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Understanding concerns about campervan travel
When I first brought up the idea of a campervan road trip in Australia, Nigel had his fair share of worries. I wasn’t surprised—campervans aren’t everyone’s first choice, especially when the idea of being on the road for days or weeks at a time seems daunting. In this section, I’ll explore some of the common reservations people, like Nigel, have about campervan trips and how we addressed them together.
Common reservations
Many of Nigel’s initial concerns were pretty common for anyone who is new to campervan travel. One of Nigel’s biggest concerns was the thought that a campervan trip Australia would be messy. He worried about changing water tanks, managing waste, and keeping everything tidy. To him, it all seemed like too much work.
Then there was the issue of driving—Nigel wasn’t exactly excited about navigating a larger vehicle on unfamiliar roads. And what about relaxation? He thought packing and repacking a camper would be stressful compared to simply staying in hotels or resorts.
Another concern that made him hesitant was the idea of staying in more remote areas. "What if we go off-grid? How do we charge phones and cameras?" he asked. I knew the idea of staying away from amenities (and cities, to be frank—that man loves his cafes and galleries) made him nervous, so I assured him we could stay at campgrounds with good facilities.
Plus, there were the smaller, everyday concerns: Would we be warm enough? Would bugs be a problem? What about cooking in such a small space? These were all things we discussed at length. I reminded him that staying in a motorhome meant we could still eat out when we wanted and make things easy, but with the bonus of cooking when we felt like it!
Personal concerns
Nigel’s reluctance wasn’t just about logistics—it was also personal. He worried that being on the road for so long might strain our relationship. Would we get on each other’s nerves? Could we manage being in such close quarters for weeks on end? He also wasn’t sure if the trip would feel like a "real holiday" without the luxury of a hotel room. These personal concerns were just as important to address as the practical ones because travelling with your partner should be a joy, not a burden.
How I addressed these concerns
After understanding all of Nigel’s concerns, I knew that if we were going to make this work, I had to address each one to make sure we were both on the same page and comfortable during our trip. In this section, I’ll explain how I approached his worries and made him feel more comfortable about the idea of travelling in a campervan hire.
Researching benefits
The first step in easing Nigel’s fears was showing him the many benefits of campervan travel. We researched together and found that campervans offer a lot more freedom than other types of travel. I explained that we wouldn’t have to deal with the hassle of checking in and out of hotels or dealing with crowded airports.
Instead, we could take our time, choose our own path, visit some of Australia's most scenic spots and truly explore this beautiful country of ours. I also showed him how easy it is to stay in designated campgrounds with great facilities. We even found articles about the best Australian museums and galleries to visit on your road trip, so we wouldn’t miss out on any of our favourite activities (as I know how much he loves a little dose of culture on our holidays)!
Also, choosing the right campervan is really important when it comes to fears around mess. If your partner is like Nigel, and not hugely into camping, then opting for a larger motorhome may be the way to go. That way, you have plenty of space and storage options, so nothing is left laying about, causing clutter.
Lastly, after a long chat, we decided that choosing when to travel in a campervan is a huge factor for us. I reminded him that firstly, Australia is huge, and we could travel seasonally to more temperate climates. And second, if we wanted to travel locally, we could plan these during the spring and summer months. There are plenty of great destinations to visit in the spring, and often can be less crowded than the summer. Win-win!
Crafting a personalised itinerary
To really get Nigel on board in the beginning, I also made sure to plan stops at spots he’d enjoy, like small coastal towns or iconic Aussie landmarks, while leaving enough flexibility in the itinerary for spontaneous detours. That’s the beauty of campervan travel—you’re never locked into a rigid schedule. You can wake up and decide where to go based on how you’re feeling that day.
Another thing that helped was planning out practical elements, like when we’d cook our own meals in the campervan and when we’d treat ourselves to eating out. I wanted Nigel to see that this wasn’t just about ‘roughing it’—we could enjoy a mix of home comforts and indulgence. I even incorporated tips from articles on top Australian destinations to visit, so we wouldn’t miss out on any must-see spots, all while keeping the trip relaxed.
Discovering the joys of campervan life
Once we hit the road on our first trip, it didn’t take long for Nigel to find his groove. He started to realise that campervan life isn’t just about getting from point A to point B—it’s about the freedom to enjoy the journey.
Unexpected enjoyments
I knew the access to beautiful scenery would make an impression, but I didn’t expect Nigel to be so taken by the quiet moments. Watching the sunrise from our campervan, with no rush to get anywhere, was a game-changer. As it turns out, he loved the flexibility—deciding where we’d go next, whether we’d stop at a peaceful beach or a small town with a great coffee spot.
Evenings were another unexpected hit. We had our fair share of cosy nights in the motorhome, cooking simple meals together (yes, he actually ended up loving being able to swing by one of Australia’s iconic farmer’s markets and cook up a feast) and just relaxing.
With no pressure to be anywhere at a specific time, we could unwind properly. It was a far cry from the hurried dinners and going to sleep thinking about what time you need to wake up in order to adhere to the strict check-in times of hotel stays. He even found that managing the small space of the camper wasn’t as tricky as he’d imagined—everything was within arm’s reach, making it feel homey rather than cramped.
And if that weren’t enough, what really surprised Nigel, though, was the joy of having everything we needed with us all the time. There was no packing and unpacking, no rushing for flights or taxis, just the luxury of moving at our own pace. We’d pick a spot, stay a while, and then hit the road whenever we felt like it. The flexibility was a game-changer for him. Oh, and not having to help me carry my bags in and out of hotels was also a sure advantage!
Positive feedback
By the end of the trip, Nigel admitted he’d completely misjudged campervan hire. He appreciated the freedom, loved the way we could adjust our plans on the fly, and was surprised by how relaxing it actually was. One morning, we woke up in a secluded spot by the ocean, and he was the first to comment on how peaceful it was to have the waves as our alarm clock.
Nigel admitted that he was initially worried about the logistics, but once we settled into a routine, it all felt so natural. He said that having the motorhome meant we didn’t need to rely on a strict travel itinerary—we could decide where to go based on how we felt that day. It was spontaneous, fun, and, best of all, relaxing. He even started daydreaming about future campervan trips around Australia! (Hint, hint: we have done plenty since then!)
He also reflected on how comfortable the camper was. Having our own little space meant we had plenty of quiet time whenever we wanted. And as for the original concerns about mess or bugs? They were long forgotten by the time we were enjoying a perfect sunset from the comfort of our camper, with a glass of wine in hand.
READ MORE: If you are a fellow wine lover, too, then you will want to check out the top Aussie destinations for wine lovers.
Ready to explore Australia with your partner in a campervan?
If you’ve been thinking about convincing your partner to give campervan hire au a try, take it from me—it’s totally worth it. There’s something about the flexibility, the freedom, and the simple joys of life on the road that makes it such a unique experience. Best of all, you can book your maui motorhome and pick it up from any maui branch to start your couples getaway!