Egg-cellent Easter escapes start with smart prep

With more than 1.7 million Australians tipped to take a camping holiday this Easter, caravan parks are bracing for one of the busiest travel periods of the year. With the Easter and Anzac Day public holidays falling close together, travellers are expected to make the most of the extended break—especially those in self-contained vans and campers.

For park operators, it’s not just about full sites and happy campers—it’s also about helping guests stay safe and travel smart.

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Battery World General Manager, Johnny Kennedy says a little planning goes a long way. And caravan parks are well placed to support guests before they even hit the road.

“Being ill-prepared for an off-grid camping trip is the biggest error you can make and could ruin what would otherwise be an enjoyable break,” Kennedy warns.

He adds that flat car batteries, unreliable solar setups, or missing safety checks can derail even the best-laid travel plans.

Operators can add value by encouraging travellers to check their vehicles and campsite power supplies in advance. Offering printed checklists, solar power advice, or partnering with local mechanics and battery check services could make the difference between a smooth check-in or a stranded phone call from the highway.

Full-time caravanners Annette and Kev—aka All Around Oz—know this all too well. Since hitting the road two years ago, they’ve travelled over 43,000km and learned plenty about prepping for life on the move.

As Easter approaches, the duo is keen to share some of their key learnings and tips for a successful long or short-term camping journey.

“For those new to camping and caravanning, our best piece of advice is to slow down,” says Annette. “Initially, we hopped from place to place, ticking off our bucket list, which became exhausting.

“We now spend at least four to seven days in an area if possible. In remote parts of Australia, this isn’t always doable as the distances between towns are vast.”

As for the most vital piece of equipment, the couple swears by their tyre pressure monitor.

“As the name suggests, these devices monitor tyre pressures and alert the driver if there’s a slow leak or problem with a tyre. Some rigs already have TPMs built in, but caravans don’t. We have separate TPMs for our van, so all eight tyres are monitored.”

When it comes to powering up their travels, they use two 200ah lithium batteries, 840w of solar on the roof, and a 3000w inverter.

“We also carry a 400w portable waterproof solar blanket for cloudy days when we want to give our batteries a boost,” Annette adds. “And if you want to camp off-grid, put as much solar on the roof and the largest batteries as you can afford.”

Fresh from traversing the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia, Annette rates fishing in the Gulf of Carpentaria, the Queensland Dinosaur Trail, and floating down Bitter Springs in Elsey National Park in the Northern Territory as some of the most memorable experiences they’ve had in the past two years.

Having travelled as far north as Cape York, along the entire east coast, and across the Savannah Way from Normanton to Cairns, Annette and Kev are living the Australian dream.

Their final piece of advice for fellow adventurers: Do your own research or speak with industry experts.

“There’s lots of advice across social media, so we found it best to do our own research on our set-up, the gear we needed, and how we wanted to travel around Australia—it’s working out well so far.”

Tips for Operators: Help Guests Travel Smart

Park owners can play a role in ensuring smoother Easter stays by offering support before guests arrive:

• Local contacts: Provide information about nearby mechanics, tyre shops, and battery testing services.

• Pre-travel checklists: Share digital or printed lists to help travellers prepare their vans and vehicles.

• Solar education: Assist guests in understanding how much power they’ll need to stay comfortable and self-sufficient.

• Safety signage: Clearly mark on-site power usage zones, tyre inflation points, and other safety-related services.

• Encourage communication: Remind guests to check in with someone before going off-grid.

Why Solar-Powered Setups Make Sense

Park operators promoting eco-friendly and peaceful camping experiences may want to remind guests of the benefits of solar:

• No noise or fumes: Solar is silent, clean and won’t disturb other campers.

• Eco-conscious: Reduces reliance on fossil fuels and supports sustainable travel.

• Family-safe: No fuel = no fire hazard, ideal for bushland or high-risk areas.

• Easy to use: Portable panels can be positioned for optimal sun exposure.

• Versatile: Power everything from fridges and lights to music devices and cameras.

Operators can further support responsible travel by sharing local knowledge—whether it’s recommending a trusted mechanic, offering advice on tyre pressure stations, or pointing guests toward solar-friendly campsites within the park.

With more travellers looking to stay off-grid, providing practical resources like battery-friendly sites, shaded parking for rooftop solar, and simple signage around power use and camp etiquette can help guests feel supported and improve their overall experience.

As Annette and Kev’s story shows, a well-prepared traveller is a happy one—and for parks, that can mean fewer issues, longer stays, and glowing reviews.