Travel Feature: Eastern States
Six great caravanning destinations in the eastern statesPics: Andrew Harris, Tourism Agencies and Martin Auldist
COAST AND COUNTRY
» GIPPSLAND, VIC
Gippsland is perhaps the most underrated slice of Vic. Rolling farmland cascades into lakes and waterways; wineries and slow-food producers delight the palate; fishing isn't only a pastime, it's often a way of life.
- Great Alpine Road
- The 122km blacktop touring route of the Great Alpine Road starts in the charming town of Bairnsdale, with its frescoed cathedral, ends up in high-altitude Omeo, and takes in farmland, mountain views and rivers, and is Australia's highest, year-round accessible sealed road.
» THE GRAMPIANS, VIC
North-western Vic is extremely variable: in the Grampian Ranges, steep granite cliff faces offer sweeping views across lakes, valleys and townships; in the Little Desert National Park, pancake-flat scrubland and fields of bright wildflowers abound at the right time of year.
- Golden heritage
- The Gold Rush came to the Grampians in a big way. The town of Ararat was founded by a hundreds-strong group of Chinese fortune seekers, and evidence of many a man's dream lost or realised dots much of the surrounding area in the form of abandoned mine shafts.
» NORTH COAST, NSW
Volcanically forged mountains meet the earth’s largest area of subtropical rainforest on NSW’s north coast. Beaches are uncrowded and clean, and the soil is exceptionally fertile, supporting the coffee, nut, tea, dairy and wine industries. If you want to check packed tourist hot spots or prefer to find your own slice of coastal Eden, the north coast has both, and everything in between.
- Canoeing
- Make the first footprints of the day along stunning beaches backed by dense rainforest in and around Coffs Harbour, along the Coffs Coast. Paddle through Bongil Bongil National Park or, in October, savour the Coffs Coast Food and wine festival.
» NSW HINTERLAND
Move away from coastal NSW and you may be pleasantly surprised. The area around Dubbo is packed with an unusually diverse range of things to eat, drink and experience, and if you’re in the right place at the right time, you’ll enjoy a special event or two.
- Radio-telescope cinema
- The CSIRO Observatory at Parkes, NSW, was made famous by the 2000 movie, The Dish, which starred Sam Neill and shows how the tiny town played a crucial role in the Apollo moon landing. Visitors to the radio telescope can find out about all things astronomical.
- For more information on the NSW hinterland, visit http://www.visitnsw.com.au/
» CAIRNS AND SURROUNDS, Qld
The ever-present swaying fields of sugarcane aren’t the only reason Cairns and its surrounds are a great place to visit: the Great Barrier Reef and tropical rainforest are two more excuses to warrant a drop-in - not that you need too many.
It's no secret that the city of Cairns, which functions as a major hub for Qld’s tropical north, is exceptionally popular. But that could be because it’s the perfect springboard for a journey throughout the area.
- Day spa central
- Port Douglas and Palm Cove are stunning places with sky-high accommodation prices. As a caravanner, though, you can indulge in the spas and drink in the vistas with substantially lower overheads.
» OUT THE BACK OF ISA, QLD
Western Qld is rough-and-tumble outback. It also happens to be well set-up for insightful road trips, with oodles to do, both deep underground and across its frequently scorching surface.
Mount Isa isn't only central to the mining industry in western Qld, it’s also a touring nexus, right in the middle of a stack of attractions including the imposing Lead Stack, a famous element of the town’s skyline.
- Living culture
- The city of Mount Isa sits within tribal lands that belong traditionally to the people of the Kalkadoon nation, descendents of whom still live in the area. A visit to the Kalkadoon Aboriginal Cultural Centre will ensure you’re familiar with the stories, art and artefacts of the area’s original inhabitants.
- For more information on Mount Isa, visit http://www.outbackisa.com.au/
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