Finally: The Ultimate Guide to Australian Caravans

Ultimate Caravan Guide

Sick of being stuck in the concrete labryinth jungle know as the city? Want to get away to dreamy locations but still retain a sense of homeliness and comfort? Well, a caravan is for you. Below we will outline all the basic things you need to know to begin your Caravan journey.

In this section:

Hey, just so you're aware, this post is 2095 words and takes 10 minutes to read. enjoy!

Silly question, but what is a Caravan?

Welcome to the world of caravans!

We are so excited you are here. But wait a sec - what on earth is a caravan?

The basic characteristics of a caravan is that it’s a non motorised vehicle that provides common living needs that can be pulled or towed to a location. It can have power, water and gas, much like a typical home.

The common living needs refer to things like a bed, bathroom or kitchen that are all built in the the caravan.

In Australia, caravans can also be referred to as a “van”, because you know, Aussies like to shorten everything for some reason! And not to be confused with an actual Van (the vehicle). Way to complicate everything Australia!

Where do you take a Caravan?

Caravans are set up at what are generically called Caravan Sites.

Often caravans are used in conjunction with a holiday or road trip. It is used as the primary accomodation for the duration of the vacation. There are speciality caravan sites that are set up to host caravans and provide access to water, electricty and dump points for caravans.

However, there are also plenty of free camp site where people take their caravans too!

The Australian motto when it comes to camping or caravaning is taken very seriously: “Leave no trace”.

You should always leave a caravan site exactly how you found it, if not, better. This is part of the group effort to preserve the beauty of the natural Australian environment for wildlife, flora and for future generations to enjoy.

How Much Are Caravans?

Like all products, the price range can vary significantly depending on what your budget entails and what type of caravan you are wanting.

To keep your expectations in check early, Caravans are not cheap! Especially when buying new.

Think about it. You are basically buying a portable house on wheels. And when you think about the explosion of real estate prices in Australia, then it’s surprising that they aren’t even pricier.

Don’t let that deter you though. You can make a strong ase that a Caravan actually saves you money. Plus, there are options for buying an older caravan and renovating it if you are handy enough. This can save you a fortune.

How Wide Are Caravans

Caravans generally are built to a specification width of between 2 - 2.5 metres. They can vary depending on what brand, type and model you are looking at.

Similar to cars, they need to be constrained to a limited width in order to be safe for use on roads throughout the country. Special licences or permits will likely be needed to tow anything larger than 2.5metres.

But, 2.5 metres in maximum width can fit a surprising ammount of luxery and comfort! We will get to that later.

How Much Do Caravans Weigh

There is no common weight for a caravan. It will depend on the size, the furnishing and other features such as water tanks.

For example, a smaller 14ft Caravan could be around the 800kg mark, and a 22foot caravan will weigh around 2,000kgs.

It is also important to note that caravans will have a maximum legal weight, which includes the furnishings like fridge and batteries.

As a simple rule, the longer the caravan, the more it weighs.

The main weights to be familar with are Tare Weights and Aggregate Trailer Mass (ATM).

TARE Weight

In basic terms, Tare weight refers to the carvan structure or empty weight before anything is put into it like people, water, food, belongings, beer… etc.

ATM Weight

The ATM is the weight set by the manufacturer that denotes the maximum amount of total weight the caravan can hold safely when it is fully loaded.

How Much to Insure Caravan

So you have your new pride and joy, and as with anything important and valuale to you, you want to protext it. It is sensible to get Caravan Insurance for many reasons, such as theft or fire, but you will want to know exactely how much for caravan insurance in terms of costs. How Much Is Insurance for a Caravan

What Brands of Caravans Are Made in Australia

I hear you ask “What Caravans Are Made in Australia”? Good question.

There are many makes of Caravans in Australia and and all come with various options. You can find these by looking at our Caravan reviews.

Manufactured here in Australia:

Adria Australia & New Zealand
Adventura Caravans
Altitude Campers
Atlantic Caravans
Aussie Fivestar Caravans
Aussie Wide Caravans
Austrack Campers
Austral Motorhomes
Australian Caravans Direct (ACD)
Australian Off Road Campers (AOR)
Australis Caravans
Avan
Avida RV
Billabong Caravans
Black Series Campers & Caravans
Blue Sky Caravans
Blue Tongue Campers
Bluewater Campers
Boss Adventure
BRS Offroad
Bruder
Bushmaster Off-road Caravans
Bushranger Campers
Bushtracker Australia
Canyon Caravans
Caraboat
Carrera Caravans
Cedar Caravans
Century Trailers
Concept Caravans
Condor Caravans
Coromal
Coronet RV
Crusader Caravans
CRZR Industries
Cub Campers
Design RV
Domain Caravans
Dreamseeker
Eagle Camper Trailers
Eco-Tourer
Eden Caravans
Edge Trailers & Caravans
Elite Caravans
Elross Caravans
Empire Caravans
Essential Caravans
Euro Caravans
Evernew Caravans
Evolution Caravans
Exodus Off Road Campers
Explorex
EzyTrail Campers
Fantasy Caravan
Far Horizon Campers
Fortitude Caravans
Franklin Caravans
Goldstar RV
Goldstream RV
Golf Caravans
GPJ Caravans
Grand Salute Caravans
Great Aussie Caravans
Halen Vans
Harvok
Highline Caravans
Hilltop Caravans
iDeal Caravans
Jawa Campers
Jayco
JB Caravans
K9 Vans
Kedron Caravans
Kimberley Kampers
Kokoda
La Vista Caravans
Lagoon Caravan
Latitude RV Caravans
Leader Caravans
Legend Caravans
Lifestyle Campers
Little Caravan Company
Lotus Caravans
Lumberjack Camper Trailers
Lyfe RV
Majestic Caravans
Malibu Caravans
Market Direct Campers (MDC)
Mars Campers
Marvel RV
Masterpiece Caravans
Maverick Campers
Millard Caravans
Modcon RV
Montana Caravans
Mountain Trail RV
Network RV Caravans
New Age Caravans
New Design Caravans
Newgen Caravans
Newlands Caravans
NextGen Caravans
Nova Caravans
Ocean Breeze Caravans
Offroad Hybrids
Olympic Caravans
On the Move Caravans
Opal Caravans
Option RV
Opus Camper
Orca Caravans
Pacific Caravans
Paradise Motorhomes
Paramount Caravans
Patriot Campers
Pedigree Caravans
Pioneer Campers
Platinum Campers
Prime Campers
Red Centre Caravans
Regal Caravans
Regent Caravans
Retreat Caravans
RhinoMax Campers
River Caravans
Roadstar Caravans
Roma Caravans
Royal Flair Caravans
Safari Caravans
Salute Caravans
Silversun Caravans
Snowy River Caravans
Spinifex Caravans
Star Vision Campers & Caravans
Stoney Creek Campers
Sunland Caravans
Sunliner RVs
Sunseeker Caravans
Supreme Caravans
Swag Off-road Campers
Swift RV
Tango Caravans
Titan Caravans
Titanium Caravans
Track Trailer
Trackvan
Trailblazers RV
Trakmaster
Travelhome
Traveller Caravans
Urban Caravans
Vacationer Caravans
Van Cruiser Off Road Caravans
Victory Caravans
Viscount Caravans
Vision RV
Wallaroo Caravans
Willow RV
Windsor Caravans
Wonderland RV
York Caravans
Zone RV

Firstly, it’s best to look are “What Caravans are available in Australia” first. Then check out which ones are actually made in Australia.

Then, there are over 170+ Caravan Brands in Australia. Don’t believe me? Well here is the list:

Adria Australia & New Zealand
Adventura Caravans
Altitude Campers
Atlantic Caravans
Aussie Fivestar Caravans
Aussie Wide Caravans
Austrack Campers
Austral Motorhomes
Australian Caravans Direct (ACD)
Australian Off Road Campers (AOR)
Australis Caravans
Avan
Avida RV
Billabong Caravans
Black Series Campers & Caravans
Blue Sky Caravans
Blue Tongue Campers
Bluewater Campers
Boss Adventure
BRS Offroad
Bruder
Bushmaster Off-road Caravans
Bushranger Campers
Bushtracker Australia
Canyon Caravans
Caraboat
Carrera Caravans
Cedar Caravans
Century Trailers
Concept Caravans
Condor Caravans
Coromal
Coronet RV
Crusader Caravans
CRZR Industries
Cub Campers
Design RV
Domain Caravans
Dreamseeker
Eagle Camper Trailers
Eco-Tourer
Eden Caravans
Edge Trailers & Caravans
Elite Caravans
Elross Caravans
Empire Caravans
Essential Caravans
Euro Caravans
Evernew Caravans
Evolution Caravans
Exodus Off Road Campers
Explorex
EzyTrail Campers
Fantasy Caravan
Far Horizon Campers
Fortitude Caravans
Franklin Caravans
Goldstar RV
Goldstream RV
Golf Caravans
GPJ Caravans
Grand Salute Caravans
Great Aussie Caravans
Halen Vans
Harvok
Highline Caravans
Hilltop Caravans
iDeal Caravans
Jawa Campers
Jayco
JB Caravans
K9 Vans
Kedron Caravans
Kimberley Kampers
Kokoda
La Vista Caravans
Lagoon Caravan
Latitude RV Caravans
Leader Caravans
Legend Caravans
Lifestyle Campers
Little Caravan Company
Lotus Caravans
Lumberjack Camper Trailers
Lyfe RV
Majestic Caravans
Malibu Caravans
Market Direct Campers (MDC)
Mars Campers
Marvel RV
Masterpiece Caravans
Maverick Campers
Millard Caravans
Modcon RV
Montana Caravans
Mountain Trail RV
Network RV Caravans
New Age Caravans
New Design Caravans
Newgen Caravans
Newlands Caravans
NextGen Caravans
Nova Caravans
Ocean Breeze Caravans
Offroad Hybrids
Olympic Caravans
On the Move Caravans
Opal Caravans
Option RV
Opus Camper
Orca Caravans
Pacific Caravans
Paradise Motorhomes
Paramount Caravans
Patriot Campers
Pedigree Caravans
Pioneer Campers
Platinum Campers
Prime Campers
Red Centre Caravans
Regal Caravans
Regent Caravans
Retreat Caravans
RhinoMax Campers
River Caravans
Roadstar Caravans
Roma Caravans
Royal Flair Caravans
Safari Caravans
Salute Caravans
Silversun Caravans
Snowy River Caravans
Spinifex Caravans
Star Vision Campers & Caravans
Stoney Creek Campers
Sunland Caravans
Sunliner RVs
Sunseeker Caravans
Supreme Caravans
Swag Off-road Campers
Swift RV
Tango Caravans
Titan Caravans
Titanium Caravans
Track Trailer
Trackvan
Trailblazers RV
Trakmaster
Travelhome
Traveller Caravans
Urban Caravans
Vacationer Caravans
Van Cruiser Off Road Caravans
Victory Caravans
Viscount Caravans
Vision RV
Wallaroo Caravans
Willow RV
Windsor Caravans
Wonderland RV
York Caravans
Zone RV

What Are the Best Quality Caravans in Australia

Everybody wants to know how to get the best caravans in Australia. The answer is dependent on several factors.

Will you be taking it off road? Are you a family? Are you doing extended trips or just weekend getways? Do you require lot’s of storage?

Australia is a country with a vast array of terrains, wilderness and isolation.

All these factors must be considered when looking the best quality of caravan to suit your needs.

In the past, the best quality carvan market in Australia was dominated by Millard and Jayco - however, times have changed. These are still great brands, but there are now hundreds of fantastic other quality offerrings on the market to look at.

The best way to find out is to explore our reviews.

What Caravans Not to Buy

Buying a caravan also involves a certain element of risk. The worry of all purchasers remains “What if we buy a lemon caravan”. To our overseas audience, this means a “dud”.

Many people get caught up on the aesthetic of the caravan when they are first looking to buy. They see all the nice doors and windows on the outside neatly in tact, then they walk inside and fall in love with the way the kitchen bench or bedside tables look. This is a rookie mistake.

All these shallow furnishing parts are great don’t get me wrong, but they shouldn’t be the highest priority when evaluating a van to buy. Besides, these types of things can be replaced easily if you need down the track, but other faults can be detrimental to the caravan.

There are many things to look out for when it comes to identifying a caravan that you shouldn’t buy.

First things first, if you a buying it new, do not buy it unless it comes with an extended warranty. This is a no brainer.

It would be staggerring if your manufacturer or dealer did not include a warranty as part of the contract of sale.

The main thing to look for when avoiding a lemon is mainly in the parts you can’t see. This means the wiring and the plumbing. Nothing will frustrate you more than leaky plumbing or dodgey electrical work. This is often hard to identify until you have taken your van for a shake down (i.e a short trip where you test it out for a couple of nights).

On top of that, you want the caravan to be structural sound and to have retained it’s integrity. Cracks, loose fittings and rattle bits are not a good sign.