Part 5 of the Caravanning Australia Big Lap is here! Starting just south of Perth, Western Australia, we travelled down to Melbourne, Victoria. As seen in Part 4, we have embarked on exploring the east coast of the country, and have found ourselves in Bega, New South Wales. Now let’s continue!
Say goodbye to Bega as you embark towards the capital of our great country, Canberra. Along the way, don’t forget to make a few pit stops. Cooma, known as the capital of the Snowy Mountains, is the perfect afternoon spot to explore the alpine region. Heading back on the road, another great stop on the way is Namadgi National Park – home to glorious camping spots, insightful Aboriginal history and bushwalking trails.
When arriving in the nation’s capital, visit the Australian War Memorial that houses an abundance of items and documents from the country’s military history. Other tourist attractions include the National Gallery of Australia, the National Library of Australia, Questacon and Parliament House.
Back on the road again and heading towards Sydney, there are two routes available to take. Head inland for the quicker drive, or take the scenic route through Nowra and Wollongong. Sydney is a tourist hotspot that crawls with activities based on your personal preferences. Visit Darling Harbour and snap some pictures of the Sydney Opera House, explore Taronga Zoo, or spend an afternoon at Bondi Beach and see the famous Bondi Icebergs Club.
If a city visit isn’t your cup of tea, then head back on the road towards Port Macquarie. The beauty of travelling along the water is discovering less commercialised beaches, quaint towns and hidden cafes! When arriving in Port Macquarie, the walking tour is a must do. The nine-kilometre trail will take roughly 3.5 hours, and includes the seaside landscape and the Sea Acres National Park.
From Port Macquarie, the drive to Byron Bay is roughly 4.5 hours by car, but we have found a perfect stop for along the way – Clarence River. History buffs will immerse themselves in the rich Aboriginal history of the largest waterway of the country.
Byron Bay is well-loved for its laidback lifestyle, national parks and internationally recognised beaches. If you want to explore natures best creations, the Mount Jerusalem National Park, the Broken Head Nature Reserve and the Arakwal National Park are all close by.
Pictured is Byron Bay. Image courtesy of Destination NSW.