Road tripping Australia in a campervan is the perfect way to travel around this huge country. With somewhere to sleep, cook and drive all rolled into one, campervans provide the perfect vehicle for seeing the best of the land Down Under. But where to go? Here are 5 great places in Australia to visit if you do have a campervan and want to hit the open road.
1. The Great Barrier Reef
Ok, who can honestly resist visiting the mammoth spectacle of the Great Barrier Reef if you have a campervan? Bigger than the Great Wall of China and the only natural wonder in the world visible from space, the Great Barrier Reef is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and, unsurprisingly, one of the most iconic tourist destinations in Australia.
Located in Queensland, the Great Barrier Reef is actually composed of thousands of different coral reefs around hundreds of stunning islands. Most amazing is the fact the entire reef actually boasts over 600 types of corals, which is truly unique.
If you do intend to visit the Great Barrier Reef area via campervan, then the best places to explore the reef from are either Cairns, Port Douglas, the Whitsundays or Townsville. From all of these destinations you can easily explore the spectacular marine life which exists here via either snorkeling, sailing or scuba diving trips.
2. Port Macquarie
If you are someone who loves sun, sea and sand, then Port Macquarie in New South Wales is the right Australian destination for you. This quieter town between Brisbane and Sydney makes the perfect campervan stopover between these 2 larger cities along the popular east coast route.
Once at Port Macquarie, you can enjoy dolphin watching, sunbaking, swimming and even try your hand at the most iconic Australian sport – surfing. The city also offers you with some of the most beautiful sunrise views over the ocean. With great cafes, lovely promenade strolls and a friendly community, Port Macquarie is a wonderful place in Australia to visit with a campervan.
3. Uluru
Almost slap bang in the middle of the country, who can visit the epic drive through the red centre of Australia to reach the county’s most famous rock? Whether you drive up from Adelaide, down from Darwin, or across from Townsville, the voyage to Uluru is one of red dirt, blue sky and epic photo opportunities.
Make sure you allow plenty of time to make this drive in your campervan, as there is sure to be more than you expect to see and visit along the way. Once there, you’ll have to park up for the night in the campground of the township of Yulara, as this is the closest camping facility to the big rock. Make sure you then allow at least 3 days to visit Uluru and the surrounding area – seeing the sun rise over this country is a must.
4. Carnarvon Gorge National Park
Tucked away in Queensland’s Central Highlands, this remote national park is perfect for those that want to experience a bit of adventure as part of their campervan holiday in Australia. Filled with amazing hikes, swimming holes and wildlife, Carnarvon Gorge is a lush, tropical paradise in an otherwise dry and semi-arid area of Australia.
Coming to this national park with a campervan is a great idea, as the only accommodation provided here is either in campgrounds or rustic cabins. Take your pick from a range of 3 accommodations on offer and then settle in for a few days to truly relish the stunning part of the country.
Top picks at Carnarvon Gorge National Park including getting up early to complete the dawn walk to Bulimba Bluff and cooling down in the afternoon with a swim in the rock pool. Just make sure to time your visit here well – the middle of summer can be scorching hot and very wet, while the middle of winter can get very cold!
5. The Great Ocean Road
Down in the state of Victoria, this famous stretch of road is a must for those who are driving a campervan around Australia. That’s because the weather here is so changeable and having somewhere to sleep with a watertight roof over your head, as well as a vehicle to get around in comfortably is essential.
Allow at least 5 days to see as much as possible along this great, windy route, including the lighthouse, Otway National Park, the town of Lorne and Anglesea, Bells Beach, the 12 Apostles and London Bridge. Make sure to also bring jumpers and rain jackets, as well as sunscreen and shorts whatever time of year it is!
So that’s my list of 5 great places to road trip in Australia with a campervan. Which is your favourite?
