'Don't have that worry': Camping tips you need to know if you're a first timer
This rise of the van life trend and the never ending popularity of caravanning is inspiring Aussies to get out an explore their own country on a budget.
But there's something you should do before you hitch your van to your car and head off into the outback, an expert says.
Amber Tierney, who with husband Nick has caravanned across Australia, says there is a lot to learn first.
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Bendigo couple Amber and Nick Tierney have embraced the caravan lifestyle. Supplied
"If you're a new caravanner, I would suggest you go to a caravan park for few days to learn how it all works," Amber, from Bendigo in Victoria, tells 9Travel.
After that she suggests using a service such as Hipcamp.
"By booking a Hipcamp you've got a location you can go to, you're off grid but you have your own space, you don't have that worry of finding a place."
The website allows campers to search for and book spots to park their van, from campsites to more traditional caravan parks.
As for places to travel once you're ready, Amber suggests South Australia as the idea place for many to start.
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The remote Pilbara region, Western Australia, is a top camping spot. Getty
Best camping spots for first timers
"If you're a first time caravanner coming from Victoria, the NSW area, I think South Australia is one of the most underrated states," she tells us.
"There's so many different spots. The Eyre Peninsula is beautiful, so many free camps, we loved Robe.
"And Wyalla, isn't the most beautiful town, but if you wait around the jetty if you wait for a boat to come in a pod of dolphin follows it.
"We went there three times, it has the best free dolphin show."
The Murray River area, which stretches across Victoria, NSW, and South Australia is also an easy place to begin, she says.
South Australia is Amber's favourite state to travel in. Getty Images/iStockphoto
The couple, who now have a baby, Indi, are soon heading off again for as long as a couple of years. They'll head up the east coast to start with.
"I'm really excited to do from Cairns to Darwin, it's called the Savannah Way," she says.
"It is in lots of places quite remote so I'm excited to do that."
She's also keen to return to the Pilbara in Western Australia.
"It was my favourite, the landscapes and the feeling you get when you're there, it's just absolutely stunning," she says.
The Eyre Peninsula has many free camping spots to visit. Getty
Top camping tips
The couple have learned a lot since they started out camping in Nick's brother's swags and got so hooked they bought their own camper trailer and later caravan.
They currently have a Crusader Musketeer Palace and post about their adventures on Instagram.
And she reckons splashing out on better things is worth it.
"Even if it's just a camp chair, just things like that, you're going to use it every day, invest in things that are important," she says.
"We probably bought a lot of cheaper stuff. It's best to invest in things from the start."
The couple have learned a lot since they started out camping. Supplied
Investigating power and solar panels is also a must and she recommends investing in an inverter to give you more power.
Other camping gear such as an special doormat to keep out dirt and an annex fencing creation to keep kids and animals safe from wandering are also on her list.
Another everyday essential is also a must have.
"A stick vacuum to vacuum the floor of your caravan," she says.
"I don't know anyone with a caravan that doesn't have a stick vacuum."
According to Tourism Research Australia, caravanning and camping have become one of the most popular ways for Australians to travel with 15.2 million caravan and camping trips taken in 2024, and 90 per cent of nights spent in regional Australia.
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