Australia - Motorhome stopovers (1 Viewer)

[Bernie P]

We're off to Australia March & April 2017 and are planning to hire a motorhome in Adelaide and drive upto Cairns. Motorhome is booked, Route planned (approximately) all we need to get our head around is places to stopover.

We've done the usual internet searches and all we keep coming up with are the big tourist parks many of which want minimum 5 night bookings. Has anyone on here toured OZ recently? If so can you advise if there are "no-frills" campsites along the route that will cater for the 1-2 night stopovers or any resource that can point us in the right direction.

We'll probably book a site in Sydney and one or two other popular spots but would like to "be flexible" where we stop.

Any help appreciated

 

[Phileas Dog]

No worries
We have toured Australia in hired motorhome several times.
No need to book, unless you travel around Christmas time when the school holidays last for several weeks, and its high season prices.
We found when we collected the van we were supplied with lots of information including camp site info.
Big4 is a large organisation with sites throughout OZ. reasonable prices and facilities. I seem to remember that membership is included with van hire.Many others too, tourist info in most towns, very helpful, we have stayed at some stunning locations.
You can also stop at road houses, rather like truck stops here, no language barrier, very helpful people, we always felt safe wherever we stopped.
Fantastic country, don't underestimate how large it is and distance between stops.
Have a fantastic adventure, enjoy every minute

 

[Madmag]

We did exactly the same trip Jan-Mar 4-5 years ago. I booked our first night at a site near Adelaide then after that just found one on a daily basis. We did do the Big 4 sites, do not be put off by them as the standard and size of them does vary from area to area. We had books and maps provided by the hire company, also a good road atlas bought before we set off. Sorry not at home to tell you which one. I seem to remember it had campsites etc marked. We had no fixed plan, the only very busy time was around Australia Day ( in January) when all the campsites were busy so you won't have any trouble starting later. Also in the busy mining areas in the centre the sites tended to be full of workers so limited space. We never stayed in a city but found some on direct bus routes which were so handy. Also go on trip advisor there are lots of suggestions and reviews there, I actually wrote a few reviews myself as found it very useful resource. One thing, even a good road map is often not detailed enough just by virtue of the scale of the areas you are travelling. We found the best thing was to call in at the Tourist Information office of towns we went through for detailed town maps and suggestions of places to visit.
A lot of our routes were decided from speaking to people on campsites and swapping stories. We often changed our route because of the weather. Heard about a possible cyclone approaching the coast so just headed in.and and chose a different route.
You will have no trouble finding somewhere to stop, standards will vary but that's what is so good about the whole trip.
Some days we did hundreds of Km,s but the travelling is easy.
Have a great time and be prepared to be flexible and go where you her of something interesting. I also found Rough Guide to Australia good for finding quirky little places of interest. Look up Paronella Park as an example. We stayed there, it was the only other site we booked other than Adelaide.
We loved it and would certainly go again!

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[The general]

Just don't mention one word COLONIAL.i rather have the kiwis

 

[dochiley]

You could try

http://www.exploreaustralia.net.au/

There are loads of smaller sites about. Have fun.

 

[OZeRV]

As an Aussie in OZ these are my recommendations:

1. Consider joining the Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia (CMCA) https://www.cmca.net.au. Joining fee and annual membership will cost you less than a couple of nights in a caravan park. They have an app called GeoWiki which has all sorts of camping information available linking into interactive maps. CMCA also have a number of Member Stop Overs (overnight or several nights parking on private member's properties) which are either free or maybe a good coin donation if you have used some of the hosts facilities (power, wifi etc). CMCA also has a member's forum which can be a wealth of information. There is a MSO just outside Adelaide in a beautiful bush setting which is hosted by a couple who have just done several years European motorhome touring.
2. Join Aussie Motorhomes Forum (free membership) for a great resource of information. http://www.aussiemotorhomers.com/forum/
3. Download Wikicamps app http://wikicamps.com.au for information on commercial and free camping.

Feel welcome to ask any questions - I would be happy to assist. If our home is on your route you are welcome to park overnight in our driveway.

Doug n Jackie

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[tony_g]

We are currently in New Zealand visiting our son and family and as part of the trip have hired a motor home. Both Australia and NZ are fabulous moho destinations. We have been using a free app called Campermate which has proved invaluable listing campsites, more informal spots and even dumpstations.

 

[Bernie P]

I knew I could rely on Funsters to come up with the results. Thank you everyone for taking the time to give us the directions we should be looking.

I will definately consider joining the CMCA and will follow up all the leads you have provided.

Our plan is the Great Ocean Road from Adelaide to Melbourne. Cross country to Sydney calling in on some distant relations in Wagga Wagga. Then up the east side to Cairns. I think we may be motorhomed out by then especially as are doing New Zealand on an escorted tour before we hit Australia. (Any other Funsters on the Caravan Club / Anzcro tour of NZ departing on the 4th Feb?)

Hey Hey 33 days to departure!

 

[Anthea M]

I knew I could rely on Funsters to come up with the results. Thank you everyone for taking the time to give us the directions we should be looking.

I will definately consider joining the CMCA and will follow up all the leads you have provided.

Our plan is the Great Ocean Road from Adelaide to Melbourne. Cross country to Sydney calling in on some distant relations in Wagga Wagga. Then up the east side to Cairns. I think we may be motorhomed out by then especially as are doing New Zealand on an escorted tour before we hit Australia. (Any other Funsters on the Caravan Club / Anzcro tour of NZ departing on the 4th Feb?)

Hey Hey 33 days to departure!

Sounds like a wonderful adventure and lovely to have lots of help and advice ! Enjoy and keep us in the loop if you can , photos would be great!!

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[Bernie P]

Sounds like a wonderful adventure and lovely to have lots of help and advice ! Enjoy and keep us in the loop if you can , photos would be great!!

We're planning to do a blog using "TravelPod". I'll post the link when I set it up.