Adventurers Diary
47 Caravan Motorhome RV & Camping Accessories to make life easier
For a great road trip around Australia you’re going to want a number of our 47 Caravan Motorhome RV & Camping Accessories to get you through and make the trip comfortable and enjoyable.
We can’t take everything but there’s some essential items that will make life a lot easier when traveling and we have put together this list of our most popular 47 Caravan Motorhome RV & Camping Accessories.
These are all the essential gadgets, tools, safety and security equipment, power, water, photography and planning must haves we use for our road trip.
Table of Contents
Our 47 Caravan Motorhome RV & Camping Accessories
Here is our full list in no particular order:
1. Wikicamps
No list can start without the number one essential.
Wikicamps is a phone app which allows you to find Caravan Parks, Campgrounds, Free Camps, Water, Dump Points, Information Centres and other places of interest. You can map out your course and mark your favourite places you want to stay.
It’s an absolute essential for anyone traveling Australia. Cost is just $7.95 in your app store.
It’s not the only app to finding the best locations though, you can also download the CamperMate app which is Free.
2. Camps 10 Book
The Camps 10 Book is another great way to find the best locations to stay in Australia.
The book has been out for years and is now in its 10th edition. Take it with you and find all the best camping locations and more from right around the country. By far the cheapest place I found it is on ebay.
3. Hema Maps
Hema Maps are the best source of maps for traveling Australia and we use ours all the time.
They have a large range of detailed maps for wherever you are looking to go.
No need to get lost, unless you want to….
4. Fire Extinguisher & Fire Blanket
We learnt the hard way just how vital a Fire extinguisher is and it’s high on our list of must have items. In our story Get the F###ing Fire Extinguisher, we discuss the reason and importance of having a fire extinguisher on board.
We highly recommend ensuring you have the right fire extinguisher and it is in working condition plus a good Fire Blanket as well.
5. First Aid Kit
One of the first items we bought when we worked out what accessories we needed for our Motorhome was a good First Aid Kit. You want to make sure in case of an emergency you have all the right equipment at hand.
We also made sure ours included a snake bite kit just in case.
6. Camping Table & Chairs
One of most used essential items in our Motorhome, and it would be the same in any Caravan, is the simple Camping Table and good value Camping Chairs that don’t cost a fortune.
You’re going to put them to good use so it’s worth getting a table that works well and chairs that are robust and comfortable. You will be packing these up often, dragging them over to happy hours and giving them a thorough workout.
There are so many choices to suit each individual.
7. Personal Fan
Adele bought herself a little present for summer and she uses it all the time. This “cool” little Portable Mini Neck fan gives her some relief from the relentless summer heat and she loves it.
Adele bought this one for under $20 from Ebay.
8. Portable Speaker
A good Portable Stereo speaker is a great addition. It doesn’t need to be too elaborate because most of the time you can’t have it too loud but it’s great to listen to your favourite music through a good speaker even in our RV.
We have this JBL Portable Bluetooth Speaker and it’s perfect for us.
9. Headphones
Headphones are really handy on the road and I use mine a lot when I’m on my laptop. Sometimes I might be watching YouTube after Adele has fallen asleep and I’ll use them to make sure I don’t wake her up. I’ve got a set of Bauhn headphones that provide great sound but there’s a huge range on Ebay.
10. Binoculars
With so much to see and not everything can be viewed closely, a pair of binoculars are a vital bit of equipment for your travels. We use ours especially when watching Humpback Whales but their use is never ending and you’ll be glad you have some on hand when you need them.
11. Headlamp
We were walking back to camp from finishing up watching Origin on the big screen at Big 4 Rollingstone one night and if it wasn’t for our headlamp we were wearing we would have stood on a massive snake. That told us just how important they are.
No good comes from walking around in the Australian outdoors in the dark without a light.
They are also great to use when fishing at night. They have so many uses and they aren’t expensive to purchase.
12. Extendable Tension Rods
Extendable tension rods are fantastic for overhead cupboards so when you open the door everything doesn’t fall out. The first person to open our cupboards after setting up camp would always have something fall on their head.
It was almost guaranteed.
That is until we bought these extendable rods from Daiso and placed them across to stop anything falling out. It works brilliantly and it’s really easy and cheap to do.
If you don’t have a Daiso store handy you can order them on Ebay
13. Torch
We really love our 1000 lumens Tech Light torch.
It is made of Heavy Duty, Aircraft Grade Aluminium and it’s beam reaches up to 390m. Perfect for spotting wildlife at night and keeping you safe when heading to the amenities at night. It has 3 settings, High Low and a Strobe light.
The adjustable head means you can widen or focus the beam plus the torch is fully rechargeable, no batteries.
We use ours all the time and it’s been perfect. We can highly recommend it.
Read more: One of our favourite most used items we travel with
14. Board Games
Board games are a great way to spend an evening as a family of a couple. Great games we all know such as Scrabble, Battleships, Snakes and Ladders, Chess and Monopoly are perfect along with Pass the Pigs, Balderdash or Cards against Humanity.
Even a simple pack of cards can produce hours of fun and challenges.
Adele remains our Snakes and Ladders Champion while Matt & I are tied level at Big Chess.
15. Pet Accessories
For the first 2 years we traveled with our Golden Retriever and before we left we bought her a new collar, lead, dog bowl, a nice comfy bed and a mat. We found a lot of what we wanted on Ebay and it was so much cheaper than in store.
16. Sirocco Fans
Every Caravan, Motorhome or RV should be fitted out with Sirocco Fans. Built originally for marine craft they are perfect for our use. They can be tilted and moved to face every direction, are very low draw on power and work great.
They are small and compact and take up only a small amount of space.
17. Hand Held UHF
A good quality Hand Held UHF is ideal and I like this Uniden UH750 5 watt UHF for long range and quality. The 5 watt range will give you maximum distance, especially handy if you need help.
18. Toilet Deodoriser Satchets
You’re going to need some chemicals for your toilet in your Caravan or Motorhome. We use the Porta Pak range of chemicals which break everything down and reduces smells.
19. Portable Barbecue
A great BBQ on the road is the best addition to your cooking needs and there’s nothing better then the Weber. Cook a steak, heat up a Pizza, it even backs up as an oven.
We have the Weber Baby Q and wouldn’t be without it.
20. Jerry Cans
I really like these low profile designed Scepter 20L Diesel Jerry Cans. I find them so much easier to handle and they have a air valve to provide faster flow when pouring. They come with their own built in funnel also.
I’ve got 2 of these and they are ideal for storing fuel when travelling.
They are available for either Diesel or Petrol.
Check out our blog: Tips on Saving Fuel Costs While Traveling
21. Mobile Phone
When we first started traveling we started out with iPhones but then found that Samsung took far better photos. When we first switched over Adele had a Samsung 8, then we both got Samsung 9’s and now the Samsung Note 10 Plus which are amazing for photography.
Personally we would recommend Samsung phones over iPhones when doing the lap simply for their photographic capabilities.
22. Drone
We love our DJI Mavic Pro Platinum Drone. A good drone captures insane footage and provides a perspective you wouldn’t see any other way.
The Mavic Pro range are perfect for travelers as they fold down to such a compact size.
I also use my drone for fishing and have even caught sharks with it. I use the Gannet Bait release as an attachment to my drone which releases my bait wherever I want to land it.
23. DSLR Camera
We have a Canon 800d with all sorts of lens but we aren’t photographers and aren’t trying to be one. For us this simple easy to use basic DSLR does the job we are looking for.
This Nikon Coolpix 1000 might not take professional photos but they shoot great images and the 125x optical zoom means you can get a closeup of a crocodile or a Humpback Whale from a long safe distance away. Even photos of the moon can be captured brilliantly. This will be our next camera.
24. Action/Underwater Camera
Our videos and underwater footage changed when we bought our Go Pro 7 Hero Black. These are insane action cameras that record at incredible quality.
We also bought an extra battery for those times you urgently need it only to find the battery in it is flat. My head mount is another one I use a lot plus the car mount.
5 Essentials – Camera Equipment
The Mavic Pro Platinum Drone Fly More Combo will provide you with everything you will need and it is what I use this for all my aerial footage
The Go Pro 7 Hero Black is an awesome piece of equipment. I use this for all underwater, action video and some general use.
We both love our Samsung Note 10 Plus Phone. Most of our photos are simply from our Samsung Phones. The cameras in the Samsung phone are pretty insane.
The distances you can shoot with the Camera – Nikon P1000 are simply amazing. It has an incredible optical and digital zoom!
We use our HP Sphere 360 Laptop with 8th Generation Intel Core i7 processor for our everyday use and for editing our photos
25. Selfie Stick
When any old Selfie Stick won’t do we bought this Hoco Wireless Selfie Stick which is extendable to 1.6m. It comes with an inbuilt fold out tripod, remote control and a light.
We bought ours in Black but they also come in Pink. We have found it on ebay for $24.95 which is less than we paid for it.
26. USB Charger
There’s lots of Dual USB chargers available to buy but most have one port at high speed and the other is low speed. When both of us need to charge our phones in the car only one of us gets any decent charge before arriving at our destination.
I went looking for a Dual USB Charger that has both ports charge at high speed and whilst they aren’t that easy to find I did end up successful.
This Baseus Dual USB Car Charger provides equal max output from both ports and it’s only $15.
27. Power Bank
Having back up power has been absolutely essential, especially when we have a full day of adventures and we want to ensure we stayed charged to capture all the photos and footage on our phones.
We have a couple of different sized Power banks. The smaller compact and light 5000mah Cygnett models are easy to carry and give us at least one full charge. The bigger Cygnett 15,000mah model gives us 3-4 full charges and is no bigger then our phone.
28. Ampfibian Power Adaptor
An Ampfibian is an essential device for every Motorhome, Caravan and RV. This will allow you to plug your 15amp power cable from your Van to any household 10amp/ 240v power outlet. It’s waterproof, safe and so easy to use.
We have been using ours for over 4 years and it still works perfectly every time.
Read more on the Ampfibian: 15 Amp to 10 Amp – Ampfibian
29. Extension Power Lead
We use a 20m power extension lead to ensure we can reach our power source when we need to. Campgrounds will sometimes have the power socket a small distance away or if we’re staying with friends this ensure we can reach where we need to.
30. Drinking Water Hose
Hoses comes in different colours signifying their intended use. A common green garden hose isn’t graded for drinking purposes and you’ll need a Blue or White Drinking Hose which is designed for potable water.
31. Grey Water Hose
You don’t want your grey water running back into your outdoor under awning space so direct it away to under a tree or an area suitable with your own Grey Water Hose.
32. Tyre Deflators
When you are driving on sand or corrugated roads deflating your tyres provides a better ride and ensure improved traction. These great deflators are perfect.
Simply set the desired tyre pressure, install it on your tyre and it will deflate to the desired tyre pressure.
There are 4 in the pack, set the first tyre before heading around to each other tyre. By the time you finish they’ll be deflated and ready to remove. Fast, easy and compact, the perfect way to lower your tyre pressure.
33. Collapsible Water Containers
We carry an extra 100L of drinking water in collapsible water containers the same as these ones from BCF. This doubles our capacity to 200L allowing us to Free camp for longer.
Another option is these Scepter Jerry cans available on Ebay which we like also.
34. Water Bladders
Water bladders are another great idea. We have several friends who travel with them and love them and we’re looking at going down this option too. They are designed to simply fit across the floor in the back seat of your 4wd.
There’s a 60L option that will fit in front of the back seat or the 125L option that goes right across the back floor. They are made from Premium Grade material and meet Australian Standards.
Read about: Finding Water as you Travel
35. Wheel Levellers
We destroyed plenty of Wheel Levellers over our first few years. Many couldn’t handle the weight of our 4.5t Motorhome so I ended up making my own.
The option of making your own though isn’t for everyone. Ours are great and a couple of years on they still work perfectly but they are big and a bit heavy.
A mate of mine had a Wheel Leveller he was going to throw out and he offered it to me so I took it and have used it a few times when I needed an extra one and have been pleasantly surprised at it’s quality.
It’s a Blue Camec Wheel Leveller and it’s really sturdy. After the use we have given it I still can’t fault it. At around $30-40 each or $65 – 70 for a pair they are good value. They are rated for 4t and are made from tough polypropylene plastic.
36. McHitch Trailer Coupling
The McHitch Automatic Coupling is a must have security device for every Caravan or Trailer. An Australian invention the McHitch has won awards worldwide and has the right size to suit you.
Check out the popular 3.5t model on Ebay, however there are lighter and heavier types for different requirements.
37. Brass Hose Fittings
Buy some good quality brass hose fittings and you’ll have so many less problems with leaking water and broken parts. I always used cheaper plastic ones that would break or leak all the time. Since buying these good brass Hose fittings I haven’t had any issues.
It doesn’t hurt to have a back up set either. I’ve left my tap connector behind more than once.
38. 4 Way Tap Handle
If you are on the road full time traveling Australia there’s going to be times when the only access you have to drinking water is through a tap without a handle. Sometimes this will be at Information Centres, Water Stations, Parks or other places you source water.
The 4 way tap handle ensures you have access to fresh drinking water when you need it.
Read more about: The 4 way Tap Handle
39. Portable Folding Clothesline
A folding clothesline is the ideal way to dry your clothes when traveling. Once you are finished simply fold it up and pack it away. They are easy to use and the base can be pegged down to keep it from falling over.
40. Collapsible Bucket, Washing Basket & Kitchen Sink
Collapsible bucket, washing basket, kitchen sink.
We have had so many uses for our collapsible buckets, the kitchen sink and the collapsible washing basket while travelling and camping. The 4wd Supacentre Ebay store has a great range of collapsible items perfect for reducing space.
41. Generator
A good Generator is going to ensure you have power supply regardless of weather. If anything goes wrong with your power supply you’re not going to be left without much needed electricity. It also allows you to use a few appliances you may not be able to otherwise.
We have a EU20i Honda Generator we bought from the Generator Place at Capalaba in Brisbane. It hasn’t missed a beat and the Honda’s are a fantastic quality and generally quiet generator. Check out the range on their Generator Place website
Yamaha are another fantastic Generator. We travelled for around 2 years with another family who used a Yamaha ef2400is and it was brilliant. At 2.4kva it had extra grunt and was very quiet for it’s size. You can check out the range of Yamaha generators from Tentworld.
Another option is the much cheaper Kings generators from 4wd Supacentre. They have their detractors but there’s no doubting their popularity if your budget isn’t as high. At almost a quarter of the price you could buy 3 and still be ahead.
Read more: Generators and our Honda E20i and Changing Oil in Honda Generator
42. Portable Fridge/Freezer
A portable Fridge/ Freezer is a great back up to your main fridge in your Caravan or Motorhome. We went with a Waeco for our Motorhome which we also began using in the 4wd. The Waeco 75L combi is an excellent option.
Engel are commonly considered the best quality portable fridge freezer and many people attest to having had their’s for decades. The Engel 75L portable Fridge/ Freezer is another great option.
The 4wd Supacentre produces the Kings range at a much cheaper price and have a 70L portable Fridge Freezer that may be more suitable to your budget.
We now have a Vitrifrigo upright fridge in our 4wd. It provides us much greater access to our fridge space, it cost a lot less then a portable fridge freezer plus slide and with a big 130L capacity it has ample room for everything we want to put in the fridge.
43. Recovery Tracks
Recovery tracks are an essential item for your 4WD if you are heading off the bitumen. These will get you out of a lot of situations you might find yourself in, especially if you get bogged in sand.
We didn’t bother with the expensive models and bought these ones for up to a third of the price of others. Whilst I haven’t needed them personally they have been used to get others out of some tricky situations and worked perfectly. They are less then $100.
TREDS are a very good Australian made set of recovery tracks and very popular.
MAXTRAX are also Australian made and high quality recovery tracks. Often retailing for $299 you can buy a set much cheaper on Ebay. Save yourself almost $50.
44. Compressor
We have been spending a lot of time on the sand at Fraser Island, Moreton and Straddie and therefore a Compressor to air up our tyres is an essential part of our gear.
Our Thumper Max Twin Compressor from Kings hasn’t missed a beat and we have no hesitation in recommending it for value for money.
45. Portable Solar Panel
A 200w folding solar panel from 4wd Supacentre has been an excellent addition to our travel gear. I can simply put it on the car roof or wherever it will best access the sun when we pull up. The only negative is it only works with AGM batteries and we now have Lithium in our 4WD.
Read about: Solar – Creating and Managing our Power
46. Battery Charger
One of my very favourite extra bits of kit has been the new Battery charger. This Victron 15A Bluesmart Battery Charger allows me to quickly provide a boost charge any time my batteries get low. You can track it via bluetooth and an app on your phone and it is very fast to charge the battery if it is low.
47. Rechargable Drill, Light, Dustbuster, Blower & Chainsaw
For great value cordless power tools I like my Ryobi gear. I’ve got a few tools in the range now and each one does the job exactly as I want it to. They all come with us in the Motorhome and take up little space or weight and are all very handy Caravan Motorhome RV & Camping Accessories.
Cordless Drill
The Cordless Drill was the first of my tools in the set. I’ve had it for years now and it’s always been brilliant.
Portable Light
We have an 18v portable Light which we use outside often at night. It always works and never lets us down.
Dustbuster
Next I added the Dustbuster to our range. I’ve always found Cordless Hand Vacuum’s can be very hit and miss in their capacity to do the job but this one works great. It’s a bit noisy but they usually are.
Cordless Blower
For our time on Fraser Island for almost 5 months as Caretakers I bought a Cordless Blower and the new model is a ripper. It claims to blow up to 245kmh. I’m not sure if it reached those levels but it worked brilliantly and got a lot of use without any issues.
Cordless Chainsaw
My next purchase will likely be the new Ryobi 18v Cordless Chainsaw. I’ve heard previous models haven’t been so great but this latest offering might just do the job I need. The reviews I’ve read suggest it works much better.
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Having the right gear for traveling is important and we wanted to research some great opportunities for researching and buying these products for you.
This also provides you some ideas about the gear we use when on the road. Do you have any other items that you can recommend for us to add to our list of 47 Caravan Motorhome RV Camping Accessories?
Safe travels
Kev & Adele
Indefinite Leave
We are Adele & Kevin, an Aussie couple from Brisbane in Queensland Australia who have embraced our adventurous spirit and ventured out to explore the world around us. We had spent so much time overseas we decided it was time to see our own truly amazing country and we needed to take some time to see everything it has to offer.
Our Aim is to inspire others to travel and help design the greatest adventure they can experience.
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Photography and Socials
Our camera equipment we use for all our photos and videos are:
Samsung Note 10 Plus Phone – https://ebay.to/2XOjXhi – Most of our photos are simply from our phones. The Samsung phone cameras are pretty insane. Our phones have 512gb storage in ours but the 256gb in this one is heaps. We have sourced this one which is approx $500 less than we paid for ours.
Canon 800d – https://ebay.to/2XQYnsk – the latest DSLR Canon 24mp camera, buy here to save.
Lenses
Canon 50mm lens – https://ebay.to/2yQwPed This is the lens I use the least, ideal for still, close up shots.
Canon 24-105mm lens – https://ebay.to/3eCueUo This is my all round, everyday use, zoom lens. Amazing quality, great price.
Canon 70-300mm lens – https://ebay.to/2XlOZ0I – I use this one a lot for long range shots.
Sigma 10-20mm lens – https://ebay.to/2TWt0vA – My wide angle lens for all my inside photos & video plus lots more, love this lens.
Our Go Pro 7 Hero Black – https://ebay.to/38wMc7V – is an awesome piece of equipment. I use this for all underwater, action video and some general use. Buy here brand new and great value.
Mavic Pro Platinum Drone – https://ebay.to/2ARPxTo This is an absolute ripper of a drone. The Fly More Combo will provide you with everything you will need. I use this for all my aerial footage and this price is well below other retail stores.
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Where to Find Us
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Adventurers Diary
How to Save Money on Fuel
One of your biggest expenses when travelling Australia is always going to be fuel so any tips on how to save money on fuel will be valuable.
Along with Food and Accommodation it’s going to be in your Top 3 costs when travelling the country.
It’s a big country too, with so much to see and sometimes long distances in between, to arrive at your next destination.
Up Mountains, across tracks and over sand, it all takes up more fuel.
We’ve been around the Country, up and down and right across and have found some ways which we have been able to save fuel.
Table of Contents
Here’s How to Save Money on Fuel when Travelling Australia:
Let’s see if any of these tips can help you reduce your costs when travelling Australia.
Using a Fuel App is a great way to Save Money on Fuel
There’s a number of fuel apps now to help direct you to the closest fuel station at the lowest price.
They are only as good as us as users to update these apps but for the most part they are an excellent source to find the cheapest priced fuel near you.
I like Fuel Map Australia. It’s Free and is my preferred app that I use all the time.
Petrol Spy and MotorMouth are two other popular apps and there are others also. The NSW Government released their own app called NSW FuelCheck.
GasBuddy is considered the most accurate in Victoria.
Whichever Fuel App you use, they are a great way of buying cheaper fuel when travelling.
Discount Fuel Cards
Woolworths and Coles are the obvious options here rewarding you with 4c a Litre off every time you spend $30 or more in their store. Use your Rewards Card when you fill up with fuel at a Coles Express or Woolworths Petrol Station and receive the discount off your fuel.
We never go to Coles Express any more, we now find their fuel over priced.
Our preferred fuel at the moment is Woolworths. However Puma provides us 4c a Litre off as well just for being members with RACQ. We find Woolworths compete on bowser price and then with the discount it can be significant savings in the cost of the fuel.
Check with your Royal Automobile Club membership what discounts they have associations with.
Costco have great fuel prices however if you’re travelling it is of no real benefit. There’s an annual fee to join and very few stores around the country.
United Fuel
A brand that we found were mostly available right across Australia and had the best value, we found was United.
They were consistently lower in price than any others in most regions we travelled.
United Fuel is the former Esso brand which changed name back in 1993.
In some areas, specifically NSW we found Metro Petroleum was often quite cheap.
Utilise Jerry Cans
We carried fuel drums with us as we travelled. If the opportunity arose, we would use our drums to store great value fuel.
When we came across fuel that was significantly cheaper then “normal” price for the area we would fill up and fill our Sceptor Jerry cans too.
Along the Stuart Highway just south of Devils Marbles was a tiny town of Wycliffe Well. The fuel station at the time was exceptionally cheap in a region of typically high priced fuel so we ensured we topped up as much as we could.
Hughenden in Qld was another where we found a self serve fuel station with cheap fuel and there have been many others during our time on the road.
Read about our: 47 Caravan Motorhome RV & Camping Accessories
Going to islands such as Fraser Island where fuel is $2.30 – 2.45 a litre, Moreton Island which is $3 a litre or Kangaroo Island where it is approx 30c above mainland prices is expensive! These are certainly times you will want your Jerry cans full and with you to save money on fuel costs.
Turn off your air con and wind down the window when driving at lower speeds
Whenever I am driving below 70kmh I prefer to wind down the window.
I’ve always done it as I prefer the fresh air and better power. When I’m driving around 80kmh it is too noisy and less pleasant so I put the window up and use the air conditioner.
Who knew it was actually proven to be better for fuel consumption with what I was doing.
It turns out that at higher speeds aerodynamic drag from the windows being down negatively effects your fuel consumption.
At speeds below 80kmh it is better for fuel economy to have your windows down than it is to use your air conditioner. Over 80kmh it is better to use your air conditioner and close your windows.
5 Essentials – 4WD Accessories
- 4WD Recovery Tracks will get you out of most situations, especially in sand. We bought a pair of these generic branded tracks that have worked well whilst other brands include the Australian made TRED or the Australian Designed and made MAXTRAX 4wd Recovery Tracks.
- For our 4WD we went with this EDECOA 1500 3000w Pure Sine Wave Inverter which has been excellent value and works great.
- I’m a massive fan of my Victron IP65 15a Battery Charger. I use it often to give batteries a boost and it really is an essential part of my tool kit.
- When camping my Kings 200w Solar Blanket gets a lot of use and works really well. Only downside is it doesn’t work with Lithium batteries.
- Brass Tyre Deflators are a fast and easy way to lower your tyre pressure to your desired level. Perfect for when you are hitting the beach.
Check your Tyres Often Helps Save Money on Fuel
There are obvious benefits to regularly checking your tyres.
Checking there is no significant wear on your tyres will ensure your safety and reduce the likelihood of a blowout. However also checking tyre pressures will save you money on fuel.
Always maintaining the correct tyre pressure for your tyres and vehicle will provide better fuel economy.
Fuel saving methods for your tow vehicle
Limiting Weight
The more we take with us the more fuel we will use.
We constantly review everything we carry in our Motorhome and cull what we aren’t using. This should be every travellers constant review of their travel rig.
Our goal is to always be limiting our weight to only what it needs to be.
When towing a van with your 4WD you have a lot more to consider when it comes to correct weights but the same principles still apply, the lighter you are the less fuel you will consume.
Wind Resistance
Consider the affects of protruding items such as kayaks, bicycles, surf boards and boats with regard to wind resistance and the potential extra fuel costs.
A wind deflector on your 4WD if you are towing a full size Caravan may provide a significant benefit. They may look a bit odd but the savings are genuine. A deflector will provide better performance when over taking or climbing hills.
When towing it is wise not to use cruise control. Your vehicle will accelerate hard to maintain the set speed especially in head winds or hill rises and therefore use more fuel.
It is recommended that you don’t use cruise control when towing.
Reduce Weight in your Caravan
Once again, correct weights in your Caravan are vital with towing and you will therefore be governed by weight distribution around how you travel with water in your tanks and other matters regarding what you carry.
It still stands to reason though the more you have in your Caravan the greater your weight, the heavier you are and the more fuel you will use.
When we leave our camp for a new destination we will assess how much water and fuel we are carrying and where possible leave it until we arrive at our next stop before filling up.
Not Leaving your Vehicle Idling Saves Money on Fuel
It’s best to turn off your engine when stopped even for short periods.
When starting your engine it uses about the same amount of fuel as it would if it was idling for 30 seconds.
If you need to pull over to answer your phone or if you have situations like me where Adele says she’s just running into the shops and will be super fast which turns out to be 20 minutes, it’s best to turn off the engine to save on fuel.
Our friends we travelled with lamented to us more than once about the Caravan owners next to them waking them up early in the morning with their engine running as they hooked up the Van to leave.
This seems to be common where vehicle engines are left running for a period of time during the hooking up and finalising pack up before leaving camp.
There used to be a time where Diesel engines were best warmed up before driving however with new technology that’s no longer necessary for any longer then 15-30 seconds if at all.
Leaving the engine running for longer then 30 seconds simply uses more fuel, it’s best to turn your engine off.
It goes without saying not to do this in normal driving situations. When stopped at lights, railway crossing or similar do not turn off your vehicle engine.
You don’t need to buy Premium Fuels unless your Vehicle Manual suggests you should
This RACV article discusses the issue.
There are so many options for Petrol now with E10, 91, 95 and 98. The numbers represent the level of Octane with 95 and 98 considered Premium fuel.
There is no need to use a Premium fuel if it isn’t required, 91 will perform appropriately.
Do some research of the use of E10 for your vehicle before using it.
How to Save Money on Fuel by Maintaining a Consistent Speed
As previously discussed, if you are towing it’s best not to use Cruise Control however when not towing it can help ensure you maintain a constant speed and therefore reduce fuel consumption.
This is especially the case on generally flat highway conditions where you may have no stops, can maintain a constant speed with few significant inclines
You could Slow Down your Travelling
By staying in one place longer and not moving as often you will reduce fuel costs.
However for most travellers on their Big Lap of Oz they have a limited time of just 1-2 years and it’s a huge country with heaps to see and do.
That means for most people, stopping for lengthy periods in one place just for fuel economy isn’t really an option.
If you do have the opportunity to travel slowly and stop for extended periods this can certainly improve the amount of fuel you use while travelling.
Drive a Diesel rather than Petrol
Diesel engines use up to a third less fuel than Petrol.
That is a massive saving however it should also be compared to potential higher fuel cost at the pump and higher cost for the vehicle where Diesel engines are generally more expensive than Petrol.
Buying second hand vehicles can potentially negate this issue.
There’s a lot of advice around driving Diesel or Petrol vehicles. Carsguide for instance states “If you’re going to be towing a boat or caravan regularly, it’s a no brainer because a Diesel will do it better and use far less fuel at the same time”
All research will tell you a Diesel will perform over the long term more economically than Petrol when asked to perform for long periods under varying conditions.
The bowser price for Diesel also tends to be consistent rather than the continual fluctuations of Petrol prices which helps for budgeting and targeting the best price.
More Expensive Fuel does not Necessarily Mean Longer kms and Therefore Greater Economy
Trying to test this is always challenging because you don’t drive the exact same conditions each tank of fuel.
Weights, highway to city driving, uphill, offroad and a range of other factors will always differ each time we drive. Therefore potentially it will affect the fuel economy with each tank of fuel we use.
However I did recently do a test using BP Diesel, the fuel long regarded as the best for longer distance, compared to Woolworths where it was approximately 7c cheaper.
BP didn’t provide any greater distance from the tank of fuel but the saving of 7c a litre or more with Woolworths is obvious.
I am still recording my fuel and will finalise my thoughts on this in the near future however I found no benefit from using BP over any other brand.
Keeping control over your fuel costs will help you maintain your budget when travelling.
Use the savings to see more of our amazing Country!
Pin – How to Save Money on Fuel
Read more on How to Save Money when Travelling Australia:
Do you have any other tips on how to save money on fuel travelling Australia?
Safe travels
Kev & Adele
Indefinite Leave
We are Adele & Kevin, an Aussie couple from Brisbane in Queensland Australia who have embraced our adventurous spirit and ventured out to explore the world around us. We had spent so much time overseas we decided it was time to see our own truly amazing country and we needed to take some time to see everything it has to offer.
Our Aim is to inspire others to travel and help design the greatest adventure they can experience.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Photography and Socials
Our camera equipment we use for all our photos and videos are:
Samsung Note 10 Plus Phone – https://ebay.to/2XOjXhi – Most of our photos are simply from our phones. The Samsung phone cameras are pretty insane. Our phones have 512gb storage in ours but the 256gb in this one is heaps. We have sourced this one which is approx $500 less than we paid for ours.
Canon 800d – https://ebay.to/2XQYnsk – the latest DSLR Canon 24mp camera, buy here to save.
Lenses
Canon 50mm lens – https://ebay.to/2yQwPed This is the lens I use the least, ideal for still, close up shots.
Canon 24-105mm lens – https://ebay.to/3eCueUo This is my all round, everyday use, zoom lens. Amazing quality, great price.
Canon 70-300mm lens – https://ebay.to/2XlOZ0I – I use this one a lot for long range shots.
Sigma 10-20mm lens – https://ebay.to/2TWt0vA – My wide angle lens for all my inside photos & video plus lots more, love this lens.
Our Go Pro 7 Hero Black – https://ebay.to/38wMc7V – is an awesome piece of equipment. I use this for all underwater, action video and some general use. Buy here brand new and great value.
Mavic Pro Platinum Drone – https://ebay.to/2ARPxTo This is an absolute ripper of a drone. The Fly More Combo will provide you with everything you will need. I use this for all my aerial footage and this price is well below other retail stores.
_______________________________________________________________________
Follow us, Subscribe, Like, Share, and Comment on our website and social media here:-
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/indefiniteleave/
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______________________________________________________________________
This post contains affiliate links. If you buy something through a link on this page we may receive a small commission. It will not cost you any more, in fact we’ve sourced out some great deals for you. Thank you for supporting us.
Adventurers Diary
Feeding the Dolphins at Barnacles Cafe Tin Can Bay
There are a few places around Australia where you can enjoy the experience of an organised feeding of wild dolphins but by far our favourite was feeding the dolphins at Barnacles Cafe in Tin Can Bay Queensland.
Table of Contents
Dolphin Feeding at Barnacles Cafe Tin Can Bay
Feeding the Dolphins at Barnacles Cafe is a close up Dolphin Feeding experience without the big crowds. Everyone that wants to feed a dolphin can and it’s as little as $10.
There are 9 dolphins that visit and they have been named Mystique, Patch, Ella, Squirt, Harmony, Aussie, Valentine, Chompy and White Fin.
There’s no telling how many will come in each day or if any at all will visit but each time we have been there’s been a couple of dolphins come in.
Parking for Dolphin Feeding at Barnacles Cafe
It’s important not to park in boat trailer bays or you may receive a fine. The carpark in front of Barnacles Cafe is designated for fishermen and their vehicle and trailer.
There is allocated parking at the rear of the carpark behind the swimming pool and you can easily walk over to Barnacles Cafe from there.
How far is Tin Can Bay from Rainbow Beach?
Barnacles Dolphin Centre at Tin Can Bay is just over 30kms from Rainbow Beach in South East Queensland.
This particular morning we had a bit of a wait before any dolphins came in. It was around 8.30am before the first Dolphin arrived.
Mystique was first in from the wild and hung around during viewing time and only later was joined by 3 other dolphins including Ella and her 15 month old calf Joe.
Baby Joe is not able to be fed any fish until he is 2.5 years old. Mum Ella is very protective of her calf Joe at this stage and they were inseparable the entire time.
We were fortunate to end up seeing 4 wild humpback dolphins at feeding time during our visit.
First time Dolphin Feeding Experience for Kev’s Mum
We have been to the Barnacles Cafe and Dolphin Centre to feed the dolphins several times, once taking Kev’s Mum with us who was quite reluctant about getting in to the water.
Afterwards she was so thrilled at having done the experience and it was so great to give Mum a new achievement at her age.
Mum is not used to being barefoot in the water these days so the lovely lady volunteers were kind enough to help her while we took some photos of her experience!
Volunteers get to know the dolphins quite well and vice versa, the dolphins get quite familiar and comfortable with the volunteers.
7 Essentials – Tours to Experience
- Reefsleep in the Whitsundays is an amazing adventure. Spend the night on a pontoon sleeping in a swag on Hardy’s Reef in the Great Barrier Reef
- The Ocean Rafting tour from Airlie Beach is a truly fun day out. They took us to the best snorkeling places and the entire day was amazing
- For the best Full Day Island tour in Cairns we recommend the Fitzroy Island tour
- The Humpback Whale Swim in Exmouth remains one of our ultimate highlights of our time around Australia. We highly recommend doing this tour
- If you are on the East Coast, you can swim with Humpback Whales on the Sunshine Coast. The tour leaves from Mooloolaba
- Swimming with Whale Sharks at Exmouth is also extremely popular and a great day out with the team from Eco Adventures on Lattitude 22
- One of Queensland’s most under-rated beach destinations is north of Noosa on the Sunshine Coast. It is only accessible by 4WD or a tour. The Double Island Point and Rainbow Beach 1 Day tour is a great value day out to see some pristine beaches and local history
There is no touching the Dolphins, not even the volunteers have any physical involvement with them.
What time is the Dolphin Feeding?
The Barnacles Dolphin Centre opens at 7am with viewing time between 7.00am and 8am, and then feeding from 8am.
Barnacles Dolphin Centre & Cafe is also where you can have brekkie before or after feeding the dolphins.
Be sure to arrive early to purchase dolphin feeding tickets and get the opportunity to go in the water for viewing time between 7am and 8am.
How much does it cost to feed the dolphins at Barnacles Cafe?
To view the Dolphins the cost is just a $5 entry fee. To participate in feeding the Dolphins at Barnacles Cafe, it cost only another $5. Pensioners are just $7.50
Once the dolphins arrive the staff will organise a line where you can collect a fish to feed a dolphin and then wait in the feeding area for you to have your turn.
How to get to Barnacles Dolphin Feeding Centre & Cafe
Follow Tin Can Bay Road through the main town, along the Esplanade all the way to the point where you will arrive at the Tin Can Bay Yacht Club and boat ramp.
From Hervey Bay to Tin Can Bay it is just and hour and 15 minutes drive.
Follow the signs to find a park to the right at the back of the carpark.
Read about: Our Trip from Hervey Bay to Bundaberg
Tin Can Bay Accommodation
There are a couple of places to stay in Tin Can Bay however we usually choose to set up at Rainbow Beach where we stay at the Rainbow Beach Holiday Village.
It can accommodate all visitors whether it’s camping or staying in the cabins, it has great facilities and is very close to shops and the beach.
Things to do in Tin Can Bay
Fishing and Boating
Tin Can Bay is a beautiful quiet seaside town best known for it’s fishing and boating.
If you don’t have a boat of your own you can hire one from Tin Can Bay Boat Hire.
Tin Can Bay Country Club
The Tin Can Bay Country Club offers an 18 hole Golf Course or play bowls before enjoying a meal and drinks in the restaurant.
Fraser Island
Take a tour to Fraser Island and see the Worlds Largest Sand Island. Leave your car behind and relax as tour guides take you to visit all the highlights of magnificent Fraser Island.
Read more about Fraser Island: Everything to See and Do on Fraser Island
Pin It!
Have you experienced feeding the dolphins at Barnacles Cafe Tin Can Bay?
Safe travels
Kev & Adele
Indefinite Leave
We are Adele & Kevin, an Aussie couple from Brisbane in Queensland Australia who have embraced our adventurous spirit and ventured out to explore the world around us. We had spent so much time overseas we decided it was time to see our own truly amazing country and we needed to take some time to see everything it has to offer.
Our Aim is to inspire others to travel and help design the greatest adventure they can experience.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Photography and Socials
Our camera equipment we use for all our photos and videos are:
Samsung Note 10 Plus Phone – https://ebay.to/2XOjXhi – Most of our photos are simply from our phones. The Samsung phone cameras are pretty insane. Our phones have 512gb storage in ours but the 256gb in this one is heaps. We have sourced this one which is approx $500 less than we paid for ours.
Canon 800d – https://ebay.to/2XQYnsk – the latest DSLR Canon 24mp camera, buy here to save.
Lenses
Canon 50mm lens – https://ebay.to/2yQwPed This is the lens I use the least, ideal for still, close up shots.
Canon 24-105mm lens – https://ebay.to/3eCueUo This is my all round, everyday use, zoom lens. Amazing quality, great price.
Canon 70-300mm lens – https://ebay.to/2XlOZ0I – I use this one a lot for long range shots.
Sigma 10-20mm lens – https://ebay.to/2TWt0vA – My wide angle lens for all my inside photos & video plus lots more, love this lens.
Our Go Pro 7 Hero Black – https://ebay.to/38wMc7V – is an awesome piece of equipment. I use this for all underwater, action video and some general use. Buy here brand new and great value.
Mavic Pro Platinum Drone – https://ebay.to/2ARPxTo This is an absolute ripper of a drone. The Fly More Combo will provide you with everything you will need. I use this for all my aerial footage and this price is well below other retail stores.
_______________________________________________________________________
Follow us, Subscribe, Like, Share, and Comment on our website and social media here:-
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/indefiniteleave/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indefinite_leave/
Website: https://indefiniteleave.com.au/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/indefiniteleave
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com.au/indefiniteleave/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/indefiniteleav3
______________________________________________________________________
This post contains affiliate links. If you buy something through a link on this page we may receive a small commission. It will not cost you any more, in fact we’ve sourced out some great deals for you. Thank you for supporting us.
Adventurers Diary
7 Best Things to See in Bermagui
Our 7 Best Things to See in Bermagui highlight just why you should visit the beautiful New South Wales town of Bermagui.
Bermagui is a small seaside town set alongside glorious turquoise waters on the breathtaking Sapphire Coast of Southern New South Wales.
Nestled below Mt Dromedary, Bermagui boasts a spectacular harbour.
With the continental shelf being just 20kms off-shore and being the closest point to the Australian mainland, it provides perfect conditions off the coast of Bermagui for deep-sea and game fishing.
There is also good estuary fishing in the rivers and lakes of the region.
Table of Contents
Here are our 7 Best Things to See in Bermagui
1. The Blue Pool
When visiting beautiful Bermagui, one of the 7 Best Things to see is The Blue Pool, it’s a must.
It is a naturally fed ocean pool and is aptly named for the blue coloured water reflecting from the sky on a clear day.
Besides swimming you can also go snorkeling in the natural rock pool. It’s great to be able to check out the sea life in a fairly safe environment.
Just beware of the waves as they crash over the rocks into the pool at high tide and at other times when the conditions are rough.
The viewing platform at the lookout above the Blue Pool is an awesome spot for whale watching during whale season.
2. Bruce Steer Ocean Swimming Pool
Another great swimming spot in Bermagui is the Bruce Steer Ocean Swimming Pool which is to the side of the Harbour just below Bermagui Point and just a short stroll from the main street of Bermagui.
The pool is fed from the ocean making it a natural saltwater pool. The pool is protected from Bermagui Point, has a sandy beach and is calm and safe for swimming.
There is also a net at the end which opens to the ocean to prevent any sharks from entering.
The pool is named after Colonel John Mansel Bruce Steer who fought hard for the improvements to the Bermagui Harbour and for improved conditions for professional fishermen.
3. Fishermen’s Wharf
The Bermagui Fishermen’s Wharf is a great spot if you like fresh seafood.
There is also an awesome ice cream shop which we visited a number of times! The Bermagui Gelati Clinic is definitely one clinic we didn’t mind visiting!
Bermagui Fishermen’s Co-Operative is one of the major suppliers of seafood for the Sydney Fish Market as well as a supplier to local restaurants and cafes.
Flathead, Snapper, Tuna, Swordfish and Shark are just some of the types of fish caught in this area.
The original Bermagui Fishermen’s Co-Operative operated from 1948 until 1975.
After the old Co-Op building was demolished, the current Fishermen’s Wharf complex was established and became home to the $2billion industry in 2009.
4. Camel Rock
Camel Rock in Wallaga Lake just north of Bermagui is among the oldest rocks in New South Wales.
This rock formation was created by underwater avalanches around 450 million years ago and bears a strong resemblance to a camel.
You can view Camel Rock from the beach or the Camel Rock Viewing Platform.
Also call into the Camel Rock Brewery Bar and Grill while you are in the area.
Read more about NSW: Exploring Honeymon Bay and Discover Gosangs Tunnel
5. Horse Head Rock
It is believed that Horse Head Rock is in the proximity of 500 million years old making it one of the oldest rocks in NSW!
This distinctive rock formation which resembles a horses head is located between the surf beach at Camel Rock and Murunna Point at Wallaga Lake.
To get to Horse Head Rock from Camel Rock Surf Beach, it is only accessible at low tide and although it is roughly only 200 metres, it is difficult in parts as you make your way over rocks near Camel Rock.
Be sure to allow enough time to return on low tide as well!
There is also a bush walking track that takes you along an elevated area for the best viewing of Horse Head Rock.
6. Wallaga Lake
Another popular spot for fishing is Wallaga Lake, the largest lake in southern New South Wales.
Wallaga Lake is just 7kms north of Bermagui and opens to the sea at Murunna Point, a significant Aboriginal place.
The Lake is also a popular spot for swimming, boating, sailing and water skiing and has a number of picnic and toilet facilities around the lake.
7. Michael Lerner Lookout
The Michael Lerner Lookout offers awesome views of the ocean and rugged coastline. Just 3kms south of Bermagui, the lookout has a fabulous elevated picnic area and day rest area.
The lookout is named after Michael Lerner who holds the record for hooking and landing two Black Marlin at the one time.
5 Essentials – 4WD Accessories
- 4WD Recovery Tracks will get you out of most situations, especially in sand. We bought a pair of these generic branded tracks that have worked well whilst other brands include the Australian made TRED or the Australian Designed and made MAXTRAX 4wd Recovery Tracks.
- For our 4WD we went with this EDECOA 1500 3000w Pure Sine Wave Inverter which has been excellent value and works great.
- I’m a massive fan of my Victron IP65 15a Battery Charger. I use it often to give batteries a boost and it really is an essential part of my tool kit.
- When camping my Kings 200w Solar Blanket gets a lot of use and works really well. Only downside is it doesn’t work with Lithium batteries.
- Brass Tyre Deflators are a fast and easy way to lower your tyre pressure to your desired level. Perfect for when you are hitting the beach.
Distances from Bermagui
How far is Bermagui to Sydney
Bermagui is just under 380kms south of Sydney. Traveling directly by car on the A1, it is just over a five hours’ drive to Bermagui from Sydney. While exploring the Sydney to Bermagui coastline we made numerous stops along the way staying at Coledale, Windang, Jervis Bay, Ulladulla, Pretty Beach and Dalmeny just to name a few.
How far is Bermagui to Batemans Bay
It is around a 1 ½ hr drive from Bermagui to Batemans Bay. The distance between Bermagui and Batemans Bay is approx. 104kms.
How far is Bermagui to Canberra
The distance between Bermagui and Canberra by road is around 250kms and takes just under 3 ½ hrs to drive between the two.
Other great places to stay in the region:
Bermagui Fun Facts
Did you know the movie, The Man who Sued God starring Billy Connolly and Judy Davis, was filmed in Bermagui.
Also the historic wooden bridge at Wallaga Lake was featured in the movie Unbroken directed by Angelina Jolie.
Pin It!
Our readers also enjoy reading:
- 19 Spectacular Secret Beaches
- Our Favourite Experiences as we Travel Australia
- 17 Very Cool Gadgets and ideas for Traveling
- What it REALLY Costs to Travel Australia
Have you ticked off any or all of the 7 Best Things to See in Bermagui? Let us know in the comments below of any other things that you have seen in this magnificent Bermagui region.
Safe travels
Kev & Adele
Indefinite Leave
We are Adele & Kevin, an Aussie couple from Brisbane in Queensland Australia who have embraced our adventurous spirit and ventured out to explore the world around us. We had spent so much time overseas we decided it was time to see our own truly amazing country and we needed to take some time to see everything it has to offer.
Our Aim is to inspire others to travel and help design the greatest adventure they can experience.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Photography and Socials
Our camera equipment we use for all our photos and videos are:
Samsung Note 10 Plus Phone – https://ebay.to/2XOjXhi – Most of our photos are simply from our phones. The Samsung phone cameras are pretty insane. Our phones have 512gb storage in ours but the 256gb in this one is heaps. We have sourced this one which is approx $500 less than we paid for ours.
Canon 800d – https://ebay.to/2XQYnsk – the latest DSLR Canon 24mp camera, buy here to save.
Lenses
Canon 50mm lens – https://ebay.to/2yQwPed This is the lens I use the least, ideal for still, close up shots.
Canon 24-105mm lens – https://ebay.to/3eCueUo This is my all round, everyday use, zoom lens. Amazing quality, great price.
Canon 70-300mm lens – https://ebay.to/2XlOZ0I – I use this one a lot for long range shots.
Sigma 10-20mm lens – https://ebay.to/2TWt0vA – My wide angle lens for all my inside photos & video plus lots more, love this lens.
Our Go Pro 7 Hero Black – https://ebay.to/38wMc7V – is an awesome piece of equipment. I use this for all underwater, action video and some general use. Buy here brand new and great value.
Mavic Pro Platinum Drone – https://ebay.to/2ARPxTo This is an absolute ripper of a drone. The Fly More Combo will provide you with everything you will need. I use this for all my aerial footage and this price is well below other retail stores.
_______________________________________________________________________
Follow us, Subscribe, Like, Share, and Comment on our website and social media here:-
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/indefiniteleave/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indefinite_leave/
Website: https://indefiniteleave.com.au/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/indefiniteleave
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com.au/indefiniteleave/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/indefiniteleav3
______________________________________________________________________
This post contains affiliate links. If you buy something through a link on this page we may receive a small commission. It will not cost you any more, in fact we’ve sourced out some great deals for you. Thank you for supporting us.
How to Save Money on Fuel
Feeding the Dolphins at Barnacles Cafe Tin Can Bay
