10 THINGS WE’VE LEARNT FROM LIFE ON THE ROAD
Freedom, check. Breathtaking landscapes, check! Long tiring drives and tantrums? Check! Life on the road is an unforgettable adventure but it isn’t one big holiday. We spent two years caravanning around Australia and fell in love with the lifestyle but it's not for everyone. When we bought our first caravan, we were already on the move, travelling fulltime with just a few backpacks. We knew nothing about caravanning, but with international travel off the cards thanks to the pandemic, we found ourselves learning the ins and outs of van life on the run. So, here's a few nuggets of wisdom we stumbled upon during our adventure.
1. Full-time travel isn’t easy
Not everyone is cut out for full-time caravanning. Swapping the comforts of a big house for a tiny van takes time to adjust to. Yes, you can throw alarm clocks and soul-killing commutes out the window when you hit the road. But there are still long drives, temper tantrums, sibling fights and little downtime from each other. Living on the road isn’t one big holiday. You won’t be sipping cocktails by the pool or lounging on the beach every day. There is still washing to do, bills to pay and constant van/car maintenance. It’s true, your days will be filled with new adventures and epic experiences, but that means stepping out of your comfort zone and pushing your boundaries in unfamiliar territory. Add parenting and home schooling to the mix and it can be down-right exhausting.
2. It’s time to slow down
When you first take off, you’ll be revving with excitement. You’ll be keen to squeeze as many spectacular vistas and epic experiences into every second of each day. But we’ve found there’s more joy in slowing down and really enjoying a handful of places than rushing through as much as you can. For example, if you only have two weeks to go on a road trip in Western Australia, you’d be better off choosing one part of the state and immersing yourself in that area, than trying to cover the whole state and only scratching the surface. Slowing down will prevent travel fatigue and allow you to uncover more of the hidden gems. Plus, you’ll leave with a connection to an area rather than it being a blur. Admittedly, we still struggle with this though and are always forcing ourselves to slow down.
3. Pack less than you think you’ll need
This is one of the most common pieces of advice you’ll probably hear from full-time caravanners. But no matter how many times you hear it, you’ll most likely still pack too much. We know it’s hard not to take as much as you possibly can, but just remember you’re travelling across Australia – not some third-world country – and if there’s something you absolutely must have but didn’t take, it’s easy to pick it up on the road. Click here to see our list of what to pack.
4. Take recovery gear
If there’s one thing you should pack, other than beer and wine, it’s recovery gear! For us, that meant a set of maxx traxx, a shovel for digging ourselves out of trouble when we get bogged, snatch straps and a hand-held UHF radio. We also carried an air compressor, a tyre pressure guage and a little air pump.
5. Lower your tyre pressure on corrugations and the beach
This one we learnt the hard way but after plenty of slow bumpy rides and hours of digging our wheels out of the sand (with our kids’ beach toy spades) we now know the best way not to get bogged is to drop tyre pressures. On soft sand, drop between 18-20 psi to start with and adjust to the conditions.
6. Get a car fridge and washing machine if you can
When we first started caravanning, we didn’t have either. We eventually made sure we had both and boy, are they gamechangers. At four to five dollars a pop, we no longer had to spend a small fortune on washing and the pile of dirty washing didn’t get out of control because we did small loads every day. Yes, we survived without a washing machine before but after having both, we’d never get a van without it again! And we feel the same about the 70L car fridge. Having the ability to store extra food or pull out lunch, a cold drink or even an ice cream when you’re out and about adventuring is a godsend!
7. Save time and money with handy apps
Download WikiCamps! We used this daily! Not only does it show you a map with all the spots to stay and see, it also includes reviews, photos, prices and more. For less than $10, this app will make your trip so much easier. Other apps to check out include Hipcamp, Fuel Map, National Public Toilet Map, Playground Finder, Hema Maps, Emergency Plus, Willy Weather, BorrrowBox and Star Walk.
8. Be flexible with your plans
We know everyone is different. Some people need to plan every step of their journey but we think the whole beauty of travelling full time is that you don’t have to have a plan. If every day is planned and you’re locked into a plan, you don’t leave room for surprise. This is the perfect chance to step away from alarms, lists, schedules and routines. It’s time to just go with the flow and embrace whatever comes your way. You’ll meet other travellers and locals along the way who will tell you about hidden spots. If you’re not flexible and open to changing your plans, you’ll risk missing out on these under-the-radar spots which are often the best. Except for incredibly popular campsites such as Osprey Bay in Western Australia, we wouldn’t book ahead. Even during school holidays, we just headed inland or to the lesser known spots away from the crowds.
9. Have time apart
Yes, this time is all about making memories together and being present with family. But no matter how much you love your family, spending 24/7 together is exhausting. Time apart, whether that’s to exercise or even just do the groceries alone, will make a world of difference! Remember you need to keep your cup filled.
10. The adventure will change you
Travel is truly something magical. It broadens minds, changes life perspectives and offers the chance to grow as a person and as a family. If you’re prepared to step outside your comfort zone and say ‘yes’ to the many unexpected opportunities that pop up along the way, we guarantee you won’t return the same person you were when you left.
