Road tripping Australia had been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember. Being able to wake up every day in a thrilling new location inside this incredible country was nothing but an amazing dream. That was, until I got to experience the real thing!
From pristine beaches to alien like rock formations, and wild native animals only a few kilometers away from bustling cities, the east coast of Australia really does have it all. What was once a dream, I was able to make it happen, and here’s how you can do it too!
First and foremost, the van:
To have the best road trip you can, finding the perfect van is the first priority. I used Peterpans to find my camper, and it couldn’t have worked out any better! They found multiple vehicles that fit our criteria and best fit the budget (plus some amazing discounts)! I ended up with a vehicle from Apollo that fit the two of us perfectly for the three weeks that we travelled. Their team was amazing at keeping up with us during our trip when I had any questions, so I would highly recommend booking through them for the best price and smooth service!
Packing must haves:
- A backpack: Pack with intention for your trip; storage is not normally massive, so try to keep it light.
- Your license: Make sure it is translated into English and you don’t have any driving restrictions if you’re traveling from overseas. If you’re Aussie, some companies will allow Green P plates but not all so double check before you book anything!
- Wet wipes: These will be your best friend in more ways than one, so make sure to keep them stocked. That way both you and the van stay clean.
- Headlamp/ LED lights: It’s no fun finding your way around in the dark, trust me!
- Hot water bottle/portable fan: Depending on what time of year it is, be prepared for the weather.
- Portable charger: If your van doesn’t have a secondary battery you’ll need to charge up a porty while you drive so you can use it at night.
- Lots of drinking water: Stay hydrated, especially if you’re going out bush far out from any shops!
Where to stay along the way:
The East coast has campsites almost everywhere you can imagine. On apps such as Wikicamps and Campermate, you can see pricing, availability, and amenities depending on what kind of site you’re looking for. Some of the more popular campsites near popular attractions will have powered sites, grills for cooking, and real toilet/shower blocks! However, if you start to go off the beaten track, expect long drop toilets, no electricity, and only the stars to guide the way.
It might sound a bit scary but believe me, these off the beaten track campsites are where you will find the most magic and feel the true Australia! Depending on what kind of trip you are looking to have, you can book the campsites that fit your vibe (and price range) accordingly.
Experiences:
Now that you’ve got all of the admin sorted out for how you will get around, it’s time for the fun stuff! Australia’s natural beauty can be explored in a number of ways.
For the hiking type, you can use all trails to explore on your own and trust me there are PLENTY of trails to trek! Just don’t forget sunblock and bug spray. (P.S. Be aware of the drive ins for hikes if your vehicle is 2wd, most vans aren’t allowed on unpaved roads for more than 10kms!)
We were seeking some bucket-list travel adventures, so we booked a few excursions to do along the way! This Daintree rainforest and Cape Tribulation tour was like no other, with the chance to explore the oldest rainforest in the world! We also did this Great Barrier Reef sailing tour which included snorkeling, an underwater observatory, buffet lunch, and even a waterslide off the Catamaran! For our Byron Bay thrill, we took a huge leap (literally) and skydived… or is it skydove? Anyway, lastly, I can’t forget the Whitehaven beach Ocean rafting to Hill Inlet. Easily the most beautiful beach I’ve ever seen!
All of these tours made the experience 1 million times crazier than my wildest dreams. There are plenty of things to do along the way, and my best advice is to book in advance as many of these experiences will fill up! (P.S. Don’t be silly and forget to look at the school calendars as well, during any school holidays beware that tours and campsites will be fully booked!)
Time to head off?:
Now that you have sorted a van, your packing list, found campsites, and are ready to book the adventures of your lifetime, it’s just up to you to decide when you’re ready to go!
If you’re starting from Melbourne or Sydney I suggest you begin in January-March to catch summer in the south and as you drive north towards North Queensland, you’ll get there in time for the dry season. If you’re going the other way, I would recommend starting in Cairns around August-October and taking your time on the way down to hit Sydney by summertime!
In general, November-March is the rainy season in the north, so you should aim to travel the south during those months, as it is their summer! I went in February-March from Melbourne to Cairns and had incredible weather the whole way up!
My biggest advice is to get out there and go! Australia is a one-of-a-kind place with one-of-a-kind experiences, so take the wheel, fill up your tank, and get yourself an experience like no other!
Check out the Peterpans Campervan Finder – its got all of the best vans in one easy place for you to compare and book your dream van!
