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New South Wales

Welcome to the vibrant and expansive New South Wales (NSW), a premier destination for families and adventurers looking to explore the wonders of Australia in the unique comfort of a campervan. Nestled on the east coast, NSW is bordered by tropical Queensland to the north, verdant Victoria to the south, and azure waters of South Australia to the west, making it a perfect central starting point for any Australia campervan holiday on the mainland.

Exploring NSW in a campervan is the perfect way to experience the sheer diversity of Australia’s landscapes and NSW attractions—from the pristine beaches of Kiama and the rugged peaks of the Blue Mountains to the dynamic urban centres, remote bushland, and coastal retreats of Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour. Whether you're looking to surf the waves at Bondi Beach, enjoy a serene hike in the national parks, or indulge in the culture at the Sydney Art Gallery, there is an unparalleled variety of things to do in NSW!

 

Why explore NSW by campervan

Travelling through NSW on an Australia campervan holiday offers an unmatched sense of freedom and adventure. Imagine waking up to the sounds of the ocean at a beachside campsite near Batemans Bay or enjoying your breakfast amidst the lush greenery of a secluded forest. Campervans provide not only flexibility in your travel plans but also the opportunity to connect deeply with the Aussie landscapes. 

What’s more, an Australia campervan holiday through NSW lets you discover hidden gems that are often off the beaten path and not easily accessible by traditional means of travel. From the wine regions of the Hunter Valley, where you can taste some of the best wines in the world, to the heritage towns of the New England hinterland area, a campervan can take you to places that would otherwise require extensive planning or expensive tours.

 

Things to do in New South Wales

NSW is bursting with activities. For beach lovers, the coast offers endless opportunities for swimming, surfing, and sunbathing at famous spots like Bondi, Coffs Harbour, and Port Macquarie. Beyond the usual tourist attractions, NSW also offers unique experiences like whale watching in Nelson Bay, marvelling at contemporary art at the Sydney Art Gallery, or hiking through the ancient rainforests of the Blue Mountains. No matter what your interests are, NSW has something spectacular to explore. For information on what to do in NSW, check out our guides to exploring NSW. 

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Popular NSW road trips & itineraries

New South Wales, located on the southeastern coast of Australia, is bordered by Queensland to the north, Victoria to the south, and South Australia to the west. Accessible internationally via the Sydney International Airport and an achievable drive away from major cities like Brisbane (approximately 10 hours) and Melbourne (about 9 hours), NSW is ideally positioned for an Australia campervan holiday adventure. Some of the most popular road trips within New South Wales include the scenic coastal drive from Sydney to Byron Bay, the food and wine trail in the Hunter Valley, and the heritage-rich adventures around the historical towns of Bathurst and Mudgee.

Queensland | Cairns to Townsville Road Trip Itinerary

Queensland | Cairns to Townsville Road Trip Itinerary

See the other side of North Queensland and head West! This one will be a trip to remember.

Day 1-2: Apollo Cairns to Undara

Distance: 255km

Travel time: 3 hours 32 minutes

Put the reef and rainforest in your rear-view mirror and set out on the Savannah Way – your first port of call is the Undara Experience. It might take half a day as the crow flies, but with so many ‘must-visit’ spots along the route (think: farm gates, waterfalls and Avatar-esq strangler figs), don’t be surprised if you don’t make it to Undara until sundown. With 58 powered campsites at the Undara Experience, you can park up for the night and rise in the morning to a chorus of birdsong amongst natural bush surroundings. To explore the world’s best-preserved and largest lava tubes in Undara Volcanic National Park, you’ll need to join a tour led by a Savannah Guide.

Wander through the network of tunnels, archways and cave systems that run for 160km, formed some 190,000 years ago when the now-dormant volcano erupted.

Jaw dropping? You betcha! 

Image: Jason Charles Hill

 

Day 3-4: Undara to Cobbold Gorge

Distance: 224km

Travel time: 2 hours 57 minutes

Today, swap one geological masterpiece for another – Queensland’s youngest gorge, Cobbold Gorge. A mid-morning departure will ensure you aren’t sharing the road with crepuscular natives who have built a reputation in Outback Queensland for denting bonnets. Park your van at the only accommodation in the area, Cobbold Gorge Village, and join Cobbold Gorge Tours to explore this 135-million-year-old sandstone oasis. 

Tours showcase the perspective of the gorge from waters’ level, gliding through the narrow section of gorge via electric powered boat or stand-up paddleboard. The gorge is breathtakingly narrow, so you can expect to touch both sides as you look up and stand in the shadow of its 30m high coloured cliffs.  To see the gorge from a new perspective, leave your fear of heights at home, and cross it via a 13m-long suspended glass-bottom bridge. As a guest of Cobbold Village you can reward your day’s touring with a dip in the infinity pool (complete with swim up bar), followed by dinner at the onsite restaurant.

*Please note - this route requires travel along unsealed roads for more than 10km. Only our 4wd vehicles are permitted to travel along unsealed roads longer than 10km, as per our terms and conditions. Read more about our 4wd adventure camper here.

 

Day 5-7: Cobbold Gorge to Karumba 

Distance: 456km

Travel time: 5 hours 22 minutes

It’s a big day of driving, but you’ll be grateful to have your hotel on wheels to whip up cuppa or snack as you make the journey due north to the seafood epicentre of Queensland, Karumba. It’s here you’ll find barramundi, king salmon, prawns, crabs and all manner of reef fish served fresh as dish of the day. Base yourself in Karumba for a couple of nights to take in more than one famous sunset over the Gulf of Carpentaria.

Karumba is the only place in Queensland where you can watch the sun go down over the sea from the mainland. What’s more, staying in a camper will give you front row seats to the show. You can also see if the fish are biting by joining an organised tour to cast off for both reef and estuarine species. 

Image: Tourism and Events Queensland

 

Day 8: Karumba to Cloncurry

Distance: 452km

Travel time: 4 hours 51 minutes

It might only be a short (in outback terms) drive from Karumba to Cloncurry, but you can expect the landscape to change wildly in a matter of five hours. On arrival, Cloncurry delights visitors with its rich history; it’s the very town Qantas launched its first flight after all. A visit to John Flynn Place Museum and Art Gallery is a good place to start to learn about Cloncurry’s history, notably through the role of the Royal Flying Doctor service in providing health care services to remote communities of the outback. If you’re looking for somewhere to stay other than the usual campground offering, take your camper to the ghost town of Mary Kathleen (a former Uranium mining town), where all that remains are the slabs of the former village dotted around the open cut mine. 

You’ll find a swag of other campers and caravanners parked up here and a good display of outback hospitality. 

 

Day 9-11: Cloncurry to Julia Creek 

Distance: 137km

Travel time: 1 hour 29 minutes

You won’t need to spend much time behind the wheel today to reach Julia Creek from Cloncurry. Park up at the award-winning Julia Creek caravan park, whose artesian baths are the perfect antidote to road trip muscle aches and pains. Drawing from the artesian basin some 900m below ground level, these baths pump perfectly tempered water (38-41 degrees) into clawfoot tubs for guests to soak in.

There are plenty of powered sites to choose from but be sure to time your visit for Monday night for the caravan park’s bush dinner, cooked over the coals and accompanied by poetry performances.

Image: Tourism and Events Queensland

 

Day 12: Julia Creek to Hughenden 

Distance: 263km

Travel time: 2 hours 53 minutes

Drive east for a few hours along the Overlanders way to your next overnight stop, Hughenden. It’s a long, straight stretch of tarmac, but it can be broken up with museum and bakery stops at the fossil-rich town of Richmond. Had you travelled to Richmond 100 million years ago, you would have found an inland sea and this town has the fish, squid, shark tooth and giant marine reptile fossils to prove it. Further east, find your destination for the night, Hughenden, where fossil discoveries continue.

Don’t leave without a visit to the Flinders Discovery Centre where you can get a photo with “Mutt”, a full-bodied Muttaburrasaurus replica. If you like your history told through the landscape rather than museums, head to Porcupine Gorge National Park aka Australia's 'Little Grand Canyon'. There’s 22 sites in the Pyramid camping area to park the camper to sleep amongst the action. 

Image: Jason Charles Hill

 

Day 13-14: Hughenden to Townsville 

Distance: 383km

Travel time: 4 hours 11 minutes

Wave goodbye to the vastness of Outback Queensland, by this afternoon you’ll be sipping cocktails on the coast. Hughenden, or Hughie as the locals call it, connects to Townsville in a matter of hours, passing through the charming gold mine town of Charters Towers. Your reward at the end of the road? Queensland’s sunniest city.

Choose from the array of beachfront caravan parks in Townsville’s CBD, which offer views over Magnetic Island and Cape Palleranda Conservation Park. Explore the city’s famous landmark for sunset, Castle Hill, and watch the golden glow over town and the Coral Sea.

Image: Tourism and Events Queensland

 

Day 15: Townsville to Apollo Cairns 

Distance: 351km

Travel time: 4 hours 37 minutes

All good things must come to an end – and all good road trips must too.Take the Pacific Coast Way from Townsville to Cairns and drop off your camper today. If time is on your side, extend your trip to explore the coastal villages and tropical islands that connect Cairns and Townsville, or simply make a beeline to explore Cairns with this guide. 


 

 

 

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Great savings on your NSW road trip

New South Wales offers a mosaic of dazzling coastal views and exquisite natural terrains. From the iconic beaches within Sydney's bustling centre to the serene heights of its alpine regions, discover the full splendour of this region and see how you can make your travel budget go further with our incredible deals. Check out the epic savings available for your NSW road trip. Whether you're seeking sun-soaked shores or mountainous adventures, these offers help ensure your Australia campervan holiday is both memorable and affordable.

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Apollo NSW campervan branches

Sydney, a gateway to some of the most captivating NSW attractions, is also home to our Sydney Apollo campervan branch. Strategically located, it offers seamless access to iconic NSW attractions like the Sydney Opera House, the Northern Beaches, and regional NSW gems. Apollo's Sydney branch is the perfect launchpad for your Australia campervan holiday, and our knowledgeable team is there to equip you with everything you need to explore urban wonders and serene landscapes at your own pace.

 

 

Helpful tips for visiting NSW

Are you excited to start planning your very own NSW Australia campervan holiday? Here are a few essential tips to consider when crafting your campervan itinerary, ranging from the best travel times and climate insights to packing essentials and must-see NSW attractions.

New South Wales boasts a climate as varied as its landscape, with coastal regions enjoying mild, breezy summers and crisp winters while the western plains see more extreme temperatures. All in all, the ideal times to visit are spring (September-November) and autumn (March-May), when the weather is most temperate, and the natural scenery is at its peak. Visiting outside the peak months means you won't have to navigate the hotter (and much busier) summers and cooler (and often rainy) winters. Travelling in the shoulder seasons also means fewer crowds and potentially lower costs for those looking to save a little on accommodation and NSW attractions.

Your packing list for an Australia campervan holiday in NSW should include versatile outdoor gear for sudden weather changes, sun protection like sunscreen and hats, and any campervan add-ons that enhance comfort, such as outdoor chairs (which are available from Apollo for hire). Don’t forget a good camera to capture the stunning views and any hiking or beach gear if you plan on heading out to explore NSW’s wild, remote regions. For more details on what to pack, check Apollo's summer campervan road trip essentials.

Wondering what to do in NSW? This state is booming with attractions, from natural beauties to man-made wonders. Here's a closer look at some must-visit things to do in NSW:

  • Sydney: As Australia's iconic face, Sydney is packed with must-see NSW attractions like the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. The city's vibrant culture and bustling nightlife are complemented by serene spaces like the Royal Botanic Gardens and bustling markets like The Rocks.
  • Taronga Zoo: This zoo is home to over 4,000 animals from around the globe and offers stunning views of Sydney Harbour. The zoo features daily animal shows, a sky safari gondola, and interactive encounters, making it a perfect day trip while exploring New South Wales.
  • Blue Mountains: Just a short drive from Sydney, the Blue Mountains offer breathtaking views, dramatic cliffs, and lush eucalyptus forests. The region is perfect for hiking, with trails leading to stunning waterfalls and overlooks and the famous Three Sisters rock formation.
  • Hunter Valley: Renowned for its exquisite wineries and gourmet dining, Hunter Valley is a paradise for food and wine lovers. Explore vineyards, taste award-winning wines, and enjoy farm-to-table meals in picturesque vineyard settings.
  • Port Stephens: Known for its beautiful beaches and clear waters, Port Stephens is a haven for water sports enthusiasts. From snorkelling and sailing to sandboarding on the dunes, it offers many outdoor activities.
  • Coffs Harbour: This coastal city is famous for its family-friendly atmosphere and the Big Banana, one of Australia's original 'big things'. It's also a great spot for surfing, whale watching, and exploring the surrounding natural reserves.
  • Newcastle: A blend of old and new, Newcastle boasts a vibrant arts scene, historical architecture, and a strong surf culture. Its revitalised waterfront district offers trendy cafes, galleries, and parks.
  • Booderee National Park: Located at Jervis Bay, this national park is known for its crystal-clear waters, white sand beaches, and abundant wildlife. It's an excellent spot for camping, fishing, and bushwalking.
  • Kiama: Famous for the Kiama Blowhole, this charming seaside town offers scenic coastal walks and a laid-back atmosphere. The blowhole is a natural spectacle where seawater spouts high into the air from the rocks.
  • Port Macquarie: A historic town with a rich convict past, Port Macquarie has stunning coastal walks, beautiful beaches, and a koala hospital where visitors can learn about conservation.
  • Batemans Bay: Ideal for nature lovers, Batemans Bay is located at the entrance of the Clyde River and is surrounded by forests, estuaries, and national parks. It's popular for fishing, boating, and kayaking, offering a peaceful escape from the bustling city of Sydney.

New South Wales offers a variety of campervan accommodation options, ranging from beachfront caravan parks to secluded free camping spots. For those looking to wake up to ocean views, there are plenty of stunning beachfront caravan parks in NSW that offer prime locations and amenities. Holiday parks in NSW are also for the whole family! Families can enjoy the comforts and activities at family-friendly campsites in NSW as well as family-friendly campgrounds in Sydney, while pet owners will appreciate the pet-friendly campsites across NSW that welcome even the furriest members of the family. For those seeking a more rustic experience, NSW's free camping spots provide a perfect way to save a few pennies, all while connecting you with nature. Notable parks like South West Rocks Holiday Resort on the mid-north coast, Lake Mac Holiday Parks in Lake Macquarie, and Norah Head Holiday Park on the Central Coast offer excellent facilities and stunning natural surroundings, making them ideal bases for exploring the state in a campervan.

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