A Parent's Guide to Motorhome Travel in Australia

Planning a family holiday in Australia can feel like a big adventure in itself, especially when travelling with young children. But a motorhome holiday can actually make family travel easier, more flexible and a lot more fun.

With your accommodation, kitchen, bathroom and living space travelling with you, you can explore at your own pace without having to pack and unpack at every destination. (And, yes, we have baby, toddler & child seats available for hire!). Stop for a playground when the kids need a break, prepare lunch whenever you need to, or settle in for a quiet evening after a big day of exploring.

To help you make the most of your family motorhome holiday, here are some of our favourite tips for travelling around Australia with kids.

Intro

Image: Travelling with kids and reconnect with nature

Choose a family-friendly campsite

One of the easiest ways to make a motorhome holiday enjoyable for everyone is to choose campsites with facilities the whole family will love.

Holiday and caravan parks often offer playgrounds, swimming pools, jumping pillows, BBQ areas and plenty of space for children to play. Having these facilities nearby means the kids can burn off some energy while parents enjoy a little downtime.

When choosing a campsite, consider what your family will need during your stay. Look for amenities such as powered sites, bathrooms, laundry facilities, playgrounds and swimming pools, depending on the age of your children.

We recommend staying at powered site every second nights to charge the batteries of your motorhome, and to enjoy all the appliances (microwave, AC/Heating system and power points only work when plugged to mains power).

Holiday Park and National Park both can be great options, but they offer very different experiences.

Holiday and caravan parks are ideal when you want convenience and family-friendly facilities. They generally provide powered sites, bathrooms and plenty of activities to keep children entertained.
National parks and nature reserves offer a more peaceful and remote experience, often surrounded by spectacular scenery and Australian wildlife. Facilities can be more basic, and powered sites aren't always available, so make sure you check what is provided before you arrive.

Your Cruisin’ Motorhome is equipped with a bathroom, kitchen and other onboard facilities, so you can enjoy the freedom of more remote locations while still having many of the comforts of home. Just make sure you plug the vehicle every second nights to a powered site to keep the batteries charged.

Image: Vehicle plugged into powered site

Create a wildlife-spotting bucket list

One of the best things about travelling around Australia with children is the opportunity to see wildlife in its natural environment.

Depending on where your road trip takes you, you could spot kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, wombats, emus, possums and an incredible variety of native birds. Sometimes, you don't even need to go far – wildlife can appear right outside your motorhome!

Before your trip, research the animals you might encounter along your route and turn it into a fun family activity. Create a wildlife checklist and let the kids tick off each animal as they spot it. Just remember to admire wildlife from a safe distance and never feed or approach wild animals.

Image: Emus wandering around near Melbourne

Pack plenty of snacks

If there's one thing parents know, it's that you can never have too many snacks on a road trip!

Make the most of your motorhome's storage space by preparing snacks before you leave. Easy options such as fruit, vegetable sticks, yoghurt, crackers, sandwiches and muesli bars are perfect for keeping little travellers happy between stops.

And of course, a family road trip wouldn't be complete without a few treats. During the warmer months, having a freezer onboard means you can keep ice creams and other cold treats ready for those sunny Australian road-trip days.

Prepare a few meals before you leave

Planning a few meals in advance can save you plenty of time and effort during your trip… Before setting off, prepare some family favourites that can be stored in the motorhome's fridge or freezer. Pre-made pasta sauces, soups, casseroles and sandwiches can be particularly handy after a long day of sightseeing.

Your motorhome kitchen gives you the flexibility to cook when and where you want, whether that's making breakfast before an early start, preparing lunch at a scenic picnic spot or cooking dinner at your campsite.

It's one of the simple advantages of having your kitchen with you wherever you go. Here are 5 easy meal suggestions to prepare in your motorhome!

Image: Spacious kitchen in our 4 & berth motorhomes

Give the kids a travel journal

A travel journal is a simple way to keep children entertained while creating a special keepsake from your trip.

Give each child a notebook, pencils and some washi tape and encourage them to document the journey. They can draw pictures, write about their favourite places, collect tickets and brochures, or stick in small mementos from along the way.

It's a great activity for long driving days and, at the end of your holiday, they'll have something special to look back on for years to come.

Bring entertainment for the road

Even the most exciting road trip can feel long for little travellers! Pack a mix of activities to keep everyone entertained during driving days. Books, colouring-in, travel games, audiobooks and favourite movies can all help make longer journeys easier: check out the best hobbies for a road trip!

Once you're settled at camp, board games and card games are a great way to spend an evening together. You could even visit an Australian op shop (our local term for a thrift store) before your trip and pick up a few inexpensive games specifically for your holiday.

Don't forget to pack some outdoor entertainment too. A ball, frisbee, scooters or a simple set of outdoor games can provide hours of fun when you stop for the day.

Image: Colouring-in time in the motorhome

Choose the right motorhome for your family

Choosing the right motorhome can make all the difference to a comfortable family holiday. Think about how many people are travelling, how much living space you need and, importantly, how you want to use the space during the day.

Our 4 Berth range offers several great options for families of up to four.

4 Berth Adventurer: A practical option for families looking for comfortable accommodation and flexible living space. The Adventurer features an overhead bed, plus convertible sleeping and dining areas that can be set up as needed.
4 Berth Seeker: The Seeker is ideal for families who want a little more convenience. It features a fixed rear double bed and an overhead double bed, so there's no need to convert beds at night. It also includes a kitchen, dining area, toilet and shower.
4 Berth Deluxe*: Offering plenty of space for a family of four, the 4 Berth Deluxe features a fixed rear double bed and an overhead double bed, meaning both sleeping areas are ready to use without needing to set anything up. It's a great choice for families who value comfort and an easy, practical layout.

Travelling with a larger family? Our 6 Berth motorhomes provide additional sleeping and living space, making them a great choice for families who need room to spread out.

6 Berth Discovery: The Discovery offers flexible family living with an overhead bed plus convertible front and rear sleeping areas. During the day, these spaces can be transformed into dining and living areas, giving the whole family more room to relax.
6 Berth Deluxe*: For families wanting even more space and flexibility, the 6 Berth Deluxe is a popular choice. It features an overhead bed and convertible front and rear sleeping areas, allowing you to create spacious dining and living areas during the day and comfortable sleeping spaces at night.

*Our Deluxe motorhomes are the latest models on the fleet – featuring upgraded appliances and less than 2 years on the road!