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Local Australian Travel Destinations to Visit in 2021

Local Australian Travel Destinations to Visit in 2021

Friday, 8th Jan 2021


The saying “every cloud has a silver lining” is certainly true of current limits on how far afield we can travel, because it means a wonderful chance to explore our own backyard!

Australia is brimming with contrasts – glistening beaches, lush rainforests, vibrant cities – we truly are the lucky country.

So, pack the car, load the caravan, and set off to some of the best-hidden gems each state has to offer.

Queensland: Noosa Heads

Two hours north of Brisbane and a mere 40 minutes’ drive up from the Sunshine Coast, one of the north’s most popular playgrounds beckons.

Noosa’s pristine beaches boast world-class surfing, its dramatic national park cliffs invite adventure, and gourmet food served with a chic, laid back vibe is the icing on the cake.

Sunshine Beach is a calm respite from nearby trendy Hasting’s Street, Marcus beach welcomes dogs, while Peregian Beach and neighbouring Lake Weyba offer activities from kayaking to kite-boarding.

Accommodation is plentiful, with everything from plush resorts to cute camping spots in close reach of the area’s dazzling beaches, breweries, art, friendly locals and holiday atmosphere.

If you’ve got a van or trailer, it’s worth heading 25 minutes out of town to Boreen Point Campground, a relaxed bush and beach site not far from a fabulous family-friendly pub.

New South Wales: Orange

If you’re a foodie who’s reached the limits of what home-cooked cuisine can offer, Orange is calling.

Renowned for unparalleled produce and a crisp climate creating world-class wines, Orange is a haven of history and heritage, wine bars and farmers markets, gardens and galleries, a gorgeous three-hour, 40-minute drive through the Blue Mountains from Sydney.

Rest at one of the many motels, country cottages or bed and breakfasts on offer, or, if camping is your style, there are plenty of places for that, too!

Pitch a tent at Federal Falls campground in Mount Canobolas State Conservation Area to sleep under the stars, or park your van or trailer at pet-friendly Canowindra Caravan Park by the Belubula River for hot showers and powered sites.

Wherever you rest your head, nothing will clear the quarantine cobwebs quite like a rest in refreshing Orange.

Victoria: Inverloch

If a seaside escape is in order, head to the sweet village of Inverloch in Victoria’s Gippsland region.

Just under two hours drive from Melbourne, Inverloch offers a laid-back retreat at the mouth of the protected Anderson Inlet, whose turquoise waters are waiting to soothe lockdown-weary souls.

From quiet shores to surf beaches, Inverloch has something for everyone. Conquer the 40-minute Screw Creek Nature Walk peppered with sweeping coastal views, discover Victoria’s prehistoric past at Dinosaur Dreaming Museum or snorkel Shack Bay, a gorgeous inlet with squeaky clean sand you might just get all to yourself.

Make sure you drive the ‘mini–Great Ocean Road’ – a 12 kilometre stretch along the scenic Bunurong Coastal Drive to Cape Paterson.

Choose from ample hotels and holiday homes, or camp at Inverloch Foreshore Camping Reserve, home to 82 powered and 112 unpowered sites and amenities block, water and laundry.

South Australia: Clare Valley

Want to taste the best South Australia has to offer? Less than two hours north of Adelaide, the Clare Valley lures epicureans and explorers alike.

Boasting delicious drops, delectable dishes, and stunning scenery, the ‘home of Australian Riesling’ is one of our oldest wine-producing regions and a beautiful place to unwind.

Here, you can hire a bicycle and hit the Riesling Trail, where time slows amongst picture-perfect countryside. Stroll through Spring Gully Conservation Park, a woodland wildlife haven, and follow the footsteps of dinosaurs from 65,000 years ago in Red Banks Conservation Park.

Explore cellar doors and boutique food producers, curating a picnic with which to relax, sipping local wine as the sun sets over the valley.

The area is flush with accommodation, from luxury lofts to modest motels, but campers are spoilt for choice, too. World’s End Reserve offers remote free camping, or try glamping to get in touch with nature, with an added touch of luxury.

Western Australia: The Kimberley

There are few better ways to experience the ancient landscapes and star-filled skies of remote Western Australia than on an epic road trip through the Kimberley.

Wind through an extraordinary wilderness where raging waterfalls meet tranquil waterholes and magnificent coastline, lakes and rivers twist around 40,000 years of Aboriginal culture.

Take the Great Northern Highway to enjoy hidden gorges and marvel at the striped domes of the Bungle Bungle Range in Purnululu National Park.

Alternatively, the Gibb River Road route rewards travellers with Mitchell River National Park and El Questro Wilderness Park, where you can unwind in thermal pools amidst prehistoric forests.

Accommodation spans from luxury apartments to station stays, though campers won’t want to miss the chance to sleep at Indigenous-owned Kooljaman Camp, two hours north of Broome, where coastal cliffs flank a solar-powered beachfront site.


Holidaying at home is not only a wonderful way to quench your wanderlust and appreciate what we have, it’s also a fun way to help our economy and support local businesses.

Now, hit the road and make memories – no passport needed!

Need a new car or caravan for your next Australian holiday? Get a great deal on your car at Cartopia.

To arrange Australia’s smartest finance on your next vehicle, talk to the award winning team at Credit One on 1300 Credit (273 348) or Apply online.

Wayne Park

Wayne Park

Automotive Content Editor

Wayne is a Senior BDM with the Credit One Group. He specializes in the leisure space and has over 12 years’ experience dealing with both the Caravan and Marine market. He has been awarded by Caravanning Associations for his continued commitment to the industry and is widely respected by industry members. As a BDM and working for Credit One he loves nothing more than helping people achieve a lifestyle choice to start their journey and enjoy the great outdoors, whatever that dream looks like.