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1. NORTH COAST, NSW

North-Coast-NSW

The North Coast has so much to offer within a day’s drive of Sydney. Coffs Harbour is where the mountains meet the sea and a wonderful campsite is never far away, whether by a river or the deep blue.

From beach driving to stunning rainforest pockets within World Heritage-listed national parks, this part of the world has the lot. The kids will love the safe swimming in the clear waterways while mum and dad can surf, explore on a SUP or kayak up one of the many creeks.

DAY 1: SYDNEY TO COFFS HARBOUR

  • Plenty of waterfront camping areas to choose from
  • Surfing beaches, safe creeks and plenty of patrolled beaches to get wet at
  • Make sure you bring your swimmers, fishing rod and/or a surfboard

    • DAY 2: EXPLORE COFFS HARBOUR

  • Check out the Big Banana
  • Visit the Pet Porpoise Pool
  • Swim at one of the many pristine beaches
  • Go jetty jumping off the jetty
  • Walk over Muttonbird Island

    • DAY 3: COFFS HARBOUR TO NYMBOIDA

  • Escape to the hinterland
  • Stop for lunch at Ulong at the Old Post Office Cafe
  • Explore waterfalls and stunning rainforest
  • Riverside camping at Platypus Flats in Nymboida

    • DAY 4: NYMBOIDA TO DORRIGO

  • Head to the Norm Jolly memorial grove
  • Walk amongst 800-year-old Tallowwood trees in World Heritage-listed areas
  • Stop at Dangar Falls for lunch and a (brave) swim
  • Spend time at the Dorrigo Rainforest centre

    • KIDS WILL LOVE

  • Having fun at the Big Banana
  • Jetty jumping or fishing in the harbour off Coffs Jetty
  • Riding the rapids on the Nymboida River or spotting platypus

    • WHERE TO CAMP?

  • Darlington Park is 110 acres of park-like grounds with plenty of shade and only a short walk away

    • 2. ATHERTON TABLELANDS, QLD

    Atherton-Tablelands-QLD

    Few destinations in Australia are jam-packed with such an amazing variety of awe-inspiring natural wonders than the short journey from Atherton to the Daintree. It will literally have you mesmerised from start to finish.

    DAY 1: ATHERTON TABLELANDS TO KURANDA

  • Explore the Waterfall Circuit near Atherton
  • Enjoy the serenity of the volcanic crater lakes
  • Take the short drive to Kuranda

    • DAY 2: KURANDA

  • Experience a round trip on the Skyrail and Kuranda Scenic Railway
  • Find unique souvenirs in this village in the rainforest
  • Visit spectacular Barron Gorge

    • DAY 3: KURANDA TO CAPE TRIBULATION VIA MOSSMAN

  • Enjoy the coastal scenery along the Captain Cook Highway
  • Head out to Mossman Gorge
  • Watch for crocs while on the Daintree Ferry

    • DAY 4: EXPLORE CAPE TRIBULATION

  • Visit the Daintree Discovery Centre and climb the impressive 23m Canopy Tower
  • Take a river cruise to spot crocs
  • Go ‘jungle surfing’ with the kids

    • KIDS WILL LOVE

  • Exploring the tropical rainforest
  • ‘Jungle surfing’
  • Climbing the 23m Canopy Tower

    • WHERE TO CAMP

  • Kauri Creek camping area, Danbulla State Forest
  • Open camping area without defined sites with uninterrupted lake views. Bookings compulsory.
  • The Billabong Kuranda
  • Spacious campground set in the rainforest, 15 minutes from town.
  • Cape Trib Camping
  • Nestled in the Daintree Forest − beachfront camping available.

    • 3. WEST MACDONNELL RANGES, NT

    West-Macdonnell-Ranges-NT

    Although slap-bang in the middle of the country, a trip to the Red Centre is in many ways the easiest way to introduce your kids to the romance of the outback. And what stunning outback it is! If you’re short on time fly into Alice Springs and hire a 4WD and camper trailer. That makes this memorable outback sojourn doable in just four days.

    DAY 1: ALICE SPRINGS TO ORMISTON GORGE

  • Wander along the creek to admire Simpson Gap just outside Alice
  • Explore the incredible Standley Chasm, which is like an elaborate entryway to a giant’s lair
  • Watch the sunrise light up the golden escarpments of breathtaking Ormiston Gorge

    • DAY 2: ORMISTON GORGE TO REDBANK GORGE

  • Set up camp atop the escarpment at Redbank Gorge
  • Put the hiking boots on and explore
  • Splash in the waterhole at Redbank where native wildlife comes for a drink

    • DAY 3: REDBANK GORGE TO TNORALA (GOSSE BLUFF)

  • Marvel at the geological behemoth that is Tnorala as you approach from miles away
  • Explore the incredible 150-million-year-old crater on foot
  • Learn about the Aboriginal dreaming story of Tnorala, interestingly also related to the stars

    • DAY 4: TNORALA TO KINGS CANYON

  • Do the summit walk at Kings Canyon for amazing views
  • Set up camp at Kings Canyon Resort. The kids will love the facilities and playing with other littlies

    • KIDS WILL LOVE

  • The rich red soil and beautiful escarpments, especially if it’s their first time to the outback
  • Rock hopping through dry creek beds and playing in the soft sand
  • Swimming in waterholes – weather pending as it gets very cold!

    • WHERE TO CAMP

  • Ormiston Gorge camping area. Hot showers, but sometimes crowded
  • Redback camping area. Beautiful outlook and a bit quieter
  • Kings Canyon Resort camping area. Hot meal at the bistro, perhaps?

    • 4. BASS COAST, VICTORIA

    Bass-Coast-VIC

    Gumbuya Park, Phillip Island, Inverloch and Cape Liptrap – there’s more than enough activity on Victoria’s Bass Coast to entertain the whole family for a week or more! Littlies will love petting the baby animals, feeding the roos or close encounters with snakes, dingoes or crows at Gumbaya Park, then venture southwards and bunker down at Cowes in Phillip Island for two nights before heading down the sandy coast.

    DAY 1: GUMBUYA PARK TO PHILLIP ISLAND

  • Cosy up to a dingo at Gumbuya Park
  • Enjoy snags and kick a ball with the crew on the vast lawns
  • Bushwalk the fabulous Glen Forbes before hitting the island

    • DAY 2: CAPE WOOLAMAI TO CHURCHILL HERITAGE ISLAND

  • Enjoy the calm and safe waters of Cape Woolamai Safety Beach
  • Entertain the kids with an afternoon at the Churchill Heritage Island or challenge the older ones on the SkyTrail course

    • DAY 3: PENGUIN SPOTTING AT THE NOBBIES

  • Take a leisurely morning stroll on Cowes Beach
  • Stretch the legs on the Nobbies boardwalk but don’t forget your jacket!
  • Finish the day with the Penguins parade

    • DAY 4: INVERLOCH TO CAPE LIPTRAP

  • Shell collecting at low tide
  • Dine out at Inverloch pub before setting off for seclusion

    • KIDS WILL LOVE

  • Racing each other on twin toboggan tracks at Gumbuya Park
  • Milking a cow or cracking a whip at Churchill Heritage Island
  • Catching their first wave at one of many surf schools on the Bass Coast
  • Seeing penguins nestled in their burrows at the magnificent Nobbies
  • Digging for crabs and exploring rocks at Cowes main beach at low tide
  • Collecting shells and splashing in the shallows at Andersons Inlet, Inverloch

    • WHERE TO CAMP

  • Akoonah Park, Vic
  • Basic camping amenities close to friends and family in Victoria’s south-east suburbs
  • Beach Park Tourist Caravan Park, Cowes
  • Shady sites with direct access to kid-friendly beaches
  • Inverloch Foreshore Camping Reserve, Inverloch
  • Beautiful traditional campground close to town with native landscaping
  • Bear Gully campground Cape Liptrap
  • Then get away from it all at this private beach oasis

    • This article comes courtesy of Camper Trailer Australia. For the full articles and itineraries, please visit www.campertraileraustralia.com.au/destinations

    MEET THE AUTHOR

    Emma-Ryan

    Emma Ryan

    Free-spirited, teller of ripper yarns, and with an incredible eye for detail, Adventures Field Editor Emma Ryan is widely travelled and loves a challenge. As the field editor of Camper Trailer Australia, Emma is also well versed in camper trailers and the challenges of the bush and outback.

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