Van Trip Must-Haves
Before we left we had no idea what bits and bobs we’d find useful, what would be superfluous and what would be bloody game changing. I’ve made two lists of stuff we couldn’t (or simply wouldn’t) do without. The first is for everyone, and the second is for travellers with babies.
For Everyone
“Ultimate” RACQ Membership
Ultimate is right. I don’t know what the other states offer but in Queensland, our roadside service is RACQ and they offer a regular membership for like, $150. Great. But for $400ish, you can choose the “Ultimate” membership which can help you out of MANY a pickle. I’m talking long distance towing, hire cars, accommodation. On two occasions we’ve needed towing. One was a $900 affair from Wellington to Mudgee and the other, a $300 tow on the Fleurieu Peninsula. Completely covered.
Thrice, Maude has needed to see mechanics for fixes, leaving us homeless and carless. Our membership got us accommodation every time. Two nights in Adelaide, two nights around Mudgee and 5 whole nights at a bloody lovely resort in Broome. They gave us a hire car to get around Mudgee so we could keep exploring the surrounding towns, so all together that membership has saved us about $4000 so far.
Aus Post Parcel Collect Service/Aus Post App
Getting parcels sent to us has been a breeze. In the Australia post app, you can select any post office to use as your address, with your own identification code. We just look at the town we’re likely to be closest to and use that post office as our mailing address. Easy as. Just remember the more remote you are, the longer your parcel will take.
Stand Up Paddle Board
It’s not necessary in that one couldn’t comfortably do a trip without it, but I would NOT do a trip without it. So many opportunities to get it out and play. In South Australia and WA especially, we had it out alllll the time. Sometimes for a big explore, sometimes for a little peace and quiet, sometimes for a family ride with all three of us and on one charming occasion, for a sunset wine with a mate on the river.
Swag Bags - for the freshest fruit and veggies
The brand is called “The Swag” and they do these fabric bags that you keep in the fridge with your fruit and veggies inside. They’re magic. I mean, actually they just rely on some science but it very much feels like magic. They keep fruit and veggies in good shape for yonks. I don’t care to live without them anywhere, van or no van. They save on space in the tiny van fridge, they’re kinder to the environment (by reducing food waste and being completely compostable) and they’re easy to wash. I will link them because of how much I love them: The Swag
Stainless Steel Tupperware
From now on, it’s only these. So easy to clean (which matters very much if you don’t have hot running water every day) don’t hold any odour or food flavours (bloody silicone). Plus, wherever one can get an alternative to plastic, one should use it. Plastic is the pits. We use Ever Eco which have delightfully colour coded lids so you can keep track of what’s in them.
Snork And Fins
There’s so much snorkelling to be done. Just. So. Much. Don’t do this trip without your own snorkel, you’ll miss too many turts and fish.
Small Toolbox
Drill, measuring tape, duct tape, sika flex, screws etc. Heaps of small fixes, additions or decorating to be done along the way. We use it quiiiite a bit.
Tub For Everything
A tub. For whatever. Wash your feet in it, wash your baby in it, soak filthy clothes in it, carry water in it, store your shoes in it. Just have an everything tub.
1000000 Tote Bags
I can’t get over how often we use them. Groceries, beach bags, trips to the shower block, good for getting stuff in and out of mate’s houses or air bnbs... just so handy.
Parks Pass
For WA and TAS especially. You’re just in and out of national parks constantly, pay for a yearly pass in advance and enjoy without fuss. It will absolutely save you many dollars.
SUP wine at sunset, resort for freeeeee thanks to Ultimate roadside membership and a happy girl who just saw a million turts and fish.
For people with babies
Prison
AKA a travel cot. No room in the van to have the baby actually sleep in it, but it behaves as a play pen (prison) that keeps the baby safe outdoors while you’re both busy trying to cook dinner or whatever. We rely on it quite a bit. We throw in a few of her favourite toys (for her it’s usually a travel brochure and a sunscreen bottle, because babies don’t care for official baby toys nearly as much as capitalism would have us believe) and get to work. Ours is the Aeromoov . We chose it because it’s so, so very lightweight and folds down real skinny.
Hook on High chair
Highly portable and can hook on to most tables - picnic tables, friend’s houses, high, bar style tables in pubs. We have the Inglesina Fast Table Chair and it’s tops. Folds down so well, sturdy, machine washable. It’s a goodun.
Smock bibs
Fold down to nothing, and both machine washable or just wipe downable. The long sleeves are vital for a family who can’t just throw clothes in the laundry willy nilly. The smock collects everything. Got ours from Lolo Pops Baby Gifts.
Spew Rag
Not for spew necessarily, I just don’t know their offical name. But you know what I’m talking about right? The white square towels that those of us born in the 80s had as nappies? The towels you wear over your shoulder 24/7 when you have a new baby. Anyway, they’re the best for vanlife. Take about 6 and let them do their versatile work. Clean up spills, surprise piddles, protect your clothes if your child is eating on your lap, wet them and drape them over your kid (or yourself) on mega hot days, lay them on the car seat to protect it if you’ve got a big drive and your kid hasn’t done a poo in 24 hours… you get it.
Tiny Toys
Finger puppets from Tara Treasures have been stalwarts in this van. Also some compact, stackable silicone cups. But again, this kid’s favourite toys right now are a Ningaloo brochure and her bottle of sunscreen, plus the millions of seashells, coral and rocks she picks up. So I truuuuly suggest going for a less is more approach.
Baby Carrier/Hiking Backpack Carrier
I will sing the praises of the Artipoppe Zeitgeist baby carrier all day every day til the end of time. My bad back loves it, my fashion sensibilities love it, my kid loves it, and it washes incredibly well. We’ve used ours since Teddy was born, and now we wear her almost exclusively on our back (unless she’s asleep).
A proper hiking backpack is no doubt a very useful thing, but I much prefer the soft fabric pouch because it rolls up small enough to fit into the nappy bag or our backpack. So if she’s keen to get out and walk, it’s not a hassle to carry around.
But whatever brand or style you go with, you’ll use it almost every day if you’re into walking.
The hook on high chair, a kid in prison while both parents do chores, the smock bib we are most grateful for because we don’t have a laundry.
And that’s what I’ve got. If anything else occurs to me I’ll update it here, but if you’re planning a trip of your own, I hope this helps!