RV travel · Oceania

Hi there! After searching online, reading books, and getting help from our van rental company, we’ve finalized our upcoming road trip along Australia’s East Coast. We rented our van (a Sandpiper) from Vanz Travel (a small team of French expats based in Sydney).

Our itinerary focuses on Aboriginal culture where possible, wildlife and flora, stunning landscapes, and the must-see spots.

1. Flight PERTH - CAIRNS 15:05–21:15 2. Departure for diving cruise 06:00 3. Diving cruise 4. Diving cruise return 16:00 5. Cairns (visit Port Douglas) 6. Cairns: Pick up the van 7. Cairns → Atherton Tablelands 8. Atherton → Mission Beach → Townsville (Whitsundays cruise) 9. Townsville 10. Townsville → Airlie Beach 11. Airlie Beach 12. Airlie Beach → Cape Hillsborough 13. Cape Hillsborough → Mackay 14. Mackay → Rockhampton 15. Rockhampton → Agnes Water 16. Agnes Water → Rainbow Beach 17. Rainbow Beach → Camping Habitat Noosa 18. Noosa 19. Noosa → Sunshine Coast 20. Sunshine Coast 21. Sunshine Coast → Brisbane 22. Brisbane → Springbrook National Park 23. Springbrook → Byron Bay 24. Byron Bay → Coffs Harbour 25. Coffs Harbour → Port Macquarie 26. Port Macquarie → Port Stephens 27. Port Stephens → Sydney 28. Sydney 29. Sydney → Jervis Bay 30. Jervis Bay 31. Jervis Bay 32. Jervis Bay → Pambula 33. Pambula - Merimbula 34. Pambula → Lakes Entrance 35. Lakes Entrance → Wilson Promontory 36. Wilson Promontory 37. Wilson Promontory → Mornington 38. Mornington → Melbourne 39. Melbourne 40. Melbourne 41. Flight to PERTH

We’re starting from PERTH because our son has been living there since May of last year, and we’re taking the opportunity to visit him while doing this big East Coast tour.

For the first six days of our trip, he’ll be with us—that’s why our van journey starts on day 7.

I’m sharing this itinerary for those who know the East Coast well and might have tips on things we shouldn’t miss. When we return, I’ll share what we loved (and what we liked less). If you have any feedback on this route, don’t hesitate! 2.16.1.2 Yann and Valerie

Hi there, I’d love to hear your thoughts on a trip to New Zealand in a campervan. Is it a good idea to mix hotels and a car on the North Island and a campervan on the South Island? Or should I do the whole trip in a campervan—though visiting big cities seems trickier that way. Other questions: which companies do you recommend, and what are the least tiring or most sensible routes? 😄 Thanks for sharing your experiences and ideas!

Hi there, We’re planning a trip from Darwin to Perth (about 6 weeks) in a campervan. The reviews for the main rental companies (Star RV, Indie Campers, Apollo, Britz—just to name a few) are terrible. What should we make of that? Is it just the unhappy customers who complain? So, who should we go with? Thanks for your help