Do I need an insurance and which one?

This question comes up very often. If you want to spend your vacation with complete peace of mind, the answer is YES, you need insurance, but which one is best?

You have three options:

Your payment card insurance (Visa, MasterCard, Amex, etc.). This option doesn't work most of the time because the rental vehicle often weighs more than 3.5 tons or more than 8 cubic meters. It's up to you to check with your bank about the insurance conditions.

Your optional travel insurance. Some insurance policies cover, in addition to standard items (repatriation, illness, etc.), the deductible in the event of an accident. However, you will be charged by the rental company for this deductible, and reimbursed by the insurance company only a few days or weeks later. This can be an option if you can afford to pay the rental vehicle's deductible in advance during this period.

The motorhome rental company's insurance. This is often the most practical option. There are different tiers for this insurance depending on the "level of coverage" you want. For example, "all-inclusive" insurance includes the total repurchase of the excess and generally the majority of paid options.

What shall I bring with me for my campervan trip?

Think of your campervan as a furnished apartment. The vehicles are fully equipped with everything you'll need, including standard kitchen items like cutlery, cooking utensils, dish towels, dish soap, pots, pans, a kettle, a coffee plunger, and more. You'll also have linens, blankets, towels, hangers, and laundry clips. This means you only need to pack your clothes and personal items.

To make packing easier, use a soft bag instead of a bulky hard suitcase, which will be difficult to store. Don't forget to bring your International Driving Permit (or a certified English translation). You should also pack a travel adapter, a flashlight, CDs for the road, a beach towel, sunglasses, and a first-aid kit with essentials like sunscreen, burn cream, and insect repellent.

Traditional camping or Free camping?

Traveling in a campervan offers unparalleled flexibility. Depending on your preferences, the weather, and other travelers, you can choose to stay longer in one spot or break camp earlier. But what are these magical places where you can establish your little corner of paradise?

There are several camping options:

The first and best-known is traditional camping. You pay per night for a pitch for your vehicle and travelers. At these campsites, you can plug into a charging station and recharge your campervan's battery, empty your wastewater, and fill the tank with fresh water. These are private campsites with facilities and pitches that vary in quality depending on their star rating.

Freedom camping: Wild camping is not permitted. There are rules to follow for camping in Australia. Each state has its own rules. Some states are more flexible than others, and depending on the location within the state you are traveling to, the city or town may add its own regulations. We strongly recommend asking the local tourist office if there are any "free camping" areas to avoid the hefty fines for spending the night in a prohibited area.

All is not lost now; there are plenty of free camping options in nature.

You can read our camping in Australia Guide here