How To Prepare For Bushfires and Floods In Australia

Bushfires and floods are unfortunately a part of life in Australia, and when you are planning a trip throughout our beautiful country it is important to do some research into all the possible scenarios that you may find yourself in, including natural disasters.

While natural disasters are unlikely, the two main natural disasters that you may come across while travelling in Australia are bushfires and floods. For those travelling in a campervan, it is helpful to know what to do in these situations. That is where this guide can come in handy.

 

Plan ahead to stay safe

Before you embark on your campervan journey in Australia you should plan ahead to ensure that you are aware of the potential dangers that you may encounter, these can vary depending on the time of year that you chose to travel.

Summers in Australia can reach high temperatures, leading to the landscape drying out and occasionally bushfires occur. Flooding can also occur during an Australian summer, particularly in Queensland. The below map from the bureau of meteorology can help you see when peak bushfire season is throughout Australia to help you plan your trip.

 

Bushfire seasons map – Bureau of Meteorology

 

Most bushfires and floods occur between the months of November and April each year. If you are planning on travelling in Australian during these months, it is worthwhile to prepare for these unlikely natural events.

When preparing for your trip, try and avoid areas that are historically prone to these natural disasters. Also take the time to check the weather forecast for the upcoming days of your trip. In Australia the Bureau of Meteorology is the most reliable source of information. You can also download their weather app from the Google Play and Apple App stores.

 

Monitor alerts while travelling

It is important to keep an eye out for weather alerts both before and during your trip. In Australia you can be alerted for bushfires, flood warnings and road closures. The Australian government is excellent at providing people with notice so that they can alter their travel routes away from potential fires or floods.

 

Australian Resources

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology published warnings about flood alerts, road closures and daily fire ratings in impacted areas.

Tune into to local radio stations – ABC News Radio is the best place to get alerts in real time. You can listen online or via the ABC Listen App which is available on both the Apple App and Google Play stores.

You can also listen to local ABC radio through the radio in your campervan. Check out the Travellers Guide to ABC Radio to help you find the frequency of stations in your area.

The ABC Emergency website also publishes alerts for weather, bushfire and flood warnings in impacted areas on their website and Facebook page.

In October 2026 the Australian Government will be launching their new AusAlert national warning system. The system will use modern technology to send emergency messages to compatible mobile devices. To find out more about AusAlert visit the website where you can find out how the system will work and whether your mobile device will be compatible with the system.

Incident Maps by State

• Northern Territory Incident Maps
• Queensland Incident Maps
• New South Wales Incident Maps
• Australian Capital Territory Incident Maps
• Victorian Incident Maps
• South Australia Incident Maps
• Western Australia Incident Maps
• Tasmanian Incident Maps

 

Prepare your emergency kit

We cannot stress enough that if you are travelling Australia, you should be travelling with an emergency kit. This is a good practice to get into the habit of in the case of a natural disaster or any sort of minor accident that may occur during your journey. Always keep your kit with you so you can quickly access it when needed.

Some of the items that you may want to include in your emergency kit are:

• Necessary medications
• First Aid supplies
• Portable phone charger
• Torch
• Bottled fresh water
• Warm jacket or blanket

If you are looking for more items that you may want to include in your emergency kit the Australian Red Cross has an emergency kit checklist that you can use.

 

GoCheap Campervan – 6 Berth Derwent Campervan

 

Fire and Flood Safety Tips

While you are on the road in a campervan there are a few simple tips and rules for you to keep in mind.

Stay safe during a bushfire:

• Do not contribute to the possibility of a bushfire by camping with an open flame, especially during bushfire season.
• At every campsite you stay at, understand their open-fire policy and follow it.
• If you know of any fire or flood warnings nearby, don’t unpack your campsite fully. You will need to be prepared to leave quickly if required.
• Never drive through or towards bushfires, and if you notice smoke on your upcoming path turn around and drive away if it is safe to do so.

If you are unable to turn around or go another way, stay in your vehicle. Park near a clearing and face your campervan towards a fire with the headlights and hazard lights on to assist emergency services in locating you before dialling 000 for help.

Stay safe during a flood:

• Never attempt to drive through flood water as it can be deceiving how deep the water can be. Vehicles can be easily carried away in floodwater, no matter their size.
• Never attempt to swim in flood water.
• If your vehicle is in floodwater, abandon it if it is safe to do so and move to higher ground. If you cannot leave the vehicle safely dial 000 for help.

Australia is a beautiful country that is best explored, driving from place to place in a campervan, taking in all the scenery. However, as is the case with any holiday, it’s essential to research before embarking on a trip. Travellers need to have a plan on the small probability of a natural disaster occurs during their trip. The benefits of a campervan are that you can easily alter your vacation destinations, away from danger.

 

Ready to start planning your trip?

We have a bunch of resources, including itineraries, available on our website. You can find some holiday park recommendations in our travel blog, and check the amenities that are included in the campervans that are available.

Call our friendly reservations team on 1300 664 485 or check out our website to see the campervans we have available at our branches!