6 best family caravans to buy

Looking for a family caravan that can carry the whole mob around Australia in style and comfort? You’ve come to the right place!

We’ve put together a comprehensive list of the best family caravans to buy in 2022. In compiling this list, we’ve considered the price, sleeping berths, weight, size, build quality, layout, specifications and features.

Making our shortlist of the best family caravans to buy are the:

1. Kokoda Battalion - best overall

2. Adria Altea 552 PK Sport - best for large families

3. Franklin Core 220 - most spacious for touring

4. Jayco Expanda Outback Pop Top - most spacious for off-road

5. Newlands Tourister 675 - best for luxury touring

6. Kokoda Cadet II - best for luxury off-road

After providing a full breakdown of each caravan, we also explain how to “try before you buy” and even earn a return on your investment. So hang around till the end or you’ll kick yourself!

6 best family caravans to buy

1. Kokoda Battalion - best family caravan overall

Price from: $70,990

Sleeping berths: 5

Tare: 2400kg

Length: 6400mm

The Kokoda Battalion is a family caravan that provides both spaciousness and luxury at an affordable price. It features three bunk beds at the rear, each with a window and storage pocket for the kids. Parents can sleep up front on the queen island bed with large windows and a wardrobe on either side.

The TV is mounted on a swinging arm so that the parents can watch it in bed or the whole family can watch from the club lounge area. And the full ensuite bathroom with a separate shower and toilet means no more soaking wet floors.

Key features:

• Full ensuite bathroom.

• 182Ltr 3-way fridge, full oven, 3x gas 1x electric burner hob, range hood, 25ltr microwave.

• 24” digital TV/CD/DVD/MP3 player.

• Reverse-cycle air conditioner.

• Front tunnel boot for extra storage.

• Overhead cupboards all around, under-lounge storage and half pantry.

• 2x 95L water tanks.

• 2x 9L gas bottles.

• 28ltr gas/electric water heater.

Try before you buy:

• Kokoda Battalion (Eden Hills, SA)

• Kokoda Battalion Family Caravan (Rochedale, QLD)

• Kokoda Triple Bunk (Sunbury, VIC)

2. Adria Altea 552 PK Sport - best caravan for a large family

Price from: $63,490

Sleeping berths: 4 - 7

Tare: 1282kg

Dimensions: 7620mm

The Adria Altea 552 PK is a great caravan for large families. It comes with the option of two or three bunk beds, each with its own window so that the kids can enjoy the view. At the front is a sideways queen bed for the parents, with a window at the foot of the bed. What’s more, the dinette can be converted to form another comfy bed for two.

As well as its array of bedding options, the Altea 552 PK prides itself on being a light, bright and practical family caravan for fun holidays away. It lets in a lot of natural sunlight and boasts a spacious interior, making it a top choice for those wanting a lot of room to move around!

Key features:

• Air-conditioning.

• Ergonomic bathroom with foldaway sink.

• Smart kitchen.

• Controllable lighting for different ambiences.

• Modern textiles.

• Loudspeakers, Bluetooth amplifier and USB ports.

• Heating with optional electrical floor heating.

• Lightweight.

• Great value.

Try before you buy:

• Adria Altea 552 PK Sport (Doreen, VIC)

• Adria Altea 552 PK Sport (Chiswick, NSW)

• Adria Altea 552 PK Sport (Coomera, QLD)

3. Franklin Core 220 - most spacious family caravan for touring

Price from: $76,490

Sleeping berths: 5

Tare: 2330kg

Length: 8700mm

The Franklin Core 220 is one of the largest and most spacious family caravans on this list. It’s another stellar choice for large families or even average size families wanting more space!

Choose between two or three extra long bunk beds (6’4”) that provide a heap of room for kids and adults alike. Parents can sleep on the comfortable queen island bed and the whole family can enjoy quality time around the club lounge.

One feature that makes the Core 220 so spacious is the 6’8” ceilings, perfect for taller people. But this caravan also has good ground clearance, a tough 6” chassis and all-terrain tyres, so that it’s ready to take on all sorts of family road trip ideas.

Key features:

• Washing machine.

• Separate shower and toilette.

• 22’ TV DVD/CD.

• Air conditioner.

• Reverse camera.

• Microwave, fridge, 4x gas burners and mini grill.

• 2x 95l water tanks and 2x 9L gas bottles.

• 170W solar panel.

• External picnic table.

• Underbed storage.

Try before you buy:

• Nessie (Ulladulla, NSW)

• Bruce (Grays Point, NSW)

• Franklin Core 220 (Frenchs Forest, NSW)

4. Jayco Expanda Outback Pop Top - most spacious family caravan for off-road

Price from: $63,990

Sleeping berths: 6

Tare: 2063kg

Length: 5619mm

Another one of the best family caravans for 2022, the Jayco Expanda Outback Pop Top is a fantastic choice if you want to take your tribe off-road camping. It can be compacted down so that it’s convenient to tow and expanded out so that it’s spacious to camp in. This is largely thanks to the expandable double beds at either end of the caravan. Plus, it also comes standard with a bunk bed and a convertible dinette.

The pop-top roof provides 2.11m of interior height, meaning that there’s plenty of headspace for even the tallest family members. And the Outback model includes some outstanding off-road features such as improved suspension, electric brakes, higher ground clearance, protective side plates and a 180W solar panel.

Key features:

• Air Conditioner.

• 4x burner gas stove with griller, microwave, 153L 3-door fridge.

• Combined bathroom.

• JTECH 2.0 independent suspension.

• Off-road electric brake magnets.

• Higher ground clearance.

• Protective side aluminium checker plates.

• 180W solar panel.

Try before you buy:

• Jayco Expanda Outback (Forresters Beach, NSW)

• Jayco Expanda Outback (Calderwood, NSW)

• Family Adventures (Sydney, NSW)

• Jayco Expanda (Hawkesbury, NSW)

• Kungfu ExPanda (Kiama, NSW)

5. Newlands Tourister 675 - best luxury family campervan for touring

Price from: $77,140

Sleeping berths: 4 - 5

Tare: 2260kg

Length: 8690mm

The Newlands Tourister 675 is a luxury family caravan at a relatively affordable price. It comes with the choice of two or three bunk beds for the kids and a double island bed for the parents. Plus, the club lounge provides plenty of space for the whole family to relax.

But what makes the Tourister 675 stand out is its quality fittings and finishes! This caravan is fitted with market-leading appliances throughout, from the washing machine to the 12V USB chargers in the bunks. And beyond looking beautiful, the Tourister is also extremely spacious thanks to its extra-long body.

Key features:

• Modern interior decor.

• Air-conditioning.

• Separate toilet and fully enclosed shower.

• Lots of storage.

• Washing machine.

• 4x gas burners and mini-grill, fridge, microwave.

• 170W solar panel.

• 22” LED TV.

• DVD/CD radio with ceiling speakers.

• Reverse camera.

• External picnic table.

Try before you buy:

• Buddy (Ulladulla, NSW)

• Newlands Tourister (Emerald, QLD)

6. Kokoda Cadet II - best luxury family campervan for off-road

Price from: $85,990

Sleeping berths: 5

Tare: 2750kg

Length: 6400mm

Another of Kokoda’s standout family caravans is the Cadet II, which offers some of the best off-road capabilities on the market. The kids can sleep in the bunk beds (option of 2 or 3), each fitted with a window and magazine pocket. The parents can sleep in the queen island bed with lift-up storage and a wardrobe on either side. Plus, the club lounge provides a heap of space for family dinners and movie nights.

What separates the Cadet II from other models is its off-road capabilities. Although it looks sleek and stylish, this caravan is made for camping in wild terrain, thanks to its two 170W solar panels and 200 amps of battery power. Plus, you even get a portable 39ltr fridge in the front toolbox so that you never run out of freezer space.

Key features:

• Washing machine.

• Separate toilet and shower.

• Range hood, 3x gas 1x electric burner and grill, 174L 3-way fridge, extra 39ltr Engel fridge, microwave.

• 24” TV combo.

• Reverse-cycle air conditioner.

• CD/Bluetooth/MP3/Radio System.

• 2x 170W solar panels.

• Roll-out awning.

• Fold-out picnic table.

Try before you buy:

• 2020 Kokoda Cadet II Platinum (Stockleigh, QLD)

• Kokoda Cadet II XLi (Eden Hills, SA)

• Luxury Kokoda (Mildura, VIC)

Hire the best family caravans to try before you buy

Avoid investing in the wrong family caravan and “try before you buy”. Hire one of the above caravans and test it out before making your purchase. Does it meet your needs? Exceed expectations? Is there anything you’d change?

Camplify is a platform that allows travellers to quickly find and hire privately-owned rental caravans. And all of the best family caravans to buy in 2022 are available for hire. Plus, we have hundreds of other makes and models on offer too!

Earn a return on your family caravan

Now that you know your options, it's time to visit some caravan dealers and make a purchase! There is one way to immediately start earning a return on your investment - renting out your family caravan through Camplify when it’s not in use.

Each year, heaps of Aussies earn up to $10,000 by hiring out their campervan through Camplify. It provides a quick and easy way to generate long-term passive income and earn a return on their investment.

And the best part is, Camplify takes care of many of the expenses involved in hiring out your vehicle, including:

• Comprehensive hire insurance.

• 24/7 NRMA nationwide breakdown cover for hirers.

• Dedicated customer support.

• It’s completely free to list your van.

If you’re interested in making money from home after you retire from the van life, why not try our earnings calculator and see how much income you could generate each year.