Top Tips for Family Mealtime on the Road

If you're reading this, chances are you're looking to rent a travel van for an unforgettable family campervan hire adventure across Australia. While exploring Australia with your family in a campervan promises unforgettable sights, ensuring everyone's fed and happy? That’s a different story. This article is your go-to guide for ensuring that amidst the laughs, sightseeing, and campervan escapades, your family stays well-fed. We'll venture through ideas for what to eat on a road trip, tips for discovering local delicacies, our go-to family camping checklist and advice on making the most of your mobile campervan kitchen. So, buckle up and get ready to explore the boundless beauty Down Under, one campsite kitchen at a time.

Is Australia a Good Place for Families to Visit?

Absolutely! Australia is a playground brimming with family-friendly attractions. This vast continent is brimming with golden beaches where little footprints chase the ebbing waves, lush rainforests with sheltering canopies, and water-based activities that can turn even the most reluctant swimmer into a water baby. 

And who can forget the close encounters with wildlife? From cuddling a koala to watching the agile kangaroo hop about, Australia ensures that your little ones not only witness nature but become a part of it. Add this to the plethora of family-friendly holiday parks and family camping sites that are jam-packed with facilities to keep kids entertained, and you've got yourself the perfect family camping destination.

Image: Instagram - @krismartyn

Why Families Should Explore Australia in a Campervan

Now, let's address the campervan hire elephant in the room. When it comes to soaking in the Australian vistas, nothing quite matches the whimsy and practicality of an Apollo campervan hire. Sure, there are several ways to traverse the sprawling landscapes of Australia, but nothing quite captures the essence of adventure like a campervan – especially when you are looking to explore Australia with your family in tow. Why, you ask? It's not just a vehicle; it's your home on wheels, offering a blend of convenience and adventure that's hard to beat with little ones along for the ride. Here’s why hopping into a family campervan hire  is a perfect recipe for an Australia road trip to remember:

• Hassle-free travel: Forget the woes of hotel check-ins and rigid tour schedules. Your family campervan hire is about cruising at your pace

• Pet-friendly adventures: Ever noticed the droopy eyes of your furry friend as you leave for a vacation? With a campervan, those days are gone! Now, your family dog can be a part of the memories, too.

• Packing paradise: The drill of packing and unpacking at every hotel can be a buzzkill, especially when you’re packing for a whole family. In a campervan, everything finds its own little corner and stays there, making life on the road incredibly efficient.

• Naptime anytime: We all know that children have their own schedules, especially when it comes to napping. A campervan ensures that their sleep schedule is undisturbed, no matter where you are.

• Spontaneity at its best: See a quaint campsite or a beach that calls out? Pull over and explore! The best family campervan adventures are about creating unscripted memories that’ll last. With a campervan, with everything you need on board, detours become the norm. Witnessed a beautiful sunset spot? Park and enjoy. Found a kid-friendly campsite? Extend your stay!

• Budget-friendly: When you rent a van to travel and explore Australia, you're smartly bundling transport and accommodation, all while taking advantage of cost-effective family camping sites – freeing up the budget for more family fun activities.

• Seamless Integration: The campervan culture is about melding the journey and the destination into one unforgettable experience. With the open road beckoning and a snug retreat awaiting every evening, what’s not to love? 

In essence, campervan travel isn't just about getting from point A to point B. It's about the stories, the pauses, the unplanned stops, and the joy of discovering the unknown with your loved ones – undoubtedly the best way to see Australia. 

Our Top Tips for Family Mealtime on the Road

As you gear up to explore Australia, ensuring your family stays well-nourished on the road is paramount. And what better place for a bit of family bonding over hearty meals than around the crackle of the campfire or your family campervan hire kitchen? In the following sections, we'll delve into meal planning, tips for healthy eating, and discovering the joy of cooking in your campervan to help make your on-the-road dining a memorable part of your Australia road trip.

1. Plan Your Meals Before You Leave

As the saying goes, 'failing to plan is planning to fail', especially when it comes to mealtime on a campervan adventure. Prepping for a road trip Australia with the family is a tad more complex than just throwing a shrimp on the barbie (much to our dismay). When it comes to meals, some planning goes a long way, especially when your backdrop changes from breezy beaches to lush rainforests as you set off on your family camping adventure. If you are looking for a little inspiration, here are a few tricks to help plan meals and snacks:

• Tailored menus: Remember that adorable pout your kid makes when they don’t see their favourite food on the table? Avoid that by planning your family camping meals around your family's preferences and dietary needs. Got a spaghetti lover or a salad enthusiast? Make a note. Whether you've got a little vegetarian in tow or a teen with a penchant for pasta, get their input while planning to ensure you include meals that cater to everyone’s taste buds – it will make a world of difference.

• Campervan kitchen arsenal: Apollo campervan rentals come with basic kitchen supplies, including utensils, pots, pans, and even tea towels. But to keep things running smoothly, remember to pack essentials like dishwashing liquid, sponges, bin bags, and containers for leftovers. Oh, and don’t forget the staples: cooking oil, salt, and pepper.

• Home comforts: An occasional reminder of home, especially when it comes to food, can be a game-changer while setting off on a van travel trip. Incorporate some familiar tastes into your menu – it keeps the familiarity alive amidst new surroundings. Think of it as a culinary hug for those moments when homesickness kicks in.

2. Healthy Eating on the Road

Amidst the thrill of the open road and the allure of new destinations, it's easy to let nutrition take a backseat. But with a few easy go-to’s, you can ensure your family gets the best fuel during your family campervan hire adventure.

• Smart snacking: Bypass the lure of quick roadside snacks. Arm yourself with healthier options: think cut-up fruits, vegetable sticks with refreshing dips, wholesome cheese, and crunchy whole-grain crackers. These not only curb hunger pangs but also provide sustained energy throughout the day.

• Local delights: As you explore Australia, local fresh food markets are great stops for fresh ingredients. Fresh, local produce not only tastes better but adds a unique local touch to your campervan meals.

• Keep it simple and nutritious: Remember, you don’t need a five-course meal to satisfy those tummies. Explore simple recipes that pack a nutritional punch. Whether it's a hearty oatmeal breakfast or a grilled veggie sandwich for lunch, focus on wholesome ingredients.

Image: Instagram - @_letsescapetogether_

3. Find Local Flavours and Food Experiences

When in Australia, eat as the Aussies do! One of the undeniable joys of van travel is embracing the local dishes and Aussie delicacies along the way. 

• Farmers' markets: Almost every town and region has a farmers' market. While we have already touched on how great these are for fresh ingredients, they are also a great place for finding local gems and delicacies – be that seasonal fruit, honey, jams, you name it!

• Seafood stops: Given Australia's vast coastline, you'll stumble upon many seaside towns. Grab the chance to taste freshly caught seafood. Whether it's prawns from Queensland or oysters from Tasmania, the ocean’s bounty is vast and varied.

• Local bakeries: From meat pies to lamingtons, Australian bakeries offer treats that can be a meal in themselves. Find a local bakery, grab a bite, and understand why some of these baked goodies have become national icons.

• Dive into Aussie Cuisine: From classic fish and chips by the shore to sizzling kangaroo steaks (don’t knock it until you try it), every region has its hero dish; it could be a chunky meat pie in Victoria or the freshest oysters in Tasmania. The local eateries are not just food stops but a delicious way of knitting the local culture into your van travel adventure.

4. Cooking in Your Campervan

Having a mobile kitchen is one of the prime benefits of campervan travel. The heart of your family campervan beats in its kitchen. It’s where the magic happens, from brewing the morning coffee to uncorking the evening beverage. Let’s make sure it’s equipped and ready for your campervan adventure.:

• Make the most of your campervan kitchen: One of the unique perks of opting for an Apollo campervan rental is the integrated kitchen. So you can rest easy knowing you’ve got the basics covered – a stove, fridge, and microwave, ready to assist in your foodie quests.

• Safety first: Cooking inside the campervan is a breeze, but remember, safety is key. Ensure the area is well-ventilated when you fire up the stove, and keep flammable items at bay. 

• Keep it clean: A clean kitchen is a happy kitchen. After the feast, a little scrub-a-dub-dub is essential. And don’t forget to bring your own dishwashing liquid and bin bags. Just like you’d pack sunscreen for the beach, these are must-haves for your kitchenette.

• Be storage savvy: Got leftovers from the BBQ fest? Pop them in airtight containers, and voila, you’ve got tomorrow’s lunch sorted. Being smart with storage not only keeps your campervan tidy but also saves waste and makes for easy leftovers.

5. Make Your Kids’ Meals Interactive

Who says mealtime has to be a silent affair with focused munching? Let's dial up the fun and turn the campervan dining area into a fun zone for the whole family.

• Masterchef mealtime: Kids love playing chef. Unleash a buffet of ingredients and let the kiddos build their dream sandwich, wrap, or taco. It’s like Lego, but edible and way more delicious. These interactive meals are not only engaging but also ensure they eat what they like. Let their culinary creativity run wild; you never know, the next MasterChef Junior could be budding right at your campervan’s foldable table.

• Theme nights: Why not try theme nights, where every meal is tied to a different theme? For instance, have an 'Aussie Night' with local delicacies or a 'Pasta Night' where everyone can make their own pasta creations. It could also extend to dressing up or decorating the campervan dining area according to the theme.

• Cooking lessons: Turn the campervan kitchen into a mini-cooking school. Teach kids basic cooking skills, safety, and let them assist in simple cooking tasks. It's a great way to learn, have fun, and make memories.

• Food art: Encourage kids to create food art with their meals. They could make funny faces with vegetables or re-create scenes from the day's adventure on their plates. 

Image: Instagram - @_letsescapetogether_

6. Dining on the Road

Dining in a campervan is all about embracing spontaneity and the scenery. The aroma of a fresh brew coupled with a panoramic view of the sun rising over Uluru is what postcards are made of, but out here, you get to live it! Here are a few tips for making the most out of dining on the road in your camper: 

• Outdoor picnics: Whether you opt to hire a table and chairs for a grand family feast in nature or pack a picnic blanket and throw together a spread  – nothing beats dining alfresco with a side of breathtaking views.

• Kitchen with a view: Although most campervans come with cozy internal kitchens, setting up an outdoor kitchen once in a while changes the scenery and adds a dash of adventure to the cooking routine (our Adventure Camper is an exception, as it has no internal kitchen – so it’s outdoor views for every meal!)

• Campfire meal time: There’s something primal and utterly satisfying about cooking over an open flame. Learn a few campfire recipes and let the ancient art of fire cooking bond the family over seared marshmallows and tales of the day’s adventures.

7. Keep Mealtime Fun

Mealtime in your camper is not just about refuelling; it’s a perfect opportunity to rekindle family bonds, share laughs, and create memories that are bound to be the highlight of your road trip around Australia.

• Reflect on the day: Foster meaningful conversations as you dig into the meals. Reflect on the day’s journey, share quirky observations, and plan the next day’s escapade.

• Gamify mealtime: Introduce food-related games or trivia to keep the banter going. Who can create the tallest sandwich tower, or who can guess the secret ingredient? It’s about adding a sprinkle of playful competition to the mealtime.

• Food journaling: Encourage the family to document their food experiences. The unique meals, the outdoor BBQs, the campfire nights – they all make for colourful entries in your family camping travel journal. Plus, it’s a great way to remember that secret sauce recipe you all loved!

8. Find a Family-Friendly Restaurant

Having a family campervan hire doesn’t mean you’re confined to the onboard kitchen. Australia is peppered with family-friendly eateries that welcome young adventurers with open arms and offer hearty, kid-friendly menus. When the pots and pans in the campervan start eyeing you menacingly (as they inevitably do), it's a sign to venture out and let someone else do the cooking.

Australia is a playground of family-friendly restaurants. This list of family-friendly eateries is a great place to start. A little tip: Look out for places with a kids’ menu and play areas to keep the little tykes engaged as you sip on that much-needed coffee. 

Ready for a Family Trip to Australia?

Australia beckons with its wild, unchartered landscapes and the promise of adventures that will fill the family album with priceless family camping memories. With everyone fed and happy, it is bound to be a family holiday to remember! So, are you ready to trade the mundane for a campervan, the open road, and a menu of adventures and fun campervan kitchen meals? Kickstart your journey by booking your Apollo campervan online today! It's simple, quick, and the first step to unlocking family camping experiences. With your booking confirmed, swing by an Apollo branch to pick up your campervan, and from then on, the road is your oyster! For more tips for beginners' guide to campervan hires, tips for travelling with kids,  and more, head to the Apollo blog and check out our latest guides for adventurous parents!