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Ah, the blissful magic of the open road—the windows down, the playlist buzzing, the kids bustling with excitement in the back, and a wide, sunlit stretch of Australia just waiting to be explored.
Family road trips are one of the most unforgettable experiences you can have – but if you’ve ever hit the road with kids in tow, you’ll know it takes more than just good vibes and a tank full of fuel to keep things on track. It takes a whole heap of forward planning, making sure you’ve packed the essentials, planned the route (with a little wiggle room), and thought ahead to keep everyone comfortable, entertained and safe from start to finish.
Whether you’re planning your first road trip or your hundredth, we’ve gathered the best tips from our Wonderlander community to help you plan, pack and travel like a road trip veteran. Join us and let’s turn your next road trip into one your family will talk about for years to come.
A legendary family road trip begins long before you hit the open road. It starts with a solid plan. Planning is the secret sauce that transforms a stressful trip into smooth sailing. Here’s how you can build an itinerary that keeps everyone excited from the first stop to the last:
Sketch out your journey—where you’re going, how long you’ll stay, and what you’ll do there. While you don’t need to plan every waking moment, having a rough outline gives your trip structure without boxing you in.
Wonderlanders like Jess and Mark swear by this method. ‘We let the kids help pick some of the stops,’ says Jess. ‘It made them feel like part of the planning, and they were way more excited about the drive.
When you’re travelling as a family, the right destination makes all the difference. Choose spots that give kids the freedom to roam, play, and discover, while giving you a well-earned break from backseat boredom, makes all the difference when travelling for long periods of time.
Think wildlife parks where they can get up close with animals, national parks with short trails and shady spots, interactive museums, or beaches with calm waters for safe splashing.
Make sure to keep your eyes peeled for those unplanned surprises as well. Our friends the Wheatland Wanderers, for example, once pulled into a country pub for a quick coffee—and ended up staying four hours thanks to the on-site playground and petting zoo. ‘It turned out to be one of our trip highlights,’ they said.
Navigation apps are great, but nothing beats a thoughtfully planned route. Mapping your path helps you avoid irritating detours, road closures and roads unsuitable for towing.
Break your journey into digestible legs and highlight places to pause, picnic or camp, as well as places where you can stop along the way to refuel. Dean, a seasoned Wonderlander, always includes what he calls “wiggle room stops”—spare time for surprise discoveries. “Those little side adventures often become our favourite memories,” he says.
Whether you’re heading for powered sites at a family-friendly holiday park or free camping under the stars, book key stops in advance. This is especially important during school holidays or popular seasons when popular camping spots may get booked out – You don’t want to be left in the lurch at the last minute!
Travelling with a Wonderland caravan makes this even easier. With bunk options, full kitchens and custom layouts, you can park up almost anywhere and feel at home.
Wonderland tip: Create a shared document or printed schedule with confirmation numbers, addresses, and check-in details. It’s a lifesaver when you hit a signal dead zone.
Once your route is mapped and your stops are set, it’s time to tackle the next big piece of the puzzle—what to pack. With the right essentials, entertainment, and creature comforts, your family will stay comfy, happy and road-trip ready from day one to day done.
Let’s start with the non-negotiables. Your checklist should include the basics, like a first aid kit, extra chargers, paper towels, wipes, tissues and plenty of drinking water. And don’t forget the boring-but-vital things like your driver’s licence, insurance info and spare keys!
Seasoned Wonderlander Jess keeps a ‘quick-access’ bag near the front seat. ‘It’s got wipes, sunblock, snacks and a mini medical kit,’ says Jess. ‘Stuff I can grab without digging through everything. It’s a game-changer!’
Long stretches of open road can be dreamy… or draggy. A bit of prep in the entertainment department helps keep boredom (and bickering) at bay. Load up audiobooks the whole family can enjoy, pack a few classic road trip games, and make sure every kid has something to do in their own way. Need a few tips for the best entertainment? Keep scrolling for our favourite Road Trip games.
Australia doesn’t hold back when it comes to weather. Be ready for it all—sun, rain, wind and cold mornings that melt into scorching afternoons.
Pack layered clothing, hats, sunscreen and lightweight jackets. A collapsible shade shelter or tarp can also be a lifesaver when your destination doesn’t offer much natural cover, particularly in the hot Australian summer!
A peaceful, playful road trip is every parent’s dream—and believe it or not, it’s possible! With the right tools to keep little minds occupied and little tummies satisfied, you’ll spend less time managing meltdowns and more time soaking up the scenery. Here’s how you can make it happen:
Classic road trip games like ‘I spy’, ‘20 Questions’ or the license plate game never go out of style. They’re easy to play, require zero equipment, and are perfect for keeping everyone mentally active while watching the world roll by.
For extra fun, create a scavenger hunt or bingo card that turns sightseeing into a game. All you need is a piece of paper or a print-out with a list of things to spot along the way.
Include classic Aussie sights like kangaroo crossing signs, road trains, windmills, flocks of galahs, or quirky outback service stations. Kids can tick off each item as they see it, and you can even add small prizes to keep everyone engaged.
Let’s be honest—is a road trip actually a road trip without snacks along the way? Keep a mix of healthy nibbles and a few treats on hand. Fruit slices, popcorn, trail mix and muesli bars are great staples. For less mess, use divided containers or snap-loc bags for each child.
If you’re travelling with kids when they’re younger, creating a travel journal is a fun way to help them remember the adventure for years to come. Encourage kids to record their adventure with a simple notebook and coloured pencils. They can draw what they see, write about favourite moments, or collect small mementos like pressed flowers or tickets.
It’s a creative outlet that builds excitement and gives them a lasting keepsake of the journey. Plus, it’s a quiet activity for winding down at the end of the day.
Long hours on the road are part of the adventure, but if the car feels cramped, cluttered or chaotic, it can quickly take the shine off the journey.
Fortunately, a few clever tweaks can turn your vehicle into a space that feels calm, organised and comfortable, for both you and the kids. Here’s how you can dial up the comfort:
Many seasoned travellers can attest to this: smart organisation is the secret to staying sane on long trips. Use seat-back organisers with pockets for books, snacks and devices so everything stays within reach. Clear plastic tubs are also brilliant for grouping items like toiletries, spare clothes and picnic gear.
Jess and Mark keep a ‘road trip crate’ under the kids’ feet, packed with colouring books, wipes, hats, sunscreen and extra water bottles. ‘It’s the stuff we reach for constantly,’ says Jess. ‘So having it in one place stops the whole van getting turned upside down.’
Comfort is about more than just comfy seats. It’s about creating a space that supports relaxation, especially over long distances.
Neck pillows, supportive cushions, and lightweight blankets can help kids nap better and reduce aches for adults. Consider also adding sunshades to windows to cut glare and heat, and pack clip-on fans for airflow in the back seats.
Some Wonderlander families often also bring a small cooler stocked with cold drinks and fresh snacks within easy reach. Others use noise-cancelling headphones or white noise apps to help kids settle for a rest.
A great road trip isn’t just about where you go. It’s about what you remember. Whether its belly laughs around a campfire or your toddler’s first sighting of a kangaroo, these are the moments that make the miles worthwhile. Here’s how to bottle up the best bits.
Don’t just snap the scenic views. Capture the everyday magic, too. Use your phone or camera to document spontaneous moments, as these are often the photos you’ll treasure most.
Skip the tourist traps and collect souvenirs with lasting meaning, such as shells, pressed flowers or hand-drawn postcards from the kids. Store them in a travel box, or scrapbook or add them to your child’s travel journal to reflect on together once the trip ends.
Music creates the vibe. Build a collaborative playlist with contributions from everyone onboard. A shared family playlist adds personality to the journey and helps everyone feel connected to the adventure – you can also use this to play more road trip games, such as guess the song or carpool karaoke!
Setting off on an adventure should always feel exciting. By keeping safety front and centre, you’ll be free to explore with confidence, knowing you’ve got the essentials covered. Here are some quick tips to keep you safe and the good times rollin’:
Break every two hours to stretch, snack and reset. These stops aren’t just good for your body; they’re also the perfect time to discover roadside gems you’d otherwise miss.
Check tyres, brakes, lights and fluids before every big leg of your journey. Keeping a basic tool kit onboard can also save you stress if a quick fix is needed.
Always carry a stocked kit with basics like band-aids, antiseptic, tweezers and pain relief for kids and adults. Keep it in an easily accessible spot in case of sudden scrapes, bites or tummy aches.
Few things can match the unforgettable experience of exploring off the beaten path with the ones you love the most. And when you’re travelling in a van that’s built just for you, every journey becomes that little bit more magical.
From school holiday escapes to off-grid adventures, your custom Wonderland caravan is the key to comfort, connection and the kind of freedom that only the open road can offer.
Whether you need bunk space for the whole tribe, a gourmet kitchen on wheels, or smart off-road capabilities that go the distance, we’ll help you design a caravan that fits your lifestyle—now and for the years ahead.
So, head on over to our custom caravan range and start building your family’s dream caravan today!
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46 Lara Way, Campbellfield
Victoria 3061
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We would like to thank Aswetravel_au, Aussie Camper Kids and Lost Tribe Adventures for their great photography used across our site.
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