Blog Beat the Heat: Family Off Road Camping in January

Another year has flown by, and it’s time to plan the annual family off road camping trip. You’re considering all the exciting places to go, but then you glance out the window – it’s a scorcher out there. Thank goodness for aircon, right?

But how do you plan on keeping cool at the campground?

Suddenly, that all-inclusive Noosa package seems like a good idea, even if you do have to remortgage your home to afford it.

But don’t discard your camping dreams just yet! The good news is that there are plenty of ways to stay cool while caravaning in summer.

Choose The Right Caravan

Choosing the right off road hybrid camper for your family is important.

For destination flexibility and superior comfort, go for a brand that’s built for Australia’s uniquely challenging conditions and offers luxury inclusions as standard.

JAWA off road campers are designed for local conditions and come standard with everything you need for a great family holiday. Whether you choose a 15ft caravan with bunks or an 18ft hybrid off road camper, a reverse cycle air conditioner and cooling fans are included.

Family Camping Destinations That Are Cool For Summer

Mountain Camping

Camping in the mountains is a great way to beat the heat. As you climb in elevation, you’re likely to experience a noticeable drop in temperature – lovely after a sweaty day on the road.

Consider destinations like the Bunya Mountains or Tamborine if you’re in Queensland.

For campers in Victoria, New South Wales or the ACT, the Snowy Mountains are not just a winter ski destination. They offer a wide range of exciting summer activities that are great if you’re camping with teenagers, including kayaking and hiking. And for the adults, there’s even wine tasting!

An 18 ft family caravan will give you tons of indoor/outdoor living space to enjoy the fresh mountain air.

Forest Camping

Retreating to a shady glen is a clever way to escape the rising mercury. In Far North Queensland, the Daintree may offer some relief, with the bonus of some first-rate croc-free swimming holes to cool off in.

Alternatively, head down south and experience one of Victoria’s lesser-known delights, the Otway National Park. With tall forests and gushing waterfalls galore, you’ll create amazing holiday memories without the sweat.

Similarly, the wild forested area inland from Coffs Harbour offers magical views and cooler temperatures.

When camping in the forest, it is always advisable to check the bushfire ratings for your travel dates, download the local emergency app, and carefully plan and memorise your route out.

Beach Camping

Having a convenient place to cool down will go a long way to ensuring you have a fun holiday. This could be a river, dam or swimming hole, but given our continent has an abundance of stunning coastline, you’d be crazy not to enjoy a dose of vitamin sea at the beach.

Western Australia has some of the most iconic beaches in the world, so Perth-based campers are spoilt for choice. Whether you choose to go up towards Ningaloo Marine Park or down towards Margaret River, there will be plenty of spots for a refreshing ocean dip.

To prepare for your salt and sand family holiday, check out our ultimate guide to beach camping.

Photo by The Fosters.

Head South – and Keep Going!

Really feeling the heat? Hitch the caravan and head down to Tasmania. Tassie is the closest family camping destination to the great white continent of ice, Antarctica! Ahhh, that’s better!

Remember to book your spot on the Spirit of Tasmania in advance. They’ll want the dimensions of your caravan so that they can reserve you a suitable spot on the ship. Even a large family caravan can take the trip across the Bass Strait.

Once you hit dry land, you might find that Tasmanian summers can also get hot, but temperatures rarely get as high as the rest of the country – and even if they do, they rarely stay that way for long. Meanwhile, there are plenty of amazing off road camping spots to explore. You can easily tick off harsh mountains, lush forests, sandy white beaches and more in just a couple of days.

Hacks For Staying Cool While Caravanning

Australian summers are warm, there’s no getting around that. But there are things you can do at camp that can keep you comfortable.

• Choose a shady campsite.
• Create shade using a reflective tarp.
• Open windows and doors to create airflow.
• Snack on cold fruit.
• Stay hydrated with lots of water.

Shopping For a Family Caravan?

If you’re on the hunt for the perfect hybrid for your family caravan adventures, visit one of the JAWA showrooms and chat with our friendly team. We’re lifelong campers with loads of wisdom to share and the best range of caravans for Aussie summer holidays!

Call us today on 1300 00 JAWA.