October 2023

Driving down under: Epic road trips to enjoy this December

Chief Adventurer at CamperDays shares the best Australian road trips for every type of traveller

After what has been described as a ‘washout summer’ in the UK, it’s easy to feel disappointed now that the chill of autumn is setting in. While the initial novelty of bundling up in cosy sweaters and sipping pumpkin spice lattes is exciting, we’re soon reminded that this time of year means runny noses, long nights, and sweating on public transport. So, if you’re not quite ready to say goodbye to summer and are hankering after some adventure, a Christmas road trip down under could be just the ticket. 

Max Schmidt, Chief Adventurer at CamperDays, Europe’s leading camper tour operator and the booking.com of campervans, says: “One in five Brits are planning take an overseas trip for Christmas this year*, likely swapping the cold, grey skies and drizzle for something a little more palatable.

“Australia is a destination that is on many Brits’ bucket lists and there is no better time to visit than during the British winter. Who wouldn’t want to swap the winter blues for a sunshine-filled road trip?

“Whilst many associate this kind of holiday with young ‘van-lifers’, a road trip is a brilliant option no matter what your age. There’s no need to prepare a full-on itinerary, you can simply take each day as it comes safe in the knowledge that you have your very own hotel on wheels fitted with a working kitchen, fully functioning bathroom and comfortable bed. What better way to enjoy all that Australia has to offer?”

Below, Max Schmidt shares his top Australian road trips for every type of traveller. 

For teens and students

An Australian road trip in your late teens or early adulthood is the epitome of a carefree, take-the-bull-by-the-horns lifestyle.

It’s one of the best times to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime trip as, at this age, you’re likely to have finished your studies and are still working out your career path.

If you’re on a working holiday and travelling on a budget, splitting the costs of renting a fully equipped campervan or motorhome between your travel squad can be a lot more affordable and enjoyable than taking domestic flights. You also bypass the need for a hotel or rental apartment and avoid grimy hostels.

A road trip from Sydney through New South Wales will see you visiting many surf beaches and experiencing some of the best parties of Bondi Beach. While Bondi Beach is known for its barbecues and volleyball matches on Christmas Day, the shoreline is jam-packed each year, so why not try the quieter Kutti, Bonte or Coogee beaches nearby?

A six-berth vehicle can be picked up from Sydney for two weeks over Christmas from just £36 per person per night.

For empty nesters

For those now retired from work and without children at home, a new adventure might be on the horizon. Gone are the days when age was a barrier to travel – in fact, retirement age is the perfect time to make lasting memories.

While Australia is notable for surfing and safaris in the outback, for those looking for a relaxing holiday, Daylesford in the southeast of the country is home to Australia’s largest concentration of mineral springs. It’s also home to the Hepburn Bathhouse and Spa which has been offering traditional mineral bathing and spa experiences since 1895.

Pick up a luxury motorhome complete with hot shower, comfy living quarters and kitchen in Melbourne, from £103 per person per night, and take the Western Freeway, passing through the quaint towns of Woodend, Kyneton, and Trentham, is an enjoyable route to Daylesford. Extend the journey by taking a detour via the Great Ocean Road, one of the most famous stretches of road in the world and one you won’t want to miss.

For families

Who said you can’t have the adventure of a lifetime with kids in tow? Many campervan and motorhome providers offer vehicles that are well suited to the needs of adventurous families, meaning parents can make lasting memories with their children and shape the worldview from an early age. 

What could be more exciting for children visiting Australia than going on a wildlife-themed road trip along the Queensland Coast; here you can all sorts of Australian wildlife, such as koalas, kangaroos, turtles, and sharks, and the coastline is also home to the world’s largest coral reef system, the Great Barrier Reef. 

And don’t forget stop offs at Australia Zoo, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Maleny Botanic Gardens & Bird World and the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway – surely world schooling at its finest.

Pick up a four-person vehicle from Brisbane for two weeks over Christmas from just £23 per person per night.

For the conscious traveller

Maybe you’re a solo road tripper or adventurous couple, keen to see the world while making a positive impact on your travels. Opting for a small campervan that consumes less fuel bypasses the need to take several, low-cost domestic flights that increase your carbon footprint.

Pitching your campervan at sites that prioritise sustainability and using their shared facilities is by far a more green way to travel. Rawnsley Park in the Flinders Ranges in South Australia is ECO Certified by Ecotourism Australia, and its environmental initiatives include replacing lawns with native plants, building eco-villas from straw bales, revegetation, championing local produce and installing a solar power generator and solar pumps.

The Flinders Ranges is also rich in Aboriginal culture, and there are many activities in the area that support the First Nations, such as walking tours with indigenous guides and cultural experiences of the Sacred Canyon with the Traditional Owners.

Travellers should ensure to contact local land councils to find out if permits are needed for entry to or fishing, hunting or camping on Aboriginal land.

*2023 eBay Ads UK research which can viewed here.