First-time RV travellers tend to pack one of two ways: either they bring everything they own and spend the first day reorganising the van, or they pack light and spend the first evening wishing they had a corkscrew.

This list is designed to help you get it right first time. It covers the essentials across every category — and flags the common oversights that make the difference between a comfortable trip and a frustrating one.

Note: always check with your host what's included with the vehicle before you pack. Many Tern hosts provide bedding, towels, basic cookware, and cleaning supplies. There's no point packing four sets of bed linen if they're already in the van.

Bedding and Linen

• Fitted sheet and flat sheet or sleeping bag (confirm bed size with host)
• Pillow and pillowcase
• Light blanket or throw — RVs can get cold overnight even in summer
• Towels (bath and beach) — unless provided by host

Tip: A lightweight sleeping bag liner is a great investment for RV travel — it doubles as bedding on warm nights and adds warmth inside a sleeping bag on cold ones.

Kitchen and Food

• Pantry staples: olive oil, salt, pepper, coffee, tea, sugar
• A good sharp knife — the one in the van is rarely great
• Can opener and bottle/wine opener — frequently missing
• Spices and condiments in small containers or sachets
• Reusable shopping bags
• Beeswax wraps or zip-lock bags for leftovers
• A portable coffee setup if you're particular about your morning brew

Stock up at a supermarket before you leave rather than relying on regional towns — prices and selection improve significantly when you shop in a major centre.

Clothing

• Layers are the key — Australian weather changes quickly, especially at altitude or on the coast
• Warm jacket or fleece for evenings, even in summer
• Rain jacket or packable waterproof
• Comfortable walking shoes or trail runners
• Thongs or sandals for camp
• Swimwear (assume you'll find water somewhere)
• Sun hat and sunglasses — essential in Australia

Tip: Pack one less outfit than you think you need. Van storage is limited and you'll almost certainly find a laundromat or caravan park laundry if you need it.

Bathroom and Toiletries

• All regular toiletries in travel sizes or decanted into smaller bottles
• Sunscreen — buy more than you think you need
• Insect repellent
• Toilet paper — bring extra, especially for national park camping
• Hand sanitiser
• A quick-dry microfibre towel for beach and outdoor use
• Any prescription medications — plus extra in case your return is delayed

Camping and Outdoors

• Camp chairs — lightweight folding ones are ideal; check if the van has any
• Small folding table if you plan to eat outside frequently
• Headtorch (not just a phone torch — you need your hands free)
• Insect-proof food storage if you're in the bush
• Fire starting kit if you plan to use fire rings — matches or a lighter, newspaper
• A small day pack for walks
• Trekking poles if you plan serious hikes

Technology and Navigation

• Phone car mount for navigation
• Phone and device chargers — 12V car charger and 240V plugs
• Portable power bank
• Download offline maps (Google Maps works offline; Maps.me is excellent for rural Australia)
• A good Bluetooth speaker if you enjoy music at camp
• Camera or action camera if you want better photos than a smartphone

Tip: Download the WikiCamps Australia app before you go. It's the best tool for finding campsites, rest stops, dump points, and water sources across Australia.

Vehicle and Safety Essentials

Some of these may be in the vehicle already — confirm with your host:

• First aid kit (legally required — check it's stocked and in date)
• Torch and spare batteries
• Tyre pressure gauge
• Basic tool kit
• Jumper cables or jump starter pack
• Reflective triangle or breakdown warning device
• Emergency contact list — host, roadside assistance, your emergency contact

Documents

• Driver's licence (all drivers)
• Your Tern booking confirmation
• Roadside assistance membership details
• Travel insurance policy if you've taken one out
• National Parks passes if applicable

What You Probably Don't Need

• More than 2–3 weeks of clothing for any trip
• Multiple large suitcases — bags and duffels pack more flexibly into van storage
• A full set of kitchen equipment — most vans are well-stocked
• Heavy books — download them. Storage and weight matter in a van.
• Multiple pairs of shoes — two or three is plenty

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