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Finding accommodation for a road trip

Road in the Yorke Peninsula, South Australia

Road tripping around Australia is an amazing experience that should be on everyone’s bucket list. The stunning scenery, amazing locations and awesome people makes Australia one of the best destinations for a road trip. We understand that it can be confusing to find the perfect accommodation to suit your needs and lifestyle. That’s why VroomVroomVroom has put together this guide so you can stress less about planning and focus on making memories.

Backpacker van on a desert road.
Apartments with a view at Sydney’s Bondi Beach.

Rent an apartment, house or room

  • Renting an apartment, house or room while on your road trip is not only a great way to save money but is extremely practical. Unlike most hotels, it will come fully-functioning with a kitchen and feel more like a home. You are able to cook for yourself which will not only save you money but is also practical when travelling with kids.

  • Australia has an amazing range of places to rent from stunning beach houses to cosy cottages, city apartments and everything in between.

  • When renting a room you can meet locals and get priceless tips that will be beneficial for the rest of your trip.

Rent a car and camp

  • Renting a car means that all you need to do is pack your camping equipment and hit the road. Other camping options include glamping, cabins and chalets.

  • Australia is famous for its nature, scenery and amazing roads, making this option sound pretty good to us. You can plan your road trip with camping grounds in mind. This is super simple to do due to the abundance of camping spots around Australia.

  • In peak travel times it is recommended to book your camping spots in advance. When it isn’t very busy you don’t need to book. Campsites are usually government-owned and located in beautiful places — sometimes in national parks or by beaches. Some places will have facilities like bathrooms, toilets, barbecues and some may have nothing. Research ahead of time and check. Your other option is a caravan park which is generally privately owned with all facilities and amenities. They may also have a pool, bar and playground.

  • Depending on the location there may be free campsites you can stay at. Do your research and see what is around the area.

  • There are also a range of different camping apps out there which show you the best places to stay, roadside stops and must-see areas. Wikicamp is an app full of user-generated content uploaded by people who have actually been to the different areas themselves.

Relax in a tent.
Motels in Australia can represent excellent value.

Hotels and motels

  • Australia is home to some of the most amazing hotels that cater to everyone’s budgets and interests. Depending on what you are after there will be something for you.

  • For a quick, hassle free and convenient option, staying in a motel is the perfect choice. You will find classic motels like the ones you see in movies. They may not be perfect but they are usually in good locations and close to a main road. Plus, you can park your rental car right near the front door, near your room.

Hostels

  • Australia has an abundance of options for backpackers. There are countless hostels, and budget accommodation options that will suit your needs. The great thing about staying at a hostel is that for starters, it is super cheap.

  • The other positive aspect is that you are mixing with all different kinds of people! It isn’t a five star hotel but you are creating amazing memories — that’s what a road trip is all about isn’t it?

  • Staying at a hostel is a good option if you are saying near the beach or just stopping over somewhere for a night and then moving onto your next location. You can also cook for yourself at a hostel to save even more money. Keep in mind that you should expect the quality of the hostel to reflect what you pay for it. If you are paying $15 for a room, expect it to be worth the price.

A group of friends have fun on the beach.
A campervan at sunset.

Rent a campervan

  • The ultimate Australian road trip consists of three things: amazing company, a campervan and the open road! The best part about renting a campervan for starters is not having to fork out money to buy one — you can select your time period and rent a campervan for as long or as little as you like.

  • The great thing about renting a campervan is that you can design your own road trip and go exactly where you want.

  • There are thousands of camping sights dotted around Australia from coastal spots to inland gems. You can rent a simple van which won’t have any facilities. This is fine because in Australia there are free barbecues everywhere, plus bathrooms and toilets next to the beach and at your campsites. This kind of van gives you a lot of freedom but is basic. You can also rent an RV which will have a toilet, bathroom, kitchen, TV, aircon etc. You are basically self-sufficient but you still need to charge the campervan and empty it from time-to-time. This means you will need to stay in bigger caravan parks or campsites that have power.

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