Top Aussie RV Destinations
In a country as big as Australia, the list of great RV drives and destinations is almost endless. Point the nose of your rig in just about any direction and starting driving – you’ll uncover stunning coastlines, majestic mountains and rugged Red Centre landscapes.
Whether your preferred location is desert, ocean or something in between, we’ve uncovered some terrific RV drives that will allow you to see parts of Australia in all their beautiful glory.
The Golden Outback, WA
Kalgoorlie town (Image Australia's Golden Outback)
Western Australia’s Golden Outback stretches from the rugged red earth of Mount Augustus and Kennedy Ranges in the north, to the sweeping snow-white beaches of Esperance and the southern coast. The majestic changing landscapes of the Golden Outback make for unforgettable outback adventures.
Located in the Eastern Goldfields region of Western Australia, the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder is a vibrant regional centre with a population of 30,000. Its rich history and culture provide an experience like no other. There is something for everyone including a variety of activities and attractions, captivating scenery and enthralling culture.
And for driving adventures, Kalgoorlie-Boulder promises a unique adventure to all those who visit.
Taking three days on sealed and unsealed roads, the Golden Quest Discovery Trail travels from Kalgoorlie-Boulder on an amazing loop trail from Coolgardie to Laverton through incredible goldfields towns rich in heritage, history and charm. This is a true outback adventure which unearths the riches of the Goldfields’ 120-year old gold rush and showcases what is still one of the world’s biggest gold producing regions.
The Golden Quest Discovery Trail (Image Australia's Golden Outback)
The 965km trail leads you from the buzz of one of the largest open-cut gold mines on earth, the Super Pit, to the striking beauty of artist Antony Gormley’s 51 steel statues on Lake Ballard. There are a number of beautiful nature reserves and campsites, including the man-made lake Niagara Dam. Tour the town of Kookynie, (the pub is well worth the stop) as well as old camps in the town of Gwalia, near Leonora, where the 31st United States President, Herbert Hoover, lived and worked.
The linked Green Trail highlights sites in the Kambalda and Coolgardie areas with outstanding environmental, historical or cultural values such as beautiful woodlands and natural salt lakes.
Views from Leonora (Image Australia's Golden Outback)
https://www.australiasgoldenoutback.com/itineraries/the-golden-quest-discovery-trail
Red Centre Way, NT
The Red Centre Way is a drive that should be on every traveller’s bucket list. Explore some of the outback’s most iconic landmarks, including Uluru, Kata Tjuta, Kings Canyon, Simpsons Gap and Standley Chasm on this incredible five-day journey.
Standley Chasm in the West MacDonnell National Park, NT (Image Tourism Central Australia)
Learn firsthand about the world’s oldest living culture from traditional Aboriginal landowners, trek red desert sands, lush valleys, mulga forests and towering gorges.
Beginning in Alice Springs, head south along the Stuart Highway. If you have a four-wheel drive, you’ll want to allow time to see Rainbow Valley’s sandstone cliffs and bluffs. These are especially beautiful when the early morning or late afternoon sun picks out the rainbow bands.
Erldunda Roadhouse sits at the intersection of the Stuart and Lasseter Highways, and with accommodation ranging from luxury rooms to powered or unpowered caravan spots, it is a great place to spend a night.
Exploring Kings Canyon, NT (Image Tourism Central Australia)
Turning down the Lasseter Highway, you can visit Curtin Springs, a working cattle station and roadhouse. Stop in here either on your way to Uluru or when you head back to Kings Canyon. There are guided walks of the nearby salt lakes, and striking views of Mt Conner (you will spot Mt Conner to the left some distance before reaching Curtin Springs). Plan for at least a day exploring Uluru and Kata Tjuta, or longer if you have the time. Explore the icons at sunset or sunrise, on foot, camel back or bicycle. Explore Kata Tjuta on the Valley of the Winds walk, see Uluru up close with the Base Walk, and hear stories connected to Tjukurpa.
From Uluru head next to Kings Canyon within Watarrka National Park. Kings Canyon offers walking and hiking options suitable for all levels. The Rim Walk is a three-hour experience through breathtaking 100-metre tall sandstone crevices and stunning views of the arid environment. The Kings Creek Walk is a much more relaxed journey along the canyon floor, with equally breathtaking views.
Leaving Kings Canyon to return to Alice Springs will take you on the Mereenie Loop, which includes about 130km of unsealed, often heavily corrugated road. Definitely worth it if you have a suitable vehicle. Keep an eye out for camels, wild horses and donkeys. When the unsealed section ends, drivers have a choice of either a) continuing straight ahead via Hermannsburg (149km to Alice) or b) turning left onto Namatjira Drive (202.6km to Alice). The latter option will provide the option of visiting all the well-known West Macs spots including Redbank Gorge. Redbank Gorge is a popular spot, and the gorge is a stunning chasm nestled at the base of Mt Sonder that acts as a refuge for many threatened species. You won't need a 4WD to access this spot, and there are basic camping facilities, moderately difficult hiking trails, and swimming in the gorge waterholes — be aware, the water is very cold year-round!
Glen Helen Gorge (Image Tourism Central Australia)
You can then loop back from here, returning to Alice Springs along Larapinta Drive. It's an excellent chance to see anything you missed along the first leg. Alternatively, you can turn left onto Namatjira Drive and take the longer route — returning to Alice Springs via the northern-most section of the Red Centre Way, through Tjoritja/ West MacDonnell National Park. This spectacular area includes chasms, gorges and waterholes to explore. Stop at Simpsons Gap, Ellery Creek Big Hole, Glen Helen, Standley Chasm and Ormiston Gorge, for hiking trails, swimming spots and unique wildlife. Back in Alice, be sure to budget some time to visit the internationally renowned art galleries before wrapping up your trip.
Townsville, QLD
The four to seven-day North Queensland Highlights Drive out of Townsville is a terrific way to experience the wonders of North Queensland’s natural attractions, get a taste of the urban city life, and relax in this coastal paradise.
Stop 1 – The Strand
The Strand is Townsville’s local hotspot - a thriving beach foreshore with 2.5km of walkway, stunning views across to Magnetic Island, outdoor gym equipment, and more playgrounds than the kids will know what to do with, including the free water park.
The Strand Jetty, Townsville
The Strand Jetty is also the best location to view the Ocean Siren – a 16m art installation part of the Museum of Underwater Art project (Tip: visit at sunset to watch her change colours in response to sea temperatures).
If you’re keen to get up close and personal with some Aussie wildlife, head to Billabong Sanctuary. With natural bushland to explore and a two-hectare billabong at its heart, the Australian native animal wildlife park is home to more than 50 native species including kangaroos, koalas, wombats, emus, parrots, and even the snappy variety – with mainland Queensland’s biggest crocodile, Krakatoa at 5.1m. For a bit of tropical history, you can’t go past the Museum of Tropical Queensland where you will discover about life onboard an old sailing ship and get insights into the stories of the region’s rainforests and reefs. Or dive deeper with a visit to the world’s largest living coral aquarium and the official headquarters of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Reef HQ Great Barrier Reef Aquarium.
For an unforgettable sunset and to really soak up the best views of the city, take a hike to the top of Castle Hill, an iconic attraction which stands proudly at 286m in the centre of Townsville City. Castle Hill offers vehicle access as well as several popular walking tracks – including the Goat Track and Cutheringa Track, which are frequented by more than 2,500 locals a day. The 360-degree views of Townsville at the top are well worth the journey.
Stop 2 – Magnetic Island
Magnetic Island
Take a short 20-minute ferry ride with SeaLink Queensland across to the locally nicknamed ‘Maggie’. Spend the day (or days) exploring the 23 beaches and bays dotted around the island, either by car (if you travelled by Magnetic Island Ferries car barge) or hire topless jeep. Make a splash along one (or both) of the self-guided snorkelling trails at Geoffrey Bay and Nelly Bay and get an up-close-and-personal look at the wonders of the coral reef – right off the beach. If nature and wildlife is also your thing – you’re in luck – because Magnetic Island is also home to Northern Australia’s largest colony of koalas in the wild.
Stop 3 – Crystal Creek
Embrace the natural beauty of the Paluma Range National Park, the southern gateway to the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. Here you can relax in the cool mountain air of the Paluma Range. A favourite swimming spot for locals, Big and Little Crystal Creek run year-round with fresh mountain streams surrounded by cool rainforests.
Little Crystal Creek arched stone bridge (c. 1930) is not only heritage-listed but is also surrounded by pristine waterfalls with small pockets of water making perfect swimming holes. A littler further north is also the magnificent Jourama Falls, with rockslide formations, clear pools, and picnic areas.
Stop 4 – Wallaman Falls
Wallaman Falls is the Southern Hemisphere’s highest permanent single-drop waterfall, located in Girringun National Park – just outside of Ingham. In between the forest clad ridge tops and rainforest lined gullies and creeks, Wallaman Falls stands at a staggering 268 metres. Let a local lead the way with North Queensland Tours offering guided walks to Wallaman Falls and other Wet Tropics locations. If you’re an avid hiker try conquering the multi-day Djagany (Goanna) Walk which follows an old forestry track through sheoaks, open forest and rainforest (permit required).
Wallaman Falls
Closer to town, the TYTO Wetlands is also a must-see – particularly for the hobby twitcher. More than 110-hectares of rehabilitated wetlands, TYTO is home to unique flora and fauna including over 240 species of birds and many Agile Wallabies. With extensive walking tracks, bird hides and viewing platforms, it is a great way to get up close and personal to wildlife.
https://www.townsvillenorthqueensland.com.au/road-trips/
Gippsland, Victoria
From soaring high country vistas to beaches that stretch on forever, lush rainforest and a labyrinth of limestone caves, there’s so much to explore in Victoria’s Gippsland.
Tarra Bulga National Park, Vic (Image Destination Gippsland)
In Central Gippsland, Tarra Bulga National Park is one of Victoria’s last remaining pockets of cool temperate rainforest. Walk beneath giant tree ferns and towering mountain ash, chase waterfalls and cross the Corrigan Suspension Bridge above the fern canopy.
Nearby, in the historic fishing village of Port Albert, you’ll find gorgeous heritage buildings and a Heritage Walk telling of the town’s 1850s maritime boom. Down on the jetty local restaurants serves fresh local seafood overlooking the fleet.
It's not every day you find 90 miles of uninterrupted golden beach, but here it is – the 90 Mile Beach starts near Port Albert and stretches all the way to Lakes Entrance, with several waterfront caravan parks along the way, including the aptly named Seaspray.
Ninety Mile Beach (Image Destination Gippsland)
Channel your inner high-country cattleman with horse riding tours from Licola or Dargo taking in cattlemen’s huts, high plains and spectacular gorges.
Follow the Bataluk Cultural Trail to learn about the traditional custodians of the land, including a hike into the Den of Nargun. Gunaikurnai legend tells of an evil Nargun, half-man half-stone, who lived in the sacred cave, taking children who wandered too far from camp.
Further east, you’ll find Australia’s largest inland waterway, the Gippsland Lakes. Base yourself in one of the lakeside villages of Lakes Entrance, Metung or Paynesville to kayak or SUP the lakes, hire a boat, take a fishing charter, or enjoy the many boutique wineries and breweries. Along the coast at the mouth of the famous Snowy River sits charming Marlo, with its loved-by-locals pub.
Nearby, the Buchan Caves’ network of limestone caves reveal quiet underground pools and sparkling stalagmites. Camp in the peaceful Buchan Caves Reserve, or at the Stockmans Camp, where you’ll gain insight into the life of Australian stockmen at their Bush Heritage Show.
Oysters at Mallacoota (Image Destination Gippsland)
Snuggled right up next to the NSW border, Mallacoota may well be Victoria’s best kept secret. This serene coastal village is part of the Croajingolong National Park, a UNESCO-listed World Biosphere Reserve. Mallacoota has a laid-back holiday vibe, attracting recreational fishers, boating enthusiasts, and those who just want to spend their days beachside.