Travel Victoria – tourism blog

Month: June 2016

  • Caravans and motorhomes in Victoria

    CaravansSome travellers seek holidays where they can truly charter their own destiny and who want to take their accommodation with them as they travel around Victoria. Caravans, campervans and motorhomes are an ideal option for this purpose.

    Caravans

    A caravan is a mobile home on a trailer, towed behind a vehicle. It is equipped with bedding and cooking facilities and many also feature a shower and toilet.

    When travelling in Victoria with a caravan, you can stay overnight at designated camping areas with basic facilities, or pull into one of the state’s hundreds of caravan or tourist parks. These parks vary widely in their facilities, but all provide, as a bare minimum, electric power connections, communal cooking and bathroom facilities. Some provide ensuite sites where your van is parked beside a private bathroom reserved for your use only.

    Many caravan parks have developed into fully-appointed resorts set within landscaped grounds that also offer luxury cabin accommodation, a huge range of family-friendly recreational facilities and onsite activities for guests.

    Locate caravan parks in Victoria by going to accommodation search and selecting caravan park in the preferred accommodation style box.

    Campervans and motorhomes

    Campervans and motorhomes are vehicles which provide transport and accommodation all in one.

    A motorhome is typically built on a truck or bus chassis and provides fully self-contained and reasonably spacious accommodation including kitchen and bathroom facilities. A campervan is generally a smaller vehicle in the style of a van, a bit tighter on space, which is fitted out with basic living facilities.

    Motorhome and campervan rentals range from budget to luxury and can sleep between 2 and 6 people. Motorhomes usually do not require anchor to a caravan park-type facility because they are fully self-contained, whereas some of the smaller campervans are more suited to the traveller who expects to end each day in a caravan or camping ground spot where they will find toilet and shower amenities that are not contained within their campervan sleeper.

    Some campervan and motorhome hire companies which have depots in Victoria are:

    If you’re thinking about planning a campervan holiday, have a read of 101 Campervan Tips.

  • Accommodation in Victoria for disabled or mobility impaired travellers

    DisabledIf you or your family have mobility impairments, there are a number of accommodation options throughout Victoria that may suit your needs.

    Hotels and motels are often able to cater for disabled and wheelchair-bound visitors thanks to their modern layout, lifts and the use of ramps instead of stairs.  A growing number of larger hotels, motels and apartments will have certain rooms designed to accommodate those who may need extra space or aids.

    One of the biggest issues for those seeking suitable accommodation is the huge variability in what is classified as “disabled access”, “wheelchair accessible”, or other similar terms. As such, it is always advisable to contact these establishments prior to making a booking to ensure that the facilities are suitable for your level of mobility and requirements.

    When enquiring about room suitability, you may want to ask about:

    • Doorway widths – both internal and external
    • How easy doors are to open
    • The height of door handles and light switches
    • The height of the bed – some may be too high
    • Whether there is enough space on the side of the bed to permit you to easily get into it
    • Easy to reach hanging space in closets
    • Hand rails in the bathroom
    • Shower chairs and raised toilet seats

    As well as enquiring about the suitability of the room you plan to stay in, you may also need to ask further questions about the property as a whole.  For example:

    • Is there suitable parking close by or designated disabled parking spots in a convenient location?
    • Can you access the reception area easily?
    • Are there automatic opening doors at the entrance and throughout the property?  This may be an issue for those who are travelling alone and don’t have someone on hand to help them with heavy or large doors.
    • Is there elevator access to all public areas in multi-storey properties?  You may be able to easily get to your room, but you may not be able to easily get to some of the facilities if access is poor.

    To find accommodation in Victoria which offers facilities for those with disabilities, go to accommodation search page on the Travel Victoria website and in the facilities section select disabled access along with other requirements you may have. This will list all establishments which can cater, to some extent, for guests with mobility impairments.  Don’t forget that when enquiring or booking your accommodation, it is important to make mention of your specific access requirements to ensure the establishment is able to meet your needs.