When planning caravanning camping adventures, we like to picture beautiful sunny days filled with clear skies and perfect temperatures. But Australia is as extreme as it is beautiful, and bad weather can roll in when we least expect it. Here are some ways you can protect yourself and your family in the great outdoors when the weather turns.
Australia might be known as the lucky country, famous worldwide for its beautiful beaches and fantastic, if hot, weather. And while summer can be the ideal time to pull out your caravan and head off to your favourite campsite, Mother Nature is fickle, and the weather can take a turn and ‘ruin’ your trip.
But does it have to?
With some preparation and positive thinking, bad weather — especially rain — can be a unique twist in your caravanning experience and allow you to enjoy some activities you might have otherwise missed.
Prepare for the worst
If you’re heading off on a long trip, or even just an inconvenient drive from home, it’s wise to prepare for all kinds of weather, despite what the weather forecast is saying! Australia is known for being the land of extremes, and the weather can be unpredictable no matter what region you’re travelling in. Heavy (perhaps even torrential) rain might be a nice change if you’re camping in the outback in January, but it is far less welcome when you’re deep in the Snowy Mountains in July.
So, what should you pack to make sure you’re covered in all the reasonable ways?
The right clothing
Not having the appropriate clothing can really put a dampener on any trip. And we’re not talking about your Sunday best here. Extreme temperatures (hot and cold) can lead to cranky campers (the last thing you need), so make sure you’ve got appropriate layers sorted.
Base layer: Moisture-wicking base layers (merino wool, synthetic materials and so on) can help keep sweat away from your skin so that you don’t overheat or get clammy in humid regions — and they will help keep you dry and warm.
Mid layer: A fleece or down jacket for insulation. There are plenty of lightweight and compressible options that are easy to pack away when not in use.
Outer layer: A waterproof and windproof shell for when the weather takes a turn. Make sure the jacket is breathable to prevent condensation from building up inside.
An outer layer will keep you dry and warm
Hot weather might have you wanting to strip back as much as politely possible, but don’t get complacent. Australia’s sun is fierce and the best way to stay safe and cool is to use light breathable layers with plenty of coverage, a good hat and always remember to slip, slop, slap.
If you’re heading into Australia’s southern regions, or even into the desert, don’t forget to bring some warm and comfy accessories like extra socks, gloves and beanies — the cold weather can be a shock once the sun goes down. Protecting your extremities is a must, so make sure you’ve got plenty to spare in case some get wet.
When travelling in cool weather — and depending on your caravan setup — you might also want to bring a hot-water bottle or heat pack for extra warmth.
Waterproofing
Rain and especially heavy rain can be one of the more inconvenient bad weather situations to deal with. But if you’re prepared, it doesn’t have to put an end to your trip.
Some things to pack include:
- Waterproof groundsheet/s for outside your caravan and tow vehicle.
- Water-resistant bags or dry sacks for storing any external gear or electronics.
- If you’re connecting to mains power, a waterproof surge protector or adaptor is a good idea (Ampfibian has some great options).
- If you’re planning on going on some walks or hikes bring a rain cover for your backpack.
A tarp will keep your canvas dry
Camping gear
Thankfully, a lot of camping gear is multipurpose, so you may already have it on board. But it’s a good idea to do a stocktake before you head off to make sure something essential hasn’t been forgotten in the back corner of the shed.
Tarps and privacy screens are great ways to enclose your caravan awning, creating either a private space or wind, rain or shade break. If you’ve got an annexe, all the better. But these are less common nowadays, so tarps and shade cloths can do the trick.
Sturdy guy ropes like the Tiegear Caravan Pack are great for dealing with strong winds and can keep your awning in position. Make sure the guy ropes are taut to encourage water runoff and lower the likelihood of rain pooling on your awning. If you’re camping on the beach or in the outback, consider investing in some sand pegs.
Outdoor mats can be helpful as well. The CGear range is a great way to deal with dirt and sand and doubles as a shade/privacy screen. But if you know you’ll be dealing with rain, consider some rubber floor mats with holes so the water doesn’t pool in your outdoor living area.
Recovery gear is another must-have, no matter the weather. A kinetic recovery rope, shackles, winch hook and recovery boards are just some of the key items you should always have with you. And don’t forget portable tyre pressure pumps and deflators — these can come in handy if you get bogged or to maintain your tyres when temperatures get hot in summer.
Rainy day essential items
Towels, an umbrella and a headtorch are good items to have on board
Wet weather can be a bit easier to deal with when you’re travelling in a caravan as opposed to tent camping — there is nothing worse than sleeping on wet ground.
Depending on how your caravan is set up, you might be able to hole up inside for a few days before things get dire.
But chances are you’ll need to go outside at some point, especially if you don’t have internal cooking facilities.
Some good items to have on board are:
Headlamp or lantern: For walking around camp or to your tow vehicle, or as a bit of extra light in your enclosed awning.
Multipurpose gear: Folding chairs, microfibre towels.
Umbrella: For quick trips to the toilet or your vehicle.
Portable gas stove: If your caravan only has induction cooking and you may have to conserve power, bringing along a portable gas stove or even some waterproof matches and fire starters for a campfire (when permitted) can be a wise idea.
Analogue AM/FM radio (with spare batteries): For emergency radio weather broadcasts.
Reliable communication and navigation equipment: If you’re camping remotely and experience bad weather you may need a way to get in contact with family, friends and maybe emergency services. And having paper maps or atlases (we love the range from Hema Maps ) is a great backup in case something happens to your digital devices.
A good book, games and portable DVD player (and some DVDs): While it might not have been the plan, rainy weather will generally mean you’re stuck inside the caravan, so it’s a good idea to have ways to keep yourself entertained. Bring along a book or two, a deck of cards and/or some board games as backups — who knows, even if the weather stays fine, you might still enjoy having these with you. And a portable DVD player and selection of movies is also a great idea; yes, streaming services might be more convenient these days, but using the internet (especially Starlink) chews up your power reserves, which you may want to conserve if you are away from a mains power source.
Powering through
If you’re camping remotely and dealing with stormy weather or ongoing rainfall, don’t forget to keep an eye on your power reserves. If it’s cloudy, you won’t have much solar power to rely on. So, you might have to be conservative with your power. Use gas stoves where possible. Avoid using the power-hungry Starlink. And perhaps say goodbye to the air fryer and coffee machine until you’re back in the green.
If you do find you’re down on power, don’t forget you can recharge your caravan batteries from your tow vehicle’s alternator by running the engine for a while.
How to enjoy the bad weather
While bad weather, particularly rain, might seem like a sudden end to your trip, it doesn’t have to be. Sometimes the best stories and experiences can come from braving the elements. Here are some ways you can embrace the poor conditions and still have a good time on your trip.
Embrace the mood
When the clouds roll in and grey skies reign (pun intended), you might be tempted to crawl into the caravan and wait until it passes. And while this can be extremely enjoyable and a great excuse to enjoy some premium relaxation time (that was the point of your holiday anyway, wasn’t it?), you can also embrace the inclement weather. Grab your cosy clothes and camera and snap a shot of the mist floating through the valley or the thunderous skies that stretch as far as the eye can see.
Also, hot weather and thunderstorms can lead to more vivid and intense sunrises and sunsets. Summer heats will often create brilliant red and orange skies, while thunderstorms with heavy rainfall (especially in southern parts of Australia during winter) will result in more pinks and purples.
The perfect all-weather setup
If you're prepared, bad weather doesn't have to ruin your trip
If you know the rains are coming and you’ll have to spend some time outdoors, bring gear to create a cosy (and dry) external living area. Tarps to enclose your awning, lanterns or strings of lights, a firepit (if safe to have under your awning and protected from the wind) and some ground cover can create a very enjoyable setting despite the weather.
Go exploring anyway
If you were planning some outdoor adventures, then bad weather doesn’t always have to put an end to that. As long as the conditions are safe, then pull out your rain gear and start exploring — you may end up having a great time! Popular walking tracks and rest stops are often quieter during rainy weather and if the rain has been ongoing then chances are any waterfalls in the area will be more impressive.
Adapt and overcome
If bad weather makes your planned outdoor activities impossible, then just regroup and adapt — it doesn’t have to ruin your camping experience. Find alternate activities to keep you busy, like scenic drives, a museum, cellar doors/wineries, local cafes or head to the cinema. Most towns will have various indoor activities you can explore and perhaps learn more about the region while you’re at it.
What do you do when things go wrong?
Even the best preparation can’t always overcome bad weather. If the weather conditions become increasingly worse and the area becomes unsafe, it’s important to know how to respond in the situation, especially if it’s your first time dealing with such conditions.
Monitor the forecast
The best way to keep on top of bad weather is to follow the weather updates, especially when travelling remotely. Many national parks and campsites will provide alerts and warnings of bad weather, and these should not be ignored.
Keep your analogue AM/FM radio handy — ABC Radio broadcasts updates during extreme weather emergencies. You can find the local ABC AM radio frequencies of where you’ll be travelling and camping online here … write down the frequencies and stick them onto your radio or dash so you don’t lose them and tune the relevant frequency to one of your vehicle radio’s preset stations as well.
Storm safety
Lightning storms can be one of the most dangerous weather conditions to be caught in when camping. If one approaches, avoid open spaces, high ground and large trees. And keep clear of eucalypts such as river red gum, spotted gum and lemon-scented gum — these are notorious for dropping branches suddenly, especially in severe weather.
Monitor the weather forecast
The best course of action is to take shelter in your caravan or car as much as possible. But don’t forget to monitor your surroundings. Heavy rainfall can cause flooding or high winds, so it’s a good idea to steer clear of valleys and lower areas and keep an eye on the drainage around your campsite to avoid getting bogged.
Create an exit strategy
No matter the weather conditions, it’s essential to create an exit strategy when you arrive at camp, especially when bush camping. Note the nearest exit points or emergency services and create an emergency plan with whoever you are travelling with.
If you’re travelling in remote areas, a personal locator beacon (PLB) or satellite phone can be a lifesaver in case of emergencies, especially in you’re a novice camper.
And while a text message from +61 444 444 444 about a cyclone or flood emergency might seem like spam, it’s not and you should act immediately. This is the number for the Emergency Alert national telephone warning system, and the message will be from fire, police and other emergency services.
When life gives you lemons
One of the most important things to remember when the weather turns foul is to make the best of it. Being stuck inside your caravan may not have been the plan, but you set out for a relaxing holiday so sometimes you just have to sit back and enjoy the quiet seclusion.
Keep your plans flexible, enjoy the beauty of nature and embrace the unexpected adventure.
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