Archive for the ‘Travel Tips’ Category

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.

Are your friends always telling you about their latest holiday?  They sound so good, but you won’t join them as it involves camping.  That was before you found out about campervan rental. 

We have lots of information about campervan hire or motorhome rental on our website, or speak to us for a campervan hire or motorhome rental quote today.

Share in a first time campervan rental experience.  

No longer are stories of dinners cooked in the camp fire while sharing a nice bottle of red only something imagined, now we know about campervan rental.  And talk of a night sky so clear, you can see why it is called the Milky Way has me there, without ‘roughing it’. 

Recently we had our first campervan rental experience, which saw us heading away for a couple of weeks to explore the outback of Queensland. 

Staying on the ground really did not appeal, but we really wanted to be a part of this adventure.  Campervan rental was something we’d spoken about, but when our friends asked us to join them on their adventure, it was time to make it a reality.

We chose a campervan rental with a toilet and shower on board, to make life that little bit easier.  To my surprise it was set up like an apartment, with wheels.

The day finally arrived and it was time to leave Brisbane for our two week adventure with our campervan rental.  We’d only been as far as Roma before so it wasn’t long before we were experiencing new places.  I was really surprised by the scenery – it wasn’t just openness, but plenty of towns, some rolling hills, trees, and the many icons of the outback.  We were pretty excited by the road trains and enjoyed chatting with the locals in the towns.

The wildlife was also spectacular.  There were kangaroos sharing our camps, and sometimes even a kookaburra would have a laugh at us.  The odd emu gave us a nod and eagles flew over head or sat perched in a tree awaiting their next meal.  My favourite though were the Brolga’s – these cranes have fantastic dances and were happy to put on a show for us tourists with our campervan rental.

spotting dancing brolgas from our campervan rental

Looking back though, the most memorable part of the trip, apart from the journey itself, was the locations where we stayed in our campervan rental.  We camped mostly in bush camps, near a river, on farmland or sometimes just in designated bush areas.  In the evenings we looked forward to a camp fire, that our friends would have going in no time.  Most days we’d be parked up early and enjoy ‘happy hour’ which generally was a fair bit longer than an hour! 

We were so happy we joined our friends on this ‘camping’ holiday, even if we were doing it in style with a camper hire.  It was excellent that we were able to enjoy the best of both worlds by taking a campervan hire – something we’ll definitely do again!

For more information to consider before you rent a camper van Australia, either speak to us, or you may like to read our FREE campervan and motorhome hire travel guide, which you can download here!  Let us know if you’d also like our Gallivanting Around tips, full of information and inspiration to make your own adventure a reality. 

There’s plenty more articles to read about campervan hire Australia, if you’d like inspiration of where you can travel.

Before heading out to explore the great country of Australia, a decision needs to  be made as to the type of vehicle you wish to hire.  Options include caravan rentals or a camper hire.  Campervan hire or motorhome rental can be further broken into one with an onboard toilet/shower or without.

Caravan Rentals

When flying into Australia, or departing from a city that is not your own, then caravan rentals are not really an option for you.  The reason for this is not only do you need to consider renting a caravan, but you would also need to hire a car.  This can push the cost up significantly.  Many rental vehicles do not come with a tow ball, so only premium vehicles could be considered.  A ‘caravan’ is towed behind a car for those that are not sure of the difference.  At Gallivanting Oz from April 2011 we will have a 4WD vehicle and caravan set up available for our international guests, or locals are able to rent a caravan that suits your needs.

A benefit of caravan rentals if you are departing and returning to the city you live in, and are planning on using your own personal car is the ability to leave the caravan at your evenings camping location.  Unhitching the caravan is fairly easy allowing you to drive into nearby towns.  This is fine if you are camping in commercial camps, however not everyone is comfortable to do this when freedom camping in a remote location.  Although, realistically, you may not want to explore anywhere else since you are probably in a beautiful location already!

Campervan Hire or Motorhome Rental

Flying in from another city and planning to explore Australia it is popular to hire a campervan or motorhome rather than caravan rentals.  Having your transport, bed, kitchen and most likely a toilet/shower with you all the time, really does make for an easy holiday.  There is no need to plan exactly how many kilometres you must travel each day to ensure you have a bed at the end of the day as it is with you at all times.

For those that are departing from and returning to the city they live in, there really is the dilema whether to consider caravan rentals or camper hire.  Each has their pro’s and con’s and can end up being a personal choice, and sometimes it really comes down to where you are planning on travelling and what you are doing along the way.

If you are continually on the move, for example looking to explore the outback of Queensland for a few weeks, stopping in many beautiful freedom camps and a few commercial camps in the main towns a campervan or motorhome hire would suit you perfectly.  Most towns are easily set up for motorhomes and parking is generally a breeze if you choose to rent a larger motorhome.  Another benefit of motorhome rentals is when exploring a ’side road’ which turns out to be spectacular, and you wish to travel further along the road than initially planned, there is no need to double track – you have everything with you so exploring is very easy. 

When considering caravan rentals, you must also factor in the wear and tear on your own personal vehicle to the cost if you are a local.  There are many different types of caravan rentals with some quite large.  Is your vehicle powerful enough to tow the weight?

Caravan rentals may be the best option for you if planning on driving to one destination and basing yourself there for a few weeks.  You may find that having your car, especially if it is a 4WD allows you to find that perfect fishing spot, or it is easy to pop into the nearby town for fresh milk and bread.

As you can see there are many pros and cons for each.  The team at Gallivanting Oz have travelled in both and are happy to discuss options with you for your next best trip.  If you would like to speak with us or find out more about Campervan or Motorhome Hire either request a campervan hire or motorhome rental quote, or send us an email.  We look forward to speaking with you and are happy to call you at a preferred time.

There’s plenty more articles to read about campervan hire Australia, if you’d like inspiration of where you can travel.

Motorhome Hire or Caravan Rentals?

Want to rent a camper van in Australia?

Australia is the perfect country to explore by renting a camper van or motorhome.  The large distances between some of the major tourist destinations mean the travelling is just as much of an adventure as the destination.  If you rent a camper van while travelling in Australia, it means you are able to rent the right vehicle depending on the trip you are planning.

Options include 4WD rental, or the other option is 2WD.  Consider if you are planning to travel off the beaten track on unsealed roads.  If this is your plan, then a 4WD camper will be best suited, as most companies only allow minimal travel on unsealed roads when you rent a 2WD camper van in Australia.  Take the time to research your trip first, or ask us here at Gallivanting Oz as many roads in the Outback of Australia are sealed meaning you may find a 2WD camper van is adequate for your needs.

Often the number of people travelling will determine the size of the camper van you rent when choosing a 2WD camper van.

 There are choices however for two people travelling together.  The questions you need to ask are:

1. Do you want a built in toilet and shower?
2. Do you prefer to leave a bed made up each day?
3. Do you want to stand up inside your camper van?

Do you want a built in toilet and shower?

If this is preferable for the camper van you rent while travelling in Australia, you will be looking at the ‘2 Berth with Toilet and Shower’ range.  If renting for 21 days or longer with Gallivanting Oz we’ll give you a Camps Australia Wide Guide for free, to say thanks.  The extra benefit this book provides is that it notes the locations of ‘dump stations’ throughout Australia.  This will assist when you rent a camper van in Australia with a built in toilet and shower.

Another cost effective option is to rent a ‘hi top campervan’ and consider renting out Galli Ensuite, which includes a portable dry toilet.  Perfect if you are planning on freedom camping where they may not always be convenient toilets and showers available.

Do you prefer to leave a bed made up each day?

The obvious choice if you prefer to leave a bed made up each day is to rent a 4 Berth Camper Van, which has a double bed above the cab.  This enables you to maintain your table and seats at the rear of the camper van and leave your bed made up each day.

Another choice if you are travelling on a budget is to rent a hi top camper van, and simply leave your bed made up each day.  If you rent a camper van with us and choose the inclusive package, outside table and chairs are provided.  If the weather is nice, you will probably find you don’t sit inside your camper van anyway, so this will not be an inconvenience.  Another trick we’ve learnt from our years of experience is to roll your bedding up to the side of the seat each day if you rent a hi top camper van, and keep it in place with a couple of stretch straps.  This means you can continue to use the inside table and chairs/couch, but make the bed in the evening is a one minute job.  Simply lower the table, insert the extra board and unroll the bedding – hey presto!

Do you want to stand up inside your camper van?

It is possible for the majority of people to stand up inside all camper vans you may rent except for the ‘regular height vans’.  Most of the regular high vans have the kitchen at the rear of the van, where you stand outside to use the facilities offered.  This means you can easily cook, without being hunched over, and the back door of the van is raised to offer protection from the sun or rain.

Check our blog for more information why campervans are better suited to exploring rather than caravan rentals.  

There’s plenty more articles to read about campervan hire Australia, if you’d like inspiration of where you can travel.

As you can see there are plenty of options to suit everyone when you want to rent a camper van in Australia.  Contact the friendly, experienced team at Gallivanting Oz to assist with your holiday plans.

When researching your options for 4 berth motorhome hire, you will discover the pricing does vary.  There is quite a range of choice for four people travelling together.

Some of the options available are:

• It is possible to hire a 4 Berth Campervan which does not have a built in toilet/shower.  This is usually in a hi-top Van, which means you can stand up inside.  There will be a built in kitchen, and two double beds – one up above the cab, and the other usually at the rear of the van.  A great option if you are travelling on a budget, and plan on staying in camping grounds, or you might like to hire a portable dry toilet and shower from us.
• Rent a 4 berth motorhome where there is a built in toilet/shower as well as kitchen.  Again there are usually two double beds – one above the cab which remains permenantely made up, and the other is usually at the rear of the vehicle and is usually a couch seating area during the day.

4 berth motorhome hire Australia

• If you are after more space in a 4berth motorhome hire, consider speaking to us about an option which is the same size of a six berth campervan, but only sleeps four.  This is a better option for most people, than hiring a 6 berth campervan for only 4 people.  One of the options we have available in this model even has an electric lift for the rear bed.  It is simply a matter of pushing a button to make up the second bed when you are ready to retire for the evening.  This 4 berth motorhome, also makes the most of available storage areas, by offering a large area at the rear of the vehicle that would be big enough to store suitcases.  Seasoned Campervan and Motorhome travellers know usually soft bags are best when travelling in a campervan as they are easier to store – but that does not matter in this large 4 berth motorhome available to hire with us in Australia.  Click here for more information on Campervan and Motorhome Hire in Australia.

As you can see, it can be quite overwhelming choosing the right 4 berth motorhome to hire when travelling in Australia.  Contact us to benefit from our experience as we assist in matching the right campervan for your needs. 

If you’re not ready to speak to anyone yet, here’s another useful blog article about what you need to think about to rent a camper van Australia.

Looking to rent a campervan in Australia? 

There are plenty of rental campervan and motorhome options to suit all tastes and budgets.  Choices range from ‘older’ campervans to hire, to new motorhomes with a luxurious interior to rent.  Spend time speaking to experts, like ourselves, to ensure you are hiring the best campervan for your holiday plans.  Then there are caravan rentals to consider as well.  No wonder it is so confusing.

It’s the little things that can make a difference once on the road.  For example, it is too late, once you get into bed on the first night, to realise that the bed is not long enough….or too narrow, or whatever the problem might be.

Choosing the right vehicle for your planned holiday route is important as well.  Many companies only allow 2WD campervans and motorhome hire on sealed roads and minimal unsealed roads, for example to a recognised camping ground.  If you are planning to explore back roads throughout Australia, check to see if these are sealed or unsealed.  If unsealed, a 4WD camper may be your best option to enjoy these roads.

Gallivanting Oz uses a number of suppliers to provide the best campervan for you to rent in Australia.  Speak to us about your intended travel plans so we can provide tips for a hassle free holiday and assist with getting the best campervan deal for your holiday.

Campervan to Rent, Australia

When you campervan Australia, there are many locations which allow a camp fire in the evening.  Often as you pull into a freedom camp and some commercial camps in your hired campervan you will see designated fireplaces, or a ring of stones.   Camp fires provide great atmosphere for relaxing in the evening, and of course a perfect place to cook your fire.

Collecting firewood can be easily completed during your day’s drive.  If you see dead branches near the side of the road in other areas it is generally ok to collect.  You cannot collect wood from any National Parks, nor should you enter private property to collect fire wood.

making the camp fire

Most people carry a bow saw and an axe to easily collect firewood in manageable sized pieces.  A bow saw very easily slices through branches with minimal effort and can be purchased in hardware stores, and some camping stores.   To protect your campervan hire or motorhome hire put your wood in a large hessian sack which can easily be obtained from a fruit and vege store.