AUSTRALIA STRAP

THE RISE OF THE HUMBLE ROAD TRIP According to Tourism Research , #ROADTRIP #AUSTRALIA can be traced back to the early 20th century, the September 2020 quarter showed that The when the post-WWII automobile boom and caravan and camping is the most popular the publication of the first AAA TripTik guides holiday type for Aussies. Moreover, there started reshaping what it meant to travel. In the are more than 750,000 recreational vehicles following decades, it was sentimentalised by a registered on our roads, and a record 3,628 romance number of writers, from Jack Kerouac to Hunter units built in the first two months of 2021. S. Thompson, and Hollywood eventually It’s no longer the domain of families and caught on to the romance with a roll-call of grey nomads, with younger generations, of the road films hitting the road –Thelma & Louise, Easy groups of friends, solo travellers and pet Rider and Almost Famous, just to name a few. owners now just as keen to explore our Although the roots may lay in American pop backyards; accommodations have pivoted to culture, Australians have adopted and adapted meet the demands of this changing market. this rite of passage, and I daresay become Long gone are the days of ‘roughing it’: the experts. In fact, you could argue that this expect glam, off-grid, one-of-a-kind and nostalgic pastime has been entrenched in our Instagram-worthy sleeping arrangements. way of life long before it became fashionable Holiday parks haven’t missed the memo overseas. In large part because we never had either, with a large number undergoing a say in the matter: our homeland is vast reboots and refurbishments to attract and wild, and the only way to truly explore fresh (and better-heeled) guests. its far-reaching corners is on four wheels. In the words of CCIA’s CEO, Stuart While the road trip has been a popular Lamont: “While the traditional ‘road trip’ holiday of choice for generations, in a post- experience is very much still alive, many pandemic world, it is set for a renaissance. Your holiday parks now feature very different car remains a private and hygienic space, and accommodation, amenities and experiences the safest way to explore a world that we have – from wildlife encounters and water parks had limited access to in the past year and a half. to vintage vans and wellness facilities.”

Avoid the crowds, feel the wind in your hair and choose your own adventure with a classic Australian road trip. By Natarsha Brown

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GREAT EASTERN DRIVE, TAS NATURE’S WAY, NT Travel time: 5 days Travel time: 7-10 days If finger-licking-good seafood, excellent Linking Australia’s only tropical capital city pinot noir and powder-white beaches with the swimming hole- and waterfall-laden equal your idea of a good getaway, then Kakadu, Nitmiluk and Litchfield national you simply can’t go past this journey parks, the 800-plus-kilometre Nature’s Way between Hobart’s waterfront and the highlights the very best of the Top End. bright-orange boulders of the Bay of Fires, passing through the pretty-as-a-postcard Highlights: Take in the stunning views Swansea, Bicheno and St Helens en route. of Kakadu’s wetlands from Ubirr’s Nadab Lookout; explore the many gorges of Highlights: Book into the Mona Ferry’s Nitmiluk via canoe, foot, boat or helicopter; Posh Pit and sample complimentary Moo learn about living off the land with the Brew beer, Morilla wine and canapes on Top Didj Cultural Experience; and drop by your return trip to the provocative museum. Darwin’s Mindil Beach Sunset Markets for Pull into one of the many fabulous cellar some of the best street food in the country. doors that line the coastline for a tasting (Priory Ridge and Devil’s Corner are Where to stay: Bamurru Plains is an always winners), hike to Freycinet’s stellar extraordinary bush experience on the edge of Wineglass Bay Lookout and then, onwards Kakadu, with nine suites blending seamlessly to the beach itself, to take a dip among into the surroundings – there are no TVs, the lapping azure waters. Add an extra mini-bars or telephones here, so as not to day or two to hike, camp and bike around distract from the wildlife. If you wish to the captivating, car-free Maria Island. stay more central, go glamping at Cooinda Lodge or head to Hideaway Litchfield, which Where to stay: Set right on the cliff’s consists of two shipping containers turned edge of a private peninsula overlooking lavish escapes in the heart of the wilderness. Great Oyster Bay, Thalia Haven is home to that Insta-famous bathtub with an equally dreamy view. The four rustic stone cottages are all self-reliant – water, electricity and Stay, Pay warmth are drawn from the surrounding Deals land, wind and sunshine. Up north, bunker down in one of Bay of Fires Bush Retreat’s 10 king bell tents, just a 2.8-kilometre drive to Binalong Bay’s main beach.

GREAT OCEAN ROAD, VIC Where to stay: Situated directly across Travel time: 3 days from the beach, BIG4 Beacon Resort When the journey matters as much as the comes complete with an indoor heated destination, head out on the Great Ocean swimming pool, a mud day spa, free Road. Straddling Victoria’s coast from yoga and pilates, a 24/7 fitness studio, Torquay to Warrnambool, the rollicking a coffee delivery service and swanky 250-kilometre ride traverses some of the villas. For those looking for something most scenic coastline in the country. more romantic, the architect-led, self- contained Sky Pods located on a private Highlights: Pockets of lush rainforest, wildlife refuge on the rugged coast of sheer limestone cliffs, around 700 Cape Otway make for a memorable stay. shipwrecks, calm seaside towns, dairy MAGIC IN EVERY STAY farms and glorious beaches... stopping Set on 32 acres, with a range of accommodation options, indoor and outdoor along the way is the best part. Don’t miss OPENING SPREAD, FROM LEFT: Bunyeroo Valley activities, camp kitchens and Nibbles Café and Terrace, we have everything the Twelve Apostles (of which there are in the Flinders Ranges © Amixlouise/Tourism SA; Explorer’s now eight), the koala spotting capital Way © Greg Sullavan/Discovery Parks - Glen Helen. T HIS Wildlife along of Kennett River, whale watching from PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: the Great Ocean Road © Visit Victoria; Maria Island © Stu Cape Otway Lightstation’s observation Gibson/Tourism Tasmania; Taylors Beach © Stu Gibson/Tourism deck and taking a walk among the Tasmania. OPPOSITE PAGE: Diving into Maguk Falls P: (07) 5514 4400 | E: [email protected] | W: goldcoastholidaypark.com.au towering redwoods at Beech Forest. in Kakadu © Kylie Hunter & Hayley Anderson/Tourism NT

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CLOCK W ISE F ROM LEFT: Zenith Beach, SEE OUR Port Stephens © Alexandra Adoncello/Destination NSW; outdoor adventures LATEST await at BIG4 Gold Coast; sleek digs at Reflections DEALS Holiday Parks Bonny Hills ONLINE

LEGENDARY PACIFIC COAST, Hills, host to a Deluxe Beach Tent, which is a thrilling water park host to water slides NSW & QLD doesn’t skimp on a single mod-con: expect up to 10 metres tall, a tipping bucket that Travel time: 7-10 days a fully-equipped kitchenette, ensuite and holds a literal tonne of water and four This 1,000-kilometre grand voyage from Foxtel. Pooch parents should opt for the closed-in slides (complete with an internal to is a spectacular snapshot pet-friendly Premium Villas, featuring light show), alongside one amazing camp of our East Coast, taking in the lofty sand floor-to-ceiling windows, outdoor showers kitchen decked out with three stations. dunes of Port Stephens, the uncrowded and expansive outdoor dining areas. For something particularly quirky, check shores of the Coffs Coast, the sparkling Meanwhile, a one-of-a-kind home among in to one of the two portable Glamtainers beaches of Byron Bay and much more. the gum trees awaits at Reflections Holiday – aka a kitted-out shipping container – Parks Moonee Beach and Reflections currently at NRMA Ocean Beach Holiday Highlights: Enjoying a refreshing dip Holiday Parks Clarkes Beach, which boast Resort. If you love all things retro, book at Newcastle’s Merewether Ocean Baths, three adorable Tiny Homes and a vintage one of the two Airstream caravans at Darwin tackling the 2.2-kilometre walk to Jayco Airstream for two, respectively. Brisbane Holiday Village. Named Betsy and DARWIN Tomaree Head summit, sailing among For those with little ones in tow, BIG4 Maisie, each comes with a full kitchen, air- the splendours of the Solitary Islands Gold Coast Holiday Park’s latest drawcard conditioning, a 75-inch smart TV and Wi-Fi. El Questro Lake Kununurra Marine Park, taking in the views from Broome Townsville and chasing Ayr Port Hedland Mount Isa Cloncurry Airlie Beach Balmoral, Karratha waterfalls in the Gold Coast hinterland. Pilbara, Karratha Argylla, Mount Isa Mackay Onslow NORTHERN TERRITORY QUEENSLAND Coolwaters, Yeppoon Rockhampton Emerald Blackwater Where to stay: Spoil yourself with ocean Kings Canyon Glen Helen Tannum Sands Biloela Fraser Street, views at one of six architecturally-designed WESTERN Hervey Bay AUSTRALIA Glenview With more than 70 parks across Premium Villas at Reflections Holiday BRISBANE Parks Seal Rocks, sleeping up to five guests SOUTH Australia, plan your next road trip AUSTRALIA Byron Bay and complete with contemporary decor, Casino Swan Valley Kalgoorlie Goldfields NEW SOUTH Ballina Perth Airport Boulder Roxby Downs rainfall showers, coffee machines and Rottnest Woodman Point WALES Emerald Beach Island Coogee Beach Harrington Beach with Discovery Holiday Parks. Streaky Bay Foreshore Dubbo Bunbury Foreshore Port Augusta Forster spacious verandahs. Thanks to the kitted- Bunbury Village Whyalla Foreshore Clare Laakkee Bo Bonnneneyy out Guest Lounge – board games, books, Barossa Valley Lane Cove Adelaide Beachfront Mildura Buronga Riverside SYDNEY Hahndorf Wherever you choose to holiday in Australia giant chess set, communal fire pit – all ADELAIDE Moama West CANBERRA McCracken Maidens Inn, Gerroa Goolwa Moama Echuca Lake Jindabyne ages can settle in for a relaxing retreat. Robe Nagambie Lakes Hume Lake Pambula Beach VIC Hume VIC NSW Eden you’ll find the perfect holiday park! Further north, glampers are well catered Melbourne Bright Warrnambool MELBOURNE for at Reflections Holiday Parks Bonny Geelong

Devonport Reserve your place at our place. Hadspen Cradle Mountain 106 } vacationstravel.com TAS Hobart Mornington, Hobart HOBART discoveryholidayparks.com.au AUSTRALIA

GIBB RIVER ROAD, WA & NT Travel time: 14 days Cutting a bright orange swathe through the Kimberley from Derby to Kununurra, this 660-kilometre outback odyssey is an endless sea of vast starry skies, red dirt, hidden-away gorges and waterholes, and cattle stations the size of small countries.

Highlights: Wading through pools of water along Tunnel Creek to hike through WA’s oldest cave system, then paddling to the edge of the natural infinity pool at Bell Gorge, boarding a scenic flight over the four- tiered Mitchell Falls, braving the Pentecost River Crossing, soaking in the thermal pools at Zebedee Springs and admiring the fossilised remains of marine life on the limestone walls of Windjana Gorge.

Where to stay: Now under G’day Parks management, El Questro caters to all budgets and tastes, with a 10-suite homestead, rooms on the banks of Pentecost River, a number of camping sites and safari-style tented cabins at Emma Gorge to choose from. Further up the road, Discovery Parks - Lake Kununurra sits at the gateway to the dramatic rock formations of Mirima National Park, the Bungle Bungle Ranges in Purnululu National Park and the dazzling sunsets of Lake Argyle. Dogs are welcome, and the deluxe cabins sitting on Lake Kununurra’s waterfront make for a dreamy stay.

SOUTH COAST, NSW Where to stay: Set among thick bushland, Travel time: 4-7 days Paperbark Camp features 12 glamping A perennial favourite with holidaymakers tents, with no luxury spared: hot water come summertime, the stunning NSW thermoses for tea and coffee are dropped South Coast has few peers when it comes outside of tents every morning, picnic to soft-as-silk sand, verdant rolling hampers and in-tent massages can be hills, fantastic fish and chippies on ordered in advance, and an on-site every street corner and friendly locals. fine-dining restaurant surrounded by Here, the coast meets the country in treetops dishes up seasonal dinners. the most charming way possible.

Highlights: Nibble on a cinnamon- smothered sweet from The Famous Berry T HIS PAGE , Donut Van; take a cruise in the nature- CLOCK W ISE F ROM LEFT: Gibb River Road © Matt filled wonderland of Jervis Bay to spot Deakin/Tourism WA; Central seals, dolphins, penguins and whales; shop Tilba © Tim Clark/Destination for antiques in the twin villages of Central NSW; Dive Jervis Bay © Jordan Tilba and Tilba Tilba; slurp oysters in Robins/Destination NSW. NEXT SPREAD, FROM Merimbula; jump on a tour to the wildlife- TOP: Wilpena Pound © rich Montague Island; and snap a pic of the Tourism SA; Discovery Rottnest dramatic Horse Head Rock in Bermagui. Island © travishayto.com

vacationstravel.com { 109 EXPLORER’S WAY, NT & SA SOUTH WEST EDGE, WA Travel time: 14 days Travel time: 10-12 days Meandering all the way from Adelaide Encompassing world-class wineries, forests to Darwin, the 3,000-kilometre Explorer’s home to some of the tallest trees in the Way cuts through the heart of Australia’s world, and a long list of blindingly-white outback, passing some of our most legendary swimming bays – not to mention fields natural treasures along the way. of wildflowers come spring, and sperm whales, orcas and dolphins frolciking Highlights: Winetasting in Clare Valley, offshore – this 1,200-kilometre stretch going underground in the opal capital of from Perth to Esperance has it all. Coober Pedy, marvelling at the sandstone walls of Glen Helen Gorge (aka our stunning Highlights: Meet Lucky Bay’s beachcombing cover), listening to creation stories at Uluru- kangaroos, bounce on a walkway amid the Kata Tjuta National Park, catching a brilliant treetops at the Valley of the Giants, fly over the sunset at Kings Canyon and standing atop bubblegum-pink Lake Hillier, splash around in a giant granite boulder at Karlu Karlu. Greens Pool and Elephant Rocks (both framed by huge boulders which act as a protective Where to stay: Recently taken over by shore break) and sip a glass of chilled TRAVEL NRMA Parks and Resorts, Wilpena Pound chardonnay at one of the many Margaret FACTS Resort is set to undergo a $3 million River vineyards – Cape Mentelle, Vasse Felix STAYING THERE makeover. The only accommodation located and Voyager Estate are a good place to start. Bamurru Plains bamurruplains.com within Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park BIG4 Beacon Resort beaconresort.com.au currently offers plush glamping tents and a Where to stay: Positioned on the edge of BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park postcard-worthy camping ground, but the Lake Beedelup and surrounded by majestic goldcoastholidaypark.com.au real drawcard is the resort’s guided cultural Karri Forest, RAC Karri Valley Resort’s rustic Brisbane Holiday Village brisbaneholidayvillage.com.au walks and scenic flights over the natural lakeside chalets and brand-new campsite are Cooinda Lodge kakadutourism.com amphitheatre of Wilpena Pound. The G’Day perfect for getting back to nature. Explore Discovery Parks Group has also expanded its footprint in the surrounding walking trails; hire a SUP, discoveryholidayparks.com.au the outback, with the acquisition of Glen canoe, bike or fishing equipment; meet El Questro elquestro.com.au Hideaway Litchfield Helen Lodge: the only accommodation in faunal residents at the on-site animal farm; hideawaylitchfield.com NRMA Ocean Beach Holiday Resort the West McDonnell Ranges National Park. or wind down at the restaurant nestled nrmaparksandresorts.com.au It reopens in September as Discovery Parks beside the misty waters. Also, be sure to Paperbark Camp paperbarkcamp.com.au - Glen Helen, with plans to develop the include a side trip to the Discovery Rottnest RAC Karri Valley Resort property to include glamping tents, cabins, Island to meet the famous friendly quokkas. parksandresorts.rac.com.au Reflections Holiday Parks an infinity pool and a restaurant overlooking The first low-impact glamping experience on reflectionsholidayparks.com.au Glen Helen Gorge. For now, enjoy helicopter the car-free island, the property features 83 Sky Pods skypods.com.au rides across nearby gorges and 4WDing eco-tents connected by elevated boardwalks, Wilpena Pound Resort through 800-million-year-old landscapes. to keep the landscape undisturbed. wilpenapound.com.au

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