Caravanning, RV and 4WD Information
Links valid as of Jan 2014 - please report dead links to me (email from home page)
Articles of Interest
Caravanning, Camping and 4WD Information
Caravan Clubs and Associations
Finding Places to Stay
Caravan Park and National Park Associations
Services
Click here for a Civil Celebrant for Melbourne.
This is a Excel listing of all Coles Woolworths/Safeway fuel outlets in Australia, supplied by Ian Gliddon.
Ian Gliddon has put together a listing of all current TV Transmission Tower sites, and converted them into waypoints to suit the widely used navigational software, OziExplorer. Note that the package is only truly useful if travelers are using OziExplorer, although the ACMA's .pdf listing is of some use on its own. Download Zipped files. Ian is happy for this file to be hosted on other sites, but please let me know if you intend doing that so Ian can advise of any updates. The files are to be supplied free and unaltered.
On the Wallaby is the "diary" of Ron and Wendy Holland, who travelled 18,000 km through Victoria, South Australia, Northern Territory and Western Australia over three months in 2000. I asked Ron how he planned his trip, so he kindly wrote Wallaby Planning.
On the Wallaby
Wallaby Planning
Fuel Usage Report: Download Zipped Excel Spreadsheet
Tony and Molly Andrews travelled up to the Queensland Gulf Country and back down along the Queensland and NSW coast in July and August 2000, a distance of 9,262 kms. They also travelled Tasmania in 2001. They kept on-line diaries of both trips. The diaries are full of caravan park reports, places of interest, things to do and things to avoid. If you're planning a Qld or Tassie trip, or just want an interesting read, download the files.
Queensland Diary: Download Zipped Word Document
Tasmania Diary: Download Zipped Word Document
Ron Holland is planning a trip up through Queensland in mid-2003. When I saw his draft planning spreadsheet I thought that it may give you some insight of how to plan trips, so Ron gave permission for it to be downloaded from here (zipped).
Click this zipped download link to read Ron Holland's advice to the novice on how to decide on what type of van you need; how he plans his trips; checklists for packing the van (from toothbrush to boat); and simple hints to make van life easier.
Jump over to here to read Ron's (aka Mudguts) latest trip planning advice, thoughtfully put together in September 2009.
Click this link to read a caravanners view (just over a screen) of planning for a trip around Queensland, by Kirragrey of Kirra, Queensland.
Click this link to read a caravanners view (just over a screen) of what he found of poorly designed caravan parks during his "big trip" in 2000, by Ken M of Bribie Island, Queensland.
Terry and Brenda Steen's trip around Australia.
John and Bev Balding's trip around Tasmania.
Wayne's (Snowman) and Margs's 2008 trip around Australia.
Cuppa's 2008 trip around Australia
HoboHome - Gavin and Tracey Murray's 5 year stint around Australia
Aussie Wonders - The Ayres and Pecks tarvels since 2006
Nanapop's Travels - Ted & Mel Paine's current travels around Australia
Frank & Brenda - 2007 Adelaide Perth Darwin trip
Frank & Brenda - 2009 Tasmania trip
John Cooney and Family Travel Blog
Pam and Peter Ranson's current trip around Australia.
Australia Getting Out There - a family's trips around Australia.
Bob & Marion's 2011 trip to Perth and back
Out of Yack - Kel's and Kaz's blog
Wandering Tews - Around Oz trips since 2000 to the present
Davenjules Travel Blog over 3 countries
Got a diary of your trips - want to share it with fellow caravanners? Send it to me and I'll link it here. See my email address on the home page.
Caravanning, Camping and 4WD Information
All Things Caravan is my list of caravan manufacturers, caravan dealers, caravan servicing, caravan repairs, caravan equipment, caravan supplies, caravan sales, caravan agents, and caravan industry bodies.
Australia So Much To See Travel reviews and practical touring advice by Motherhen, who has definitely "been there, done that". Motherhen freely offers her excellent advice in various caravanning forums. Highly recommended.
Caravanning News has some great caravanning news and other help. Recommended.
Camps and Vans The site provides information and GPS coordinates for thousands of camping and caravan sites around Australia, including Google Maps views, pictures and reviews.
Caravan & Motorhome Magazine website and forum.
Travellers Chat a chat and 'just for fun' forum for 'vanners.
NSW Rest Areas and Driver Reviver multiple maps.
NSW Rest Areas and Driver Reviver single map.
Australian Road Reports Site State by State road conditions.
ExporOz Road Conditions by State and Region
Sanidumps.com is where you can find the location of Caravan / Motorhome Dump Points.
National Dump Points has a searchable facility.
National Public Toilet Map shows the location of more than 14,000 public and private public toilet facilities across Australia.
Caravanning and RVing in Australia is Lionel Mussell 's website.
VicRoad's has a caravanning information page with some useful, common-sense information. Follow the Road Safety and Vehicle Safety links.
Harding's Caravan Newsletters have some great articles and information. Well worth a read.
Nullarbor Links is the worlds longest golf course and quite unique. A must for wanna-be golfers travelling the nullarbor.
Western Australia, Now and Then A guide for those who are interested in more than just the tourist attractions.
TV Reception around Australia, by the Wandering Tews
Caravan Clubs and Associations
A list of caravan and camping clubs is supplied by Lionel Mussell.
National Association of Caravan Clubs
NSW Association of Caravan Clubs
Western Australian Association of Caravan Clubs
Combined Caravan Clubs of Queensland
Recreational Vehicle Manufacturers Association of Australia - see if your van, motorhome or 5th wheeler manufacturer is a member.
Family Caravan Club, in south-east Queensland, caters solely for carvanners with kids.
Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia
Whether you use a Motorhome, Caravan or Camper Trailer the Australian Camper Trailer, Caravan and Motorhome Network say they have all the contacts you'll ever need. To get you started, keep you on the road or off the road.
The Australian Automobile Association. Not strictly related to caravans, but the AAA pages has some interesting facts and information concerning motoring in Australia.
Australian Caravan Park Photos & Reviews contains photographs and notes from places that John Townsend has actually visited. Highly recommended as it's a great visual representation of the parks listed.
OzCamps - Free-Camping Map and Database. This map has been designed for Caravanners who enjoy free camping. Free camping includes National and State Parks which may attract a fee. This free camping map has been designed so that anyone is able to add/edit/delete places. Highly recommended.
My Park List provides THE most comprehnsive list of caravan parks in Australia, with all their details and provides a separate listing for Dog Friendly Parks. You need to do free and painless registration to view the data. Gary's listings link back to reports on this website if one exists. Highly recommended.
Tourism Wellington - Gippsland, Victoria.
Flinders Rangers Tourism is a nice web page on touring the Flinders Ranges and outback South Australia. You can select regions to explore.
Kimberley Australia has a plethora of information. You can request a free 50-page ebook.
Travel Australia - Internet is a very good site for picking accommodation in any area of Australia. Some very good regional information.
AusEmade bringing together all your travel information. They have holiday bargains, accommodation, attractions, eco, tours, national parks, maps, transport, and much more. You can even compare hotel prices between their online partners.
Northern Territory Rest Areas, Truck Stops and Fuel Stops.
Main Roads of Western Australia web site has PDF files that cover Roadside Amenities and Rest Areas. To download these files, go to the site, and search the words "rest area" and the guides will be in the search results. Or do as I did and ring (08) 9323 4387 and the lovely girl who answered will post you the guides free of charge.
Australian Roadside Rest Areas
Nullarbor Net to find out places to stay and things to see, from Port Augusta to Coolgardie or Esperance.
Yorke Penninsula, South Australia, caravan parks.
Doggy Holiday is a web site that lists caravan parks that allow dogs and details the restrictions imposed by each park, eg, on leash, at manager's discretion, off-peak only, etc.
Real Holiday Reports is an overseas web site that has reports on overseas destinations, as reported by the people that use them. Lots of interesting stuff.
ukcampsite.co.uk is a UK based guide to all things caravan and camping related in the UK and France. An excellent search facility and reports on caravanning and camping sites/parks. I have used this myself when planning a trip to the UK and Europe.
RV Parks Review is a USA based review site for caravan parks.
Go Camping America, RV Parks USA, Camp USA are just three of the USA based listings of RV parks and campgrounds. Google "rv parks usa" to find more websites.
Caravan Park Associations, National Park Associations, State Tourism
Top Tourist Parks of Australia
BIG4 Holiday Parks of Australia
Discovery Holiday Parks of Australia
Caravanning Queensland lists all caravan parks throughout Queensland.
Queensland's Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing controls Queensland's National Parks.
New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service.
Territory and Municipal Services looks after the Australian Capital Territory's parks, forests and bushland.
Victorian Caravan Parks Association offer a free PDF guide for travellers called "Victorian Caravan, Cabin & Camping Guide" which is updated each year.
Parks Victoria looks after National Parks in Victoria.
Victoria Tourism. The corporate marketing website (just for interest) is here.
Caravan Parks Association of South Australia lists most (not all) caravan parks throughout South Australia, with details of amenities, tariffs, etc.
Department of Environment and Natural Resources looks after National Parks in SA.
Caravan Industry Australia, Western Australia lists most (not all) caravan parks throughout Western Australia, with details of amenities, tariffs, etc.
Department of Parks and Wildlife looks after Western Australian National Parks.
Parks and Wildlife Service controls National Parks in the Northern Territory. Visitors Information.
All Things Caravan is my list of caravan manufacturers, caravan dealers, caravan servicing, caravan repairs, caravan equipment, caravan supplies, caravan sales, caravan agents, and caravan industry bodies. Continually being updated.
Wilkins Tourist Maps have been around for awhile and you can now download a selection of their maps (in Adobe PDF format) from their Map Downloads area. I found the Great Ocean Road "booklet" (1.1Mb) most useful, as it has been designed for online use with plenty of clickable images and links. The site has more than just maps - such as useful information for major tourist regions.
About Seniors is for senior citizens, retirees, those about to retire, veterans, pensioners and carers, who will find a comprehensive list of information and links extremely valuable. The Travel link is where you will find touring and accommodation information.
The RACV's Journeys and Destinations website offers information for the traveller.
QuitDay.org helps travellers become and stay smoke-free for their journeys and raises awareness on the dangers of smoking, and the American Cancer Society supports a smoke-free lifestyle.
AAA Tourism is the national touring body of the Australian motoring organisations listed below. The AAA has responsibility for the STAR rating scheme awarded to caravan parks - follow the Star Ratings links.
- NRMA - National Roads and Motorists Association
- RACV - Royal Automobile Club of Victoria
- RACQ - Royal Automobile Club of Queensland
- RAA - Royal Automobile Association of South Australia
- RAC - Royal Automobile Club of Western Australia
- RACT - Royal Automobile Club of Tasmania
- AA - Automobile Association of Northern Territory
