Australia is a fascinating country in many ways. A huge island surrounded by the Indian and Pacific oceans, it offers visitors the opportunity to discover landscapes that are each more beautiful than the next. From desert regions to dream beaches and the Australian Cordillera. It is also home to a unique fauna in the world. The best way to travel this country from one end of the world to the other is in a van, and it is an extremely popular mode of travel there. Choosing the van means enjoying a feeling of freedom throughout your stay, with the possibility of going where you want. In this regard, Travellers Autobarn offers the rental and sale of vehicles and vans from Australia's main cities. So to all those who are tempted to take a break and experience the crazy Australian adventure, here is a guide to get ready

Choosing the right vehicle and the right formula

Before booking your tickets and leaving for Australia, it is important to take a look at various things in order to choose the right vehicle and choose to rent or buy. If you decide to go away together for a few weeks and have a limited budget, a car may be the right choice. It's a great way to share rental and gas costs, and therefore save money. However, this does require camping equipment for the night. Unless you and your partner are leaving, you may want to consider installing a mattress in the back of the car. These vehicles, most of which are automatic, are also suitable when you plan to share your nights between campsites and hotels. There is also the possibility of opting for a 4x4, vehicles that, although more expensive, allow you to venture onto the most winding roads in the country, and there are many of them

The converted vans are recommended for people who are alone or who want to go as a couple or with a friend, and who decide to travel the roads of Australia over a long period of time, from six months to several years. Indeed, we then have a real small house on wheels and therefore all the comfort that this implies. You can sleep on board, store and prepare meals, and set up all the things you need without having to do and undo

Then there is the issue of purchase or lease. In Australia, several companies offer both packages. When you leave for a short period of time or if you have money to spend, renting is the best choice. Indeed, we then receive assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in case of a problem, and that is a real plus. On the other hand, if you plan to leave for a long period of time, as long as possible, and you are considering doing odd jobs to bail out the wallet, then it should be noted that buying a van can be very convenient. Hence the need to plan a starting budget, and there is always the possibility of finding an affordable van. Secondly, it saves on accommodation and food costs, as the vans are equipped with a sleeping area and everything needed for cooking. Finally, when it comes time to pack for the return home, there is always a way to resell your van. If this is not done by word of mouth, Travellers Autobarn offers a take-back option, the buy-back price is then communicated even before the vehicle is purchased

Some tips for a successful van trip

So yes, travelling around Australia in a van is a feeling of total freedom and also spontaneity, the possibility of going where you want to go at the pace you want, but that doesn't mean that you shouldn't be an organised minimum. For a successful stay, it is important to look at a map and be aware of the distances between the different places you want to reach. Indeed, Australia is very big, and we will have to drive several thousand kilometres, sometimes in very rural, even desert areas. It is therefore important to remember to fill up with food, water and basic products. In supermarkets, it's cheaper, the small stores you find on the road can quickly squeeze the budget. It is also necessary to put gasoline regularly, on this subject, do not hesitate to install the MotorMouth application once on site, it indicates the cheapest gas stations around you according to your geolocation. We also do not forget to check the van every 500 km. Checking levels, tire pressure, are reflexes that can avoid many disappointments. Another very precious advice, when you plan to make campfires to cook your sausages or light up during the trip, which is totally part of the joys of this adventure, it is important to make sure that the fire is extinguished when you leave the place and to have several litres of water with you in case the fire starts to spread. These are essential safety instructions, respect for the environment is essential. These few tips, which do not require any difficulty, help to make a van trip a real success and a great source of fulfilment and change of scenery

The most beautiful places to see during a stay in a van in Australia

Australia is full of places with spectacular landscapes. You can start a trip with the Great Ocean Road route. It is one of the most beautiful coastal roads in the world. Along its 243 km, you can enjoy the waves and an introduction to surfing at Belle Beach before passing through huge eucalyptus forests and reaching exceptional viewpoints from grandiose rock formations, the most famous of which are the Twelve Apostles. Kangaroos are also regularly seen, such as on the Anglesea golf course and koalas in Kennett River.

How can we talk about Australia without mentioning the Great Barrier Reef? Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981, it is a real underwater paradise. This 8th wonder of the world is home to 350 species of corals and 1,500 species of tropical fish and crustaceans. It is the ideal place to laze on idyllic beaches, dive, but also hike, as in the Daintree Rainforest

Nor should we hesitate to reach the interior, Australia is not limited to the diversity of its coasts, far from it. After refuelling in the charming city of Alice Springs, you should take the time to discover Le Centre Rouge, an impressive desert territory, of which Uluru is the most impressive rock formation. Exploring this territory means venturing into canyons, lost valleys where you can see palm trees growing in the ravines, and also cooling in water points in the middle of the rocky gorges of the West MacDonnell Ranges. In this territory, the endless horizon almost makes you dizzy and this is often the impression left by Australia, a feeling of infinity and immensity, associated with the beauty of fascinating landscapes.