Camping - Australia vs USA
Jul 2, 2015, 6:31 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Central Mass
Programs: Independent
Posts: 4,829
Camping - Australia vs USA
More a curiosity question - I am not planning a trip or anything. But how does camping in Australia compare to camping in the USA?
I know they sell a lot of trailers/caravans, although many of them look more akin to rugged off road adventures than to the normal campgrounds one finds in the US. It seems there are a lot more tents and tent trailers than normal caravans. And do they have campgrounds with assigned sites and seperated by trees, etc? Or is it more European style where there is a big field and you go set up wherever you feel like?
I know they sell a lot of trailers/caravans, although many of them look more akin to rugged off road adventures than to the normal campgrounds one finds in the US. It seems there are a lot more tents and tent trailers than normal caravans. And do they have campgrounds with assigned sites and seperated by trees, etc? Or is it more European style where there is a big field and you go set up wherever you feel like?
Jul 3, 2015, 12:17 am
#5
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP...couple hotels and cars too
Posts: 4,548
My recollection is that campers there are much smaller than the US. Campers are pulled with standard size cars and utes. No massive 4x4 dualy, turbo charged V8 diesles with 45 ft dual pop out campers.
Jul 3, 2015, 1:06 am
#6
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: MEL
Programs: VAG
Posts: 1,865
I've never understood the appeal. You'd think for the amount you're spending on that behemoth, plus the fuel you're burning getting from place to place, you could just drive around in a car and stay in a motel every night.
Jul 6, 2015, 10:45 am
#7
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,857
More a curiosity question - I am not planning a trip or anything. But how does camping in Australia compare to camping in the USA?
I know they sell a lot of trailers/caravans, although many of them look more akin to rugged off road adventures than to the normal campgrounds one finds in the US. It seems there are a lot more tents and tent trailers than normal caravans. And do they have campgrounds with assigned sites and seperated by trees, etc? Or is it more European style where there is a big field and you go set up wherever you feel like?
I know they sell a lot of trailers/caravans, although many of them look more akin to rugged off road adventures than to the normal campgrounds one finds in the US. It seems there are a lot more tents and tent trailers than normal caravans. And do they have campgrounds with assigned sites and seperated by trees, etc? Or is it more European style where there is a big field and you go set up wherever you feel like?
The RV part of the experience is referred to as Caravaning and is much more European in nature. Whilst not unheard of, the Winnebago RV is less common in Australia with most folks opting to go for the tow caravan or the caravan based upon a light truck chassis. Caravaning is mostly done at caravan parks where there is a set site with power and a central amenities block. In certain municipalities councils have started banning roadside caravaning and it is illegal to park up overnight at many of the patrolled beaches.
If one has the chance New Zealand is one of the best places to Caravan with plenty of infrastructure to tour both Islands by caravan.