We have done two major camping road trips with kids: three weeks across Florida and the American Deep South, and a month in a campervan from Adelaide to Sydney in Australia. The trips were very different in style but the lessons overlapped more than expected.
USA: Florida and Deep South
- We flew into Miami and bought three weeks’ worth of camping supplies in one go from a large outdoor store — tents, sleeping bags, cooking gear. Doing this on arrival saved a lot compared to buying at campgrounds.
- Check night temperatures even in warm climates. At Lake Louisa campground in Florida in April the temperature dropped to 6°C overnight — rare for the time of year, but we had only packed thin blankets. Everyone went to bed in most of their clothes.
- Alligator warning signs at swimming spots are real. We passed on a swim at Lake Louisa after seeing the sign, the dark murky water, and incoming clouds and had no regrets.
- Other families with kids at the same campsite changed the experience entirely. Noah made a friend within 10 minutes of arrival and that set the tone for the whole first week.
Australia: Campervan Adelaide to Sydney
- We rented a 2002 Toyota Hiace with a rooftop layer for five weeks. Small enough to drive like a car, big enough for four to sleep without being on top of each other.
- Coastal campgrounds in Australia sell out fast in summer — book at least a week ahead, especially around Jervis Bay and the Great Ocean Road.
- Wildlife encounters around campgrounds are genuinely frequent: kangaroos, echidnas, possums. Keep food sealed and never leave children alone near wildlife.
What Works Across Both
- Build in a dedicated slow day every three or four days — campsite chores, cooking, nothing planned. Kids (and adults) need to decompress from constant movement.
- Cooking together over a fire or camp stove is not just cheaper; it is usually the best memory from each stop.
- Keep a strict maximum drive time per day with young children — four hours is the limit before the van becomes a container of complaints.