With the popularity of ‘van life’ influencers on social media, it seems that camper holidays and road trips are going through a revival. Tourists have flocked to countries like Australia and the USA which offer excellent infrastructure, amazing sights, and long stretches of scenic open highways.
Of course, there are particular routes and stopping points that have become famous, and often for a very good reason. However, there are some lesser-known options for those looking for a unique experience. This guide will explore some of the best off-the-beaten-path places to travel in Australia.
The Pros and Cons of Camper Trips
Social media makes road trips seem like a fun, thrilling way to explore a country or region. They absolutely can be, but like many things online what you see is likely to be airbrushed. Before hiring a camper trailer and setting off on your way, make sure you’ve considered the pros and cons to decide whether the van life is for you.
Pros:
- Multiple stops: Easily the biggest benefit of all is the fact that you can visit many destinations. No more will you have to struggle to decide which places you have time to see and which you will have to leave out because your schedule won’t allow them or public transport can’t get you there.
- Unpack once: As soon as you’ve got your trailer or van, you can unpack everything and not put it away again until your trip is over. This removes the hassle of having to unpack and repack every few days when staying in hotels or hostels.
- Self-sufficiency: Your holiday will run entirely on your own schedule. No more check-in and check-out times, and no missing flights or trains to worry about.
- Affordability: Accommodation and meals, two of the big costs of any holiday, can be lessened by choosing life on the road instead.
Cons:
- Compared to other types of multi-destination holidays, it is much easier to organise. But it still takes a lot of planning compared to visiting a single destination.
- It can get a bit cramped. This depends somewhat on the type of trailer or van you choose, but too long spent cooped up inside one can become uncomfortable.
Less well-known Australian road trip destinations
If you’ve decided that a road trip holiday down under is for you, then these are the places you will want to add to your Australia bucket list.
- The Otways Loop, Victoria: Gigantic ancient trees, waterfalls, and dramatic coastal vistas can be found on this route through the rainforests of Great Otway National Park.
- The Savannah Way, Queensland: Historic towns, volcanic activity, and grassy plains offer plenty to see and do on this journey through the outback.
- Silo Art Trail, Victoria: For over 200km through the rural Wimmera-Mallee region of Victoria, giant silos serve as canvases for artists in the small local communities.
- Bundjalung National Park: This is the destination for those who love white-sand beaches and long coastal walks, but there are also wetlands and rainforests to see.
Some of these places are very remote, so make sure you have read up on how to travel safely in Australia before you set off.
