Why my first time in a caravan won't be the last

I’ll be honest — I’m not a caravanner. It’s just not something I grew up doing.

My childhood and early camping years were spent in a swag under the stars or tucked into a tent pitched wherever the ground was flattest. I loved every bit of that lifestyle — the simplicity, the campfire dinners, the sore back the next morning that made you really appreciate your own bed back home...

But as I’ve gotten older, my interests have started to shift. I still love roughing it, but I’ve also developed a curiosity about the other side of camping — the one that promises a little more comfort, a little less set-up, and a lot more time spent doing what I actually love: fishing and exploring.

So, when I got the opportunity recently to spend a relaxing weekend with a JB Gator Hybrid 16, I jumped at it. My destination? Jimmy’s Beach, a gem on the New South Wales coast just north of my hometown. It’s a spot that perfectly balances beachside serenity with easy access to fishing, swimming, and a cracking sunset view.

This wasn’t just a test drive — it was my first real taste of the caravanning lifestyle. And after a few days on the road, I walked away with five key takeaways that changed the way I think about camping and the outdoors...

From swag time to snack time

Let’s start with the obvious — setup.

One of the biggest surprises for me was how quick and effortless it is to get something like the Gator Hybrid 16 backed in, levelled, and ready to roll. For someone used to the “swag and shovel” approach, where setting up meant half an hour of banging pegs and searching for the tent poles you forgot, this is a total revelation.

Within minutes, I had the 'van positioned, stabilised, and the awning out. That meant I could do what I actually came to do — get in the boat and go fishing.

Caravanning veterans will probably laugh at my amazement, but for anyone new to it, this is a game changer. The less time spent wrestling with setup, the more time you get to spend on the water, exploring, or just relaxing.

And let’s face it — if you’re at a place like Jimmy’s Beach, with the sound of waves just metres away, you want to be soaking that up, not sweating over tent poles.

The joy of built-In cooking

The next big eye-opener was how convenient it is to cook outdoors when everything you need is already built into your setup.

Gone are the days of digging through the back of the car for a gas cooker or juggling utensils that seem to live permanently under the passenger seat. The Gator Hybrid’s pull-out kitchen has everything in one smooth drawer — gas burners, prep space, and storage. There's also a Dometic fridge that runs on the 48-volt battery system, keeping food and drinks cold and ready to go.

Cooking outdoors is something I’ve always enjoyed, especially when it involves fresh fish straight off the beach. But what I realised this weekend is that convenience fuels enjoyment. When cooking is easy, you do it more often, and you do it better.

After a day fishing, I simply roll back to camp, fillet my catch, fire up the burners, and eat fresh fish within minutes — all without unpacking half the car. A quick wipe down, slide the drawer shut, and that's it. Simple, satisfying, and a far cry from washing pans in a bucket by torchlight.

The best of both worlds

This is something I didn’t expect — a new kind of connection.

When you stay in a cabin or Airbnb, you’re technically in nature, but there’s always a barrier — a wall, a door, a check-in counter. With a caravan, you’re still immersed in the outdoors. You feel the breeze, smell the salt, hear the birds — but you also get that touch of comfort when you turn in for the night.

Over the weekend, I find myself more engaged with the people around me than I normally would be. During the day, I'm out fishing or walking the beach. In the evenings, I chat with the folks camped nearby, share a drink, swap fishing stories. That’s the beauty of caravan parks — they create little temporary communities.

I’ve stayed in plenty of places where I didn’t speak to another soul for three days. But on this trip, the social side of camping comes naturally. There’s something about pulling up in a van that says, “We’re all here for the same reason — to slow down and enjoy it.”

It’s that hybrid balance — the comfort of modern living with the connection and spontaneity of old-school camping. And honestly, it’s addictive.

Luxury meets the great outdoors

If you’ve ever spent a night in a swag, you’ll understand the joy of climbing into a proper bed.

The Gator Hybrid 16 is only 16 feet long, but it packs in more creature comforts than I expected: a double bed, shower, toilet, air conditioning, lighting, TV, privacy screens, and even mosquito nets. All those little details that you never think about until you don’t have them.

After a day on the water, coming back to that level of comfort is next-level good. I rinse off in the shower, stretch out on a real mattress, and watch the last glow of the sunset through the window. It's the perfect way to cap off an already great day.

And here’s the thing — it doesn't take away from the camping experience. If anything, it makes it better. I still feel close to nature, but without the sore back or the mozzie bites.

That’s what I think a good caravan should do — enhance the experience, not replace it. It’s not about escaping the outdoors; it’s about making the outdoors more livable.

Towing confidence behind the wheel

As a first-timer, I’ll admit I was nervous about towing. The idea of dragging a 'van behind the ute through winding coastal roads didn’t exactly fill me with excitement. But the Hybrid 16 quickly puts those worries to bed.

Weighing in at around two tonnes, it’s compact and surprisingly easy to handle. The 'van tracks beautifully, with no sway or tail-wag, even in moderate wind. Features like reversing cameras and stability control give me that extra bit of confidence — and make reversing into the campsite a whole lot easier.

If you’ve never towed anything bigger than a box trailer, this is the kind of 'van that makes the learning curve gentle. It’s light enough to be pulled by a medium-to-large SUV, and it feels stable even on uneven ground.

What really stands out to me, though, is how relaxed the drive feels. I didn't realise how much mental energy towing can take until it doesn’t. I never once feeel out of control or like I'm pushing the limits of what the ute can handle.

And that’s key — because when you’re towing with confidence, you can actually enjoy the drive. You can look around, take in the scenery, and arrive at your destination feeling excited, not exhausted.

Why I get it now

Before this trip, I’ll admit — I didn’t quite get the caravanning craze. I thought it was something other people did. Something that came with age, or kids, or a different lifestyle.

But after spending a few days living in the Gator Hybrid 16, I now understand the appeal. It’s freedom, with comfort. It’s being able to wake up by the beach one morning and by the bush the next, without giving up a decent shower or a good night’s sleep.

It’s also about mindset. When everything you need is within arm’s reach — your bed, kitchen, and even your fishing gear — you stop thinking about logistics and start focusing on experiences.

For me, that’s what this weekend is all about. I fish, I cook, I meet new people, and I get to see a familiar part of the coast from a totally new perspective.

If you’ve ever been curious about caravanning but weren’t sure if it was for you, I’d say give it a go. Start small. Borrow or rent a 'van for a weekend (thanks to JB Caravans Newcastle for trusting us with the 'van!. Then find a scenic spot and just live in it for a few days.

You might discover, like I did, that the sweet spot between comfort and adventure isn’t just a myth — it’s parked right behind your towbar.

Related: Top tips for first-timer caravanners

Related: Biggest caravan rookie mistakes

Related: Ultimate no-fluff caravan towing guide released