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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. 

Alex Fern
/ Categories: AU Blog

Here's Why Brisbane is Your Perfect Road Trip Holiday Launching Point

Your Brisbane road trip might include coast, country or mountains - the choice is yours!

You look like you deserve a holiday! With so many destinations and experiences to choose from, how do you commit to just one?

You need a flexible accommodation style, like a camper, and a destination like Brisbane, which provides easy access to some of Queensland’s most stunning destinations.

Blessed with a sub-tropical climate, you’ll find no shortage of year-round sunshine to explore its surrounding natural environments.

Simply, choose your ideal camper at Apollo Brisbane and where you go after that - the choice is yours.

You can spend the next few days exploring World Heritage-listed national parks, beaches and wine country or all three – blending relaxation with action, all from the comfort of your own camper.

Need more convincing? Read on to see why Brisbane is your perfect road trip launching point.

 

When you want to beach yourself

Beautiful beaches fan out from all around Brisbane.

North, you’ll find the Sunshine Coast, which delivers in both name and nature with a coastline stretching from Caloundra, north to Rainbow Beach.

In between, find visitor-favourites like Mooloolaba and Noosa where beachfront campgrounds give you five-star access to the sand at a fraction of the cost of resort accommodation.

Taking your camper to explore the famous beaches of the Gold Coast? Drive south and throw down a towel at the aptly named Surfers Paradise.

Beyond the 70km of beaches the Gold Coast is so well known for, take the chance to explore the hinterland where quaint rainforest towns await.

Further south still, find yourself in Byron Bay, one of the most famous beach communities in Australia.

Either way, there’s a guarantee of sun, swimming and sand. Good news, with the flexibility and spontaneity that camper hire offers, you can easily spend another night if the surf’s up.

 

To escape to the country

Sitting in the southeast corner affords Brisbane access to countryside which provides a refreshing change of pace.

From Brisbane, take the return road trip to Dalby, the Bunya Mountains and Kingaroy, and experience the agricultural heart of the Sunshine State.

This part of the world, the Western Downs, is Queensland's largest producer of pigs, sorghum, wheat, oats, barley and mung beans and the fresh produce you’ll soon be cooking up in your camper kitchen will be evidence of the title.

Let country scenes delight you when you head inland

 

Start your drive taking the Warrego Highway west via Dalby following the signs to Queensland’s second oldest national park, the Bunya Mountains.

Formed more than 30 million years ago, you can expect the mountains to be as Jurassic in appearance as their history suggests.

Aside from mind-blowing geology, the main attraction here is the world’s largest stand of Bunya Pines, some of which are 600 years old and 25 metres high.

With the choice of three campsites atop the Bunya summit, this destination is camper friendly. Just beware - all roads to the Bunya Mountains are steep, narrow and winding, so care should be taken.

An hour north of the Bunyas, the peanut capital of Queensland, Kingaroy, beckons.

This is a destination defined by its farm-fresh produce, which is good news for you, given campers come with more space than a regular boot, it’s easy to stock up.

Returning to Brisbane is as simple as a three-hour drive back through the inland roads, passing country towns like Blackbutt and Toogoolawah whose bakeries are reasons alone to take this route.

 

 

Enjoy a grape escape

Queensland’s highest altitude vineyards found in Stanthorpe need very little introduction – they have equally turned the heads of both big-name wine connoisseurs like James Halliday and self-appointed oenophiles.

The Southern Downs & Granite Belt is worthy of adding to your itinerary by the significance of its numbers – this region is responsible for producing over 60% of the State’s wines from its lofty 1000 metres above sea-level elevation.

The perfect set up in your Apollo Motorhome

What makes the wines so delicious? You’ll have to see for yourself, but we’d hazard a guess the 250-million-year-old granite soils have something to do with it.

With over 50 cellar doors in the region, you’ll be grateful to be exploring with a hotel on wheels rather than have to swiftly put down what you’re swilling to race back to holiday HQ hundreds of kilometres away.

Instead, luxuriate over a tasting or long lunch at one of their cellar door restaurants like the AGFG-hatted Ballandeen Estate’s The Barrelroom (noting that you will need a designated driver if you’re planning on driving anywhere after your tasting!).

If you’ve picked up a few bottles to take home – they might not make it that far since our campers come with all the essentials, including wine glasses.

 

 

Make for the marvellous mountains

If you like your scenery ancient, enter the World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforest, all within easy campers’ distance from Brisbane.

Made up by a series of national parks, the area is best known as one most extensive areas of subtropical rainforest in the world, home to ancient and primitive plants and animals like nowhere else on the planet.

Within the Queensland border, you can get amongst the famous foliage at Lamington, Mount Chinghee, Springbrook and Mount Barney national parks – each with a national park campground offering that’s perfect for your camper itinerary.

You'll never get sick of the scenery on the road

The most accessible park from Brisbane is Lamington National Park, where you can wind your camper to the summit via sealed roads to spend the night in a campground amongst the lush forest.

The Binna Burra section of the park, forms part of the Gold Coast hinterland, and is primed for day-trip activities with a selection of walks that range from short, 30-minute circuits through to eight-hour treks.

Take to the walking trails by day and snuggle up around a fire pit by night. That’s the beauty of camper holidays – the experience doesn’t end when the sun goes down.  

Fresh mountain air, coastal breeze or cool country nights, you can have it all when you hit the road from Brisbane in your Apollo camper.

 

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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.

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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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