Top 5 Must-Do Caravanning Destinations in Australia

There’s no time like now to discover this great southern land. With its vast and diverse landscape, we are incredibly lucky to call Australia home. What better way to explore this beautiful country than in your very own caravan? Choose the Wildlife option in Mater Cars for Cancer lottery No. 99 and not only will you win a LandCruiser 200 VX, but a ZONE Caravan as well—the perfect duo to hit the road in!

Here are our top five caravanning destinations you can escape to…

North Stradbroke Island

Relatively close to the mainland, Minjerribah, as it’s known to the local Quandamooka people, is a little slice of paradise that should be on your list. Take your caravan to one of the beachfront campsites, settle in for the night and wake up to stunning sunsets. Choose your own adventure with an abundance of things to see and do on the world’s second largest sand island. Spend your days exploring the natural beauty of its beaches and native forests where you’re sure to encounter some of the local wildlife including dolphins, turtles, kangaroos and koalas. If you time your trip between July and November, you may even spot the annual humpback migration. Hungry? For the freshest seafood (we’re talking straight off the trawler fresh), feast on the local catch such as prawns, bugs, sand crabs, mud crabs, oysters and a variety of local fish including snapper, Spanish mackerel, mullet, bream, and more from Rufus King Seafoods at Amity Point.

Great Ocean Road

This 243-kilometre coastline route from Melbourne to Adelaide is arguably one of the most scenic drives you’ll ever do. The drive takes at least three whole days, but with so many attractions to see and quaint towns to stop at along the way, this trip can easily extend to a week or more! Unwind in the sleepy seaside town of Lorne, shop and dine at Apollo Bay, marvel in the natural splendour of the 12 Apostles, and catch the sun during sunset or sunrise through the archway of the rock formation of The Grotto. From May to September, you can experience the Whale Trail, also known as the ‘whale corridor’ through Warrnambool, Port Fairy and Portland where the Southern Right, Humpback, Blue and on occasion, Orca migrate from the Antarctic every year. What makes this so special is that it’s one of the only places in the world where whales breed within 100 metres from the shore.

Flinders Ranges and Outback

Hit the dirt tracks three hours north of Adelaide and you’ll be rewarded with jaw-dropping sights and unforgettable adventures. Here, you’ll truly experience the vastness of the land, but also admire the harsh beauty of its rugged terrain. From tranquil creeks and pristine gorges to refreshing waterholes and ancient Aboriginal rock art sites, there’s so much of the ranges and outback to discover than you might think. Warren Gorge, Wilpena Pound, and Kati Thanda – Lake Eyre National Park are just some of the highlights where you’ll see the true magic of nature and come across some wildlife including the endangered yellow-footed rock wallaby, western grey kangaroos and a large variety of incredible birdlife. If exploring by foot, the Australian Arid Lands Botanic Gardens, Sacred Canyon Walk, and the Gorge Circuit Hike in Alligator Gorge are some suggested walking trails. If you’re feeling lucky, you may literally strike gold at the Ulooloo goldfields in Victorian Jamestown. Choose from over 20 caravan parks to park under the twinkling stars to settle in at night, with many offering a range of convenient on-site facilities and amenities.

Karijini National Park

Ranked in the top 5 visitor experiences for Western Australia, Karijini National Park is a definite must do! Found 1 400 kilometres north of Perth, you’ll find the ultimate outback experience with a unique and unspoiled landscape filled with beautiful creeks, waterfalls and swimming holes, breathtaking gorges and soaring sheer-sided chasms up to 100 metres deep. Some of the highlights you should include is Dales Gorge, where you’ll find the hidden gardens of Circular Pool; the natural spa pools of Hamersley Gorge; and the amazing lookouts at Joffre Gorge and Oxer Lookout. Abundant in flora and fauna, you may catch the gorgeous wildflowers when in season, and spot wildlife including wallabies, echidnas and the rare pebble mouse.

Litchfield National Park

Heading to the Top End, less than two hours’ drive from Darwin, you’ll discover the magnificent Litchfield National Park. Like its neighbour, Kakadu, you’ll need a 4WD to tour the region. Luckily, Mater Cars for Cancer lottery No. 99 has got you covered with one of the last 200-series LandCruisers that will take on the toughest of terrains. Immerse yourself in all its natural wonder and explore the spring-fed waterfalls including Buley Rockhole, Wangi Falls, Sandy Creek, Tolmer Falls and Florence Falls. Taking a dip in the crystal-clear waterholes of Wangi Falls, Florence Falls and Buley Rockhole is a must! Be mesmerised by the sandstone formations of The Lost City, check out the magnetic termite mounds, and set off on some great scenic hikes for that perfect photo opp. For the more experienced bushwalkers, The Tabletop Track is a 39-kilometer trek that will showcase this most unique part of the world in all its natural glory. Be warned, this one isn’t for the faint-hearted! If that isn’t enough to explore at Litchfield, more recently, the Northern Territory Government has opened Central Valley with some new sites including a lookout over an escarpment, bike and walking tracks, several hidden swimming holes and dozens of new camping sites.

Are you ready for your very own wild Australian adventure? Purchase tickets to be in with a chance to win! Choose the Wildlife package and you’ll be set and ready to go! The prize also includes $5 800 in BCF vouchers and an incredible $45 000 in cashable gold bullion.