Living in a Caravan

If you have ever felt the call of the great open road beckoning you, then a caravan lifestyle might be just the adventure you are looking for. Imagine the freedom and adventures that await from this nomadic way of living. An increasingly popular lifestyle choice for many people around Australia, long term caravanning provides a unique way of life that offers freedom, flexibility, and a sense of adventure that just can’t be matched by a traditional lifestyle.

Evoking a sense of spontaneity and freedom, you can explore at your own pace, knowing you can relax at a campsite, caravan park, or even in the outback while living in your caravan. In this article, we will explore the advantages and intricacies of living in a caravan, as well as some tips on how to best enjoy this alternative way of life.

Benefits of Living in a Caravan

Whether you are a retiree looking for a change of pace, a young couple seeking an affordable housing option, or a family searching for a new way to explore Australia, living in a caravan offers a range of benefits. Some advantages of the caravanning lifestyle include:

Kid-friendly travel

Rest assured that not only does caravanning provide your kids with unique learning opportunities through travel and experience, but it is also sustainable through numerous distance-education resources such as online curriculum programs and applications.

Exploring different locations & lifestyles

Living in a caravan can be a great way to get a taste of the lifestyles available to you in different locations. Aside from a wonderful mode of travel, living in a caravan can also be a great way to ‘road test’ a potential new area before relocating or purchasing a more permanent home. This can include getting to know the surrounding community and businesses as a local, rather than a tourist.

Minimalist living

The greatest challenge of caravan living is limited space; however, this can be a blessing in disguise. This lifestyle inspires minimalistic practices and can help reduce not only clutter, but also your impact on the environment. By producing less waste, using less electricity and water, you can take better care of the world around you.

Cost-efficiency

Less electricity and water use also means lower maintenance & costs of living overall. As a caravan owner, other ways to save include the use of solar panels and rainwater tanks.

Reconnecting with nature

Get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and explore some of the most beautiful natural destinations around Australia. Living in a caravan is a great way to guarantee comfortable accommodation, no matter your destination, affording you the option to go off grid to see natural beauty that is off the beaten path.

Living in a Caravan Permanently

From the freedom to travel and explore new places at a whim & amazing van life community, to affordability of simple living, living in a caravan provides a rewarding lifestyle. To make the most of your caravan life, it’s a good idea to get up to date with some of the rules and regulations. After all, life on the road should be as relaxing as possible. Items like parking permits and local regulation knowledge will come in handy when you venture to a new place in your home on the road.

By stopping in at caravan parks, free camps and outback camping along your travels, you can live comfortably all year round in your caravan! Places you can legally park at while living in your caravan include:

• Caravan parks: a caravan park stay can range from a few days, up to 5 years, depending on the location and park rules. Because of this, caravan living requires that you communicate with park administration to ensure that you’ve clearly outlined the terms of your tenancy.
• Free camping: these spaces are typically designated for overnight use, and are a wonderful way to see some beautiful places without impacting the budget. Some free camping areas may not have access to running water, electricity, or waste disposal, so make sure you plan ahead before heading off to a free camping site.
• RV villages: these villages are often available in small towns where caravanners are encouraged to stop and contribute to the local economy; however, restrictions vary depending on the local council.

A world of adventures is waiting for you! Being organised will ensure you make the most of life on the open road. A great place to start is finding out the rules and regulations of each local council’s length of stay. Before you arrive at your next amazing destination, it’s important to contact your local council or any related authorities to discuss the maximum period and licensing allowable in your area, or travel destination. Here are some helpful resources to start your search:

• Western Australia: Government of Western Australia Consumer Protection – Long-stay tenure in residential parks.
• Victoria: Consumer Affairs Victoria – Residency in a caravan park.
• Queensland: Residential Tenancies Authority – Caravan parks and manufactured homes fact sheet.
• Southern Australia: SA.GOV.AU – Renting a site and dwelling in a residential park.
• Northern Territory: Northern Territory Consumer Affairs – Caravan parks legislation.
• Australian Capital Territory: ACT Government Housing – Caravans as temporary residential space policy.
• New South Wales: NSW Government – NSW Legislations.

Caravan Living Tips

There are numerous ways you can ensure the most comfortable, convenient and enjoyable caravan life. Below we’ve collected some practical tips for caravan living to help you navigate and maximise the benefits of this lifestyle.

Care for your vehicle

Maintain a regular servicing schedule and ensure your vehicle is in top condition for your travels. You should service your caravan at the recommended interval of once every 12 months, or prior to any major trip (whichever is closest).

Organisation is Key

Plan ahead for site bookings, car registration and regular health check-ups while on the road.

Plan your Items and Storage

You have limited space to work with, start by prioritising the things most important to your journey, such as water, food, emergency gear and medication. From there, you can work through other items you’d like to bring and allocate space accordingly.

Get an onboard washing machine

If you want to save money, consider getting an onboard washing machine. Combined with solar power and an inverter, one of these machines can completely cut out the cost of laundromat services.

Meal plan

Keeping an organised pantry and planning your meals carefully will help you stock your fridge with the necessities. Meal planning will help you use fresh produce and be the most economical in the long run.

Save on gas

Get some cooking done using a campfire to reduce gas usage and enjoy the great outdoors.

Find your community

Van life has been embraced in the past few years. With this, comes an amazing community from all walks of life. There are heaps of ways to link up with other caravanners with forums all over the internet. Joining a community can be a great way to get advice and even organise social events with others on the road.

Consider local employment opportunities

Travelling can be far easier and more sustainable if you work along the way. Temporary roles such as caravan park relief work, house sitting and farm duties can be a great way to make money while on the road.

Our Custom Caravans

If you want to start your great Australian adventure, a custom caravan can be the perfect way to travel long term in your personal ultimate comfort and convenience. Looking for the optimum off-road experience? Consider customising your caravan with off-road and off-grid features. Like the name says, off-road caravans are specifically designed to be used off-road when the terrain might be rough or the journey long, ensuring a smoother trip with all the modern comforts. Customising your caravan with off-grid features gives you the freedom to enjoy places in the middle of nowhere, providing you with all the power and water needed for an extended trip or a remote location. At Canterbury Caravans, we offer numerous alterations and additions to help you get the most out of your caravan, including:

• LED lighting
• Additional solar panels
• Off-road tyres
• Luxury pillowtop mattresses

Check out our must-have custom caravan additions below if you’re considering a life on the road, or if you’re interested in learning more about caravan accessories, read up on the top accessories available here.

Caravan WiFi

Caravan WiFi is essential for living in a caravan, allowing you to connect to family and friends, access streaming services for entertainment, and work remotely.

Caravan WiFi can also provide security by allowing you to easily contact emergency services or stay connected with loved ones in an emergency.

Caravan Awnings and Annexes

Caravan awnings and annexes can be attached to a caravan to create extra living space and protection from the elements. A caravan awning is a tent-like structure attached to the caravan’s side, providing shade and shelter from the sun, wind, and rain. An annex is a fully enclosed room that attaches to the awning, offering additional space for sleeping, storage, or dining.

Caravan awnings and annexes provide several benefits, including extra living space, protection from the sun and rain, and a comfortable outdoor area to relax and enjoy the view.

Caravan Slide-Out Kitchen

A caravan slide-out kitchen is a convenient feature that allows campers to easily cook and prepare meals while on the road. The kitchen is typically housed in a compartment that can be extended or slid out from the side of the caravan, providing extra space for cooking and food preparation. Caravan slide-out kitchens offer several benefits, such as:

• • The convenience of having all cooking equipment in one place, which saves time and effort.
  • More versatile meal options, as campers can easily prepare meals that require more space and equipment.
  • The added benefit of allowing users to cook and eat outdoors, taking advantage of the beautiful scenery and fresh air.

Overall, a caravan slide-out kitchen is a great investment for anyone who enjoys camping and wants the convenience of a fully functional kitchen while on the road.

Enjoying a caravan lifestyle means you can go wherever you want, when you want. Whether you are retired, working or off on an adventure, caravan living is a wonderful opportunity to stop and smell the roses. Many caravan owners buy a caravan to be constantly on the move, seeing parts of the countryside that are normally overlooked. In a caravan, you can see the coastline, drive past miles of farming properties, see and feel the red dirt on an outback road, and uncover the hidden gems Australia has to offer. Caravanning offers a lifestyle that is as equally about the journey as the destination. To make the most of this lifestyle, all it takes is a little research, careful packing and some organisation. With careful planning and preparation, caravan living can be a fulfilling way to explore the true beauty of Australia. If you want the perfect caravan for your long term journey, contact us today.