A camping generator is one of those purchases where getting it wrong is expensive and getting it right is invisible. Spend $400 on the wrong unit, and you will find yourself stranded somewhere off the Newell Highway in summer with a fridge full of ruined meat and an aircon that refuses to start. Spend $1,400 on something heavier than your kitchen kettle could ever draw, and you have wasted money on capacity you will never use.
Every Australian camper, caravanner, and motorhome owner eventually faces the same practical question: what generator do I actually need, and where am I legally allowed to run it? The short answer is that the right generator depends on three things: what you plan to power, where you plan to camp, and whether you can live with a unit that needs a petrol top-up every seven hours.
The longer answer, drawing on what we have learned from selling Gentrax generators to Australian campers since the brand launched here, is what follows.
Gentrax GTX6600 Inverter Generator
Sizing: The Question That Decides Everything
Sizing is the single most important decision you will make. Most generator regrets we hear from Outbax customers come down to undersizing rather than the choice of brand or fuel type. A generator that is two notches too small is uselessly small. A generator that is one notch too large is merely a little heavier than it needed to be.
Start by adding up the wattage of every appliance you intend to run at the same time. A 50-litre fridge draws roughly 60 W when its compressor is running. An LED light strip is a few watts. A laptop charger is around 90 W. None of those individually justifies a generator. The number that matters is the surge load: appliances with electric motors and compressors briefly demand two to three times their rated wattage at the moment they switch on.
A caravan rooftop air conditioner is the classic example. A unit rated at 1,500 W running may briefly draw 3,000 to 3,500 W for the first second or two as the compressor kicks in. That is why a 2.0 kVA generator can sometimes start a small aircon and a 1.6 kVA one cannot, despite both being theoretically large enough to run it once it is going.
If you are between two sizes, our customer data tells us most owners who buy the smaller unit upgrade within 18 months. The price gap at point of purchase is rarely worth the regret.
Three rough sizing brackets cover most Australian camping scenarios:
| Camping setup | Generator size | Suggested model |
|---|---|---|
| Tent or camper trailer with 12V fridge, lights and device charging | 1.0 to 1.2 kVA | Gentrax GT1200 |
| Caravan with one rooftop aircon, microwave or kettle, standard 240V power | 2.0 to 2.4 kVA | Gentrax GT2200 Pro |
| Larger caravan or motorhome with two aircons or heavy simultaneous load | 3.0 to 3.5 kVA, or two 2.2 kVA in parallel | Gentrax GT3500, or paired GT2200 Pro units |
VoltX VX6600 2-Wire Inverter Generator
Inverter or Conventional: Which One Suits You?
Australian campers fall into one of two camps without realising it. The first runs sensitive electronics: laptops, phones, CPAP machines, modern caravan inverters and battery management systems. The second runs blunt loads: power tools, bilge pumps, halogen worklights.
If you sit in the first camp you need an inverter generator. Inverter generators produce a clean sine wave with very low Total Harmonic Distortion, typically below 3%. Anything above that risks damaging sensitive electronics over time. A modern caravan with lithium batteries, a smart charger and a multifunction display sits firmly in the first camp, even if you do not think of it that way.
Conventional generators are heavier, louder, and produce a less stable waveform. They cost less and are perfectly suited to building sites and bush blocks. These are mostly open-frame generators.
Australian Caravan Power: The Realities Most Overseas Guides Miss
This is where most online guides go badly wrong. Australia runs on 230 to 240V at 50 Hz, not the 120V you will see in American buyer guides. Caravans here use either a 10-amp or a 15-amp lead. The 15 amp lead is the larger plug with the wider earth pin, and it is the standard for caravans drawing more than 10 amps continuous, which covers most modern vans with air conditioning.
Some generators come with a 15-amp outlet built in. Others provide 10-amp outlets and require an adapter. If you are buying a generator specifically to power a caravan, check the outlet configuration on the unit and against your tow van's lead before you buy. We see this catch out roughly one in fifteen first-time buyers, and it always happens at the worst possible moment.
Two generators can also be linked using a parallel kit. This is how owners of larger motorhomes run two air conditioners simultaneously without buying a single 5 kVA unit. The Gentrax GTX4200 Pro supports parallel operation. Make sure the kit is rated to the combined output, and that both units are the same make and model. Mismatched parallel pairings are a recipe for an expensive failure.
Here’s what one of our customers said:
“Great generator, just used it at an event to run the equipment on a food stand with a fridge and 2 baine maries all day and didn’t miss a beat.”
Gentrax G3500 Inverter Generator
Where You Can Legally Run a Generator in Australia
This is the section most retailer guides leave out, and it matters enormously. There are tens of thousands of campsites across Australia where running a generator is either banned outright or restricted by quiet hours. Buying a generator without checking the rules for your typical camping spots is buying a paperweight.
As of April 2026, generator rules vary by state and by land manager. The position below is a working summary, but always check the relevant ranger website before you travel. Park policies are reviewed regularly, and seasonal restrictions can apply.
| Land manager | Generator policy (current as of April 2026) |
|---|---|
| NSW NPWS | Generators are prohibited in most National Park camping areas. Some Crown Reserves and free camps allow them quiet hours. |
| Parks Victoria | Generators are banned in the majority of Parks Victoria campgrounds. Always check the specific park notice before travelling. |
| QLD DES | Permitted in some camping areas, with quiet hours typically 9 pm to 7 am. |
| WA DBCA | Permitted at most parks with similar quiet hour conditions. |
| Tasmania PWS | Prohibited in most National Park sites, allowed in some regional reserves. |
| Caravan parks | Usually banned, because the park supplies its own 240V power. Quiet hours commonly run 8 pm to 8 am where generators are permitted at all. |
Total Fire Ban days add another layer. In most states, running a portable petrol generator on a declared TFB day is illegal and can attract substantial fines.
The NSW RFS Fires Near Me app is a practical tool for travelling owners. Equivalent state apps and websites are available in Victoria (CFA), Queensland (QFES), Western Australia (DFES), and Tasmania (TFS). Check them the morning you depart, and again before lighting up the genset.
Safety: Three Rules That Cover Almost Every Incident
Camping generator incidents in Australia are not common, but when they happen, they are usually severe. Carbon monoxide poisoning has killed Australian campers as recently as the past few years. The pattern is consistent enough that three rules cover almost every reported case.
- Never run a generator inside a tent, awning, annexe, vehicle or enclosed canopy. Carbon monoxide is invisible and odourless, and fatal in concentrations that can build up within minutes. Place the generator at least 3 metres from sleeping areas, with the exhaust pointing away from people.
- Stop the generator and let it cool before refuelling. Petrol vapour ignites on hot exhaust components. Five minutes is the practical minimum cool-down.
- Check the Total Fire Ban status before running a petrol generator. In most states, running a portable petrol engine on a declared TFB day is illegal.
We would also strongly recommend a battery-powered carbon monoxide alarm in any caravan or motorhome where a generator may be run nearby. A good one costs less than $50 and has a track record of saving lives. It is the cheapest piece of camping safety equipment you will ever buy.
Gentrax GS2-5000IE 4.8kW Inverter Generator
Fuel, Runtime, and What Eight Hours Actually Means
Most camping generators on the Australian market run on regular unleaded petrol. Some larger units, and most onboard motorhome generators, run on diesel or LPG.
Runtime is usually quoted at 25% load. At 50% load, expect roughly half the headline figure. At 100%, you might get a quarter. The Gentrax GT2200 Pro, for example, is rated for around 8 hours at 25% load on its 4 litre tank. A caravan running a fridge, charging system and occasional appliance use sits around 25 to 35% load on average, so the headline figure is reasonable. A caravan running a rooftop air conditioner flat out in 38-degree heat is closer to 80% load, and the same generator may need refuelling in three to four hours.
A useful rule for trip planning: assume your generator will burn one tank per evening of moderate use. For a fortnight away from a fuel stop, that is roughly 60 litres of carry capacity for a 4 litre tank unit. Petrol stabiliser added to the jerry cans extends storage life from a few weeks to several months, and is worth the few dollars it costs.
Noise: What Db(A) at 7m Really Tells You
Noise figures on generator spec sheets are usually quoted in decibels measured at 7 metres, written as dB(A) at 7m. This is important because a generator quoted at 58 dB at 7 metres will be more like 70 dB at 1 metre. Caravan park neighbours hear the closer figure.
A genuinely quiet inverter generator measures 55 to 60 dB at 7 metres on eco mode at light load. Conventional generators are typically 70 to 78 dB at the same distance. The audible difference is significant: a 10 dB increase is roughly perceived as twice as loud.
For practical purposes:
- Under 60 dB at 7 metres is acceptable in most caravan parks during permitted hours.
- 60 to 65 dB is acceptable at free camps with consideration for neighbours.
- Above 65 dB belongs on a worksite or a remote bush block where there is no one within shouting distance.
The Gentrax Range, Compared
Outbax stocks the Gentrax range as our primary camping generator brand. Each unit is RCM compliant under the Australian Standards framework and tested for sine wave purity before shipping. A short summary of what each unit is for sits below.
| Model | Rated / Max | Weight | Runtime (25% load) | Noise (7 m) | Best suited for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gentrax GT1200 | 1.0 / 1.2 kVA | 13 kg | ~7 hours | ~58 dB | Tent and camper trailer use, sensitive electronics, weight-conscious buyers |
| Gentrax GT2200 Pro | 2.0 / 2.4 kVA | 22 kg | ~8 hours | ~58 dB | Single aircon caravans, parallel-capable, the workhorse of the range |
| Gentrax GT3500 | 3.0 / 3.5 kVA | 28 kg | 4.1 hours at 50% load | ~62 dB | Larger caravans and motorhomes with dual loads or single aircon plus heavy appliance use |
| Gentrax G3500 (conventional) | 2.8 / 3.5 kVA | 32 kg | 8.1 hours at 50% load | ~65 dB | Worksite use, bush blocks, power tools. |
Specifications are nominal manufacturer figures. Real-world runtime and noise vary with altitude, ambient temperature and load.
Generator or Lithium Power Station: The Question We Are Now Asked Weekly
Five years ago, this comparison did not really exist. Lithium iron phosphate technology has changed that. A 1,500 to 2,000 Wh power station can now power a 12V fridge, lighting, and device charging for two to three nights without recharging. Add a 200 W solar panel, and many camping setups become effectively silent and self-contained.
Generators still make sense in three scenarios:
- Continuous high load. Rooftop air conditioning, microwave use and electric kettles all draw more than most lithium setups can sustain.
- Long overcast stretches. Solar charging fails when the weather fails, and a generator gives you a guaranteed top-up.
- Trips that exceed your recharge window. A week off-grid in winter, with short days and shaded campsites, will outrun most solar setups.
The increasingly common answer for serious campers is to run both. A lithium power station handles the daily camping load in silence, and a smaller inverter generator is carried for the occasional heavy load and as backup. Many of our long touring customers now travel with a 1,500 Wh power station and a Gentrax unit side-by-side.
How to Look After a Generator
A camping generator that is looked after will run for ten years or more. One that is neglected will fail in three. The basics are simple.
- Run the generator for 10 minutes once a month, even in the off-season. This cycles fuel through the carburettor and prevents gumming.
- Add a fuel stabiliser if the generator will sit for more than four weeks.
- Change the oil at the intervals specified in the manual. Typically, 50 hours initially, then every 100 hours.
- Replace the air filter annually, or sooner in dusty conditions. Outback touring is hard on filters.
- Store the unit under cover, out of direct sun, with the fuel tank either full and stabilised or completely empty and dry.
The single most common warranty claim we see is a stuck carburettor in a generator that sat untouched for a season with old fuel in the bowl. The 10-minute monthly start prevents almost all of them.
Seven Questions to Answer Before You Buy
Before placing an order, work through these. If you cannot confidently answer all seven, our team in Sydney is happy to help. A 10-minute phone call before you buy will save most buyers a four-figure mistake.
- What appliances will I run, and what is the highest simultaneous load?
- What is the surge wattage of the heaviest motorised appliance in that list?
- Will I be running anything sensitive: laptop, CPAP, modern caravan electronics, lithium battery management?
- Where am I legally allowed to run a generator on the trips I actually do?
- What fuel and storage capacity am I willing to carry on a longer trip?
- Do I want the option to run two units in parallel later?
- What is my noise tolerance, and that of my neighbours?
The Honest Summary
Choosing a camping generator is less about brands and more about matching the unit to the way you actually camp. Work out your real load, including surge wattage. Choose an inverter if you have any sensitive electronics. Check the generator rules for the parks and free camps you actually visit. Buy the next size up if you are caught between two.
And whatever you buy, run it once a month, never inside an enclosed space, and never on a Total Fire Ban day. Those three habits cover most of the trouble we see.
If you would like a 10-minute sizing call before you order, our team in Sydney can talk you through your specific setup. The number is on the contact page. We would rather you buy the right generator once than the wrong generator twice.
