Aussie women enjoy quality campervan time

While campervans and caravan road trips might normally evoke images of grey nomads or family holidays, new research shows another demographic is choosing campervan escapes, and it probably isn’t who you’d expect.

According to a recent survey commissioned by Webjet, campervan getaways are firmly on the radar for Aussie women, with 15 per cent - or roughly 1 in 7 - Aussie women saying they’re planning to book campervan and campsite accommodation this summer.

While the cost of living has led some people to opt for domestic holidays over international trips, campervanning offers plenty of other benefits, says Nicola Dennison, Chief Marketing & Product Officer at Motorhome Republic.

“Campervanning offers plenty of opportunities for women to switch off, slow down and connect meaningfully with friends and family in the passenger seats,” she said.

“It's the perfect antidote to their usual busy schedules - swapping hundreds of spinning plates for a simple and rejuvenating break in nature.”

One particularly popular option among Aussie women is taking campervan trips with a group of girlfriends, allowing adult friends to reconnect on the road.

“When it comes to campervanning, the journey is just as important as the destination,” says Dennison.

“The drives between stops are all about quality time, stripping away everyday distractions and creating more space for shared experiences, long conversations and meaningful moments.

"With busy calendars and competing priorities, it gives groups of girlfriends the opportunity for togetherness that everyday life can skip.”

For 56-year-old Melbourne woman Catherine, this quality time was one of the main reasons that she decided to take a campervan trip with two girlfriends earlier this year.

“I wanted to take a road trip to make the most of the limited time with my girlfriends - we all lead incredibly busy lives between work and family commitments, so this type of holiday where the travel becomes part of the trip just made sense,” she explains.

With no set itinerary, just open road and each other's company, Catherine and her friends journeyed through Victoria's Goldfields and Bendigo.

“We agreed on general wake-up times, where we were going to eat lunch or go out for dinner, but beyond that we were all pretty flexible and happy to go with the flow as well, so pretty lucky in that respect.

"We explored at our own pace, which meant we could stop off at the farmers market and check out the different roadside vendors along the way."

Catherine says highlights included the scenery and exploring small regional towns, markets, and roadside stalls.

“We also drove through a huge storm near Kyneton, which made for a great story afterwards,” she says.

For 26-year-old Melbourne woman Sarah Varcoe, a six-day motorhome trip with four friends she met through work was her first experience of caravanning.

"I grew up in the small Victorian town of Girgarre before moving to Melbourne for university six years ago, so I've always loved getting out into regional Australia," she says.

"None of us had any experience with motorhomes or caravanning, so every part of the trip around Perth was a learning curve."

"From arriving at caravan parks after dark, which we quickly learned is best avoided, to figuring out the less glamorous jobs that come with life on the road, there was always something new for us to learn," Sarah explains.

"But that's what made the experience so memorable. We laughed our way through the mistakes, learned how to work together and completely embraced the lifestyle.

"By the end of six days, we'd gone from complete beginners to genuine campervanning converts. It was a fantastic way to disconnect from our normal routines, explore new places and spend quality time together."

According to Motorhome Republic, Hobart and Perth are the top domestic destinations for campervanning this summer.

“Both cities make ideal starting points, with routes to suit every kind of road tripper. From rugged coastlines and renowned wine regions to world-class national parks, diverse landscapes are all within easy reach,” says Dennison.

“Whether you're after a quick weekend escape or a multi-week, off-the-beaten-track adventure, each destination offers plenty of route options. There are countless opportunities to splash out on tours and experiences if that's your style, but much of the best scenery can be enjoyed for free, so there's something for every budget.”

For Catherine, the hidden gems and scenic stops were memorable, but the real drawcard was simpler: uninterrupted time to talk, laugh and properly reconnect with her friends.

“It gave us more uninterrupted time with one another, which opened up space for more authentic conversations and helped strengthen our friendships. So much so we’re already planning another road trip, this time along the Great Ocean Road."

For anyone planning to take a campervan girls’ trip, Dennison says being flexible is often the best way.

“Have a rough plan, but leave room to be flexible. Some of the best moments of a campervanning holiday come from making space for spontaneity."

Other top-tips include:

· If you’re travelling in peak period, be sure to book campsites early. You’ll have access to some of the country's most beautiful nature spots, but sites with the best facilities or views can book up fast.

· Keep the first leg of your journey short; it allows everyone to settle in and get comfortable with the vehicle.

· If you’re travelling in remote areas, fill up when you pass a service station, even if the tank isn’t close to empty; they can be few and far between in the outback.

· Each campervan brand offers different amenities, layouts, and sizes. Compare rental brands on sites like Motorhome Republic, which offers motorhome rentals from over 160 trusted suppliers across 30 countries and more than 1600 pick-up locations globally.

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