What’s not to love about a roadtrip that hugs a totally natural wonder of the world - the Great Barrier Reef? There’s no shortage of jumping-off points along the Big Pacific Coast Touring Route to make sure you cover as much of this tropical, sea-life paradise as possible. And back on the mainland, there’s a bunch of kitschy Big Things this stretch of road is known for like the Big Mango in Bowen or the Giant Gumboot in Australia’s wettest town of Tully. There’s also ridiculously gorgeous rainforests, gold-rush towns stuck in a time-warp and the most bodacious selection of seafood to sample on your way as you travel across two states, from Sydney in New South Wales to Cairns in far north Queensland.
And if you can, a short ferry ride off the coast of Queensland will take you to one of the best beaches on the planet, Whitehaven, in The Whitsundays.
Featuring an outdoor pool, a children’s playground and free Wi-Fi, Lake Talbot Tourist Park offers self-contained accommodation in Narrandera. The bungalows are located an hour drive from Wagga Wagga. It is a 7-minute drive from both Narrandera Golf Club and Narrandera Racecourse. Koala Reserve is 6 minutes’ drive away. Guests can enjoy a range of onsite water sports and access to a shared recreation room with a TV and table tennis. All bungalows include a refrigerator and a microwave. Some feature a private patio with lake views. The property provides both BBQ and sheltered picnic facilities. A kiosk providing ice and gas is available on site.
There are lots of reasons to holiday in Dubbo – 700, in fact! That’s the population of Taronga Western Plains Zoo, just two minutes from Discovery Parks - Dubbo. Complete with outstanding facilities and a choice of cabin, caravan and camp site accommodation, this holiday park is ideal for families. A visit to Old Dubbo Gaol, Dubbo Observatory and the Western Plains Cultural Centre is a must. Experience the hardship of prison life, including a moment in solitary confinement at Old Dubbo Gaol. At the observatory, take a 90-minute tour of the Milky Way Galaxy. Explore the moon, planets and deep sky objects in this fun and educational presentation.
Gwydir Carapark has been established for approximately 20 years and is situated on the Southern outskirts of Moree on the corner of Newell Highway and Amaroo Drive. During the past five years the park has been developed into a tourist destination catering for both caravanners and those looking for the comfort of self-contained cabins and villas, and the addition of motel accommodation. In late 1996 to early 1997 the owners of the park sunk a bore to a depth of 720 metres directly beneath the park to tap into the Great Artesian Basin and take advantage of the curative and soothing powers of the mineral rich water. There are now five pools on site flowing with this natural artesian water at a temperature of approximately 39 degrees Celsius. The water flows continuously, keeping it at its natural temperature. Each pool is emptied once per week for cleaning and maintenance.
Columboola Country Caravan Park offers powered campsites for caravans and tents. Columboola Country Caravan Park Queensland Australia +61 7 4665 8293
A panorama of sculpted sandstone cliffs, peaks and outcrops greets visitors to Isla Gorge National Park - the striking rock formations and maze of gorges changing colour with the movement of the sun. Spring wildflowers, rare plants and rock-wallabies can be seen. Eucalypt forests hug the ridge-tops while dry r...
Carnarvon Gorge is an oasis in the semi-arid heart of Central Queensland. Here, towering white sandstone cliffs form a spectacular steep-sided gorge with narrow, vibrantly-coloured and lush side-gorges. Boulder-strewn Carnarvon Creek winds through the gorge. A wealth of cultural and natural heritage lies within this special place. The gorge is home to a range of significant plant and animal species, many of them relics of cooler, wetter times. Remnant rainforest flourishes in the sheltered side-gorges while endemic Carnarvon fan palms Livistona nitida, ancient cycads, ferns, flowering shrubs and gum trees line the main gorge. Grassy open forest grows on the cliff tops. The park's creeks attract a wide variety of animals including more than 173 species of birds. Rock art on sandstone overhangs is a fragile reminder of Aboriginal people's long and continuing connection with the gorge. Ochre stencils, rock engravings and freehand paintings include some of the finest Aboriginal rock imagery in Australia.
Further north will take you through volcanic outcrops and pineapple farms, to Byfield National Park. This massive 15,000 hectare park has gorgeous beaches, towering parabolic sand dunes, eucalypt woodlands, rainforests, the rugged granite pinnacles of The Peaks and Mt Atherton and a diverse population of wildlife and many migratory birds. There are several campgrounds, one with basic facilities, but you do need a permit and, as always, please ensure you have minimum impact and take all of your rubbish with you then you leave. The walks are amazing and the swimming is great.
The park is suitable for 4WD’s and the adventures to be had are awesome - although they do require sand driving experience and a Livingstone Shire Council permit for beach driving.
When you’re back on the mainland, drive north to Capricorn Caves - a series of limestone formations set on top of a ridge that were discovered in 1881. You can choose one of a range of informative guided cave tours that include Queensland Museum’s palaeontology dig site and marine fossils cave. Otherwise you can opt for wilder cave adventures that will see you crawling through shafts and tunnels in the fragile cave environment or for the bold, abseil down the rockface and into the cave with this Advanced Eco tourism certified experience.
Lake Monduran Holiday Park is a great holiday destination for those who enjoy big barramundi fishing, boating and kayaking in a family friendly environment. The holiday park is just a one hour drive from Bundaberg QLD and 20kms from Gin Gin. With a range of accommodation and activity options to choose from, Lake Monduran Holiday Park is your perfect outdoor holiday destination.
If you’re into a spot of fishing, head to the internationally-renowned fishing destination at Lake Monduran where you can try your luck at catch a bass or barramundi. If fishing isn’t your thing then you can enjoy swimming or kayaking in the lake instead.
If you're staying on the mainland continue your journey to Bundaberg. This historic sugar cane town is best known for its famous rum. You can take a tour of the distillery and the nearby ginger beer factory, or simply stock up for the roadtrip.
Leave caravan here for trip to see Fraser Island
1 Jetty Road Queensland 4655 Australia +61 7 4128 9374
Kingfisher Bay Resort Access, Queensland, Australia
Kingfisher Bay, Fraser Island QLD 4581 Phone: (07) 4120 3333
"Fraser Island " — Photo Credit: Visit Fraser Island
Tin Can Bay conjures various industrial images, but it’s a great place to stop as you can have the opportunity of a lifetime and hand feed the humpback dolphins who visit the Barnacles Dolphin Centre daily to breakfast on fresh fish. This is an extraordinary experience to interact with wildlife. And because the dolphins are wild the centre and volunteers who manage the experience have several easy to follow rules to ensure the experience is a positive one for both humans and dolphins alike. To ensure you don’t miss out, get there early as the viewing time is from 7am - 8am and feeding time starts at 8am sharp.
Northwards takes you to Noosa for an afternoon of shopping at the stylish boutiques or indulge in a feast at one of the fabulous cafes or restaurants or have the ultimate gratification with a spa treatment at one of the numerous spa and wellness centres.