hero media

7 features of a quintessential Aussie road trip

No one does road trips like Australians. Make your journey perfect.

The humble road trip is a way of life in Australia, and it’s not the same here as it is anywhere else. Sure, you could fly, but then you’re missing out on the bonding time and priceless memories that get made along the way (good or bad, you’ll be sharing them for years to come). Not to mention, some of Australia’s most worthwhile and untouched places can only be accessed by road .

But how to ensure your road trip is quintessentially perfect? Why use this checklist, of course.

1. Start with the perfect vehicle

A woman sitting while reading inside Star RV Motorhomes spacious Polaris 6.
Relax with stunning views in a spacious motorhome. (Image: Demi Gavin)

I can tell you from experience, nothing will push even the most tight-knit group to devolve into chaos and fighting faster than a vehicle that isn’t up to the task of a proper road trip. Enter the premium options of Star RV Motorhomes.

They have a range of sizes to suit any group, from solo travellers and couples to families. And they’re designed to be easy to drive.

Take the Polaris 6 , for example. This light-filled sanctuary of comfort has plenty of space for bigger groups. Three double beds, a shower and toilet, and an extendable awning (with room to move between them all) make it perfect for exploring Australia.

Couples might prefer the Polaris 2 with a fully self-contained bathroom, kitchen and a bed for two that transforms into comfortable seating during the day. Both models are pet-friendly.

2. Pack the tastiest snacks

A couple having a picnic beside Star RV Motorhomes.
Make use of the spacious storage in your Star RV.

Road trip snacks are an Australian art. Some, you’ll need to pick up along the way. We’re talking the iconic Chico Roll, choccie milk and maybe a sneaky potato scallop (or several).

Others, you can pack ahead of time to save on time and, usually, money. Thankfully, Star RV Motorhomes all come with plenty of storage space, so your snacks can last as long as your road trip. Think fresh fruit and other supplies to cook lunch and dinner along the way. Plenty of lollies and maybe even some soft drinks and Red Bulls for the road.

Not to mention, many Star RV motorhomes have a kitchen onboard, complete with a full-size kitchen, so you won’t need to lug an esky around.

3. Bring your pet for the ride

A child and its pet inside Star RV Motorhomes.
Travel Australia with your four-legged co-pilot. (Image: Erin Bacchi)

Man’s best friend is essential for a truly Aussie road trip. Pet-friendly Star RV Motorhomes not only mean your dog (or cat, if they enjoy the open road more than mine do) can experience Australia with you, but that you save a small fortune on pet sitters or dog hotels.

4. Prepare the perfect soundtrack

Two people having coffee with a view.
Chase the journey and the destination.

No ifs, ands or buts, the perfect soundtrack can make or break a road trip. It’s really up to you, but we recommend plenty of Australian classics. Cold Chisel never hits quite the same as when you’re listening to it with only gumtrees and kangaroos for company.

Of course, this means you’ll also need a good sound system to listen to your carefully curated tunes on. Star RV motorhome sound systems allow you to connect your device and play your own music. Goodbye, spotty radio reception.

5. A spacious tent and camping gear

A woman sitting inside Star RV Motorhomes with a view of the lake in the background.
Enjoy soft linens and space to stretch. (Image: Cariund Hannes)

If there’s one thing that a road trip can guarantee, it’s a campsite or several. So you’d better source a good sturdy tent, sleeping back, and a camping mattress that probably won’t help much – but it’s better than the ground.

Or, just hire a motorhome so your vehicle is also your bed, and comfort is a priority (goodbye foam camp mattresses) with linens provided. And you’ll have room to unpack and move around. Heaven.

6. Plan your toilet breaks

Typically, an Aussie road trip means pulling over at a good bushy area or finding a horrific pit toilet on the side of the road – the smell of which will stay with you forevermore. If you’re planning to camp, better pack that handy shovel and find a good, bug-free place to dig your own loo hole.

To avoid that hassle (and smell), forgo the shovel and hire a motorhome with an onboard toilet. When the toilet comes with you, there are no emergency roadside stops. Plus, it’s a whole lot fresher.

7. Pick the ultimate destination

Aerial view of the Polaris 6 cruising along a coastal road with sweeping beach views.
Hit the road, Aussie-style. (Image: Matt Finch)

Of course, the journey is half the fun. But the other half is an incredible destination. With accommodation and transportation sorted out with one motorhome, you have the flexibility to choose a gorgeous view for the night (or several).

There are endless views to choose from, like the rugged cliff faces of Queensland’s Carnarvon Gorge National Park. Carnarvon Gorge camping area (near the visitor area) and the Big Bend walkers’ camp both have bushy surrounds and a trail to the gorge itself.

Or Lake Argyle, Western Australia‘s largest man-made freshwater reservoir. Find the only dedicated camping and caravan park at Lake Argyle Resort.

Meanwhile, Mount Buffalo National Park in Victoria is prolific for its wildlife. Wander through snow gum forests and keep an eye out for wombats, Australian kestrels and more. There are several camp options here.

Start planning your Australian road trip adventure (and get 15 per cent off on any Star RV motorhome rental in Australia) at starrv.com/au .

Kassia Byrnes
Kassia Byrnes is the Native Content Editor for Australian Traveller and International Traveller. She's come a long way since writing in her diary about family trips to Grandma's. After graduating a BA of Communication from University of Technology Sydney, she has been writing about her travels (and more) professionally for over 10 years for titles like AWOL, News.com.au, Pedestrian.TV, Body + Soul and Punkee. She's addicted to travel but has a terrible sense of direction, so you can usually find her getting lost somewhere new around the world. Luckily, she loves to explore and have new adventures – whether that’s exploring the backstreets, bungee jumping off a bridge or hiking for days. You can follow her adventures on Instagram @probably_kassia.
See all articles
hero media

7 Great Walks of Australia providing unforgettable adventures

Traipse Jurassic cliffs and wander secluded beaches on Australia’s most enchanting walks.

Australia’s landscapes are made for hiking. Take the Red Centre, dusted in shifting sands and dotted with miraculous geological formations. Or our rainforests, left behind as the sole souvenir from continents that no longer exist. Down south, mottled night skies hang above crashing seas and unwavering cliffs. It makes sense, then, that hiking holidays are rising in popularity. No wi fi, no traffic. Just you and the path less travelled on the Great Walks of Australia in remote and iconic destinations.

What are the Great Walks of Australia?

If nature is your happy place, you’ve likely heard of the Great Walks of Australia, part of Tourism Australia’s Signature Experiences program since 2013 – a curated collection of 15 all-inclusive, eco-luxury journeys showcasing the country’s most spectacular landscapes with expert guides and incredible meals. GWOA launching in 2013 as 

From exploring the peaks of a World Heritage listed island, to journeying through the heart of Australia, and the gentle pull of the majestic Murray – there’s a walking holiday to suit walkers of all experience levels (and interests).

Joining a Great Walks of Australia hike means the pressure is off with all meals, guides and eco-luxury accommodation included.

Where can you hike?

1. Scenic Rim Trail, Queensland

great walks of australia tour group on Scenic Rim Trail, Queensland
Enjoy incredible food along the way.

Around 23 million years ago, volcanoes spewed magma across Queensland’s Scenic Rim . Now, what’s left of the fiery landscape takes the form of the UNESCO-listed Gondwana rainforest.

The Scenic Rim Trail is a four-day guided hike that takes you through the ancient rainforest. You’ll venture out into breathtaking viewpoints across the Main Range National Park. Enjoy a packed lunch, listen out for the duplicitous calls of the lyrebird and enjoy the silence.

You’ll spend your nights in boutique eco-cabins and incredible hospitality.

2. Murray River Walk, South Australia

great walks of australia tour group on
Walk through vibrant wildflower fields.

Murray River Walk pairs easy hiking with blissful evenings cruising the Murray River. Over four days and nights, you’ll follow kangaroo trails through red dirt dusted with vivid patches of wildflowers.

Each day ends on a solar-powered, custom-built houseboat. Watch towering, red sandstone cliffs float by from the top deck spa. Then, it’s three-course meals sourced from local produce and served alongside the region’s best wines.

The entire region you’ll be traversing is within the Riverland Ramsar site. Watch as spoonbills forage for food in the tranquil wetlands, emus parade through the wildflowers, and regent parrots flit above.

3. Maria Island Walk, Tasmania

wombat along the Maria Island Walk tasmania
Spot adorable locals.

Your Maria Island walk begins with a private boat transfer to an untouched, white sand beach. Barefoot in the sand, you’ll quickly realise – aside from your guide and group – you’re completely alone. Spot countless wombats and hear the distant calls of Tasmanian Devils as you spend four days leisurely traversing the island.

Nights are split between private, comfortable wilderness camps and queen-size beds in a historic cottage from the island’s convict history. Meals are built around fresh-caught seafood and served with East Coast Tasmanian wine.

4. Seven Peaks Walk, New South Wales

hiker on Seven Peaks Walks on Lord Howe Island
Explore the incredible Lord Howe Island. (Image: Luke Hanson)

Lord Howe Island feels like another world. With its patchwork blue coral lagoons and magma-honed peaks, it’s easy to forget you’re in New South Wales.

This walk has the highest level of elevation in the Great Walks of Australia’s collection. It’s because of this that you’ll witness nature like never before. UNESCO-listed volcanic peaks and coral reefs that grew out of solidified lava will become your daily norm.

Along the way, step onto beaches that lie undisturbed for weeks at a time. Then, snorkel the southernmost reef in the Pacific Ocean.

5. Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa Signature Walk, Northern Territory

great walks of australia tour group on
Learn from the Anangu people.

This five-day, fully guided, premium hiking experience inside Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park was developed in partnership with Aṉangu Traditional Owners. Begin your walk dwarfed by the shade of Kata Tjua’s towering dome formations. Following remote desert trails through the red sands, crest dunes and traverse mulga woodlands as you draw closer to the monolithic walls of Uluu.

Each night, dine under the lamp light of the Milky Way in the warm desert air and sleep in new flagship, environmentally sensitive private camps and lodge. This is the first time that travellers have ever been allowed to spend the night inside the national park.

6. The Twelve Apostles Signature Walk, Victoria

great walks of australia tour group on The Twelve Apostles Signature Walk, Victoria
See the Twelve Apostles in a new way. (Image: Ken Luke)

The Great Ocean Road’s rugged splendour is best experienced on this signature four-day, 44-kilometre guided walk . You’ll follow the rugged limestone stacks of the shipwreck coastline: wild, crashing waves, curious wildlife, and two national parks.

Finish each day at your luxurious lodge, where you’ll sit with your feet soaking and a glass of wine in hand. You’ll have a single lodge to call home on this walk, meaning you’ll only need to set out with a day pack.

7. Three Capes Signature Walk, Tasmania

Three Capes Signature Walk, Tasmania
Walk along the edge of the world. (Image: Luke Tscharke)

On Tasmania’s Three Capes Signature Walk , you’ll feel like you’re walking along the edge of the world. From your boat landing on a remote beach, climb slowly upward for spectacular views and wildlife encounters with pods of dolphins, fur seals and echidnas. Spend days walking Jurassic dolerite cliffs with the wild Southern Ocean as your only constant.

Stay in architecturally designed eco-lodges nestled at the very edge of the world. Think floor-to-ceiling windows, a plunge pool and even an on-site spa to tend to ailments from the hike.

Discover more Great Walks of Australia and start planning your next adventure at greatwalksofaustralia.com.au.