Campervan Vs Caravan for 1yr trip around OZ?

I suppose first up you are going to be limited by having the dog. You can't take it into any National parks and as an example you can only stay in Broome if the overflow parks are open which is not very often. As most of the harder track you would do in the camper are through nat parks your unlikely to stop there due to the restrictions.

we did 6 months in our camper and are waiting until the next dry (were in Broome) to take off again. We have two kids and they are 9 and 6, they loved the camper life as we went to a few of the more remote places. You can alway de-hitch the Van if you need to and lots do.

Work out where you most want to go and that will help you decide the best option for you. A good Van for EG will do the Oodnadatta track OK and the plenty. Again check out the dog situation

By 'Campervan' I presume you mean 'Motorhome'..??

When people say campervan, I think of a small Totota Hi Ace or similar with pop up roof.

Anyway, having convinced myself that you mean Motorhome, then my view is that a caravan is by far superior for the following reasons.

1. As you mention, the caravan for the same size is far cheaper, but then of course, you need to buy something suitable to tow with. In my case, a 200 series Landcruiser and a Jayco Sterling caravan, 24'. Total cost new, $150,000. Now, to get the same space and level of luxury in a motorhome, you will pay in excess of $250,000. I'm talking new of course and there are many variables but if you are taking two children and a a dog, you will need at least a 20' van and something like a Prado/Pajero to tow it with.

2. If you buy a motorhome and tow a runabout, then you will still be towing but with something a lot less capable and dynamic than a larger 4WD and the small runabout you tow will be similar. If you have the bigger 4WD you will be able to do some decent side trips (camping) and leave the van in storage. Not so easy with the small runabout.

3. I believe caravan resale is better than motorhome.


Hope this helps.

If you want to "See" Australia in comfort, a full sized 4x4 Wagon & true offroad van will allow you to travel far more roads with the flexability to do remote side trips as well. To see even more leave the dog with friends. If you don't want to be restricted to where you can go then a quality camper trailer will give you that freedom be it with less comfort. This can be offset by staying in accomodation occationally.
Motorhomes are better suited to main roads like on the East coast or New Zealand, not outback Oz.
Your question Stoney is what do you want to see? Main road attractions like Eyres Rock or harder to get to places like Cape York.
Cheers Craig...............

I for one would forget the Motor Home. It is too restrictive in its ability to go anywhere and unless you have another means of transport every where you go you have to take the Motor Home with you.

A good off road C/van would be my pick.

Take the Dog after all he is your best friend.

Cheers
Wayne B

Thanks everyone for your replies. So it seems a caravan is the way to go! We travelled throughout the Pilbara with a dog and did find it restricting, but we just had to be more organised and booked her into kennels if we wanted to go somewhere she couldnt. It does make it harder, but im not prepared to rehome her her so we can go away, so she might have to come!
OK now to do some research on second hand caravans.
Is there a way to work out a daily budget for this sort of trip? My guess is most of the money goes on petrol and caravan site fees?
Cheers :-)