{"id":23176,"date":"2023-09-15T09:04:02","date_gmt":"2023-09-14T23:34:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/?p=23176"},"modified":"2023-09-15T09:04:04","modified_gmt":"2023-09-14T23:34:04","slug":"plan-long-4wd-camping-trip","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/plan-long-4wd-camping-trip\/","title":{"rendered":"Planning a Long 4WD, Caravan, or Camping Trip"},"content":{"rendered":"

There\u2019s no better way to see Australia than with a 4WD or caravan, and some sort of camping setup. No words will truly express the magic to be experienced within Australia \u2013 you\u2019ve got to get out there and see it for yourself!<\/p>\n

When it comes to planning a trip away, some people are happy simply with a destination in mind and some rough dates. Others have the planning down to a fine art. The planning process can be as defined as you want it to be, and it\u2019s vastly dependent on your circumstances. For example, if you have very young children you learn to plan your trips a little more than if you have the freedom to arrive at camp halfway through the night! Driving late at night looking for a campsite with a screaming toddler in the back typically isn\u2019t a good time!<\/p>\n

Have a detailed plan in place and the flexibility to throw it out the window as things change (and they will!). If you don\u2019t put the effort into researching and planning early on, you could miss out on some amazing opportunities and places.<\/p>\n

\"Two<\/p>\n

The planning process can be as defined as you want it to be, and it\u2019s vastly dependent on your circumstances. Image: Aaron Schubert<\/em><\/p>\n

Where to Start?<\/h2>\n

A longer trip away might seem a bit disconcerting to start with, but if you take your time and plan well, it\u2019s easily achievable. It all begins with an idea: a place that you want to see, an experience you want to have, or some friends or family that you want to catch up with. From there, cover the below steps and let the planning begin.<\/p>\n

Budgeting<\/h2>\n

What can you afford to do? Some travel a lap of Australia for less than $1000 per week, some up around $1500 per week, and others end up spending a lot more. The number of meals you eat out, how many attractions you see or experiences you have, how far you travel and the type of accommodation you stay at will all be impacted by your budget.<\/p>\n

As a general rule, 30% of your budget will go to food, 30% will go to fuel, 20% to accommodation, and maybe 10% to entertainment or experiences. The remaining 10% will spread out across things like mobile phone bills, insurance, maintenance, or just purchasing or replacing things as you travel (you will definitely need to upgrade your fishing and camping gear!).<\/p>\n

No one can tell you exactly how much you need, but you won\u2019t need a full vault-load of cash to do it. It comes down to your tastes, style, and frequency\/distance of travel.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

If you take your time and plan well, an extended trip away is easily achievable. Image: The Todoing Family<\/em><\/p>\n

Locations and Time of Year<\/h2>\n

You may already have a list of places that you want to visit. Call it a bucket list, or just some favourites \u2013 whatever it is, there\u2019s more than enough to see in Australia. The key is to match your location to the right time of year. Get that nailed early on, and you\u2019ll be off to a cracking start.<\/p>\n

Australia has some obvious and distinct weather patterns. If you head to a great destination at the wrong time of year, you might find it doesn\u2019t live up to your expectations. You can be hammered with winds, sitting in sand (white, yellow, red, or any colour in between), scorched by the sun, or pelted by rain. If you\u2019re in a caravan or camper trailer, ensure it can stand up to the worst days \u2013 or have a plan to withstand the hot nights, chilly evenings, or washed-away days! Ultimately, everything works \u2013 just go in with what works for you, and whoever you\u2019re travelling with. If it’s just a tent, so be it \u2013 it is so worth the effort!<\/p>\n

The northern part of Australia<\/a> is normally best experienced in the dry season. This runs from May to October each year. In the wet season, a lot of the roads are closed and you\u2019ll cop hot weather and torrential rainfall! Summer in Perth is warm, so most head south to where it\u2019s cooler \u2013 but come wintertime, watch how many people jump in their cars and head north in search of balmy days and sunshine while the rest of the country freezes through winter!<\/p>\n

If you want to visit multiple locations, put every destination down to start with and narrow it down as you go. There are so many beautiful places to stay, but you can\u2019t do them all. Also, beware of the crowds! It\u2019s not fun as a lapping traveller to turn up with everyone else at a location, experience, or accommodation spot. Consider school holidays, weekends, and public holidays where crowds might be present.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Everything works \u2013 if it’s just a tent, so be it! Image: Aaron Schubert<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Two<\/p>\n

A location such as Karijini can be hot, cold, or underwater depending on the time of year. Image: Aaron Schubert<\/em><\/p>\n

Annual Leave and Time Off<\/h2>\n

The majority of working Australians are entitled to four precious weeks of annual leave a year. This is a major factor to consider when planning your trip away. If you want a really long trip away, you may need to go more than a year without any leave. Can you cope with that? How long do you have available? Is it months, a year, or maybe more? Australia is a massive country \u2013 you can literally spend years covering it and still not see everything! If the plan is to complete a lap of Australia, decide how long you have available first. Then, use this as a guide for breaking up the lap. Think about how you can maximise your annual leave \u2013 make use of public holidays and shift patterns (if applicable).<\/p>\n

When you have a rough plan of where you\u2019re going and how much time you\u2019re taking off, book your annual leave. The earlier you do this, the better. Time creeps up faster than we expect! The more time you have to get things ready and plan an amazing holiday, the better.<\/p>\n

Preparation<\/h2>\n

Australia is a big place. Don\u2019t plan a trip without knowing that your 4WD and gear are up to the task, or that they will be by the time you leave. You\u2019d be mad to head somewhere remote without the right gear to travel safely and comfortably.<\/p>\n

Have a good think about facilities available. Some places do not have toilets and require grey water collection. Are you set up for that? Also, make sure that the gear and clothing you take cover the type of weather you\u2019re due to experience!<\/p>\n

\"Four<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t plan a trip without knowing that your 4WD and gear are up to the task! Image: Aaron Schubert<\/em><\/p>\n

In Episode 44<\/a> of the Snowys Camping Show<\/a>, Ben unpacked his half-lap across Northern and Western Australia:<\/h2>\n