OPUS OP2 camper trailer set up at a bush camp beside a 4WD

The Field Journal

Stories from
the track.

Where to camp near every Aussie capital. Off-road guides. Owner stories. Set up tips and the kind of bush wisdom you only pick up by being out there.

Latest · Buying Guide6 min read

Camper Trailer vs Hybrid Caravan: Which Suits Your Adventure?

A camper trailer is lighter and goes further; a hybrid caravan is a hard-walled van you live in the moment you unhitch. Weight, towing, set up, off-road ability and comfort, side by side.

More from
the journal.

16 stories

4WD towing an OPUS Expedition Max hybrid caravan along a dirt track

October 8, 20267 min read

What Can My 4WD Tow? How to Match a Camper to Your Vehicle

Towing capacity is only one of four numbers that decide what you can tow. Here's how to check your vehicle against a camper trailer or hybrid caravan before you buy.

Family walking past an OPUS OP4 camper trailer at a hillside camp

October 8, 20266 min read

Choosing the Best Off-Road Camper Trailer for Your Family

Enough beds, a fast set up, a weight your car can tow with everyone on board, and suspension that survives the corrugations. What matters most when the whole family's coming.

OPUS OP4 camper set up on a turquoise Western Australia coastline

July 9, 20267 min read

Best Places to Camp near Perth

From turquoise beach campsites north of Jurien Bay to jarrah forest river camps in Dwellingup. Eight of the best places to camp near Perth for beach lovers, bush campers and off-grid adventurers.

OPUS hybrid caravan set up off-grid

March 27, 20265 min read

How to Power Your Off-Grid Campsite

Camping off-grid doesn't mean leaving comfort behind. Solar, portable power stations, generators and energy-saving tips for staying powered far from civilisation.

OPUS OP4 TLX at an Adelaide hills campsite

March 24, 20266 min read

Best Camping Near Adelaide

From quick road-trip campgrounds in the Adelaide Hills to true Aussie bush experiences just a few hours from the city. Sites for cars, caravans, families and serious 4WD adventurers.

Aerial view of remote Australian off-road camping

February 16, 20268 min read

Best Australian Campsites for Off-Road Adventures

From firm sand on remote beaches to bush tracks deep inland, Australia has some of the world's best off-road campsites. Eight destinations across every state, plus planning tips.

OPUS camper trailer on a Queensland coast

February 12, 20266 min read

Best Camping Near Brisbane

From laid-back Sunshine Coast campsites to quiet bush camping locals wish they could keep secret. The top QLD camping spots and hidden gems for your next adventure.

OPUS hybrid caravan in alpine national park

November 14, 20255 min read

Best Places to Camp near Canberra

Surrounded by mountains, national parks and serene lakes, Canberra is the perfect base for outdoor adventure. From quiet bush retreats to full-service campsites with panoramic views.

OPUS OP4 TLX with annexe at a NSW beach

November 5, 20256 min read

Best Places to Camp near Sydney

Just a few hours from Sydney you'll find some of Australia's most stunning camping spots, from white sandy beaches to cool mountain valleys. Seven destinations for every kind of camper.

OPUS OP4 TLX club lounge interior

November 2, 20256 min read

Ultimate Camper Packing List: Don't Forget a Thing

Packing smart makes the difference between a smooth adventure and a stressful one. Our complete camping gear checklist covering essentials, comfort, storage, safety and off-grid kit.

OPUS owners weekend at a Victorian campsite

August 11, 20257 min read

Best Places to Camp near Melbourne

Within a few hours' drive of Melbourne you can swap city streets for pristine beaches, lush rainforests, rugged mountains or remote bushland. Our seven favourite spots and how to choose.

Tyler Thompson's 4WD with OPUS camper trailer

December 19, 20234 min read

Tyler Thompson's Essential 4WD Tips

Five hard-won tips for anyone heading off-road from OPUS ambassador Tyler Thompson. Tyre pressure, recovery gear, choosing your line, knowing your limits and pre-trip checks.

OPUS camper trailer on a remote Australian beach at sunset

January 25, 20219 min read

A Gap Year Around Australia Changed Our Family

Kate Cox on her family's lap around Australia. Four people in a camper trailer for almost a year, no plans. Why slowing down changed everything.

Family camping in the Australian bush

August 8, 20193 min read

Why Camping and Caravanning Is Improving the Health of Australians

Outdoor activities like camping and caravanning reduce stress, reset sleep and lift mood. The research and stats behind why more Australians are heading bush.

Family on the road with a caravan

August 8, 20193 min read

The Changing Face of Caravanning

Caravanning and camping has become a multi-generational experience with new expectations and demands from buyers. The numbers behind the shift.