Hi there! After searching online, reading books, and getting help from our van rental company, we’ve finalized our upcoming road trip along Australia’s East Coast. We rented our van (a Sandpiper) from Vanz Travel (a small team of French expats based in Sydney).

Our itinerary focuses on Aboriginal culture where possible, wildlife and flora, stunning landscapes, and the must-see spots.

1. Flight PERTH - CAIRNS 15:05–21:15 2. Departure for diving cruise 06:00 3. Diving cruise 4. Diving cruise return 16:00 5. Cairns (visit Port Douglas) 6. Cairns: Pick up the van 7. Cairns → Atherton Tablelands 8. Atherton → Mission Beach → Townsville (Whitsundays cruise) 9. Townsville 10. Townsville → Airlie Beach 11. Airlie Beach 12. Airlie Beach → Cape Hillsborough 13. Cape Hillsborough → Mackay 14. Mackay → Rockhampton 15. Rockhampton → Agnes Water 16. Agnes Water → Rainbow Beach 17. Rainbow Beach → Camping Habitat Noosa 18. Noosa 19. Noosa → Sunshine Coast 20. Sunshine Coast 21. Sunshine Coast → Brisbane 22. Brisbane → Springbrook National Park 23. Springbrook → Byron Bay 24. Byron Bay → Coffs Harbour 25. Coffs Harbour → Port Macquarie 26. Port Macquarie → Port Stephens 27. Port Stephens → Sydney 28. Sydney 29. Sydney → Jervis Bay 30. Jervis Bay 31. Jervis Bay 32. Jervis Bay → Pambula 33. Pambula - Merimbula 34. Pambula → Lakes Entrance 35. Lakes Entrance → Wilson Promontory 36. Wilson Promontory 37. Wilson Promontory → Mornington 38. Mornington → Melbourne 39. Melbourne 40. Melbourne 41. Flight to PERTH

We’re starting from PERTH because our son has been living there since May of last year, and we’re taking the opportunity to visit him while doing this big East Coast tour.

For the first six days of our trip, he’ll be with us—that’s why our van journey starts on day 7.

I’m sharing this itinerary for those who know the East Coast well and might have tips on things we shouldn’t miss. When we return, I’ll share what we loved (and what we liked less). If you have any feedback on this route, don’t hesitate! 2.16.1.2 Yann and Valerie

Hi there! We’d love to spend a few weeks in the sun this winter, but not too far away—southern Spain or Portugal sound perfect! Any regions or spots you’d recommend for an active retired couple who also love golfing? Best regards,

Hi everyone, I don’t think there’s already a thread on this topic, we’re planning—two or three years from now (I know, it’s a ways off...)—a cross-Canada trip from east to west, meaning Montréal ====> Vancouver, and leaving the RV in Vancouver. First, we’ll spend a few days visiting Québec City, then pick up the RV in Montréal. The trip will likely be around 5 weeks, late August to early September. If you’ve got any route ideas, we’d love to hear them! Banff is probably a must-see stop for us. Thanks in advance! Didier and Nicole

Hi, It seems that vans and campervans aren't allowed on Hurtigruten ferries? We have a California van with a bike rack—length: 5.70 m / height: 2.20 m / width: 1.95 m. We'd like to take the ferry from Trondheim to the Lofoten Islands this coming September. Thanks for sharing any info!

regions Brittany, Rhône-Alpes, and Massif Central (Auvergne Limousin)

"Hey fellow road-trippers! 🚐🔥 After 4 years on the road, I’ve noticed something simple: we’re all looking for the same things. Authentic welcomes, great local eateries, and stops that don’t feel like supermarket parking lots. But it’s always bugged me to see small producers or local guesthouses getting their margins eaten up by big booking platforms. That’s why I created TerraNomad. The concept is straightforward:

The pro (farmer, restaurant, small campsite, guesthouse) pays no commission to be on our map. In return, they offer a special welcome or discount to members.

It’s direct, local, and human. We’re starting in France, then heading together toward Morocco, Spain, and Portugal. Quick question: Does this kind of "no-middleman" network speak to you? I’m opening the first 100 Founding Member spots this Friday night (special launch price at 12 € for the year—just 1 € per month). Can’t wait to read your thoughts and see if you’d be up for this adventure! 🌍✋"

Is it complicated to rent a car and drive in Morocco? Also, is an international driver’s permit mandatory? Thanks

Hi

I saw this on a local site—fact or fiction?

The link: https://www.vintrica.com/fr/vignette/norvege/?srsltid=AfmBOor5yqnPVugU8ZDtcU-uLvsw6d50lxSSO2NW4dethpHfEKSgGv1Z#quels-vehicules-sont-exemptes-de-peage

Hi there,

Most of the time when I travel, I tow a trailer with an ATV for my local trips... I’d love to hear from anyone who’s traveled with a trailer and a second vehicle of any kind—especially the downsides of towing a trailer in Norway, aside from ferry costs.

Thanks!

We’d like to go to Morocco for the first time at the end of November or beginning of December in our camper van! 😊 Looking for someone to share the road and the crossing with, and head down to Agadir. We’re in no rush—we love seeing beautiful things. Retirement suits us just fine! Couple in our mid-60s. ;)

Hi, Does anyone have any info on crossing the border at San Matias between Brazil and Bolivia by car? Also about the road between Caceres and San Matias. Thanks

Hi, With a camper van that's less than 3 years old, we're heading from France to Senegal via Mauritania. Our comprehensive insurance covers us for Morocco. However: For Mauritania: - How can we get insurance for 1 week in Mauritania? - Where and which reliable agency should we contact in Morocco? (Not the "guide" at the border) - Darkhla or elsewhere? Please, do you have any contact details? - Is it possible to take out comprehensive insurance, not just third-party liability? - Please, do you have any idea of the rates? For Senegal: - Can we take out comprehensive insurance in Diama or St Louis for 3 weeks or 1 month? - Which reliable agency or company? Please, do you have any contact details? - Please, do you have any idea of the rates? Thanks so much

Hi there, I’m planning a trip to Morocco in our camper van for September/October, and I’m torn between visiting Rabat or Casablanca (we don’t want to spend too much time in big cities). Could you share your thoughts, as well as a campsite or secure parking spot where we could spend the night? Thanks

We're thinking of visiting Portugal, either in November or next April. We'd rent a camper van for 4 weeks and try to see as much of this beautiful country as possible! Any tips or ideas?? Thanks :)

Hi everyone, We're traveling in a converted camper van, and some family members want to join us in Brazil for a road trip in February/March 2026.

Does anyone have any plans to rent a camper van?

I know it's not very common, but maybe not impossible! Thanks 😉

Hi, How do you prepare for a trip in Northern European countries when you own a 2000-model motorhome?

Hi there,

We're heading to Alaska in 9 days for 27 days and renting a truck camper. We'll be staying at campgrounds—some are already booked, and others are first-come, first-served. For the latter, if there's no reception, how do we pay for the nights and the site? Is there a system with boxes where we drop the money? How does it work when there's no one at the campground entrance? Thanks so much for your answers and firsthand experiences! Syl

hi we’d like to rent an RV for the USA and we’re wondering if RAODSURFER is a good rental site thanks

Hi everyone, A new Greek law has just restricted the parking of caravans and campervans to campsites or designated areas. It's no longer possible to stay in a simple parking lot, let alone "wild camping" (I don’t like that term—I prefer free camping!!!). Greek tourism professionals have launched a petition. You can join them by signing it here: https://www.change.org/p/%CF%8C%CF%87%CE%B9-%CF%83%CF%84%CE%B7%CE%BD-%CE%B1%CF%80%CF%8C%CE%BB%CF%85%CF%84%CE%B7-%CE%B1%CF%80%CE%B1%CE%B3%CF%8C%CF%81%CE%B5%CF%85%CF%83%CE%B7-%CF%83%CF%84%CE%AC%CE%B8%CE%BC%CE%B5%CF%85%CF%83%CE%B7%CF%82-%CE%B1%CF%85%CF%84%CE%BF%CE%BA%CE%B9%CE%BD%CE%BF%CF%8D%CE%BC%CE%B5%CE%BD%CF%89%CE%BD-%CE%BA%CE%B1%CE%B9-%CF%84%CF%81%CE%BF%CF%87%CF%8C%CF%83%CF%80%CE%B9%CF%84%CF%89%CE%BD-%CF%83%CF%84%CE%B7%CE%BD-%CE%B5%CE%BB%CE%BB%CE%AC%CE%B4%CE%B1?signed=true

Marie Paule

Thanks,

Louis Marie

Hi there, Our son is in Canada for a year on a Working Holiday Visa, and we’re planning to join him around September 20th for a 15-day campervan road trip in Nova Scotia. I was thinking of going with Canadream, but if you have other rental companies to recommend, don’t hesitate! Here’s the itinerary I’ve been considering—I tried not to cram in too many stops so we’re not just driving the whole time.

Day 1: Pick up campervan in Halifax at 3 PM. Stop at Peggy’s Cove, then drive to Lunenburg and Blue Rocks (151 km) Day 2: Explore Lunenburg, then head to Kejimkujik National Park for hikes or other activities. Overnight in the park (91 km) Day 3: Drive to Annapolis Royal (visit), Port-Royal National Historic Site, then on to Digby (111 km) Day 4: Ferry to Saint John (visit Reversing Falls), then drive to St. Andrews (103 km) Day 5: Whale-watching excursion and explore St. Andrews Day 6: Drive to Alma and Fundy National Park (233 km—we’ll probably leave St. Andrews the night before to split the drive and arrive earlier in Alma) Day 7: Hopewell Rocks (check tides) (43 km) Day 8: Hopewell Rocks—Tatamagouche (dinner train)—Pictou (237 km). Any suggestions for this day? Day 9: Drive to Baddeck, Cabot Trail to Chéticamp (317 km). Ideas for breaking up the drive? I thought of Pomquet Beach Provincial Park for a walk on the boardwalks, but any other suggestions are welcome. Day 10–11: Cape Breton Highlands National Park for hikes and Cabot Trail to Baddeck (208 km) Day 12: Explore Baddeck, Graham Bell Museum, and Bras d’Or Lake Drive. Drive to Louisbourg (118 km) Day 13: Fortress of Louisbourg, then drive to Liscomb (302 km) Day 14: Drive back to Halifax via Lawrencetown Beach (or other suggestions?). Fisherman’s Cove (205 km) Day 15: Return campervan by 10 AM

- All suggestions are welcome, as long as they don’t add too much detour from the main stops. We’d rather skip some places to fully enjoy the ones we visit. We love hiking in beautiful landscapes, charming and lively towns or villages, etc. - I wanted to add a museum dedicated to Acadian culture, but I didn’t find anything along the route—or they’re closed this time of year. Maybe there are places to listen to folk music? - If you have any campgrounds or wild camping spots to recommend, I’d love to hear about them. - Do we need to book the ferry this time of year?

Thanks in advance for your ideas and suggestions!

Claire

Hi everyone,

Could anyone recommend a place to park with a camper van (parking lot or camper van area) so I can visit central Toulouse using public transport?

Thanks in advance for your tips. Best regards

Hi there,

We’d like to travel overland from Turkey to India in our converted van, but there are very few options these days. Crossing Iran seems risky and not particularly safe. Has anyone here done it? If so, which route did you take to minimize safety concerns?

Thanks for your replies, Julie 😎

Hi, I’d like to buy an RV in France and travel across Europe. What are the ways to make that happen from Quebec?

I already have one in Quebec—is it worth exporting it?

Hi there, we're considering driving from Toulouse to Dubai starting mid-December 2025 and heading back to France in early January 2026 (work constraints). We're planning to take the route through Iraq, which is currently the safest option. If anyone might be interested in joining us for the trip, feel free to get in touch!

Hi, I’d like to know if gas stations with LPG are well distributed in Argentina, Brazil, and Chile? Thanks.

Hey everyone! I’m planning a van trip along the Carretera Austral from February 9th to March 1st, 2025. My main questions are about timing and the must-see spots. Here’s what I’m thinking, but I’m not sure if it’s realistic (ferries, road conditions, weather, etc.). I’d love all your tips and suggestions! 🙂

Sun 2/9: Pick up van in Puerto Montt, explore the area, hot springs (which ones?) 2/10: Drive to Chaitén (too short?) – road + 7-hour ferry according to maps 2/11: Drive from Chaitén to Queulat – 200 km, 3 hours (still according to maps) 2/12: Queulat + hike to see the hanging glacier, then drive to Coyhaique – 3 hours, 200 km 2/13: Coyhaique to Cerro Castillo Park – 100 km, how long is the drive on this stretch? 2/14: Drive to Puerto Río Tranquilo – how long is the drive? 2/15: Exploradores Valley + is a day hike doable? 2/16: San Rafael Lagoon 2/17: Mármol Chapels 2/18: Drive to Puerto Yungay to catch the ferry to Puerto Natales around 7–8 PM with the van.

For the short ferry crossings, how far in advance should I book?

All your advice is welcome! Thanks so much!!

Hi everyone, we’d like to go to Morocco for the first time around April, preferably from France or Spain. Which departure port would you recommend, and for arrival in Morocco, are there any ports that are better? I’ve read that some arrival ports aren’t very safe. Thanks for your advice!

Hi everyone,

We’re starting to look into whether it’s possible—like in Australia or South America—to buy a reasonably priced camper van and then travel as a family in Thailand, Malaysia, or India. From what we’ve read so far, it doesn’t seem very doable, but you never know... A big thanks to anyone with experience or insights!

Hi,

How do you manage to charge your battery using a solar panel while keeping your vehicle in the shade so it doesn’t turn into an oven?

I have a Renault Trafic, unfortunately black, and my cooler, battery, and BougeRV solar panel.

My battery is mainly used for my electric cooler.

https://www.amazon.fr/dp/B0CQ4LFVVR?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_3

Thanks in advance! Nath

Hi everyone. We’re planning a two-month trip to Morocco and Mauritania this fall (2026). We’d like to use this trip to get some bodywork and paint done on our VW T4 camper bus. Does anyone have recommendations for trustworthy auto body shops (either personally tested or firsthand recommendations)? Thanks in advance.