Top holiday hot spots for young and old

The freedom of having a home on wheels is an experience of a lifetime but it can also be daunting for those who haven’t done it before.

To help Aussies make the most of their holiday escapes, we've compiled a bite-sized holiday guide for first-time caravanners as well as a list of some must-see caravan destinations across the nation.

From driving against a backdrop of sandstone ridges to discovering a red dirt outback experience or swimming with turtles, there's something out there for all adventurous Aussies...

Do a one-day caravan towing course

Before you set off on your journey, sign up for a caravan towing course to provide practical training and information to help keep everything in check on the road.

Have a pre-trip checklist to make sure you cover all safety issues before setting off. Making a list and checking it twice isn’t just for Santa - it’s a must-do for safety and smooth caravan trips too.

Weigh your caravan rig so it’s under the maximum permissible weights for your set-up.

Allow enough time to get to your destination so you don’t have to rush or arrive late in the evening. Setting up in the dark is a challenge, even for caravanning pros.

Take your time instead of taking over!
Keep your speed under the highway limits for both safety and fuel economy reasons, and try not to overtake with a caravan in tow. The journey is a big part of the joy of caravanning, so enjoy it.

Here are some of our favourite spots to help map out your route and make the most of your next RV adventure...

New South Wales

Batemans Bay: “It hasn’t got the star attraction of nearby Byron Bay or Noosa, but if it’s a magnificent surf beach you’re after, a taste of the region’s famous oysters or a walk through Murramarang National Park, Batemans Bay is the place to go.”

Blue Mountains: “Head to the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, to sample some of New South Wales' best off-road driving against a backdrop of stunning sandstone ridges and sprawling valleys.”

Canberra: “The nation’s capital is a great place to visit in summer, when the locals and politicians clear out of Canberra leaving tourists to enjoy the multitude of attractions including the National Gallery of Australia, Australian War Memorial and Parliament House itself.”

Queensland

Port Douglas: "It’s a great drive from Cairns all the way to the tip of Cape York, with tropical rainforests and unspoilt coastline galore, but you’d be mad not to spend some time in the very cosmopolitan but laidback Port Douglas. The jewel of far north Queensland offers some of Australia’s best beach walks along with plenty of gourmet eateries and lively bars.”

Hervey Bay: “You may think Hervey Bay is Australia’s retirement capital but it’s also a mecca for holidaymakers, with plenty to see and do even if you miss the annual whale migration around October. It’s also a gateway to Australia’s largest sand island, K’gari, for beach and nature lovers.”

Mackay: “Sometimes you have to venture a little bit off the highway to discover a gem of a place to park your caravan, like Cape Hillsborough National Park, located 50km north-west of Mackay. This bushy coastal retreat offers among other things the pre-dawn spectacle of local wallabies and kangaroos gathering on the beach.”

Streaky Bay: “You could spend weeks touring South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula but one of my favourite spots is the tiny coastal town of Streaky Bay. There’s a great caravan park on the hill and you can drive your car onto the beach for a swim. Stick around for New Year’s Eve, when the Streaky Bay sky bursts into colour with a spectacular fireworks display.”

Flinders and Bendleby Ranges: “South Australia’s Flinders Ranges is one of the most accessible places to enjoy a red dirt Outback experience, and top of my list is Bendleby Ranges. Sheltered campsites with private campfires are situated among pine and gum trees and along river and creek beds, with showers and toilets close by, making it the ideal family camping experience.”

Kangaroo Island: “It’s not the easiest place to get to but Australia’s third largest island, Kangaroo Island is an isolated marvel easily accessible to RV travellers with a bit of planning. The big tourism attractions are in the south and the south-west: Seal Bay, Remarkable Rocks, Admirals Arch, and the Flinders Chase National Park. Visit them all if you can.”

Western Australia

Exmouth: “You'll need a few weeks to discover all the wonders of West Australia’s Coral Coastline, but if time is short, make a beeline to Exmouth where the emus wander through the caravan park and you can jump off the nearby beach to swim with the turtles at Ningaloo reef.”

Gibb River Road, Kimberley: “You’ll want to avoid the Wet season and do it in a suitable 4WD vehicle but driving along the dusty Gibb River Road in the Kimberley is a must-do for any Outback enthusiast. Everyone goes to El Questro, but one of my favourite stop-offs is Mornington Wildlife Sanctuary where you can enjoy a spectacular two-kilometre canoe ride through Diamond Gorge.”

Margaret River: “A taste of the famous Margaret River region, south of Perth, where there’s something for everyone: world-famous surf breaks, spectacular forest drives, countless wineries and breweries, lighthouse lookouts, the list goes on. Stretch your legs on the 1841m long Busselton Jetty on the drive in.”

Tasmania

Launceston: “Launceston often plays second fiddle to Hobart but it’s well worth a visit with plenty of great places to eat, top-notch wineries and the perfect day trip location in Cataract Gorge, only a short walk from the city centre.”

Stanley: “While Hobart’s Mona and Cradle Mountain are among Tassie’s major attractions, I’d also recommend the historic fishing town of Stanley in the north-west, where you can kick back at the caravan park perfectly positioned at the base of the volcanic outcrop aptly called the Nut and nestled alongside Sawyer Bay”.

Strahan: “Strahan on Macquarie Harbour is another Tassie favourite of mine, where you can cruise for miles up the beach or take a memorable meander along the Gordon River and walk among the 2000 year old Huon pines in the ancient rainforests.”

Victoria

Phillip Island: “For last minute bookings close to Melbourne, Phillip Island is a great spot for young and old, with plenty of attractions including a sizeable koala population, noisy offshore colony of grey fur seals and the daily evening parade of fairy penguins...”

Mallacoota: “Victoria’s Gippsland region is abuzz at holiday time but one of my favourite parts is the coastal town of Mallacoota, at the extreme eastern end of Victoria close to the stunning and diverse Croajingolong National Park, with its many long and short walks through and across rainforests, granite peaks and estuaries.”

The Grampians: “It’s hard to beat the spectacular rocky peaks of the Grampians in north-western Victoria, with the steep granite cliff faces offering sweeping views across lakes, valleys and townships. If you’re coming up from Melbourne make sure you stop off in Horsham, the capital of the Wimmera, and play a few holes at the well maintained golf course.”

Murray-Sunset National Park, near Underbool: “Located in Victoria’s far north-west the huge Murray-Sunset national park is about as far from Melbourne as you can get but the reward for the drive is not one, but four pink-coloured lakes in the southern part of the park. Lake Crosbie is the biggest and walking out in the middle across the livid pink salt crust at sunset is an unforgettable experience.”

Northern Territory

Mataranka: “Relaxing in thermal springs is one of the highlights of any Top End trip, and there’s no excuse for missing out when cruising along the Stuart Highway towards Darwin, with Mataranka’s soothing, turqouise pools just a short detour away. Park the van at the Mataranka Homestead Tourist Resort and check out the replica of the original Elsey homestead of  ‘We of the Never Never’ fame.”

Litchfield National Park: “Litchfield is a great introduction to the wonders of NT’s national parks, with all the roads sealed, big carparks and easy, hand-railed walks to the pools and falls. There’s plenty of see and do including a wander around the Magnetic termite mounds and Tolmer Falls lookout, a swim at Buley Rockholes and Florence Falls; and cruising through the Lost City, to name just a few spots...”

Related: Outback travel tips for remote area tourers