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Planning a campervan trip in Tasmania? Choosing the right rental and knowing what to bring can make a big difference. Based on our experience, here are my top campervan tips, including who we hired from and what gear helped make the journey more comfortable and stress-free.
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The campervan we hired in Tasmania
We rented our campervan in Tasmania from CheapaCampa, which is affiliated with Apollo Campers. CheapaCampa offers older vehicles that no longer qualify for the Apollo fleet. They’re more affordable, but may not offer the same level of comfort.
When looking at campervan hire options in Tasmania, you’ll find a variety of models and sizes. We decided against the cheapest vans as we wanted the convenience of cooking and sitting inside. Despite visiting in summer, we had rainy days and cold nights, so that extra comfort turned out to be worth the extra cost. If your budget allows, I strongly recommend factoring that in.
Looking for inspiration for your road trip in Tasmania? Check out our itinerary!
Be careful with insurance costs
When comparing campervan hire prices in Tasmania, be cautious about the price you see advertised per day. It often looks cheaper at first, but some companies don’t include insurance in the base rate and you may be forced to add it during the booking process. This can almost double the price if you weren’t expecting it, so make sure to check the full cost early on.
It’s also important to check where you’re allowed to drive. Some rental companies will restrict your access to unsealed roads or some will only allow travel on properly formed and gazetted gravel roads. If you’re planning to visit more remote areas or drive on Bruny Island, check if you’re permitted and whether insurance will still cover you.
Have you rented a campervan in Tasmania? Share your tips in the comments below!
What to bring (even if the campervan is “fully equipped”)
Our campervan was advertised as fully equipped, and it’s true we didn’t need any extra kitchen gear. But there were a few extras we were really glad to have packed – and a few we wish we’d thought of earlier.
Bedding and warmth
- Sleeping bags – Bedding was included, but we were happy to have brought our warm sleeping bags. Even in summer, nights dropped to 3°C. We didn’t hire a heater as we weren’t often at powered sites, and the extra layers kept us toasty.
- Extra towels and a picnic blanket – Towels don’t always dry quickly in a campervan so I really liked having fast-drying towels, and the blanket made outdoor seating more comfortable.
Water and hygiene
- Drinking water – Campervans come with a full water tank, but it’s not recommended for drinking. Instead of buying plastic bottles, we refilled 5L and 10L foldable water containers. You can also buy water bags from the supermarket.
- Portable shower – If you’re staying mostly at free camps like we did, you’ll appreciate having a simple portable shower. It made remote camping much more enjoyable. We use a solar shower bag to have warm water that we put in our foldable bucket and a camp shower with a rechargeable pump.
- Foldable bucket – The provided bucket was dirty and only useful for sink waste. We brought our own foldable bucket for washing dishes and using it with the shower. It barely took up space and came in handy often.
- Clothesline – A compact travel clothesline is super handy for drying towels, swimwear or laundry at campgrounds or free camps. Even in summer, things don’t dry quickly inside the campervan in Tasmania. Choose a lightweight one you can tie between trees or hook onto your campervan.
- Sponge and dishwashing liquid
- Toilet paper
- First aid kit – Ours came with one, but opening it would have cost $30. Bring your own with whatever you need for minor injuries like blisters.
Cooking and dining
- Table and chairs – If you’re travelling in summer, having the option to eat outside makes a big difference. Not only is it a great way to enjoy the views, but it also means you don’t have to convert the bed into a table each time you want a meal. You can usually hire these, but unless they’re included in a bundle (for example, with an insurance upgrade), they may be a bit pricey. Sometimes, buying your own (there are very cheap ones at BigW) or adding them to your checked luggage (we have hiking chairs and a table that are compact and lightweight) might be more cost-effective.
- Small cooler bag and cold packs – Helpful if you plan on bringing food or drinks out of the campervan during the day.
- Portable raclette – Definitely not essential… unless you’re French and the weather turns cold. We brought a small raclette set lit by candles and it made for one of our favourite campervan nights. Melting cheese in the van felt like being in a mini chalet in the French Alps: cosy, delicious, and very memorable.
Organisation and storage
- Storage boxes – You’ll have some built-in storage, but I like bringing lightweight collapsible boxes to help organise food, equipment, and bits and pieces.
- Packing cubes – Try packing your clothes strategically using packing cubes. I like to separate mine by activity or weather, for example, hiking clothes in one, evening clothes in another. It’s so much easier to find what I need in the campervan without rummaging through everything.
Phone accessories and lighting
These will be very useful if you don’t stay at campsites with electricity:
- USB charger and phone holder – If you end up with an older campervan, there may be no USB port or Bluetooth connection. A charger that plugs into the cigarette lighter (at least 100W for faster charging) and a phone holder for GPS are useful.
- Power bank – The campervan’s plugs usually only work at powered sites or when you’re driving. So a good power bank is a must for off-grid camping.
- Solar-charging LED lights – These help you save the campervan’s battery for essentials like the fridge while still lighting your space or enjoying a nice evening outside.
- Headlamp – It’s perfect for moving around campgrounds at night and super handy inside the campervan if the lighting isn’t great, especially when cooking or looking for things in storage. It keeps your hands free and saves draining the van’s battery with overhead lights.
- Bluetooth speaker – While driving, you might be able to play music through the campervan’s system, but once you’re stopped, a small speaker makes evenings much more enjoyable.
Extras for more comfort
- Warm clothes – Even in summer, temperatures can drop quickly in Tasmania, especially at night or in the highlands.
- Hot water bottle – It may be an overkill in summer, but it can significantly upgrade your level of comfort during cold nights. Simply boil enough water for a hot tea after dinner, and pour the extra boiling water into a hot water bottle that you can place in your bed.
Travelling by campervan in Tasmania is such a fun way to explore this stunning island. With these tips, you’ll be a lot more comfortable on the road and better prepared. We found hiring a campervan to be a cost-friendly way to sleep in beautiful places, combining car rental and accommodation in one. Plus, it’s perfect for nature lovers who want flexibility. You can easily change your plans as you discover new regions or adjust your route if the weather shifts. So pack well, plan smart and enjoy the freedom of your Tasmanian road trip!
Planning a trip to Tasmania? Save these campervan tips on Pinterest so you can find them easily later!
