12-Day Family Road Trip: Sydney Loop Adventure

Morning: Pick up your motorhome from our Sydney branch and get familiar with your home on wheels. Hit the road north toward the beautiful Central Coast, an easy first drive to settle in.

Afternoon: Stop at Australian Reptile Park for an unforgettable wildlife experience. Kids will love meeting koalas, feeding kangaroos, and watching crocodile shows.

Evening: Head to Terrigal Beach for a relaxed stroll along the esplanade. Cook dinner in your motorhome kitchen or grab takeaway and enjoy it by the ocean.

CAMPSITE RECOMMENDATION: NRMA Ocean Beach Holiday Resort, 90 Sydney Ave, Umina Beach NSW 2257. Powered site.

Image: Terrigal Beach, Destination Central Coast

Morning: Continue north along the coast, stopping for a coffee break or quick walk in Myall Lakes National Park, a protected coastal wilderness surrounding by network of freshwater lakes, forests, dunes, and beaches. Known for its ecological diversity and scenic beauty, it attracts visitors for camping, boating, fishing, and wildlife watching within a tranquil natural setting.

Afternoon:  Arrive in Port Macquarie and visit the famous Koala Hospital to learn about koala conservation. It is the world’s first facility dedicated exclusively to the care and conservation of koalas. Founded in 1973, it has become a leading wildlife rehabilitation and research center, attracting visitors and volunteers from around the world.

Evening: Enjoy a riverside walk or let the kids run free at one of the foreshore playgrounds before dinner. Nobbys Beach is beautiful and only 7 minutes walk from the caravan park – plan to watch the sunrise the next day!

CAMPSITE RECOMMENDATION: Flynns Beach Caravan Park, 22 Ocean St, Port Macquarie NSW 2444. Powered site.

Image: Nobbys Beach, Newcastle, Destination NSW

Morning: Take a relaxed drive north, with optional beach stops along the way such as Captain Cook Lookout for breathtaking view over Nambucca Heads. Stop at The Honey Place on your way north for delicious honey to grab for your travels, but they also have skincare, crockery, jewelry, gifts…

Afternoon:  Arrive in Coffs Harbour and head straight to The Big Banana Fun Park for a fun-filled afternoon of slides, rides, and mini golf. The park began as a roadside stop celebrating the region’s banana-growing industry, then a key part of Coffs Harbour’s economy. The Big Banana quickly became an icon of Australian road-trip culture, inspiring similar “Big Things” across the country (yes, look it up!).

Evening: Wind down at Jetty Beach with a simple dinner cooked in your motorhome.

CAMPSITE RECOMMENDATION: BIG4 Park Beach Holiday Park, 1 Ocean Parade, Coffs Harbour NSW 2450. Powered site.

Image: The Big Banana, Coffs Harbour, Destination NSW

Morning: Start with a walk to Sealy Lookout (Forest Sky Pier) for panoramic views over the coast. You can easily park your motorhome there and it’s only a short walk for brilliant views over the mountains!

Afternoon:  Discover Solitary Islands Marine Park, ideal for snorkelling, beach time, or even a family-friendly boat tour. Stretching from Coffs Harbour to the Sandon River, it safeguards one of the world’s few regions where tropical and temperate ocean currents meet, producing exceptional biodiversity. 

Evening: Enjoy a relaxed BBQ dinner at your campsite and let the kids enjoy the park facilities.

CAMPSITE RECOMMENDATION: BIG4 Park Beach Holiday Park, 1 Ocean Parade, Coffs Harbour NSW 2450. Powered site.

Image: Sealy Lookout, Destination NSW

Morning: Head inland on the scenic Waterfall Way. Stop at the picturesque Dangar Falls, cascading from Bielsdown River. The falls drop about 30 meters into a  basalt-lined pool and are one of the most accessible and photographed natural attractions in the Dorrigo Plateau region. Continue to the stunning Ebor Falls, a twin-tiered waterfall within Guy Fawkes River National Park. Platforms provide panoramic views of the upper and lower cascades.

Afternoon: Arrive in Armidale late afternoon, a regional city in the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales. Sitting around 1,000 meters above sea level, it combines a cosmopolitan university-town atmosphere with striking natural scenery and heritage architecture.

Evening: Settle in for a quiet night surrounded by country charm. Get some pop corn and enjoy a movie night in your motorhome!

CAMPSITE RECOMMENDATION: Armidale Tourist Park, 39 Grafton Rd, Armidale NSW 2350. Powered site.

Image: Ebor Falls, Destination NSW

Morning: Visit the New England Regional Art Museum for a mix of culture and outdoor sculpture gardens. Designed specifically to preserve and display major art collections, the museum includes climate-controlled galleries, an education center, and performance spaces.

Afternoon:  Enjoy a picnic in Armidale Bicentennial Arboretum gardens where kids can play in the playground. Relax with a walk around the park – there is even a small waterfall!

Evening: Cook dinner in your motorhome and relax after a slow-paced day.

CAMPSITE RECOMMENDATION: Armidale Tourist Park, 39 Grafton Rd, Armidale NSW 2350. Powered site.

Image: University of New England, Armidale, Destination NSW

Morning: Travel south through scenic countryside toward Muswellbrook. Stop in small country towns and lookouts along the way such as Moonbi Lookout, perched atop a large rock, providing an uninterrupted view of the stunning landscape. 

Afternoon:  Stop in Tamworth for lunch, and to tick another “Big Thing” of Australia: The Big Golden Guitare! Continue toward Scone, historic town in the Upper Hunter Shire in the Hunter Region. This town is recognised as the “Horse Capital of Australia”.

Evening: Arrive in Muswellbrook, known for its blend of mining, agriculture, and viticulture, it serves as a key hub for the Hunter region’s energy and rural industries. Enjoy a peaceful night.

CAMPSITE RECOMMENDATION: Muswellbrook Riverside Cabin and Van Park, 10 Mill St, Muswellbrook NSW 2333. Powered site.

Image: The Big Golden Guitare, Tamworth, Destination NSW

Morning: Cook breakfast in your motorhome then head to Hunter Valley Gardens, spread across approximately 14 hectares (about 35 acres), it’s a fantastic spot for families with themed gardens and kid-friendly attractions. Expect to spend 3 to 4 hours exploring this stunning park.

Afternoon:  Visit local chocolate shops or enjoy a relaxed picnic among the vineyards. Tick another “Big Thing” with the Big Red Chair!

Evening: Head to your campsite and enjoy a quiet dinner or check out a restaurant such as The Valley Brewhouse.

CAMPSITE RECOMMENDATION: Wine Country Tourist Park Hunter Valley, 3 O’Connors Rd, Nulkaba NSW 2325. Powered site.

Image: Hunter Valley Gardens, Pokolbin, Destination NSW

Morning: Start driving towards the breathtaking Blue Mountains. Stop at Balaka Falls on your way, considered as a hidden gem of the Hunts Creek Reserve. If you feel like it, there is a 1.8km loop (about 1 hour walk) that passes directly by the falls – there is also shorter access like Norfolk Place or Ferndale Avenue.

Afternoon: Once arrive in Katoomba, check in to your caravan park and explore Scenic Wolrd by foot! A short 10-minute walk will take you to the Scenic Railway, Cableway or Skyway! Enjoy breathtaking views over the valley.

Evening: Enjoy a cosy night surrounded by nature. Cook dinner and plan your next exploration day!

CAMPSITE RECOMMENDATION: Katoomba Falls Tourist Park, 101 Cliff Dr, Katoomba NSW 2780. Powered site.

Image: Scenic World, Katoomba, Destination NSW

Morning: Enjoy cooking breakfast in your motorhome and a relaxed morning. Then, leave your motorhome at the campsite and walk towards Echo Point Lookout (30-minute walk). Pass through Katoomba Falls, Allambie Lookout and arrive at Echo Point to see the stunning Three Sisters, an iconic sandstone rock formation.

Afternoon: After lunch at the The Lookout Echo Point restaurant, admiring the views, the Federal Pass Walking Track would take you through the valley. It’s a 1.5-2.5 hours track and is not difficult (be ready for the Giant Stairway though!).

Evening: Come back to your campsite and relax for the night. Cook dinner and enjoy a movie night or play some board games with kids!

CAMPSITE RECOMMENDATION: Katoomba Falls Tourist Park, 101 Cliff Dr, Katoomba NSW 2780. Powered site.

Image: The Three Sisters, Blue Mountains, Destination NSW

Morning: After breakfast, drive to Wentworth Falls Lake and enjoy a relaxed and free morning there. Bring some snacks or a picnic and enjoye the scenary.

Afternoon:  On your way back to the campsite, spend time in Leura village browsing shops and enjoying a café stop. Take the Leura Cascades Fern Bower Circuit passing through the Bridal Veil Lookout.

Evening: Return to your campsite for your last night in the Blue Mountains.

CAMPSITE RECOMMENDATION: Katoomba Falls Tourist Park, 101 Cliff Dr, Katoomba NSW 2780. Powered site.

Image: Wentworth Falls track, Katoomba, Destination NSW

Morning: Enjoy a slow start before making your way back to Sydney.

Afternoon:  Return your motorhome to Cruisin’ Motorhomes by 3:30pm and wrap up your family adventure! If time allows, celebrate the end of your trip with a meal by the harbour.