Essential Camping and Caravanning Apps
We love to get away. To unplug from technology, if even for a short while, and to be able to recharge our souls. Exploring this country is the perfect way to do that.
However, as much as we love to switch off the electronics, this isn’t always feasible. Although it may look like we move around the country as we feel like it, in reality, there is a degree of research that goes into every trip. Where will we camp? Where are the fuel stops (which is particularly important when we are driving our 105 series petrol Landcruiser)? Where can we get water? Where are the dump points? How do we entertain ourselves? How do we manage our lives?
And never forget safety, and ensuring you can travel around safely is a must.
Luckily there are some fantastic apps available that make travelling around Australia that much easier. Some we use on an almost daily basis, some a bit more infrequently. However, all are present on at least one of our devices.
So what are our essential camping and caravanning apps that will make your next trip easier?
Table of Contents
Travelling Apps
WikiCamps
Accommodation | Facilities | Map | Dump Points
This is by far the most important app that we travel with, and likely the number one travel app in Australia. The WikiCamps app is a crowd-sourced database of campgrounds, caravan parks, hostels, day stops, points of interest, dump points, information centres, and much more.
Features:
- Filters to narrow down your search results, such as for toilets, freshwater, pet friendly, caravan park, rubbish bins, fires allowed…and too many to list
- Site details for each entry, including contact details, features, user comments, prices and user photos
- Users can add and update information which is then shared across all other users of WikiCamps
- Links to your device maps app for directions
- Packing checklist so that nothing is forgotten
- Add favourites to your list
- Trip planner for mapping out your trip, including sightseeing and accommodation
- Compass
- Satellite finder
- Chat forum so you can chat with fellow campers
- Sync across multiple devices
- Can be used offline once you download the maps.
Google Maps
Map
This is a must for any traveller. Google Maps is a free app that provides real-time GPS navigation.
Features:
- Route planning and GPS navigation
- Real-time ETA and traffic conditions
- Includes public transport and walking routes
- Discovery local facilities in your area – accommodation, restaurants, shopping, and more
- Offline maps for when you don’t have an Internet connection.
FuelMap Australia
Map | Fuel
From the makers of WikiCamps, FuelMap Australia is a crowd-sourced database of petrol stations and fuel prices in Australia.
Features:
- Users can add and update the current price which is then shared across all other users of Fuel Map
- Shows data for Unleaded 91, Unleaded 95, Unleaded 98, Diesel, Premium Diesel, Bio Diesel, Ad Blue, LPG, E10 and E85
- Shows real-time prices for WA, NSW and QLD, sourced from government resources
- Lists cheapest fuel at your current location
- Shows facilities available for most service stations, including whether 24 hours, toilets, showers, gas bottles, car wash, truck stop and ATM
- Links to your device maps app for directions
- Fuel log to keep track of your own fuel purchases and economy
- Shows fuel price trends for the capital cities.
Dump Point Finder AUS
Map | Dump Points
The Dump Point app lists verified dump points in Australia for the caravanning and camping community.
Features:
- Search by nearby, by location or browse the map
- Provides photos of the dump points and access
- Links to your device maps app for directions
- Users can submit new dump points to be added to the database, or feedback about existing dump points.
Gas Finder
Map | Gas
From the makers of WikiCamps, the Gas Finder app allows you to quickly find the nearest store for gas with the cheapest prices.
Features:
- Displays as a list view or browse the map
- Sort by either cheapest by size, or closest store
- Shows both refill and bottle swap locations
- Refills: 9.0kg and 4.5kg; Bottle swap: 8.5kg and 3.75kg
- Users can add and update information which is then shared across all other users of Gas Finder
- Links to your device maps app for directions.
National Public Toilet Map
Map | Toilets
The National Public Toilet Map shows the location of more than 19,000 public and publicly available private facilities across Australia. Funded by the Australian Government Department of Health.
Features:
- Find nearby toilets or search for a place you will be visiting
- Includes toilets, adult change and baby care
- Location, accessibility details, opening hours and other features.
Willy Weather
Map | Weather
The Willy Weather app provides radar and satellite, wind, rain, tide, swell and UV forecasts.
Features:
- Moon phases, sunrise and sunset times
- Bureau of Meteorology weather warnings that affect your specific location
Emergency +
Emergency | GPS
This app could save your life. Developed by Australia’s emergency services, the app uses a mobile phone’s GPS functionality to provide emergency call-takers with their location information.
Features:
- SES and Police Assistance Line numbers for non-emergencies
- Provides your latitude and longitude coordinates, should you need them (such as setting up a satellite dish!)
- Utilises ‘what3words’, a software enhancement allowing Triple Zero (000) callers to provide their exact location quickly and accurately with just three words to describe their location.
Speed View GPS
Speed | GPS
Track your speed, distance, time, location, altitude and more.
Features:
- Save your information
- Switch between car speedometer and bike cyclometer
- mph, knot and km/h mode
- Custom colours.
Productivity (while travelling) Apps
Dropbox
File Storage | Camera Uploads
Dropbox is one of the online cloud storage systems, similar to OneDrive and iCloud. However, we have found that Dropbox provides the most flexibility of all the cloud storage platforms.
Features:
- Store receipts, documents, photos and more in the cloud
- Sync between devices and PC
- Easily recover deleted files and restore previous file versions
- Automatically upload your photographs and videos from your phone to Dropbox for safekeeping.
Lastpass Password Manager
Password Vault
In our digital age, keeping track of passwords is a never-ending task. Luckily LastPass Password Manager can do this for us.
Features:
- Password generator
- Store passwords, track personal information in notes
- Autofill web browser and app logins for you
Evernote
Notebook | File Storage
Get organised, sync across devices and computers, and share with others. This is a great note-taking app that works well for everything you need to take note of.
Features:
- Write, collect and capture notes
- Upload photos, audio, video, PDFs and more
- Organise with separate notebooks, e.g. memos, bills, receipts
- Premium upgrades to 10GB of uploads a month with unlimited devices.
Libby, by OverDrive
Books | Library
Libby allows you to discover ebooks and audiobooks from your local library. Just connect using your library card, search for books, then borrow and enjoy.
Features:
- You can even listen or read samples of the books before borrowing.
- You can download books and audiobooks for offline use
- Place loans on ebooks and audiobooks
- Books automatically return at the due date
YNAB
Budget | Personal Finance
YNAB (You Need A Budget) is THE BEST budgeting app available. Based on the rule to give every dollar a job, this allows you to set up your ‘buckets’ (followers of the Barefoot Investor will understand this analogy) and budget out your money before you spend it.
Features:
- Real-time expense tracking to view changes to your budget
- Loan calculator to find more money for your debt
- Goal tracking to turn your financial goals into reality
- Spend and net worth reporting.
Spotify
Music | Podcasts | Entertainment
It is hard to beat Spotify for all your music and podcast needs while on the road. Set up playlists, listen to your favourite artist, or just chill out in the afternoon, it’s up to you.
Features:
- Stream free music, radio and podcasts
- Create playlists
- With the premium version (monthly subscription) you can download music and listen offline
- Premium: no commercials
- Bluetooth to speakers
- Play on your PC, phone or tablet
Why not check out our Need Time Away playlists on Spotify:
Microsoft Lens
Scanning
Microsoft Lens makes scanning receipts and any other documentation EASY!
Features:
- Scan and upload your notes, receipts and documents
- Choose to save as PDF, image, Word or Powerpoint formats.
Adobe Lightroom
Emergency | GPS
Photo editor with plenty of free tools to make the most of your photos. The premium version unlocks additional editing tools and allows you to store photos in the Adobe Creative Cloud storage.
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