the insider’S guide to

CAMPERVANNING
In Australia

1
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction 3
Map of Australia 4
Australian Geography 101 4
Australian History 101 6
Essential Aussie Basics 7
Driving on Australian Roads 10
Handling Your Campervan 13
Campervanning Basics 14
Crossing Bass Strait 17
Driving Distances 17
Invaluable Campervanning Tips 19
A Rundown of the Regions 22
What You Can Expect from the Weather 35
Wildlife 38
Aboriginal Australia 45
Getting to Know the Aussies 47
Aussie Tucker 49
Cheers! 52
50 Fantastic Places to Visit! 56
Off the Beaten Track 69
Ten Best Beaches in Australia 72
Speaking “Strine” 76
Itinerary Ideas 79
Final Things to Think About 83

Disclaimer: We have done our best to ensure the accuracy of this information, and apologise
if any of the information in this book is incorrect or outdated, but accept no liability for any
consequences arising from this.

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 INTRODUCTION
For generations of Australians, or
“Aussies”, setting off in the family
campervan (motorhome, travel trailer
or RV) to explore their magical country
at their own pace is the kind of relaxed,
free-spirited holiday they take for granted,
or an enviable yet quite common way to
spend a hard-earned retirement.
experience this generous slice of heaven
– you can travel at your own pace and stop
wherever you like, for as long as you like!
There’s a vast number of campsites and
holiday parks dotted all over the country
to accommodate you and campervans to
suit any budget – and there’s a favourable
exchange rate to take your money further.

If you’re reading this book, congratulations

on making the decision to follow in their
Many people say that a

footsteps! campervan holiday is the best,

if not the only real way to meet
Simultaneously an island, a country and Australian locals and see the
a continent, Australia, nicknamed “The
essential Australia.
Land Down Under” is a perfect destination
for a campervanning holiday. It’s friendly, There’s a new caravan built in Australia
uncrowded, huge, and is riddled with every 14 minutes! And according to current
unique but equally wonderful tourist spots affairs show 60 Minutes, there are more
everywhere you go. than 325,000 caravans and motorhomes
currently registered. At any one time, more
Australia’s noteworthy for its unique
than 80,000 of them are on what’s known as
flora and fauna, every imaginable type of
the “Big Lap” – driving all the way around
scenery, its friendly people, delectable food
Australia.
and wine, its superb climate and relaxed,
“no worries” lifestyle. Read on to get the BEST advice, tips,
tricks and secrets on where to go, what to
In Australia you can absorb the fascinating
do, how to plan and mistakes to avoid, to
Aboriginal culture, experience sophisticated
truly get the most out of your Australian
cosmopolitan society with a laid-back twist,
campervanning holiday.
and travel to remote spots it’s possible
no other human has ever even set foot
on. Campervanning is an ideal way to

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 Australian Geography 101
Australia is not just a country, but an entire continent. It’s the world’s smallest continent
and the sixth-largest country.

• Australia’s huge but only has a • It has an area of 2,966,368 square miles,
population of about 20 million people. or 7,682,300 square kilometres.
About 90% of those people live on 2.6%
of the continent. • The capital of Australia is Canberra.

• Australia is located in the Southern • Australia is divided into seven separate

Hemisphere, between the Indian Ocean states: Queensland; New South Wales;
and the southern Pacific Ocean. South Australia; Victoria; Northern

4
 Territory, Western Australia; and
Tasmania (the separate island off the
south-east coast).
• It also has two major mainland
territories, the Northern Territory and
the Australian Capital Territory.
• Australia also has several minor
territories; the federal government
administers a separate area within New
South Wales, the Jervis Bay Territory,
as a naval base and sea port for the
national capital.
• Australia has the following, inhabited,
external territories: Norfolk Island,
Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling)
Islands, and several mostly uninhabited
external territories: Ashmore and
Cartier Islands, Coral Sea Islands,
Heard Island and McDonald Islands and
the Australian Antarctic Territory.
• The majority of rainfall falls in a thin
strip along the coast, leaving the
majority of the country arid and dry,
vulnerable to droughts and bushfires.
Most of Australia is comprised of the
“Outback” which generally refers to the
harsh, desolate inland.
• The only thing saving this huge dry land
from complete dessication is the Great
Artesian Basin. This enormous round
geological formation stretches over
inland N.S.W, S.A, Qld and N.T. Beneath
it are underground water supplies
thought to be stored between 66-208
5
million years ago. Bore holes bring
water to the surface and it’s supplied to
livestock and humans.
• Off the Queensland coast, the famous
Great Barrier Reef stretches around
200km (1240 miles) from off Gladstone
to the Gulf of Papua near New Guinea.
It’s the largest coral reef on earth and is
home to many different types of animals
such as starfish, sea anemones, fish
(including sharks), turtles, sea slugs and
giant clams.
• Sydney is the largest city with about 4
million people. Other large cities include
Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide
and Newcastle.
• Lake Eyre is Australia’s largest body of
water – a dry saltwater lake in South
Australia that covers 3,430 square miles.
• The east coast of Australia is covered by
tropical rainforest. The Great Dividing
Range (a mountain range that runs
north-south down the east coast) is
what causes rain to fall on the east
and blocks it from the dry inland, or
Outback.
• Australia claims the world’s largest
monolith, Uluru (formerly Ayer’s Rock).
It’s located almost smack-bang in the
middle of Australia, in Uluru-Kata Tjuta
National Park. This huge 348-metre
red piece of sandstone is a sacred
Aboriginal site and arguably Australia’s
most famous landmark.
 Australian History 101
• Australian Aborigines refer to the
beginning of time as the Dreamtime
(which is often the context for a lot of
traditional Aboriginal art)
• Australia was originally part of a
supercontinent called Pangea, which
eventually split and drifted apart into
two pieces called Gondwanaland and
Laurasia. Gondwanaland then eventually
broke apart too, creating South America,
Africa, India, Australia, New Guinea, New
Zealand and Antarctica.
• Australia once had large pre-historic
animals (like everywhere else) but they
were in the form of giant marsupials
such as a wombat the size of a hippo, and
10-foot-tall kangaroos!
• The first people to reach Australia and
chart its coastline were the Portuguese,
in about 1536. Throughout the 1600s,
many Dutch ships the followed (it was
referred to as “New Holland”).
• Abel Tasman was then sent over to
chart the country. He also discovered
Tasmania. The sea between New Zealand
and Australia is called the Tasman Sea.
a wwI anzac soldier
statue in sydney.
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• Captain James Cook arrived in his ship
Endeavour in 1770 and charted the East
Coast. He claimed the land for Britain
and named New South Wales.
• Meanwhile, King George III began to see
the potential in Australia as a colony for
England’s increasing convict population,
and the first 800 were sent over in 1787.
• Gold was discovered in 1852, causing
an influx of immigrants from Europe,
America and China.
• The last of the convicts were brought over
in 1868, bringing the total to 168,000.
• Australia proclaimed itself the
Commonwealth of Australia in 1901,
but fought with New Zealand alongside
Britain in the first and second World Wars
and alongside America in Korea and
Vietnam.
• It was only in 1992 that a law was passed
allowing Aborigines to reclaim their
government-owned land.
 Essential Aussie Basics
Visas, Customs and
Quarantine
• All travellers to Australia must carry
a valid passport or similar travel
document and all travellers except
holders of Australian and New Zealand
passports need a visa to enter Australia
(a visa can be obtained from your
nearest Australian high commission,
embassy or consulate).
• The Electronic Travel Authority (ETA)
which can be issued on the spot by a
travel agent replaces the traditional visa
and is becoming increasingly available
through travel agents.
• Everyone can bring some goods duty/
tax-free into Australia, and adults over
18 can also bring alcohol and cigarettes
or tobacco products duty/tax free. The
articles must accompany you through
Customs and have to be for personal
use.
• There’s no limit on the amount of
Australian and/or foreign cash that
you can bring into or take out of
Australia. However, amounts of more
than A$10,000 (or equivalent in foreign
currency) must be declared on arrival
and departure.
7
• On departure, you can claim a refund of
the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and
Wine Equalisation Tax (WET) that you
paid on goods bought in Australia. The
refund on goods (not services) costing
$A300 or more (on the same receipt),
only applies to items carried as hand
luggage. Tourist Refund Scheme booths
are located in the departure areas of
international terminals after passport
control, where you must show your
passport, international boarding pass,
tax invoice from the retailer, and the
goods. You’ll get a cash refund, or the
amount can be put onto your credit
card.
Government and Economy
• The Commonwealth of Australia is
a democracy, but it also recognizes
the monarch of Great Britain as
sovereign (The Queen of England has
the title “Chief of State” and has some
ceremonial duties)
• The Prime Minister of Australia is
currently Kevin Rudd.
• Australia has a strong, modern
economy.
• Currency is the Australian dollar.
 Communication
• Most people in Australia have a mobile
phone and so communication when
you’re travelling is a lot easier. Cheap
phones with Pre-Pay accounts can be
purchased in many places such as post
offices and even some supermarkets.
• Coverage is extensive, however there
are plenty of places without cellphone
coverage.
• Most caravan parks have WiFi and you
can link to the internet wirelessly with
the right software in your laptop. These
“hot spots” are also to be found at
McDonald’s and other places. It’s best
to do any emailing or photo uploading
in the main centres as you won’t know
where the next place with wireless
internet will be!
• The telephone country code for
Australia is 61, and outgoing
international access is 00 11.
• Payphones are red, green, gold or
blue. Only local calls can be made
from the red ones, but the others have
International Direct Dialling. You can
buy Telstra phonecards at newsagents,
supermarkets and chemists, and there
are also credit card phones at airports,
city centre locations and many hotels.
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Money
• Your ATM card must carry either the
CIRRUS, PLUS or STAR international
ATM mark or the Interlink or Maestro
POS mark. You should contact your
bank at home for information on
availability and service charges. ATM
cards can be used in Australia at both
ATMs (Automatic Teller Machines)
and at participating retail locations,
so long as they‘ve been enabled for
international access.
• The most commonly accepted
credit cards are American Express,
Bankcard, Carte Blanche, Diners
Club, MasterCard, Visa and their
affiliates. Use might be restricted in
smaller towns and country areas and
small retail shops. Changing foreign
currency or travellers’ cheques can
be done quickly and efficiently at most
banks. You should cash travellers’
cheques at banks or larger hotels as
it may be difficult elsewhere. Some
banks may charge a small fee for
cashing travellers’ cheques. Banks
will cash most travellers’ cheques in
every currency. Most widely accepted
are American Express, Thomas Cook,
Barclays, Bank of America, Visa and
MasterCard.
• It’s not essential to tip in Australia – it’s
up to you whether you feel the service
was exceptional. Tipping would typically
be about 10% of the bill.
 Measurements
• Australians use the metric system and
measure things in kilometres, litres and
kilograms (unless you’re over 50!)
• When writing the date, the month comes
second, eg 23/11/2009.
• The decimal point is a dot, not a comma.
• Temperature is measured in degrees
Celsius, not Fahrenheit.
Miscellaneous
• The official language is English, but
Australia has a large percentage of
minorities such as Greek, Italian,
Chinese, German and so on. Then there
are the indigenous Aboriginal dialects.
• The main international airports are
Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane,
followed by Perth, Adelaide, Hobart,
Darwin and Cairns. Each state has at
least one international airport.
• Australia spans three time zones:
Standard East - Queensland, New South
Wales, Victoria and Tasmania: GMT +10,
and GMT +11 October to March (except
Queensland which doesn’t observe
Daylight Savings).
Central – South Australia and Northern
Territory: GMT +9.5 and GMT +10.5
October to March (except Northern
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Territory which doesn’t observe Daylight
Savings).
West – Western Australia: GMT +8.
• Electricity: 220/240 volts AC, but most
campervans are wired for 12 or 24 volts
so you’ll need an adaptor. There’s plenty
of sunshine year-round so there’s an
increasing use of solar power to charge
deep-cycle batteries. 3 pin plugs are
used, but sockets are different from
those found in many countries and an
adaptor will probably be needed for this
reason too.
• There are very few fifth-wheelers in
Australia and most caravans are 20
feet or less. There are few slide-outs
although some of the larger campervans
do have them.
Furnaces aren’t used in
campervans in Australia,
rather the units are
warmed with electric
heaters, or travelers sit
outside by a campfire. The
exceptions are the very
large class A motorhomes
imported from the States.
 Driving on Australian Roads
So, you’ve got your campervan and you’re ready to go! But driving on Australian roads, not to
mention driving a CAMPERVAN on Australian roads, may be an entirely different experience
than you’re used to.
• Australians drive on the left side of the
road. If you aren’t used to driving on the
left side of the road, it might pay to rent
an automatic campervan and be extra
careful at turns. Remember you – the
driver – should always be in the centre
of the road.
• All drivers, including visitors, must
carry their license with them at all
times, although you don’t need a special
license to drive a campervan.
• For experienced drivers, the blood
alcohol level is 0.05. Provisional drivers
and young drivers may not have any
alcohol before driving.
• Seat belts and child restraints must be
worn by all vehicle occupants. It’s an
instant fine if you’re caught without it.
The police do spot checks for seatbelts
and drunk drivers regularly.
• All traffic must proceed in a clockwise
direction in a roundabout. A vehicle
already on a roundabout has right of way
over any vehicles entering.
• Always overtake to the right. Be sure you
can see enough of the road to complete
overtaking and move back to your side
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of the road. Never overtake on corners,
blind rises or on double white lines.
When overtaking heavy vehicles in wet
weather, beware of wind turbulence
and wheel spray causing a reduction in
visibility. Allow plenty of space behind
you when pulling back in after passing
a truck. Trucks can’t stop as quickly as
cars, especially when carrying heavy
loads.
When driving on a multi-lane
road, keep to the left-hand
lane wherever possible. Move
to the right to overtake and
then move back to the left
once it’s safe.
• At traffic lights, a green arrow means
you can go in the direction indicated –
even if the main light is red. Look out
for the green man crossing sign when
turning at traffic lights. Often your light
could be green but you have to give way
to pedestrians before you can turn.
• Using a hand-held mobile phone while
driving is an offence. If you do need to
make or take a call, pull over to the side
of the road.
 • If you have an accident where someone is
killed or injured, it should be reported to
the police at once or within 24 hours. In
Western Australia, any accident must be
reported to the police.
• In most states, the maximum speed
limit on freeways and major highways is
100kph and local urban limits range from
50 to 80 kph. In the Northern Territory
there are highways that are free of any
limits. All speed limits are clearly marked
and all states use speed detection
equipment including mobile and static
speed cameras, along with red light
cameras. Any fine incurred in Australia is
your responsibility and if you’re a foreign
national, the fine will be mailed to your
home country address.
• It’s best not to drive your campervan at
night outside of town centres or major
cities. Wildlife, especially kangaroos,
can be very dangerous on the roads
particularly at sunrise and sunset
Watch out for
wildlife on
australian roads.
11
(when they’re looking for food). You
could encounter all sorts of animals on
Australian roads including kangaroos,
echidnas, camels, wallabies, cattle,
emus, pigs, large snakes, wombats, or
eagles! They won’t only come out at night
either – be on the lookout all the time.
• Should you decide you want to go off
road it’s essential you discuss this with
someone local, both to get their advice
(on weather conditions, the best route,
fuel availability and so forth) and to make
sure someone local knows your intended
route. It’s also a good idea to discuss your
intended route with your rental company
regarding their policy of driving the
campervan on unsealed roads.
• If you do break down in a remote area,
don’t try and get out and walk. People
who stay with their vehicles are usually
located quickly and easily. Stay in the
shade, conserve water, and prepare
effective signals.
 • Any travel across designated Aboriginal
land needs special permission from the
owners in advance. This permit process
varies from state to state and can take
up to six weeks to come through so
contact the national parks’ controlling
bodies in each state prior to your
journey.
When travelling in remote
• Roads in Australia are generally good
areas, always take a
sufficient supply of water –
5 litres per person per day.
• If the road you’re driving on is dusty,
be cautious as it may be concealing
potholes and/or washouts.
multi-trailer
trucks known
as road trains
are common in
the outback.
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• It’s common in the Outback (especially
in the Northern Territory) to encounter
“road trains” – multi-trailer trucks up
to 50 metres long. If you’re coming from
the opposite direction to pass a road
train, give yourself plenty of room as
the displaced air can cause significant
buffering. If you’re overtaking one, allow
at least 1.5kms of clear road.
but expect the quality to change from
time to time and also remember that
there can be very long stretches of road
between service stations so plan ahead
when you’re in rural areas and Outback
regions.
 Handling Your Campervan
• Check with your individual campervan
company, but generally your insurance
will be deemed invalid if you drive
on restricted roads. It will vary from
company to company, but usually 2WD
campervans can only be driven on
sealed/bitumen roads, with the exception
of well-maintained roads leading into
holiday parks and well-maintained
roads on Kangaroo Island in South
Australia. 4WD vehicles can usually be
driven on recognised unsealed roads
but may need written permission for
the following remote areas: Simpson
Desert, Gunbarrel Highway, Strzelecki
Track, Cape York, the Bungle Bungles,
Oodnadatta Track, Birdsville Track,
Warburton Road, Cape Leveque, Tanami
Track, The Plenty Highway, Kalumburu
Road and Gibb River Road.
• No rental vehicles are generally allowed
on: the Canning Stock Route, the last two
kilometres of the Lennard River Gorge
Road, the Lost City in Litchfield Park,
Cape York between December and May,
and the Telegraph section of the road to
Cape York.
check your
rental company’s
policy regarding
unsealed roads.
13
• Campervans are taller than most
passenger vehicles, so know the
clearance height required and consider
things like service station canopies and
low-hanging branches.
• Some highways either restrict or
recommend non-use for vehicles over a
certain length, so research which roads
you can travel and how to access them.
• Always bear in mind that campervans
are heavy and require longer braking
distances than you’re probably used to.
• If you are going to tow something behind
you, consider whether your campervan
can carry the extra weight up steep
mountains or slippery surfaces. Make
sure the hitch attachment is secure,
and also consider the total length of the
campervan and attachment combined.
• Before each leg of your trip, make sure
you thoroughly check the following on
your campervan: electrical and plumbing
systems; integrity of the LPG tank; fluids,
brakes and tyres; angle of mirrors; and
hitch and coupling system if there is one.
 Campervanning Basics
• When you arrive in each new town,
it’s best to head straight to the Visitor
Information Centre, generally located in
the centre of town. The staff will give you
advice and brochures on anything that’s
of interest.
• Campgrounds or holiday parks in
Australia are generally of a high
standard. Booking isn’t usually
necessary except in peak season (around
Christmas/New Year and Easter). You
can choose to stay every night at a
campground, or certain nights to use the
extra facilities. Most campgrounds will
let you use the facilities without staying
the night for a small charge.
• There are a wide array of van parks to
choose from. Many of the newer parks
have almost become mini resorts
complete with tennis courts, multiple
swimming pools, mini golf courses,
games rooms, cafes and restaurants
and even kid’s clubs. Although the
facilities in these parks may be top
notch, the prices are generally high as
well and they may not be in the budget
of many long-term travellers. At the
other end of the scale, the council-run
caravan parks do not have all the extras
but they are usually much cheaper and
offer a basic place to stay with power
and amenities.
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• If you think you may be staying in a lot of
van parks, it may be worth joining one of
the holiday park membership schemes.
The schemes provide members with
discounts for stays at their parks while
the parks themselves must meet a
certain set of standards in terms of
facilities and cleanliness. BIG4 Holiday
Parks, Top Tourist Parks and Family
Parks of Australia are three of the
biggest van park groups.
• Most national parks have areas set aside
for camping. There are often shower
and toilets, barbeques and picnic areas,
however they generally won’t have
facilities for you to plug your vehicle into
electricity. Australia’s national parks
contain some of its most spectacular
sights and, some feel, some of its
best camping spots as well. Although
the facilities at campgrounds in most
national parks include little more than
a drop toilet and occasionally a tap or a
picnic table, the scenery and sense of
being close to nature more than make
up for it. The fees are usually pretty low,
too.
• The National Parks department of each
state and Territory has its own system
in terms of entry fees and camping
fees. You can get more information
about access, availability, facilities and
attractions for the national parks in
 some bush toilets
might make you wonder
whether it’s worth
holding on.
tourist information centres, on the web
or by phoning the relevant national park
office. Links for checking out the National
Park websites for each state are on the
last page of this book.
• For many, ‘going bush’ not only provides
a welcome relief from accommodation
fees, it also creates a real spirit of
adventure. Some bush camping areas
are well established and may have a drop
toilet but many have no facilities at all.
If you plan to go bush, ensure you have
adequate supplies of food and water –
and don’t forget your spade!
• Local council laws don’t permit you to
camp on the side of the road in the vicinity
of towns, however outside the towns and
in country areas it is generally allowed.
As a general rule you’re OK to park up
in most places such as off the road or
by a beach or riverside unless there’s a
sign prohibiting overnight camping. All
that’s asked in return is respect for the
environment and the locals. Be sensible
and don’t park anywhere that restricts
others, or anywhere that might interfere
with nature. Also make sure you’re not on
private property!
15
• Some councils are now making certain
regions “no free camping” zones though,
so just be aware of this. It’s usually best
to pull off the road and park behind some
trees. It’s generally legal to do this, but if
you aren’t sure, or haven’t seen the sign,
you could have yourself rudely awakened!
Discretion usually helps.
• In a country characterised by long
stretches of road across a big Outback
sky with few towns breaking the horizon,
rest areas have become a necessity for
many drivers. They are meant to provide
a place to break your journey, have a rest
and then resume once again refreshed.
Each state has a different policy when it
comes to overnight stays at rest areas
– but all agree that if fatigue is setting
in you must “stop, revive and survive”.
Most state road authorities produce free
maps detailing where rest areas are and
whether overnight stays are permitted.
• There are too many campgrounds in
Australia to list them all here – a good
place to start is
http://www.australianexplorer.com/
campsites/index.html.
 What to do with Rubbish and Waste

Most holiday parks will have a rubbish and waste collection facility.

The website http://www.sanidumps.com/sanidumps_australia.php has a list of dump

stations throughout the country for campervan users’ toilet and waste water. You’re doing the
environment a favour when you use these.

Keep it Clean, Green and Safe

• Protect plants and animals – they’re unique and often rare

• Remove rubbish – carry out what you carry in

• Take care with fire – douse with water and check ashes before leaving (preferably use a
portable fuel stove)

• Keep streams and lakes clean – when washing, take the water and wash things away from
the source, and let soapy water soak through soil to be filtered

• Keep to the tracks – there’s less risk of damaging fragile plants and ecosystems

• Respect the country’s heritage – many places in Australia have spiritual and/or historical
significance

keeping to tracks
prevents fragile
ecosystems from damage.

16
 Crossing the Bass Strait
The Bass Strait is the channel between the
mainland and Tasmania. If you’re planning
to include Tasmania in your campervan
holiday (or hire your vehicle in Tasmania
and travel to the mainland), you’ll need to
cross this picturesque sea-road.
The route is operated by two ships, Spirit of
Tasmania I and II, which offer an overnight
service in both directions between Station
Pier in Port Melbourne and Port Devonport
on Tasmania’s north coast. They go seven
days a week, year-round, with extra daytime
services at peak times of the year.
Driving Distances
Australia is a huge country, so to enjoy your
holiday, it’s recommended to research your
intended travel route thoroughly, especially
your travelling distances. It’s much better
to travel at a leisurely pace and stop at
whichever attractions you like rather than
spending each day covering huge distances.
When calculating travelling time it is
important to take into consideration the
17
The ships each have more than 700
berths, or 220 cabins and the trip takes
approximately 9-11 hours. Campervans can
travel on the ships from around A$93 off
peak and A$134 in peak season (subject to
change). The fare increases as the size of your
campervan increases.
For details on fares and timetables, go to the
website www.spiritoftasmania.com.au. Due
to the variations in size, you won’t be able
to book your campervan in online, however
there are details on the website about how
to do this. Be sure to check with your rental
company if their terms allow you to take your
vehicle on the ferry.
need to reduce speed through the many
towns and cities. You will also need to
consider adverse road and weather
conditions, as well as roads that may be
winding rather than straight. Aim to cover
approximately 150-250km per day.
Also remember, driver fatigue causes many
crashes in Australia. When driving long
distances, stop and rest every 2 hours.
getting to tasmania
means crossing the
bass strait.
 Distance Chart

Road distances between major cities, in kilometres. The distances are based on the most
direct route, not necessarily the most practical.

  Adelaide Brisbane Canberra  Darwin  Melbourne   Perth  Sydney

Adelaide   2062 1204 3024 725 2707 1424
Albury 913 1545 343 3937 310 3620 563
Alice Springs 1534 2946 2680 1490 2259 3933 2958
Ballarat 616 1765 762 3640 109 3323 982
Bendigo 641 1632 642 3665 149 3348 862
Birdsville 1202 1619 2153 2246 2470 3293 2129
Brisbane 2062   1268 3399 1686 4363 982
Broken Hill 509 1553 1073 3127 820 2810 1174
Broome 4271 4646 4975 1875 4996 2258 5112
Cairns 3384 1697 2922 2885 3008 6050 2679
Canberra 1204 1268   3917 653 3911 286
Darwin 3024 3399 4170   3749 4163 3994
Geelong 862 1760 727 3852 74 3410 947
Geraldton 3131 4787 4335 3739 3856 424 4555
Kalgoorlie 2188 3634 3392 4760 2913 597 3465
Katherine 2710 3085 3856 314 3435 3718 3588
Mackay 2666 979 2204 2913 2290 5275 1941
Melbourne 725 1686 653 3749   3432 873
Mildura 397 1671 807 3421 554 3104 1027
Mt Gambier 454 2071 1068 3478 482 3161 1288
Newcastle 1599 807 461 3819 1048 4159 175
Perth 2707 4363 3911 4163 3432   3984
Port Augusta 308 1754 1512 2716 1037 2399 1585
Port Hedland 4831 5178 5536 2482 5057 1625 5609
Rockhampton 2329 642 1867 2954 1953 5199 1624
Sydney 1424 982 286 3994 873 4131  
Tennant Creek 2040 2440 3186 984 2765 4622 3010
Townsville 3038 1351 2576 2541 2662 5911 2313
Wagga Wagga 959 1285 245 3672 438 3666 465

18
 Invaluable Campervanning Tips
It’s all very well knowing where you’re going and how to get there – but it’s the little things
that can make or break a campervanning holiday!
• Take soft and collapsible luggage, not
rigid suitcases, to fit in the often small
storage compartments in campervans.
• Baggage areas at the international
airports are patrolled by sniffer dogs
whose priority is actually finding
fruit and vegetables, not just drugs!
Forgetting an apple in your backpack
can cost you an instant fine.
• Two Aussie favourites that are highly
accessible when travelling are mince
pies (a flaky, high-calorie meat pie),
and battered fish and chips wrapped
in paper. Approach both with caution –
unless you brought elastic pants!
• Get off the well-trodden tourist routes
and interact with the locals to discover
parts of Australia that are generally
reserved for local knowledge. You’ll also
find many of your fellow campervanners
are Australians getting out of the cities.
Successful campervanning relies on
matey-ness, at which Aussies excel!
19
• Don’t underestimate the power of
the sun even when the temperatures
aren’t extreme. In fact, a combination
of very little air pollution and a thinning
of the earth’s protective ozone layer
(particularly in South Australia and
Tasmania) means the burn times can
be short. Apply waterproof SPF30+
frequently, and cover up with sunhats,
clothing and sunglasses.
• If you do get badly burnt, take an
anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen,
moisturise frequently, drink loads of
water and avoid more sun. Also avoid
applying aloe vera unless you are
certain it’s pure – many highly-coloured
versions actually have a high alcohol
content which further dry out the skin.
• Don’t try and tick off too may sights in
too short a time, or you will spend your
whole trip looking out the window of
your campervan.
Battered fish and chips
are all too tasty and
easy to eat every day.
 • When parking at a holiday park,
unspoken etiquette is to position your
van so your sliding door does not face
your neighbour’s door. That way you
can avoid enforced chit chat and retain
some privacy.
• Levelling blocks can be handy if you
don’t like sleeping on an angle, but
planks (or VERY thick cardboard) are
also worthwhile to place under your
wheels as you park if it looks like it will
get very muddy.
• Bring all the essentials, but don’t
overpack. Do you really need more than
one pair of the same type of shoe? You’ll
be glad for any square inch of extra
space to live in inside your campervan.
• Spring-type clothes pegs come in
handy for countless things – keeping
open bags closed, replacing the fiddly
closures on sliced bread… and hanging
up your clothes of course! On this note,
20
clotheslines at holiday parks fill up very
quickly. Wash your clothes and hang
them out at night.
• Glasses travel well in “stubby coolers”
(foam cups that keep your beer bottle
cool), or polystyrene sheets with
different-sized holes cut in.
• Take wire coathangers so you can bend
the hooks around to stop them jumping
off the rail even on really bumpy roads.
• Check the alignment of other people’s
TV antennas when you arrive at a
holiday park – chances are they’ll be
pointing in the right direction!
• Cook double the amount of any food
you make, especially stews, curries,
stir-fries etc so you have an easy
re-heatable meal at the end of the
following day’s travel.
position your
campervan so
you and your
neighbour both
have privacy.
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 A Rundown of the Regions
Western Australia (W.A.)

POPULAR Perth, Rottnest Island, The Pinnacles, The Kimberley, Broome,

PLACES: Ningaloo Reef, Purnululu National Park, Shark Bay, Margaret River.

22
 • This is Australia’s largest state in terms
of area, covering the western third of the
mainland (five times the size of Texas).
• It’s capital city, Perth, is one of the most
isolated metropolitan areas on the planet
– the nearest city is Adelaide (over 2000
kms away) – in fact it’s closer to East
Timor and Jakarta in Indonesia than it is
to Sydney or Melbourne.
• Perth is Australia’s sunniest city (which
is saying a lot!). The temperatures reach
above 40 degrees Celsius in summer,
although its winters are mild. The heat is
dry in the south and humid in the north.
• Perth is a handsome, modern city
with fantastic parks, great swimming
and superb surf. The Swan River runs
through the city and most residents
define themselves as either living North
or South of the river. The river flows
into the Indian Ocean at the Port of
Fremantle, another beautiful town with
great historic buildings.
• Driving south out of Perth takes you to
towns such as Albany and Esperance,
with this region claiming some of the
best beaches in the world. South West
Australia is also home to parts of the
Karri forest where some of the world’s
tallest trees grow.
• Head north from Perth and you’ll hit the
Outback. The top third of W.A. is tropical
and you’ll see rainforest along the coast,
and endless grassy savannah dotted with
kangaroos and all sorts of other wildlife.
South and inland are the huge deserts –
23
the biggest in the world apart from the
famous Sahara. The main deserts are
the Simpson Desert, the Great Victoria
Desert, The Great Sandy Desert, and the
Nullabor Plain. This region is famous
for its spectacular springtime display of
wildflowers.
• There’s more coastline in W.A than in
any other state, much of it beautiful
white sand and sparkling turquoise
water. However, many of the northern
beaches are home to sharks and other
treacherous wildlife, so brush up on your
local knowledge before deciding if and
when to swim.
• The most westerly point of Australia
is North West Cape, the location of
the Ningaloo Reef. It’s not as large as
the Great Barrier Reef but is just as
spectacular, more accessible and less
populated.
• There are many huge mines in W.A, so
road trains are frequently seen. The
open cast mines make for an interesting
visit, as they house some of the world’s
biggest earth-moving machinery,
trucks with houses in them, and trains
kilometres long.
• Following the main highway north will
take you to the Northern Territory,
whereas the south of the state is
bordered by South Australia. Off the west
coast is the Indian Ocean and beyond the
southern border is the Great Southern
Ocean. The nearest landmass to the
south is Antarctica.
 Northern Territory (N.T.)

POPULAR Darwin, Alice Springs, Kakadu National Park, Uluru, Kings Canyon,
PLACES: Katherine Gorge, Arnhem Land.

24
 • This territory is huge and sparsely
populated. It spans desert and tropics
and lies just underneath Asia.
• The majority of this region is classed
as Outback and stations, which are
huge farms or ranches (some of these
stations are bigger than countries!)
• The northern part is known as the “Top
End” to Australians, and only has two
tropical seasons – wet and dry. Darwin
is located in the Top End and is the
capital of N.T.
• Darwin is a very relaxed city, although
hasn’t always been so laid back. In
fact, it’s been destroyed and rebuilt
twice! It was bombed by the Japanese
during WWII and then succumbed to
a powerful cyclone on Christmas Day,
1974. Because of this, it’s now the most
modern city in Australia.
• West of Darwin is the world-renowned
3.2 million-acre Kakadu National Park,
famous for its stunning scenery full of
waterfalls, crocodiles and mangroves,
as well as its sacred Aboriginal sites –
25
there are more paintings on rocks and
cave walls here than anywhere else in
Australia.
• Head south and you’ll get to Alice
Springs, N.T’s second-largest city. It’s
a modern Outback city with an old-
world charm, surrounded by desert
and the McDonnell Ranges. People call
this area of Australia the Red Centre
because of the colour of the sand, which
is occasionally broken up by white salt
from dried-up salt lakes. There’s a huge
amount of wildlife around here – you’re
likely to see kangaroos, emus, snakes
and maybe a goanna (a huge lizard).
• In the south of the region, almost
perfectly in the centre of Australia is
Uluru (formerly Ayers Rock), arguably
the country’s most famous landmark.
The huge sandstone monolith is about
half a day’s drive from Alice Springs.
• Continue south and you’ll end up in
South Australia, west and you’ll be back
in W.A., and to the east is Queensland.
North of N.T is the Arafura Sea and the
nearest land from there is Indonesia.
the majority of the
northern territory is
classed as outback.
 South Australia (S.A.)

POPULAR Adelaide, Kangaroo Island, the central deserts, Flinders Ranges,

PLACES: Nullabor Plain, Barossa Valley, Coober Pedy.

26
 • South Australia borders every mainland
state in Australia. It’s the driest in the
country but it’s climate is perfect for a
thriving wine industry.
• Near Adelaide is the Barossa Valley
which is probably Australia’s most
famed wine-producing region. North are
the stunningly rugged Flinders Ranges.
Even further north is the Simpson
Desert, and west from there is the vast,
flat Nullabor Plain.
• South Australia is home to some
interesting towns, such as Coober Pedy
in the north. The residents of this small
mining town actually live underground
– the best way to escape the stifling
heat of above ground. Houses, church
buildings, pubs and other buildings are
all dug out to look like grand caves. It’s
also known as the “Opal Capital of the
World.” It’s remote but well worth a visit.
• Travelling east, you’ll reach Queensland,
Victoria or New South Wales. N.T. is
to the north and W.A. to the west. The
coastline of the Great Southern Ocean is
called the Great Australian Bight.
The capital city of S.A. is
Adelaide, which is situated
on the Torrens River. It’s
notable for its beautiful
parks which separate the
city from the suburbs.

south australia’s
climate lends
itself perfectly to
wine growing.

27
 Queensland (Qld.)

Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Noosa, Airlie Beach,

POPULAR
Great Barrier Reef, Whitsunday Islands, Fraser Island, Cairns and
PLACES:
Port Douglas, Daintree Rainforest, Kuranda.

28
 • Queensland is Australia’s second- are the Whitsunday Islands which are a
largest state, and its capital is Brisbane, must-see.
Australia’s third-largest city. To the south
is another large city, the Gold Coast, and • In the upper part of Queensland (known
northern Queensland’s largest city is as Far North Queensland, or F.N.T) lies
Townsville. Daintree National Park, home to the
world’s oldest rainforest and amazing
Queensland’s climate spots such as Cape Tribulation, where
the rainforest runs uninterrupted to the
ranges from sub-tropical
reef. Up here is the only place in the
up to tropical in the north, world where two World Heritage areas
and this combined with exist side by side.
some of the most stunning,
often uncrowded • Inland Queensland is mostly desert, or
Outback, starting from the west of the
beaches in the world
Great Dividing Range up to the Northern
make it a popular holiday Territory. Queensland borders South
destination for both Australia to the south west but it’s not
Australians and overseas a route for campervans, as there are no
roads – you can cross into New South
visitors.
Wales in the south, however.

• The most famous geographical feature

• North of Queensland is the Torres Strait
of Queensland is the Great Barrier Reef,
which separates Australia from Papua
which is known as one of the natural
New Guinea, and is the end point of
wonders of the world. Around 2000kms
the Great Barrier Reef. People who live
long, it has some of the best diving and
on the islands in the Torres Strait are
snorkelling in the world due to its rich
officially citizens of Australia.
marine life and some 900 beautiful
tropical islands. Particularly spectacular

queensland has some

of the best beaches in
the world.

29
 New South Wales (N.S.W.)

POPULAR Sydney, Byron Bay, Blue Mountains, Hunter Valley, New England region,
PLACES: Port Stephens, Pebbly Beach, Jervis Bay, Kosciuszco, Broken Hill.

New South Wales is Australia’s most populous state and

offers a huge variety of things to see and do – beautiful
coastline, World Heritage parks, mountain ranges,
Outback, snow and skiing, and the bright lights of the city.

30
 • The state’s capital Sydney is a gorgeous
city and Australia’s most recognised.
It’s much bigger than N.S.W’s second
and third largest cities, Newcastle and
Woollongong, which are much bigger
again than the remaining country towns.
• While much of the sophisticated nightlife
and cultural attractions are concentrated
in Sydney, there are plenty of natural and
historical sites making the rest of the
state extremely worth spending time in.
Byron Bay, Australia’s most easterly point,
has excellent surf breaks and is renowned
for its artsy, hippie-like atmosphere.
Inland is the lush New England region
(home to Newcastle) so named because
of its cool climate and British-looking
landscape. Around the Great Diving
Range you’ll find lots of protected areas
of gorges, rainforest and valleys that are
excellent for hiking and extreme sports
such as white water rafting.
sydney in new
south wales is
australia’s most
recognisable city.
31
• N.S.W’s temperate climate with its
warm summers and mild winters mean
it’s appealing year-round. The Outback
can get uncomfortably hot in summer
though, and even Sydney might get the
odd 40 degree day. NSW is a state of many
contrasts, however, and you can ski in the
Australian Alps to the south.
• In the state’s west you’ll come to the
Blue Mountains with their breathtaking
cliffs, limestone cave formations and lush
rainforest; even further west and you’ll
hit the Outback. To the south lies the
Royal National Park, north is the Kurangi
Chase National Park. Tweed Heads lies
northernmost, on the border of NSW
and QLD; and Coolangatta sits on the
Queensland side.
 Victoria (Vic.)
POPULAR Melbourne, Great Ocean Road, The Grampians, Mornington Peninsula,
PLACES: Bells Beach, Ballarat, Phillip Island.
• Victoria is Australia’s smallest mainland
state, with the highest density out of any
of the states. Its capital city, Melbourne,
is Australia’s second-largest city, and is
best known for its style, sophistication,
culture, fabulous eateries, great
shopping and thriving arts scene. Over
a quarter of its residents were born
overseas, making it Australia’s most
multi-cultural city.
• Melbourne is known as the cultural
capital of Australia, and there is an
endless timetable of food and film
festivals, art exhibitions and musical
offerings. The city also hosts many large
32
events such as the Australian Grand Prix
and the Melbourne International Flower
and Garden Show.
• Outside Melbourne, regional attractions
include Phillip Island with its famous
penguin parade, the vast sandstone
ridges of The Grampians, and the
spectacular Great Ocean Road from
which you can view dramatic rock
formations such as the famous Twelve
Apostles.
• Inland Victoria is largely farmland;
northern Victoria borders the Australian
Alps.
 Tasmania (Tas.)

POPULAR Hobart, Lake St Clair, Cradle Mountain, Port Arthur, Freycinet Peninsula,
PLACES: Maria island.

• Tasmania is Australia’s island state, • The landscape to the west is rugged

separated from the mainland by Bass
Strait which is 240kms across.
• Tasmania is famous for its unpolluted
air, uninterrupted wilderness,
spectacular views and gourmet
produce. Over one quarter of the state is
protected with National Park status.
with rocky coastlines, steep mountains
and dense rainforest. Lake St Clair is
said to be one of the most scenic areas
– the location of Cradle Mountain and
treks to rival even New Zealand’s most
picturesque.

33
 • Eastern Tasmania is less rugged, Tasmania is teeming with
warmer, and more beachy – Wineglass
wildlife (the most famous
bay in Freycenet National Park was
once voted in the top ten beaches in
being the Tasmanian Devil)
the world according to an international much of it specific to the
travel magazine. state due to its isolation.
There are varieties of
• Tasmania’s capital is Hobart, and is
kangaroos and possums,
Australia’s second oldest city (after
Sydney). It sits next to a river, a busy for example, that are only
harbour and impressive mountains and found in Tasmania due
has its own unique atmosphere. to its cooler and more
mountainous climate.
• Tasmania was originally named Van
Diemen’s Land by the Dutch explorer
Abel Tasman, but its named was
changed in 1856. Tasmania has a
fascinating history due to its past as a
British penal colony.

many animals, like

the tasmanian
devil, are unique to
the state.

34
 What to Expect from
the Weather

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HZb^Vg^Y  =jb^YdXZVc^X
9ZhZgi

• The Australian climate varies hugely, • The northern part of the country has
but by far the largest part of the country a tropical climate; part is tropical
is desert, or semi-arid – 40% of the rainforest, part is grasslands; and part
landmass is covered by sand dunes! is desert.

• Only the south east and south west of

the country has a temperate climate and
fertile soil.

35

The seasons are as follows:
Spring: September, October, November
Summer: December, January, February
Autumn (Fall): March, April, May
Winter: June, July, August
The tropical areas of Australia don’t
experience these seasons typically, however.
There are really only two seasons: wet
(October – April) and dry (May – September).
The right weather can make or break your
campervanning holiday, whether it your trip
is for three weeks, three months or three
years! Luckily, Australia’s climate makes
it possible to enjoy fantastic weather year
round if you go to the right places at the
right time – although of course Mother
Nature is far from predictable and it’s
entirely possible to get a cloudy, rainy week
in Port Douglas in August, or a heatwave in
Melbourne in October.
Generally speaking, though…
The wet season in the north (above
the tropic of Capricorn) is when heavy
monsoon rain, cyclones, flash floods
and occasionally even hurricanes occur.
The high temperatures combined with
sometimes 100% humidity (although an
average of about 70%) can also make it
uncomfortable to be outside (or anywhere
inside that doesn’t have air-conditioning!)
However, it can be quite the experience to
brave the conditions and witness dramatic
electrical storms, thundering waterfalls and
36
raging waterways. If you are planning to
visit the far north during this time, take local
advice about road conditions and weather
warnings. There can be road closures in
some areas, more frequently the further
north you go. The most comfortable time
to visit these areas (such as Broome, Alice
Springs, Darwin or Cairns) is in the dry
season between May and October – July/
August is your best bet.
The dry season in the north is when
temperatures sit at around 25-30 degrees
Celsius, humidity is low and there’s little
chance of rain. Nearly every day is warm
and sunny, and afternoon humidity sits
around 30%. The lowest temperature you’ll
experience will be around 12-14 degrees
Celsius at night, but rarely lower, and no
frosts have ever been recorded. Waterfalls
and rivers drop and the land can dry out
significantly. It’s a very pleasant time of year
in these parts – “winter” in the north is much
like “summer” in the south - but expect
many other travellers to have the same idea,
particularly during school holidays.
The heat in the centre can reach 45 degrees
Celsius or even higher in the summer
months of November to May and conditions
can be hugely uncomfortable. It’s a volatile
time and there is also the risk of sudden
downpours that turn dried up creeks into
raging rivers. It’s always best not to embark
on long walks or strenuous activities during
the full heat of day and always take a hat,
sunscreen and plenty of water with you.
Remember the Outback is pretty far from
civilisation if anyone needs medical attention.
 The cool in the centre happens April
to October and during the daytime the
temperatures can be very pleasant,
although it can get very cool at night,
especially in July and August. There’s not
much chance of rain but don’t count the
occasional downpour out completely.
The summer in the south (south of the
Tropic of Capricorn) is a fantastic time
of year, although it can get up to around
40 degrees Celsius in some places so be
prepared for heat! The lowest rainfall and
highest temperatures generally occur
between November and March, and the
days are longer too.
The winter in the south can get pretty wet
and cold, especially in the areas furthest
south, such as Tasmania and locations
on the south coast. In the subtropical
regions, winters are often dry and daytime
temperatures mild, if a little crisp.

extreme weather
conditions in
the outback
shouldn’t be
underestimated.

37
 Wildlife
Australia’s wildlife is very unique, thanks (the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane
to its geographical isolation. Some of the is the world’s largest –you can have your
world’s most unusual animals exist there. photo taken with one there) but be warned
– they sleep 20 hours a day so he may not
Case in point: the platypus, an egg-laying be awake for the experience. Koalas from
marsupial with webbed feet, a bill like southern areas are about 30% bigger than
a duck’s, and a beaver-like tail. When a Queensland koalas.
specimen was first brought
back to Europe, many Possums are everywhere in Australia –
scientists insisted particularly the common brush-tailed
it was fake – a possum, often found them in suburban
mixture of gardens. There are also less common
several animals variations of possum, including gliders
sewn together! (flying possums).
Another fascinating
monotreme (egg-laying Wombats
marsupial) is the echidna, are sturdy
a spiny little thing with a beak and a long marsupials
sticky tongue for catching insects. weighing up to
36 kg, with big
Kangaroos are another prolific native blunt heads,
animal – there are 45 different species of short necks
kangaroos and wallabies, ranging in size and big claws
from that of a hamster to that of a grown for digging burrows and tunnels.
man. Potoroos and bettongs are the tiniest
– in fact, potoroos are You will have heard of Tasmanian
often known as “wallaby Devils, a cat-like creature found
rats”. only in – yes, Tasmania. It’s the
largest member of a family of
You might also want carnivorous marsupials that
to see a koala, the includes the quoll, the numbat, the
gorgeous fuzzy antechinus, the Kowari and the
marsupial (not a bear) mulgara.
with the black nose. Your
best bet is to see one
at a zoo or sanctuary

38
 Bandicoots are another famous Australian
marsupial, a grayish-brown mousey-looking
creature about the size of a rabbit with big
ears, a pointy tail and a long snout. A bilby is
a variation of a bandicoot.
Note: Wash your hands carefully
if you’ve come into contact with
any marsupials as they can carry a
number of diseases and other nasties
such as paralysis ticks. If you do
find a tick on your body, dab it with
methylated spirits or some other kind
of noxious liquid and then carefully
pull it out with tweezers, ensuring you
get the entire thing.
Bats abound in
the eastern and
northern edges
of Australia in the
warmest, moistest
habitats. They’re mostly
fruit bats, otherwise known as flying foxes;
otherwise you may come across Little
Bentwing bats in any caves or tunnels on
the east coast of the country.
Water buffalo aren’t native but are found in
the Northern Territory. They were brought
in during the nineteenth century as a supply
of meat, however as part of a Brucellosis
and Tuberculosis eradication campaign
from 1997-2007 many were shot and the
population was substantially reduced. You
might also come across several different
39
species of deer in small parts of the south
east of Australia, or a red fox (anywhere but
Tasmania and the tropical north).
The dingo is a native dog of Australia and
Australia’s largest mammal carnivore. The
size of a medium-sized dog and ranging on
color from cream to tan to black, you’ll find
them all over Australia except in Tasmania.
Never feed or approach a wild dingo –
they can be very dangerous. It’s illegal
to have them as pets in South Australia,
Queensland and Tasmania, and owners in
Victoria and the Northern Territory need
a special permit. In NSW and WA you can
have them unlicensed. It’s also important
o keep all food sources away and secure
when you aren’t eating, otherwise dingoes
will see it as an invitation to ransack your
belongings!
There is approximately 300,000 brumbies
(wild horses) in Australia. They’re
considered a problem as they cause
erosion, spread weeds and compete for
pasture with native animals. Culling to
control numbers is a controversial practice
in Australia.
 They aren’t immediately what pops to
mind when you think of Australian wildlife,
however the continent is home to up to
200,000 wild dromedary camels. Thousands
of them were imported into Australia
between 1840 and 1907 to open up the arid
areas of central and western Australia.
They were used for riding, and as draught
and pack animals, and to supply goods to
remote mines and settlements.
Australian and New Zealand fur seals are
commonly seen around the south coast
of Australia, and Australian sea lions to
the south and west. Other sea mammals
include many kinds of whales (killer whales,
false killer whales (there is a difference!),
pilot whales, blue whales; Southern Right
whales, dwarf minke whales, fin whales,
humpback whales, sei whales, and sperm
whales); dolphins (common, pantropical,
striped, and bottlenose); and dugongs,
otherwise known as “sea cows”.
40
Birds of almost every description fill
Australian skies – and ground. Of particular
note is the emu – a large flightless bird
that’s one of the world’s largest birds (just
slightly smaller than an ostrich). They
are farmed in Australia and overseas for
everything from leather to feathers to their
eggs; and can be
found all across
the continent,
from coastal
regions to high
in the snowy
mountains to
the dry inland
plains. You should
also be aware
of running into
a cassowary –
another flightless
bird that’s found in north Queensland’s
tropical rainforests. They’re quite stunning-
looking with a large black body, a brilliant
blue and black head with a bright red
wattle, and a large horn helmet on its
head. They’re important as they distribute
seeds in the rainforest from fruit that’s
too large for any other bird to carry. Don’t
approach cassowaries however – they have
the reputation as being one of the world’s
most dangerous birds. They are by nature
quite shy but when disturbed can inflict fatal
injuries to dogs and children. If you hear a
large bird that sounds like it’s laughing at
you, that’s a kookaburra!
There are two types of crocodile in Australia
– “freshies” and “salties”. “Freshies” or
freshwater crocodiles, are smaller and
 relatively harmless, only growing up to
around 3 meters and subsisting on a diet
of mostly fish. The saltwater or estuarine
versions aren’t such fussy eaters and can
reach up to about 6 meters.
Note: Don’t swim in, or even stand
on the banks of, any river, swamp,
estuary, pond or lake in Northern
Australia unless you know it’s
croc-free.
There are many fascinating types of
dragons and lizards in Australia, such as
the Thorny Devil a harmless reptile covered
in thorns including spikes above each eye
that also has the ability to change color.
Goannas are a large, distinctive type of
lizard that there are multiple species of and
you’ll also come across several different
variations of skinks and geckos.
Australia is famous for being home to many
different varieties of snake, from harmless
green and brown tree snakes, to the
extremely venomous such as death
adders, copperheads, tiger snakes
and taipans. There are also many types
of python (which are constrictors and not
41
venomous but will still bite if provoked –
which hurts) as well as sea snakes – most
of which are venomous. Snakes are a
protected species in Australia, and should
be left alone. It’s not advisable to approach
any snake. Unless you’re a snake expert,
it can be very hard to tell exactly how
dangerous each individual snake is.
If someone does get bitten, treat every
snake bite as serious even if you don’t
think the snake was venomous. The most
dangerous effects are sometimes not felt
until later, and some bites may not even
hurt. Symptoms of snake bite poisoning can
include dizziness, loss of vision, nausea,
sweating, headache, double vision, blurred
vision, weakness and difficulty swallowing
and breathing.
Note: Although some Australian
snakes can give fatal bites, few
people die from them if they get the
correct first aid and anti-venom if
needed. Always wear shoes and
long pants when walking in the
bush, and don’t put your hand into
hollows, cracks in the ground or
under rocks where they may be
sheltering.
 The person should be made to lie down
and calmed down so they remain still.
Don’t tamper with the wound in any way,
including washing it. Make sure you remove
rings or any other jewellery as they can
become tight if swelling develops. If the
bite is on a limb, use a broad bandage
or torn strips of clothing or pantyhose
to apply at moderate pressure (not tight
enough to stop circulation). Go over the top
of clothing rather than moving the limb to
remove it – and once the bandage is on,
keep it on. Then, keep the limb as still as
possible using a splint or sling. Don’t use a
tourniquet or suck the wound! Also, don’t
give the person anything to drink, or let
them walk at all.
Call emergency services on 000 or get
them to the nearest place they can be seen
by a medically trained person, as soon as
possible. Although it might be useful to know
what type of snake caused the bite, don’t
attempt to catch or kill it. People have been
bitten by snakes they thought were dead.
Australia also has many sea turtles and
freshwater turtles. They are quite shy but
make great swimming and snorkelling
companions!
There’s also an abundance of amazing fish
in Australia you can see while snorkeling
or diving, including angelfish, clownfish,
barracuda, cuttlefish, wrass and many
more. Fish to avoid however, are stingrays,
stonefish, porcupine fish, lionfish and puffer
fish. Don’t touch an octopus if it has blue
rings on it.
42
In Queensland, box jellyfish or “stingers”
are common in the summer months
(October – April). Stinger nets are placed at
the most popular beaches during “stinger
season” and it’s not recommended to swim
at any other beaches – but if one touches
you, pour vinegar on the affected area
straight away. The local authorities usually
have bottles of these placed along the
beaches. Blue bottle jellyfish are also found
in and around Sydney. The best treatment
for this is to wash the sting with fresh water
then have a hot bath or shower.
There is usually signage for all types of
dangerous wildlife.
Other water creatures include seahorses,
seadragons, starfish, shrimp, prawns,
crabs, yabbies, crayfish and lots more. As
you can imagine, Australia is also home
to many types of insects, from exquisite
butterflies to huge beetles to various moths
to exotic ants to irritating midges and more.
Also noteworthy are the many species of
spider – some venomous, some not. There
are also several types of frogs and toads
– from the spectacularly pretty green tree
frog through to the warty and venomous
cane toad. Also watch out for scorpions,
 centipedes and millipedes which can and
will bite. Particularly horrifying are giant
centipedes which can reach lengths of
up to and over 16cm. They deliver venom
through modified claws that is toxic to
both mammals and insects but isn’t
strong enough to kill a large animal. They
can cause intense pain for many hours to
humans – this can be relieved somewhat
with icepacks but in some cases hospital-
grade painkillers are required.
Note: We’re ruining the fun here, but
don’t believe an Australian who tells
you to watch out for “Drop Bears”,
a mythical type of vicious koala that
supposedly drops out of trees on top
of you. It’s a long-running Australian
joke to trick hapless tourists. Watch
out: they will either swear black
and blue that it’s true; or they will
attempt to use reverse psychology
by telling you it’s myth in a way
that makes you continue to doubt
whether it is or not. You may also
hear about Tasmanian Tigers, which
actually did exist once upon a time
but became extinct in the 1930s.
43
Even though much of Australia’s
wildlife is both fascinating and
appealing and feeding them can
be a means of having more contact
with them, feeding wild animals is
discouraged for several reasons:
• It can lead to a greater than
normal number of animals in
the area, putting extra pressure
on natural food sources;
• Animals can become dependent
on the artificial food source;
• Increasing numbers of
animals in one area can lead to
aggression amongst the same
and different species;
• Predators like hawks and owls
are attracted by the increase in
animals, leading to increased
predation;
• Human food is often highly
processed and may not be
suitable for animals in the wild;
• Unnatural concentrations of
animals can become the focal
point for outbreaks of disease
which are then transmissible
to humans.
 Aboriginal Australia
• Around 300,000 Aboriginal people in
around 250 tribes (each with their own
territory, beliefs and language) already
lived in Australia when Cook landed
there to claim it as British land, and had
been for at least 60,000 years. History
books theorize they were descended
from Indonesian migrants; the
Aboriginal belief is that they have been
there since the dawn of time.
• While relations with early European
• The people were nomadic hunter-
gatherers, linked to their ancestral land
by sacred sites. These sacred sites are
home to the Dreamtime spirits – the
ancestral totemic spirits that formed
The Creation (of the stars, the moon, the
ocean, land, animals and humans).
• Australian Aboriginals believe in two
parallel forms of time. One is daily
activity, the other is an infinite spiritual
cycle called the “Dreamtime”. Whatever
happens in the dreamtime establishes
the values, symbols, and laws of
Aboriginal society. It is believed that
The Australian
Aboriginal people
have been there for
at least 60,000 years.
45
people with special spiritual powers
had contact with the dreamtime. The
Dreamtime, or The Dreaming can also
refer to the time when the universe was
created as well. Much Aboriginal art
depicts stories and settings from The
Dreaming, and Australian Aboriginal
myths are often traditionally performed
across Australia.
settlers were initially peaceful,
resentment and conflict between two
polar opposite ways of life eventually
led to battle in which many people from
both sides died – although around ten
times as many Aboriginal people as
Europeans. There was even a campaign
to rid the entire state of Tasmania of
Aboriginal people – which worked – the
last full-blooded Tasmanian Aborigine
died in 1876. Many Aboriginals also
succumbed to European diseases such
as influenza, the common cold and
smallpox, up to as late as the 1950s.
They actually began to die out.
 • Around the 1920s it became
government policy to take Aboriginal
children away from their families and
put them in white foster homes or
church refuges, and sterilize young
Aborginal women. These children are
referred to as the “Stolen Generation”.
• Relations are still strained between the
280,000 Aborigines in Australia and the
rest of the population. Recently, several
acts have been passed allowing them to
reclaim some of the land that was lost
to them, and it was only very recently
that the government apologised for the
“Stolen Generation”. They still however
are the single most disadvantaged
group of people in Australia.

The best places to learn more about the

indigenous culture are: Alice Springs, the
Red Centre, Uluru-Kata Tjuta and in the
Northern Territory.

Some points to be aware of:

• You need a permit to enter some Aboriginal-owned land.

• In remote communities, many of the people speak English as a second

language, if at all.

• Their body language may also be different, for example they may not
immediately make eye contact with you.

• Access to Dreaming stories or some other cultural practices may be restricted,

eg to outsiders, or by gender.

• Pictures of people who have recently died aren’t displayed and their names not
spoken for a while.

• Always ask before photographing a group, person or residence.

• Don’t touch rock art or engravings.

• Some indigenous communities ban alcohol.

• Certain parts of indigenous land are more sacred than others (ie “sacred sites”).
When visiting these areas ask about appropriate behaviour.

46
 Getting to Know the Aussies
So what’s a typical Australian like?

Well, that’s a little hard to say given the nation’s unification of so many cultures. As well as the
Aboriginal people, and the “Anglo-Celts” (still the dominant ethnicity there) there are people
from all around the world – New Zealanders, British, Lebanese, Greek, Italian, Chinese,
Japanese, and Dutch to name just a few. However, Australia still has an extremely strong
identity and its very own culture that wouldn’t be what it is today if not for this melting pot of
diverse people.

• Most of the early Europeans to inhabit
Australia were British convicts (which
possibly contributes to the general
“bloke-iness” of Aussie culture). This
is the source of some good-natured
teasing (mostly from New Zealanders,
who in turn get laughed at for their
accent; the small size of their country;
and the amount of sheep compared
to people there). Australians and New
Zealanders enjoy a healthy rivalry,
although NZers generally come off worst
in the endless sporting competition.
• Australians are very into cars, and are
generally divided over whether they are
“Ford” or “Holden” men. Large powerful
Falcons and Commodores are popular
and many are modified.
• Even more iconic is the “ute” (utility or
pickup truck). It’s part of the national
identity – to have a ute is to be a true
Australian.
• Beer is pretty much the national drink –
favourites vary from state to state.

• Australia is sports-mad. Both genders • Australians are very proud of their

watch a lot of sport, which is generally
the cricket, and supporting their
“footy” team (which refers to either
Rugby League, AFL, or Rugby Union –
definitely not soccer or gridiron). Tennis,
swimming and motorsport are also
popular. They don’t tend to know so
much about basketball, netball, hockey,
baseball, etc - even if the national team
are the world champions. The country
also basically stands still on Melbourne
Cup Day.
national exports such as Elle
MacPherson, Mel Gibson, Russell
Crowe, Cate Blanchett, AC/DC and so
on. Most Australians have seen iconic
Australian movies such as Mad Max,
The Castle, Muriel’s Wedding, Crocodile
Dundee, Priscilla Queen of the Desert
and Strictly Ballroom.
• The generalised greeting “G’day” (an
abbreviation of “good day”) is acceptable
to use in almost any situation regardless

47

of relationship, gender, sex, race, social
standing, weather or mood.
• Australians are very friendly and helpful
people with good senses of humour and
a natural ability to tell jokes and play
with words. They can seem reserved
to start with but once the ice is broken
everything relaxes. They are easygoing,
but personal matters take longer to
come out in the open.
• The “esky” (a plastic box that keeps
things cool) plays a vital part in Aussie
culture – one containing the right items
can keep an Australian happy for days. It
can be used as a seat at footy matches;
an outdoor fridge; a fish holder on
fishing trips; and lunchboxes for
“tradies” and manual labourers.
• Australia is basically classless and not
centred around ancestors and the family
unit - they don’t really care what family
someone comes from.
• Australians suffered the highest
per-capita death toll of all the Allied
countries in WWI. The ANZAC (Australia
New Zealand Army Corps) spirit is still
48
The typical
Aussie is
easygoing and
friendly.
strong – as long as sport matches aren’t
involved.
• Christmas is right in the middle of
summer and is usually a very hot day of
the year, however decorations and cards
still include snowflakes, sleighs, tinsel,
and pine trees. Christmas lunch or
dinner is often had outdoors.
• A very high percentage of Australians
live by the sea and much of Australia
is sunny all year round, so “beach
culture” is huge – going to the beach
on weekends is like going to the mall or
doing sport.
• Fishing is a big thing in Australian
culture – there are of course many
excellent places to fish and a huge
number and variety and species
available. There are rules though – all
states except Qld require a fishing
license (which can easily be obtained).
There are also limits regarding type and
size of fish captured and quantity, size
and gender of shellfish and crustaceans
which are all explained in booklets at
any fishing shop. You also need a special
license for a boats over 6 horsepower.
 Aussie Tucker
Grub, a.k.a tucker, a.k.a food is a big part of
Australian culture, although it has relatively
few native foods. Its modern cuisine identity
is made up of intertwining strands of
Aboriginal culture, traditional British food,
and other cultural influences that have
arrived here since.
Indigenous Australian Food
Australian Aborigines were hunter-
gatherers and selected food which was
available and ate it for nutritional purposes.
There were no refrigeration or storage
containers. Local knowledge of which plants
were edible, palatable, or delicious, as well
as the best time for harvest and preparation
methods were passed down by word of
mouth to the next generation. It’s referred to
as “bush tucker” or “bush food”.
Traditional Bush Tucker ingredients might include:
• Lemon myrtle: fresh leaf, or ground dried
leaf of the Lemon Myrtle tree
• Mountain Pepper: ground leaf or berries
of the mountain pepper tree
• Native spinach: warrugul greens, a native
spinach growing in coastal areas
• Bush tomatoes: small tomato-like fruits,
also called desert raising
• Macadamia nut: native of Australia, now
grown in other places
49
Native mammals and birds such as
kangaroo, wallaby and emu were regularly
hunted and killed. Although animals were
sometimes thrown straight on the fire,
several food preparation techniques were
known. Other foods that seem less palatable
to modern urban Australians - such as
grubs, lizards, snakes and moths - were
greatly valued.
Bush foods such as berries, roots and
nectars were a vital part of the Aboriginal
diet in many areas. Often these required
advanced preparation techniques to
neutralise toxins and to make them
palatable and nutritious. In certain coastal
areas, shellfish were plentiful and easily
harvested. Aboriginals also caught fish in
the oceans and rivers using hooks, spears
and fish traps.
• Wattle seed: A small, oval, black variety
of the Acacia seed. Wattle seed is used in
many foods including rice, soups, meat
rubs and baked goods.
• Damper: a traditional bread made with
ground seeds and cooked in the coals of
the fire
• Yabbies: a little freshwater crustacean
that lurks on the bottom of streams,
lakes and in farm dams
 Modern Bushfood Industry
There is a novelty value in bush tucker for
many people and it’s now part of Australia’s
tourism industry. The modern industry
makes use of plants in different ways from
those of the Aborigines, for example for
flavour, instead of nutrition.
Bush tucker plants are used now for jams,
chutney and jellies, flavourings (eg. Lemon
Myrtle), spices (eg. Mountain Pepper),
drinks, sauces, colours (eg. Davidson’s
plum).
Only one indigenous plant, the Macadamia
nut, has been well established in
horticulture, and even then most of the
early work was done by Americans. Some
Americans even refer to it as the Hawaiian
Nut, since it has been grown extensively
there.
Early Settler Food
Due to Australia’s youth, all “Aussie” foods
have traceable links to other countries,
mainly England. These people brought
with them traditional English recipes such
50
as stewed chops, potato dumplings and
jam pudding. They were all simple recipes,
not requiring complicated ingredients, or
costing much money, a style of cooking
that reflected the modest means of the
time. Many recipes, in hand written recipe
books, brought to Australia by migrant
women have been passed from one cook to
another down the years and still form part
of “traditional” Australian food.
Modern Cuisine
Australian food traditions have been shaped
by people who have settled in Australia.
In the 19th and especially 20th century,
food began to reflect the influences of
Mediterranean and Asian cultures. There
are, however, a new series of uniquely
Australian foods emerging. Things like
kangaroo kebabs (yes, they eat their
national animal!) and crocodile steak are
gaining popularity, and Aussies are also
inventing more and more of their own
recipes. A large influence on Australian
foods is the availability and low price of
meats - Australia is the world’s largest beef
producer. 
Traditional Aboriginal
“bush tucker” uses
ingredients such as
grubs and ants.
 Overall, Australians eat a large variety of
food, consisting of Australian dishes and
mainstream overseas dishes. Chinese and
Italian varieties are particularly popular,
although all sorts of meals, from Burmese
to Ukrainian, are available. Restaurants
whose cuisine includes contemporary
adaptations, interpretations or fusions of
these culinary influences are often labeled
with the term “Modern Australian”. There
are many, many superb restaurants full of
innovative and skilled chefs.
There are a
small minority
of wholly
Australian
products, such
as Vegemite
(very salty yeast
spread), which
the rest of the world detests; Pavlovas
(meringue covered in whipped cream and
fruit) - although Kiwis will hotly contest
the origins of this; and Lamingtons,
chocolate coated cubes of sponge cake,
rolled in desiccated coconut. It is said
that Lamingtons were invented in the
Queensland Government House kitchen as
a creative use for stale sponge cake and
they are named after Lady Lamington, the
wife of the Governor of Queensland from
1896 to 1901.
51
Anzac
biscuits are
shared with
New Zealand
and are hard,
crispy cookies
made with
oats and molasses.
To get an idea about the importance of
the meat pie in Australia, the quantity of
meat is regulated by law and cannot be
inferior to 25% of the total weight of the
pie. Competitions to find the best meat pie
maker in Australia is carried out annually
and can bring
prestige and
big bucks to
the winners. In
South Australia
small pies are
sometimes
served inverted on a bed of pea soup,
covered in tomato sauce, and called a “pie
floater”.
Sausages also make up a large part of
many an Australian’s diet. The basic beef
sausage costs around $3 a kilo, and hence
is the ideal food for any occasion. Although
their nutritional value is questionable, they
are quick and easy to cook and can be part
of countless meals, particularly barbecues
of which Aussies are very fond. Other
common Aussie dinners might be stir-fry,
roast dinners, pizza, pasta, salads or fish
and other seafood (make sure you try some
wild barramundi, southern bluefin tuna,
and Moreton Bay bugs).
 Cheers!
Whether you prefer beer or wine, chances are you’ll end up sampling some of Australia’s
characteristic liquid fare. Note: the legal drinking age in Australia is 18.
Beer
Australia is a nation of beer – it’s practically
the national drink. It’s the most consumed
alcoholic beverage in Australia, and there’s
nothing better on a sweltering day than
a cold “stubby” (small bottle of beer).
Australians can drink it at an amazingly
rapid pace, too.
Popular Australian beers are VB (Victoria
Bitter); XXXX (pronounced “Four X”) which
is slightly weaker; Carlton; and Fosters.
There’s also Cascade, which is made
from water from a Tasmanian mountain.
Most beer ranges from about 4.8 to 5.2%
per cent, although you can also get “mid-
strengths” which are about 3.6%.
Some places use the traditional British
measurements of “pints” and half-pints”.
In NSW, it’s either a “schooner” or a “midi”.
In Victoria it’s a “pot” or a “glass”. However,
an S.A schooner is the same size as an
NSW midi, and a W.A midi is the same as
an NSW midi but you can also get an even
smaller glass called a “pony”. It may just be
easier to order it by the bottle…
52
Wine
The first grape vines were brought to
Australia in 1788, and there are now over
550 winemakers producing world-class
wines throughout Australia. The demand
is high and new vineyards are being
constantly planted.
Popular white wines in Australia include
Chardonnay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and
Semillon. When it comes to reds, it’s all
about Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot
Noir and the worldwide hit, Shiraz.
Note: Although Syrah was originally called
“Shiraz” in Australia and Syrah elsewhere,
its dramatic commercial success has led
many Syrah producers around the world to
label their wine “Shiraz”.
One of the greatest Australia inventions of
packaging is the “cask”, a carton box with
a tap to regulate the amount, with no corks
to be taken out or put back in. Very easy,
simple and cheap. Just to have an Idea, a 4
litre cask costs about AU$12, and the wine
ranges from not-so-good to very good.
If you want something a little more
upmarket, you can visit one of the country’s
hundreds of wineries. Australia has about
60 wine regions located across the country
 3
with 103 “defined geographic indications”
for wine growing districts covering zones, great wineries:
regions and sub-regions.
Wynns Coonawarra
(www.wynns.com.au)
However, the following ten are among its
most famous and diverse. From the rugged Balnaves of Coonawarra
and isolated beauty of Margaret River in (www.balnaves.com.au)
W.A. to the historical home of Australian Katnook Estate
wine, the Hunter Valley in N.S.W, a journey (www.katnookestate.com.au)
across Australia’s wine regions is filled with
a diversity of climates, soils, elevation and, 3. Clare Valley, S.A.
of course, varieties of wine! This picturesque region is known as the home
of Australian Riesling, and it also produces
1. Barossa Valley, S.A. award-winning Cabernet Sauvignon and
Home to some of the country’s iconic wines, Shiraz. You can take the popular “Rielsing
the Barossa valley is renowned for its Shiraz Trail”, a 27km long sealed track that links the
production. Beautiful rolling hills and a many small towns along the way.
Mediterranean climate combine to produce
rich reds and delicate whites including
Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Mourvedre,
Merlot, Riesling, Semillon and Chardonnay.
3 great wineries:
There are over 50 wineries in the region. Little Brampton Wines
(www.littlebramptonwines.com.au)
Annie’s Lane

3 great wineries: (www.annieslane.com.au)

Wilson Vineyard
Hobbs of Barossa Ranges (www.wilsonvineyard.com.au)
(www.hobbsvintners.com.au)
Sons of Eden 4. Heathcote, Vic.
(www.sonsofeden.com) The Mt Camel range of mountains creates a
Penfolds (www.penfolds.com.au) cooler climate in the grape-growing period
in this region, resulting in grapes with taste
2. Coonawarra, S.A. and longevity. The region is famous for
This region has a layer of limestone sitting Shiraz but recently winemakers have been
beneath its rich soil, and when the two mixing small amounts of Viognier grapes to
combine they produce Cabernet Sauvignon give it an extra dimension. Other signature
grapes that are second to none. Other varietals include Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot
varietals that have won awards in the region Grigio, and Riesling, and Italian varieties
are Shiraz, Merlot and Chardonnay. Sangiovese and Nebbiolo also grow there.

53
 3 great wineries:
Eppalock Ridge (www.eppalockridge.com)
Whistling Eagle Vineyard (www.briniwines.com.au)
(www.whistlingeagle.com)
Shelmerdine Vineyards (www.gemtreevineyards.com.au)
(www.shelmerdine.com.au)
5. Hunter Valley, N.S.W
Australia’s oldest wine region now has
over 80 wineries and is famous for Shiraz,
Verdelho and Chardonnay, but particularly
for its Semillon. Hunter Valley Semillons
age particularly well and the grapes have a
distinct citrus flavour.
3 great wineries:
Mistletoe Wines
(www.mistletoewines.com.au)
Brokenwood Wines
(www.brokenwood.com.au)
Capercaillie Cullen Wines (www.cullenwines.com.au)
(www.capercailliewine.com.au)
6. McLaren Vale, S.A.
This region south of Adelaide is Barossa
valley’s rival for the top Shiraz maker. It’s
combination of a seaside location and rich
soil results in intense reds such as Shiraz,
Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache and Merlot,
and striking whites such as Chardonnay,
Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling from more
than 50 wineries.
54
3 great wineries:
Brini Estate Wines
Gemtree Vineyards
Tapestry Wines
(www.tapestrywines.com.au)
7. Margaret River, W.A.
While all the classic varietals are well-
represented in this region, Margaret
River winemakers are most noted
for their Cabernet Sauvignons. The
breathtaking coastal scenery is the perfect
accompaniment to the extensive range of
wine styles including Shiraz, Verdelho and
Sauvignon Blanc.
3 great wineries:
Windance Estate (www.windance.com.au)
Brookland Valley
(www.brooklandvalley.com.au)
8. Mudgee, N.S.W
Located in the western slopes of the famous
Blue Mountains, Mudgee is another of
Australia’s oldest wine regions. Cabernet
Sauvignon and Chardonnay are its most
popular varietals, available from a range of
large wine companies through to boutique
wineries.
 3
10. Yarra Valley, Vic.
great wineries: Considered one of the world’s finest
cold-climate wine producers, Yarra valley
Logan Wines (www.loganwines.com.au) specialises in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
Farmer’s Daughter Wines The Chardonnay, in particular, is the most
(www.farmersdaughterwines.com.au) widely-planted grape variety due to its
Lowe Family Wines flexibility. Other white wines produced in
(www.lowewines.com.au) the yarra Valley include Gewurtztraminer,
Marsanne and Sauvignon Blanc, which is
often blended with Semillon.
9. Tasmania
Tasmania’s cooler maritime climate

3
produces stately wines with superb natural
acid, coming from over 60 wineries, some great wineries:
just a few acres in size. Specialist varieties
De Bortoli Wines (www.debortoli.com.au)
include Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling,
Pinot Grigio, Cabernet Sauvignon and Dominique Portet
Cabernet Franc. (www.dominiqueportet.com)
Labyrinth (www.labyrinthwine.com)

3 great wineries:
Bay of Fires Wines
(www.bayoffireswines.com.au)
Tamar Ridge Wines
(www.tamarridgewines.com.au)
Piper’s Brook Vineyard
(www.kreglingerwineestates.com)

beer is the most

consumed alcoholic
beverage in australia.

55
 50 fantastic Places to Visit!
There are so many things to see and do in
Australia that it’s impossible to list them all.
Of course, there are the main ones that it
would be odd to not have on the list, such
as Sydney, the huge monolith Uluru, and
the Great Barrier Reef, but don’t forget
that Australia has so much more to offer
– charming towns, breathtaking beaches,
rainforest villages, imposing mountains
and picturesque farmland. Following are 50
highly-recommended spots.
1. Busselton, W.A
A comfortable three-hour drive from
Perth, Busselton boasts some 30
kilometres of sheltered sandy beaches
with calm, clear and safe waters. Many
campervanners use the township
as a base from which to explore the
region’s numerous other attractions.
The wonders of Leeuwin-Naturaliste
National Park, Ngilgi Cave and Cape
Naturaliste Lighthouse are only a short
drive away.
56
2. Esperance, W.A.
The blindingly white sandy beaches
and brilliant turquoise waters of the
Esperance area in Western Australia
place the region at the top of many
campervanners’ best destinations list.
Esperance itself boasts a stunning 38-
kilometre scenic drive that follows the
local coastline and then loops back into
town. There are several idyllic beaches
where you can take a break for a swim
as well as some lovely walkways and
viewing platforms for some incredible
coastal scenery. And, if it’s stunning
non-caravan park camping spots you’re
after, you’re in luck. The region also has
three national parks.
3. Arltunga Historical Reserve -
MacDonnell Ranges, east of Alice
Springs, N.T.
You’ll enjoy having a look through the
ruins of this old mining community.
There is an information centre that
provides visitors with lots of history
The Busselton Jetty is
the longest wooden
pier in the Southern
Hemisphere.
 - especially the hardships miners
endured during the gold rush.
4. Darwin, N.T.
It’s growing fast and is a completely
different place to the one that was
so famously devastated by Cyclone
Tracy a few decades back. It’s tropical,
multicultural, relaxed and unique.The
big draw - besides the weather - for
most visitors is the markets that sell all
sorts of Asian foods, veges and arts and
crafts. Plus, a Northern Territory sunset
is like no other on earth and, all along
the coast, mini parties kick off as people
bring their campchairs and a bottle of
wine to enjoy the nightly show.
5. Flinders Ranges, S.A.
The fabulous Flinders is often portrayed
as the gateway to the Outback and that’s
exactly what it is. Situated only 160
kilometres or so north of Port Augusta
in South Australia, its accessibility, as
well as its incredible beauty, make the
Flinders a very popular destination
during peak season. The Flinders
Ranges has it all – ghost towns and
ghost stories, ancient Aboriginal art,
This ruined
farmhouse is part of
a ghost town in the
Flinders Ranges.
57
Outback activities, caves, canyons,
gorges, walks, opals, steam trains and
even volcanoes. Central to the northern
part of the National Park is the amazing
Wilpena Pound, a quite spectacular
natural amphitheatre that is five
kilometres wide and 10 kilometres long.
6. St Helens, East Coast of Tasmania
Like a mini-Riviera right there in Oz!
This truly is one of the most scenic
spots on the east coast of Tasmania and
is the gateway to the Bay of Fires to the
north and Scamander in the south. You
can have lunch in the charming marina
beside the boats and there is a fish and
chip shop right on the water open for
lunches.
7. Yamba, NSW
Liberally blessed with a perfect
climate, quasi-bohemian lifestyle and
unrivalled surf beaches, the jewel in
Yamba’s surfing crown is the revered
and treacherous Angourie point break
– beginners need not apply. Picture
postcard pretty, Yamba prides itself on
providing a relaxed, unpretentious and
peaceful getaway.
 8. Lake Eyre, S.A.
In S.A.’s remote interior 700kms north
of Adelaide lies a huge, flat, salty lake
that hardly ever contains water. But
whenever there’s rain, it attracts a
wealth of birdlife and wildlife, including
dingoes, and is a fascinating place to
see. It’s the lowest point in Australia so
trying to reach it on foot or in vehicles
can be treacherous, so many choose to
view it from the air. Various tours offer
joyrides over the 9500km2 saltpan that
fills or near-fills only around four times
a century.
9. Shark Bay, W.A
This is a World Heritage area, and for
good reason – or several. The oldest
living things on the planet (oxygen-
excreting stromatolites whose ancestors
go back 3.5 billion years and they
themselves are a few thousand) live in
the salty Hamelin Pool to the south.
The area is also home to the world’s
only major populations of Burrowing
Bettong, Rufous Hare Wallabies,
Banded Hare Wallabies, Western Barred
Bandicoots and Shark Bay Mice. Around
58
one eighth of the world’s Dugongs are
also found here, along with 11 species
of endemic birds and eight species of
endemic reptiles.
10. Jewel Cave, Margaret River, W.A.
Deep inside dazzling Jewel Cave in
Margaret River hangs the largest calcite
straw stalactite of any show cave (open
to the public) in the world. Longer straw
stalactites exist, but they’re very difficult
to gain access to. They’re very delicate,
narrow and hollow, and the jewel of
Jewel Cave is a staggering 5.4m long.
As well as being one of the largest show
caves in Australia, Jewel is also one of
the world’s youngest. Its main chamber
is 90m long and 30m high and guided
tours take you through the exceptional
forms and beautiful chambers of its
uniquely formed soft Tamala limestone.
11. Dreamworld, Gold Coast, Qld.
As well as the obvious attractions,
Dreamworld is also home to Frankie,
the world’s first blue-eyed koala. Born in
April 2007 and named after the equally
famous blue-eyed Sinatra, it’s unknown
Lake eyre is one of
the largest salt
lakes in the world.
 whether his eyes are due to a remote
genetic strand or a random event, but
while koalas can be found in the wild
throughout Australia (except Tasmania
and W.A.), Frankie is the world’s only
known blue-eyed koala.
12. Cape Tribulation, Qld.
Around 110km north of Cairns, “Cape
Trib” is the only place on Earth where
two World Heritage-listed areas lie side
by side: the Daintree Rainforest, the
most ancient and primeval in the world
at 135 million years of age, and the
world’s largest coral reef ecosystem,
the Great Barrier Reef. Described as the
“land that time forgot”, the Daintree is
home to 20 percent of Australia’s bird
species and around 60 percent of its
butterfly species. There are even ancient
species of trees – like the Idiospermum
australiense and King fern – which
were believed to be extinct for millions
of years until being rediscovered in the
Daintree.
13. Sydney Harbour, N.S.W.
There are so many ways to experience
one of the most exciting harbours in
the world – cruise on it, sail on it, swim
in it, fish in it, eat on it, drive over or
under it, view it from Taronga Zoo or an
island in it… you can also walk around it:
28km of tracks, many through national
parks and along beaches, form the
Harbour Circle Walk. Make sure you
visit The Rocks, the site of Old Sydney
Town, to visit the historic buildings and
The Rocks Market. Sydney Aquarium is
59
also fantastic and the harbour hosts the
world’s largest annual fireworks display
on New Year’s Eve.
14. The Pinnacles, Nambung National
Park, W.A.
These tall, jagged limestone pillars
about three hours north of Perth were
buried under sand dunes for hundreds
of years before being exposed to the
wind. There are about one thousand of
them (still being simultaneously buried
and exposed). They make an amazingly
surreal photo opportunity, especially at
sunset – particularly if you visit between
August and October when a spectacular
display of wildflowers blooms in the
area.
15. The National Gallery of Victoria,
Melbourne, Vic.
The international branch of the gallery
in St Kilda, and its Ian Potter Centre, off
Federation Square, combine to offer a
collection of international art including
works by Rembrandt, Delacroix, Van
Eyck, Gainsborough, El Greco, Monet,
Manet, Matisse and many more, not
to mention over 20 rooms dedicated to
Australian art.
16. Kakadu National Park, N.T.
Even though visiting here is much
more comfortable in the dry season
(lower temperatures and much less
rain), many travellers say that seeing it
during the wet, or early dry season is
the only time to do so. You’ll experience
the splendour of bright tropical colours,
 humidity and raging storms and
waterways for much more dramatic
effect. Located there are 75 different
kinds of reptile, 26 types of bat, 10,000
species of insect and 2000 types of
plants plus prolific Aboriginal rock art.
17. Marree Man, S.A.
While there are many fascinating
geoglyphs in Australia, the world’s
biggest lies in the remote centre of the
southern state, the origins of which are
still a mystery. 60km west of the town of
Marree, the huge drawing on the ground
is of an Aboriginal man hunting with a
stick and is over 4km long. Take a flying
tour and see Lake Eyre (no.8) at the
same time.
18. Whitsunday Islands, Qld.
This dazzling setting north east of
Mackay almost defies belief with its
hundreds of insanely beautiful islands,
sparkling turquoise water, lush
rainforest, bright coral and pure white
sand. Any time of the year is equally
beautiful but you’re likely to spot whales
if you go between July and September.
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19. Cape Byron, N.S.W.
The cape is the most easterly point on
Australia’s mainland, so a good place
to visit if you want to feel like you’ve
done the country properly! It doesn’t
come free though – you have to climb
the World Heritage-listed Mt Warning
first. It’s the first place in Australia to be
touched by the sun each morning and is
a popular place for wedding proposals.
20. Broome, W.A.
While this pearling town itself is a little
unspectacular, the same can’t be said
for the surrounding area and beaches
with their clear blue water, white sand
and gentle swells. Town Beach at the
eastern end of the town is the site
of the famous Stairway to the Moon,
where a receding tide and a rising moon
combine to create a magnificent natural
phenomenon. On these nights, a food a
craft market operates on the beach.
21. MacDonnell Ranges, N.T.
These mountains to the east and west
of Alice Springs offer a stunning array
of gorges and different-coloured rock
the stunning
whitsunday islands
are a must see.
 formations. The most famous of the
gorges and camping spots are found
in the West MacDonnell National Park.
Ormiston Gorge is the most well-
established campsite and even boasts
solar heated showers, as well as a
visitor centre and live-in rangers. As
with all of the gorges, there are some
wonderful walks to be enjoyed and there
are swimming opportunities along the
way.
22. Stanley and the Nut, Tasmania
In the rugged north western region of
Tasmania is the little town of Stanley,
nestled at the base of a huge volcanic
plug known as “The Nut”. If you’re
feeling energetic you can walk to the
top of The Nut (or just take the chairlift)
for stunning views of the Bass Strait, or
take tours to spot seals, penguins, sea
birds and other wildlife close to Stanley.
The town itself is “toy-town” gorgeous
with well-maintained historic buildings
that look like dollhouses.
23. Bondi Beach, Sydney, N.S.W.
With its lifesavers, surfers, sun
worshippers and barefoot locals, Bondi
is a definitive example of Sydney’s
city beach culture. While the beach is
popular, cross Campbell Parade and
enjoy Bondi away from the sand. Take
in the view of the Pacific from one of
the laidback outdoor cafes or trendy
restaurants that serve lively crowds with
brunch, lunch and dinner. Watch for
celebrities from behind your sunglasses.
Don’t have any? Bondi is the place to
61
buy them, with an abundance of shops
selling the whole range of fashionable
surfwear and beach accessories, or
visit the popular beachside markets on
Sundays.
24. Port Douglas, Qld.
An hour north of Cairns, this tropical
seaside town boasts a relaxed
atmosphere, balmy weather, superb
restaurants and the closest proximity to
the Great Barrier Reef than anywhere in
Australia. It’s also close to the Daintree
rainforest, Mossman Gorge and various
other attractions, and its Rainforest
Habitat Wildlife Sanctuary is the only
place in the world where you can see
eight species of kangaroo in one park
(not to mention cassowaries, koalas,
parrots, crocs and much more).
25. Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo, W.A.
Built according to an open range
principle, Western Plains Zoo keeps
its 1100-plus animals from all over the
world apart using moats rather than
fences. The effect is spellbinding: you
drive down a road or walk along a track
and can easily imagine you’re on an
African plain, surrounded by wildlife
in its natural habitat. The zoo is also a
renowned centre for the care of wildlife,
breeding programs, conservation
programs and education facilities. It’s
acknowledged as Australia’s great open
plains zoo. It also offers accommodation
so you could skip the campervan for
the night and go to sleep in a tent to the
sound of lions roaring.
 26. Undara Lave Tubes, Qld.
275km west of Cairns are the Undara
Lava Tubes, formed some 190,000 years
ago when a major volcano erupted, its
molten lava flowing down a dry river
bed. As the eruption slowed and then
stopped, the lava drained out of the
tubes leaving a series of long, hollow
tunnels. (One section of the tubes
known as “The Wall” is the closest
geological example on Earth of basaltic
ridges on the Moon, which were also
formed by lava flows). Ancient roof
collapses created deep, dark and moist
depressions where fertile pockets of
rainforest can now be seen. Visit there in
the third week of October when Undara
Experiences put on “Opera in the
Outback” at sunset.
27. Nitmiluk Katherine Gorge, N.T.
This 12km-long series of 13 stunning
gorges with highly reflective waters and
stark, 70m-high walls is picture-perfect,
and a magnificent experience from start
to finish. There are more than 100km
of walking trails around the gorge,
allowing visitors to take their time and
meet much of the wildlife abundant in
The twelve apostles
are the central
feature of the great
ocean road.
62
this lovely area, including the fish. The
entire area around Katherine, located
340km south of Darwin, is characterised
by limestone formations with bubbling
thermal springs - and plenty of
convoluted cave systems.
28. Twelve Apostles, Vic.
These giant rock pillars that rise out
of the Southern Ocean are the central
feature of the rugged Port Campbell
National Park. They were originally
created by erosion of the limestone cliffs
of the mainland which, as they softened,
formed caves and then arches which
eventually collapsed leaving stacks of
rock. Viewed from lookouts along the
Great Ocean road, there may not at
first appear to be twelve “apostles”,
but others are located behind rocky
headlands and outcrops.
29. Broken Hill, N.S.W.
As well as being a great base from
which to explore New South Wales,
Broken Hill is one of the world’s most
prolific art posts – Sydney mayor Frank
Sartor once called it “the only country
town in Australia with more art galleries
 than pubs.” A must-see is the Sculpture
Symposium, also known as the Living
Desert Reserve, where you can see
huge sandstone sculptures from 12
different artists. Broken Hill is a gateway
to the Outback and even has its own
ghost town.
30. Great Barrier Reef, Qld.
The largest structure composed of living
organisms in the world, it’s easy to
see why this is a favourite site of divers
across the globe. It’s 2,300kms-worth
of mesmerising under-seascape of
coral, fish, molluscs, turtles, dolphins
and much more. Gateways stretch all
the way along the north east coast of
Australia, so you’re spoilt for choice. You
haven’t experienced Australia unless
you’ve seen this magnificent natural
wonder.
31. Exmouth Region, W.A.
Located on the very tip of the North
West Cape, the location was originally
a military base in WWII, and later
supported a nearby United States naval
communication station. Nowadays, it’s
more of a tourist town, and can boast
63
the “range to reef” experience, with the
spectacular Cape Range National Park
bordering the spellbinding Ningaloo
Reef. The climate is gorgeous, the
swimming and fishing are incredible
and box jellyfish don’t venture this far
south.
32. Coff’s Harbour, N.S.W.
This city on the north coast of N.S.W
is just about halfway between Sydney
and Brisbane. Its major claim to fame
is the iconic “Big Banana” located just
north of the city on the Pacific Highway,
one of Australia’s most recognisable
tourist attractions that it’s almost a
crime not to have your photo taken in
front of. Coff’s Harbour is also reputed
to have the best climate in Australia
which combined with its beautiful
mountainous and coastal landscape,
makes it a bit of a mini-paradise.
33. Kangaroo Island, S.A.
This is Australia’s third-largest island
after Tasmania and Melville Island
and is home to fantastic swimming
and surfing beaches, shipwrecks and
National Parks. It’s also a sanctuary
the great barrier
reef is like a neon
underwater fairyland.
 for many native animals that were
otherwise under threat from animals
such as dingoes and foxes. The main
towns are Kingscote and Penneshaw,
with American River in between that
shelters the bird sanctuary Pelican
Lagoon. Catch the Kangaroo Island
Sealink Vehicular Ferry from Cape
Jervis on the mainland.
34. Windjana Gorge, Kimberley, W.A.
Even if you’re not taking the Gibb River
road, it’s worth taking a detour to
see this impressive gorge that offers
stunning bushwalking through the
Outback wilderness. Unlike many
Kimberley gorges, it’s easily accessible
(only in the dry season though) by
following a 3.5km path through a
monsoonal strip of vegetation and
permanent pools that remain after the
wet season. The walls of the gorge rise
up from the floodplain of the Lennard
River, reaching 100m high in some
places. It’s one of the best places for
seeing freshwater crocs in the wild –
and the campsite is excellent, too.
The devil’s
marbles, or
karlu karlu,
are a sacred
aboriginal site.
64
35. Longreach, Qld.
Roll up your swag and go bush at
Longreach, a town steeped in Outback
history and heritage in north west
Queensland. Situated about 1200
kilometres northwest of Brisbane, you
can visit the Australian Stockman’s
Hall of Fame (a tribute to Australia’s
Outback heroes including a variety
of traditional artefacts, electronic
displays, photographs, films and stories
of bush life) or the Qantas Founders
Outback Museum which includes a
decommissioned Qantas Boeing 747.
Alternatively, there’s unbelievable
sunsets, breathtaking night skies, vast
Mitchell Grass plains, an abundance
of unique wildlife, and the tranquil
coolibah-lined Thomson River.
36. Devil’s Marbles/Karlu Karlu, N.T.
Located about 114kms south of Tennant
Creek, the Devil’s Marbles (or Karlu
Karlu to the traditional Aboriginal
owners) are gigantic, rounded granite
boulders, some spectacularly poised,
making for a remarkable landscape.
Scattered clusters of these “marbles”
 are spread across a wide, shallow valley.
Many diverse traditional “Dreaming”
stories intersect at and around Karlu
Karlu, giving it great importance as a
sacred site. The precarious piles of huge
granite boulders, wide open skies, and
golden sunlight make Karlu Karlu an
unforgettable place to visit. The Reserve
is accessible all year round and has a
network of pathways with information
boards and a basic camping area.
37. Cape York, Qld.
Australia’s northernmost point is still
an untamed wilderness that has defied
the onslaught of civilisation – although
some say not for too much longer. The
dusty tracks contrast dramatically with
the abundant river systems, crystal
clear creeks and spectacular waterfalls.
If you love bushwalking, wildlife, fishing,
bird watching and remote camping,
Cape York is for you. The gateway to
Cape York is Cooktown, a gold rush town
with an interesting history. Cooktown is
only accessible for campervans by the
inland road, via the Mulligan Highway
and the Peninsula Development Road,
and once there you’d have to rent a 4WD
to access the Cape. But it’s worth it.
65
38. St Kilda, Melbourne, Vic.
St. Kilda is situated on the coast to the
east of the city and is considered to be
one of Melbourne’s most fashionable
suburbs. Apart from the very popular
beach, which during the summer
months attracts thousands of visitors,
there are a number of other attractions
in St Kilda to keep you occupied. Visiting
Luna Park, built in 1912, is a must! It is
a charming historic seaside amusement
park complete with a wooden roller
coaster and other rides. For evening
entertainment try the Esplanade Hotel,
which has comedy nights and various
bands playing.
39. Innes National Park, N.S.W.
On the southern tip of the Yorke
Peninsula, Innes National Park
encompasses spectacular coastal
landscapes rich in mining and maritime
history and is a major wildlife habitat
of the area. Starting at Stenhouse
bay, there’s a $5 fee for vehicles – but
from there there’s hours of scenery.
There’s also a wide variety of recreation
opportunities including bushwalking,
bird watching, photography, discovering
the Aboriginal and European history,
Catch a tram to
Melbourne’s St Kilda.
 fishing and surfing. South Australia’s
most prestigious surfing event, the
Cutloose Yorke’s Surfing Classic, is held
in Innes National Park every October.
You need a permit to camp in this area.
40. Fraser Island, Qld.
The world’s largest sand island, Fraser
Island contains half of the world’s
freshwater perched dune lakes and
is the only place in the world above
elevations of 200m where tall rainforest
grows directly on sand dunes. Its
freshwater lakes are among the
cleanest on the planet, the beach is
both highway and runway, and some of
the purest breeds of dingoes live there.
Leave the campervan in Hervey Bay (3.5
hours out of Brisbane) and take a 35
minute boat ride to this World Heritage-
listed site.
41. Moree, N.S.W.
This region is known for its hot thermal
mineral pools (discovered accidentally
in 1895 when searching for irrigation
water) created from bores sunk into
the amazing Great Artesian Basin.
The famous healing waters are said to
contain at least eight different minerals
cradle mountain in
tasmania is famous for
its picturesque beauty.
66
and maintain a temperature of 39
degrees. Two-thirds of Australia’s cotton
is grown in the Moree region and if you
time your visit for February, you‘ll see
millions of bulbous white fibres bursting
from cotton plants in vast fields – a
spectacular sight. The Pecan Nut Farm
is another main attraction which is
located 35 kilometres east of Moree on
the Gwydir Highway.
42. Cradle Mountain, Tasmania
This is a distinctive mountain in the
Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National
Park and is said to be one of the
most beautiful places on the planet.
Composed of dolerite columns, it has
four summits. Take one of 20 walking
tracks to suit any fitness level (it’s a
tough trek to the top and takes 8 hours),
see flora and fauna found nowhere else
on earth, mountain bike, fly fish, or take
a trail on horseback. There are three
lakes at the bottom: Crater Lake, Lake
Wilks, and Dove Lake – the deepest in
Australia.
43. North Stradbroke Island, Qld.
Known as “Straddle” to the locals,
this island is only 90 minutes away
 from downtown Brisbane (accessible
by vehicular ferry) but feels like days.
The island itself is a mixture of rugged
coastlines, placid inland lakes, and
unspoilt beaches. The eastern side of
the island is lined with 35 kilometres of
white sandy beaches, however it is only
accessible by four wheel drive, bicycle
or on foot. There are numerous popular
camping sites dotted all the way down
Main Beach. A fantastic, laid-back
combination of pristine wilderness and
modern facilities, restaurants and cafes.
44. Downtown Melbourne, Vic.
Australia’s second-largest city is
often compared to Sydney but they
are completely different. Melbourne
is less flashy, much more stately and
old-world. Take a tram ride (the Circle
City Tram is free and has running
commentary on history, attractions and
famous places of downtown Melbourne);
stroll through the stunning Botanic
Gardens; or visit one of two scenic
lookouts in Melbourne - both the Eureka
Tower Skydeck and the Rialto Towers &
Observation Deck have awesome views
of the downtown and suburbs.
67
45. Canberra, A.C.T.
The political hub of Australia, Canberra
is a planned city similar in architectural
concept to Washington D.C. It’s
surrounded by bushland and is home to
come of the country’s best museums,
national attractions and restaurants.
46. Blue Mountains, N.S.W.
The foothills of the Blue Mountains start
approximately 50kms west of Sydney’s
metropolitan area. The sandstone
plateau is dissected by deep gorges
and the “Giant Staircase” walking track
takes you down a cliff into the Jamison
Valley for a view of the Three Sisters,
the most famous rock formation in the
region. Also worth experiencing is the
Katoomba Scenic World, home of the
Katoomba Scenic Railway (the steepest
railway in the world), a revolving
restaurant and an aerial cable car.
47. Noosa region, Sunshine Coast, Qld.
This area is rich in Aboriginal and
early settler history as well as being a
lovely slice of Queensland heaven. The
shire has a cluster of suburbs (none of
which are actually called Noosa) and
the “three sisters”
rock formation in the
blue mountains is a
famous australian
landmark.
 a hinterland region. Spend a day on
the Noosa River watching the birdlife,
or exploring the mountain range and
inland plains with their rambling
streams and waterfalls. Alternatively,
visit one of the many fabulous beaches
– anywhere called the “Sunshine Coast”
sounds pretty good, right?
48. Kununurra, Kimberley, W.A.
This town’s name translates to “the
meeting of the big waters” and water is
definitely a feature – gorges, waterfalls,
rivers, streams and creeks are all
there waiting to be fished in, swum on,
gazed upon or cruised on. There’s also
amazing corresponding flora, wildlife
and landscape alongside a friendly,
lively town.
The Creation. The rocks are best viewed
at sunset and many visitors say they can
feel a strong spiritual energy there.
50. Port Arthur, Tasmania
Port Arthur Historic Site on the Tasman
Peninsula is Australia’s best-preserved
and most evocative convict site. More
than 30 buildings, ruins and period
homes dating from 1830 to the prison’s
closure in 1877 provide an insight into
the lives of those who were part of
the penal settlement including 12,500
convicts, soldiers, civilians and their
families. Nearby is Point Puer Boys
Prison where you can walk among the
remains of structures built by the boys
in a bush landscape little changed since
the 19th century.

49. The Olgas/Kata Tjuta, N.T.

This site, whose name means “many
heads” to the Aborigines, is a group of
about 30 huge rounded red rocks rising
out of the desert plains, the highest
of which is called Mt Olga. Like their
nearby neighbour, Uluru (26kms away)
they form a site sacred to the Aborigines
which is frequently featured in stories of

the kata tjuta

rocks are
neighbours of the
monlith uluru.

68
 Off the Beaten Track
With a country as big as Australia, it’s
worthwhile veering off the beaten path to
experience some more unusual or remote
spots – and there is no shortage of them.
1. Old Dadswell Town, Vic.
A wonderful spot full of Aussie humour.
The township consists of a Village
Square surrounded by “old” typical
Australia buildings (which are actually
all very tastefully furnished B & Bs).
Campervanners are more than welcome
to pop in and take a peek, and you
can overnight provided you are self
contained. You are welcome to use the
“Shire Office” (the public restroom!).
A must-see photographer’s paradise
just a few kilometres past Horsham
(travelling west).
2. Wineglass Bay, Tasmania
So often the most beautiful places are
crowded with people because they are
so beautiful. Not so with Wineglass Bay
in Tasmania, probably due to the fact
that it’s only accessibly by foot – about
an hour’s walk over the steep crest of a
69
hill. From the top of the hill though are
stunning views of white sand, verdant
bush and brilliant blue water, sometime
populated with dolphins.
3. Wave Rock, Hyden, W.A.
This unique rock formation (part of the
northern face of Hyden rock) sculptured
by time and the elements stands 15m
high and 100m long, looking exactly
like a huge frozen wave that is eternally
about to crash. Mineral deposits have
coloured it in artistic stripes that add to
the sweeping effect, and it’s surrounded
by smaller granite “breakers”. It’s an
impressive site and a spectacular photo
opportunity, as is the surrounding
wildlife and bushland, and Hippo’s Yawn,
another distinctively shaped formation
nearby.
4. Venom Zoo, Kuranda, Qld.
If you’re in Cairns take a drive up into
the mountains to the rainforest village
of Kuranda and its fascinating Venom
Zoo – home to beasties you won’t find in
any other zoo in the world. Aside from
wave rock makes
a great photo
opportunity.
 daily live venom extractions, they also
house a variety of tarantulas (some up
to 17cm), Australia’s top five venomous
snakes, scorpions, centipedes, insects
and reptiles. The various venoms are
sent all over the world for medical
research to find cures for some of the
most fatal diseases – so if these guys
aren’t your cup of tea, perhaps a visit
here will improve your opinion of them!
5. Ormiston Gorge, N.T.
After travelling from Alice Springs up
the Mereenie Loop Road, stumbling
upon the oasis of Ormiston Gorge
after dusty trails and dry riverbeds
feels miraculous. Its 300m red walls
enclose a waterhole at the southern end
that’s perfect for an undisturbed swim.
Halfway along the Larapinta Trail in the
West MacDonnell National Park, the
gorge is just past Glen Helen at the end
of the sealed road section of Namatjira
Drive.
6. Lake Ballard, Menzies, W.A.
North of Kalgoorlie, Ballard Lake is
a barren salt lake – with a difference.
Scattered over 10 square kilometres
the venom zoo in
Kuranda performs
daily venom
extractions.
70
of the lake (approximately 55km west
from the townsite of Menzies) are 51
stainless steel sculptures by artist
Antony Gormley created from laser
scans of naked residents of the town.
The strangely alien-like figures were
then placed at intervals across the
blank canvas of the million-year-old salt
lake, making for an eerie and haunting
installation, particularly at dawn and
dusk. A book of the process has since
been published, called Antony Gormley:
Inside Australia.
7. Greens Pool, William Bay National
Park, W.A.
Just one shining example of the many
secret spots dotted along this coast,
Greens Pool has cool, clear, emerald-
tinged waters, and a cove with rock
pools, a sheltering shelf of granite,
soft sand, tiny islands and perfect
snorkelling. Just a little further to
the east of Greens Pool lies another
special cove, Elephant Rocks, so named
because of the reddish elephantine
boulders strewn everywhere that take
on the appearance of herd of the beasts.
Drive to Denmark, west of Albany, and
 a further a further 20mins west of that,
Greens Pool is at end of a track running
right through William Bay National Park
to the beach.
8. Dalhousie Springs, Simpson Desert,
S.A
The largest complex of artesian springs
in Australia, Dalhousie’s 70 or so active
thermal springs are fed by water that
comes all the way from the Great
Dividing Range, hundreds of kilometres
to the east. When the magical liquid
eventually gushes in, it varies from
scalding to tepid. Take a dip in the
main spring, which is about bathwater
temperature and also home to fish
species found nowhere else in the
world: the Dalhousie catfish, hardyhead,
mogurnda, and gobi. You’ll find them
in Witjira National Park on the western
edge of the Simpson Desert in S.A.’s far
north, 180km northeast of Oodnadatta.
9. Burning Mountain, Upper Hunter
Region, N.S.W.
Originally thought to be an active
volcano, but actually considered
the world’s oldest coal fire, Burning
Mountain in the Upper Hunter Region is
Australia’s only example of a naturally
combusting coal seam (one of only
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three in the world). Less than an hour
from the carpark and you’ll be at the
site where you can smell acrid sulphur,
feel the heat from the 350-degree
surface and watch the smoke waft into
the air. Look for wedge-tailed eagles
soaring on the thermal currents above.
Interestingly, the site moves about 1m
south each year, and since it’s already
moved 6km it’s estimated that it’s been
burning for about 6000. It’s just off the
New England Highway near Wingen in
the Upper Hunter Valley area.
10. Gnomesville, Ferguson Valley, W.A.
What was once a couple of garden
ornaments sitting on a roundabout ten
years ago has grown into a virtual city of
roadside garden gnomes. Garden variety
gnomes, sports-playing gnomes, fishing
gnomes, partying gnomes from all
corners of the globe are all left here with
accompanying names and messages -
in fact wishes are granted to those who
add to the collection when they visit (and
incredible bad luck will befall anyone
foolish enough to steal from or damage
Gnomesville). Go to the roundabout
joining Ferguson Rd and Wellington Mill
Rd in Ferguson Valley, about a 15min
drive from Bunbury.
the ever-growing city of
gnomesville makes an
interesting detour.
 Ten Best Australian Beaches
Australia is an island continent which is
surrounded by water on all sides, so its
border is not shared with any other country.
To the east lies the South Pacific Ocean;
west the Indian Ocean; to the north the
Timor, Arafura and Coral Seas; and to the
south the Southern Ocean and Tasman Sea.
The Bass Strait separates Tasmania from
the mainland.
Australia boasts some of the best beaches
on the planet and the huge coastline
stretches for nearly 37,000 km, which
includes 11,011 beaches, more than any
other nation, so you are spoiled for choice!
Most of Australia’s cities and towns are
located on the coast, which amounts to 12
million people, or 85% of Australia’s lucky
population living within one hour’s drive of
the coastline.
Australia’s coast extends through a wide
range of climates from the tropical areas in
the north to temperate/maritime areas in
the south. Environments include rainforest,
mangroves, estuaries, rocky and sandy
72
shores, cliffs, islands, towns, cities and
coastal communities. It’s hard to pick just
ten, but we’ve done our best…
1. Bay of Fires, Tasmania
The Bay of Fires is in fact a whole 29-
kilometre coastline that extends from
extends from Binalong Bay in the
south to Eddystone Point in the north.
Clean white sand, lush forest, azure
blue water and dramatic red rocks
combine to make this tranquil place one
of Tasmania’s top attractions – yet no
one is there. There is also an amazing
selection of scenic beach camping sites
along a well-maintained dirt road. The
facilities consist of a couple of long drop
toilets, but it’s all free.
2. Kirra Beach, Gold Coast, Qld
This beach has for many years has
been a favourite surfing point for
many bronzed surfers worldwide and
many surfing legends learned on
Kirra’s rolling barrels. Located just
above the state line in Queensland’s
Tasmania’s Bay of
Fires is beautiful
- and isolated.
 southernmost town, Kirra Point reigns
as the east coast’s champion maker.
There are challenging waves for the
experienced surfer, as well as smaller
waves closer to shore for beginners.
Hard-core surfers will tell you that this
beach is only a shadow of its former
self, destroyed by a government sand-
pumping project in 2002, but this is still
iconic Australia. When the swell is right,
you’ll see perfect barrels (not to mention
perfect bodies).
3. Four Mile Beach, Port Douglas, Far
North Qld.
Picturesque Port Douglas has become
an international holiday mecca and Four
Mile Beach is the jewel in the crown.
Spanning – you guessed it – four miles
down the side of the peninsula the town
sits on, it shares the same tropical
latitude as Tahiti, and you can tell. The
sea is turquoise, the sun is warm, the
palms sway, and the low-rise hotels
artfully hidden in the trees don’t spoil
anything. Port Douglas’ pretty, old-
fashioned charm and proximity to the
reef attracts thousands of visitors each
year but even in the high season you’ll
always be able to find a whole section of
the beach to yourself.
cable beach in broome
is one of the most
stunning in the world.
73
4. Cable Beach, Broome, W.A.
Renowned as one of the most stunning
beaches in the world, whoever said
so would be right. 22kms of blinding
white silica sand hem the Bombay
Sapphire-coloured waters of the Indian
Ocean, providing dazzling surrounds
for swimming and relaxing – just don’t
relax so much between November and
March that you forget about the stingers
though. The sunsets are magnificent,
there is a variety of watersports
available, or you can take one of the
sunset camel rides that operate daily
along the beach.
5. Hyams Beach, Jervis Bay, N.S.W.
Famed for having the whitest sand in
the world (which squeaks as you walk)
- wear sun block if you decide to stroll
along it, because the reflection from the
sun even on a cloudy day can give you a
nasty sunburn! It’s family-friendly, the
water is warm, blue and clear, and the
beachside Jervis Blue Café is excellent.
6. Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Island,
Qld.
On uninhabited Whitsunday Island near
the Great Barrier Reef, Whitehaven
Beach is a 6km expanse of pure
 white silica sand gently blending into
aquamarine water. The beach, so
dazzling that it hurts to look at without
sunglasses, can be reached on a day-
trip from Airlie Beach on the mainland.
There are hundreds of similar tropical
islands in this area.
7. Twilight Cove, Esperance, W.A.
Twilight Cove, as the name suggests
comes to life at twilight and after dark
when there’s a full moon. Esperance,
small yet beautiful, is known as the
‘Bay of Isles’. Wide sandy beaches,
scenic coastlines and the panorama
of offshore islands of the Recherche
Archipelago are all part of its charm.
Twilight Cove is only a 10 minute
drive from the Esperance townsite.
It’s a pretty spot even in the day with
stunningly blue water and unusual rock
formations. Located in the Nuytsland
Nature Reserve, Twilight Cove is famous
along the Nullarbor for its 70 metre
limestone cliffs which overlook the
Great Australian Bight. Access to the
Cove is by 4WD vehicles only through
the Nuytsland Nature Reserve so you’ll
have to hire one or find someone to
drive you – but it’s worth mentioning this
magical spot anyway.
8. Cape Leveque, Dampier Peninsula, W.A.
We’ve mentioned Broome but even
further north you’ll find equally stunning
beaches which are, for now, largely
remote although that’s beginning to
change. One of the best things about
74
Cape Leveque is that there are no
crocodiles, no stingers, nothing to spoil
the fun. You can swim here all day, any
day of the year, and that’s very unusual
at northern West Australia beaches. The
red rocks against the turquoise ocean
are already stunning during the day, but
in the evening sun they seem to really
glow.
9. Horseshoe Bay, Magnetic Island, Qld.
A very beautiful beach on a very
beautiful island. Lying to the north
of this World Heritage listed island,
it feels very secluded and far away
from everything. You’re on a small
island with a small local community
of around 200 people. A street runs
alongside the beach with a number
of holiday accommodation places,
restaurants, cafes and bars so you
can sit, relax, have a drink and watch
the waves lapping against the shore.
There’s also Horseshoe Bay Lagoon (a
short walk from Horseshoe Bay Beach
to the Lagoon Environmental Park)
where you‘ll find a wide variety of birds
including the Jabira, Brolga, and the
Nankeen Night-heron. Horseshoe Bay,
and in fact the whole island, is an utterly
charming place. Magnetic Island is a
short ferry ride from Townsville (which
can only take vehicles up to 5m in
length).
 10. Shelly Beach, Sydney, N.S.W.
Manly Beach is one of Sydney’s most
famous but Shelley Beach (just further
south) facing north (one of the few on
the east coast) and sheltered inside
a cove, is a stunning place. Catch a
ferry across from Circular Quay in the
morning – if it’s summer, take one of
the older ferries, which although are
slower and take twice as long, you
can go on the deck and take longer to
appreciate the stunning views looking
back at the Sydney Opera House and the
Sydney Harbour Bridge. The beach itself
is a protected marine reserve perfect
for lunching, snorkeling, swimming,
scuba diving and sunbathing, and it
really is stunning coming around the
corner of the bay as the Opera House
and Harbour Bridge with the backdrop
of Sydney skyline slowly unfolds before
you.

The Ten Commandments of Surf Swimming:

1. Do Not swim at beaches not patrolled by lifeguards or lifesavers.

2. Do Not swim outside the red and yellow flags which mark the safe swimming
area.

3. Do Not swim directly after a meal or under the influence of alcohol.

4. Do Not swim when beach is closed. Observe the visual sign “Danger - Reserve
closed to bathing” and the red flag.

5. Do Not swim where there are no safety flags in position.

6. Do Not get excited if caught in a current or undertow, but raise one arm up and
float until help arrives.

7. Do Not struggle if seized with a cramp, but raise your arm for help, float and
keep the affected parts of your body perfectly still.

8. Do Not go out far when a yellow flag is flying, it means the surf is dangerous.

9. Do Not swim if unsure of surf conditions, but seek the advice of the lifeguard or
lifesaver.

10. Do Not struggle against a rip or current, but swim diagonally across it.

75
 Speaking “Strine”
Australian language has a global reputation for is individuality, phonetics and humour value.
It has been brought about by the need for expressions for things that have never needed
expressing before, so improvisation was usually used. Add 200 years of abbreviating to that and
you are speaking Australian. Here are a few examples of the Australian language...

A bit strong: a hurtful remark or action Boogie board: half-sized surf board for
Arse over tit: fall over bodysurfing

Ankle biter: young child Blower: telephone

Ay? pardon? Bugger me dead! extreme shock at

something
Aggro: aggravated or aggressive
Bugger off! go away
Apple eater: someone who lives in the state
of Tasmania (apple growing state) Blotto: intoxicated

Arvo: afternoon Bog: the toilet

Barbie: barbecue cooking outdoors Chook: chicken

Banana bender: some who lives in the state Chinwag: a good chat
of Queensland Croweater: someone who lives in South
Bloke: Australian male, generally quite Australia where there are lots of crows
rugged Crikey: surprise at something
True blue: genuinely Australian Corroboree: Aboriginal festival dance
Having a blue: having a fight or argument Cossie: swimming costume (NSW)
Battler: works hard to earn a living Crack onto to: make a pass at/chat up
Breakky: first meal of the day Crook: ill/bad/criminal
You little beauty, that’s beaut: excited Dunny: toilet
approval Dinki-di: something originating from
Bloody oath: absolutely Downunder
Bottle-o: alcohol store Dobber: tattletale
Boomer: kangaroo Daggy: unfashionable
Billabong: a waterhole Didjeridoo: Aboriginal wind musical
Bathers: swimming costume instrument

Berko: angry in an unreasonable way Docket: a bill, receipt

Bunyip: mythical spirit creature from Dodgy: a bit suspect/not quite right/badly
outback made

76
 Durry: cigarette
Dacks: trousers or shorts
Doona: like a quilt, used instead of blankets
(containing feathers and down), duvet
Esky: large insulated box to keep food and
drink cold
Fibber: liar
Fairdinkum: someone really genuine/really/
the truth/good
Fair enough: OK, you are right
Fossicking: hunting for gemstones (usually
opals or sapphires)
Footy: “Aussie Rules” football
Flake: shark meat, used in fish and chip
shops
Galah: loud, rudely behaved person
Gas: Usually LPG, not petrol
G’day: a friendly welcome (same as hello or
hi)
Goon: cheap cask or boxed wine
Good on ya mate! you are happy with their
words or actions
Grey nomad: someone spending their
retirement travelling round Australia
Gumsucker: someone who lives in the state
of Victoria
Hoo-roo: goodbye
Jackaroo or Jillaroo: trainee male or
female Cattle Station hand
Jaffle: toasted sandwich
Joker: a male person who you are unsure
about
Kip: short rest or sleep or nap
Kiwi: a New Zealander
77
Lolly: money OR candy
Long neck: large bottle of beer
LPG cylinders: propane tanks
Mate: friend
Matilda: sleeping bag or bedroll for
camping out
Milk bar: convenience store
Min Min: mysterious lights at night in the
outback
Mexican: someone from the state of
Victoria
Nulla-nulla: wooden club used by
Aborigines (made from very heavy and hard
wood called Blackbut)
Nong: idiot
Ocker: uncultured Aussie that likes beer,
sport and women
Oz: Australia
Prang: automotive crash
Pull your head in: mind your own business/
behave
Raw prawn: easy to deceive
Pearler: excellent thing
Paw-paw: Queensland tropical papaya fruit
Push-bike: bicycle
Righto: OK
Rellie: relative or family
A ripper: it’s really great
Rack off: go away, get lost
Rapt: overjoyed
Ropable: angry
Sanger: Sandwich
Sandgroper: someone who lives in the
state of Western Australia
 in australia, “thongs”
go on your feet.
Stone the crows! shock at something
Smoko: a break, usually something to eat
and drink, and/or have a cigarette
She’ll be right! everything will be OK
Strewth: shock at something
Sheila: a woman (not really used any more
other than by old timers)
Snag: sausage (put a snag on the barbie)  will be easy
Spud: a potato
Stubby: small bottle of beer OR a pair of
men’s shorts
Scallops: fried potato cakes (Qld/N.S.W),
shellfish (elsewhere)
Strine: a lot of Aussie slang said at
once/”Australian” said in an Aussie accent
Swag: canvas bag or cover you keep your
belongings and bedroll in when camping
Strides: trousers
Slab: pack of 24 cans of beer
Servo: service/petrol station for cars
Singlet: under shirt, vest or tank top
Ta: thanks
Tucker: food
78
Tinnie: can of cold beer or a aluminum boat
Thongs: sandals made from rubber/flip
flops
True blue: really Australian
Tea: evening meal
Tee up: organise or arrange something
Too easy: that went well or I can do that, it
Too right! something is absolutely right
Top-ender: someone who lives in the
Northern Territory
Tallie: 750ml large bottle of beer
Uni: university/college
Ute: utility/pickup truck
Wag: skip school, truancy
Woop woop: somewhere a long way from
civilization
Hard yakka: hard work
A yarn: a story that may or may not be true
Have a yarn: have a conversation
Yobbo: a redneck, a slob
Zed: Z, last letter of the alphabet
 Itinerary Ideas
Planning an itinerary obviously depends
on what style of traveler you are, and what
types of things you want to see. You might
be a relaxed traveler who prefers to drive
at a relaxed pace, allowing yourself the
time to stop at whatever river or park takes
your fancy on the way, or you may want to
travel at a fairly swift pace. You might be
interested in scenery or hiking alone, or
you may want a balance between nature,
cultural attractions, and seeing the main
centres.
Think about what you’ll be doing day to day.
Do you want to be in a holiday park each
night, or just some nights? Do you want to
stop at a destination each day, spend a few
nights in each place, or spend a few days
just driving, absorbing the sights from your
van? If you’re travelling with kids, consider
what family-friendly attractions exist in
each place. Be conscious of whether you’ll
want a day here and there to just rest and
79
relax, without travelling or doing strenuous
activities. How much flexibility do you want
to give yourself? Do you want to plan a rigid
schedule or play it by ear some of the time?
Also make sure you consider interspersing
rest or relaxation days after days that will
be particularly strenuous, such as a day-
long hike. This is particularly important if
you are doing a long drive the next day. Also
bear in mind whether you can do a one-way
trip in your campervan and are able to drop
it off in a different city or town.
Here are six sample itineraries of various
types and lengths that include just a small
fraction of things to see and do in Australia.
At the very least they’ll give you an idea of
travel distances and times - mix and match
and add them together to create your own
perfect plan - or feel free to do them in
reverse!
Plan ahead to include
rest days after very
long drives.
 Sydney to Melbourne (N.S.W to Vic.) - 5 days
Day 1. Sydney to Jervis Bay. Approx 222 km (138 miles) 3 hours.

Day 2. Jervis Bay to Tilba Tilba. Approx 205 km (127 miles) 2.5 hours.

Day 3. Tilba Tilba to Gipsy Point. Approx 203 km (126 miles) 2.5 hours.

Day 4. Gipsy Point to Metung. Approx 225 km (140 miles) 2.75 hours.

Day 5. Metung to Melbourne. Approx 312 km (194 miles) 4 hours.

Tropical North (Qld) - 7 days

Day 1. Cairns to Atherton Tablelands. Approx 70 km (44 Miles) 1.5 hours.

Day 2. Spend the day in the Atherton Tablelands.

Day 3. Atherton Tablelands to Cape Tribulation. Approx 185 km (115 Miles) 3 hours.

Day 4. Spend the day at Cape Tribulation.

Day 5. Cape Tribulation to Port Douglas. Approx 83 km (52 Miles) 1.5 hours.

Day 6. Spend the day in Port Douglas.

Day 7. Port Douglas to Cairns. Approx 63 km (40 Miles) 1.5 hours.

Darwin to Uluru (N.T.) - 7 days

Day 1. Darwin to Kakadu. Approx 257 km (160 miles).

Day 2. Kakadu to Katherine. Approx 300 km (186 miles) 4 hours.

Day 3. Katherine to Tennant Creek. Approx 667 km (420 miles) 8 hours. Stop at the soothing
Mataranka Thermal Pool for a rest on the way.

Day 4. Tennant Creek to Alice Springs. Approx 506 km (314 miles) 6 hours.

Day 5. Spend the day in Alice Springs.

Day 6. Alice Springs to Ayers Rock. Approx 461 km (286 miles) 6.5 hours.

Day 7. Depart Ayers Rock.

80
 Sydney to Cairns (N.S.W to Qld) - 14 days
Day 1. Sydney to Hunter Valley. Approx 161km (100 miles) 2 hours.

Day 2. Hunter Valley to Port Stephens. Approx 65km (40 miles) 1.5 hours.

Day 3. Port Stephens to Coffs Harbour. Approx 168 km (105 miles) 2.5 hours.

Day 4. Coffs Harbour to Coolangatta. Approx 322km (200 miles) 4 hours.

Day 5. Spend the day in Coolangatta.

Day 6. Coolangatta to Brisbane. Approx 79km (49 miles) 1.5 hours.

Day 7. Brisbane to Fraser Island Approx 200km (125 miles) 3.5 hours drive then 35 minute
ferry ride.

Day 8. Spend the day at Fraser Island.

Day 9. Fraser Island to Rockhampton. Approx 318km (196 miles) 4 hours.

Day 10. Rockhampton to the Whitsundays. Approx 483km (300 miles) 6 hours.

Day 11. Relax at the Whitsundays.

Day 12. Relax at the Whitsundays.

Day 13. Townsville to Mission Beach. Approx 225km (140 miles) 2.75 hours.

Day 14. Mission Beach to Cairns. Approx 140km (87 miles) 1.75 hours.

Darwin to Broome (N.T to W.A) – 14 days

Day 1. Arrive Darwin. Overnight - Darwin.

Day 2. Spend the day in Darwin.

Day 3. Darwin to Kakadu. Approx 257 km (160 miles) 3.5 hours.

Day 4. Spend the day at Kakadu National Park.

Day 5. Kakadu to Katherine. Approx 300 km (186 miles) 4 hours.

Day 6. Katherine to Kununurra. Approx 510 km (316 miles) 6 hours.

Day 7. Spend the day in Kununurra.

81
 Day 8. Kununurra to El Questro. Approx 100 km (162 miles) 3.5 hours.

Day 9. Spend the day at El Questro.

Day 10. El Questro to Imintji Wilderness Camp. Approx 405 km (251 miles) 5 hours.

Day 11. Spend the day at Imintji Safari Camp and explore the Gibb River Road.

Day 12. Imintji Camp to Broome. Approx 440km (273 miles) 5.5 hours.

Day 13. Spend the day in Broome.

Day 14. Depart Broome.

Adelaide to Darwin (S.A. to N.T.) - 16 days

Day 1. Adelaide to Wilpena Pound. Approx 430 km (267 miles) 5.25 hours.

Day 2. Spend the day at Wilpena Pound and the Flinders Ranges.

Day 3. Wilpena Pound to Parachilna. Approx 141 km (88 miles) 1.75 hours.

Day 4. Parachilna to William Creek. Approx 387 km (240 miles) 4 hours.

Day 5. William Creek to Coober Pedy. Approx 166 km (103 miles) 2 hours.

Day 6. Coober Pedy. Enjoy a day at leisure exploring Coober Pedy.

Day 7. Coober Pedy to Uluru. Approx 734 km (456 miles) 8 hours.

Day 8. Spend the day at Uluru and the nearby Olgas (Kata Tjuta).

Day 9. Ayers Rock to Alice Springs. Approx 445 km (277 miles) 5.5 hours.

Day 10. Spend the day at Alice Springs.

Day 11. Alice Springs to Tennant Creek. Approx 510 km (317 miles) 5.5 hours.

Day 12. Tennant Creek to Katherine. Approx 672 km (417 miles) 7 hours.

Day 13. Katherine. Today enjoy a day at leisure to explore in and around Katherine.

Day 14. Katherine to Kakadu National Park. Approx 300 km (186 miles) 4 hours.

Day 15. Kakadu National Park. Today is free for you to explore Kakadu National Park.

Day 16. Kakadu National Park to Darwin. Approx 257 km (160 miles) 3.5 hours.

82
 Final Things to Think About
Most campervan hire companies in Australia are reputable and thorough. However, there
are some important things to double check:

• That you have a copy of, and completely
understand, your rental agreement, eg
your responsibilities and those of the
renter, as well as your liability
• That you have gone over and understand
ALL the costs involved
• Whether they have a 24-hour number
you can call if you have any problems
• Whether there are manuals for all the
electrical equipment and facilities
• Whether certain things included, such
as wooden levelling blocks for uneven
sites, and extension cables and hoses
to accommodate electrical, sewer and
water hook-ups
• Whether everything is working properly,
eg doors, windows, appliances, controls,
fixtures, and smoke alarms
• Whether the gas bottle has been filled by
the rental company or if it needs filling
first

• Whether you get a spare set of keys

Things You’ll Be Glad You Brought:

• Lots of Ziploc bags – for storing • Disposable camera (just in case!)
everything from bottles that might leak
to damp clothing • Small, collapsible umbrella

• Your address book for postcards • Notepad and several pens

• Travel size alarm clock • Books and games for night time

• Small flashlight with new batteries • Car phone charger

• Pocket knife

• Spare pair of cheap sunglasses

• One set of clothing that dries fast

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