Your list of must-haves will vary depending on where and when you plan to travel. But there are some essentials that every campervan traveller should include in their packing list.
To help answer the question of ‘what should I bring to a motorhome?’ and ‘how do you pack clothes for an RV trip?’ We’ve put together this helpful blog full of travel tips to help you prepare for your trip.
What should you bring for your Australian campervan holiday?
No two holidays in Australia are the same, and often the season you’re travelling in will influence what you need to pack. The weather in Australia can vary hugely between states, and even within the same state. Southern areas can experience four distinct seasons, while the more northern areas tend to remain hot year-round. From November through April, the northern tropical region of Australia experiences a wet season.
Let’s take a look at some of the items you may like to consider adding to your campervan packing list:
Medical
It’s a good idea to pack a basic first-aid kit for your Australian road trip (you can purchase one from your Maui branch if needed). Here are a few essentials to consider adding:
- Plasters
- Bandages and dressings
- Paracetamol
- Antiseptic
- Antihistamine
- Mosquito repellent
- Scissors
- Tweezers
- Eyewash
You should also add in any other regular medications such as inhalers, vitamins etc.
Toiletries
Along with the usual basic hygiene products such as toothpaste and soap, you may also want to pack a few personal care products specific to you including:
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Deodorant
- Razor/shaving cream
- Cosmetics
- Moisturiser
- Chapstick
Clothing & footwear
Before you start packing your clothing and footwear, be sure to check the seasonal conditions so you pack appropriately. Some must-haves may include:
- Swimming gear
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Sandals or slip-on footwear (handy for use at campground bathrooms)
- Sunhat and sunglasses
- Warm jacket and beanie
General
Other general items that you may need to add to your packing list could include:
- Tickets
- Passport
- Money/currency (travellers’ cheques, credit cards, Australian cash, bank/debit card)
- Travel insurance - leave one copy of your policy at home and take one copy with you
- International driver's licence
- Electrical adaptors
- Day pack
- Camera and charger, spare memory stick
- Watch with alarm
- Mobile phone and charger
- Laptop and power cord
- Sunscreen – the Australian UV rays can be harsh; we suggest you pack this for all seasons.
- Torch – handheld or a headtorch
- Eco plastic bags – handy to store your dirty laundry, wet towels, and rubbish. Zip lock bags are handy to keep meal leftovers fresh.
Hiking gear
Hiking in Australia is an exciting activity, and there are lots of great hikes and walking trails to choose from. In saying that, you need to be prepared and pack well. Here are a few suggestions:
- Good footwear: Proper walking boots are worth the investment if you’re planning on doing any long hikes or walks. These offer much better ankle support and will make your hike more comfortable
- Waterproof jacket, beanie, and gloves: You don’t want to risk getting cold or wet on your hike.
- Mobile phone: Make sure this is fully charged before you head off. If you’re going into remote areas, it’s also a good idea to take a personal locator beacon.
- Water bottle and snacks
- Sunscreen and lip balm
Tips to avoid overpacking
One of the many benefits of travelling by campervan is that there is considerably more space than in a car. Having said that, it can be easy to overpack and end up struggling to find space to put everything! Here are a few tips to help you make the most of your storage space:
- Plan ahead with a packing list and pack your gear a day in advance so you have plenty of time to check your list and make sure you don’t forget anything important. Pack your gear in soft luggage bags as they are a lot easier to store in your campervan than a hard suitcase.
- Organise your items with packing cubes. These packing accessories help keep smaller items together and make them much easier to find.
- Maximise space by rolling your clothing to store in your luggage rather than folding it. This can create a surprising amount of extra space, plus it’s much easier to see what you have.
- Compression cubes/bags will help maximise your space, especially if you have bulky items like winter jackets.
Storage in your motorhome
Make the most of space in your campervan by utilising every nook and cranny such as the glove box, under the seat, cabinets and storage compartments, and external lockers.
If you have large items to carry, like surfboards and bikes, you may want to consider travelling in a larger motorhome, such as the maui 6 Berth River.
What to do if you forget things
Remember, there’s no need to panic if you have forgotten anything as you can always purchase supplies once you arrive. All of maui’s branches are located in major tourist hubs which means a convenience store is never too far away. You can stock up on items for your Australian road trip such as washing powder at a local supermarket rather than taking up valuable luggage space!