There is nothing quite like the feeling of waking up in your caravan, tucked away in a remote corner of the Victorian High Country or the frosty plains of the Flinders Ranges, and seeing your breath hang in the air. While the scenery is world-class, the zero-degree mornings can quickly turn a dream trip into a test of endurance if your heating setup isn't up to scratch.
As we head into the thick of the 2026 Australian winter, the debate over the best way to keep a caravan warm is as heated as ever. If you aren't plugged into 240V power at a caravan park, your options generally boil down to two main contenders: Diesel and Gas.
The TL;DR: If you do a lot of remote, off-grid touring, a diesel heater is the undisputed king. It offers high heat output, lower running costs, and fuel that is available in every outback town. However, if your van is already plumbed for gas and you prefer a quieter, simpler installation without an extra fuel tank, a gas heater is a solid, albeit more expensive, alternative.
Before we dive into the pros and cons, let’s look at how these systems actually work. Both are "blown air" heaters. They use a heat exchanger to warm up air drawn from inside the cabin and then blow it back through vents using a 12V fan. Crucially, the combustion process is completely sealed from the interior, with exhaust fumes vented safely outside.
Gas, on the other hand, can be trickier. While 9kg bottles are common, swapping or refilling them in remote areas can be expensive or impossible. If you’re running your fridge, hot water, and stove on gas, adding a heater to the mix can see you burning through a bottle every few days in mid-winter.
Because both diesel and gas *installed* heaters vent outside, they provide a dry heat. However, diesel heaters generally have a higher "Delta T" (the difference between intake and output temperature), meaning they can get a freezing cold van up to a comfortable 22°C much faster than a small gas unit.
Diesel heaters are simpler to install for a handy DIYer, although we always recommend professional installation to ensure the exhaust is correctly routed away from windows and vents.
Staying Powered Up This Winter
To keep your heater running through those long winter nights, you need a reliable 12V system. Whether you need to upgrade your wiring or secure your portable power setup, Outcamp has you covered.
Check out our range of [12V Accessories and Power Solutions](https://outcamp.com.au/collections/4x4-accessories) to ensure your off-grid setup is ready for the cold.
Are you a die-hard diesel fan, or do you prefer the quiet convenience of gas? Every setup is different, and what works for a solo nomad in a troopy might not work for a family in a 22-foot caravan.
Drop a comment below and let us know what you’re running this winter!
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