Making It Out of the Group Chat: The Budget Road Trip Guide
After weeks (or months) of endless polls and voting, coordinating time off from work and back-and-forth discussions, it’s finally happening — you’re making it out of the group chat!
While you plan cool travel transition videos to film with your mates and post on your socials, we’re here to make sure to you also get the most bang for your buck on your campervan journey. Road tripping with GoCheap Campervans is one of the most affordable ways to explore Australia by maximising adventure for minimum cash.
Are you the designated planner friend reading this while looking for travel inspo? Use this guide to convince your mates that a campervan rental is the perfect travel solution to discover the great outdoors and check out our Campervan 101 guide if it’s your first time hitting the open road.
1. Book Early + Travel Longer = More Savings!
This could be you! A GoCheap 4 Berth Henty cruising through the lush forest.
If you want to stretch your travel budget as far as possible, timing is everything. Longer journeys make for epic stories and even better value!
If you’ve locked in your travel dates, it’s best to lock in your campervan booking early to stretch your dollar further. With our 5% early bird discount when you book your trip 125 days before and a 10% long term hire discount for booking of 21 days or longer, you’ll be able to stack these discounts and get 15% off your total booking! That leaves you with extra funds for local experiences and a cheeky round of drinks at the pub 😉
2. Choose Travel Dates Wisely
Get front-row seats to some of the best views during off-peak seasons!
Try to travel outside of school holidays and festive periods for low stress and high vibes. Shoulder season offers a quieter window with favourable weather conditions for more relaxed itineraries, and many hospitality and tourism operators also offer off-peak pricing for their activities.
Plus, campsites and other attractions would be less crowded, meaning you won’t have to fight for a spot to park your campervan or a place to lay your beach towels down on the sand!
Learn more about why mid-year is the best time of the year to travel on a budget here.
3. Share The Love Bills
Doing your own cooking is one of the best ways to save money.
This wouldn’t be an article about budget travel without mentioning money. Make sure you talk about finances amongst yourselves properly before embarking on your journey, and that everyone is on board on how you split costs along the way. This should include everything from petrol, groceries, activities, and the occasional ‘treat yourself’ expenditure.
To make this easier, you can track finances in a Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel spreadsheet that everyone collaborates on, or you can use phone apps like Splitwise, Beem or Tricount, so no one’s asking, ‘How much was last night’s campsite?’ 10 times a day. You can also save big on food by buying groceries from farmers’ markets or quick sale items at the supermarket and cook in the campervan’s indoor kitchen or make use of the free BBQs in public parks and beaches!
Pro Tip: Upgrading your liability cover to the maximum cover package adds value by including an outdoor table and chairs plus no security bond payable and a $0 excess, so you’ll have peace of mind when travelling. Learn more about our liability reduction options here.
4. Take Advantage of Free/Low-Cost Campsites & Activities
Accommodation and car rentals usually eat away at a holiday budget, but you can bypass a good chunk of those costs with a campervan!
Skip expensive holiday park fees by utilising the many free campsites available around Australia. However, we do encourage you to use holiday parks to charge your vehicle every second day, top up your water tanks and dispose of your black & grey water. Being hooked up to a 240V powered site also lets you use all the amenities included in your vehicle as amenities like the microwave, power outlets and heating/cooling unit only work when your campervan is plugged in.
Make sure to also look out for free local activities like scenic hikes and lookouts to hidden rockpools. If you’re heading down south to Tasmania, check out our guide here for our top low-cost recommendations.
5. Choosing Between Petrol vs. Diesel Campervans
The roads you use can determine whether petrol or diesel is your most budget-friendly option!
Where you’re travelling plays a part in choosing your campervan fuel type. For GoCheap’s fleet of campervans, the
The best type of engine for you will depend on your travel arrangements. Diesel engines work great for travelling long distances over an extended trip, while petrol engines are suitable for budget-conscious travellers going on short trips using urban or coastal routes. Doing some quick maths of calculating the total distance you’ll be driving helps to determine the best vehicle for you, keeping your fuel fund as low as possible.
FAQs: The Stuff Your Mates Will Ask You
Q: Who gets to drive, and do we need a special driver’s license?
No special heavy vehicle license needed! A maximum of three (3) drivers can be registered, and a current and full motor vehicle driver’s license must be produced upon vehicle collection. If you have a foreign license not in English, it must be accompanied by a current international driving permit or an accredited English translation of the license.
Q: How do we handle charging all our devices on the road?
All GoCheap Campervans feature USB ports and 12V outlets. When plugged in to a 240-volt powered campsite, it charges the house battery responsibly for powering all the electrical systems in the campervan. We recommend charging every second night! Learn more about charging your devices here.
Q: Can we pick up the campervan in one city and drop it off in another?
Absolutely! One-way hires are extremely popular for Aussie road trips, especially for groups doing coastal drives like from Sydney to Brisbane. GoCheap Campervans have branches in Hobart, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns and Perth, making it a breeze to plan point-to-point itineraries without backtracking. For an even better value, take advantage of our relocation deals for just $1 a day!
Ready to start making core memories with your pals?
Lock in your booking today and you’ll finally be able to say that you’ve made it out of the chat!
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!
