When touring Australia in a caravan, one silent risk often overlooked is low clearance bridges—anything below about 3.2 m can spell disaster. Google Maps won’t warn you about these hazards, and with caravans easily reaching heights of 3.1 m or more, you could be directed straight into trouble.

During our trip where we had to travel through Bairnsdale, VIC, to get to Lake King Waterfront Park we nearly had our caravan damaged. A bridge clearly marked with a 3.2 m height limit loomed ahead—and with our caravan at 3.1 m, we missed disaster by mere centimetres.

So looking back, should we have known what the height of our caravan was? The answer is yes, we did ask at hand over time, but with the passing of time we weren’t sure any more. What we did know was that our van looked awfully close to 3.2 Meters, and the first thing we were going to loose was the A/C unit on the roof.

Tip: put a sticker on the top right of your windscreen with the height of your caravan and car, especially if you have a roof rack and other items stored on top.

Statistics on Caravan Heights

caravans over 3.0 meters high:

• On-road caravans: 17.32%
• Off-road caravans: 27.88%

As you can see there is a fair amount of caravans which are over 3.0 meters, so when you see a warning for bridge height, pay attention, especially if towing an off-road caravan.

Dangers of Low Clarence Bridges

Zero room for error: Without extra space for antennas or roof fixtures like A/C, a 3.1 m caravan could go past the margin under a 3.2 m bridge.

Limited advance warnings: Local signage exists, but no Google maps or general mapping apps alert you.

High-stakes consequences: Caravans can get ripped apart, cause traffic jams, or even injure people—like the bus strike under Montague Street Bridge in Melbourne, where significant damage and injuries occurred.

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Below is a link to video showing what can go wrong when a low clearance bridge is taken on by a caravan. You may need to reload the page to see the video again.

Low Clarence bridges locations

I have attempted to mark on a map where these bridges are. As you can see the vast majority are in the big cities.

NOTE: This is not an exhaustive / complete list of all low clearance bridges in Australia. There probably are others!!

Final Thoughts for Grey Nomads or not so Grey Nomads on the road

Low-clearance bridges present real threats to caravan travelers. With no awareness on Google Maps and limited warning systems, preparation is key. Measure your full load, use RV or trucking apps, stay alert to signage and have alternative routes ready.

An app I have heard other people talk about is Sygic Truck app , now this is an app that can go on your phone, how good it is I am not sure as I have never used it, but it does have the ability to input your setup length and height.

Our encounter near Bairnsdale proved how narrow margins can be – if conditions hadn’t been perfect, we’d have to do a fifty point u-turn, blocking the road completely in the process. Don’t let low bridges derail your Aussie adventure. Plan smart, stay informed, and your caravan will stay clear—literally.