The dusty outback is welcoming the camels and all manner of exciting activities and performances this July. Alice Springs' Blatherskite park- the name is as interesting as the festival- is hosting the annual Camel Cup.
'The Alice' a northern territory Australian pioneer town is holding the extravaganza and Mr & Mrs Camel, bellydancers, bands, rickshaw drivers and all manner of people will be showing up for the fun.
The appeal of the Camel race lies in the beasts themselves. As the races begin some will run off, some will back up, others may spit up to 3m and still others may decide to tilt, leaving the jockey's clutching for dear life. The race is entertaining to be sure.
By lulugal0870 - Flickr Creative commons
Watch the rickshaw rallies, bands and belly dancers, and let the kiddies enter the prettiest camel contest. Couples can enter the 'Honeymoon Handicap' race or fancy their luck in the Miss & Mr Camel Cup challenge.
Bring a campervan and join in the fun day with Alice and all the others who come for a great day of entertainment. This is a good reason for a road trip through Northern territories or from Queensland or Western Australia. The famous, Uluru is nearby, so don't miss the chance to go see that.
Western Australia is an isolated part of the country, a huge area with one major city and a lot of wilderness! Fly into Perth and get on the road with this roadtrip from Perth to Esperance. From there you can continue East or head back to Perth to see the Great Australian Bight and the southwest corner of the country in more depth.
Perth is a city apart. Not just in the sense of a unique atmosphere and setting, but also literally- it is geographically one of the most remote cities on earth, with no other major centres within 2,000 kilometres.The city has a sunny, mediterranean-type climate and is set on a river within stone's throw of some amazing beaches, There are multiple options to pass the time in Perth, so consider spending some days there before hitting the road. Visit the Art Gallery of Western Australia, wander the banks of the river, explore Kings Park and climb the DNA tower for amazing views, or chill out on the famous Cottesloe Beach.
Perth from King's Park
by eGuide Travel Flickr Creative Commons
Head out of Perth and down the coast on Highway 1, heading through the southern suburbs such as the beachside Rockingham and Port Kennedy. At Mandurah, the estuary and Peel inlet is a wonderland of wildlife. It is home to a school of friendly dolphins and many types of water birds, and is a great place for family water-based fun as the waters are tranquil, unlike many of the beaches on the Indian Ocean coast. Have a go at catching some prawns or crabs, or find a boat and get out on the water.
Dolphins on the Peel Inlet
Continue through the town of Bunbury, where you should get off Highway 1 and onto State Route 10. A highlight along this route is Busselton, where the longest wooden structure in the southern hemisphere (in the form of a jetty) juts out into the beautiful Indian ocean from a white-sand beach. Some great surfing is to be had in the area.
Busselton Jetty
by Johnny Akira Baune Flickr Creative Commons
From Busselton, take State Route 104 to get back onto the State Route 10 and go east, then
continue east on Highway 1 towards Albany. This will take you past the
coastal Walpole-Nornalup National Park, which features a 600-metre long
treetop walkway, and incredible way to get amongst Australia's flora and
fauna. Denmark, just before the final stop of Albany, has a great bakery and picturesque
surroundings.
Treetop Walk
by Phil Whitehouse Flickr Creative Commons
Day 2: Albany- Esperance
Albany, Western Australia's first settlement.
It is now a good-sized but still rurally-focused city on a lovely
section of coast.
Albany's Princess Royal Harbour is one of the most impressive natural
harbours you will ever sea, and is a base for whale-watching and other
water activities
Albany Beach by Robert Young Flickr Creative Common
s
Continue on Highway 1 from Albany through Wellstead and Jerramungup. A notable National Park along this section of road is the Fitzgerald River National Park, an amazing place designated as a World Biosphere reserve. It is home to many rare and endangered animals, and a huge range of wildflowers- in fact these grow in abundance everywhere between Albany and Esperance.
Wildflowers
by Lakshmi Sawitri Flickr Creative Commons
Ravensthorpe along this route is an interesting old coppermining town. If you are keen to go out of your way to the coast, turn off just after Ravensthorpe and head to Hopetoun. This is a charming beach town and popular holiday destination, becoming livelier in the summer months!
Esperance is is situated on a safe harbour, with the Archipelago of the Recherche just offshore. Surfing, scuba diving and swimming are all popular in the area. The wine industry is strong in this area, so after you have settled in to a holiday park like one of these, get out and about to taste the food and wine of the region!
Australia's southeast has some beautiful stretches of coast and vibrant cities. Experience them with this 3-day road trip from Melbourne to Adelaide.
Day 1: The Great Ocean Road- Melbourne to Warrnambool
Melbourne is the stately and laid-back counterpart to the hype of Brisbane and Sydney. With a New England feel and a more temperate climate, it is an exceedingly pleasant place to shop, wander and visit! Before departing on your trip, if you have a few days in Melbourne spend some time exploring and taking in the unique and multicultural atmosphere. Hot spots to visit include Chinatown, the retail precinct of Docklands by the water, Federation Square, the Royal Botanic Gardens, the Aquarium and any of a number of galleries and museums.
Melbourne
by Patrick Nouhailler Flickr Creative Commons
On the way out of Melbourne, take Princes Highway/M1 to Geelong. This is an industrial centre with a bustling port, so not the prettiest of all spots on the coast! It does, however, mark the beginning of the Great Ocean Road, so follow the signs through town to get on this legend of a road.
The Great Ocean Road is one of Australia's greatest scenic routes. The journey will be a pleasure on this stretch of the trip! There are many holiday parks along the way so if you want to see everything more closely, break this part of the road trip into two days. From Geelong, you will hug the coast, passing through many small towns. Take some time to have a coffee with the friendly locals! At Apollo Bay, check out the wood carvings that decorate the foreshore, a depiction of the region's relationship with the sea.
After Apollo Bay, you will leave the coast for a while (don't worry, it's coming back!) and pass through Great Otway National Park. You can take a side road out to the coast and the isolated, beautiful lighthouse at Cape Otway, or explore the walking tracks and numerous waterfalls in the Park.
Cape Otway
by Sherman Geronimo-Tan Flickr Creative Commons
The beautiful towns, coves and beaches continue along the road- too many to describe individually! One of the stunners of the Great Ocean Road however is the Twelve Apostles rock formation. Standing tall in the wild southern ocean, these rocks are one of the most-photographed natural phenomena in the country. Visit the visitor information centre for some insight on the formation of the incredible coastline.
Great Ocean Road
by edwin.11 Flickr Creative Commons
Port Campbell has a somewhat tragic history of shipwreck, the most notable of these being the foundering of 3-masted clipper Loch Ard in 1878- there were only 2 survivors, and their tale is told along a signposted walkway above Loch Ard Gorge near Port Campbell. These tragic past events do make for excellent diving around Port Campbell though, so get in the water if that's your thing!
Loch Ard Gorge
by Gavin Llewellyn Flickr Creative Commons
Warrnambool, your stop for the night, is a popular beachy tourist destination. The shipwrecks continue here, and the Flagstaff Maritime Museum is a fascinating place to visit where you can learn the stories of the coast and its victims. Once a month, there are markets held at the showgrounds, and there is a viewing platform in the town for the Southern Right Whales which visit every year in winter.
Day 2: Warrnambool- Kingston SE
Head out of Warrnambool on Princes Highway/A1. On the way out, have a look at the Tower Hill Reserve- a lake and several small hills nestled inside an inactive volcano. It is an amazing haven for wildlife, with koalas, emus, kangaroos and many types of birds abundant.
Tower Hill Reserve
by Sydney Oats Flickr Creative Commons
The road continues to hug the coast until Portland, Victoria's first permanent settlement. It is now a decent-sized centre, so reprovision here if you need anything! Many artists have made Portland their home, and there is an art centre that can be visited with a gallery and a theatre. There are over 200 buildings in the town classified by the National Trust, a gem for those interested in the history of the region.
Portland Town Hall
by Matt Flickr Creative Commons
After Portland, the road heads inland for a while, for a pleasant drive along the Princes Highway . One attraction along the route is the Princess Margaret Rose Cave in Lower Glenelg National Park, 18km off the highway. Just after crossing into South Australia, go left onto Vorwerk Road, left again onto Main Road, right onto Border Road which skirts the border on the Victoria side then go left onto Princess Margaret Rose Caves Road. The cave is an underground wonderland, dripping in stalactites and full of stalagmites, cave coral and other amazing things. Guided tours are available.
Next town on the route is Mount Gambier in South Australia. This city is most famous for its stunning lakes in extinct volcano craters, especially the stunning Blue Lake. There are many dining restaurants in town and lots to do- if you want to spend a while here, visit the Lady Nelson Visitor and Discovery Centre on Jubilee Highway East.
Between Mount Gambier and Kingston SE, there are two routes- Highway 1 and the coastal Southern Ports Highway which starts at Millicent. Both pass through several charming small towns, and the coastal route will have you venture past beaches and lakes. The two meet up again at Kingston SE, your suggested destination for the night. On the shores of Lacepede Bay, the 'SE' is to distinguish this town in the southeast of the state with another one of the same name. Don't miss the giant lobster affectionately named Larry on your way into town, and this is the perfect spot for a casual picnic dinner, as Kingston SE is home to one of Australia's best fish and chip shops, Macs Takeaway. Kingston Caravan Park is a great place to lay your head!
Larry the Lobster
by Alpha Flickr Creative Commons
Day 3: Kingston SE- Adelaide
Leave Kingston SE and continue on the trusty Highway 1.
This last stretch of the journey will take you past some amazing wetlands. Coorong is a national park and lagoon ecosystem. The lagoon extends over 100km along the coat between Kingston SE and the Fleurieu Peninsula, separated from the ocean by a sand dune. It is a sanctuary for birds, fish and other wildlife- recognised by BirdLife International as an 'Important Bird Area.' The lagoon and Park are a unique and interesting part of Australia, and great for recreational activities such as fishing, camping and boating, so be sure to take a look as you pass. You can take guided tours by the native people (the Ngarrindjeri people) leaving from Meningie.
The Coorong
by Mick Morrison Flickr Creative Commons
After Meningie, head inland to skirt Lake Albert and Lake Alexandrina. You will come across the famous Murray River at Tailem Bend, and cross it at Murray Bridge. The Murray is Australia's longest river at nearly 3,000 kilometres, and was a vital waterway for many years as the main route for transporting people and goods inland. Although its glory days of steamers and riverboats are largely over, the Murray is deeply ingrained in Australia's culture.
The Murray River
by thinboyfatter Flickr Creative Commons
Keep going along the highway into the city of Adelaide. Set on the River Torrens and extending to the coast, Adelaide is unique in that the city centre is entirely circled by parkland. It was constructed by design, and the city centre is a grid of 5 squares with the parklands surrounding it. Adelaide has wide streets, plenty of things happening, beaches to the west and rolling hills to the east. Places to visit include the Adelaide Central Markets, the zoo and Botanic Gardens, the historic Edmund Wright House, the South Australian Museum and of course the city parklands. Adelaide is considered the Wine Capital of Australia, and is home to the National Wine Centre of Australia where you can taste all manner of Australian wine. A fitting end to the journey! There are a number of holiday parks to park your campervan.
Splendour in the grass Festival tickets are sold out and the Campervans will be soon, so get in quick!! July 27th-29th are the dates and Byron Bay, Australia is the location.
If you've already bought your tickets but not rented your Campervan yet, get onto it. Campervans and Motorhomes are allowed at the Festival's campsite as long as they are no longer than 7.5 metres. If you want the comforts of a fully set-up home away from home. Then pick up your Campervan in Brisbane (an hours drive away), Byron Bay, or any other place... check out the site.
The Campground, North Beach Campground, is a nice easy walk to the Festival.
Campervan over Tenting?
Who wouldn't? Here are a few reasons why Campervanning is definitely an advantage over Tenting.
It may be Byron Bay, but it's still July. Rain may fall, and if it does, who's gonna be dry and cosy? The Campervanners.
You don't have to share a toilet or shower with all the other smelly campers.
The bed will be alot more comfortable than what a tent can provide.
You can cook delicious meals on the Camper's built in stove and perhaps microwave.
Campervanner's can brew up a coffee in down time
Refrigerate your food and avoid expensive festival food.
Drive in with all your gear in your van, and drive out exactly the same.
No Tent pitching catastrophes or time wasting.
Lock up your valuables in the Campervan rather than a flimsy tent.
Tenters aren't allowed to bring couches to kick back on, but yours will be built in.
No need for torches, lights are also built in.
The list could go on and on..
You need to get a ticket for every person staying in the campground, it's not a one ticket per site kind of gig. Campervan's don't have to cost the earth either, get yourself a little JUCY or Wicked Camper or similar and you'll be away running.
It's the perfect time to take a Motorhome trip down the East Coast.of Australia from Cairns to Brisbane or Sydney. Winter may be coming up but the beaches are still beautiful and in the north, warm.
Book any Apollo vehicle for one way rentals from Cairns to Sydney or Brisbane, you will get 10% off base rental rates and one way fee Free. Please note travel must commence and be completed between 1st April 2012 and 30th June 2012 and Minimum 7 days & Maximum 20 days.
Lake Mackenzie, Fraser Island By kevgibbo - Australiaphotos.co.uk - Flickr
The East coast of Australia is a path full of many beautiful discoveries, the best being the abundance of beaches with white sand and transparent rolling waves. Take a Campervan roadtrip from Brisbane up the coast North to Cairns. This takes you along Bruce Highway for a 1,703km roadtrip, however, don't just take the highway but explore various places off the beaten track on the way.
The best time to take a trip to this subtropical area is between April and November when it's drier and the temperature is more moderate. Pick up a camper for you and your family or friends in Brisbane and hit the road to the Sunshine coast.
Noosa Heads Paddle Boarder By eGuise Travel - Flickr
The whole route up passes many, many fantastic beaches so I won't name them all but be sure to spend some time when you spot one to your liking. Australia Zoo is a top attraction, the creation of Australia's famous Steve Irwin. Noosa Heads, Maroochydore, Caloundra and Mooloolaba are the main centre along this stretch, all resort type beach towns with plenty of great eateries, shops and of course beaches. If you're in these parts on a Saturday or Wednesday, spend a pleasant and possibly bountiful morning at the Eumundi Markets. Head off route to Mary Cairncross park where you can get a fabulous view of the Glass House Mountains. While you're up there, take the scenic route from Maleny to Montville where many a quaint coffee shop and craft store call home.
Spend a night in one of the many parks along the way, but we recommend:
Don't laugh at the names, but Gympie to Gin Gin is the next leg of the journey. On this leg you have the option to ferry over from either River Heads or Hervey Bay to the World Heritage-listed Fraser Island. A beautiful sand island with great fishing, sparkling sand and waters, creeks and Lakes. If you want to take the Camper over, you will need a 4WD vehicle.
Go for a whale watching cruise in Hervey Bay, take a tour of the Bundaberg Rum distillery in Bunderberg or the Mon Repos Conservation Park turtles (only November to March).
But if you want to spend a night or two in a more peaceful and quiet stretch of the coast, stay in Rainbow Beach, Burrum Heads Woodgate or Bargara.
Between Gin Gin and the tropical Rockhampton, there is many more coastal stops. However, Lake Awoonga and Lake Monduran are stocked with Barramundi if you want to try your luck with the rod. Rockhampton Botanic gardens are superb visit, with tropical plants, a Japanese garden, BBQ's and a tearoom. Rockhampton has many a historic building, so take a wander down Quay Street and see many of the fine buildings. Free camp along the Calliope River near Bruce Highway or stay at:
From Rockhampton, head out to Emu Park on the headland. Here, a large white sculpture - the singing ship, commemorates Captain Cook. Hidden organ pipes are activated by on-shore breezes causing it to actually sing. Nearby, are the Capricorn Caves, a huge tourist attraction. You can adventure cave through them or take a more relaxing guided tour. The huge domed cathedral cavern impresses all and the caves even have a camping ground. Further up the coast check out the coal exports or the Pine Islet lighthouse.
From McKay to Townsville we're getting even more tropical. Airlie beach overlooks the Whitsundays and is a perfect holiday destination with a tropical climate and good shopping. Take a day trip cruise over to the Whitsundays, a remarkable waterway made up of 74 islands all with perfect beaches and pristine waters. South of Townsville take some time at the Billabong sanctuary, dedicated to protecting native animals. Discover the Great Barrier reef's ecosystem at Reef HQ, an educational centre for the Marine Park.
The Townsville to Cardwell leg is where you can do an abundance of Tropical activities. Start off feasting on Mangoes at 'The Frosty Mango' roadside cafe between Rollingstone and Ingham. Camp by the Jourama Falls in the Paluma Range National Park. In this forested and beautiful area you can take a walk to the falls lookout, bathe in the swimming holes or watch the kingfishers flitting about. Take a look at the cane sugar fields or drive through the pine plantation and native forests to have a picnic by the Spa Creek swimming hole.
Between Cardwell and Cairns is one of the prettiest places in Australia. Lush rainforests, rugged mountains, waterfalls and the Great Barrier Reef islands. Walk through Paronella Park private garden with stairways and even a castle. If you're game for a 15km summit walk you can find yourself at the highest peak in Queensland, Mount Bartle Frere. White water raft on the Tully, North Johnstone or Barron Rivers, suitable for thirteen year olds up.
This stretch of coast has many a great place to stay. These are a few:
Well, you have reached Cairns, 1700km+ later. From here, drop the Campervan and finish up, go up further to the fantastic town - Port Douglas or head along the Northern Coastline towards Darwin! Whatever you do, have a fantastic journey!
Dongara - Port Denison, WA By erictitcombe - Flickr
The Western coast of Australia is a fabulous roadtrip destination with a diverse range of activities and sights. Not as popular a destination as its counterpart on the east coast, but possibly better as it's not as built up and overrun with people. With sparkling clear waters for the swimmers and surfers , deserted beaches for the fishermen and wild flower picnic areas, Western Australia would make a perfect campervan destination. The great thing about a Campervan is you have so much freedom to stop and start where you went like pulling up aside a beautiful beach and making yourself a coffee.
Begin your journey in Perth, the largest city in Western Australia. Pick up your Campervan here and head north joining highway 71, to take the more coastal route north. However, if you travel the brand Highway north, you will find yourself surrounded in some parts by stunning wildflowers (particularly between July and October.) Stop off at visitor info centres along the highway for more info on Flower areas. Near Cervantes (which is along the coast), in the Namburg National Park, you can witness 'The Pinnacles'. Thousands of limestone pillars , some up to 5 metres tall rise up out of the sands. Gin gin on Brand Highway is perfect for a picnic lunch and Lancelin has some beauty fishing and diving.
Once you've spent some time in Geraldton and sampled some Lobster, head north toward Carnarvon. Take a diversion off the highway to Kalbarri. Here you will discover some fascinating geological features, spectacular gorges and coastal cliffs along with some pretty wildflowers. Off the main highway take a left turn towards the coast to Denham. Pick up some seafood at Shark Bay Fish Factory to cook for dinner and check out the Stromatolites, near the telegraph station (tearooms and museum) at Shell Beach. Near here also is Monkey Mia Reserve where bottle-nose dolphins regularly visit the beach and... you can ride camels.
Between Geraldton and Carnarvon, park up the Motorhome at Denham Seaside Tourist village for the night. Overlook the sparkling tranquil waters of Shark Bay and if you're keen of fishing this place is good for you.
Coral Bay By Phillie Casablanca - Flickr
Enjoy Carnarvon for a while then head North in the direction of Nanutarra Roadhouse. Divert out to Coral Bay, an absolutely beautiful beach and be sure to head out on the Exmouth Penisula further up the coast. The protected Ningaloo Marine Park is home to the state's largest Coral Reef where you can take a plunge and explore the reef and the abundance of marine life. Keep an eye out for migrating Hump back whales between August and November. Charter boats can take you fishing diving or in a glass bottom boat.
We're getting far up the country now, traveling from Nanutarra Roadhouse to Port Hedland. Take a diversion off the main highway out to Onslow and keep a lookout for Termite mounds along the roadside. A lot of industry occur up in this region and you can check out visitors centres along the way to find out about it all. Cossack is a historic town near Wickham that is worth a visit.
Salt Mountain, Port Hedland By Newhaircut - Flickr
The road between Port Hedland and Broome is some 600 km long so perhaps plan to spend a night or two in the middle. After leaving Port Hedland look out for the stockpiles of salt ready to export overseas. Fishing along the Northwest Coast is very popular so be sure to cast a line from a beach like Eighty mile, or Gourdon Bay. Arrive in Broome and check out the Crocodile Park!
And here is where the road trip commentary comes to an end. If you like you can continue along the northern coast and end in Darwin or keep going around the whole of Australia! Get a campervan for the journey from Campervan Hire Sale Finder. Have an amazing journey! Let us know if there's an awesome spot along this route to visit.
Cradle Mountain across Dove Lake By Bjorn Chistian Torrissen
Tasmania is a gem to explore and perfect for Campervan travellers of all age. The locals try to keep it to themselves, but the word's out! Check out part one of the roadtrip for the sights heading up the east coast between Hobart and Launceston.
We begin in Launceston, Tasmania. Join the journey and pick up a Campervan there, or continue your travels from Hobart.
While you're in Launceston, and before you get on the road to Devonport, take a trip to Cataract Gorge. Scenic cruises operate through the gorge, there are many walks and you can even take a chairlift across the gorge.
Cataract Gorge By Jorge Lascar - Flickr
Located just out of Launceston is Stoney Rise Wine Company where you can experience great food and wine while overlooking the Tamar River.
Take a tour in Warrawee Forest Reserve to see some cute platypuses and at Beauty point visit the acclaimed Seahorse Point. Near Devonport, Port Sorell has a popular beachside caravan park to rest your sightseeing eyes.
Stanley's Nut By Prince Roy - Flickr
From Devonport, cruise along the North coast to Smithton. Remember, if you're in a campervan you have so much freedom to stop anywhere on the way for a scenic cup of coffee or afternoon nap. Before reaching Smithton, take a right turn towards Stanley. Here, Stanley's Nut, a 152-metre high basalt monolith will tower out of the sea sheltering the town at it's base. Take a chairlift ride up it or walk up for a fabulous view. Stanley has a superb Campervan Park right on the water's edge with nice grassy sites.
Head back on the same coast you came in on and when you reach Somerset, take the A10 south. Stop at Waratah, a former mining town at Mount Bischoff and anywhere else en-route, but definitely take the C132 to Cradle Mountain.
Cradle Mountain By Stevage - Wikimedia Commons
Cradle Mountain is a world renowned spectacle in Lake St Clair National Park. It's unspoilt beauty and rich animal and plant life make this a incredible place to visit. There's a deep but very tranquil lake and many walking tracks to take advantage of. Stop into the vistior's centre when you arrive to get more info about the area. Set in the bushland outside the area is the welcoming Discovery Holiday Park - Cradle Mountain to lay your head for a night or more.
8km South-west of Roseberry is the temperate lush rainforests beholding the spectacular Montezuma Falls. Roseberry offers a nice range of services and shops for the traveler.
Between Roseberry and Derwent you can take a river cruise from Strahan across Macquarie Harbour and up the waters of the Gordan River. Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park is also a pretty place to visit. Short walks lead you to Rainforests, lookouts and waterfalls.
Russell Falls, Mount Field National Park By jeffowenphotos - Flickr
Cast a line in a stream between Derwent Bridge and New Norfolk and you may pull up a Trout! Visit Mount Field National Park with beautiful forests and waterfalls and you may see a bandicoot! Consider spending the night in Hamilton Campervan Park and from there you can visit the historic St. Peter's Anglican Church.
Port Arthur By Martybugs - Wikimedia Commons
From New Norfolk, it's not far to Hobart via Bridgewater, and here is where the journey ends. If you haven't had your fill yet, take the road over to Port Arthur. Port Arthur will show you some intriguing Tessellated Pavement- an odd geological formation by the waters edge. The evocative Port Arthur ruins are a favourite to visit. The area includes ruins, restored ancient buildings a penitentiary, asylum, church and some magnificent gardens.
I hope this journey has been helpful! Don't forget to book ahead for a Campervan through Campervan Hire Sale Finder. If you know of any great spots on this journey, let us know!!
You may not expect the little island on the bottom of the Australia to be a Campervan holiday destination, but I'm here to tell you many a traveller has had many a fantastic holiday touring the hidden gem of Australia, Tasmania. The locals like to keep it to themselves because they're onto a good thing, but everyone must experience Tasmania at some point.
Hobart from Mt. Wellington By Ianz - Flickr
This roadtrip will take you from Hobart to Launceston, where, if you're short on time you can leave your Campervan at Launceston, shoot back down to Hobart, OR continue a round trip of the island and end back in Hobart.
The best time to travel Hobart is in Spring and Autumn, but Summer is not too hot to be uncomfortable. Be sure to book a Campervan early so as to not miss out. Find one at Campervan Hire Sale Finder and you may even save some money on this Family, Lovers or Friends Campervan trip.
Arrive in Hobart and pick up a campervan for your dream holiday. Hobart is Australia's second oldest city situated astride the River Derwent and overlooked by the regal Mount Wellington. After having an explore in Hobart head East towards Sorell. Stop here if you like, but be sure to visit the historic and quaint town of Richmond. With quality arts and crafts, fantastic eateries, picturesque bridges and ancient buildings you'll be glad you stopped.
Richmond By Richard Gifford - Flickr
There is a campervan park at Richmond and one at Triabunna which incidentally is the place to get a ferry over to Maria Island. Maria Island is excellent for bushwalking, birdwatching and fishing and if you're keen to visit a Gaol, head on over. Before you arrive in Triabunna, be sure to spend some solitary time in Buckland's St. John the Baptists church. The stain glassed windows there date back to the 14th century, but let the church tell you the rest.
Keep heading north up the coast stopping and sightseeing wherever you fancy. That's what is so great about a campervan, so much freedom! Pull up and have a coffee on the beachfront or if you're tired, stay overnight in the closest campervan Park (of which there are many in Tasmania).
Wineglass Bay Lookout By Anna's Photos - Flickr
At Llandaff, take a right on C302. This will lead you to Wine Glass Bay in Freycinet National Park. Take heed of it's name and sit back with a glass of wine overlooking the spectacular postcard beach with secluded sparkling white sands. Walks to lookouts are 1 hour return or walks to the beach are 2.5 hour return, but well worth it. Head on back towards Bicheno where Bicheno East Coast Holiday Park is recommended for an overnight stay.
Heading north again, Lagoons Beach Conservation (about 32 km from Bicheno) area is a fantastic place to spend a few nights if you get yourself a self sufficient Campervan. This bushland area is quiet and beside the beach :-)
Keep following the A3 inland through towering forests, stopping where you see fit and interesting. Be sure to turn down towards St. Columbia Falls where you will witness masses of water cascading over a granite bass into South George River.
By >littleyiye< - Flickr
You will however, find spectacular, the 48hectares of Lavender on Bridestowe Estate Lavender Farm in Nabowla ( a right turn off the main highway).
Once in Launceston, you have options. a) Drop your campervan off and head home, b) Head south through the island back down to Hobart or c) Prepare yourself to drive north-west and then south around the island (the best option if you have time).
For those heading back to Hobart it's a straight drive down on highway 1. Half way down are the Midlands where many towns have historic buildings - some of which are open to the public. However, don't miss Woolmers Estate near Longford (just south of Launceston). If you want to spend the night on the way down, hit up Longford Riverside Caravan Park, a pretty park on the Macquarie River. Stop and look at the many historic buildings on the way before returning to Hobart.
I hope this post was helpful and comment if you have any spots to visit on this roadtrip. Book a Campervan at Campervan Hire Sale Finder and have a fantastic journey!!
For the next edition of Tasmania Roadtrip i.e. Launceston to Hobart , on the West side of the island, check out the next blog post.
Pack up the family in a Campervan this April and head to Fairbridge Festival. If you share the common love of World and Folk music, acoustic dance and culture then sit back and enjoy a weekend of sultry tunes and dulcet tones.
The festival is being held from 13th-15th April, (only 23 days away!! ) in the historic Fairbridge Village , 5 minutes north of Pinjarra and about an hour south of Perth, Western Australia. The festival is situated amongst bushland and has easy walking between stages, marquees, dining and camping.
Be in for a fun weekend but don't forget to book your accomodation! Camp in a comfortable, rock-under-the-mattress free campervan and still have freedom to do and go wherever you want!
![Swimming pool , chairlift, First Basin and suspension bridge - Cataract Gorge [Launceston]](http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3021/4552506880_ec551fc1c2.jpg)
