Must have Travel Apps for your Australian campervan road trip
An epic Australian road trip is usually about disconnecting from technology, getting back to nature and enjoying the little things that you will see along your travels. However, there are some apps that can add to your trip, and some that we hope you will never need (but it’s good to have them just in case).
These apps are designed to help keep you connected, informed and help you to plan out your trip so that you can get the most out of your journey. They can help you find campgrounds, fuel and things to see and do throughout Australia. So why not download these handy apps and get set for your own epic Australian adventure.
Camping and Amenities
Finding the ideal campsite is essential if you are planning on spending a night off the grid. We have two apps that are helpful for finding the essentials, as well as the very helpful public toilet finder (especially helpful if you are travelling in a Hi-Top).
WikiCamps Australia
WikiCamps Australia is one of the most known apps for finding campsites and campervan amenities in Australia. With information provided by follow travellers, this app is well worth the one-off fee as it can help you find everything from water points to areas of interest and even free campsites.
👉 Find the app on the Apple App Store or on Google Play
CAMPS: Camping Australia Wide
Another alternative to WikiCamps is the CAMPS: Camping Australia Wide app. Just like WikiCamps this app provides all the details on a campsite, so you can plan your trip, you can also find out about what your fellow travellers have thought of any campsite.
👉 Find the app on the Apple App Store or on Google Play
National Public Toilet Map
Even though most of our campervans are equipped with a toilet, you never know when you will need one. So, the Australian Government’s National Public Toilet Map is a helpful resource to have on hand, especially if you are travelling with little ones.
👉 Find the app on the Apple App Store or on Google Play
Things to Do
There are so many things to do throughout Australia, and sometimes it can seem a bit daunting to begin researching where you may want to go and what you might want to see. We have a few apps that can help you, from state-based apps to apps designed to help you find those free hidden gems this list has it all.
Australia Free
The Australia Free app is an excellent resource for helping to find those little hidden gems, all the attractions in the app are free, from beaches to hiking trails and picnic areas.
👉 Find the app on the Apple App Store or on Google Play
Discover Tasmania
The official app for all things Tasmania. Discover Tasmania is the website and app for anyone searching for something to do in the island state. You can discover things to do, places to stay and even plan your trip all through the app!
👉 Find the app on the Apple App Store or on Google Play
Destination NSW Events
Destination NSW Events is the place to go to find out what’s happening in NSW. The app and website are designed to help promote what’s happening to make sure that you can find all those hidden gem events that make NSW unique.
👉 Find the app on the Apple App Store or on Google Play
Experience Queensland Program
The perfect app for anyone planning a trip in the Sunshine State, the Experience Queensland app is a useful tool to have if you are looking for the best of what Queensland has on offer.
👉 Find the app on the Apple App Store or on Google Play
Explore South Australia
The final app when it comes to our state-by-state guides is South Australia’s Explore App, just like its counterparts it is the app to have on your device if you are planning on hitting the road and exploring South Australia.
👉 Find the app on the Apple App Store or on Google Play
All Trails
All Trails is one of the most known apps for people wanting to get outdoor and hike as a way of exploring. Through this app you can check out nearby hiking trails and walks, filter them by difficulty and even download the map to your device to assist you if you are planning on going somewhere where the service may be a little spotty,
👉 Find the app on the Apple App Store or on Google Play
Stay Connected
Throughout your journey you will want to stay connected, whether that’s checking on your route via maps, or finding things to do with the many apps available or sending pictures to loved ones to show them all the amazing adventures that you are having. Here are our tips for staying connected on the road.
WhatsApp is a useful app if you are hoping to stay in touch with family and friends while traveling and you don’t want to purchase a mobile phone plan while you are in Australia. Through the app you can not only message, but you can also make voice and video calls as well as share moments from your Australian Adventures all using Wi-Fi technology which is available at many locations throughout Australia.
Some tourism companies will even create groups for the tour, which is something you can even do yourself if you are travelling with a group. It is a great way for everyone to keep connected and share their memories from the trip.
👉 Find the app on the Apple App Store or on Google Play
Public Wi-Fi
Although this is not an app, there are many locations throughout Australia where you can connect to free public Wi-Fi through Telstra’s network of payphones. With over 4000 phones (as of September 2024) upgraded to include the technology it is easier than ever to stay connected. To find the nearest Wi-Fi-enabled payphone use the Map on Telstra’s website, just ensure that you are searching for a Wi-Fi Hotspot.
There are also other public Wi-Fi and hotspots available throughout the country, located everywhere from coffee shops to tourism venues and more. They are a convenient way to stay connected but always be wary when using any public Wi-Fi. Check out this article from the Australian Cyber Security Centre on staying safe when using public Wi-Fi.
Note: there is a lot of information online about the risks of using public Wi-Fi and ultimately the choice is up to you. If you are looking to add an extra layer of security to your device when you are using public Wi-Fi most websites will recommend the use of a VPN. There are a lot of options to choose from, however ProtonVPN is a free service (with paid options) that was developed by a team of scientists at CERN in Switzerland who believed that online privacy is a fundamental human right.
👉 Find the app on the Apple App Store or on Google Play
Weather
Bureau of Meteorology (BOM)
The Bureau of Meteorology is the national agency responsible for weather forecasts and warnings. It is the most reliable source of weather information when travelling in Australia. You can find out everything from the high and low temperatures, wind speeds, the chance of rain and so much more.
👉 Find the app on the Apple App Store or on Google Play
Fuel Apps
Fuel is one of the essentials of any campervan holiday, and there are a lot of ways to find the best deals on fuel. There are three apps that we recommend to help you get the best deal on petrol during your holiday.
Fuel Map Australia
The most used app throughout Australia is Fuel Map Australia. Is has a combination of sources, from public submissions through to government sources for fuel in New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia.
It is also the best source for fuel process if you are travelling in South Australia, the Northern Territory or the Australian Capital Territory, though this fuel data does not come from official government sources.
👉 Find the app on the Apple App Store or on Google Play
Service Victoria
If you are travelling in Victoria, the Victorian Government’s Service Victoria app is the best source of fuel information. With all the official government information regarding fuel process it is the best way to save on your fuel costs in Victoria.
👉 Find the app on the Apple App Store or on Google Play
FuelCheck Tas
The final fuel saving app is another government initiative, FuelCheck Tas is an initiative of the Tasmanian Government, the app is designed to help you find the best petrol prices near you. You can even check along your planned driving route to see where the best spot to stop and fill up will be.
👉 Find the app on the Apple App Store or on Google Play
Emergency Apps
One of the last things on your mind when planning a road trip is an emergency, however if you are prepared then should the worst happen (even though we hope it won’t) you will be able to handle the situation. There are several apps that can help throughout Australia as well as more generalised apps that are a worthwhile download.
Note: Throughout Australia call 000 from any phone to be connected to emergency services, where an operator will direct your call to the appropriate service. You may also call 112 from a mobile device, as this is a globally recognised emergency number and will automatically divert to Australian Emergency Services if you are calling within Australia.
First Aid (Red Cross)
No matter what the situation, First Aid is an essential skill to have. Not everyone is first aid trained, so having an app like the Red Cross’ First Aid app can help you if first aid is required.
👉 Find the app on the Apple App Store or on Google Play
What 3 Words
What 3 Words is a unique app that has designated three unique words to every three-meter square on earth. It is a unique way to talk about location. This app can help you to let someone know your location without having to rely on the traditional longitude and latitude. For example, if you were to describe the location of the Sydney Opera House using the app you would be telling someone that you are at tiny.loses.tree which is much easier to understand than a long string of numbers.
👉 Find the app on the Apple App Store or on Google Play
Emergency+
This app was developed by Australia’s Emergency Services in conjunction with their industry partners and can be used Australis wide. It is designed to help emergency services reach you should you require assistance. This app also uses the technology that you can find in What 3 Words where your location is described in three unique words, helping emergency responders to locate you quickly in an emergency.
👉 Find the app on the Apple App Store or on Google Play
Satellite connectivity
One thing to consider if you are planning on hiking in the Australian Bush is staying connected. Hiking in Australia is unlike anywhere else in the world. The weather can change unexpectedly, and it is very easy to get lost if you are not familiar with the trails and terrain in the area.
Most mobile phones now have satellite technology that will allow you to connect with emergency services in Australia even if you are outside of regular mobile coverage. In Australia Telstra and Optus have this included in their mobile phone plans, and even though we hope you never need to use this kind of technology – having it in the case of an emergency is worth while if you are planning on travelling off the beaten path or into remote areas.
Another thing to consider if you are hiking in Australia is to register your hike with the National Parks Service in the state or territory where you hike is taking place. This just requires you to register where you are going and when you expect to return, that way if you don’t return on time the National Parks Service will begin looking for you.
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!
