmer months. This is the perfect time to explore some of Western Australia too, with beach camping and National Park water holes offering the ultimate cool off. Summer camping trips across Australia means you and the family can experience anything from kayaking to swimming, boating, water skiing, fishing, snorkelling, tubing and so much more!

Waterside campsites make keeping entertained and active easier. Whether you want to laze around and soak up the sun or adrenalin-filled water activities is more your thing, there are a ton of exciting things to do.

Tip: If you’re bringing equipment for water activities, like canoes, fishing rods or surfboards, investing in a soft floor camper trailer or hard floor camper trailer can fit the bill just make sure you choose the right rig for your needs.

Explore Hiking Trails

Hiking is another great activity to do when you’re camping. You don’t have to be a hiking enthusiast either. But finding some trails to explore can encourage you to get at one with nature and take in the country’s beautiful surroundings. Bushwalks can be as adventurous or as relaxing as you desire. Make sure you check the location you’re wanting to camp at prior to the trip and find out what trails are nearby to explore.

Master Nighttime Photography

Nighttime landscapes can make for some beautiful photography. Tap into your creative side by experimenting with some nighttime photography. With a decent camera that allows you to set the shutter speed and lens aperture, you can capture the night sky in all its stunning glory.

Camping offers the perfect excuse to study the stars too. If you’ve gone outback away from the city lifestyle, the display of stars is much more vivid and spectacular. Look for the Milky Way with the kids, see who can find the saucepan and three sisters first and grab some great snaps of the nighttime sky while you’re there.

Toast Marshmallows for S’mores

No camping trip is complete without a campfire! And with a campfire comes the urge to toast marshmallows and indulge in tasty treats. It’s an activity that children (and us adults!) rarely get tired off. Start by checking local regulations on open fires (great way of teaching younger kids the importance of safety)

Campfire Cooking

Campfire cooking isn’t just the ultimate excuse to get the melted chocolate and marshmallows out. It’s also great for trying new camping recipes and different food. Plus, it gives you the time-honoured tradition of bonding with family and friends. If you love fresh seafood and fishing adventures, try your luck with catching your own meal or two. Fishing with the kids can be a fantastic activity – and if you can get dinner out of the process too then it’s even better. Again check local regulations for this activity.”

Go Local

Exploring new locations come with it a chance to experience the local culture too. Even if you’re only a few hours away from home, eating and living like the locals opens up a world of new opportunities and fun to be had. Put some time aside to visit the locals. Head into the town city, check out the shops and find some local activity inspiration from the tourist centre.

If you’d like more information on which camper trailer to buy, contact a team member today.

Heading off on a caravanning holiday across our great state?

Outback adventures in your trusty caravan are one of the best ways to explore our vast country. There’s nothing like venturing into the Australia’s outback while still having the luxury of a kitchen, beds and a full bathroom to come back to.

However, without proper preparation and planning, the exciting trip you’ve been waiting months for could soon come to a halt. Malfunctioning vehicles, mechanical faults or lack of (forgetting) necessities are sure to top the list of trip ending issues. Luckily, with proper planning and a comprehensive checklist, you’ll be exploring the amazing outback of Australia, prepared for whatever the open road throws at you.

Tips for Your Next Caravan Holiday

Here are some tips to keep in mind while preparing and travelling Australia.

1. Understand your caravan’s features

It’s important to pay close attention to the features and benefits that come with your caravan. What is it capable of? What are some of the drawbacks? Can it handle rough off-road terrain? If you’re purchasing a new caravan, ask your dealer to take a test drive of the caravan to get a feeling of how to drive it attached to your vehicle on the road and learn how to park it before taking it on your trip.

2. Plan and prepare

Plan your trip and make notes of the fuel stations and towns along the way. Create a checklist and ensure your caravan is properly stocked with everything you require, including emergency equipment. Don’t forget to inform family and friends where you will be travelling, so they can check in with you to ensure your safe and well.

3. Packing your caravan for travel

Before leaving your starting location, and each location along the trip, ensure your caravan is properly packed for safe travel. The first step is to ensure all cords (such as the electrical cord to power mains) are disconnected from the caravan. Store all appliances in secured cupboards and secure your clothes and belongings.

If you have a pop-top caravan, lower and lock in the roof for travel. Turn off the gas, fill up your water containers and pack away external accessories such as caravan awnings and fold-down tables. Check the fluid levels of your vehicle including brake fluid, petrol and coolant.

Finally, do a walk around your caravan to ensure it is all secured for travel. Hook up the caravan to your vehicle, turn off the handbrake and remove chocks. Also, check that the jockey wheel has been removed or raised and secured.

4. Setting up on location

Once you get to each location, look for even ground to park your caravan. Put on the handbrake, lower the jockey wheel and place wheel chocks under each tyre to make sure the caravan is stable and secured. Dismount your vehicle from the caravan and connect your caravan to power mains (if available). If you have a pop-top caravan, raise the roof and secure it in place. Open your caravan awning and set up your equipment, tables and chairs.

Checklists

Your caravan holiday checklist will usually become overly complicated due to the lengthy list of items you might need. One way you can help to keep it organised is to split it into categories, such as caravan, vehicle and personal checklists.

Caravan Checklist

• Spare wheel
• Hydraulic jack for changing caravan tyres
• Wheel chocks to keep caravan stable when stationary
• Fire extinguisher
• Full spare water containers
• 25metre mains electrical extension lead
• Cooking equipment and appliances
• Full gas bottle
• Water hose

Vehicle Checklist

• Spare globe set for all vehicle lights (indicators, headlights, taillights etc.)
• Towing mirrors
• Spare coolant, oil and brake fluid
• Full tank of petrol and spare full jerry can (Australian Standards Approved)
• Spare wheel
• Printed maps and a GPS
• Comprehensive toolkit

Personal Checklist

• Torches and headlamps
• Clothes
• Ample food and water
• First aid kit
• Camping furniture such as fold up chairs and tables
• Sun protection (sun cream, hat, sunglasses, etc.)
• Toiletries
• Any prescription medicines
• Electrical devices and charging cables
• List of important contact numbers when travelling
• Board games

If you’re looking to live in pure comfort on your next trip away, have a chat to the friendly staff at PMX Campers on (08) 9455 1454 or head over to our contact page to find your ideal caravan.

Get the kids excited for Sparkling Summer Fun with Nearer to Nature. Kids will love adventure caving, looking for ladybeetles or going for a sunset paddle.

To view all the activities and to book, please visit Nearer to Nature or phone (08) 9295 2244 or email [email protected].

For more school holiday outdoor adventures Nature Play WA has a heap of super fun activities to get involved in at home in your backyard or out in a national park!

Visit Nature Play WA for more information

—This article is originally posted by Touring Western Australia.

If you’re a mountain bike rider there is a new trail adventure waiting for you in the south-west!

In the stunning karri forest of Bramley National Park, you will find an awesome new 9km network of trails.

With smooth flowing trails for beginners, to technically challenging trails for experienced riders, there is something for everyone.

This is the first of a network of trails planned for the south-west, which will include the Collie and Pemberton areas.

To view a map of the trails, visit Common Ground Facebook page. For all other information about how to get there and other amazing things to do and see visit the Explore Parks website.

—This article is originally posted by Touring Western Australia.

Swing through the trees on a new high ropes and adventure park in the beautiful tuart forest of WA’s south west.

Forest Adventures South West is an adrenaline-filled adventure park which consists of six huge courses of amazing fun for all ages!

Other exciting activities seen nowhere else in Australia include riding a BMX more than 9m in the air and using a monocycle. You can also experience skateboarding through the trees; a Tarzan jump; log leaps; free fall quick jumps; inclined zip line and balancing lines! Do you dare?

For all Touring WA subscribers, Forest Adventures South West would like to offer you a 10 per cent discount on your booking (for the first 100 bookings).

Book a trip for you and your family using the online booking system at www.forestadventures.com.au and use the code DePaW10 to claim your discount.

Happy swinging!

—This article is originally posted by Touring Western Australia.

Summer is a great time to enjoy being outdoors in national parks but it’s also the season where bushfires most commonly occur.

Here are some tips to help you play it safe while enjoying getting away from it all:

* Choose parks that are more enjoyable from November to March, especially those with water or with plenty of natural shade. If you travel inland, plan for high temperatures and take precautions.

* If you plan to camp at a busy time like the Christmas/New Year festive season or a long weekend do some research and make sure you book early.

* At this time of year, you won’t be able to light a fire. Use your own gas-fuelled barbecue or
camping stoveEmergency WA logo or use one of the many hot plates provided free for visitor
use in campgrounds and picnic areas. Search for picnic areas and campgrounds with gas barbecues in Park Finder online or download the Parkfinder app for free from iTunes.

* Be prepared to modify your plans if the weather is hot and windy. Use the Emergency WA website for access to emergency information and community safety warnings. Be aware that on days of very high to catastrophic fire danger ratings, parks and reserves may be closed.

—This article is originally posted by Touring Western Australia.