Family-friendly itineraries: Part 1
SYDNEY TO ARMIDALE, NSW
Stopovers: Barrington Tops, Walcha and Uralla
Itinerary length: 4 days
Travel time: 6 hours (480km)
The drive between Sydney and Armidale along Thunderbolts Way is one of the prettiest in NSW, if not the country. It weaves through lush rolling farmland, across trickling rivers with lovely grassy campsites on their banks and high into the Great Dividing Range, before reaching the cool climate New England Tablelands at around 1000m altitude. Here you’ll find waterfalls to explore, subtropical rainforest that looks like a magical fairyland and dramatic gorges forested in prehistoric trees and ferns where you can easily imagine dinosaurs roaming. Add to the mix some great farmstays and campsites, and plenty of yummy food options to keep mum and dad happy, and you’ve got a great family holiday.
THE ITINERARY
Day 1: Sydney to Barrington Tops
Set up camp on the banks of one of many flowing rocky creeks
Visit Barrington Outdoor Adventure Centre in Gloucester to try whitewater kayaking, canyoning and other fun activities
Day 2: Barrington Tops to Walcha
Visit Cheyenne Wilderness Retreat, a family-run farmstay on the cusp of the Oxley Wild Rivers NP where kids can join in the daily farm activities
Get a little closer to nature and take a hike in the national park
Day 3: Walcha to Uralla
Visit the McCrossin’s Mill Museum to learn about local bushranger Captain Thunderbolt
Take Tourist Drive 19 to see the beautiful vine-clad Gostwyck Chapel, a famous old woolshed, Dangar Falls and even a winery
Stay at Wayward Jerseys farmstay and enjoy the spooky ghost tour after dark
Day 4: New England National Park via Armidale
Climb Cathedral Rock and feel like you’re on top of the world
Visit Weeping Rock, a short walk through a magical moss-covered fairyland to an enormous rock face that spends its life crying. Listen out for lyrebirds!
Check out breathtaking Ebor and Wollomombi falls
Visit a working trout farm to meet the fish at LP Dutton Hatchery
ALICE SPRINGS TO ULURU, NT
Stopovers: West MacDonnell Ranges, Tnorala and Kings Canyon
Itinerary length: 5 days
Travel time: 9 hours (370km)
Although slap bang in the middle of the country, a trip to the Red Centre is in many ways the easiest way to introduce your kids to the romance of the outback. And what stunning outback it is: the escarpments of the West MacDonnell Ranges are as beautiful as those of the Kimberley, Tnorala is a fascinating window to our ancient past and Kings Canyon? Well how the bloody hell did that get there?! If you’re short on time fly into Alice Springs and hire a 4WD and camper trailer. That makes this memorable outback sojourn doable in just five days.
THE ITINERARY
Day 1: Alice Springs to Ormiston Gorge
Wander along the creek to admire Simpson Gap just outside Alice
Explore the incredible Standley Chasm, which is like an elaborate entryway to a giant’s lair
Watch the sunrise light up the golden escarpments of breathtaking Ormiston Gorge
Day 2: Ormiston Gorge to Redbank Gorge
Set up camp atop the escarpment at Redbank Gorge
Put the hiking boots on and explore
Splash in the waterhole at Redbank where native wildlife comes for a drink
Day 3: Redbank Gorge to Tnorala (Gosse Bluff)
Marvel at the geological behemoth that is Tnorala as you approach from miles away
Explore the incredible 150-million year old crater on foot
Learn about the Aboriginal dreaming story of Tnorala, interestingly also related to the stars
Day 4: Tnorala to Kings Canyon
Do the summit walk at Kings Canyon for amazing views
Set up camp at Kings Canyon Resort – the kids will love the facilities and playing with all the other littlies
SYDNEY TO FORSTER, NSW
Stopovers: Myall Lakes and Seal Rocks
Itinerary length: 4 days
Travel time: 5.5 hours (360km)
The Mid North Coast is one of the prettiest destinations within a stone’s throw of Sydney and while Forster is its main tourist centre, there are some fabulous stops along the way. Kiddies will love splashing about in the calm, clear waters of Myall Lakes and there’s nothing quite like learning to surf on the gentle waves that peel away from the headland at Seal Rocks. Throw in a bunch of excellent waterfront camping spots, beach driving and subtropical rainforest to explore, and you’ve got an affordable holiday the family will remember.
THE ITINERARY
Day 1: Sydney to Myall Lakes
Heaps of great waterfront campsites
Safe, sheltered water ideal for kids to play
Pack the lilo, a SUP, kayak or tinnie
Day 2: Myall Lakes to Seal Rocks
Scenic drive along The Lakes Way
Bush or caravan park camping available at Seal Rocks
Day 3: Seal Rocks to Forster
Lunch at Boomerang Beach
Detour through the towering forests of Wallingat NP to the awesome Whoota Whoota Lookout
Have a dip at beautiful Elizabeth Beach
Day 4: Explore Forster/Tuncurry
Hire a SUP or kayak and explore the lake
Spot dolphins from the bridge or break wall
Eat fish and chips on the water at Tuncurry
ALBURY TO CANBERRA, NSW
Stopovers: Jingellic, Corryong
Itinerary length: 5 days
Travel time: 7.5 hours (615km)
Getting from the Victorian border to Canberra is really easy. Fuel up, thread your rig in between the lines of semi-trailers on the Hume Highway, and drive for three and a half hours. Done. But where’s the fun in that? Why not take the kids through iconic Australian High Country where they can see firsthand the places that have helped shape the nation? Take the backroad from Albury along the Lake Hume foreshore to Jingellic, then to Corryong before picking up the Alpine Way through Kosciuszko National Park to Jindabyne. Cruise into Canberra along the Monaro Highway. Not one for winter – but great the rest of the year.
THE ITINERARY
Day 1: Albury to Jingellic
Establish camp at Jingellic on the Upper Murray for a relaxing day fishing
Day 2: Jingellic to Corryong
Cast an early morning fly in the Jingellic
Take the sealed bike path to Corryong
Inspect the Man from Snowy River Museum and Jack Riley grave site
Marvel at the amazing WWII Prisoner of War rug knitted out of unravelled sox and Dixie-pan handle knitting needles at the Historical Society
Camp at the beautiful Colac Colac (Click-Clack) Caravan Park
Day 3: Corryong to Geehi Hut, via Tintaldra Guesthouse Store and (best little) Tea Rooms
Wander the Snowy Hydro Power Station
Establish camp at Geehi Hut campground in Kosciuszko National Park next to the river
Day 4: Geehi Hut to Jindabyne via Thredbo
Ride the 1.8km chairlift up 560m and enjoy a hot chockie at the cafe at the chairlift terminal
Bobsled downhill 700m in a luge-style ride in summer, mountain biking, walking, while mum ducks off for a 10km detour to Wildbrumby Schnapps Distillery and Cafe
Day 5: Jindabyne to Canberra via Cooma
Park in town to stretch your legs at Cooma
Stop in for pancakes at Bredbo Pancake and Crepe
Check out the crazy big Christmas shop that looks like a fairy land for kids and the local cafe serving rabbit pie
Check out the article about Secrets to sucessful family vanning!
The full feature appeared in Caravan World #568. Subscribe today for the latest caravan reviews and news every month!
