NomadReady

Free guide · Australian caravanning

Caravan essentials: what to pack for an Australian trip

Everything that earns its place in the van — towing gear, power, water, safety kit, tools and camp comfort. Use it as a buying guide before you leave, then turn it into a tick-box checklist you can reuse on every trip.

Turn this into a free checklist

Towing and hitching

The gear that connects van to car — get this right before anything else goes in the van.
  • Tow ball matched to the van's coupling (50mm vs 70mm, or a DO35 offroad hitch)
  • Weight-distribution hitch and sway control, sized for your rig
  • Breakaway cable or safety chains in good order
  • Towing mirrors that give a clear view past the van — legally required
  • Anderson plug and electric brake controller wired and tested
  • Jockey wheel with a rated clamp and a greased screw
  • Wheel chocks and levelling ramps for uneven sites

Power and electrical

Power is what keeps the fridge cold and the lights on, whether you're plugged in or free camping.
  • Deep-cycle battery (AGM or lithium) with a battery monitor
  • Solar panels or blanket with a suitable regulator
  • 240V battery charger for powered sites
  • 12V fridge — 12V runs are far kinder on batteries than a compressor on gas
  • Spare fuses for the van's DC-DC charger and lighting circuits
  • RCD safety switch and tested extension lead (15amp, with the fatter earth pin)
  • Caravan park power lead adapter plus a circuit tester

Water, gas and plumbing

Independence on the road comes down to clean water in, grey water out, and safe gas.
  • Food-grade drinking water hose (never a garden hose) with fittings
  • Water pressure regulator — caravan plumbing hates high pressure
  • Inline water filter and a jerry can or two for dry camps
  • Grey water hose and bucket, plus a toilet cassette with blue or bacteria-based treatment
  • Gas bottles in test date, with a spanner for changing over
  • Gas leak detector or soapy water for checking connections
  • Composting toilet owners: coir/peat brick and bulking agent stocked

Safety and emergency

You'll hopefully never use most of this — and you'll be glad it's there if you do.
  • Fire extinguisher and fire blanket within reach of the kitchen
  • Smoke alarm with an in-date battery, tested before every trip
  • First aid kit stocked for remote travel, plus any personal medications
  • EPIRB or PLB if you're heading beyond phone coverage
  • UHF radio — channel 40 on highways, the outback's emergency chatter
  • Tyre repair kit and 12V air compressor, and know your van's cold pressures
  • Reflective warning triangles and a hi-vis vest

Tools and spares

A small kit and a handful of spares turn a blown hose from a trip-ender into a 20-minute pause.
  • Basic tool kit — screwdrivers, pliers, adjustable spanner, socket set
  • Duct tape, zip ties and heavy-duty adhesive
  • Thread tape, silicone sealant and an assortment of hose clamps
  • Spare globes for headlights, brake lights and van lights
  • Spare fuses and relays for vehicle and van
  • Jump starter pack or jumper leads
  • Spare drive belt and radiator hoses if you're going remote

Camp setup and living

The bits that make a site a home for a night, a week, or the whole winter.
  • Awning walls or annex matting for dust and shade control
  • Camp chairs and a table rated for outdoor use
  • Camp kitchen kit: pots, kettle, cutting board, and a good sharp knife
  • Gas cooker or BBQ with a stand, plus matches or a lighter that works when damp
  • Storage crates and pegs that suit hard ground (heavy-duty steel, not plastic)
  • Torch, head torch and lantern — plus spare batteries
  • Power board and USB charging hub for the van's 12V outlets

Documents and personal

Boring until you need it — keep it in one folder so it's never a scramble.
  • Licences, registration and insurance documents (car and van)
  • Roadside assist and health insurance details
  • National park and camping bookings, printed where coverage is patchy
  • Park passes and permits for the routes you're planning
  • Weather-appropriate clothing — Aussie conditions swing hard between regions
  • Sun protection: hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, fly net for the north
  • Boots for walking and thongs for the amenities block

Travelling with pets

Dogs and caravans go together in Australia — but national parks and some caravan parks won't agree.
  • Pet registration and vaccination records
  • Tether, travel harness or crate for the drive
  • Water and food bowls that don't tip over
  • Tick treatment — essential in eastern and northern Australia
  • Check caravan park pet policies when you book, and check if you're headed into national parks
  • Familiar bedding to help them settle at new sites

Ready to actually pack?

The free NomadReadyOz Checklist covers these essentials — plus the things people forget — across ten categories, tailored to your rig.
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