Australia is a land of stunning beaches, unique wildlife, dramatic cliffs, and incredible rock formations. Beyond that, it also hides breathtaking waterfalls and lush forests that many visitors might not expect. Add to this world-class coffee and some of the friendliest locals, and you have a truly unforgettable destination.

Australians love small talk and are always happy to share hidden spots that only locals know. In our conversations with them, we discovered some incredible places that we’re excited to pass on to you.

In this post, we’ll focus on exploring Australia by campervan, a favorite mode of travel for both tourists and locals. However, planning such a trip can be challenging—where should you go, and what are the must-see spots?

After spending two months traveling by campervan, we’ve gathered everything you need to know to plan an epic adventure.

Since Australia is so vast, we’ve broken our journey into multiple posts to make your planning easier. On average, it takes about two weeks to travel from one major city to another, giving you a better idea of how to structure your road trip.

Check out all our Australia travel guides:

• Cairns to Brisbane Itinerary
• Brisbane to Sydney Itinerary
• Sydney to Melbourne Itinerary
• Melbourne to Adelaide Itinerary

Ahhh Australia! What a wonderful country! Thinking back about our trip we have in mind so many beautiful memories, animals we saw for the first time in our lives, cities like no other, wonderful beaches, high cliffs and great viewpoints. And these are just some of the attractions. Australia can not be described in a few sentences, it must be experienced.

Our trip to the land of kangaroos lasted two months, which is still not enough, and we already know that someday we will return to get to know this country even better. But for now we look through the photos and think back about, one of the coolest adventures in our lifes.

#1 Sydney

Sydney is a vibrant city known for its iconic landmarks. The stunning Opera House with its sail-like design is one of the most famous buildings in the world, while the Harbour Bridge offers incredible views of the city and harbor. For a taste of history and architecture, don’t miss the Queen Victoria Building, a beautiful Victorian-era shopping center. Nearby, Angel Place is a charming alley with unique art installations and a peaceful vibe. Town Hall is an impressive building in the heart of the city, and a visit to Darling Harbour offers a mix of attractions, restaurants, and waterfront views, perfect for a day out.

Outside of the city centre of Sydney, there are some incredible spots to explore as well. The Hornby Lighthouse, located on South Head, offers a scenic and historic escape with stunning views of the coastline and the entrance to Sydney Harbour. For nature lovers and beach enthusiasts, the Bronte to Bondi Beach walk is a must-do—this scenic coastal track offers breathtaking views, cliffs, and some of the most famous beaches in Australia, making it an unforgettable experience. Both of these attractions provide a refreshing contrast to the bustling city, offering natural beauty and a peaceful retreat.

#2 Sea Cliff Bridge

Browsing through photos of Australia you surely came across a photo of Sea Cliff Bridge. It is one of the most distinctive bridges in Australia, located on a magnificent cliff.

Driving on this bridge you can be sure of beautiful views, on one side of the ocean, on the other of the cliffs. And while most are content to just drive over the bridge once, feel free to turn around and admire the bridge from the opposite side.

Immediately behind the bridge is a small parking lot. Park your car and take a walk on the bridge to further admire the surroundings of this special place. The views from the bridge to the cliffs are beautiful and unforgettable.

Travel time: 1h

#3 Cathedral Rocks

This small rock formation resembles tall cathedral towers in its appearance, hence the name Cathedral Rocks. The rocks were formed millions of years ago from solidified lava, so their unusual black color also attracts attention.

You can admire Cathedral Rocks from afar, from the cliffs. But you can also go down to the nearby small Jones Beach and admire them up close. Some daredevils even climb the black lava rocks.

Travel time: 45min

#4 Kiama

This amazing place has so much to offer! Rockpool? Here you go! Amazing space for picnics and great views? No problem! A lighthouse? Of course!

And besides, a Blow Hole blowing water for a good few meters, a place for fishermen, and a cove full of boats.

All this in this relatively small, but beautiful place surrounded by greenery, definitely worth a visit if only for a short walk around the area.

Travel time: 10min

#5 Blenheim Beach

This beautiful beach is not to be missed! Although its size is not impressive, it is one of those beaches that delights. The small cove is not populated with tourists, so on the beach you’ll only meet a few locals lounging on the soft, white sand or taking a dip in the clear ocean.

The waves here are relatively small so it’s an ideal place for a swim. However, there is no lifeguard on site, so keep that in mind before you enter the water.

Travel time: 1h

#6 Little Hyams Beach

Slightly more popular with tourists and locals, Little Hyams Beach is a beautiful beach with soft, white sand and clear waters. Although there is no lifeguard on site, the waters here are quite calm, perfect for swimming.

There is also a large children’s playground and restrooms on site.

Travel time: 10min

#7 Canberra

The country’s capital Canberra is located a bit more in the middle of the country, equidistant from Sydney and Melbourne. Which makes it the largest inland city in Australia.

This is because the governments could not agree on where the capital of Australia would be located. So in the end it was decided that the site for the new capital would be designated exactly in the middle between Sydney and Melbourne.

On the designated site, the city of Canberra was built and officially named in 1913.

Travel time: 2h 35min

Canberra is the only city in Australia that was completely designed. The project was handled by two American architects, which is also reflected in the design because Canberra is very reminiscent of the US capital – Washington.

There are several interesting buildings in the city that you absolutely must visit.

The Old Parliament House and the New Parliament House which is open to visitors, and entry is free. It is a beautiful building, both from the outside and inside. Covered in marble and wood, it impresses visitors.

Australian War Memorial is an incredibly rich museum full of exhibits reminding us, unfortunately, of armed conflicts around the world.

National Gallery of Australia with magnificent paintings by world famous painters, as well as local artists. And a garden with interesting sculptures.

National Museum of Australia reserves and interprets Australia’s social history. The museum has a lot of interesting exhibits, several interactive boards, human stories and paintings by local artists.

#8 Narooma Beach

Another beautiful and empty beach on the map of Australia Narooma Beach, is a beach with yellow sand and rough ocean. It is the perfect beach for a walk, admiring the surrounding Glasshouse Rocks and the lovely cove at the end of the beach surrounded by greenery. An incredibly beautiful spot on our planet.

Travel time: 2h 55min

#9 Camel and Horse Head Rocks

Australia’s coastal landscape is full of breathtaking rocks. Yes, rocks! They add a certain touch to the stunning beaches, especially when they have a special shape.

The Camel and Horse Head Rocks are no exception. Even if you might still have trouble recognizing the camel at the first one and somehow recognize the stools that gave it its name. To see the Camel Rock, you can park nearby and walk up to the platform to see it, or even walk down to the beach to get a closer look.

Horse Head Rock is about a 10-15 minute walk through the bushes from the same spot and it looks so real! Be aware that there may be some snakes (we haven’t seen any ourselves) in the bushes and you are walking close to the cliffs. If you stick to the marked path, everything will be fine. Be careful though!

Travel time: 25min

#10 Betka & Secret Beach

Australia has almost 12,000 beaches. It would be impossible to visit them all. But you should visit some of them. Including Betka and Secret Beach.

Betka Beach is a lovely spot with a beautiful dayuse area to camp and enjoy a delicious meal, after which you can take a walk and enjoy the beautiful beach.

Travel time: 2h 30min

Just ten minutes further south is the not-so-secret Secret Beach. One of the most beautiful beaches in Australia. Due to its remote location, there are almost no people on the beach. Getting to it is also a bit of an adventure. However, once you have parked your campervan, take the path provided and walk along the cliffs to see Secret Beach from above or walk down to the beach and enjoy the beauty.

#11 Raymond Island

This place is definitely not to be missed when planning your trip from Sydney to Melbourne if you just love to commune with wild life.

Raymond Island is otherwise known as Koala Island and these adorable creatures are said to live here as many as three hundred! Therefore, during your walk you can be sure to meet them, just look up at the trees where koalas spend their days, descending to the ground just to change trees.

Travel time: 3h 25min

In the treetops, the koalas sleep, eat and defecate, sometimes they are a bit higher up, while sometimes they are very low and close to the eyes of visitors.

Koala Island is the perfect place to take an hour walk along the designated path and observe these cute animals.

You can get to the island by a free ferry, the best way is to park your car on the mainland in Paynesville. As soon as you get down to the island your walk begins and everything is easy reachable by foot.

#12 Philip Island

The amazing Philip Island, is another island on the way to Melbourne that you should not skip.

While you may wonder what such interesting things can be on this island, there is one thing that will surely surprise you!

Every evening, just after dusk there is an amazing parade here, the penguin parade!

As soon as dusk falls, groups of wet penguins emerge from the water and head for the shore to rest after a day of hunting for food in the cold ocean waters.

Travel time: 3h 55min

The penguins, after crossing the beach, go to rest in the grass, the paddles and bridges that have been built here will allow you to watch the penguins from really close up.

This unforgettable experience is one you won’t forget for the rest of your life.

And although unfortunately this is an organized and paid activity, it is definitely worth any money. However, remember to buy your tickets at least a few days in advance online, as this activity is in high demand.

#13 Melbourne

Melbourne is a city of contrasts, where modern skyscrapers meet historic architecture, and street art blends with high culture. At Federation Square, the city’s vibrant heart, locals and tourists gather, just steps away from the graffiti-covered Hosier Lane. The grand Melbourne Town Hall and the iconic State Library Victoria showcase the city’s rich history, while Melbourne Central Shopping Centre offers a mix of fashion, food, and entertainment. For a touch of elegance, the historic Princess Theatre hosts world-class performances. Melbourne’s alternative spirit and urban energy make it one of Australia’s most exciting cities.

Travel time: 1h 50min

Probably the best comfort of a campervan is that you not only have a means of transportation on four wheels, but also your entire home. Now you just need to know where you’re going to stay for the day and where you’re going to spend the night.

There is an app for that.

A camping trip in Australia wouldn’t work so easily without probably the most important app called WikiCamps . Rarely have we been so happy to live in an age of smartphones and apps.

With WikiCamps you can filter all the places and find exactly what you need.

• Where can I stay and cook during the day?
• Where can I fill up the campervan’s water tank?
• Where can I take a hot/cold shower?
• Where can I stay overnight for free?
• Where can I spend a paid night and charge the battery?

All this accompanied by numerous photos, ratings and reviews from a large camping community make planning so much easier and more enjoyable.

Download QR-Code

‎WikiCamps Australia

Developer: WikiCamps pty ltd

Price: 6,99 €

Download QR-Code

WikiCamps Australia

Developer: WikiCamps

Price: Free

Free vs. Paid Camping

Depending on how well equipped your campervan is and how often or if at all you need to recharge the electricity, you can decide every day whether you want to spend the night on a free or paid camping site. At the free ones you often only have one toilet, which is not necessarily clean, while at the paid ones you have a clean toilet and a warm shower.

To save money, we used a paid campsite every 3-4 days, also to recharge the batteries of the equipment and the campervan. On the days with free camping, we took a shower on the way and refilled the water tank, both of which you can also easily find in the app.

The climate in New South Wales and Victoria is temperate, which makes the weather a little more unpredictable. For the best possible weather conditions, it is recommended to travel between February and March. As a general rule, in addition to the recommended months, the two or three months before and after are also highly recommended in most cases. Keep in mind, however, that the weather in Australia is the reverse of the western hemisphere.

If you plan to visit all the places we recommended in this post without rushing, plan at least two weeks. Distances in Australia can be enormous, so check the map of places you want to visit before you start your trip and always reserve a few extra days just in case you want to stay a bit longer in the places you love.