Thinking about heading to Australia? Need help crafting the ultimate road trip plan? Look no further! Our guide is packed with must-visit spots, top attractions, the coolest activities, tips on where to stay, and the best ways to get around. Get ready for an unforgettable Aussie adventure!
Unless you have a lot of time, at some point, you’ll have to make the tough call on which part of Australia to explore and what your ideal Australia itinerary will look like. The good news is, there’s no wrong choice! Australia has it all—stunning beaches, top-notch surf spots, vibrant cities, and the vast Australian outback.
While we can’t make the decision for you, if you’re leaning towards an epic road trip, why not join us on our 4 weeks Australia itinerary? We’ve got the perfect adventure mapped out for you from Melbourne to Cairns.
What’s the best way to travel around Australia?
Campervan or motorhome rental
In our opinion, getting a campervan is the way to go if you’re planning a long road trip around Australia. Buying one could be an option too, but keep in mind you’ll need extra time before and after your adventure to buy and then sell your van.
If you’re looking for awesome deals on campervans, Motorhome Republic is your go-to. They have a super handy search engine where you can save quotes, check out layouts and specs, and compare prices and what’s included in the packages. It’s like your road trip planning sidekick!
Read next: Australia Campervan Rental: 20 Things to Know Before You Book
Car rental
If camping isn’t your thing and you want a bit more comfort, you can opt for a regular rental car and stay in hostels or hotels. We recommend checking out the deals on Airport Rentals.
But here’s the scoop: Australia gets super busy in the summer, so it’s smart to book your places to stay well ahead of time. It happened to us a few times specially on weekends.
Australia Itinerary
When we landed in Melbourne after 6 months traveling in Asia, at first, we didn’t have an exact plan of what to do in Australia.
We rented a campervan and drove around 5200km and we got to see and experience many cool spots on the road that we would love to share with you.
Melbourne
We arrived in Melbourne very late at night from the Philippines, around 01:00 am so we went to bed?immediately, we didn’t have a plan of what to see or do in Melbourne before arriving, luckily Cristian’s friend, David, who lives in Melbourne for the last 7 years, kindly received us in his house and show us around town every day.
The first night we went to have dinner in a Colombian restaurant (can’t believe how I missed that for so long).
On the second day, David took us to watch a football (soccer) game from the national league, at first I didn’t think so many Aussies were into football, but it was a great atmosphere in the stadium.
The next morning we went with David’s family to pick strawberries and blueberries from a local farm and ended up the day eating fish and chips in the park.
Day 1: Mornington Peninsula
A beachy kind of place where the major attractions may be the hot springs, wineries, local produce, or markets, and it is only an hour drive from Melbourne.
We stayed at Rosebud Foreshore Camping, this campground is just in front of the beach, it also has plenty of shade in the camping space (believe us, this is something essential if you don’t have a gazebo or extended shade from the top of your van), remember the sun in Australia is stronger than anywhere else in the world. The facilities were good and also very convenient located near a supermarket and the town.
Powered Campsite: 30 AUD per night
Day 2-4: Wilsons Promontory National Park
Describing Wilson’s Promontory is like talking about something super magical. It is a huge coastal wilderness in Victoria, and people call it ‘Wilsons Prom‘. Think of amazing landscapes and lots of cool animals like wombats and kangaroos all over the place. Wilsons Prom is basically a wildlife paradise.
We arrive at the national park after driving 2.5 hours from Mornington Peninsula to Tidal River Campground, the road is in very good conditions and also the scenic drive through the national park is breathtaking.
Tidal River Campground is a unique place to stay (a must-stay in Australia), as you will be camping with wombats wandering around the campsite at night looking for food (please follow the local instructions and do not feed the animals). The location of the campsite is great because it is inside the national park and you have many hiking trails to choose from directly at your doorstep.
Powered Campsite: 37.50 AUD per night
Walks not to be Missed
Mount Bishop Summit
One of the best hikes around in our opinion. It has an elevation of 319 Meters and the views at the top are very rewarding where you can see the infamous Squeaky Beach and Whisky Bay. The hike starts at the Lilly Pilly car park, just 20 minutes walk from Tidal River Campground.
Once you do reach the top there is a massive rock where lots of people would think that the walk is finished. But is not, just need to keep walking to the other side and up a few more rocks to get to the top, which is when you will feel very rewarded with the stunning views.
Mount Bishop Summit
Distance: 7.4km return
Elevation: 319m
Track: Narrow track bit steep but well maintained
Level: Medium
Norman Beach
This is one of the most popular hikes in Wilsons Prom, the track starts just near the Tidal River Campground Visitors Center and will take you trough the bush for around 20 minutes until you get to the southern part of the beach where you can avoid the crowds. During our walk we saw a few kangaroos. If you want to do the entire loop going through the beach back to the campground as we did, it will take around one hour.
Norman Beach
Distance: 6.34 km return
Track: The track is generally in good condition and wanders through the bush
Level: Easy
Pillar Point
This is a good hike to see the sunset. To get there, head to the Tidal River Footbridge on the north side of the campground, cross it, and follow the signs that say ‘Pillar Point‘. There’s just one junction where you need to go left, but don’t worry—it’s easy to follow with the signs (they are everywhere).
During your ascend, you will have a stunning views of Norman Beach all the way up to the top. Where you will arrive and get to see Norman Beach, Squeaky Beach and Whisky Bay. Make sure give yourself time to sit, relax and admire the wonderful view. But hold on to your belongings as it can get very windy out on the rocks.
Pillar Point Lookout
Distance: 4 km return
Duration:?40 min one way
Track: The trail is well-used, and even though it goes uphill, it’s not too steep—more like a gentle climb most of the way.
Level: Easy
Day 4-5: Mallacoota
After driving 7 hours from Wilsons Prom we stopped in Mallacoota for a night. A beautiful coastal town with not many attractions, but a massive beach to walk. A beautiful place to spend the night before continuing our road trip.
We stayed at Mallacoota Foreshore Holiday Park, located a 5-minute walk from the town. It is a very big campground with good facilities and plenty of playgrounds for kids. If you are into fishing, you might want to spend more time here as they hold fishing competitions regularly.
Powered Campsite: 41 AUD per night
Day 5-7: Canberra
After driving 4 hours from Mallacoota we arrived at our next destination, Canberra. This destination is often overlooked by travellers because of its lack of beach we guess, but we honestly believe that this is a mistake. Canberra is like a real Aussie city. Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane are very cool, but Canberra is unique because it’s not crazy big, there is no traffic, and everyone seem more relaxed. It’s a special kind of city! We rented scooters and drove around Lake Burley Griffin with some stops to have a drink overlooking the lake.
In the morning we were lucky to coincide with the local farmers market that takes place every Saturday from 7 am to 11 am. If you are in Canberra don’t miss this, you will get freshly produced products (bread, meat, milk, etc…) from the farmers.
Staying in a city, it can be difficult to find a campground near the city or transportation so that you can easily explore without having to find parking for your big campervan. We stayed at EPIC Camp Ground, next to where they hold the farmers market. To be honest, it’s not the best campsite, but it is located next to a tram stop so you have easy and cheap access to transportation to the city.
We also met our friend Tim, who we just got to know a few weeks before in the Philippines, he was kind enough to show us some local places for food and drinks.
Powered Campsite: 40 AUD per night
Day 7-8: Durras National Park
Imagine waking up, opening your door, and the first thing you see is kangaroos chilling in the grass outside. This is exactly how it is at Durras Lake North Holiday Park, but don’t tell anyone! This is a well kept secret, and it is 100% guaranteed that you will see kangaroos when staying at this campground. Located next to Durras National Park you have access to several hiking trails and guess what? There is also a beach. No doubt this was one of our favourites places in Australia, wish we could stay longer.
Powered Campsite: 50 AUD per night
Walks not to be Missed
Durras Lake Discovery trail
Easy, family-friendly hike, it took us 45 min to complete the track, with lots of wilderness and beautiful views along the way of Bullshark Bay.
Durras Lake Discovery trail
Distance: 1.5 km return
Duration:?45 min
Track: Well maintained
Level: Easy
Week 1 Video
Watch our video from the first week of our Australia East Coast road trip where we drive from Melbourne to Cairns.
Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel.
Day 8-10: Sydney
We finally arrived in Sydney, Australia’s most popular city, it took us 4 hours to drive from Durras National Park. We stayed in NRMA Sydney Lakeside Holiday Park, one of the best campsites in terms of facilities and abundance of places for kids to have fun. The location is a bit far from the CBD but the bus stop is just around the corner from the campsite which takes 50 min to reach the city.
Powered Campsite: 55.50 AUD per night
If you are short on time you can do many things in one day as we did. We started the day at Sydney Harbour and the famous Opera House. You can have a coffee or a drink to get ready for what is next, there are many cafes and restaurants in this area to choose from.
Then you can catch the bus from CBD that will take you to the infamous Bondi Beach, this beach is packed with people, so if you want to grab a spot better to arrive early in the day or if you are not a big fan of crowds you can continue walking on the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk and you will find a beach that suits you.
Walks not to be Missed
Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk
This walk takes around 2 hours (6 km) and you will pass through many beautiful beaches as Tamarama Beach, Bronte Beach, Clovelly Beach, Gordons Bay, and Coogee Beach. There are many water refill stations along the way so make sure you bring a water bottle to keep hydrated.
You start at Australia’s famous Bondi Beach, which is a great place to try surfing for the first time. The first stop on the trail is Tamarama Beach, a more chill beach just around the corner from Bondi Beach. It’s not as crowded but equally stunning. Heads up, though—it’s not always the safest for swimming due to tricky waves and currents.
Then you will follow the coastline to Bronte Beach where you will find a nice park with several cafes, if you haven’t had lunch yet this is a very good place to stop and grab something to eat. You will find some natural pools formed by rocks where you can chill for a bit before continuing on the trail.
After Bronte is Clovelly Beach, a very narrow bay ideal if you are looking for a relaxed swim as there are no big waves. After continuing the path you will find Gordons Bay a narrow beach lined with boats, we saw lots of people with scuba and snorkeling gear, guess is a spot to do underwater activities.
The walk continues to your final destination, Coogee Beach. It is a busy place but not as Bondi Beach. This beach is ideal for families and groups of friends as it offers a long stretch of white sand beach and facilities like barbecues and places to picnic.
Here we met our friend Huso, who has been living in Australia for the last 16 years and very kindly showed us around the local pubs to finally get a rewarding beer after this long sunny day.
Day 10-11: Hunter Valley
Australia is well known for its wine so our next stop is a must-visit on your Australia road trip. Located 3.5 hours from Sydney, Hunter Valley is Australia’s oldest wine-growing region and has many wineries.
We stayed in Wine Country Tourist Park, located near Cessnock, it is the closest campground to the wineries in this area. They rented mountain bikes for 30 AUD each (a bit pricey to be honest) and cycled to the nearest wineries. We recommend to take a taxi to the centre of the wineries and walk to the closest ones, this way you have more time (and energy) to do more tastings.
Powered Campsite: 35 AUD per night
We went to two wineries the first one is called Iron Gate just 20 minutes by bicycle from the campground, the tasting menu cost 10 AUD and you get to try 5 types of wines. If you have a preference for grapes they will tailor the selection.
The second winery is called Hanging Tree Wines, this one is another 5 minutes from Iron Gate cycling (by the time you arrive there you are already thirsty). They offer the same kind of experiences but with their own grapes, keep in mind that most of the wines produced in these wineries just exist here and you can’t buy them outside of this region.
So with that, we finish the day in Hunter Valley. Keep in mind most of the wineries close around 4 or 5 PM, our only regret was not staying another day so if you come here we recommend you stay one more day so you get to start early and visit more wineries as there are more than 100 wineries that you can visit.
Below is a small section of the winery map that we got from the campsite, highlighted are the ones we wanted to visit.
Day 11-12: Fingal Bay
The drive from Cessnock to Fingal Bay is 1.5 hours. Our plan was to stay in Nelson Bay, but because it was a weekend and we didn’t book in advance all the campsites were full. Fingal Bay is a nice place to stay with a pristine beach away from the crowds. You can walk from one side to the other side of the beach in around an hour.
We stayed at Fingal Bay Holiday Park just the opposite side of the beach, it has a good location but not much to do in the area.
Powered Campsite: 70 AUD per night
Day 12-13: Pacific Palms
Pacific Palms is famous for its awesome beaches and beautiful lakes. If you’re driving there from Fingal Bay, it’s a nice 2-hour road trip. Imagine a real-life adventure with beaches, lakes, and lots of nature! We stayed in Pacific Palms Caravan Park, the campground doesn’t have many powered sites so make sure you book well in advance. The location is prime, just a few minutes walk to the Booti Booti National Park and Elizabeth Beach.
Powered Campsite: 36 AUD per night
Elizabeth Beach:
Elizabeth Beach is a prime spot in Booti Booti National Park, Pacific Palms. Facing north, this beach is known for its calm waves. The view is something else overlooking Cape Hawke and Seven Mile Beach, it’s like nature showing off its best side! Just 5 min walk from our campinground.
Walks not to be Missed
Booti Hill Walking Track via Lakeside Walking
Awesome trail! We kicked off from the Elizabeth Beach entrance, and the whole route clocked in at 9 km in just under 2 hours. It’s a cool mix of strolling through the rainforest and lakeside views. The part along the ocean (rainforest side) is a bit hilly. Keep an eye out for those giant climbing lizards—they’re pretty epic! Only downside is there aren’t many spots to take a break, except for a couple by the lake.
Booti Hill Walking Track via Lakeside Walking
Distance: 7.9 km return
Track: The track is generally in good condition and wanders through the bush and then the lake
Level: Easy
Day 13-15: Dorrigo National Park
Located 3.5 hours from Pacific Palms driving up a very steep mountain is Dorrigo National Park – a perfect escape for those who like to hike in mountains and forests. Here we stayed at Dorrigo Mountain Holiday Park a campground with a very good location (the closest to the national park) and great facilities, very close to the centre of town where you can find a grocery shop, few cafes, gas station and restaurant.
Dorrigo National Park offers walks for everyone, from easy paved strolls to challenging trails that feel like you’re deep in the wild. If you time it right after some good rain, the waterfalls become roaring spectacles, and the forest transforms into a lush, vibrant green wonderland.
Powered Campsite: 39 AUD per night
Walks not to be Missed
Wonga Walk
The Wonga Walk is the most popular trail in Dorrigo National Park, walking in Dorrigo National Park is like a continuous delight—no boring parts, just pure awesomeness. The air is filled with the constant chatter of vibrant birdlife.
The Wonga Walk offers a mix of slight climbs and descents, but overall, it’s a relaxed stroll. We suggest planning for at least 2 hours to fully appreciate the stunning rainforest. While you could finish it in under 1.5 hours, the waterfalls and captivating forest views make it worthwhile to take your time and soak it all in.
Prepare to be enchanted by mystical plants, trees, and colourful mushrooms, as well as by two breathtaking waterfalls, Tristania Falls and Crystal Shower Falls.
Wonga Walk
Distance: 6.1 km circuit
Track: The track is generally in good condition
Level: Easy
Week 2 Video
Watch our video from the second week of our Australia East Coast road trip where we drive from Melbourne to Cairns.
Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel.
Looking for flights to Australia? Check prices quickly below via Kiwi.com
Day 15-17: Byron Bay
Known for its cool beaches and lively community spirit, the Byron Bay region has transformed over the years. What was once a hub for alternative culture, easygoing surfers, and hippies has now become a refined haven, attracting a diverse crowd from barefoot backpackers to Hollywood celebrities. Byron Bay remains a destination that welcomes everyone.
It took us 3.5 hours to drive from Dorrigo National Park to Byron Bay. When we arrived the weather was not the best, it was raining, cloudy, and cold, so the first night we went to bed early and got ready for a great morning the next day. We stayed in Glen Villa Resort they got plenty of power sites with a very cool layout, located just an 8-minute walk to the city centre.
Powered Campsite: 60 AUD per night
Scuba Dive
The next morning we started our adventure with a short walk under the sunshine in Byron Bay to the scuba diving school. If you didn’t know, we love scuba diving, and when we were in the Philippines we met an old-school Aussie, maybe around 60 years old, with more than 3,000 log dives, who told us one of the most beautiful places to dive in Australia is called Julian Rocks and is just 10 min boat ride from the coast in Byron Bay.
We booked the dives with a Spanish guy, Inaki, who is a freelance diver. He has a very good attitude and is a very enthusiastic diver (if you want his number just drop us an email and we will share it with you). We paid 164 AUD per person for one dive, it is quite expensive, but that’s a normal price in Australia.
We went for our dive in Julian Rocks for 1 hour where we saw many Grey Nurse Sharks, many soft corals, turtles, and all the schools of fish around. Yeah swim with this massive animal, Cristian is a very big fan of sharks and loves to go very close to them, he does enjoy swimming with this ocean predators.
Day 17-19: Nimbin
Nimbin, just 70 km or 1.5 hours west of Byron Bay, is the ultimate hippie hotspot in Australia. Imagine a town of 2,000 people totally into an alternative lifestyle. The cool part is that the locals are also big on art, organic farming, and living sustainably. So, it’s a mix of a laid-back vibe and a commitment to a chill, eco-friendly way of life.
We drove from Byron Bay via Mullumbimby and it turned out to be one of the most scenic drives we had in Australia, you will drive through the mountains and valleys with lots of koala trees if you are lucky you might find one on the way hanging in the trees.
We stayed at Nimbin Crystal Tourist Park, located just 5 minutes walk from the city centre. There are a few hiking trails in the area, but we did not go to any of them as we enjoyed walking around and relaxing in the city. If you are tight on time, one night is enough to experience this small town, but it is definitely worth the drive inland to take a break from the beach and experience the alternative yet respectful way of living.
Powered Campsite: 45 AUD per night
Day 19-21: Brisbane
After having a relaxing time in Nimbin, we decided that it was time to move further north (2.5 hours) to meet a few friends in Brisbane for the weekend (very good nightlife). Going from Nimbin to Brisbane, you will be passing Surfers Paradise and the Gold Coast which might be tempting stops on any Australian road trip for its attractive beaches, but they are also very crowded.
We stayed in Brisbane Holiday Village (recommended), a 50-minute bus ride to the city center. This site also has many facilities like mini golf and a pool, so if you have kids, this campsite is for you.
Powered Campsite: 55 AUD per night
Day 21-22: Noosa North Shore Beach
It takes 2.5 hours to drive from Brisbane to Noosa, including a short 5 minutes ferry ride that costs 12 AUD for campervans (one-way). We stayed at Noosa North Shore Beach Campground, and to be honest, it wasn’t worth staying only one night, if you do want to stay here for 2 nights and only 1 in Nimbin, that will probably be better. The campsite is right in front of the beach, a place to just to sit down and take it all in and if you are lucky maybe see some kangaroos around the campsite like we did.
This campsite is not the best location if you want to go to Noosa Heads as you will have to take the ferry again.
Powered Campsite: 54 AUD per night
Week 3 Video
Watch our video from the third week of our Australia East Coast road trip where we drive from Melbourne to Cairns.
Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel.
Day 22-23: Agnes Water
It was a rainy drive from Noosa to Agnes Water, about 350 km, so we arrived quite late and it was one of those days that you want to just sit inside the campervan, listening to the rain and do some work or watch a movie. Creating content and travel at the same time is not what you think, sometimes it can be hard to find time so we have the make the most of the rainy days.
Luckily, this campsite had a takeaway restaurant so we saved some energy not having to cook that night after the long and exhausting drive.
Powered Campsite: 52 AUD per night
We also managed the go on a narrow walking path from the campsite that takes you to the beach, a beautiful beach perhaps 5 km long, maybe more, what a bummer that it was raining the day we were here.
Day 23-25: Cape Hillsborough
If you’re cruising along Australia’s East Coast, here’s a gem for your bucket list: kangaroos on the beach at Cape Hillsborough. It’s like a dream, right? But let me spill the beans—seeing these famous hopping buddies at sunrise is even better! Trust me, it’s like a magical adventure that’s gonna stick in your memory forever.
Cape Hillsborough sits on the east coast of Australia in Queensland, is about 7 hours from Agnes Water, and is roughly 125km south of Airlie Beach. Now, a lot of folks might zoom by Cape Hillsborough, aiming straight for Airlie Beach, but let me tell you, this hidden treasure is worth a little detour.
We stayed in Cape Hillsborough Nature Tourist Park just a few hundred meters from the beach where every morning beautiful wallabies come to the beach for breakfast. Make sure you wake up early before sunrise to catch this beautiful moment. A local ranger is also present to make sure the crowd does not get too close to the wallabies and educates the guests about the animals in the area. An absolutely adorable morning ritual!
Powered Campsite: 47 AUD per night
Near the campsite, you can also find several walking trails, we did the Diversity Boardwalk a tranquil 2.4-km loop trail. A walk that typically takes around 30 minutes, this easy route is a delightful exploration for nature lovers. What’s even better? You’re likely to have the trail mostly to yourself, creating a serene ambiance for a peaceful and uninterrupted stroll.
Day 25-27: Airlie Beach
A town located just 1.5 hours from Cape Hillsborough, Airlie Beach is a popular tourist destination located in the Whitsunday Region of Queensland. It serves as the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier Reef. We didn’t have the chance to experience the Whitsunday island because all tours were fully booked and quite pricey so we decided to save that for diving in Great Barrier Reef instead. Although, we have heard great things about the snorkelling tours to Whitsunday.
We stayed at Tasman Holiday Park, which is located 25 minutes walk from the city centre. The town of Airlie Beach is very chill and has a lot of nice bars and restaurants. There is also a lagoon pool in the city (free) where people can go swimming since the sea is too dangerous with stingers being present in the area.
Powered Campsite: 55 AUD per night
Day 27-29: Mission Beach
Imagine a stretch of long, untouched white sandy beach, surrounded by lush tropical rainforest, dotted with laid-back coastal cafes, and embraced by hills with waterfalls and inviting swimming holes, that is Mission Beach one of our favorite beaches if not the favorite in Australia.
Many people would rather go to Port Douglas, don’t get us wrong it is a beautiful place to go with beautiful beaches, cafes, restaurants, and a wide range of accommodations. But Port Douglas is more like a city with lots of construction going on, making you feel like a busy place.
That’s why we chose Mission Beach instead, we felt so chill as soon as we arrived almost that slow-life vibe you feel on a remote island in South East Asia. We had that long stretch of beach for ourselves. Make sure you swim in the designated areas as you might be aware of the wildlife in Queensland (saltwater crocodiles, sharks, and many more).
Powered Campsite: 45 AUD per night
Looking for a Travel Insurance?
We recommend using Genki. They are very practical, affordable, reliable, and best of all no commitment, you can pay monthly and cancel it anytime. It is also very easy to process claims with them, we have use it during our trip and we got our claim approved and fully refunded within weeks. Check online how much you would pay for your travel insurance.
Cairns
We finally arrived in Cairns after 2 hours from Mission Beach and 720 hours since we started our trip in Australia. Cairns is the biggest and most popular city to access the Great Barrier Reef. Every year over 2 million people come to explore the magical underwater world. Although you can find tours from other cities as well, Cairns has more options, and to be honest, it was much cheaper to do the tour from here than in Airlie Beach.
Diving in Great Barrier Reef is a dream come true for us. We booked our tour with Silverswift well in advance as this is a very popular tour and they sell out quickly. Make sure you book in advance, either online, or through a booking agent such as Happy Travels, which are located in most cities and they can book for you as well. The crew and the tour was great, we completed 3 dives in the outer reefs. We saw lots of exciting marine life, including Turtles, Manta rays, Maori Wrasse, and the corals are some of the best kept corals we’ve ever seen.
Where to stay in Cairns
We stayed at The Village Cairns, a hostel in the middle of the city. It is located only 10 minutes walk from the ferry harbour where you take the boat tour.
There are a few nice bars and restaurants and a city mall. There is not much to do in the city, but there are a lot of tours not only to the Great Barrier Reef, but also to the nearby city, Port Douglas, and several wildlife parks. Apart from diving in Great Barrier Reef, we found the other tours a bit too expensive and going to any activities without a car our tour seemed impossible. We recommend to only stay 2 nights in Cairns.
Week 4 Video
Watch our video from the fourth week of our Australia East Coast road trip where we drive from Melbourne to Cairns.
Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel.
The total distance for this Australia itinerary
And that’s a wrap! We’ve just completed an amazing 4-week virtual road trip around this stunning country together. Now, it’s your turn to share your thoughts. Now is up to you where you want to start first: Melbourne or Cairns.
The total distance for this itinerary is 5,200 kilometres or 3,231 miles.
Remember this distance doesn’t include distances like driving around the cities and towns, if you want to add that to your itinerary, we reckon you should add at least 500 km more to the distance above.
Budget your road trip
To help you prepare for your road trip, we are sharing below how much it cost us to complete this 4 weeks trip (November 2023).
Campervan: 7,983 AUD (This price is for 4 weeks including the full insurance that we do recommend taking so you don’t have to worry if you get hit by a small rock in the windscreen or a flat tire, the price also changes depending on the season and how far in advance you booked).
Petrol: 903 AUD (Diesel).
Campsites: 1,287 AUD (All the campsites were powered but if you feel that could handle few days without electricity, perhaps you could save a bit more on this).
Groceries: 1,785 AUD (This includes all foods, drinks, and other things like spices that you buy only once and keep for the rest of your trip, we also didn’t have any winter clothes and in some parts of Australia was very cold so we had to buy some).
Activities: 1,548 AUD (Diving, wine tasting, football tickets and others)
Public Transport: 76 AUD (Buses and Taxis)
Total: 13,582 AUD (9,100 USD).
The best part of driving with your own vehicle is that you can stop anywhere and don’t need to follow timetables from buses and trains so you have the freedom to decide when and where to go next.
We spent 4 weeks in Australia, our daily spent was 452 AUD (300 USD) for 2 people per day, our average daily travel budget includes all our travel costs in the country and does not include the costs for our flight tickets to and from Australia. We check websites like Budgetmytrip.com to budget for our trips, and here you will find that the average spending is around 340 USD for 2 people per day (November 2023), so we managed to keep it less than that. We like this site because it is fairly accurate and is regularly updated to include recent inflation rates.
Read Next:
Our epic journey around Australia’s East Coast has come to an end. We know it’s sad that the road trip is finished, but If you liked Australia just as much as we did, then you might also be planning your next destination, for us that is New Zealand!
A Complete New Zealand 5 Weeks Road Trip Travel Itinerary
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