Family Campervan Trip in Oceania: Australia & New Zealand on the Road

Oceania is made for a family campervan trip: vast open spaces, wildlife, beaches, national parks, and enough activities to keep both toddlers and teenagers engaged. At Planet Ride, we look at the destination with a rider’s mindset—route logic, real driving days, and the right level of comfort—then we help you build a trip that stays fluid on the road. In this article, we focus on Australia and New Zealand, two countries that work brilliantly for a road trip by motorhome with kids, with very different rhythms and constraints.

What could be better than reuniting the tribe with a real adventure at the other end of the world?

After a full year of tight schedules and packed weeks, a long-haul trip only makes sense if it delivers something you can’t get closer to home: big horizons, a shared daily life on the road, and days that feel earned. To get it right, you need more than a map. You need someone who knows how families actually travel out there—where driving becomes tiring, which areas require stricter planning, and how to balance “wow moments” with downtime. That’s why we build these trips with Fabrice, Planet Ride’s local expert for Australia and New Zealand, based in Oceania for 10 years. A motorcycle enthusiast, he now travels the region in a campervan with his family—three kids included—so his advice is concrete, not theoretical.

Fabrice, Planet Ride local expert in Australia & New Zealand

Fabrice knows the reality of a family road trip: early mornings, snack logistics, and the need for a plan that can absorb surprises without turning into stress. “Two motorhomes means the kids can choose where they sleep.” For their 2-week trip in March from Adelaide to Alice Springs, Fabrice and his wife split the tribe into two vehicles: - One 6-berth motorhome (3 double beds) for the parents and three kids - One 4-berth motorhome (2 double beds) for the grandparents The idea is simple: keep evenings comfortable, give everyone breathing space, and avoid the “we’re on top of each other” effect—especially when you’re travelling with multiple generations. Note: Fabrice will share feedback from this upcoming family trip. In March, he’s hitting the road for two weeks with two motorhomes—we’ll follow along on Facebook and Pinterest.

How long do you need for a family campervan trip in Oceania?

In Australia

Australia is a continent-country. Even with 6 months, you won’t “do it all.” The right approach is to pick a theme-based route and a duration that matches your family’s pace. Fabrice often recommends: - Outback & Aboriginal culture: Adelaide–Darwin or Broome–Darwin - Sea-focused routes: Brisbane–Cairns (Great Barrier Reef access) - Sea + mountains: Sydney–Adelaide Most family itineraries land in the 15 to 20-day range. On the ground, that’s usually a mix of moderate days and a few big pushes when the geography demands it.

In New Zealand

Our first recommendation for a family motorhome trip in New Zealand: plan 3 weeks on site. In 21 days, you can cover the major highlights at a steady pace. New Zealand has two main islands: - North Island - South Island Each island can be explored in roughly 15 days, but a true combo requires at least 3 weeks, ideally 4. Fabrice consistently steers families toward the South Island first: wilder landscapes, stronger “end of the world” feel, and a road-trip structure that fits family life well.

Which vehicle should you choose with kids in Oceania?

Australia: go for capability, not just size

Australia offers countless unpaved tracks. If adventure is part of your plan, a 4x4 campervan makes sense. Fabrice’s practical rule: prefer a roof-top tent over a classic ground tent setup—simply to reduce unpleasant night surprises (snakes and spiders are not a folklore detail).

New Zealand: comfort and classic motorhomes work

New Zealand’s road network is strong and the key sites are accessible without off-road hardware. You can travel smoothly in a standard or comfort motorhome. The largest models are often called mobile homes, typically 4 to 6 berths. Whatever the country, vehicle choice depends on two real factors: - your family’s ability to share a compact space for 2–4 weeks - the age of your kids (and how independent they are at night)

Proven combinations (field-tested by Fabrice)

With young children: Choose a classic motorhome in both Australia and New Zealand. Rooftop sleeping (campervans with roof tents) is usually inconvenient—and sometimes unsafe—for little ones. With teenagers: - Australia: a campervan is perfect for the “let’s go explore” vibe—unless your teens insist on staying separated during drives. At night, the roof tent gives them a real bubble of privacy. Be honest: campervans can feel tight if your tribe travels with a lot of gear. - New Zealand: a 4- or 6-berth mobile home is often the most comfortable choice, since off-road capability is rarely necessary.

Insurance: don’t compromise

Always ask for—and take—an all-included insurance. It’s the cleanest way to travel without gambling on the unexpected. You avoid blocking a USD 7,500 deposit (Australian or New Zealand dollars in the original quote) at pick-up and stay covered for theft and damage. On a family road trip, that peace of mind changes everything.

Australia’s long driving days… with kids

Australia’s scale dictates the rhythm. On certain days you may need to drive up to 700 km. These long stages aren’t constant, but they can reach 8 hours of driving. The good news: in a motorhome, kids cope better than in a standard car. The living space becomes a controlled play zone—table games, a film, snacks within reach. Bring a USB drive loaded with movies, and stick to a simple discipline: stop every two hours to reset everyone’s energy. In the evening, choose your campsite like you’d choose a hotel after a long ride: look for calm, family-friendly facilities (pool is a game-changer), and an environment that lets you recover.

Where to sleep with a campervan in Australia and New Zealand?

As in France, you can’t just park anywhere overnight. The safe and respectful option is to use campsites. Two solid reasons: - Safety: especially in remote Australia, you want controlled conditions at night. - Respect for locals: wild camping where it’s not allowed is the fastest way to be seen as careless visitors. Campsites are also far more budget-efficient than hotels—particularly for a family of five.

Small budget moves that work on the road

- Keep lunches simple: picnics using the motorhome fridge. - For dinner, mix it up: a local restaurant, or take-away when everyone is tired. Ask locals for addresses—this is where the best spots come from. - Once a week, plan a real stop in a hotel recommended by your Planet Ride travel advisor. If we suggest it, it’s because it brings value for the whole tribe: a reset button, not a random upgrade.

Why choose a motorhome for a family trip in Oceania?

First: because you want it. If your kids are ready, a family campervan trip delivers a rare kind of shared intensity—without turning every day into a logistical puzzle. Second: because it’s financially smart. Motorhomes help you control the accommodation budget for larger families. Use the best-equipped campsites on nights after long drives; keep simpler campsites for short stages when you arrive early and still have time for visits.

Australia vs New Zealand: which one for a family motorhome road trip?

Australia - Adventure level: 5/5 - Trip length (daily stages): 3/5 (can be very long on some days) - Recommended minimum age: 5 years - Fun for kids: 5/5 - Vehicle for more adventure: campervan (roof-top tent for larger families) - Vehicle for more comfort: 4- or 6-berth motorhome New Zealand - Adventure level: 4/5 - Trip length (daily stages): 5/5 (easier to keep stages comfortable) - Recommended minimum age: 3 years - Fun for kids: 4/5 - Vehicle for more adventure: standard motorhome (off-road rarely needed) - Vehicle for more comfort: 4- or 6-berth motorhome To wrap up: a motorhome trip in Oceania with your family is a strong choice—even as a first long-haul with kids from age 3 (for calm little ones). At that age, New Zealand is usually the more comfortable start. Australia offers more flexibility on dates and trip formats; New Zealand is often a once-in-a-lifetime journey—so if you go, consider giving it a full month to do it properly. Several photos from this article are free to use and can be found here, there, there, this one or this one.