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What if leaving everything behind to go on a family road trip in Australia and New Zealand wasn’t just a dream? That’s exactly what Justine and Marc decided to do. This French couple quit their jobs and embarked on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure with their two young children, June (2½ years old) and Noah (12 months), during a 9-month world tour. From Martinique to Mexico, via Hawaii, Australia, and New Zealand, they explored multiple destinations and experiences. Their favorite? Without a doubt, their family road trip in a van across Australia and New Zealand. Discover their story, their tips… and how Vanz Travel made this experience unforgettable. This article is based on our podcast / YouTube video interview!
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For Justine and Marc, Australia and New Zealand were obvious choices: “Both countries are made for van adventures. It’s the best way to explore them,” they shared. The couple spent one month traveling by van in New Zealand and another month and a half on a family road trip by van in Australia. Now, they can’t wait to go back.
They chose the van because it was the perfect combination of transport and home:
“A van is like a little mobile house. No need to pack and unpack every day. You can move whenever you want. If you don’t like a place, you leave earlier. It’s total freedom,” they explained.
“And the roads! Especially in New Zealand, they’re so beautiful. It would be a shame not to explore them by van.”
Before this trip, Justine and Marc had never traveled by van.
“It was really our first van experience in New Zealand, then in Australia. Yet from the very first night, we knew this lifestyle was made for us. Sure, it was a bit tight with four of us inside, but it was our cozy nest. We felt great. We even want to buy our own van now!”
They particularly appreciated how easy it was to travel by van in Australia and New Zealand:
“Everything is designed for vans. There are campgrounds everywhere, well-maintained facilities, toilets, showers, wide roads… It’s super convenient and safe.”
A family road trip by van in Australia and New Zealand is an incredible adventure. But it also requires careful financial planning. For Justine and Marc, the key was to anticipate… while staying flexible.
“From the start, we set an overall budget for our world trip. Little by little, depending on our preferences, we allocated funds: one budget for Australia, one for New Zealand,” they explained. But they still needed to find the right vehicle, at the right price, without sacrificing comfort.
That’s where Vanz Travel came in:
“We discovered Vanz, and very quickly, Loïc got in touch with us. He took the time to talk to us—asking questions about how we travel, our priorities, our needs. We didn’t want a big motorhome; we preferred something smaller, easier to park at free camps. Thanks to him, we found the perfect van for our family, and most importantly, we stuck to our budget.”
Traveling off-season was also a big advantage:
“In New Zealand, we went outside the peak tourist season, so prices were lower. We spent about €5,500 for a month all-inclusive: van rental, fuel, campgrounds, food, activities…
In Australia, we traveled in the spring, before summer, which helped us avoid the highest prices. We spent around €12,000 for a month and a half, including a domestic flight.”
Despite a well-managed budget, Justine and Marc didn’t miss out on memorable experiences:
“We took a scenic flight over the Great Barrier Reef in a small plane with the kids. They were thrilled, wearing their little headsets, grinning from ear to ear. It’s a memory we’ll cherish forever.”
Do you have a specific budget for your family road trip? Be like Justine and Marc: contact Vanz Travel to get personalized advice, tailored recommendations, and a 100% free service. Our French-speaking team helps you plan your adventure stress-free and at the best price!
Traveling by van as a family, especially with young children, might seem like a daunting adventure. But for Justine and Marc, it turned out to be an incredible lesson in adaptability.
Their main challenge? The cold in New Zealand.
“We traveled in October and November, and at night, temperatures dropped close to 0°C. One morning, we woke up and it was freezing inside the van,” Justine recalls. Yet the kids, bundled up in warm clothes, were never cold.
“We were the ones worried—but for them, it was just a game. They adapted way faster than we did. They really amazed us.”
Another challenge? Long hours on the road.
“After 3 or 4 hours in the car, they’d had enough… honestly, just like us! But they quickly got used to it.” To make the van feel cozy, the couple added personal touches:
“We hung up a little string of fairy lights, brought their favorite toys… It became their cabin, their little world.”
When it came to safety, Justine and Marc were well prepared:
“We had our foldable car seats, easy to carry and install. For sleeping, we improvised by placing a large suitcase next to the bed to prevent them from falling. It also made it darker, perfect to help them sleep better.”
Outside, they remained cautious—especially in Australia, where the wildlife can worry some parents:
“People had warned us a lot about dangerous animals, but honestly, we only saw one spider and two snakes. We stayed vigilant, especially when the kids were playing outside. They pick up everything: a stick, a bug… Noah even got stung by a wasp in New Zealand. Luckily, nothing serious.”
As the days went by, Justine and Marc found their rhythm in van life as a family.
“With kids, they set the pace: wake-up times, meals, naps… We naturally aligned with their schedule. In the mornings, we’d do activities. Then, during nap time, we’d drive to the next stop. Every evening, we each had our role: setting up the van at the campground, connecting water and electricity, organizing the inside… It all fell into place naturally.”
Wake-ups and bedtimes followed the natural light:
“The kids woke up with the sunrise, earlier than in France, so we also put them to bed earlier. In the end, it gave us more time in the evenings—a real bonus for us,” Marc smiled.
Life in the van quickly became their norm:
“In Australia or New Zealand, after a day at the beach, we’d come back, brush off the sand, and settle in. The kids knew exactly where their things went. Since the space is small, it’s at their scale—a van is literally kid-sized! They quickly felt at home.”
Justine adds:
“They loved living outdoors. At that age, a rock or a stick is enough to entertain them. They don’t need much more. Honestly, it’s better for them than being stuck inside four walls.”
When it came to hygiene, they adapted without fuss:
“In Australia, it was warm, so even if the showers had cold water, it wasn’t a big deal. In New Zealand, with the colder temperatures, we sometimes went for ‘wet wipe baths.’ But they handled it really well. Our daughter June even dried her hair under the hand dryers in the campground bathrooms!”
And in the evenings?
“Once the kids were asleep, it was our time. We’d relax, watch a movie or a show, plan the next day’s itinerary. Honestly, we’d do it all again in a heartbeat.”
Like any adventure, their family road trip by van in Australia and New Zealand wasn’t without surprises.
“In New Zealand, the weather changes fast. There were times we drove two hours just to find the sun again. We adjusted our itinerary depending on the rain: we skipped some places and added others instead.”
But even under the rain, the memories were unforgettable:
“We went hiking in the rain, with the kids on our backs. Now we laugh about it! And in Brisbane, I cut my foot open. A kind lady gave me a bandage on the street. Small mishaps like that are just part of the journey.”
Fortunately, no major issues with the kids:
“Other than Noah’s wasp sting, we had no problems. We were cautious because we worried about an allergic reaction, but everything turned out fine. Honestly, it’s sometimes easier to manage things in a van—you have everything with you, it’s like being at home, even on the road.”
Beyond the landscapes and discoveries, this family road trip in Australia and New Zealand left a deep impact on Justine, Marc, and their children.
“June, our daughter, used to be quite shy. But at the beach during the trip, she started going up to other kids to play with them. Today, she’s so much more outgoing. This journey transformed her,” says Justine.
“They also developed an incredible eye for nature. They were the ones showing us the animals!”
As for Noah, his progress was remarkable:
“When we left, he wasn’t even walking yet—he was under one year old. Now he runs everywhere. He grew up on the beaches, always barefoot, exploring freely. He naturally greets everyone he meets.”
Want to give your family the adventure of a lifetime? Contact Vanz Travel to organize your family road trip in a van across Australia and New Zealand. Our French-speaking team offers free assistance and helps you create unforgettable memories!
When Justine and Marc decided to embark on a family road trip in a van across Australia and New Zealand, one big question came up:
Where do we even start?
“We had never tried vanlife before; we didn’t know Australia or New Zealand… It was a leap into the unknown. While searching on social media, we came across Vanz Travel.”
Justine and Marc appreciated the team’s availability:
“When you’re traveling with kids, you’re always a bit worried about managing the unexpected. With Vanz Travel, we knew we could count on them. Even on a Sunday at 6 p.m., they replied to our questions. That kind of responsiveness is so reassuring.”
Beyond the language, it was the personal and human approach that won them over:
“We were put in touch with Loïc, who took the time to speak with us. He asked plenty of questions about what we wanted, what we needed, our constraints. He never pressured us or rushed us. When we booked, we were in Hawaii, juggling time zones and activities… He gave us time to consider the quotes, to ask all our questions, without any pressure. It was truly supportive.”
And there’s more:
“On top of renting the van, Vanz Travel provided us with a personalised itinerary. It wasn’t compulsory to follow, but it helped us immensely. When we arrived in Australia, all we knew was that we wanted to go from Cairns to Sydney… but we hadn’t planned anything. Thanks to the itinerary, we knew where to go, what to see, which stops to prioritise. It truly guided our choices.”
The couple also highlighted an often-overlooked advantage:
“This service is completely free! It’s pretty amazing. They’re not paid by us, but by the suppliers. So prices stay competitive, and you also get advice, support, and guides.”
Looking for a reliable partner to plan your family road trip in a van in Australia or New Zealand? Like Justine and Marc, trust Vanz Travel: a French-speaking, free, personalized service with a dedicated team at every step. Contact us now to book your van and start your adventure!
Ready to take the leap? Contact Vanz Travel for a free quote and start planning your family road trip by van with peace of mind!
Ne manquez plus les meilleures opportunités de road trip avec Vanz Travel ! Abonnez-vous pour recevoir bons plans et conseils pratiques pour vos aventures en van.
Looking for the perfect van for your next adventure? Look no further than Vanz Travel! We offer an extensive range of campervan rentals in Australia and New Zealand, ensuring that you’ll find the ideal vehicle to suit your needs and budget.
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