Skip The Crowds: 5 Underrated Australian Destinations

As we ride into the warmer months and road trips become the highlight of the season, tried and true destinations like Melbourne and Cairns can get absolutely packed — and rightfully so! While those hotspots get their time to shine, the real magic happens off the main highways.

Snag front-row seats to some of Australia’s best kept secrets without the bumper-to-bumper traffic and lock in your route to these Aussie towns!

Launceston, TAS (~187 km from Cruisin’ Hobart)

Image: Aerial of Launceston, Nick H Visuals

More affectionately known as ‘Launnie’, this UNESCO City of Gastronomy (one of 82 cities in the world!) punches way above its weight. You’ll be in for a treat with some of the best paddock-to-plate food and cool-climate wines in the country.

Soak up the region’s rich culture, history and scientific breakthroughs at the Queen Victoria Museum & Art Gallery (QVMAG) at Inveresk. For those wanting to reconnect with nature, bask in the sun and marvel at 65-million-year-old dolerite cliffs from the comfort of a chair lift ride at Cataract Gorge. Take a detour 20 minutes out of the city and find yourself in a slice of Switzerland at the Swiss-themed Tamar Valley Resort at Grindelwald, where you can enjoy a game of Splash Golf or go shopping at the Swiss Shopping Arcade.

Image: Family friendly spots in Launceston, Tourism Australia/Roady/Discover Tasmania

Where to stay: BIG4 Launceston Holiday Park.

Check out more Tassie hidden gems here and find out all there is to know about travelling around this beautiful island with this guide!

Hahndorf, SA (~700km from Cruisin’ Melbourne)

Image: Hahndorf in full bloom, South Australian Tourism Commission

Guten Tag! Tucked away in the leafy Adelaide Hills, you’ll find Hahndorf, Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement just a stone’s throw away from Adelaide CBD. You can certainly enjoy a Euro summer here without the gruelling 20-hour flight!

Spend a sunny morning picking fresh strawberries straight from the patch at the family-owned Beerenberg Farm and bring home a jar or two of fresh gourmet jams and chutneys straight from the source. Then, make your way to the German Arms Hotel and set your sights on a traditional German feast with pretzels, bratwursts and more local delicacies. Reconnect with nature and interact with friendly farm animals at the Hahndorf Farm Barn and enjoy daily animal shows. Between the heritage stone buildings, artisan bakeries and world-class cellar doors, Hahndorf exudes a unique mix of Aboriginal and European history with plenty of local flavour.

Image: A taste of South Australia’s finest, Frame, South Australian Tourism Commission/Adam Bruzzone

Where to stay: Discovery Parks - Hahndorf.

Travelling from Melbourne to Adelaide on your motorhome journey? Steal our inland explorer itinerary here and don’t forget to make a stop at Murray Bridge, a bustling rural town on the banks of the Murray River.

Newcastle, NSW (~180km from Cruisin’ Sydney)

Image: Newcastle Memorial Walk, Destination NSW

Instead of battling Sydney CBD’s coastal gridlock and the ever-present crowds at Bondi, cruise your way up to ‘Newy’, just two hours away from Sydney. Explore the many beaches as your heart desires and enjoy this colourful city with an electric atmosphere.

Take a sunrise dip at the iconic Merewether Ocean Baths (minus the crowds at the Bondi Icebergs) and discover weird and wonderful Australian wildlife and nature atop the rainforest bridge at the Blackbutt Reserve. The contemporary Newcastle Museum is also a perfect destination for families with exhibits and experiences for and about Newcastle. To soak up the sun, there are 7 beaches in the city centre, so you’ll be spoiled for choice with without having to scour high and low for towel space on the sand.

Image: Explore land and sea at Newcastle, Destination NSW

Where to stay: NRMA Stockton Beach Holiday Park.

Get started on your Sydney motorhome journey with our guide here and explore some hidden gems in the city as you begin your holiday!

Warburton, VIC (~96km from Cruisin’ Melbourne)

Image: Cross into the wilderness, ©Emily Godfrey. Some Rights Reserved.

Following the winding path of the Yarra River, Warburton is a quiet haven of lush forests and crisp mountain air. Once your green and serene surroundings envelope you as your drive along the forest, you’ll feel like you’re hundreds of kilometres away from the city.

Take a stroll beneath the towering canopy of the picturesque Redwood Forest, and cool off with a thrilling river sledding adventure on the Yarra River. For the animal lovers, ride into the regional food and wine hub of Healesville and meet your favourite Aussie animals at the Healesville Sanctuary with walk-through exhibits and personal encounters. The town itself is packed with cosy cafes and vintage shops that follow along old railway lines.

Image: Become one with nature at Warburton, Tourism Australia/Visit Victoria

Where to stay: Warburton Holiday Park.

Picking up your campervan from Melbourne? Here’s what you need to know to begin your adventure and browse through our list of top campsites and holiday parks!

Bundaberg, QLD (~350km from Cruisin’ Brisbane)

Image: Sunrise on the Burnett River

‘Bundy’ might be famous for its dark rum and ginger beer, but its more than just that. Locals know it as the southern gateway and launchpad to the Great Barrier Reef! Bundaberg makes for the perfect Queensland road trip stop with lush green spaces, pristine coral-filled oceans and, of course, zero rush.

Take an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour at the Bundaberg Rum Distillery and blend your own custom rum for a delicious souvenir. For a more outdoorsy experience, wander through the shaded pathways at the robust Bundaberg Botanic Gardens and cool off at the rock pools of Elliott Heads Beach, a true hidden gem. If you’re passing through Bundaberg from November to March, you’re in luck because it’s turtle season! Catch nesting and hatching turtles at Mon Repos, the largest concentration of nesting marine turtles on the East Coast.

Image: Explore a sensory paradise in Bundaberg, Tourism and Events Queensland

Where to stay: Bundaberg East Cabin & Tourist Park

Planning a Brisbane trip and not sure what towns to visit? Check out our Top 3 Road Trips in Brisbane and pick the one that speaks to your soul!

Start Planning Your Road Trip!

Hire a self-contained motorhome from Cruisin’ Motorhomes and turn your holiday into the ultimate road trip.

Want to know which motorhome is the best for you? Call our friendly reservations team on 1300 664 485 or check out our website to see the motorhomes we have available at our branches!

✨ Need inspiration? Check out our detailed itineraries and our blog articles for our latest motorhome tips.

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