15 Handy Caravan Gadgets for your big lap of Australia
If you’re looking for a guide to the most handy-est gadget for your big lap of Australia in a caravan, you’re in the right place!
We’ve spent the last year in our caravan, and have found the best (and the worst.. but that’s for another day!) items that are super helpful in the caravan.
Here are our top 15 items that will definitely be coming with us again! Some are fancy, some are so obvious they are often overlooked… but all are essential in our eyes.
Whether you’re into full remote or if you go from caravan park to caravan park, you’ll find all the best gadgets for your big lap. (Or a weekend away!)
A quick note: gear and prices in this space move fast, so treat the picks below as a starting point rather than gospel, and check current pricing and availability with the retailer before you buy.
If you’re after a Christmas gift list for a caravan family, check out this article:
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In no particular order, here is what we would never leave home without:
1. Car Fridge
Yes, I know you’ll be towing a caravan with a fridge…. but, this is one of the best hacks we’ve found! Have a small car fridge in the back of your car for those day trips.
Not only does it save money as you’ll have lunch ready, doing wonders for your budget, but it also helps to keep the food cold if you’ve done a shop in the next town from your caravan.
Check out the deals here on Car Fridges of all sizes
PS I also leave my fridge in the car when I’m home – being able to pull over for a cool drink on a hot day while in town is awesome! Or doing the shopping first… either way!
2. Door mats
Anyone who caravans often will know about the dirt, dust and sand that gets into your van from feet! Door mats that tie onto the step are awesome! Especially the ones that look like fake grass, they really get the dirt of feet before you and the kids enter the van. It doesn’t stop everything, nothing would, but it does a great job!
Shop door mats here and keep the dirt outside!
3. Solar blankets
I don’t know how many times we used our solar blanket. Too many to count! Think of your solar blanket as an extra piece of mind. Yes, we have a heap of solar panels on the roof, but on a slightly cloudy day, you’ll need to pull every drop of sunshine out of the sky to power your gadgets!
The bonus is, if you park up for a few days, plug your solar blanket into your car. This will keep the battery topped up and your car fridge running (see above!)
Here are some top brands of foldable solar blankets.
4. UHF
A UHF in your car is invaluable, especially when travelling on the busier routes that are shared by B-doubles and bigger trucks. Contacting the drivers for a safe pass makes everyone’s lives easier. However, have you considered a handheld UHF?
There are plenty of options when it comes to UHF radios, either install one in your car for the furthest range, or have a look at the hand held UHF’s for occasional use. Hand held UHFs have shorter range, but usually you don’t need a massive range.
Check out the range of UHFs here.
5. Roof racks
You may not think you need roof racks, until you run out of storage! Roof racks are also handy to store things like spades, recovery tracks, anything big and bulky. Keep in mind the weight; you are storing items in a high location, so don’t overload the roof.
There are a heap of options, have a look here and think about how you’ll be using your roof rack.
Check out the range of roof racks here
6. Awning
How good is a drive on the beach? Or perhaps the best camp spot, but you need a little shade. Awnings from your car are so handy! When we’re back home, I use ours every time I take the kids to the beach. Beats putting up an umbrella that flies away!
Here are our top picks for awnings from Snowys
7. Lights
Lights are just a necessary piece of camping equipment. Have you considered fairy lights inside the van? Or strip lighting under a bench for some soft light? We’ve found some sneaky ways to subtly light up the inside of the van or under the awning, and strip lighting is a great way.
Check out the range of lights here, in particular the strip lighting
8. Fire pit
Who doesn’t like a good campfire? However, in many places you go to ask for a ‘contained’ campfire, sometimes off the ground. These foldable fire pits store easily, make great campfires, and keep everything safe. Well, as safe as can be with a fire!
The bonus is, I’m not sure if it’s just us, but the next day the kids always want to play frisbee right where the campfire is. With a portable fire pit, you can pick it up and let it cool down somewhere else. Problem solved. No sad kids!!
PS, please stay away from the cheap options, it might work once or twice, but the metal twists and I’ve seen a few with holes burnt through.
Shop the firepit we use here at Snowys
9. Compact cooking items
Space is always at a premium in a caravan. Even any additional weight, all ads up. We always try to find lightweight, collapsible saucepans and frypans. Or at least fry pans that you can take the handle off for storage.
We also have a small butane burner and a collection of small pots and pans in the car, so again, on a day trip – cook up your lunch or just boil some water for a coffee.
The Sea to Summit range is a brand we always tend to lean towards; some of our pans have been in our collection for years and are still going strong. They might not be the cheapest, but they’re worth it.
Our tip: Go for the hiking range over the ‘4WD’ range. They tend to be lightweight and sturdy and pack down well.
Check out the range here for the best prices
10. Cups
Plastic cups. Not exactly high-tech gadgetry, but they just never fail. Our set of plastic cups has been everywhere. Literally! You could go the fancy camping wine glasses, but even the plastic ones end up scratched, and I’ve never had luck keeping them in one piece.
Plastic cups seem so obvious, yet we’ve left them behind before! If you want to increase the fanciness, see if you can grab an insulated cooler. That way, your beverages stay cool for longer.
Shop the camping range of cups that will make life easy here!
11. Hydration packs
Hydration packs? Does this meet the gadgets needed for your big lap? Well in our case, yes! Part of exploring Australia is walking and hiking locations that you just can’t miss. Whether it’s a short walk or a whole day event, hydration packs are really handy.
They allow you to carry multiple litres of water comfortably and keep your hands free. If you haven’t travelled to outback locations that get stifling hot, you may not be aware of all the signs in place that state carry multiple litres of water on certain hikes.
It gets hot. Hydration packs are simple. Even the kids don’t mind carrying their own!
Our Tip: If you don’t have a long bottlebrush, get yourself one. It makes cleaning the bladder inside the hydration pack so much easier. And never put anything apart from water in the bag. Trust me. You can never get the taste out!
Shop the range here and don’t forget to get that bottlebrush cleaner… it really helps!
12. Gazebos
Similar to the awning on the car, but this time it’s a gazebo. The biggest difference is the setup. You set up your gazebo and don’t need to take it down if you’re exploring for the day.
We highly recommend getting the inner mosquito inner screen. If you already have a gazebo, the inner screen clips onto most standard size gazebos. These are excellent when the flies get bad.
In many parts of Australia, the flies get really, really bad! Put up this gazebo, then you have a nice ‘outdoor’ area that is fly free. Put your table and chairs and eat your food in peace.
Or, like us, it keeps the kids and toys contained. If you have kids, also grab a pack of those lightweight plastic balls from Kmart. Put your kids and the balls inside the tent. Entertainment for hours!
Shop Gazebos here and stop the flies from annoying you!
13. Hammocks
Some would argue whether a hammock is necessary. I would think it is! There is always time to put up a hammock in the nearby trees. Or get creative – between your bull bar and A frame of your van?
Remember when you’re travelling in a caravan around Australia, one of the essential gadgets that we really miss is the lounge chair at home. A hammock kind-of replaces this. It is also a nice retreat when the caravan gets too crowded.
Get your little piece of luxury and comfort here!
14. Straps
This might not be the most exciting gadget, but when the wind picks up, you’ll be glad you have some good quality straps with you. Tie down the awnings, strap down your gazebo. Even lengthen your hammock ropes if needed.
Even if the wind isn’t blowing when you arrive at camp, always tie down your awnings with good-quality straps. Don’t forget to secure them into the ground properly also.
Read Tim’s article here on everything awning:
Shop straps and tiedown points here
15. Good pegs
A good strap is no good if the peg comes flying out of the ground! There is a peg for all different surfaces. The wide plastic pegs are made for sand and soft dirt, while the pegs that resemble long bolts are made for hard packed soil.
Hex pegs are well known around the caravan industry for the strength and ability to get into hard ground, but don’t forget to put in a battery powered drill or use your manual stay winder.
And if you don’t feel like going with the crowd, there are plenty of other quality peg brands on the market. Just look for strength so you don’t end up bending them on your first trip.
Shop pegs here today, you’ll be glad you did!
Best gadgets for your big lap around Australia
While these gadgets will make your big lap around Australia much more comfortable, there are many more items that are necessary for a comfortable and safe journey.
This is a selection of items that we use almost every day.
If you’re after even more ways to upgrade your rig, check out our real upgrades we’ve made on the road.
If you’re wondering where to start to plan your journey, then get a copy of the ultimate caravan adventure guide for your big lap here by joining our community of adventurers:
PS. Don’t forget to share with those who might want to know what’s on your Christmas list! 🙂
