New South Wales

We thought you'd like a quick summary of some fantastic destinations and unique adventures around Australia. Australia is a land embedded with endless possibility with a vibrant land of culture, multiculturalism, natural wonders and fantastic down to earth people it's like no other on this earth. Australia has many breathtaking wonders such as its broad desert land, unspoiled lakes, sandy beaches, ancient canyons, subtropical rainforests and magnificent coral reefs like no other in the world.

There is so much to see and do here and what better way to explore Australia then in your own 'Home away from Home'. With choosing to hire a Campervan or Motorhome from us at All Seasons Campervans you are choosing to explore in style with the advantage of travelling at your own pace without worrying about booking accommodation, air flights or planning your travel! Or as we like to describe it here at All Seasons go where the wind takes you! We have given you the freedom to explore with unlimited kilometres of driving, so what are you waiting for??? Go and explore!

Top 10 places to visit

New South Wales is the most Populated and historical state in Australia. Sydney is the foundation where the first white Europeans permanently settled in Australia. If you have been to Sydney before then you can agree that it is boasting with multicultural diversity and is an amazingly vibrant and spectacular city. Sydney is the place to be for many travellers whom would like to combine Self-indulgence and activity. Sydney has many destinations to observe such as the world famous Sydney Opera House, Darling Harbour, Chinese Gardens, Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney Tower, Taronga Zoo and the Sydney Harbour Bridge just to name a few.

We recommend that you go and visit Darling Harbour, you won't be disappointed! Darling Harbour has many hip bars, a fantastic nightlife and loads of great restaurants or for the ones on a bit of a budget grab some yummy fish and chips and eat them at the park or the water. Situated here are the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House. If you want to get up close and personal with this famous man made land mark the Sydney Harbour Bridge then you can take a Bridge climb or head to Pylon Lookout which will give you spectacular views of the city which we assure you will be a moment to be remembered for a lifetime. There are fairy rides leaving from the Harbour going to Sydney's Taronga Zoo as well as many exciting day cruises. If you are up for an adrenalin rush, then you can't miss the Jet Boat Rides which take you inside and out of the harbour. The views from the outside looking in are spectacular.

One of the most famous tourist thriving beaches in Australia is Sydney's Bondi Beach. However Sydney has more than 30 beaches on its coastline to choose from such as Manly, Cronulla, Coogee and Palm Beach where Australia's famous TV soap Home and Away is filmed. Bondi has a wide range of Cafe's, Restaurants and shops to browse and is the most famous on the coastline for tourists and the locals to relax and enjoy Australia's fantastic sun!

If you are in the mood for some relaxation then the Hunter Valley is the place to be. The Hunter Valley consists of more than 1000 vineyards making it one of Australia's most famous wine regions. Relax at one of the fabulous cafes or visit one of the vineyards and indulge in some wine tasting.

One of the most popular tourist destinations for our customers is the Blue Mountains. There are marvellous underground rivers, rock formations, eucalyptus forests, huge cliffs, magnificent walking trails and spectacular waterfalls. For the adventurous, there are many activities such as rock climbing, caving and abseiling, and mountain bike riding which you can participate in.

If you are looking to embark on a memorable ski adventure then you have come to the right place! New South Wales has the best two ski resorts in the country and best in the southern hemisphere Perisher Blue and Thredbo. Both of these famous ski resorts are built at fantastic locations and are renowned for their fantastic snow planes. The NSW ski season starts on the long weekend (queen's birthday) in June which is generally around the 10th. The ski season finishes on the first long weekend in October which is normally in the first week of the month. If you are deciding to trek down to Thredbo Ski Resort then you are up for a fantastic 500km scenic drive from the city of Sydney. Perisher Blue Ski Resort is 5 and a half to 6 hours away from the city of Sydney.

If you are heading down south you must stop in the city of Canberra. Canberra is Australia's capital territory and you can discover Australia's history, culture, national museums, galleries, institutions, rich Indigenous and farming heritage here. Canberra holds many significant buildings, museums, galleries and tourist venues for the whole family. For families visiting the area a must see is the towns famous Questacon where visitors can get up close and personal with science and technology. Canberra holds some very important national icons and shows the experiences and treasure of our country. Some national attractions that you can go and see are the Australian War Memorial which displays the sacrifice the Australians made whom served in the war. This war memorial shows the names of the men and women who died serving our country and the tributes made to them. To get an insight into Australia's political history then you have to view the Old Parliament House which is a magnificent building offering tourist a fantastic view of our controversial and dramatic political past. If you want to see some politics in action then you can view them at the Australian Parliament House which is home of the Federal Parliament. Parliament House is situated in the centre of Canberra and has a very inspiring architecture, beautiful landscaped gardens and some modern day art. Located in Canberra is also the Royal Australian Mint where you can mint your own $1 coin and watch your money being made.

There are also Camping Grounds which you can stay on while you are there such as ACT Forests where there are campsites and picnic areas along the Gibraltar Creek. There are also some other camping grounds in Canberra such as Cotter Campground, Crestview tourist park, Eaglehawk tourist park, Canberra South Motorpark, Canberra Caravan Park, Namadgi National Park and many more.

The largest town among Newcastle and the gold coast (North of Sydney) is Coffs Harbour. Coffs Harbour is the best destination for families with its family friendly atmosphere and loads of things to do and see. Banana growing in this town began in the 1880's and is still a thriving business today. Coffs Harbour is famous for its 'big banana' statue which is the main reason for tourism to the area. You can also participate in the town's monthly events such as the racing club events, art gallery tours and markets which are colourful and entertaining. There are also a wide range of coastal and marine landscapes including rock platforms, reefs, islands and headland habitats. There are also some great activities which you can participate in while visiting such as playing golf, fishing, driving trails, cycle routes, steam train rides and wineries.

Surrounded by sheep, cattle and large agriculture is the western town of Dubbo. Dubbo is situated at the intersection of the Mitchell (Sydney to Adelaide) and the Newell Highways. Dubbos main attraction for tourists is its famous western plains zoo. In Australia it is the largest open range zoo and it holds many animal stars such as the Bengal tigers and there are more than a thousand other animals to interact with. If you want to stay the night there is a great caravan park called Dubbo City Caravan Park on the riverbank which is approximately 5 minutes drive from the town.

With its beautifully white sandy beaches, bush and forest Jervis Bay is an attractive destination for tourists. Jervis Bay has a beautiful national park and many tourists come to gaze at the popular humpback whales, southern right whales and large dolphin community. Its pristine rock formations and the best sandy beaches in Australia make it the best diving region outside of the Great Barrier Reef.

A destination that accommodates for all kinds of visitors would be Byron Bay. With its excellent family and surfing beaches it's easy to see why so many tourists choose to visit Byron Bay. The Bay gives a feeling of commercialised Karma through the use of palm reading, massage classes, bead shops and relaxation attitude. The main types of people that you would see there would be its devotees the aged hippies, dreadlocked backpackers, bleached surfers, ravers, young families, businessmen and yoga fans. Many activities that the locals and tourists like to take part in are surfing which is the main attraction here, and for beginners there are a range of surf schools here to build your confidence. Ocean Kayaking and rafting are great hits here and a great way to get up close with the dolphins. One of the 10 best diving venues in Australia is at Julian Rocks Marine Park where there are over 500 species of fish and you may even see a glimpse of a grey nurse shark. Some other popular activities that you can take part in such as mountain bike riding and hang gliding. There are also great tours that you can take that take you through the Minyon Falls, Nimbin and Protestor's Falls. Nightlife and entertainment is popular with the locals and backpackers. There are 3 pubs in the Bay and one popular to the tourists is Cheeky Monkeys.
If you decide to stay the night there are two caravan parks here to choose from such as the First Sun Caravan Park and Clarks Beach Caravan Park.

Queensland

One's first impressions of Queensland may well be attributed to its nickname the Sunshine State, so when you're reposing somewhere along the Gold Coast's 57 kilometres of beaches, or cruising in the outback or even exploring the lush tropical rainforests near Cairns, you'd best be ready for some picturesque weather!
Queensland sports a myriad of coastal towns both large and small with the climate to complement any sejourn in them.

First on the list is Cairns, where you will find an abundance of activities to suit all tastes, such as white-water rafting, diving in the reef, wildlife safaris and even skydiving. There is also a variety of bars and 5 nightclubs to be found in the Cairns CBD. A number of sights and locations await you in Cairns, noteably the famous Cairns Esplanade which features an outdoors amphitheatre, sandy swimming lagoon, playgrounds for the kids and numerous shops and resteraunts.

Brisbane is the capital city of Queensland and is sure to please many city-goers. If you love views, head on up to Mt Coot-tha lookout where you'll be able to see the entire city of Brisbane. Anyone who has a soft-spot for wildife will be entertained at the Lone Pine wildlife reserve which offers a great chance to get close to Aussie fauna.

Surfers Paradise may be one of the more exciting locations you could visit. It's home of the major theme parks like Sea World, Warner Bros Movie World, Dreamworld and Wet 'n' Wild Water Park. If you want some quality family accommodation nice and close to the town of Surfers Paradise and a simple monorail ride from Seaworld, be sure to stay at the Sea World Nara Resort.

You will find no shortage of activities to indulge in amongst the Whitsunday Islands, which feature sailing, bush walking and diving whilst surrounded by one of the world's seven natural wonders - the Great Barrier Reef. Accommodation won't be a problem with the selection of family resorts or even secluded residences for more romantic getaways.

A half-hour drive from Cairns down a road surrounded by rainforest and the Coral Sea will take you to Port Douglas. From here you will have access to the Great Barrier Reef, Cape Tribulation and the world heritage Daintree rainforest. Take part in diving, rainforest walks and snorkling in the Coral Sea, or simple repose on Port Douglas' 'Four Mile Beach'!

Like your 'bundy and cola'? Visit the famous Bundaberg distillery where the world class rum is made. A fun and easy-going activity to occupy travellers is the Reef Jet, featuring glass-bottomed cruises, snorkling and scuba diving. This is a great chance to be out and under water with some of Australia's fantastic marine life.

Sitting in Australia's South East is Victoria! You'll find diverse terrain and climates here, ranging from its hot, arid centre to cool temperate coastline.

Victoria's capital city and main tourist destination is Melbourne, home to some 5.2 million people. Here a traveller can find countless resteraunts, bars and cafés whilst exploring Australia's second largest city. Visit Melbourne Victoria Australia for a comprehensive online tourist guide.

Take a step East of Melbourne and you've entered Gippsland. A vast region where the traveller can find, Wilsons Promontory and the Baw Baw Plateau. Over 100km of coastline provides backpackers with endless possibilites for hiking, surfing and general relaxation.

Another city of importance is Ballarat, found North-West of Melbourne. It is a city steeped in history and charm. Born of the world's greatest gold rush, it is still a goldmine for shoppers and holiday-makers today. See Visit Ballarat for more information.

If Australia's history piques your interest, be sure to pass through Bendigo. Another of Australia's historical cities, it is rich in culture and fun family attractions such as the Central Deborah Gold Mine, Discovery Science and Technology Centre and the Bendigo Tramways. If Museums interest you more, why not visit the Golden Dragon Museum and learn of the Chinese influence on Victoria's goldrushes? See Welcome to Bendigo for more information.

When small towns aren't to your taste, visit Victoria's second largest city, Geelong. A haven of waterfronts and vinyards awaits! Click on Visiting Geelong to discover more.

South Australia

A land for wine-lovers and lunar explorers!

Escape the eastern shores and explore Australia's southern state, aptly named South Australia. Its capital city of Adeliade is host to a miriad of festivals and events, including the Adelaide Festival of Arts, Fringe Festival, Adelaide Cabaret Festival and the Adelaide Film Festival. If the arts don't tempt you then food surely will, with the Tasting Australia festival featuring national food and wines biannualy taking place.
Historically, Adelaide was planned with ease of transport in mind and was one called the "Twenty-minute city". For the average traveller, this means Adelaide's transport system and wide roads make it an easier spot to navigate than most other Australian cities.

When you're ready to ditch the city scenes, head north-east of Adelaide to the fabled Barossa Valley, traditionally home to German settlers from the 1800's. This region of Australia is famous for its vinyards and its hand in Australia's wine industry. Most of Australia's favourite wines are produced here. If your timing is right, you can attend the week-long Vintage Festival held every two years to celebrate the region's successful wine industry.

If you prefer to stay close to the water, visit Port Lincoln, to Adelaide's west. It's location near the Spencer Gulf and the Great Australian Bight make it a necessary stopover for any southern travellers. Activities available include yachting, scuba diving, shark-cage diving and game fishing.

Earth is nice, but the outlandish scapes of Coober Pedy offer the traveller something almost alien. As the set of many Sci-Fi films, including the year 2000 flick "Pitch Black" featuring Vin Diesel, "Red Planet" and Australia's "Priscilla, Queen of the Desert", step out of the ordinary and visit this remarkable place. The Breakaways and Moon Plain were also host to verious NASA experiments, testing rovers and landers.
Originally an opal-mining town, it now features an airport, linking it with the rest of Australia. Due to its desert climate, many residents have taken to renovating former mineshafts and furnishing them as designer homes to escape the intense summer heat.

With the tiny population of only 270 (or there abouts), Oodnadatta will likely be a stop-over for anyone headed from Adelaide up to the north, through Australia's barren centre. The focal point of the town is the "Pink Roadhouse" providing petrol, a general store, meals, post office facilities and canoe hire (though there is nowhere to use the canoes). Be sure to stock up if you're travelling through!

Northern Territory

Australian landscapes at their best

When first embarking upon travel in the Northern Territory, the best place to start from will be its capital of Darwin. Here you'll find hotels, hostels and the starting point for tours into the surrounding national parklands. These include world-famous Kakadu National Park, Litchfield National Park and Katherine Gorge. While here be sure to visit Lake Alexander, Casuarina Beach and the George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens. Also, find weekly markets at Mindil Beach on thursdays and sundays during the dry season.

Kakadu National Park reaches 200 kilometres from north to south and over 100 kilometres from east to west. It can provide you with days and days of breathtaking scenery and wildlife. It also features thousands of years of Aboriginal history, seen in the numerous rock-art sites located around the park. The sacred sites located here play a key role in their traditional beliefs system. If you enjoy cliffs, plateaus and waterfalls, plus the thrill of nature be sure to make a stopover here.

The next location of importance is Alice Springs, closer to Australia's Red Centre. The desert lifestyle has spawned many unique and exciting events such as the Camel Cup, the Henley-on-Todd Regatta, Beanie Festival and the Finke Desert Race (located 400km south in the Simpson Desert). Many travellers pass through here on their way south to Adelaide, or to Australia's famous icon - Uluru.

Uluru has become the icon of Australia's centre. It is also an extremely important spiritual location for the native people of the area. Climbing it is an option for travellers on their way through here, but is not fully supported by Aboriginal groups.
Some of its mysticism comes from its ability to change colours as the day passes. It glows a beautiful red as the sun sets. Accommodation here can be found at the Ayers Rock Resort.

Western Australia

More wilderness than we know what to do with!

Tucked away in Australia's south west is the city of Perth, capital of Western Australia. It is Australia's fourth (4th) largest city and has a climate that can be described as almost mediterranean. Perth hosts Australia's oldest arts festival anually during the month of March.

Australia's western shores offer the Coral Coast, a miriad of beaches spanning from The Pinnacles all the way up to Exmouth. Right in the middle is the Shark Bay World Heritage Marine Park. Here the beaches are not made of sand, but of white seashells. Be sure to swim with the very friendly dolphins of the marine park.

Travelling through Australia's northwest you cannot avoid The Kimberley - Australia's largest expanse of pristine wilderness. It is the size of California and bigger than Japan! Don't worry, in the North West you will find the seaside town of Broome and its famous 22km's of Cable Beach.

South of the Kimberley is Australia's golden centre. One of the most exciting places you will visit here is Kalgoorlie, one of Australia's most famous goldrush towns. It is still an active mining town today, but don't let that deter you. It is a thriving spot fot pubs and clubs.

If the open road calls you, take a road-trip to Mount Augustus. Dirt tracks, caves, mountains and open plains await the traveller here.

On the border with the Northern Territory is the Purnululu National Park and its UNESCO listed site, the Bungle-Bungles. These magestic and ultimately mysterious rock formations are guaranteed to amaze. A number of small tour operaters offer arial tours over the range.

Tasmania

Tasmania promotes itself as the Natural State and the "Island of Rejuvenation" owing to its large, and relatively unspoiled natural environment. Formally, 36% of Tasmania is in reserves, National Parks and World Heritage Sites.

The state capital and largest city is Hobart, which encompasses the local government areas of City of Hobart, City of Glenorchy and City of Clarence. Other major population centres include Launceston in the north, and Devonport and Burnie in the northwest.

All these factors contribute to the extremely diverse Tasmanian vegetation, from tall evergreen eucalypt forest, alpine heathlands and large areas of cool temperate rainforests and moorlands. Many flora species are unique to Tasmania, and some are related to species in South America and New Zealand through ancestors which grew on the super continent of Gondwana, 50 million years ago.

The fastest and cheapest method of travel across Bass Strait is by air. The main carriers are Qantas and its subsidiary JetStar, and Virgin Blue, which fly direct routes to Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and Adelaide. Major airports include Hobart International Airport and Launceston Airport; the smaller airports, Burnie (Wynyard) and Devonport, are serviced by Regional Express, which generally fly only to Melbourne and the Bass Strait islands.

The domestic sea route is serviced by Bass Strait passenger/vehicle ferries operated by the Tasmanian Government-owned TT-Line (Tasmania). From 1986 the Abel Tasman made six weekly overnight crossings between Devonport and Melbourne. It was replaced by the Spirit of Tasmania in 1993, which performed the same route and schedule.

The best known of these would be the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, starting on Boxing Day in Sydney and usually arriving at Constitution Dock in Hobart around three to four days later, during the Taste of Tasmania an annual food and wine festival.