Archive for the ‘Campervan Hire’ Category

We’re often asked when speaking to our clients about campervan rental in Australia, whether it is easy to find water while travelling around Australia.

For those that don’t know already, with campervan rental in Australia, they come with on board water storage tanks.  These vary in size, depending on the style and size of campervan rental in Australia you are considering.  For example, the two berth with toilet and shower campervan has a water tank ranging from 100 – 140 litres.

If you are travelling in the outback and are planning on freedom camping (free or low cost camping) with your campervan rental in Australia, we’d recommending filling up at every opportunity.  As to how long your water tanks will last, it does depend on your usage and the number of people.  Generally we’d find there would be no problem with the water tank lasting at least a couple of days for an average couple.

You’ll find that at pretty much all commercial camping grounds, there will be at ability for you to fill up your water tank. 

Some fuel stations while travelling around Australia also have a water tap – if you ask and also are filling up with Fuel, it is often not a problem to fill up your water tank also.

For those that are travelling with the Camps Australia Wide Guide, a guide that gives detail of free and low cost camping throughout Australia, you’ll also find that there is information as to which of these camps offer water and dump stations also.  Dump stations are where you empty your toilet waste.

Campervan Rental Australia

Your campervan rental in Australia will come complete with a hose and fittings to fill up your water tank easily.  This is a straight forward process, where you simply connect your hose to the nearby tap and put it into your water tank.  You have a lockable tank opening on the outside of your vehicle – quite similar to filling up your fuel tank.

Generally people would still buy drinking water, rather than using from the tank.  Of course it is up to you – either way the water in the tank is perfect for showering, cooking, hot drinks and other general use.  We do have Luxury Campervan Rental in Australia, where some of our vehicles have a water filter which makes the water perfect for drinking straight from the tap.  As it is hot in many parts of Australia, it is important to ensure you drink enough water to avoid dehydration.

We look forward to speaking to you further if you are interested in a Motorhome Adventure in Australia – fill in our easy to use Quote Form for Campervan Hire to get information on costs for your specific travel dates, or you are welcome to send us an email or give us a phone call.  

If you’re interested in reading more information including top tips for motorhomes for hire, have a read of other articles in our blog.  If you are travelling on a budget you might also be interested in this article regarding a hire camper van that is a little older.

There’s also information for those who want to stay in contact via the internet/email when you rent a campervan in Australia – this will give you extra information.  Or maybe you’d like a tip with your next camper van hire about bringing extra items like a 12 V Double Adaptor.

Rent a campervan in Australia

 

Cities and many regional towns have internet cafes in Australia.  You’ll also find many of the camping grounds have a public computer.  Consider setting up an email account like ‘hotmail’ or ‘yahoo’ for family and friends to email you, which can be accessed at a variety of locations when you rent a campervan in Australia. 

If you own a lap top, consider bringing this on your journey.  If you are think you will rent a campervan in Australia, many of our larger vehicles have a safe large enough for a laptop.  

Make sure you have a wireless modem, so you’ll have a few options available to connect to the internet.  

1. Most McDonald cafes and some libraries have free wireless internet access.  You’ll notice a sign at other cafes that also offer this service. 
2. You can purchase a ‘pay as you go’ style card which gives you access at certain ‘hotspots’ – this can be limiting as you need to be in a ‘hot spot’ for access to be given
3. The most common method to access mobile internet is via USB 3G modem purchased from one of our telco’s.  It’s a small device, also known as a ‘dongle’ which plugs into the USB port on your computer and provides internet access wherever there is coverage.

• If you are going to rent a campervan in Australia and are coming from another country, there are few ways you can purchase the USB 3G modem.

                i.      Most commonly, connection is via a plan, with a minimum of 12 months.  This may suit you if you are travelling in a campervan for a period of time.  

               ii.      It is also possible to purchase ‘pay as you go’ – again there are a variety of options, so it is best to look into what is best for your requirements  

• Currently Telstra 3G has the best ‘coverage’ in Australia. 

             i.      All cities and many regional towns have coverage with all providers in Australia; however as soon as you get away from these areas, coverage varies.  There are many areas of Australia which do not have coverage, so whichever provider you choose, check the ‘coverage map’ to ensure what you are purchasing will suit your holiday needs. 

Rent a Campervan in Australia

 The other benefit of bringing your lap top is the ability to download your photographs as you travel.  If you have some time in the evenings, it’s a good opportunity to label the pictures, so one less job to do when you return.  Also a good idea, if you will rent a campervan in Australia for a longer period of time – saves you forgetting where all those magic spots were!  

If you are going to rent a campervan in Australia, you’ll also have 240 volt plugs in your camper which work when you are staying in a powered camp site and connected to the mains.  This will give you the opportunity to charge your laptop and any other electronic devices.   

Ensure you back up your computer prior to travelling.  

We look forward to speaking to you further if you are interested in a Motorhome Adventure in Australia – fill in our easy to use Quote Form for Campervan Hire to get information on costs for your specific travel dates, or you are welcome to send us an email or give us a phone call.  

If you’re interested in reading more information including top tips for motorhomes for hire, have a read of other articles in our blog.  If you are travelling on a budget you might also be interested in this article regarding a hire camper van that is a little older.

The answer is ‘yes’, there are plenty of freedom camps all over Australia.  There are literally thousands of these that welcome people exploring Australia in a Motorhome or Camper, including Campervan rentals.

Freedom camping simply means you are staying in a free or low cost camping location, away from the usual ‘commercial campgrounds’. They can be in idyllic locations like beside a river, sea or nestled in the bush or could simply be roadside rest areas.

Campervan Rentals and Freedom Camping

If you are planning to use this style of camping, it is best to consider campervan rentals which are self-contained.  This means it has its own water supply and holding tank, cooking facilities and toilet/shower for your convenience.  While some of these areas do supply a toilet, there is a lot more flexibility by being self-contained and of course being able to camp further away from the facilities while still enjoying the comforts of such.

We find there is nothing better than stumbling upon a beautiful location to spend the night while on the road in our campervan.  Away from the cities, we really enjoy freedom camping.  Some are simple road side rest areas to break up a long drive, but several are in picturesque locations and allow campfires.  These are also referred to as bush camps in Australia.

Campervan Rentals and relaxing at 'happy hour'

After a day of exploring, a great way to relax is to sit down in your camp chair around a fire and enjoy a drink, sharing tales of what we’ve seen.  With campervan rentals you can include camp chairs as part of your package, or you can purchase them if you prefer.  Either way, having them is perfect, as provides a second ‘living are’ outside of the vehicle.

There’s an excellent book called ‘Camps Australia Wide’.  This details thousands of freedom camping locations throughout Australia, which is excellent when planning your trip.  The guide lets you know what facilities are available and how many kilometres from the nearest towns.  We think this book is so great that we include it for FREE with campervan rentals for more than 21 days.  The maps also provide good detail for trip planning. 

Have a look at our website for more information on the free offer http://www.gallivantingoz.com.au/camps_auswide.html

Are they safe?

Yes, we’ve found these to be just as safe as commercial campgrounds. Occasionally you might have a noisy neighbour, but that is no different to a commercial campground. The great thing about freedom camping is that you can pick the ‘spot’ of your choosing.  The guide we spoke about above, not only shows these camps on a map, but also details how many kilometres etc from nearby towns, so you’ll easily be able to work out how far it is to the next spot, if for some reason you want to find another spot to stay.

Ancillary Battery

For those that don’t know, campervans and motorhomes have an ancillary battery which allows you to enjoy comforts without worrying you may not be able to start your vehicle in the morning.  The ancillary battery is also known as the house battery and runs the cabin lights, fridge, the water pump and in some vehicles the TV/DVD.  This battery is charged while you are driving and also when you camp in a commercial campground and plug into 240 volts.  Some campervans and motorhomes also have solar panels which charges the battery.  Please ask us if you’d like more information regarding what appliances are run off the ancillary battery for your preferred campervan rental as all are a little different.

If you are planning on doing a lot of freedom camping, then consider purchasing an inverter which plugs into your cigarette lighter (12V) while driving.  This allows you to charge items like cameras etc without the need to plug into 240 volts.  Inverters come in a range of watts, so speak to a specialist to ensure you purchase the right inverter for your needs.

We’re happy to speak to you further if you’d like more information regarding freedom camping and campervan rentals.

We look forward to speaking to you further if you are interested in a Motorhome Adventure in Australia – fill in our easy to use Quote Form for Campervan Hire to get information on costs for your specific travel dates, or you are welcome to send us an email or give us a phone call.

If you’re interested in reading more information including top tips for motorhomes for hire, have a read of other articles in our blog.  If you are travelling on a budget you might also be interested in this article regarding a hire camper van that is a little older.  If you are a first time traveller have a read of this blog if you are considering camper van hire in Australia for the first time.

There’s also information for those who are wanting to stay in contact via the internet/email when you rent a campervan in Australia – this will give you extra information.

We provide the average number of litres of fuel consumed per 100km travelled for all of our rental campervans and motorhomes in Australia.  This makes it easy to calculate the expected amount of fuel to be used for your trip.  If you are unsure of the number of kilometres between destinations, you’re welcome to ask us, or you may find this driving matrix below useful:

Rental Campervans Australia

The cost of fuel can be a little trickier to calculate, in our current market.  At the time of writing, most main cities in Australia currently are charging around AU$1.50 per litre for petrol and diesel (similar price in Australia).  It wasn’t long ago, that the remote areas of Australia were charging this type of price per litre for their fuel to cover the cost of transport.  We’re always happy to share with our clients’ the current fuel prices when you head off on your adventure in a campervan or motorhome hire in Australia, as our current market does move significantly.

It’s not all doom and gloom with fuel costs however and there are a few tips to reduce fuel costs where possible:

Rental Campervans Australia

• When shopping at major supermarkets in Australia and spending AU$30 or more, you’ll receive a discount voucher to use at their same brand of fuel station.  Usually this discount is AU0.04 cents per litre.  This is most useful when travelling in cities.
• Monitor your tyre pressure – with rental of campervans in Australia, the tyre pressure will be set correct at pick up, however as with any vehicle on a long trip, this should be checked regularly.  Incorrect tyre pressure not only changes the wear on the tyres but also affects the amount of fuel consumption.
• Use smart driving techniques like gentle acceleration and braking and driving around 90km/h on the open highway – you’re on holiday after all!
•  Fuel costs do rise substantially in remote areas.  Where possible fill up in larger towns to reduce costs, even if you are filling up a half tank
  • Depending on your travel route, there may be no choice but to fill up in remote areas.  Please note that it is against the terms of rental campervans in Australia to carry petrol/diesel inside your campervan/motorhome in containers, as well as a safety risk. 
  • Some of our 4WD camper hires have the ability to carry extra fuel on the outside of the vehicle for long off road routes, as well as having large fuel tanks.  It this is important, please let us know at time of enquiry
• While this is difficult with rentals of campervans in Australia, certain days of the week are definitely cheaper to fill up than others.  Our current market sees the price per litre fluctuate by over AU0.10c per litre during the weekly cycle.  At the time of writing, it appears that Fridays are the ‘cheap day’; where in the past ‘mid week’ is usually cheaper.   If you are only driving small kilometres each day, it is definitely worth noting the ‘cheap day’ so save a little money.

We look forward to speaking to you further if you are interested in a Motorhome Adventure in Australia – fill in our easy to use Quote Form for Campervan Hire to get information on costs for your specific travel dates, or you are welcome to send us an email or give us a phone call.

If you’re interested in reading more information including top tips for motorhomes for hire, have a read of other articles in our blog.  If you are intersted in not roughing it while on holiday, you might be interested in this story on campervan rental. 

For those thinking of Campervan Rental in Australia, you’ll probably also want to find out about the water storage capbility and how easy it is to get water.

There’s also information for those who are wanting to stay in contact via the internet/email when you rent a campervan in Australia – this will give you extra information.

If travelling for at least a couple of weeks in camper vans in Australia, and you are looking to freedom camp, consider purchasing a camp oven (dutch oven) from a local department store.  For some, this will be a new experience which will really add to your holiday memories.

Travelling Camper vans, Australia

• These can be found relatively ‘cheap’ in Australia in department stores at around the AU$40 mark.  Stores like ‘Big W’ usually have these in the camping section.  Camp ovens do range in price and quality.
• If planning on freedom camping in camper vans in Australia, you’ll find many allow camp fires.  If you’ve never cooked your dinner over the fire in a camp oven before, you’ll enjoy this experience
• Can pretty much cook anything in a camp oven that you can cook in your regular oven, with roasts and stews being popular.  The lid can be doubled as a fry pan.

Cooking in the Camp Oven when travelling in camper vans in Australia

1. Always heat the camp oven in the fire prior to cooking
2. If roasting or baking in the camp oven, take a few hot coals from the main fire and place the oven on top of these, and then sprinkle a few more on the lid of the camp oven.  Keep adding more hot coals throughout the cooking process
3. If you are cooking something that requires more browing, then add a lot more coals to the middle of the lid to provide concentrated heat
4. You can even bake a cake, in the camp oven.  If you are doing this, place a trivet or cake rack inside the camp oven – these can be found whereever you buy campovens.  This allows the heat to circulate around the cake and saves getting a burnt bottom to the cake
5. 

   Travelling in Camper Vans Australia

   Its a great idea, to make lots of hot coals in the fire, prior to starting to cook.  The type of wood will also dennote how often more coals need to be added to the camp oven

6. While you will need to check your food as it is cooking, try not to excessively lift the lid, as the hot air escapes.  Damber or bread should be checked after 20 minutes, and generally a roast every 30 – 40 minutes
7. Following cooking, after taking the food out, place the camp oven upside down in the fire and the remaining food scraps will burn out.  Take care to ensure you do not get any sand or dirt inside the campoven, or you will regret it next time you cook.

Its amazing how many things can be cooked in a camp oven, and while camper vans in Australia do have a full kitchen, for some, travellers prefer this type of cooking; not only for the experience, but prevents the ‘bedroom’ smelling like the dinner you just enjoyed.

We are often asked if motorhome hire in Australia are suitable for families with young children.  Our answer is yes, this is a great way to have an adventure with your family, but take the time to hire a motorhome that is best suited to your family’s needs.  The perfect motorhome hire will ensure your family can get out and really enjoy what Australia has to offer.  It’s eay to camp without roughing it. 

Motorhome Hire Australia

Like many families, you’ll find a motorhome hire is an excellent way to introduce your children to the outdoors and exploring Australia.  Hiring a motorhome gives you the flexibility of exploring different corners of Australia easily.  It also saves the storage of a caravan or motorhome for the remainder of the year when you are unable to get away because of busy family life – or the financial commitment of owning such a luxury item!  Have a  chat to us about the costs of campervan hire or motorhome rental for your specific travel dates. 

Most families will prefer to hire a motorhome with an on board toilet and shower for added comfort and convenience.  Generally families hire a 4, 5 or 6 berth motorhome.  The number of berths indicates how many passenger can be seated and how many can sleep in the motorhome.  

Motorhome Hire Australia

• Even though babies may not require much sleeping space, they will still need a seat and anchor point for their baby seat, so ensure your motorhome is large enough.

When we speak with you, we’ll ask about your children’s ages to ensure the vehicle we recommend has enough anchor points for any child or baby seats that are required.  Child and baby seats are available with your motorhome hire in Australia, and is often easier the seats than bring your own.  We can also put together some great packages which bundle up extras including the cost of child seats which can really save you some money. 

Not only does the number of people travelling dictate the best motorhome, but also your need for ‘space’.  Some of our four berth motorhomes are in the size of a six berth motorhome which are a good option for those that appreciate a little extra space. 

Motorhome Hire Australia

We even have a special six berth motorhome which is perfect for a family travelling together.  The children sit just behind the front seats in the driving ‘cab’.  The benefit of this motorhome is that the baby and child seats do not need to be moved each evening to make up the bed.  The seats can be quite bulky so saves juggling things around each evening when it is time to put the children to bed. 

The awning available with most motorhomes, and camping table and chairs will be beneficial if you are trying to get younger children to sleep before the older ones.  The outdoor area gives you in effect another living area and a little more space when living and sleeping in the same area.  

Having an on board kitchen is also a great way to save money while on the road.  Meals can easily be made and continue to be as healthy as or no more expensive than when you are at home.  Our specifications for the vehicles tell you important details like how many burners your stove has, whether your motorhome has a grill and the size of the refrigerator to assist your trip planning. 

Along your travels, depending where you are exploring, you’ll usually find plenty of rest areas to pull over.  Not only a great opportunity for a coffee break but will also give the children the opportunity to have a run around.  Some of the motorhomes also have a DVD player which is operational while the vehicle is moving to keep children entertained also. 

We look forward to speaking to you further if you are interested in taking your children on a Motorhome Adventure in Australia – fill in our easy to use Quote Form for Campervan Hire to get information on costs for your specific travel dates, or you are welcome to send us an email or give us a phone call.

If you’re interested in reading more information including top tips for motorhomes for hire, have a read of other articles in our blog.  If your family is considering getting off the beaten track then you may be interested in more information on 4WD hire.

It can be quite a confusing process when you first start looking into renting camper vans in Australia.  Each company seems to have different way of calculating the rates and inclusions, which of course can affect the bottom line and holiday experience.  Then there is this business of trying to understand the insurance excess.

Camper vans are perfect for exploring Tasmania

At Gallivanting Oz we use a number of suppliers to ensure we can match the right vehicle to your needs.  There is no extra cost for dealing with us, however you’ll benefit from our service and experience.  Bookings for camper vans are made directly through us.

The benefit of this is we do understand which vehicle will be the best camper van for your holiday based on what you are looking.  Our point of difference is the service that we can offer you – not only do we know the vehicles, we also know Australia.  There’s a pretty high chance that at least someone in our office has been where you are planning to explore.

One of the questions we are often asked by clients looking to rent camper vans is regarding insurance excess.  The standard rates that you may have noticed quoted have a fairly high excess (liability) which can range from AU$1000 – AU$7500 depending on the supplier and age of the vehicle. 

This liability can be reduced by paying a higher daily rate, or we can arrange an ‘inclusive package’ with all of our suppliers.  This simply means that you ‘bundle’ extras, along with the $0 excess insurance into the hire which saves you money and also provides peace of mind travel.  Each of the different suppliers offers different inclusions, so important to check this for best value for money.

Most of our clients do prefer to have peace of mind travel and do take the Nil Excess when they rent camper vans. 

For those that do decide they would prefer a lower daily rate and assume the risk there is a down side.  The amount of the insurance excess is charged to their credit card at the time of pick up.  For a lot of people AU$7500 is higher than their credit card limit, so thought needs to be given if this really is the right option.  For our international clients there is also an exchange rate risk that needs to be taken into consideration with some of our suppliers.

There is another option for those that are willing to take some of the risk, and that is to partly reduce the insurance excess or liability.  There is a higher daily rate charge to do this, but the cost is less than reducing to $0 excess.  Usually this option reduces the excess to about half of what it was originally, and again this needs to be charged to the credit card at time of pick up.

If you would like any more information on this topic or assistance in finding more about the best camper vans for your adventure in Australia, please let us know.  We look forward to speaking with you.  This information article on fuel costs with rental campervans Australia, may also be useful.

You may also be interested in our information blog on 4WD hire or top tips on Motorhomes for Hire to assist with your information gathering.  For families, you may be interested in this article on Motorhome Hire Australia and travelling with Children.

For those thinking of Campervan Rental in Australia, you’ll probably also want to find out about the water storage capbility and how easy it is to get water.

Just because you are on a budget, doesn’t mean you can’t explore what Australia has to offer.  Many people, just like you hire a camper van and have an amazing time.

Some people wonder if there are only small vehicles available when they hire a camper van in Australia.

This is not the case at all, they vary do vary from smaller vehicles all the way up to a 6 berth camper van available for hire with an on board toilet and shower.  You may be interested in finding our more about 4WD Hire or even a 4WD Camper.

We have older camper vans available for hire, which are perfect for those travelling on a budget.

Hire a camper van

Here at Gallivanting Oz we use a number of suppliers to ensure we can find the right vehicle for your needs – and you don’t pay an extra cent for dealing with us, but of course you benefit from our service.  Let us know you are travelling on a budget, and we’ll come up with some great camper vans for you to hire.

The older vehicles are only an average age of 2 – 5 years, and come complete, just like our newer vehicles, with 24 hour roadside assistance.  If you don’t mind the vehicle being a little older, then this could be a great option for you. 

The camper van that you hire comes complete with an on board kitchen including crockery etc, which means you’ll save even more money on your adventure as you can cook your own meals.  A great way to save a few more dollars is to purchase local produce when it is in season.  As you drive along the road in your camper van, you’ll see road side stalls packed with delicious fruit and veges from the local farmers in many locations.  You’ll know that it is fresh and of course you’ll be supporting the local community as well.

Another great bonus if you hire a camper van is that your bed is with you all the time.  No big panic near the end of the day to find a low cost motel, it’s simply a matter of pulling into one of the thousands of campgrounds throughout Australia. 

Hire a camper van with an on board toilet and shower so you can freedom camp.

Freedom camping, simply means staying in free or low cost camping grounds throughout Australia.  There are about 3000 of these places which have limited or no facilities that you can park for the night.  Hire a camper van with facilities and you will be able to make the most of these locations and save a few more dollars.

Gallivanting Oz is available to assist with your campervan holiday plans and camper hire.  We even offer packaged holidays, which include popular attractions, maps and freedom camp guide which ensure your holiday savings will stretch even further!  Our website is http://www.gallivantingoz.com.au or info@gallivantingoz.com.au

For a little inspiration on where to travel with campervans for hire, enjoy other articles in our blog which talk about destinations and tips for pain free travelling.

Considering a motorhome adventure in Australia?

Contemplating exploring the ‘real’ Australia, away from the bright city lights and theme parks?  

Motorhomes are available for hire with us, with these tips getting you started:

1.       Time of year

• Travelling May to September is generally the best time to travel the northern half of the country with cooler temperatures and less rain than the summer.  The ‘wet season’ can often cause disruption to travel plans and the heat is unbearable for some
• Travelling June to August in southern Australia can be cold
• Motorhomes for hire have rental rates varying considerably and are more expensive in peak travel times.   If you are flexible with holiday dates, consider travelling outside of peak
• If you are planning on exploring off the beaten track you might like to read a bit more information regarding 4WD Hire or even a 4WD Camper

2.       Freedom camps

• Australia is full of freedom camps, which are either free or low cost camping.  They vary from beautiful locations to roadside rest areas which allow 24 hour stopping.
  

  Motorhomes for Hire

• You’ll notice from 4pm these popular areas start to fill up, as fellow travellers call it a day and declare it ‘happy hour’
• Many allow fires, unless signposted otherwise.   Having a bow saw or axe on board the motorhome you hire,  assists when collecting the odd piece of wood during your days travel (illegal to collect wood in a National Park)
• Spend time speaking with your fellow campers to find out about any hidden ‘gems’ they’ve discovered on their travels – you will meet people going both directions
• There are map books available which detail where the freedom camps are located to plan your route

3.       Commercial Camps

• There are plenty of full facility campgrounds throughout Australia, with a higher concentration around popular tourist areas.  Generally there is no need to book unless there is a special event on
• Many travellers tend to spend every third night or so in a commercial camp  either to catch up on chores like the washing or if driving small distances to charge the ancillary battery
• There can be some distance between dump station points, so make the most of these points as you come across them.  You’ll also find some ‘RV friendly’ towns have dump points available along with water to fill your tanks
• Motorhomes for hire have an onboard toilet and shower or you can choose from smaller camper hire, which you may prefer

4.       Distances travelled

• Once away from the cities, Australia is full of long straight roads which makes for fairly easy driving
• For some, travelling approx 200km per day is the goal, where for others with time constraints around 500km can be done comfortably when in the outback
• If possible avoid travelling around sunset or sunrise as this is when the animals are most active
• When travelling on sealed roads generally the maximum distance between fuel stops is approx 300 km in more remote locations
  • For more information on fuel costs, this information on rental campervans Australia will be useful
• All of the motorhomes for hire can comfortably travel this distance without the need for carrying spare fuel containers

Gallivanting Oz are specialists for Campervan Hire and Motorhome Rental and Guided Campervan Tours in Australia.  Go to http://www.gallivantingoz.com.au for your free travel guidewith more tips for Campervan Travel in Australia.  We also have lots of information articles in our blog to assist.  you might like this one on renting camper vans and insurance excess.

We also have many travel stories to inspirethose that may want to consider campervans for hire rent a camper van in Australia or more information on camping without roughing it with camper rental.  If you are a first time traveller have a read of this blog if you are considering camper van hire in Australia for the first time.