1. Chose your van carefully

Your van is where you will spend most of your trip, as you travel, live and sleep in it. This means that it is absolutely essential to choose a campervan that will accommodate your personal needs as a backpacker. Ask yourself simple questions, like how many beds will you need? how much storage room do you need? do you want a cooker and a fridge? how far are you going? do you want a pop-top? All of these will help you stay comfortable for the duration of your trip.

2. Chose your destinations carefully

Plan where you want to go before hand so that you don’t miss out on any exciting event that you will regret. Also, try not to make your destinations to far apart. If you are driving hundreds of kilometres every day, you will become tired and fatigued, and won’t be able to fully enjoy your trip!

3. Bring A GPS

This may seem obvious but only too often do people get lost, or miss an exit on a freeway and end up going 300km down the wrong road. This means you will miss out on seeing the things you want, missing your campsite booking and getting behind schedule.

4. Find the right places to stay overnight

A lot of people think that you can just pull up anywhere and stay the night. Well, you may get away with this a couple of times, but it is recommended that you book into a campsite. These aren’t expensive, and you will get showers, a kitchen, electricity, and get to meet other travellers like yourself.

5. Budget your trip

It is easy to get lost in the freedom of a motorhome trip, and spend all of your money halfway through your trip. It is a good idea to make a budget. Nothing too big, maybe just a quick daily spending allowance or something similar.

6. Bring a great travel companion

Your travelling buddy has the potential to make or break a great camping trip. Ideally, you want someone you can trust, you are comfortable with, and wants similar things to you out of your road trip.

6. Choose the right time of year

The season you travel in has a huge impact on your trip. It will affect things like where you can go, what you can do, how much things will cost and what you will need to bring. Also, remember that if your going to a different hemisphere (i.e. from England to Australia) the seasons will be opposite, you will look silly wearing a raincoat on a hot summers day!

8. Pack the right things

Just simple things like torches and camp chairs, that will make your trip smoother and more enjoyable.

9. Drink plenty of water

Dehydration is a killer on the road, and a mood killer when your having fun. Always keep a large water container in your van (and no, 5 beers at the local bar doesn’t count!)

10. Be Adventurous!

Stepping out of your comfort zone will mean you will have a more enjoyable and memorable trip, with lots of stories to tell your friends when you get back. This means going places you wouldn’t normally go, meeting people and generally just having a fun time. Remember, this is probably a once in a lifetime opportunity, make the most of it!

For lots more information and insider tips about campervaning around Australia, check out Campervan Hire and Rentals Australia and make sure you sign up for their great free newsletter that will keep you up to date with the hottest travel destinations, the best ways to save money whilst traveling and other cool info on how to make the most out of your motorhome rental trip.