Travel with Your Kids in a Motorhome in Australia: The Complete Guide

Australia is made for road trips—with its wide-open highways, stunning coastlines, and abundance of family-friendly stops along the way. But for parents, planning a holiday that’s both exciting and manageable with kids can feel like a challenge. That’s where motorhome travel comes in.

Travelling in a motorhome offers families a unique blend of freedom, comfort, and convenience. You can explore at your own pace, keep familiar routines, and create unforgettable experiences without constantly packing and unpacking.

Whether it’s your first time or you’re seasoned road trippers, this guide is packed with practical advice, destination ideas, safety tips, and planning tools to help you get the most out of your family adventure.

Let’s hit the road together!

Image: Cruisin’ Deluxe in Tasmania

1.  Why Travel Australia in a Motorhome with Kids?

Travelling Australia in a motorhome with kids isn’t just convenient—it’s a memory-making adventure that brings your family closer together. With vast open landscapes, family-friendly attractions, and hundreds of campsites across the country, Australia is tailor-made for road tripping with children.

Flexibility Around Your Family’s Needs

One of the biggest benefits of motorhome travel is flexibility. You can plan your days around your kids’ routines—whether that means stopping for nap time, cooking familiar meals, or heading to a new beach after a quick lunch. No rigid hotel check-in times or juggling luggage between locations.

Everything you need is right there with you, and if plans change (as they often do with kids!), your home on wheels moves with you!

Built-in Comforts Make Life Easier

As a family business, our motorhomes are designed with families in mind. Most models include a bathroom, comfortable beds, and a fully-equipped kitchen—ideal for preparing snacks or bottles, changing nappies, and giving kids a good night’s sleep. Having everything in one place makes life on the road feel less like roughing it and more like a portable home base.

Image: Ensuite bathroom in our 4- and 6-berth motorhomes!

Save on Accommodation and Dining

Hotels and restaurant meals add up quickly on a family holiday. With a motorhome, you can save significantly by staying in powered campsites or free camping areas, and cooking your own meals. Many holiday parks also come with child-friendly extras like playgrounds, pools, and jumping pillows—making them great value for families.

Check out our Best Tips to Save on Fuel, too!

Spend Quality Time Together

Motorhome travel encourages more interaction and quality time. From morning walks to beachside breakfasts and board games under the awning, there are countless opportunities to connect. Without the distractions of regular life, many families find their kids are more engaged, curious, and content during motorhome adventures.

Explore at Your Own Pace

Whether you want to spend an extra day at a wildlife park, wait out bad weather, or detour to a hidden waterfall, you have the freedom to make the trip your own. Travelling at your pace allows kids to enjoy the journey without the pressure of a fixed schedule—making the experience less stressful and more rewarding.

2.  Choosing the Right Motorhome

Picking the right motorhome is one of the most important decisions for a successful family road trip. With the right setup, your motorhome becomes a safe, comfortable, and functional home on wheels—tailored to your family’s needs.

Size Matters: 4-Berth vs 6-Berth

When travelling with kids, space is everything. Most families will find a 4-berth or 6-berth motorhome ideal, depending on how many people are coming along.

• 4-berth motorhomes are great for smaller families and offer a more compact, easier-to-drive option. Our Cruisin’ Adventurer & Cruisin’ 4-Berth Deluxe are a great option!
• 6-berth motorhomes offer extra room to spread out—perfect for larger families or those travelling with extra gear, strollers, or toys. You’ll find your ride between our Cruisin’ Discovery or our Cruisin’ 6-Berth Deluxe (our customers’ favourite choice!).

Think about how often you’ll be driving, where you plan to stay, and how much indoor space you'll want during downtime or rainy days.

Image: Spacious living area in our Cruisin’ 6-berth Deluxe

Family-Friendly Features

Some motorhomes are better suited to travelling with children than others. And ours are packed with the best features you can hope for! They are designed to make life easier and safer on the road:

• Child restraint anchor points for child seats and boosters.
• Full kitchen facilities, including a fridge, microwave, stovetop with grill, and sink.
• Onboard bathroom with toilet and shower (especially handy for night-time emergencies).
• Ample storage for clothes, food, toys, and outdoor gear.
• Block-out blinds & curtains for daytime naps and early bedtimes.
• Plenty of space for entertainment, with 2 dinettes and a TV/DVD player! 
• Overhead bed secured with a net!
• Internal heating/cooling and flyscreen!

3.  Safety Tips for Travelling with Kids

Safety is always our top priority when travelling with children, especially on the road. The good news is that our motorhomes are built with safety in mind—and with a few extra precautions, you can ensure a safe and smooth journey for the whole family.

Child Seats

Australian law requires all children under 7 years old to be in a correctly fitted child restraint.

• Our motorhomes have anchor points for child seats or booster seats.
• Make sure the seat is properly installed and suited to your child’s age, height, and weight (parents to fit it).
• Never let kids ride unrestrained or sleep in the back while the vehicle is moving.
• The dinette tables must be removed while driving.

Image: Child seat in our 4- and 6- berth Motorhomes

Keep a First Aid Kit Handy

A well-stocked first aid kit is a must. Include essentials like:

• Band-aids, antiseptic cream, and tweezers
• Child-safe pain relief and allergy medication
• Sunscreen and insect repellent
• Thermometer and digital health records (especially if you're remote)

Also, consider downloading the Australian Red Cross First Aid app for step-by-step emergency advice, just in case.

Drive Smart and Take Breaks

Long drives can be hard on young travellers.

• Plan to stop every 2–3 hours at rest areas, lookouts, or playgrounds.
• Avoid driving at night and stay well-rested to maintain full focus. Learn the dangers of night driving!
• Share the driving if possible, and always follow road rules and speed limits.

Keeping kids entertained during the drive (think audiobooks, travel games, or a tablet with offline content) also helps reduce distractions and makes the journey safer for everyone.

Image: Cruisin’ 4-berth Deluxe

4.  Planning a Family-Friendly Route

Planning the right route can make all the difference when travelling in a motorhome with kids. The key is to balance driving time with fun, child-friendly stops and enough rest days to recharge. Here’s how to create an itinerary that works for the whole family.

Choose Shorter Driving Days

Kids (and parents!) can get cranky after too much time on the road…

• Aim for driving stretches of 2–4 hours max per day, with frequent breaks.
• Use roadside stops, playgrounds, or scenic lookouts as excuses to stretch and snack.
• Build in extra days to stay longer in places the kids love—flexibility is one of your biggest assets in a motorhome.

Focus on Kid-Friendly Destinations

Australia is full of incredible spots that kids will adore. A few favourites include:

• Tasmania – wildlife parks, fairy-tale forests, and quiet, family-friendly beaches.
• Queensland – the Great Barrier Reef, Australia Zoo, and tropical water parks.
• New South Wales – coastal towns, national parks, and family farms near Byron Bay.
• Victoria – the Great Ocean Road, Phillip Island penguins, and nature trails near the Grampians.
• South Australia – wildlife sanctuaries, underground adventures in Coober Pedy, and spacious holiday parks.
• Western Australia – laid-back coastal towns, snorkelling in Ningaloo Reef, and kangaroo encounters in Esperance.

Image: Australia Zoo, Queensland

Stay at Family-Friendly Campsites

Choosing the right campsite can make evenings easier and more fun. Look for:

• Holiday parks with playgrounds, pools, and kids’ activities
• Powered sites for reliable electricity and water hookups
• Camp kitchens and BBQ areas, great for socialising and easy dinners
• Laundry facilities—because, let’s be honest, there will be messes…

Many Aussie parks also offer school holiday programs or themed weekends to keep the little ones entertained.

Include Nature and Wildlife Experiences

Australia’s wildlife is a major highlight for kids. Build your route around opportunities to spot kangaroos and wallabies in the wild, to visit wildlife parks or zoos with hands-on experiences, or to feed farm animals or go fruit picking, or even to take easy family bushwalks with waterfalls, glow worms, or rainforest boardwalks.

These experiences don’t just break up the trip—they create lasting memories and help kids feel connected to nature.

5.  Keeping Kids Entertained on the Road

A successful motorhome trip with kids depends on keeping boredom at bay—especially during those longer stretches of driving or rainy afternoons inside the van. With a mix of screen-free options, tech-savvy solutions, and outdoor fun, you can keep spirits high and meltdowns to a minimum.

To name a few: pack a travel activity kit, download apps, audiobooks & movies, embrace outdoor play, get them involved (help plan the next stop or choose between two destinations), create fun traditions…

We wrote a whole article about The Best Hobbies for a Road Trip, check it out to learn more!

Image: There is a TV in all our 4- and 6-berth Motorhomes!

6.  Motorhome Cooking Made Easy

One of the biggest advantages of travelling in a motorhome is having your kitchen always within reach. With a little planning, you can serve up healthy, delicious meals without spending a fortune—or relying on takeaway every night.

What You’ll Find in Your Motorhome Kitchen

Our modern motorhomes come equipped with: a 2–3 burner gas stove, a fridge/freezer, a microwave (if connected to mains power), a sink with running water, basic cookware, utensils, and crockery!

This setup is perfect for preparing simple meals on the go, from pasta and stir-fries to breakfasts and snacks.

Easy Meal Ideas for Families

Keep it simple with meals that don’t create too much mess or require specialty ingredients. Here are a few favourites:

Breakfast: Toast with spreads, cereal, or overnight oats. Eggs on the stove (scrambled, boiled, or fried). Pancakes or fruit and yoghurt.

Lunch: Sandwiches, wraps, or toasties. Leftover pasta salad or rice bowls. DIY snack platters (cheese, fruit, crackers, veggie sticks).

Dinner: One-pot pasta, stir-fry, or curry. BBQ sausages or grilled chicken with salad. Tacos or burrito bowls (a hit with kids!)

Snacks: Popcorn, cut fruit, trail mix, muesli bars. Packets of rice cakes, cheese sticks, or mini yoghurts.

Check out our Best Motorhome Cooking Tips!

We’ve also got a list of Easy Motorhome Meals!

Image: Our Cruisin’ 6-berth Deluxe fit a family of 5 for dinner, easy!

Stock Up Smartly

Before you hit the road:

• Buy pantry staples like rice, pasta, sauces, and UHT milk
• Keep a stash of fresh produce and snacks in a plastic tub
• Top up at local supermarkets or roadside farm stalls along the way

Don’t forget reusable containers for leftovers (yes, you’ll have some in your motorhome kitchen), and keep a cooler bag handy for day trips or beach lunches!

Cook Outdoors When You Can

Many campgrounds and holiday parks have BBQs or camp kitchens—perfect for cooking without heating up the motorhome. Outdoor dining gives the kids room to move and adds a fresh air twist to mealtime.

7.  Packing Essentials for a Family Motorhome Trip

Packing for a motorhome holiday with kids is all about finding the sweet spot between prepared and overpacked. You’ll want to bring everything you need for comfort, entertainment, and safety—without crowding the living space. Here’s a guide to help you pack smart.

Clothing & Personal Items

• Choose layers that can adapt to changing weather
• Include sun protection (hats, sunglasses, rash shirts) and rain gear
• Pack pyjamas, comfy driving outfits, and a few nicer sets for eating out
• Don’t forget swimwear, even in cooler months—many parks have heated pools
• Casual sneakers and water shoes
• Thongs or sandals

Entertainment and Tech

• Books, games, toys, colouring supplies
• Tablets with downloaded content (movies, games, audiobooks)
• Chargers and a power bank
• Bluetooth speaker for music or audiobooks
• A camera or instant photo printer for capturing memories

Outdoor Gear

• Frisbee, ball, or other compact sports gear
• Bug spray and sunscreen
• Small first-aid kit with child-friendly supplies

Important Documents and Extras

• Your driver’s licence and motorhome hire paperwork
• Medicare or health insurance cards
• A copy of your itinerary and campsite bookings
• Emergency contacts and medical information
• A folder for activity vouchers or park passes

Image: You won’t run out of storage in our Cruisin’ 4- and 6-berth Deluxe!

8.  Final Tips for a Smooth Journey

Travelling Australia in a motorhome with your kids is one of the most rewarding adventures you can take—but like any family trip, it’s all about being flexible and prepared. These final tips will help you make the most of every kilometre.

Plan, But Don’t Overplan

It’s great to have a rough itinerary and campsite bookings in place—especially in peak seasons—but leave room for spontaneous stops and off-the-beaten-path discoveries. Some of the best memories come from unplanned moments.

Embrace the Slow Travel Mindset

Kids thrive on routine, so try not to rush. Stick to 2- to 3-hour driving blocks when possible and build in time to rest, play, and explore. Think of the journey as the destination. Learn more about Slow Travel.

Stay Connected (and Disconnected)

Bring devices for entertainment during long drives, but balance screen time with nature, conversation, and hands-on activities. Download maps and movies in advance for areas with no signal.

Choose Family-Friendly Campsites

Look for holiday parks with:

• Playgrounds or pools
• Family bathrooms
• Camp kitchens and laundry facilities
• Activities or kids’ clubs during holidays

These extras can make all the difference in keeping little travellers happy.

Keep It Fun and Flexible

Some days might be messy or loud or slower than expected—and that’s okay. Travelling by motorhome gives your family the rare gift of uninterrupted time together. Embrace the chaos, laugh at the hiccups, and celebrate the wins—big and small!

Image: Family-friendly motorhomes!

Ready For Your Family Road Trip?

Whether you're planning a short getaway or an epic cross-country adventure, travelling in a motorhome is one of the best ways to experience Australia with kids. It brings flexibility, comfort, and the joy of discovering something new each day.

Hire a self-contained motorhome from Cruisin’ Motorhomes and turn your family holiday into the ultimate road trip.

Call our friendly reservations team on 1300 664 485 or check out our website to see the motorhomes we have available at our branches!

Check out our itineraries page for more travel inspiration!

Don’t hesitate to share your Cruisin’ Motorhomes adventure with us with the #cruisinmoments!