Planning a family motorhome escape these school holidays? Here are our top tips that will help you ensure your motorhome adventure is everything you’re hoping for and more…
1. Plan a loose itinerary
Possibly the most appealing thing about a motorhome getaway is the freedom it grants you to travel unrestricted wherever your heart takes you, but while it can be tempting to throw the itinerary out the window and simply drive wherever the road leads, it’s good to have a basic idea of where you want to go and where you intend to park your motorhome overnight.
Australia is vast and it’s easy to underestimate the distance and travel time between destinations. Mapping out a general itinerary will help you to more accurately estimate the required travel time, allowing you to include all the attractions and destinations you most want to see and make the most of your time on the road. Just include a bit of extra “wiggle room” in your planning so you have the flexibility to make a detour if you see something of interest along the way.
It’s also a good idea to locate a few caravan parks along your route—while you’ll be fine to stay off-grid for a couple of nights, we do recommend that you plug into a powered site at least every second or third night to allow the auxiliary batteries to recharge. Powered caravan sites in family holiday parks can book out early during school holiday periods, so you may want to book something in advance so you don’t find yourself in a tricky spot.
Make sure you also download the Let’s Go Australia App before you head off which is full of useful maps and information.
2. Do your research
In the current environment, it’s worthwhile doing a little extra research then you might normally do, as some attractions that would normally be open at this time of year may be closed due to Covid-19 restrictions.
A quick online search and a visit to the websites of any restaurants or attractions you were planning to go to should give you an indication of what’s open and what isn’t, but it’s also a good idea to call a few places to double-check what the current arrangements are, as the information published online may not always be up-to-date.
It’s also important to check if there are any travel restrictions in place before you hit the road, as restrictions may vary depending on your location. You can find out what the various travel restrictions in each state and territory are from the Australian Government Department of Health website.
3. Pack carefully
Temperatures can vary significantly across Australia. While many destinations in the north will still be warm and sunny, many southern and central regions can experience some seriously low temperatures during the winter school holiday period.
If you’re heading to a cool-climate location, it’s important to be prepared—and especially when travelling with children. Packing a warm coat, gloves, scarves, beanies and waterproof gear for each member of the family will ensure you’re able to rug up when the mercury does drop. It’s also a good idea to stock up on plenty of family-friendly entertainment like cards, games, books and craft activities for the kids to enjoy from the comfort of the motorhome in the evenings or if it’s raining during the day.
You can afford to travel a little lighter if you’re heading somewhere warmer, but make sure you always carry sufficient water.
4. Check the vehicle details
When you book your motorhome, make sure you look closely at the individual vehicle details to ensure it includes everything you’ll need for a comfortable and hassle-free adventure.
Before you make your booking, check if it includes:
- a fully functional kitchen with a sink, fridge/freezer, microwave oven, stove and grill, as well as cooking equipment, utensils, crockery and cutlery
- a shower and toilet
- all linens, bedding and towels so you don’t need to provide them yourself
- a dinette for the family to enjoy meals and activities together (a must during the cooler months when dining outside may not be an option)
- heating
- a suitable bedding configuration for the whole family to sleep comfortably
- child anchor points and the availability of baby or booster seats (if travelling with small children)
- a TV and DVD player to entertain the kids in the evenings
- an outdoor table and chairs so you can set yourself up outside when the temperature is milder
- a solar panel to charge the house battery.
It’s also good to look for other features you might find valuable like automatic transmission, a reversing camera, GPS navigation, bike hire and optional extras like pre-stocking your motorhome with groceries from our partner Coles Online.
5. Shop around for the best offer
You also want to know you’re getting a good deal on your motorhome hire.
To make it easy to find a great deal, at Let’s Go Motorhomes we have a special offer these school holidays to add extra value to your family motorhome adventure—if you book one of our spacious 6-berth motorhomes for 12 days or more, we’ll throw in two days of bonus travel and complimentary bike hire at no extra charge.
This offer is available on bookings made between 3 and 30 June 2020 for travel between 26 June and 20 July 2020 from our Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Melbourne, Perth or Sydney branches.
Find out more about our school holidays special offer, or request a motorhome quote for your preferred dates.