Get ready for warm winter getaways

Winter in Australia is generally the best time to travel in your caravan. Just count them on our major highways!

For ‘Southerners’, the annual migration north to warmer climates means accessing the joys of outdoor living and dining, balmy evening beach walks and slipping into shorts and t-shirts again.

For those living further north, it’s a chance to holiday in the low-humidity ‘dry season’, when stingers are not a swimming hazard, flies and mosquitos are less of a nuisance and campfires are often allowed with low bushfire risk on cool evenings.

Others may see the opportunity to head further south for a cosy escape  – for example, to enjoy snow in Tasmania, go hiking in the Victorian High Country or NSW’s Blue Mountains, or enjoy wine tasting at the country’s famous cool-climate vineyards.

But with snap border closures a recent common occurrence, you also need to be prepared to enjoy a break in your own home state, which usually means being prepared for chilly nights.

Regardless of which, you and your caravan needs to be ready to travel when the opportunity arises.

If you have the choice, purchase a caravan with good insulation, preferably composite sandwich panel walls that retain heat.

Stored caravans need their wheel bearings re-packed, their tyres checked for sidewall cracking and hinges and coupling lubricated.

Don’t forget to check  your electrics, your hot water system; give invading ants and spiders their marching orders and de-mould and check your fridge.

A built-in gas or diesel space heater makes all the different to extend your enjoyment on a cold night. And if you think ‘cold’ doesn’t exist ‘up north’, be assured that night-time temperatures plummet to well below zero in many inland and Outback areas.

If you have a power inverter, or are on a powered site, an electric blanket can make all the difference to your bedtime comfort and – if you’re overnighting ‘off the grid’ – uses a lot less battery power than you might think. A domestic electric fan heater also works well, but chews up energy.

A bedding alternative is a woollen underblanket, while your local camping store has light fleece ‘throws’ that you can buy cheaply – a lot less  than a new ‘doona’ and it can also can be wrapped around your shoulders outside.

Don’t discount the worth of the trusty old sleeper bag either. Australia’s OzTent has just released a game-changer in this area – what it claims to be the world’s first non-electric heat adjustable sleeping bag.

Their new ‘Redgum’ bag is an extra-large sleeping bag that incorporates six 'HotSpot' pockets beneath its large ripstop cotton canvas outer shell and cotton flannel inner liner to keep occupants snug on the coldest nights.

A budget alternative is a small heat bag that you can pop in your microwave if you have power.

You may be tempted to take a portable gas heater with you, but be warned. These devices require proper ventilation to operate safely.

Rug up for the great outdoors

If you’re caravanning, you will probably want to make the most of the great outdoors. As temperatures fall rapidly as soon as the sun dips down, ensure you have a warm, waterproof jacket, a woollen scarf and even fingerless gloves to allow you to set up camp and then enjoy gazing at those wonderful starry nights.

Before heading off you also need to do your homework on your destination, how to get there and to make a booking.

If you’ve got toasted marshmallows on your mind, or a chatty evening with red wine making new friends appeals to you, then research where you can legally have a blazing campfire.

A lot of these tips can be found at BIG4.com.au

And remember: you don’t need sub-zero temperatures to enjoy a good fire. Some people refer to campfires as ‘Bush TV’. There’s a different programme on each night and as long as you have enough firewood, and it’s legal, it goes for as long as you like.

Get all the info you need to plan your next getaway with BIG4.