Why Every Family Needs To Take a Trip in a Motorhome

In October this year we set off for a motorhoming adventure in our sunny sate of Queensland. I will be honest and tell you that we aren’t a family who is big on staying in anything but a hotel LOL! Then Covid 19 came along and all of our plans for overseas vacations went awash, we had to think outside the box that we had put ourselves in and try something different. When the opportunity to hire a van from Let’s Go Homemotors came along we jumped at the opportunity… and then fell in love with the new way (for us) to travel.

About the van:
One of their Jayco Conquest Six Berth vans was ours for a whole week, and we hit the road heading to North Stradbroke Island for four nights, and then onto Tallebudgera Creek for a further three. Our adventure was heart warming, exciting and full of laughs.

Lets Go Motorhomes have branches all over Australia to hire their vehicles from. With sizes ranging to suit two to up to six people. POr van, the Jayco 6 Berth Conquest Tourer, was spacious enough to fit six people. Hiring it was easy, with the pick up point being Brisbane, only an hours drive from our house. All that was needed to drive the motorhome was a standard car license and of course a sense of adventure!

Key features of our van:
– Leather upholstery
– Sink and microwave oven
– Large 2-door refrigerator/freezer
– 4 burner stove and grill
– 2 permanent double beds and a convertible dinette
– Shower and Toilet
– Air conditioning
– Colour TV with DVD player
– Awning
– Reversing camera
– Provision to add 2-bike rack
– Solar panel for charging house battery

You can do a walk through tour of the van here.

Thirteen reasons why you should make your next holiday in a motorhome:
1. You can pull up wherever your heart desires.
2. You only need to unpack once.
3. There is a right sized van to suit everyone.
4. You can plan your itinerary however you like and even leave it to the day before to decide where to go.
5. It is a fantastic opportunity to live on top of your family which creates guaranteed bonding time.
6. It is the most convenient mode of travel and transport.
7. Cost effective way to travel as a big family vs flying.
8. Create unforgettable memories.
9. Campsites are a great place for making friends!
10. More time spent enjoying the outdoors.
11. You see more by driving.
12. It is always fun to try a new experience.
13. You can bring everything with you, even the kitchen sink!

Itinerary:
As this was our first trip in a motorhome we planned ahead and didn’t go too far, but next time we will get more adventurous. Our stop for the first leg of the trip was Cylinder Beach Camping Ground, on North Stradbroke Island. To get to Stadbroke you need to first drive to Cleveland where you take a 45 minute ferry to Dunwick. It is best to book your ferry online and in advance. Getting to our campground was easy and check in simple as we had pre-booked. This shady camping ground faces Cylinder Beach, which is one of the Island’s most iconic surf beaches. With a direct north orientation and a sunny outlook, the site enjoys protection from wind. From your allocated camp spot the beach is only a few steps away. Amenities at the campground were spotlessly clean and very comfortable.

Whilst on Stradbroke Island we either relaxed on the beach, went for walks or took the van for a drive. Getting about in our motorhome was simple and I often laughed at what a delight it was to finally have a house on wheels. As a mother you end up carting everything but the kitchen sink around with you, so why not make it your whole home! Pulling over to sort snacks out or letting something go to the toilet was so easy! Lets Go Motorhomes provided the car seats for the children. We always felt safe and at ease when getting out and about in the van.

On Stradbroke Island we visited Flinders Beach, Main Beach and Frenchmans Beach. We pulled up to the car park and hiked the North Gorge walk with its stunning outlook, then enjoyed an ice cream across the street. Enjoyed homemade curry at the campground’s market and dined at the local Mantra Ray Bistro.

Once our four nights on the island were over, we caught the ferry back to the mainland and drove to Tallebudgera Creek Tourist Park. An idyllic family friendly paradise and natural playground, located in one of Australia’s favourite swimming spots, Tallebudgera Creek. Staying here was very different to staying on Straddy. Stradbroke is raw and full of natural beauty, whereas Tellabudgera is a busy and entertaining wonderland for families. The park has countless features for children from parks, to watersides and go karts to hire. We actually didn’t even leave the park because there was so much to see and do.

More on the van:
I found the Jayco six berth to be both functional and extremely comfortable. We all slept well and I really enjoyed being in the same space 24/7, it was a bonding experience. The put the two older children up high above the driver’s seat, used a travel bassinet for Rosie in the dining area, and we slept in the big bed down the back of the van. There was a shower in the bathroom but it was just as easy for us to use the camp site facilities. Watching the children do colouring in under the outdoor awning warmed my heart. It was beautiful to see them outside so much and enjoying nature. I packed lots of activities for them to do outside when Ryan and I were relaxing and having a drink. We ate out under the outdoor awning for every meal. I found preparing and cooking our food really easy with the four burner cook top and oven in the van. In general learning how to drive and run the van was really simple. The staff provided us with a demonstration when we picked it up, but there is also an phone app with videos explaining absolutely every button. The cupboard space blew me away. Honestly there is so much space that we couldn’t even fill them. I couldn’t speak more highly of Lets Go Motorhomes and our motorhoming adventure. I honestly cannot wait to do it all again!