If you are getting ready for an upcoming road trip in Australia or starting your big lap of Australia in a caravan, you are probably beginning to consider the things you will take. Believe me, this can be very overwhelming as you decide on what is a caravan essential, or not! Whether you are a first-time caravanner or an experienced one, I have put together the following packing checklist of the things that I have found essential to take on your caravan adventures in Australia.

The following caravan packing list is based on my first-hand experience travelling this great land we call Australia. Now, you may not find some of the things on my list essential. As you begin your travels, you will discover for yourself what caravan items work, or not. I have found the right or wrong caravan equipment can make or break your holiday. And the following items I mentioned have all worked for me. And hopefully, will work for you too.

I get my caravan essentials from different sources including:

BCF
Anaconda
Amazon
KMart
RV Camping Caravanning
Outback Equipment

General Caravan Essentials

• Kitchen utensils – I pack what I use in my home kitchen. I can guarantee if you use a particular item at home, you will use it while exploring Australia. Cooking is a big part of life on the road. Of course you can call into a pub for a meal or a roadhouse or bakery but it becomes expensive. So definitely have reliable cooking equipment. To save space I use a lot of collapsable camping items.
• Mukmat and step – yep, always wipe your shoes before entering on the mukmat and a step helps reach the inside of the caravan easier, particularly if you have mobility issues
• First Aid Kit
• Clothes line and pegs
• Camping table and chairs to sit outside and enjoy the sunset and a cold drink
• Mosquito repellent
• Caravan levelling ramps
• Camp shovel
• Hand held vacuum cleaner – so much easier to use than sweeping
• Fire pit and fire starters. Not every campsite has a fire pit so I like to take my own
• Tarp and outdoor mat
• Portable speakers – gotta have some music!
• Camping torch and lights
• If caravanning with kids and home schooling kids while travelling Australia have storage for their books and pencils so a home schooling organiser will help.

Caravan Essentials for Off-road Adventures

To enjoy your time off-road and off-grid in Australia it can be crucial you have packed the right gear. There is nothing worse than forgetting something when the nearest town is hours away! So when I’m going on off-road adventures I pack the following caravan essentials.

• Solar Generator – it is good to have power when off-road or off-grid, so I have equipment to help me stay powered up
• Solar awning lights
• Portable fridge to carry extra food
• Spare wheel bag/large bag for rubbish
• Handheld GPS system this could be an app
• Spare batteries
• Pre-charged mobile phone power packs
• Additional jerry cans of water

Summer time Caravan Essentials

Ahh, one of my favourite things is caravanning and car camping with an SUV tent in the summer time. Down by my favourite beach, river or iconic setting, I love to set my home away from home up. To do this, particularly in the warmer months there are things I add to my caravan packing list.

• River chairs so as to cool off in the water
• Gazebo to keep shaded
• Double insulated cups
• Portable ice machine
• Misting system for awning – very indulgent
• Water floaties, maybe an inflatable stand up paddle board (SUP)
• Hammock
• Beach ball
• Shade wall
• Esky
• Stubby holders
• Battery lanterns

Winter time Caravan Essentials

I love caravanning and camping in the winter months as much as I love caravanning and camping during the summer months. However, when the temperature drops, there are some things I pack to make my adventures cosy.

• Foldable and Portable Firepit, fire lighters & axe for chopping wood – not all camp sites provide a firepit and there is nothing better than warming yourself around a fire. Perhaps cooking your meals on the firepit. I’ve even seen people get a chainsaw out for cutting wood
• Puffer jacket, vest, beanie, gloves & warm boots
• Thermals
• Potbelly stove
• Raincoat & rainwear
• Spare tarps for emergency weather protection particularly if you need to batten down the hatches with the onset of bad weather.
• Extra rugs & blankets
• Hot water bottle & heat packs
• Hot chocolate & marshmallows – though these are good anytime!

Are you Ready to Pack Your Caravan Essentials?

So you chose the perfect caravan and now you need to stock it for your travels. As I mentioned at the beginning, not all of the items on my caravan essentials list might seem like they are essential to you. Caravanning for newbies can be trial and error and I am sure you will discover what works well and what doesn’t as you continue to discover Australia now. What item or items would you leave off my list or add to my caravan essentials list? Let me know in the comments. Oh, and don’t forget to do you last minute pre-drive caravan checks before driving off!