7: Go coastal camping

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Coastal camping is really about finding a little patch of your own, as far away from other people as possible. It’s about fresh, salty air; falling asleep to the roar of the ocean; and waking up with morning swims instead of showers. It’s where you can go just a little bit feral – but in the nicest possible way (it’s impossible to feel dirty with a sparkling ocean on your front doorstep).

It’s Robinson Crusoe living at its finest – pick the right spot and you’ll have abundant fresh seafood at your beck and call; a gorgeous beach all to yourselves; and the recipe for some fantastic family bonding time. Kids can get hands-on with everything from pitching the tent to collecting wood for the fire, before being let off the hook to catch a few fish on their own. Even washing up doesn’t seem so bad, when it’s done in a bucket by the campfire under a brilliant blanket of bright stars after downing a few perfectly-burned marshmallows and mugs of tea.

Try these

It’s a good idea to research your chosen campsite before setting out so you’re familiar with the facilities and whether bookings and permits are required.

NSW

Gillards or Middle Beach Campgrounds, Mimosa Rocks National Park : Located on the South Coast, Gillards is the go for campervans and Middle Beach is great if you don’t mind a short walk to your tent from your car.

Red Cliff and Lake Arragan, Yuraygir National Park : About 150 kilometres south of Byron Bay, near the famous surf beach of Angourie, you’ll enjoy panoramic coastal views, abundant bird life and isolated beaches.

Vic

Johanna Beach, Great Otway National Park: A perfect stop-off along the Great Ocean Road.

Thurra River, Croajingolong National Park: Located in coastal woodland on the shallow Thurra River, there’s a nice long beach, sand dunes and forest to explore.

SA

Pondalowie Bay, Innes National Park : The largest of seven campgrounds in Innes National Park on the Yorke Peninsula offers good waves, a bunch of great fishing spots and even a shipwreck.

Rocky River, Flinders Chase National Park : Kangaroo Island is a nature-lover’s paradise. Flinders Chase includes the Remarkable Rocks and Western Kangaroo Island Marine Park.

Qld

Cape Tribulation Camping, Cape Tribulation: Surrounded by rainforest, you can start snorkelling metres from your tent.

Dundubara, Fraser Island: Amenities include dingo fences, a communal fire ring and hot showers.

Tas

Cosy Corner, Bay of Fires National Park: Peaceful Cosy Corner has two areas: one for larger vehicles, and another with more protected sites.

Camping at Bruny Island, Cloudy Bay : This pet-friendly, 50-acre timber reserve with flushing toilets offers a range of campsites for different-sized groups, close to the beach. Bookings essential.

WA

Cape Range National Park, Coral Coast: Roll out of your tent and onto the reef for a spot of snorkelling.

Lucky Bay, Cape Le Grand National Park: For sheer, white-sand-hitting-turquoise-sea beauty, you can’t beat this place.

 

6 << Discover the underwater world of rock pools           Learn to surf >> 8

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5 of the best day trips from Hobart

    Rachel LayBy Rachel Lay
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    Hobart has quietly become our coolest capital, but the real wonder lies just beyond the city limits.

    In the cool shade of Kunyani/ Mt Wellington, Hobart has earned a reputation. Home to culture-defining Dark MOFO, the city blends rugged, raw wilderness and rule-breaking galleries. But, step beyond the thrumming capital’s border and you’ll find a new perspective: historic towns, Jurassic-era cliffs and a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. With ALL Accor as your home away from home, fill your days with epicurean odysseys and wild scenery on the best day trips from Hobart.

    Where to stay

    Behind every good road trip is the perfect home base. Somewhere central to review your camera roll, make the most of Hobart’s dining scene and relax before setting off again.

    For modern, Tasmanian-inspired design, book a stay at the Movenpick Hotel Hobart . Standing at the Salamanca Markets, look to the Hobart skyline and the award-winning hotel will catch your eye. As the third-tallest building in the CBD, the views across the harbour toward Antarctica are totally unique to your room. Here, end each day at the daily free chocolate hour (plus a free Movenpick ice cream for the little ones).

    For a more budget-conscious option, head to the picture book, sandstone buildings of Macquarie Street. Nestled along the buzzing, historic streetscape, you’ll find Tasmania’s biggest hotel: the Ibis Styles . Return home each day to defrost in one of the hotel’s two saunas. Make use of the proximity to MONA, or take an easy stroll to the candy-coloured cottages of Battery Point between your adventures.

    A stylish, Tasmanian-inspired bedroom at Mövenpick Hotel Hobart, your perfect base for relaxing after the best day trips from Hobart.
    Elevate your Hobart stay with sleek style at Mövenpick.

    1. Bruny Island

    Craggy cliffs and tropical-hued, white sand beaches signal your arrival to Bruny Island/ Lunawanna-Alonnah.

    Start your day trip at the island’s most iconic spot, the Neck Game Reserve. Scale the Trunganini steps to gaze out over the teensy stretch of land that juts through the sea connecting the two ends of the island.

    Catch a rare glimpse of the white furred wallabies that call Bruny Island home at Adventure Bay. Then, for ocean-fresh oysters, pull into the drive-thru window at Get Shucked . Sample Bruny Island cheese at the cellar door before catching the ferry home with an esky full of local produce.

    Bruny Island Neck is an isthmus of land connecting north and south Bruny Island.
    Begin your adventure with a climb and a view. (Image: Elise Weaver)

    2. Mount Wellington

    At 1271 metres, Mount Wellington watches protectively over Hobart. Follow the winding road to climb through alpine forest and tufts of snow to reach the summit. Gaze down over Hobart and out to sea, or over your shoulder to the southwestern wilderness.

    Reset your adrenaline with a mountain bike ride back down. Or, make like the locals and head into the mountain on foot. Try the hike to the Jurassic-period Organ Pipes which slips under the mountain’s magnificent dolerite cliffs (perfect for families thanks to the trail’s minimal incline).

    For a view of Mount Wellington itself, hike nearby Cathedral Rock.

    No matter where you are in Hobart you are never far away from the City's beloved mountain, Kunanyi / Mount Wellington
    Climb through alpine forest to the summit. (Image: Paul Flemming)

    2. Port Arthur

    Constructed entirely by convicts, the manicured gardens and penal buildings of Port Arthur offer a day trip that practically hums with history.

    The rugged, seagirt location was chosen for its difficult escape conditions. Now, you can cruise the coast below the towering, jagged cliffs of the Tasman National Park or wander the sloping fields of fragrant lavender.

    Tickets to Port Arthur include a walking tour and harbour cruise. See the Isle of the Dead where 1000 men are buried in marked and unmarked graves. And Point Puer, Britain’s first prison for children.

    The Port Arthur Historic Site is one of Australia's most important heritage sites and tourist destinations. Located on the scenic Turrakana / Tasman Peninsula in the south east of Tasmania, it offers a unique and essential experience for all visitors to the area.
    Wander convict-built grounds and gardens. (Image: Dearna Bond)

    3. Launceston

    You’ll find Launceston at the confluence of three rivers after an easy 2.5-hour drive from Hobart. Launceston is a patchwork of old and new. Here, heritage streetscapes meet modern architecture.

    Visit Cataract Gorge, the green, sun-dappled heart of the town and sacred meeting point for Tasmania’s indigenous communities. Pull up at roadside produce stalls that dot the Tamar Valley, or dine out. Launceston is, after all, a UNESCO City of Gastronomy.

    Should the local wine scene persuade you, simply extend your time in Launceston at Peppers Silo (but definitely at least stop by the onsite restaurant, Grain of the Silo , for a farm fresh menu) or Mercure Launceston before heading back to Hobart.

    Walk the sunlit paths of Cataract Gorge. (Image: Nick H Visuals)

    4. Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary

    Take a 35-minute drive from your hotel and you’ll find Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary . This social enterprise is run by a team of extremely passionate Tasmanians with a mission to look after critically endangered species who have found sanctuary here after facing extinction on the mainland.

    Choose to wander the sanctuary at your own pace or join a guided tour (free with your ticket) to come face to face with Tassie’s most iconic species. Tasmanian Devils, wombats and echidnas are part of the free tour. You can book up close encounters with your favourite animals, too.

    Bonorong is a Sanctuary for wildlife run by a passionate team of like-minded people. We're a social enterprise: a little business with a big heart.
    Snap a cuddle-worthy encounter. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    5. Richmond Village & Coal River Valley

    Richmond is a town that belongs in a snow globe. Fifty colonial-era, Georgian buildings have been painstakingly restored and turned into cafes, cosy restaurants and galleries. Visit Richmond Gaol , said to be the home of a prisoner so vile he inspired Charles Dickens to pen Oliver Twist’s Fagin.

    Then, follow the Coal River as it flows past grassy, duckling-dotted knolls and under the iconic Richmond Bridge, the oldest bridge in Australia. From the crest of the bridge, see the oldest Catholic Church in Australia. The river crawls past many cellar doors, perfect for a day of wine tasting.

    Richmond is a picture-perfect town in the Coal River Valley wine region, offering a glimpse into early colonial life, one of the best day trips from Hobart.
    Trace the river through history and wine country. (Image: Fin Matson)

    Plan your trip to Hobart and beyond with ALL Accor at All.com .