Top Tassie caravanning tips

There’s something special around every corner of Australia’s smallest state, and nothing is ever far away. Tasmania is perfect for road trips, including with a caravan so you can spend meal and accommodation savings on seeing more. From booking to driving, these tips help make it an easy holiday.

Unless you’re doing the shortest road trip ever, travelling with your own vehicle and caravan can mean big rental savings – including on BYO gear like kayaks and golf clubs.

Designated spaces for large vehicles are limited on Spirit of Tasmania, so book early to avoid missing your preferred departure and return dates. Demand is particularly high during summer and school holiday peak periods.

Select the “towing a caravan or trailer” option when booking, and provide the total length of your vehicle and caravan, including attachments such as drawbar and gas cylinder.

Skip difficult decisions about where to go with one of our nine Spirited Traveller road trip itineraries. There’s a themed journey to suit everyone, from Nature Lover to Family Explorer.

Or if you enjoy holiday dreaming create a wish list with your fellow road-trippers. Consider getting a physical map of Tasmania so you can turn that list into a realistic route and visualise your journey together.

Build a more detailed itinerary with a travel app, which becomes a virtual guide on the road even when offline. The Discover Tasmania app is a great option, while Wikicamps and thl Roadtrip are designed for your kind of travel with information such as caravan-friendly holiday parks and public dump stations. You can also find Tasmania’s dump sites here.

The Caravanning Association of Tasmania’s list of holiday parks, including pet-friendly options, is another helpful resource. There are more than 50 in Tasmania, as well as numerous camp sites suitable for caravans in national parks and reserves.

Amazingly, some of the best are free, including in Freycinet National Park, the Bay of Fires Conservation Area and Southwest National Park’s wilderness.

Book stays well in advance if travelling during peak periods.

Tasmania’s legendary landscape means there are a fair few steep, winding roads. They can be tough on vehicles pulling a caravan’s weight on the way up, and brakes get a workout on the way down.

So consider getting your vehicle serviced before departure, or at least do a basic check yourself. Don’t forget that tyre pressure should be increased when towing a caravan. Ensure yours is roadworthy, and complete essential checks after you’ve hitched up the caravan.

Gas cylinders must be switched off aboard Spirit of Tasmania. Some need to be checked in with security, and jerry cans should only be filled with diesel. Read the carriage of dangerous goods terms and conditions for more details.

While your caravan is home on the road it’s off limits on Spirit Tasmania, so pack a carry-on bag for the journey across Bass Strait. Many fresh foods can’t be brought into Tasmania, so leave the big grocery shop until arrival.

Tasmania is blessed with abundant wildlife, so drive carefully to help keep them as well as you and your passengers safe. Watch for wildlife warning signs and scan roadsides – especially between dusk and dawn when animals are most active, and drive more slowly then too. Let our furry friends move on before passing.

Even if you’ve done the research to avoid roads unsuitable for caravans, it’s worth seeking advice about local conditions at Tasmania’s visitor information centres. Your drive will also be easier if you check the state’s roadworks map.

Information included in this blog is correct at the time of publishing. Please contact individual operators for further information.