The ultimate caravan checklist for first timers

Seasoned caravanners seem to have it all under control when they head out for weekends away or longer trips, but the truth is, in the beginning, they were just as lost as many first-timers.  

If you have already taken your caravan out a few times, you would have noticed the gawkers (as we like to call them) taking great notice of everyone rolling into the camping spots, what their setup is, and what kind of equipment and accessories they have. It seems that it’s almost a right of passage for seasoned campers to watch the first-timers roll up to a campsite. 

Some will share their camping tips (whether you want them to – or not), but others seem to keep their handy tips to themselves. So, we are sharing the ultimate caravan checklist for first-timers so that your first (and many) caravan trips are safe, comfortable, and easy. 

Plan for all types of weather when caravanning. 

According to the weather report, you can almost be certain that the weather will never be right. Our top tip is to always pack at least some warmer clothes, even in summer, and summery clothes and lighter layers in winter. This way, you are prepared for anything and can layer up or strip off if the weather flips suddenly. 

There is nothing worse than a cold snap hitting when you have packed for a warm week away and having to either freeze or find somewhere to purchase some extra clothing. As seasoned caravanners, we pack for all conditions because we’ve been there and done that! 

Utilise your external storage wisely.

Any Great Escape Caravan has plenty of external storage and the option to add more because there is nothing worse than having to go into the caravan’s interior to pull outdoor furniture, kids’ toys, and awning accessories out when trying to set up quickly in a new camping spot. 

Consider what you will need to access first when you pull up to camp and utilise your external storage for that. This will help with ease of set-up when you arrive and get those ‘gawkers’ to gawk elsewhere because you’ve got this! 

An unorganised storage system leads to longer set-up times and less time spent enjoying your newest camping spot, so plan ahead. After a few trips away, getting to know that everything has its place and can be accessed quickly will be a godsend.  

Pack extra food and ensure you have ample water stored.

The obvious reason to pack extra food and store ample water is in case you can not locate a shop in a hurry or get diverted to another campground in an emergency. However, the fact is that most of the time (thankfully), the extra stash of meals and snacks allows you to enjoy a beautiful camping spot for a little longer without needing to leave for essentials. 

Relax a little longer and enjoy your pantry stash of groceries. 

Get used to setting up quickly for peace of mind.

As a first-timer, it can be exciting to reach a new destination and run off to explore, especially when caravanning with kids, but our advice is to always set up first. Why, you ask?

When you have had a long day of exploring and you and the family are tired and hungry, the last thing you want to do is have to find all you need to get everyone fed and into bed.  Trust us on this one. 

Setting up your campsite is the number one priority – the rest will follow, and with time, each set-up will get quicker and easier.

First aid and medical supplies.

Ensure you have all you need for a medical emergency in the car or caravan whenever you leave home.  

Some good basics include bandages, antihistamines, pain medication, and prescription medications.  Whether you are free camping or staying in a holiday park, medical attention can be hard to reach quickly, and pharmacy trips can become difficult. 

Prepare for the worst and hope for the best – check your first aid kit before every trip and replenish anything used before you head off again. 

Ensure you are prepared to take and dispose of all rubbish.

Many free camping sites in Australia are not equipped to dispose of the rubbish created by campers.  

Ensure you have plenty of rubbish bags on hand to double bag your rubbish and transport it to the nearest safe disposal spot. Beware of any waste tanks requiring to be emptied at this time also. 

To keep our beautiful country just that, we expect all Great Escape Caravanners to respect these needs so many more can follow and enjoy the area. 

Power sources suited to free camping.

Free camping with a caravan requires additional power sources suited to your comfort levels. A generator can be a necessary piece of equipment when mains power is not available, and you prefer easy camping with access to lighting, heating, and other creature comforts of home. 

Gas bottles should be safety-checked regularly and filled before your trip to ensure that cooking is accessible without a campfire if necessary. 

Extra batteries or chargers for phones, electrical devices, and the good old torch are essential. Checking each is charged and batteries are in date and ensuring solar panels are clean on occasion doesn’t hurt either! 

Caravan and camping safety checklist. 

All caravanners should prepare for each trip and its individual requirements; however, as a general rule, everyone should use our downloadable checklist before every trip. We have created this simple checklist for you to print and laminate to keep handy within your caravan for ease of reference or store on your phone—whatever works for you. 

We recommend that you tick all the items off the list before every trip to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip every time.