After crawling through a labyrinth of caves and squeezing through the final gap, I pause to take it all in. Here I am, feet buried in the soft golden sands and eyes locked on the turquoise waters of what’s said to be Australia’s very best beach, Stokes Bay. Perhaps the journey, solo as it was, made reaching this hidden paradise even sweeter.
When I envisioned my first solo campervan trip, it was far from what I’m about to describe. After a two-hour flight from Sydney to Adelaide, a 90-minute drive to Cape Jervis and a 50-minute ferry ride, I found myself on stunning Kangaroo Island. Sure, I could’ve picked a less rugged and remote destination for my first solo adventure, but I’m an all-or-nothing type of girl. Did I have doubts about travelling solo, let alone in a massive campervan? Absolutely! The thought of getting lost in the wilderness, running into rowdy kangaroos and flat tyres crossed my mind more than once. But if I was going to explore Australia’s third-largest island properly, this was the way to do it. Here are ten things that I learned along the way.
1. You can never be too prepared
Upon disembarking the ferry on Kangaroo Island, I was faced with my worst nightmare – no reception. Fortunately, finding my way into town wasn’t difficult and I stumbled upon a charming café with wifi (shout-out to Millie Mae's Pantry). I quickly downloaded a map of Kangaroo Island and highly recommend using Google Maps to do the same before embarking on any solo adventure. It’s also a good idea to pin any petrol stations and general stores, and to save roadside assistance numbers, in case of emergency.
2. Consider the time of year
Holidaying in the rain isn’t fun for anyone, especially when you're sleeping in a caravan or tent. My first day on Kangaroo Island was beautiful and sunny, but the next day turned wild, wet and windy, resulting in me departing the island a day earlier than planned. Take this as lesson number two: plan your trip during the warmer months so you can fully enjoy the great outdoors. However, steer clear of super busy periods, like the school holidays.
3. Campervans with reverse campers are the G.O.A.T.
Driving a campervan requires a good dose of confidence. I chose to rent a van through Camplify, which gave me flexibility to find one that suited my Nervous Nelly needs. I was spoilt with options in Adelaide, ranging from high-tops to 4WDs and trailers. But it was love at first sight with Van Helsing. This mid-sized van was a modern-day beauty, fitted with a comfy queen bed, outdoor kitchen, hot shower and mini dining table. But the best part was its reverse camera, which saved me from embarrassment more than once. Side note: who thought it was a good idea to have me reverse the four-metre-long van onto a four-lane barge?
4. Embrace spontaneity
If you’re short on time, I highly recommend preparing a rough itinerary to ensure you hit all the hot spots. That said, there’s also nothing wrong with venturing off the beaten path and embracing spontaneity. You never know what gems you might stumble upon – like Snelling Beach, in my case.
5. Arrive at your campsite in daylight
Setting up camp in the sun is a big plus. It allows you to familiarise yourself with the area you’re staying in, plug in any power and water cables (if at a caravan park), and takes away the stress of getting lost in the dark. For solo travellers, you’ll also have a higher chance of making new friends while cooking or relaxing in the recreational areas.
6. Ask for recommendations
The best thing I did while road-tripping solo was ask fellow travellers and locals, “What’s your favourite thing to do on Kangaroo Island?” If it wasn’t for a lovely park ranger at Freycinet National Park, I wouldn’t have discovered the breathtaking beauty of Pennington Bay or spotted an adorable pup cuddling up to its mum at Seal Bay Conservation Park.
7. You’ll never be lonely with a good playlist or podcast
Music is the ultimate travel buddy for solo adventures. I spent countless hours walking around the island, immersed in my favourite podcasts, and even more time driving in the company of my go-to roadtrip playlist. Just remember to save your podcasts, music or audiobooks for offline listening.
8. Sleeping in a campervan is savvy
Solo travellers can’t split the cost of an Uber or hotel room, but they can combine accommodation and transport expenses by travelling in a campervan. You’ll only need to budget an extra $50-odd dollars for a powered caravan site, or if you don’t mind forgoing showers, you might even find a free campsite.
9. Campervanning is character-building
I strongly believe that everyone should travel solo at least once in their lifetime. There’s no denying that it can get lonely, but it gives you the freedom to go wherever you want and do whatever you like – all at your own pace. Sure, you might face challenges along the way, but it’s all part of the journey and you’ll come away from it feeling like a real tough cookie.
10. Just pack up and go
Annual leave was made to be taken, so cash in those hours and plan a solo campervan trip around Australia. Not sure where to go? Here are the best road trips to do before you die in Australia.
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