Van Life Australia

Be wary of the weather

The weather changes over here as quick as you can do a shot of tequila! It’s awesome but it can seriously catch you out. It can be glorious sunshine 1 minute to torrential rain the next. Australian’s do more than just check the weather they check the radar. Yep, we check the radar.  Download an app called Willy Weather and forget your apple weather app! You can check the forecast as you would expect from a weather app but you can also check winds, tides, moon phases, project rainfall and the radar. Van life Australia is just a little different!

It can be hard to pack when you go from a busy rainy city to a quiet and extremely hot outback town in a matter of hours, so just pack it all. Warm clothes, summer clothes, the trusty rain coat and your sexy swimmers. 

Across the six states and two territories that makes up Straya, the climate is quite different in each place. Australia does have four seasons but depending on where you are you can have a British summer or Hawaiian summer, it’s really that different depending on whether you are north or south.  

The Northern Territory for example can we so hot and dry that you need plenty of sun protection and water storage, even over winter. Other states like Tasmania cool even in the summer.

Australia is also at risk of bushfires and floods, never at the same time of course so it really is a good idea to check live weather maps regularly to ensure it’s safe for you to travel. 

It’s wild! 

Be warned, she’s wildly different with wildlife just as diverse as its weather. There is so much of it to see and road tripping is the best way to see it all. You are on the ground and can take your time so tick them off!

• • • • Kangaroos
      • Tasmanian Devils
      • Penguins 
      • Quokka’s 
      • Platypus 
      • Turtle 
      • Dolphins 
      • Manta Rays
      • Dingoes 
      • Brumbies 
      • Humpack Whales 
      • Crocodiles 
      • Emu’s 
      • Cassowaries 
      • Birds – Cockatoo, Kingfisher, Kookaburra, Eagle, Owls to name a few

It is so wonderful when you spot wildlife in the wild, it makes us so happy! Don’t be a donut though they, respect that we share this land and sea with so many other incredible animals that don’t wear clothes like us but they too need to eat, need shelter and like their own space. 

• • • • Please drive carefully to avoid wild kangaroo and other land animals
      • Close your doors at night (especially in outback areas) to keep your mobile home free of curious critters
      • Don’t leave food or rubbish behind – dispose of scraps so that wildlife are not put at risk if they consume it
      • Don’t approach animals – they might be beautiful but they can be dangerous!
      • Never leave campfires unattended!
      • Swim between the flags at beaches

Parking and pooping 

Australia has so many holiday parks, National Parks and free camping areas to choose from whilst you are travelling around so it’s truly really easy. 

One of the most important things to do when choosing where to stay overnight on your Australia road trip, is to ensure you are picking somewhere legal to stay the night. You could be in for an unwelcome fine if you park illegally, so always check first and save your money for the fun stuff. 

Other things to consider are:

• Plug in and power up. Ensure you are using a route that has powered sites along the way. Some areas of Australia are very remote so this is a pre-planning must if you are replying on regular power top ups. 
• Bin day. This is generally every few days so get rid of it little and often to save yourself any hassle. 
• Toilet and Showers. Managing stops to take a dump and freshen up can be tricky so think about your set up. Most free camp sites have no facilities and do require you to be self sufficient which means a toilet and shower on board.