Wondering how you’re EVER going to see as much of Australia as I have?  Trust me, travelling OZ is SO worth it!  And if you need reasons to do it other than the stunning natural attractions, amazing Aussie experiences and fabulous holiday destinations, take a look at these 25 science-backed health benefits of travel HERE.

Here’s HOW to get your Aussie travels under way so you can see Australia AND start reaping those health benefits RIGHT NOW!

You CAN see a LOT of Australia by using the simple 3-step program I showed you in Part 1 (Right HERE if you missed it) whenever you have a week (or two) to spare – in ANY month of the year.

Here’s what to do with that free week (or two)

1. Choose a region you haven’t been to yet.
2. Escape with some cheap flights, beg/borrow (but don’t steal) a camper, jump in the car, or let someone else do the driving and take a tour.
3. GO! Then next time you’ve got a week (or two) off, do it all again.

Yep, that’s how it’s done.  And Part One gave you some travel teasers for if your week (or two) off fell during January to June. Now here’s a whole new set of travel teasers for July to December!

You’re welcome!

July: The RED Kimberley

#13  Broome, Western Australia

Broome’s vivid red and startling blue colour palette is the perfect antidote to a dreary southern-Aussie winter. Factor in a clutch of tropical attractions like semi-deserted beaches, fresh tropical produce (across a varied multicultural menu) and killer sunsets, and it’s hard to beat as the perfect July destination. The dinosaur footprints, brewery and world’s oldest operating picture gardens with a super-cool scenic loo are just a bonus!

MORE about Broome HERE

#14  Kununurra, Western Australia

If you like wilder, redder rocks, then the east Kimberley’s Kununurra delivers with red rock domes in Kununurra’s Mirima National Park; the Sleeping Buddha of Lily Lagoon – and a whole mountain range buried under the mega-ultra-massive Lake Argyle, 10 times bigger than Sydney Harbour and full of crocodiles. This dam above the Ord River scheme also delivers a whole range of fresh produce – just perfect for siesta time in the hottest part of the day!

MORE about Kununurra HERE

There’s a whole lot more to see and do in the Kimberley outside of Broome and Kununurra – read MORE about the Kimberley HERE!

August: Outback

#15  Shark Bay, Western Australia

Outback? On the COAST? You betcha! Shark Bay is where the outback meets the sea with a wild and weathered coastline enclosing warm waters filled with an exciting array of wildlife: think sharks, dugongs, stingrays – and dolphins! The whole bay is a diverse World Heritage area: think Hamelin Pool Stromatolites – oldest known living organisms; Steep Point – westernmost point of mainland OZ; Dirk Hartog Island National Park; and the oldest recorded site of European contact!

MORE about Shark Bay HERE

#16  Lightning Ridge, New South Wales

Go straight to the top of Opal Mining Town weird and wonderful and check out the fantastically quirky Lightning Ridge, Black Opal capital of the WORLD! If the allure of the Chambers of the Black Hand or the world’s only black opal mining cactus farmers don’t do it for you, then fossick yourself a gem (or ‘find’ a piece of opal in one of the many shops), check out the awesome Outback Art or soak away that stress in a HOT artesian bath!

MORE about Lightning Ridge and other Australia’s Opal Mining HOT Spots HERE

September: Rocks

#17  Tenterfield, New South Wales

Climbing Bald Rock, Australia’s largest Granite Monolith is just one reason Tenterfield makes a great base for exploring New England, the Northern Rivers and Granite Belt Region, just across the border in Queensland. It’s not just about the stunning National Park and self-drive tour scenery – explore local villages, visit cellar doors and local producers, and discover historic sites – it’s home of Peter Allen, the Boy from OZ. And don’t miss Tenterfield’s famous Federation Pie – it’s quite possibly the best downunder!

MORE about Tenterfield HERE and MORE about Bald Rock HERE

#18  Flinders Ranges, South Australia

This ancient landscape in the remote South Australian outback is the original time-tunnel where the exposed layers of Brachina Gorge take you back – WAAAAAY back – through millenia of earth’s pre-history . But it’s not just a geologist’s paradise, it’s an adult adventureland of rugged ranges with 4WD tracks to historic mine sites, mountain climbing, hiking, mountain biking and cycling; horse and camel riding; and self-drive tours to some of the best scenery in OZ

MORE about the Flinders Ranges HERE

Like Rocks?  Australia is the right place to be!  Check out more of Australia’s rocky HOT Spots!

MORE about Australia’s other Rock Stars HERE

October: Wildflowers

#19  Kalbarri, Western Australia

The floral equivalent of shooting fish in a barrel, Kalbarri’s flower strewn landscape makes spotting a LOT of Western Australia’s 12,000 wildflower species almost TOO easy. And when the flower hunt is over, you’re spoilt for choice with other natural attractions like the ancient gorges of Kalbarri National Park, the eroded islands and valleys of the Murchison River, and the dramatic sandstone cliffs along a sensational coastline.

MORE about Kalbarri HERE

#20  Grampians, Victoria

Wildflower season in Victoria’s Grampians also makes flower spotting a sure thing. Combine your floral frenzy – over 1000 species – with exploring the rugged grandeur of the ranges – think hikes, mountain climbing, cycling, scenic flights – then indulge in one (or more!) of the region’s foodie HOT spots!

MORE about Grampians Wildflowers HERE

November:

#21  Great Ocean Road, Victoria

Even if you don’t have time to road-trip the coast between Torquay, just south of Melbourne and Nelson near the South Australian border, just 400 km away, make time to see the highlights. Like what? Well … pig out on the foodie trail; take in the stunning sculpted coastline; detour into the rainforests of the Otway Ranges; hang out on the beach; go lighthouse spotting; visit a village. Actually, just do the whole thing – it can be done in as little as 3 days!

MORE about the Great Ocean Road HERE

#22  Whitsundays, QLD

A stunning coastline lined with beaches; a tropical blue ocean studded with 74 stunning tropical islands all adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef.

Private beaches, National Parks, historic sites, snorkelling, scuba diving, sailing and fishing to die for.

Yes, the Whitsundays sounds WAY too good to be true – but it really IS this cool!

MORE about the Whitsundays HERE

December:

#23  Fleurieu Peninsula, SA

Catch the Cockle Train – Australia’s oldest public railway; cruise the Lower Lakes and Coorong to the Murray Mouth – end of Australia’s longest river system; climb South Aussie icon The Bluff; and visit one (or more!) of the 100 or so cellar doors just an hour south of Adelaide on the Fleurieu Peninsula. Oh – and there’s a couple of public amenities blocks that made it into Lonely Planet’s book of world’s best scenic loos too!

MORE about the Fleurieu Peninsula HERE

#24  Sydney, New South Wales

Yes, Sydney’s biggest attractions are SUCH a cliché! But that doesn’t mean they’re not worth visiting! SO … cruise the harbour, climb the bridge, see something at the Opera House, visit Taronga Park zoo, wander the Botanic Gardens, catch the ferry to Manly, check out Darling Harbour, go shopping, visit museums and galleries, then find somewhere cool to eat. See? I told you it’d be fun!

MORE about Sydney HERE

Well, that’s how to get started on seeing OZ! Of course you can visit all these regions at other times of the year – the monthly guides are just suggestions. And when you’re done with these I bet you’ll find that there’s a whole lot more on your Aussie travel bucket list.

That’s why I’m still travelling Australia

Want MORE?

• Part One:  January to June HERE

Disclosure:  This post contains a sponsored link for cheap flights

Like it?  SHARE it!

The post See Australia Month by Month Part Two: July to December Travel Teasers! appeared first on Australia by Red Nomad OZ.

I’d be able to fund my Aussie travel ’til the end of time if I had a buck for every time I’ve heard someone say ‘I wish I could see as much of Australia as you have’.

‘But you CAN,’ I generally reply.

Yes, I get that slow travelling to obscure parts of OZ in an el cheapo 1983 camper trailer like I do these days isn’t for everyone. But what I DON’T get is why people think that’s the only way to do it. Or that it’s the only way I’VE done it!

So I stick to my original reply.

You CAN.

Yes, that’s right. You CAN see a LOT of Australia. And you don’t need an expensive rig, a massive overdraft or a year off work to do it.

Here’s HOW!

All you need is a week (or two) and my easy-as-pie 3-step plan to see Australia month by month!

1. Choose a region you haven’t been to yet.
2. Find cheap flights, borrow the old man’s caravan, hop in the car, or outsource the driving and take a tour.
3. Just GO!

Then next time you’ve got a week (or two) off, do it all again.

Little by little is how I saw a LOT of Australia before I started the slow travel/el cheapo camper trailer thing.

And here’s where you get lucky.

Because my See Australia Month-by-Month Travel Teasers are my HOT picks for some COOL places to go whatever time of year you get a break. Look and see which Travel Teasers take your fancy – then take the links for a LOT more information!

You CAN get started on seeing Australia – do it right here with Part 1: January to June!

January: Summer Highs and Lows

#1 Mt Kosciuszko, NSW

Beat the summer heat, climb a ‘Seven Summits’ peak AND visit Australia’s highest public loo! All this and more makes Kosciuszko National Park the coolest summer holiday destination in OZ – you don’t need snow to explore the Alpine Region in summer where the average maximum temperature is around 22°C!

And what better way to start the year than to see Australia from its highest point?

MORE about Mt Kosciuszko HERE

#2 North Coast, New South Wales

But if summer isn’t summer for you without a beach or two or 22, you’ll find a LOT more than that on the New South Wales North Coast.

If surfing/backpacker mecca Byron Bay is too crowded, head south to Ballina for the same great beaches and stunning coastline – and when you’re sick of all that sand, head for the hinterland with hippy-inspired markets, produce and pristine rainforests.

MORE about the New South Wales North Coast HERE

February: Cool Summer Hot Spots

#3 Tasmania

See out summer’s hottest month in Australia’s coolest state. Tasmania puts the ‘wild’ back into ‘wilderness’ with a side order of World Heritage convict sites, an extravaganza of natural produce and (arguably) Australia’s best art museum!

BUT … don’t make the mistake of thinking you can see it all in a week – pick two or three highlights and put the rest back on the list for next time!

MORE about Tasmania HERE

#4 Limestone Coast, South Australia

Or find one of the mainland’s coolest coastal hot spots where a wild and rugged coastline scattered with brilliant beaches and jewel-like lakes meets an intriguing blend of volcanoes, caves and sink holes.

Tired of coastal activities like swimming, fishing and checking out lighthouses? No problem! Head inland for the caves, lakes and hiking trails, then wrap it up with some of the finest seafood in OZ!

MORE about the Limestone Coast HERE

March: Island Paradise

How DO you decide which tropical island paradise to pick??

#5 Lord Howe Island

If you’re up for cruises to the world’s highest volcanic stack or round the island; hiking some of Australia’s most scenic trails; snorkelling Australia’s southernmost tropical reef; or cycling to a semi-deserted beach for the day, then you’re probably going to love Lord Howe Island.

MORE about Lord Howe Island HERE

#6 Norfolk Island

But if a unique culture with its own language and delightful local cuisine with a fascinating background of World Heritage listed historic sites all laid out on a spectacularly scenic Pacific Island location interests you more, then you’ll probably love Norfolk Island.

MORE about Norfolk Island HERE

But if you can’t decide then go for both! And no, the Island tourism boards are NOT paying me!!

Unfortunately.

April: High Country

#7 Atherton Tableland, Far North Queensland

Sweeping panoramas to Queensland’s highest mountain, magnificent rainforests, volcanic lakes and more waterfalls than you can poke a stick at are a good start.

But add fantastic local produce, charming small towns, bakeries, cafes and markets to the mix and there’s enough things to do and see without even thinking about Cairns, only an hour or so away!

MORE about the Atherton Tableland HERE

#8 Bright and Mt Buffalo National Park, Victoria

On the western edge of the Victorian High Country, spend your days climbing Mt Buffalo’s Horn, touring its historic chalet, picnicking by its lakes or hiking its many walks before returning to the stunning autumn colours AND the fine collection of eateries in Bright.

It’s a great base from which to explore other parts of the Victorian Alpine Region – but don’t forget your winter woollies!

More about Bright and Mt Buffalo HERE

May: The River and The Rim

#9 Scenic Rim, Queensland

Just an hour west of the Gold Coast and an hour south-west of Brisbane and you’re in the Scenic Rim wonderland – an amazing array of natural attractions scattered with interesting villages and eateries surrounded by staggering views. So if you’re up for a holiday involving action, adventure, relaxation, fresh produce, fishing, hiking or sightseeing, then this is the place for you!

MORE about the Scenic Rim Region HERE

#10 The River Murray Riverland

From its headwaters in the Australian Alps, the Murray River flows for 2500 km (1560 miles) through three states.

Don’t have time to explore the whole thing? Pick out some highlights like the historic paddlesteamers at the port of Echuca (Vic); where the Darling meets the Murray to form Australia’s largest river system at Wentworth (NSW); or the Murray Mouth where the river meets the Great Southern Ocean at Goolwa (SA).

MORE about the Murray River HERE

June: The Territory

#11 Darwin, Northern Territory

Australia’s northernmost – and therefore hottest – capital city is an unusual blend of diverse cultures, deadly wildlife and lush tropical scenery. But if it’s hotter, that means a LOT more reasons to relax with a drink, right?!

Take a sightseeing break for the Darwin Museum, World War II memorabilia, a cruise on the harbour, the Mindil Beach markets and a whole lot of fine regional produce involving seafood. And see Australia’s largest predators up REAL close on a Jumping Crocs Cruise!

MORE about Darwin HERE

#12 Uluru and Central Australia

If you haven’t been to Uluru, Kata Tjuta (the Olgas) or Kings Canyon, June is the time to do it! But when you’re done with those Big Ticket items, head back to Alice Springs for the Alice Springs Desert Park, Standley Chasm and Olive Pink Botanic Gardens, then head out to the spectacular gorges of the East and West MacDonnell Ranges, around the Mereenie loop, south to Rainbow Valley or along the Larapinta Trail.

MORE about Central Australia Attractions HERE

If you’ve got the time, take a Road Trip from Adelaide to Darwin and see it all in one go!

Well, that’s how to see Australia month by month for the first six months of the year! Want the last half of the year?  Click HERE for Part Two: July to December for more HOT Aussie Travel Teasers!

PS – Here’s a hint about where to go in the second half of the year!!

Disclosure:  This post contains a sponsored link for cheap flights

The post See Australia Month-by-Month Part One: January to June Travel Teasers! appeared first on Australia by Red Nomad OZ.

I’ve been to a lot of great camping destinations off the beaten track. They’re usually part of a lengthy road-trip with no schedules, tight time frames or deadlines.

But where do you go if you haven’t got time for a long road trip?

Where do you go if you want a less challenging trip?

And where do you go to get away from it all in a great place with an awesome array of things to do that doesn’t take forever to get to?

How DO you get started?

No camper? No problem! Start by checking out out the camper vans here on Gumtree!

Then choose one of my TOP 10 favourites – I’m calling them the best camping spots in Australia – and get your show on the road!

South West Rocks, New South Wales

Overlooking the exquisite beauty of Horseshoe Bay, down the road from historic Trial Bay Gaol and up the road from stunning Smoky Cape Lighthouse, the Horseshoe Bay Caravan Park is in one of Australia’s premier coastal locations.

The surrounding region is such a wonderland of rivers, rainforest, rocks and beaches it’s hardly surprising it once was (and still may be) former TV personality Ray Martin’s holiday destination of choice! But the fun doesn’t stop there – hit the main street and you’ll find one of Australia’s best bakeries!!

Broken Hill, New South Wales

For a taste of the outback without the LOOOOOONG distances, dirt roads and bull dust, check into the Broken Hill Tourist Park – the slag heap in the middle of town is a dead giveaway to what makes this place tick.

But its also home to a colony of artists whose work is full of outback light, colours and landscapes – you’ll find it hard NOT to bring home a souvenir!

Further afield there’s Silverton, where many movies have been set, and Menindee Lakes where the sunsets go on forever.

Lake Moogerah, Queensland

Who knew that a couple of days in the amazing Scenic Rim Region would turn into more than a week? Being surrounded by a superb array of stunning natural attractions, atmospheric small towns and fantastic fresh produce is enough of an incentive WITHOUT the added attractions of magnificent Lake Moogerah!

With one of the most scenic campgrounds in OZ, the Lake Moogerah Caravan Park is the perfect base from which to spend a day exploring – and then to return for the amazing sunsets over the lake!

Millaa Millaa, Queensland

I’d be able to pick Millaa Milla Falls (see first photo) on Queensland’s Atherton Tableland out of any waterfall line-up! And the Millaa Millaa Tourist Park on the outskirts of Millaa Millaa with Mt Bartle Frere, Queensland’s highest mountain, in the background is a stunningly scenic base from which to explore the southern Tablelands – a tropical paradise full of rainforest, waterfalls, townships and fantastic produce. Don’t leave without trying EVERYTHING!

Ormiston Gorge, Northern Territory

A stay at the Ormiston Gorge campground puts you in the box seat for superb sunrises; dingo sightings; short walks around the gorge; wonderful Outback colours and landscapes; and the ~7 km Ormiston Gorge and Pound walk – one of Australia’s BEST short (ish) hikes.

In my humble opinion!

Factor in day trips to Glen Helen Gorge, the Ochre Pits, other West MacDonnell Range gorges and Tylers Lookout, and you’ve got a destination worth visiting even without the stunning Mt Sonder (see first photo)!

Kununurra, Western Australia

Theres a lot to see and do in and around Kununurra, but we didn’t need to move from our Kununurra Lakeside Resort campsite on the shores of Lily Lagoon to see crocodiles, birds and some of the best sunsets in the Kimberley. But the Ord River produce is worth heading out for, and smart travellers will time their visit to coincide with the Kununurra Agricultural Show – who could resist the lure of the Melon Olympics and Cane Toad Races?! That makes the long trek to get there from almost anywhere SO worth it!

Kalbarri, Western Australia

If you’re visiting in spring, don’t let the stunning array of Western Australian wildflowers stop you from seeing the rest of Kalbarri’s attractions! Stay a few days at the Kalbarri Tudor Holiday Park and explore the plunging sandstone cliffs, unusual rock formations, deep gorges, magnificent beaches and the wild Murchison river – but watch out! Those wildflowers will probably distract you there too!!

Angorichina, South Australia

Fewer people make it to Angorichina in the northern Flinders Ranges – they’re too busy doing Wilpena Pound further south. But take a drive on the wild side of the ranges and you’ll discover wonderful walks; four wheel drive treks through spectacular scenery; self-drive and guided tours of historic mine sites; and stunning rock formations – all within cooee of Angorichina Village, an ex-tuberculosis sanatorium, now campground with one of the most scenic settings in OZ!

Bright, Victoria

You CAN see autumn colours in Australia AND camp among them too at the Bright Holiday Park!

Bright, in the shadow of Mt Hotham, is a great introduction to Victoria’s High Country. The Autumn Leaves Festival and Wandiligong Nut Festival are full of regional delights, and nearby Mount Buffalo’s natural attractions are worth trekking up to its 1723 metre summit – The Horn – for!

Then there’s the blackberry pies at the Edelweiss Bakery in Bright’s main street …

Port Fairy, Victoria

Get three top towns for the price of one when you stay in Port Fairy’s Gardens by East Beach caravan park alongside the Moyne River – day trips north to Warrnambool and south to Portland mean there’ll never be a dull moment in this coastal paradise!

If stunning coastal scenery, beautiful gardens, offshore islands, lighthouses, wild beaches, interesting rock formations and birdlife leave you cold, then just kick back in Cobb’s bakery and watch the world go by!

Of course you don’t have to stay in the same campgrounds and caravan parks that I did. Half the fun of travelling is finding your own favourite places and making your own memories. Just do me a favour and tell me about them here!

Ready to hit the road and discover the best camping spots in Australia? See you out there!

Like these great camping destinations?  You’ll ALSO like my TOP 10 Budget Travel Tips to make your Road Trip ROCK!

Disclosure: This post was prepared in conjunction with Gumtree

The post Australia’s 10 BEST Camping HOT Spots! appeared first on Australia by Red Nomad OZ.

It’s EASY to calculate a daily expense rate for a road-trip holiday by dividing the money in your budget by the number of days you plan to be away. That’ll give you a daily expenses estimate from which you can calculate expenditure for fuel, accommodation, food and entertainment – and emergencies.

Then comes the HARD part – sticking to it!

Don’t let those unexpected costs blow YOUR budget – try my TOP 10 Budget Travel Tips to keep your daily expense rate down AND still have a good time!

1 Stay longer!

Ask about weekly, mid-week or multi-day rates. 7 nights for the price of 6 is a massive 14.2% discount. In the off-peak, a mid-week deal of 4 nights for the price of 3 is an even bigger 25% discount off an already lower price! Some towns offer a free night or nights after a couple of paid nights to encourage a longer stay – take the offer and score an even bigger discount!

BONUS: more time OFF the road also means lower fuel costs which reduces the daily expense rate even if you use the car for day trips.

2 Join the Club!

Check your expected route for club member caravan parks (eg Top Tourist, Family Parks, OZ Parks etc). If you’re likely to stay at a few parks from the same chain, save by becoming a member. For example, $30 for a 2 year Top Tourist Parks standard membership gives 10% off (up to $30) per stay. 10 nights on a powered site @ $30 per night and you’ve recouped the membership fee.

BONUS: Join up at the Caravan and Camping Show and you might get a show special membership discount. Use your discount card for next year’s holiday too!

3 Shop Around!

Premium destinations don’t have to mean premium rates if saving money is more of a priority than staying on site. Look for cheaper alternatives nearby and compare costs, including additional travel costs.

For example, you’ll pay $35 for an unpowered campsite at Victoria’s Wyperfeld National Park. But you can save over 85% by staying at Hopetoun’s Mallee Bush Retreat on a FREE unpowered site (gold coin donation for showers); or 42.8% for a powered site @ $20! The 80km round trip to Wyperfeld costs much less than you save. Nearby towns Rainbow and Yaapeet also have cheaper campsites.

BONUS: Two destinations for less than the price of one!

4 Alternative Destinations

Want to see Uluru, but can’t afford the fuel and accommodation costs? Save on both with a visit to Australia and the Southern Hemisphere’s largest inselberg – Bald Rock near Tenterfield, NSW instead! From Melbourne, it’s 2320 km to Uluru @ $48 per night per powered site (2 people), but only 1460 km to Tenterfield @ $29 per night!

Want another example? If a drive across the country to Western Australia’s Coral Coast is too expensive, save by visiting South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula instead – it’s a smaller version but with many similar features.

BONUS: You’ll have seen a lot MORE of Australia when you finally CAN afford to visit the big ticket items!

5 Go Off-Peak

Save on site or accommodation costs during the off-season, when tours and activities are also more likely to be discounted. Research likely weather conditions, and availability of services and attractions outside peak times to select the best combination for your trip.

BONUS: Fewer people!

6 Travel Light

Based on this road test (source) using the same tow vehicle on the same route, expect to use around 30% more petrol towing an 800 kg camper trailer, and 78% more towing a 1950 kg caravan.

If you can’t change the weight of your trailer, reduce its load and save – each 50 kg of extra weight reduces fuel efficiency by around 2%. As a guide, that’s 50 litres of water (or other liquid); 2 large suitcases; a portable fridge full of food or a large dog!

Add a roof rack, and expect to lose another 5% in fuel economy.

7 Get what you pay for!

If you’ve paid for a powered site, save your gas and cook with electricity you’ve already paid for – an electric frypan or skillet will cook almost anything. Camp kitchen facilities can also extend the life of your gas bottle – especially if there are hotplates, a BBQ, microwave and hot water.

And do you REALLY want to use expensive on-board bathroom cleaning products when there’s a perfectly good amenities block – that SOMEONE ELSE cleans??

Take advantage of free entertainment or events offered by many parks to guests during peak periods like winter up north, or the school holidays – you’ve already paid for it, so why not use it?

And have a look at the informal book and magazine exchange you’ll find in many caravan park laundromats – buy a book or magazine at the start of your trip and exchange it for FREE when you’re done!

8 Balancing Act

Blown the budget? Balance high-cost with low-cost days to get it back on track.

Bring the daily expense rate down by free-camping for a couple of nights; take a hike or spend the day on the beach for a car-free day to save on fuel costs; use the local library or community centre to catch up on emails; or take advantage of the town’s free attractions – a heritage or nature walk, check out the main street, discover local art galleries and museums, and a visit to the Visitor Information Centre don’t cost a thing!

BONUS: Discover some unexpected attractions you might not otherwise have seen!

9 Let’s do Lunch!

Save by eating out at lunchtime – it often costs less than dinner. Having your main meal at lunchtime means you save on premium dinner prices AND save on ingredients for a smaller evening meal. No budget for eating out? Pack a picnic and find somewhere scenic to enjoy it!

BONUS: Turn lunch into the main event by having your meal with a view

10 Make a Date with a Sunset … and switch on the Outback Telly!

Watching a killer sunset and sharing stories, jokes, stew and damper around the camp fire (aka ‘Outback Telly’) afterwards is a great way to make that holiday more memorable.

And it doesn’t cost a thing!

My 10 TOP Budget Travel Tips is my entry in a competition run by the Heritage Bank – the Savvy Saver Blog Awards! If you liked it, PLEASE go there and vote for me!

Previous Post: Aussie ABC: T is for Towns Part 2

NEXT Post: Climb Bald Rock – Australia’s BIGGEST Granite Monolith!

The post 10 TOP Budget Travel Tips to make your Road-Trip ROCK! appeared first on Australia by Red Nomad OZ.

Welcome to the first ever RED HOT RedzAustralia selection of 16 Go-To Australian Travel Bloggers for All-Australian Travel Inspiration!

Because Australia’s wonderful destinations have so much variety and so many fantastic attractions, sometimes tracking down the perfect Australian HOT Spot for your next vacation, weekend or day off can be tricky.

It’s SO much easier when you’ve got a bit of help from some inspiring Australian Travel Bloggers and their blogs about travel in AUSTRALIA!

So how does a blog get on the RedzAustralia Inspiring Australian Travel Bloggers list?

• Most content in last 3 months is about travel destinations in Australia
• Content is original, detailed and informative about Australian destinations and attractions
• Content is recent, regular and ongoing over last 3 months
• Blog has specialty area or niche that sets it apart

I read (and enjoy!) a lot of lifestyle blogs with some travel content, photo blogs, travel blogs with mostly overseas travel content and blogs with lots of how-to and product review content all written by Australians – but they’re not where I go for Aussie Travel Inspiration. That’s why they’re not on this list.

For Aussie Travel Inspiration I visit the 16 Go-To Blogs presented below in random order (I drew them out of a hat)!

1 4WDAus (Twitter: @steve4wdaus)

Steve and Alison Kruger show off parts of Australia I’ve yet to see as they hit the less-travelled roads in their Amesz Camper!! But it takes them places we’re unlikely to get to in our Subaru Forester/1983 Jayco Dove camper combo.

Illustrated with their own superb photography, 4WDAus is an intriguing journey to places in OZ most of us don’t even know exist!

Specialty: Aussie destinations well off the beaten track
Sample Post: Aeroprakt A22LS Foxbat (Alison flies over Nambung National Park) 

2 Hiking Fiasco (Twitter:  @HikingFiasco)

Not all of beardless hiker Greg’s posts are about hiking, and not all his hikes are fiascos – but don’t let this blatantly false advertising put you off!

Greg’s epic hiking stories in some of Australia’s more remote and wild (mainly) southern areas are required reading for serious hikers; those who like awesome photography; and people who want a good laugh!

Other than climing Mt Kosciuszko, there aren’t many hikes we’ve both done – unless you count the short 2km hike up Mt William in the Grampians. For me, descending 2 km back the same way I ascended was the day’s main hike. For Greg? Well … it was just a warm up!

Specialty: Hiking in remote and wilderness areas
Sample Post: Major Mitchell Plateau, Grampians, Victoria 

3 Rocky Travel (Twitter: @rockytravel)

Hitting the Aussie road is a bit more complicated for Rocky Travel’s Michela than it is for me. She specialises in solo travel AND she’s based in Italy, but that hasn’t stopped her from seeing more of Australia than many Aussies.

Michela’s e-book Your Australia Itinerary (The Ultimate Guide for Female Solo Travellers) and her blog details her journeys in OZ with invaluable information for independent solo travellers in OZ – actually, make that ANY travellers.

And to date, she’s the ONLY travel blogger I’ve actually met! Twice!!

Specialty: Solo Travel throughout Australia
Sample Post: Road-tripping the South East Coast, Australia 

4 Life Images by Jill

What’s NOT to love about the cool Aussie travel adventures, excellent blog posts and fantastic photography that make up Jill’s awesome blog? And I’m not the only one who thinks so – Jill’s work regularly appears in Australian travel and photography related publications.

I interview Jill about her travels, her blog and her photography HERE: Red Alert #12 – RED is for LIFE!

Specialty: Road trips to remote destinations with great photos
Sample Post: Mount Augustus Walk Trails, Pilbara, Western Australia

5 Travel Outback Australia (Twitter:  @TravelOutbackOz)

Gary and Amanda live, work and play in the Outback so it’s hardly surprising their website is required reading for travellers who want to see it for themselves. The travel tips, product reviews, road-trip itineraries, destination information and inspiring photography on their blog make it a superbly readable one-stop-shop – I dare you to visit the blog and NOT be tempted to click on at least one of the posts you’ll see there!

And yes, there IS an Outback destination somewhere in a state or territory near you!

Specialty: Outback Travel
Sample Post: 25 Secret Outback National Parks

6 Pretraveller  (Twitter:  @Pretraveller)

Anne  takes a lot of the guesswork out of travelling for her readers by supplying up to date information and how-to’s about a range of Australian (and overseas) destinations, itineraries and road-trips.  She’s just released a Travel Planning Template Package on her website.

Read RED Alert #11 – InspiRED by Pretraveller! (my interview with Anne) for more information!

Specialty: Up to date travel information, planning guides and advice
Sample Post: 12 Rocking 2WD Road Trip Routes to Escape Sydney These Spring School Holidays

7 ytravelblog (Twitter:  @yTravelBlog)

Think of almost anywhere in Australia – and the chances are Caz and Craig have been there AND written about it during their recent 18 month Aussie road-trip! ytravel also does a nice line in motivation and practical advice for people who dream of travelling but aren’t quite sure how to make it happen!

Specialty: Prolific posting with great photos
Sample Post: 7 Ways to Relax and Be Romantic in the Barossa Valley 

8 Our Naked Australia (Twitter:   @OurNakedAus)

Juz and Dave left Melbourne behind nearly 1000 days ago for life on the road in Australia in their modified Troopie and they’re STILL going strong! In between then and now they’ve been to a staggering number of places all around Australia and made some awesome discoveries.

If you want to get up close to nature right off the tourist trail, Juz and Dave show you how it’s done!

Specialty: Camping and exploring Australia’s more obscure corners
Sample Post: Camping and 4WDing: Blackdown Tableland 

9 Bushwalking Blog  (Twitter:  @BushwalkingBlog)

Who says hiking can’t positively impact every aspect of your life? Not Neil Fahey – he turned his love of hiking into one of the most romantic proposals EVER! He’s also turned it into an awesome blog full of great Aussie hiking hotspots and he’s generous in sharing his personal experience. The blog has also branched out into complementary activities – like geo-caching – so there’s no excuse NOT to get active!

Specialty: Aussie Bushwalking & Hiking
Sample Post: Shepparton: A Weekend of Walking, Eating and Geo-caching 

10 Explore Australia Blog (Twitter:  @ExploreAus)

Explore Australia’s blog’s posts about natural attractions, activities and destinations all around Australia AND its list of Aussie Travel blogs make it a no brainer for researching Aussie holidays. This publishing company has its finger on the pulse with a great range of complementary books about Camping, National Parks and Walks.

Oh, and Scenic Loos! Yes, they published MY BOOK ‘Aussie Loos with Views’, one of Australia’s all time great travel titles But I digress!

Specialty: Information about a wide range of Aussie travel destinations with emphasis on camping
Sample Post: The Best Free Campsites in New South Wales 

11 Kath Swinbourne  (Twitter:  @KathSwinbourne)

Photographer, writer and traveller Kath has a good life, and isn’t afraid to admit it! Her stunning photography and excellent stories of her road trips and other travel adventures in Australia make a great starting point for those looking for places to go and things to see in Australia, but aren’t quite sure where to get started.

Specialty: Road-trips into country Australia
Sample Post: Kakadu Dreaming 

12 Wild Western Australia (Twitter:  @WAtravellers)

Bonny’s detailed insider knowledge about Western Australia make this well-illustrated blog the place to go for travellers to WA who want to explore in a little more depth than usual. The neat search tool in the side-bar makes finding information about any WA destination easy.

Specialty: Things to do in Western Australian travel destinations
Sample Post: Walking Yallingup’s Quenda Trail 

13 Travelling Australia with Kids (TAWK) Blog (Twitter: @TravAusWithKids)

Even for someone like me who doesn’t have kids – and has NEVER travelled with kids – this blog is full of interesting places to go and things to do! There’s even an on-line TAWK community and products to assist your Aussie adventures – whether you’ve got kids or not!

Specialty: Travelling Australia with Kids
Sample Post: Shark Bay Australia 

14 Adventures All Around  (Twitter:  @TheAmandaWoods)

Amanda’s adventures ARE from all around – but there’s just enough Aussie content to keep her on my list! She’s made it super easy to find her Australian content with a nifty category selector in the menu bar!

Tragically, I don’t get to listen to her regular travel segment on Sydney Radio 2UE – but that’s what the blog’s for, right?!

Specialty: Travel hot spots and traveller tips
Sample Post: Antarctic Cruise on the Akademik Ioffe with One Ocean Expeditions 

15 Travelling Type (Twitter:  @travelling_type)

The moment I discovered Andy’s awesome Aussie travel blog, he posted about moving overseas! But there’s still enough Australian content to keep him on my list (click HERE) 

Andy explores the culture and history of a destination as well as its natural attractions so visitors to his blog can be assured of reading about things they won’t necessarily find elsewhere!

Specialty: Finding hidden secrets and oddities off the tourist trail
Sample Post: Egyptians amongst the Eucalypts? The Gosford Hieroglyphs 

16 RedzAustralia  (Twitter: @RedNomadOZ)

Red Nomad OZ (yes, that’s ME – Marion Halliday!) is a loud and proud advocate of exploring Australia’s awesome natural attractions, cool country towns, hiking trails and bakeries. Oh – and Scenic Loos – I’ve even written a book about them!! My travels are a series of Amazing Australian Adventures and discoveries of the best of OZ.

Join me for travel inspiration via stories, information and photos from all around Australia!

Specialty: Discovering the adventures to be had in Australian holiday destinations, and Aussie Loos with Views
Sample Post: 5 Amazing Angorichina Adventures! Northern Flinders Ranges

I’m planning the NEXT Edition of Australian Travel Bloggers in time for the summer holidays- so if I’ve missed YOUR favourite Go-To Blog for Aussie travel inspiration, let me know in the comments below!

All Photos from RedzAustalia – hope you found them inspiring too

AND … once you’ve been inspired, find the best flights and start planning YOUR awesome Australian holiday!

Previous Post: 10 Places You MUST Visit in Australia

NEXT Post: Red’s 10 BEST Travel Experiences in South Australia!

The post 16 RED HOT Go-To Blogs for Australian Travel Inspiration! appeared first on Australia by Red Nomad OZ.

Travelling downunder isn’t all surf and sunshine; kangaroos and koalas; or moonbeams and magic. A fabulous holiday can also be an opportunity to share the sights with some of Australia’s lesser known – and MUCH less popular – creatures!

Like I did when I met my TOP 10 Aussie pests some FAAAAABULOUS places!  Where I’ll go again – despite the presence of vermin.

Why?

Because meeting the ‘locals’ isn’t anywhere near so scary when you’re armed with a range of pest control products and preventative measures to keep them at bay. They’ll leave you free to enjoy the attractions without too much vermin distraction AND have a horror story or two to dine out on!

Win-win, right?

Actually, that’s win-Win-WIN! Check out the great giveaway at the bottom of the post!!

1 For MOSQUITOES, try Victoria Park!

I’ve visited this tiny fragment of remnant rainforest full of sub-tropical flora and fauna in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales many times. Its Scenic Public Toilet even made it into MY BOOK!

But although the photographic and birding attractions along the 400m boardwalk circuit mean it usually takes over an hour to walk, on our last visit we set a new lap record!

Why? Because when millions of mosquitoes (give or take a few hundred thousand) descend and threaten to carry you away, there’s only one thing to do.

RUN like hell! AND … next time bring some protection!!

2 For SANDFLIES, try Kununurra!

With killer sunsets like these direct from any lake-front campsite at the Kununurra Lakeside Tourist Park, I’m prepared to overlook a few minor inconveniences.

Even the sandflies that love me like a sister.

They ‘ringbarked’ me around the waistband of my shorts the first time I shot the sunset. Of course I was asking for it by a) wearing a loose T-shirt and b) NOT wearing any insect repellent. I didn’t make THAT mistake again – and didn’t score any more bites!

But I DID score some FAAAAABULOUS sunset photos!

3 For FLIES, try Parachilna!

On a fine day, the awesome view from the ever-so-scenic Parachilna Public Toilet (YES! It’s in MY BOOK!) shows the magnificent Heysen Ranges in South Australia’s northern Flinders Ranges at their best (see 2nd pic).

The view DOESN’T show the gazillion flies.

But why let a few million mates of Aussie Icon Louie the fly bother you when you’ve got all the attractions of one of Australia’s most magnificent National Parks to explore on the one hand, and a can of fly spray in the other??!!

4 For Deadly JELLYFISH, try Cairns!

First time visitors to Far North Queensland are often surprised to see emergency rations of vinegar at strategic intervals along the beach. AND grateful – especially if they’ve picked up an order of fish and chips to go, but forgot the condiments.

But if you’re ever stung by the deadly Irukandji (aka box jellyfish) just hope the tourists didn’t get to the vinegar first because a liberal application may help stop the intense pain – and the array of nasty symptoms collectively known as Irukandji Syndrome.

Avoid this pest like the plague! How? During October to May, wear a stinger suit, swim in the stinger net exclusion zones or just use the pool!

And leave the vinegar for the fish & chips!

5 For MOTHS, try Canberra, OR the Victorian High Country!

Actually, almost anywhere in Australia with an outside light at night is a good – or bad – place for moths, depending on your point of view.

But there’s a couple of places for a REAL moth experience – and the mystery of the moth mass migration! And that’s at either the High Country around Mount Bogong, Victoria’s highest mountain in summer – or when they move down the slopes in winter. They’ve been known to invade Canberra – you’ve GOT to love a moth that has no fear of politicians!

And if killer tomatoes are worthy horror movie subjects, why not Giant Moths? Or – even better – Giant MUTANT Mass Migrating Moths? Call me, Hollywood!!

6 For TICKS, try Toonumbar National Park!

An hour into our rainforest walk, and what happens?

It RAINS!

Not just a light shower either, but a heavy, drenching rain rattling atop the canopy high above, then ever so slowly dripping through onto the mid-storey leaves above us. Pilchard was on full leech alert as the track slowly turned muddy and the leaves of our shelter started dripping down the back of my neck.

Well, what did we expect? Toonumbar National Park, in Northern New South Wales, is in a high rainfall area, and we WERE walking through pristine rainforest.

We didn’t see any leeches.

BUT, back at the camper trailer Pilchard’s tick-removal skills – yes, THAT’S what those flat-nose tweezers in the first aid box are for – got a full workout!

7 For SNAKES, try Tasmania!

In answer to often asked, but tedious question of whether I’m a cat or a dog person, I say neither. For a ophidiophobe, a mongoose is the only sane choice of pet. And Rikki Tikki Tavi (the famous snake-fighting mongoose from the Jungle Book) the only hero worth a damn in childhood literature.

So it was a good thing that my 10 days in Tassie were snake-free, although everyone else who’s been there tells me I just got lucky.

Even the cold doesn’t slow them down, I’m told.

And even for a snake-fearer like me, seeing a snake sunning itself on the snow would almost be worth the scare factor.

It’s possible the snakes were there all along – but with scenery like Tasmania’s got, I’m WAY too busy taking photos to care!

8 For MICE, try the Yorke Peninsula!

South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula isn’t the only place in Australia subject to mice plagues from time to time.

BUT … it’s (arguably) one of the most scenic! And with public loos SO scenic, they’ve scored their own section in MY BOOK!

Yes, I’m digressing. But that’s what the scenery will make YOU do if you’re unfortunate enough to encounter a mouse while you’re down there

9 For ANTS, try Endeavour Falls!

Our stay at this little campground gem just north of Cooktown wasn’t marred at all by the rubber-chomping ants that built their nests each night over the power cord stretching across the ground from the camper trailer to the power box.

That’s because we didn’t actually KNOW they’d chomped through the outer layer of rubber that held the electrical wiring together until we packed up to leave!

All the same, it was probably lucky we only stayed in this Far North Queensland hot spot for 4 nights. Any longer, and the ants would have exposed the wires. It won’t stop us staying there again – but next time we’ll suspend the cord above the ground.

10 For CROCODILES, try Cahill’s Crossing!

OK, Ok, ok. Crocodiles aren’t really vermin, are they?

They’re more along the lines of a dangerous, man-eating predator. But who among us hasn’t thought of a verminous human (or two) for which a crocodile (or two) would provide the perfect final solution? And Cahill’s Crossing, from Kakadu to the eastern boundary of Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory, is one of Australia’s best final solution HOT spots.

Tragically, there’s no effective (or ineffective) crocodile repellent on the market. Even more tragically, and unlike most other Aussie vermin, there’s no known antidote for crocodile attack.

For a verminous croc, prevention really is the best defence!

You’re on your own with the Crocodile Repellent. And you’ll have to find your own mongoose. But for the smaller Aussie pests, there’s often nothing that a good dose of mosquito repellent won’t fix!

But meeting the vermin is all part of the fun of an Aussie travel adventure, right?

For a chance to test that out for yourself, Mortein is offering one lucky reader a pack of these four TOP products worth $AUD75*:

• Mortein NaturGard Auto Protect Indoor Odourless
• Mortein NaturGard Auto Protect Outdoor Citronella
• Mortein NaturGard Odourless Flying Insect Spray
• Mortein Kill & Protect Surface Spray

SO … if you have an Australian or New Zealand postal address, enter the Mortein Prize Pack Giveaway by making a comment below containing the word ‘VERMIN’ by midnight, 8th April 2015 (see terms & conditions below)!

Giveaway Terms & Conditions: All comments containing the word ‘Vermin’ made before midnight 08 April 2015 (AEST) will be entered into a draw and a winner randomly selected via random.org. The winner will be contacted by email and must provide an Australian or New Zealand postal address to RedzAustralia (which will be passed to Mortein for mailing the giveaway prize) within 3 days of the date of the email to claim the giveaway. The giveaway will be forfeited if the winner fails to provide an Australian or New Zealand postal address within that time and will be offered to the next person on the random.org list and so on until the giveaway is claimed.

Disclosure: Mortein provided RedzAustralia with 4 products to test and is providing 4 products to give away in return for this post.

Don’t miss any more RedzAustralia posts!  Register for RedzAustralia email updates HERE!

Previous Post:  Random Adventures in the Scenic Rim (Part 1)

NEXT Post: 7 Wonderful Walks in Innes National Park

The post Red’s TOP 10 Aussie Pests (and where I found them)! appeared first on Australia by Red Nomad OZ.

If you’ve ever decided against touring the Aussie Outback because you don’t have a 4WD, today is your lucky day.

You CAN visit the Australian Outback in a standard, non-4WD car! Just follow these simple rules:

• Choose destinations that don’t require an especially equipped vehicle – there are more than you think!
• Know your vehicle’s limitations – consider fuel economy, range, clearance, tyres, weight rating, space – in relation to where you want to go.
• Outsource the driving (eg take a tour, hitch a ride) when conditions don’t suit.
• Check all road, weather and travelling conditions in advance – rain, road works, flooding etc can all cause road closures.
• Take the advice you receive – be prepared to change your plans if conditions are not suitable for your vehicle.  Having a Plan B always helps!
• Get road assistance (eg NRMA, RAA, RACQ etc), but be aware of any exclusions – sometimes road assistance to remote areas isn’t available.

Pilchard and I have travelled to all the RedzAustralia TOP 10 Accessible Outback HOT Spots below in either a Subaru** Touring Wagon, a Subaru Forester or a Subaru Outback. Sometimes we’ve even had a NON-off-road camper trailer in tow. We’re not foolhardy risk-takers – we just follow those rules.

But if we can have these 10 Accessible Outback Experiences without extreme 4 wheel driving, then so can you!

1 Whale Watching

Head of Bight, South Australia

Stand atop the Bunda Cliffs – longest unbroken line of sea cliffs in the world – and watch the whales cavorting below! Yes, you’re in the Outback – and this section of the all-bitumen Eyre Highway separating Ceduna from Norseman, ~1200 km west, is Outback all the way.

Crossing the Nullarbor Plain en route from Sydney and Perth, around ~ 4000 km, is one of Australia’s great road trips. Full of life changing experiences – think driving Australia’s longest straight stretch of road; golfing on the world’s longest golf course; and unravelling the mystery of the Nullarbor Nymph (take links below for details) – it’s a TOP Outback experience in itself, even without the whales.

Where: Head of Bight Whale Watching centre is just off the Eyre Highway, ~220 km east of Eucla on the WA/SA border

When: Whale season is from June to October

Stay: Nullarbor Roadhouse, 26 km from Head of Bight Whale Watching area

MORE about Head of Bight and the Nullarbor Plain

2 Opal Fossicking

White Cliffs, New South Wales

The tiny opal mining town of White Cliffs is the only place in the world where unusual pineapple opals occur naturally. Despite spending a couple of afternoons on the mullock heaps, the only ‘colour’ (opal-speak for actual opal) we found was pretty, but worthless. Maybe you’ll have better luck? We certainly did when we gave the diggings away and ‘found’ some opal in the White Cliffs township, along with the world’s only above-ground mineshaft tour, a self-guided historic walk and unusual architecture shaped by harsh weather conditions and limited building materials.

If you’re car’s up to it, take the rugged, unsealed Wanaaring road for 33 km to the Paroo-Darling National Park and Peery Lake, at over 30 km long the largest overflow lake along the river.

Where: White Cliffs is 96 km north-west of Wilcannia, which is 195 km east of Broken Hill on fully sealed roads

MORE about White Cliffs

3 Mail Run

Quilpie, Queensland

It’d be difficult to drive yourself north over ~400 km of mostly dirt station tracks through magnificent outback scenery – it passes through 10 pastoral properties. But hitch a ride with the local postie to deliver the mail, catch up with some of the locals and see what’s outside the Quilpie city limits!

When you’re done with the Mail Run, climb nearby Baldy Top lookout (top photo) for a great view over this remote Boulder Opal mining town on the edge of nowhere. Explore west by driving 100 km to Eromanga, reportedly the furthest town from the ocean in Australia; fossick for opal at the caravan park’s ‘Deuces Wild’ lease; or drive 75 km south to Toompine for an Outback Pub experience.

Where: Quilpie is 211 km west of Charleville on the Cooper Developmental Road; and ~950 km west of Brisbane on the Warrego Highway, all sealed

MORE about Quilpie and Eromanga

4 The Gibb River Road

via Derby, Kimberley, Western Australia

There’s NO WAY that driving the 660 km of rugged, stony, tyre-shredding Gibb River Road (also known as the ‘Boys Own Adventure’ route) from Kununurra to Derby qualifies as an ‘Accessible Outback’ experience.

But the ‘Gibb River Road LITE’ version does!

Outsource the driving and hit the notorious road on a 4WD bus (it’s a school bus in its spare time) from North-west Kimberley town Derby for a 360 km round trip on the Gibb River Road to Windjana Gorge and Tunnel Creek, then back again.

So sit back, enjoy morning tea and lunch en route to the main attractions, and save your car and/or rig for the bitumen.

Where: Windjana Gorge/Tunnel Creek Day Tour leaves from Derby, 220 km north-east of Broome, Western Australia

Road Conditions: Appalling! That’s why you’re letting someone else do the driving, remember??!!

MORE about the Gibb River Road and the Kimberley

5 Hiking

Ormiston Gorge, Northern Territory

The amazingly varied and superb Outback scenery makes the 7 km Ormiston Gorge and Pound walk one of the best short-ish hikes in Australia (IMHO). But it helps that it’s superbly placed amidst the ancient rocky landscape of the West MacDonnell Ranges, traversed by the Finke River, oldest waterway in the world.

Ormiston Gorge is the smart alternative if you want to dodge the crowds at Uluru AND experience Outback magic with classic scenery, wildlife and a variety of walks. It’s SO good, a two-night stay turned into six nights!

Where: Ormiston Gorge is in the West MacDonnell Ranges, 128 km west of Alice Springs on a fully sealed road.

MORE about Ormiston Gorge

6 Camel Races

Bedourie, Queensland

Don’t expect to see horses at the Bedourie races – it’s camels all the way in the lead up to nearby Boulia’s camel race weekend. Join Bedourie locals for a TOP day out with racing, wood-chopping, good Aussie tucker, entertainment and an evening dance – to be held in 2016 on 9 July.

Home of the iconic Bedourie Oven, the town sits almost half-way between two other Western Queensland racing icons – Boulia, and the centre of Australia’s racing universe – Birdsville, with it’s world famous race meet held in September. Once the races are over, explore the area or just relax in the town’s Hot Artesian Pools!

Or stick around for the Boulia Camel Races – longest track in Australia; then move on to Winton for more races the following weekend.

Where: Bedourie is a 216 km drive – mostly sealed with about 14 km of dirt – south of Boulia; or 164 km north of Birdsville – mostly dirt.

When: Bedourie Camel Races 2018 Dates TBA, but usually the weekend before the Boulia Camel Races; Boulia Camel Race Weekend on Friday 20^th – Sunday 22^nd July 2017 AND Winton Camel Races Dates TBA, but usually the weekend after the Boulia Camel Races.

MORE about Bedourie Camel Races

7 Unnatural Attractions

Kalgoorlie, Western Australia

Standing on the edge of a massive man-made crater stretching for nearly 4 km and waiting for a blast that’ll knock the sides out even further is like nothing else you’ll see in the Outback. A bold scheme (somewhat like its founder Alan Bond) the Super Pit combines leases and resources to more efficiently mine the Golden Mile – one of the richest seams of gold in the world.

A town able to survive because of an ambitious engineering feat piping water from the outskirts of Perth, nearly 600 km to the west, Kalgoorlie is a gold-mining town 24-7.

There’s nothing quite like the Outback’s natural attractions – but there’s something strangely compelling about this very unnatural one!

Where: 600 km east of Perth

MORE about Kalgoorlie-Boulder and the Super Pit

8 RED!

Windorah, Queensland

A number of localities vie for the honour of being the REDdest place in Australia. But for the reddest accessible outback HOT spot, there’s no contest.

Even with my old FILM camera, the red sand dunes west of Queensland Outback town Windorah are so startlingly vivid they almost hurt the eyes. Windorah has the added inducement of being closest town to Australian icon Cooper’s Creek – only place in the world where two rivers meet to form a creek. Then a little further west there’s the weirdly signposted ‘Point of Interest’, and a little further beyond that, The Little Loo at the end of the Universe – my most popular Scenic Public Toilet ever!

That’s all very nice. But it’s those RED sand dunes that get me every time!

Where: Windorah is 239 km north-west of Quilpie (see #3 above), along the Diamantina Developmental Road

MORE about Windorah and Cooper’s Creek

9 Wildlife Watching

Marlgu Billabong, Kimberley, Western Australia

As the crocodiles zig-zagged through the otherwise tranquil waters of Marlgu Billabong, centrepiece of the Parry Lagoons Nature reserve, the 65 species of birds we saw over two visits seemed unperturbed. Maybe the crocs were after bigger prey? That’s why we stayed firmly behind the barriers of the viewing platform over this magnificent inland billabong and breeding ground that attracts thousands of birds.

And bird-watchers!!

Only a few kilometres from East Kimberley Town Wyndham, the lagoon is a dramatically beautiful dry-season oasis against the stark colours and boab-tree-studded landscape that surrounds it.

Where: Marlgu Billabong is ~15 km on a dirt road from Wyndham.  Wyndham is ~100 km north-west of Kununurra on a fully sealed road.

MORE about Marlgu Billabong

10 Ridge Top Tour

Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary, South Australia

Experience extreme Outback Adventure on a bone-shaking 4 hour return trip through the (almost) trackless adventureland of Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary to Sillers Lookout. Even though you won’t be driving yourself on this tour, it’s full of heart-stopping action on steep tracks with vertigo-inducing drop-offs and staggering scenery from several vantage points that show off northern South Australia to supreme advantage.

Australia’s premier eco-tourism destination (IMHO), Arkaroola is set amidst a fantastic landscape with an extraordinary array of rocks and minerals, superb natural attractions, amazing self-drive exploratory tours (mostly 4WD only), rugged hikes and an observatory for star-gazing.

The Ridge-top tour is conducted by Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary and for my money, it’s the ultimate Aussie Outback experience of all time. And I’m happy for any other tour operators to prove me wrong!

Where: Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary is 125 km north-east from Copley on an all-weather dirt road. Copley is ~600 km north of Adelaide on a fully sealed road – and if the weather prevents you from getting out to Arkaroola, Copley makes a fine alternative destination

MORE about Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary and Copley

WARNING:

This post is an introduction to guide you to some of the more accessible Outback Experiences.

ANY trip to the Outback, no matter how easy it appears, MUST be carefully planned.  Please visit websites like Travel Outback Australia, Outback Australia Travel Guide or Outback Travel Australia for advice and to ensure you are well-prepared, and carry extra water and supplies at all times.

Why?  Because you’ll be faced with:

• Long distances
• Extreme temperatures
• Minimal facilities
• Limited services, including mobile phone access
• Harsh conditions

* IMHO = In My Humble Opinion

** Please note: These models of Subaru generally have slightly higher clearance than a standard car, and can be switched to 4WD mode if required.

LIKE it?  SHARE it!

The post Red’s TOP 10 Accessible Outback Experiences appeared first on Australia by Red Nomad OZ.

… I saw and did for the first time in 2014!

It’s possible my definition of ‘cool’ isn’t the same as yours. I think it’s quite easy to find something cool downunder – anything new, intriguing, scenic or exclusive to OZ (or the world) does it for me.

So if you’re wondering about some of the inclusions in this selection of 12 cool things I saw for the first time in my travels through five Aussie states in 2014, that’s why they’re there!

If you don’t agree, why not tell me ALL about it in the comments

1. Bruny Island

This little island off the eastern coast of Tasmania is about the same size as Singapore. But whereas Singapore has a population of 6,000,000+, Bruny Island is a LOT less crowded with only around 600! Stunning scenery, including the 2^nd highest cliffs in the Southern Hemisphere and one of Australia’s most scenic public loos; wonderful wildlife – think seals and Tasmanian endemic birds – AND fabulous food means a day trip isn’t nearly long enough to see everything.

And I’ve never been on a waterway with a name as cool as the D’Entrecasteaux Channel!

MORE about Bruny Island

2. Cradle Mountain

We got to see Tasmania’s most famous mountain on a ‘normal’ day. And that meant cloud, fog, mist, drizzle, rain, wind and the coldest temperatures we’d experienced in Tasmania to date! Apparently, those typical images of Cradle Mountain’s classic shape reflected beautifully in Dove Lake below (click HERE to see what I mean!) only happen on one or two days in every ten!

SO … I guess we were lucky. Because MY shots show the real thing in all its non-clichéd glory! Right??

MORE about Cradle Mountain

3. Tasmanian Wombat

I’ve seen wombats before. I’ve even been bitten by a wombat!! But 2014 was the year I first saw Vombatus ursinus tasmaniensis, which the informed will instantly recognise as the Tasmanian Wombat – a sub-species of the common wombat. The lesser informed might think it a visitor from another planet with its odd shape, shambling gait and its legendary ability to burrow underground in the most inhospitable places.

Most Australian women know a ‘wombat’ – the name’s often given to a bloke who, like the wombat, eats roots and leaves. I don’t know if the Tasmanian wombat shares these habits with its mainland counterparts. But … I’ll bet a few Tassie blokes do!

MORE about Wombats

4. Balls Pyramid

It’s not that easy to see the world’s highest volcanic rock stack up close. First, get to Sydney. Then take a ~600 km flight to Lord Howe Island which, depending on the crosswinds on the airstrip bisecting the island, may or may not be able to land. Then wait for suitable weather conditions for the 23 km boat trip across the open ocean to the Pyramid – there’s a 50% cancellation rate. 66.66% if you’re as unlucky as we were with a FAIL on our first two attempts!

But finally the planets aligned and we gazed in awe at Balls Pyramid’s distinctive twin spires towering 551 metres above us.

And in an uncharacteristically speechless moment, I ran out of superlatives!

MORE about Balls Pyramid

5. Lord Howe Island Phasmid

After rats invaded Lord Howe Island following a shipwreck back in the dim, distant past, the endemic Lord Howe Island Phasmid – a large stick insect – was thought to be extinct. But many years later, it was re-discovered on the inhospitable and rugged Balls Pyramid (see above!) by a scientific expedition.

Luckily, we didn’t have to climb or camp on Balls Pyramid to see this rare creature for ourselves – there are a couple in the Lord Howe Island Visitor Information Centre.

And call me shallow, but seeing something that’s been brought back from extinction AND that not many others have ever seen gives me a BIG thrill!

MORE about Lord Howe Island

6. My TV Interview

Seeing my name on my first book – Aussie Loos with Views! – was one thing. But seeing myself on TV was quite another! My first (and possibly ONLY) TV appearance to promote my book on Weekend Sunrise may or may not fit YOUR definition of ‘cool’.

I’ll leave you to judge it for yourself!

To watch the video: Hover the cursor over the bottom of the picture. Click on the Forward Arrow symbol that will appear in the bottom left hand corner. There’s about 15 seconds of ‘sponsor messages’ before the interview starts.

*IF you received this post by email, click on the link to the blog post at the top of the email – you won’t be able to watch the video from the email.

MORE about Aussie Loos with Views!

7. Sunrise over Lake Moogerah

I’m SO not a morning person that it wouldn’t be far wrong to say that seeing ANY sunrise ANYWHERE was a first for me. But the sunsets were so spectacular near our campsite on our first visit to Lake Moogerah that I braved the cold and dark to see what I’d normally be missing.

And found out.

So what’s a few bleary eyes and frozen fingers when sunrises in the superb Scenic Rim region look like THIS?

MORE about the Scenic Rim

8. Carrs Lookout

We took a day trip from Woodenbong along the notorious Mt Lindesay Road (arguably Australia’s worst) to Queen Mary Falls in the Main Range National Park. From there, the road winds upwards for 7 km to a vantage point 1005 metres above sea level overlooking the spectacular scenery of Condamine Gorge.

Who even knew there WAS a Condamine Gorge? An embarrassing admission given it’s strategic importance as the headwaters of the Murray/Darling river system that reaches the sea in my home state, South Australia.

We decided to forego the pleasures of the 4WD Gorge track and its 14 river crossings in favour of morning tea at the Spring Creek Mountain Cafe. All in the interests of seeing more of that stunning view, of course!

9. The Roxy Theatre and Café

A fully restored – and fully functioning – Art Deco cinema complete with café and a musuem dedicated to its Greek heritage was an unexpected bonus in small-ish New South Wales country town Bingara. And when we decided to stay for a few days and explore the area, we lucked out.

Dinner at the Café, a look through the museum and an excellent show from Song and Dance Man Mike McClellan showcased the Roxy’s awesome attributes superbly.

But next time I’ll take a tripod for some blur-free interior shots!

MORE about the Roxy Theatre, Bingara

10. Birdlife Australia Gluepot Reserve

The 50 km drive over a bone-jarring, dusty, rocky station track heading due north from tiny Riverland settlement Taylorville to Gluepot Reserve took over an hour and a half. But deep in the South Australian mallee surrounded by sand dunes and spinifex, we entered a world of walks, wildflowers and wildlife.

Who cared that we didn’t see any of the 5 ‘lifers’ that birdo Pilchard hoped to find on this once- pastoral property, when a walk in the early morning light showed the beauty of this harsh, arid landscape? And it didn’t matter that our camp shower malfunctioned in the middle of our stay when the flowering eremophilas were so abundantly spectacular. Even the thought of facing that long, rugged drive on the way home wasn’t enough to faze us. Why would it?

This is Outback Australia at its BEST!

MORE about Birdlife Australia Gluepot Reserve

11. Point Danger Gannet Colony

A whole lot of large white birds resting on a rocky knoll a few kilometres from Victorian coastal town Portland was interesting – but you’re probably thinking it’s not THAT exciting. Every now and then a few of them would take off, swooping, soaring and generally showing off against a bright blue sky in a completely non-photo-friendly way.

But this cacophony (or whatever the correct collective noun is) of Cape Gannets on Point Danger (cool name, huh?!) is the only mainland Gannet colony in Australia – a spillover from the rugged Lawrence Rocks colony, just two kilometres offshore.

It’s rare to see so many gannets up this close without being out at sea. And the stretches of staggering scenery along this part of the coast are an added bonus – especially if you’re a non-birdo!!

MORE about Point Danger Gannet Colony

12. The Granites

You can’t see the wild and rugged scenery of the Coorong – Australia’s longest beach – from many places on the long drive along the Princes Highway that parallels the coastline en route to Adelaide. The 194 km (120+ miles) of sand, unbroken except for a collection of three random boulders 15 km north of of Kingston South East. So as we returned home from another Australian exclusive – a sighting of the first Long-billed Dowitcher ever recorded downunder – we took the short detour to see them.

Apart from sand dunes and waves stretching out to the horizon and a 4WD that just WOULD NOT GET OUT OF MY PHOTO, there’s nothing much else along this vast and empty beach on the edge of the Great Southern Ocean.

Except for the view. AND these three random granite boulders.

Now … see if you can guess why they called this area ‘The Granites’!!!!

MORE about the Coorong

So that’s 12 of the cool new Aussie things I saw and experienced in 2014.  2015 has already been exciting with a week in a retirement village, a narrow escape from a bushfire and the threat of floods!

Watch this space!

SO … what cool things did YOU see and do in 2014??

The post 12 Cool Aussie Things … appeared first on Australia by Red Nomad OZ.

For some, the whole point of Central Australia is Uluru. For others the whole point of AUSTRALIA is Uluru. And who can blame them? It’s HUGE. It’s magnificent. It’s RED!!

But Central OZ isn’t just about Uluru and Kata Tjuta. Of COURSE they’re several kinds of awesome, but there are lots of other attractions that’ll show you just as good (and far less crowded) a time! And – even better – they’ve all got that trademark Central Australian RED!

So you’ve hired the car, seen Uluru and you’ve got another few days to kill. Or if you’re REALLY lucky, you’re an Aussie with a camper trailer and a bit of time on your hands.

Just like me!

So what do you do?  Hit the road – and see my TOP 7 Central OZ Red HOT Spots!  Just click the headings for more info!!

1. Watarrka (Kings Canyon)

Just down the road and round the corner from Uluru, Watarrka, as it is known to the local indigenous people is SO worth the 166 km one way detour off the Lasseter Highway back towards Alice Springs. For many Aussies, visiting Kings Canyon is a tribute pilgrimage to a famous scene from classic OZ movie ‘Priscilla, Queen of the Desert’. Haven’t seen it? Click HERE for a trailer!

But you don’t have to hike the Canyon in a frock to show yourself a good time. The 6 km (4 mile) Canyon Rim circuit requires a reasonable level of fitness, but as you cross the rugged rocks you’ll get to see stunning vistas across the plain, the Lost City and Garden of Eden and sensational sunsets that make those towering rocky RED cliffs GLOW.

Besides, it’s not a race! Is it?

Stay at the Kings Canyon Wilderness Resort campground (closest to the Canyon) or at nearby Kings Creek station so you don’t have to rush. The men in frocks have long gone, but the awesome RED Canyon will be here for a LONG while yet!

2. Stuarts Well

So you’re back on the Stuart Highway heading north to Alice Springs. An hour or so before you get there, you’ll pass the Stuarts Well Roadhouse. Unless you’re a SMART traveller, in which case you’ll stop. Because Stuarts Well has one of the most bizarre and uniquely Australian Outback travel experiences you’re likely to see.

Unless you’ve already spotted a singing, piano playing Dingo named Dinky someplace else, that is.

For many years, roadhouse owner Jim ran tours to Kings Canyon from a resort he and his family built from scratch on nearby leasehold land. Until one year, the landowner resisted all attempts to re-negotiate their lease. Strangely unwilling to ‘gift’ the resort they’d paid for and built by themselves on their leasehold to someone who hadn’t done anything towards it but collect the rent, Jim and his family destroyed it.

Now Jim’s based at Stuarts Well. As well as running tours to nearby Rainbow Valley, Jim now assists visitors achieve their (perhaps as yet unrealised) dream of seeing a singing, piano playing real live dingo in the flesh! For perhaps the first and last times in their lives …

There’s even accommodation and campsites at the roadhouse for those who want a dinner and show experience with a difference!

STOP PRESS!  In what must be a dark day for Central Australian Tourism, Dinky the Singing, Piano Playing Dingo has retired.  Of course, the legend lives on in the hearts and minds of those who have seen him … AND countless YouTube clips!  See Dinky in full voice HERE!

Just as well there’s a special bonus EXTRA attraction below to make up the numbers, huh?!

3. Rainbow Valley

Staying at Stuarts Well puts you in the hot seat for a 22 km one way dirt road detour off the Stuart Highway to the amazing Rainbow Valley.

With a rainbow of multicoloured rocks rising above the (frequently dry) salt lake in front of it, the rocks are easily accessed from a short track from the visitors car park.

Exploring and/or photographing the rocks is an excellent way to pass a few hours. Or a day. Or more …

Stay at the Rainbow Valley Campground (is it a coincidence that my best photo of the Valley contains one of the best Scenic Public Toilets in the country?) to be right in the (RED) hot seat for some extraordinary outback sunsets.And if it rains?Well … the road might be impassable, but at least you’ll get to-die-for pics of the amazing Rainbow Valley formations reflected in the lake!

And I’ll be as jealous as hell!

4. The Ochre Pits

Many years ago when I first toured the West MacDonnell Ranges, I didn’t call in to the Ochre Pits ~115 km from Alice Springs along Namatjira Drive. I won’t be making that mistake again! The intriguing contours of (not just RED) colour in the creek bed and surrounding rocks, and its status as a place of significance to local Indigenous people from the area show a different – and fascinating – side to Central Australia.

5. Ormiston Gorge

Just up the road from the Ochre Pits, if you can’t find LOTS of cool things to do at Ormiston Gorge, you clearly haven’t read my 7 TOP Ormiston Gorge attractions guide (see link in title)!

Yes, it’s going to take more than one day to explore this end of the West MacDonnell Ranges and Ormiston Gorge is the best spot from which to do it!

Staying at the nearby Glen Helen Resort with its own spectacular gorge, or the Ormiston Gorge campground means you don’t have to rush back to Alice Springs before you’ve seen – and done – everything.

But be warned. Don’t bother with this option unless you’re up for magnificent sunrises and sunsets; the Ormiston Gorge and Pound walk – one of the best short(ish) hikes in OZ; the stupendous splendour of nearby Mt Sonder; the beauty of Glen Helen Gorge and the glorious, glowing RED – everywhere!

6. Tnorala (Gosse Bluff) Conservation Reserve

This is as close as I got to Gosse Bluff. 175 km west of Alice Springs, the long line of gorges, waterholes and mountain ranges that forms the West MacDonnell Ranges comes to an end at Tylers Pass – from here the road snakes down onto the plain.

We’d spent the day exploring the area around Ormiston Gorge and driving as far as the Tylers Pass lookout had been an afterthought to end the day before heading back to the campground.

About 21 km from the lookout, the vast bulk of Tnorala – the remains of a comet crater, 5 km (~3 miles) across – is an impressive sight.

With no camping allowed at the Bluff, the only option was a flying visit. But even if we’d wanted to attempt a kamikaze night drive cutting a swathe through the nocturnal desert creatures feeding at the road’s edge, visitors to Tnorala need a Mereenie Tour Pass. And the nearest place to get one was back at Glen Helen Station.

But it’s SO on the list for next time!

7. Simpsons Gap

Yes, I know. EVERYONE’S been to Simpsons Gap, that narrow passage (there’s only so many ways to say ‘Gap’) through the MacDonnell ranges.

Only 18 km west of Alice Springs (or 17 km along the bike track) it’s the ‘Claytons’ Central Australia tripette de rigueur from the Alice if you haven’t got much time.

And there’s nothing wrong with that!

BUT the rewards are even greater for those who spend a bit more time and take the 1 hour return Cassia Hill walk up onto the schist escarpment (once part of the floor of a massive inland sea) and look down on the Gap.

Wildflowers, classic Central Australian scenery – and a staggering 360ºview, of which Simpsons Gap is a very small part.

That’s the thing about Central Australia. Wide open spaces. Magnificent mountain ranges. And an endless supply of RED!

Did I say SEVEN cool things? Of course there are WAAAAAAY more than that – so here’s another one for nothing!

8. Karlu Karlu (Devils Marbles)

Even though it’s 412 km and ~4 hours north of Alice Springs, the great sprawl of spherical sandstone rocks weathered by the wind and sand all aglow in the Outback light are worth the trek.

Especially if you’re there at sunset. Or sunrise! Which generally means staying at the Devils Marbles campground, or at either of the nearby settlements of Wauchope or Wycliffe Well.

Aboriginal Dreamtime legend and scientific explanation both offer theories about the spheres’ formation. But in this region with its strong colours, harsh climate and stark beauty, the Indigenous theory seems more appropriate. It’s easy to see why this is a sacred site and also a ceremonial and trade meeting place for four different Aboriginal language groups.

Besides, just 20 minutes further south and also renowned as the alien capital of Australia is Wycliffe Well! But that’s another story …

Central Australia has enough other attractions in both colours – RED and not-RED – to keep you busy for weeks.

What’s YOUR favourite?

Want MORE?

• Central Australia
• Alice Springs
• More RED Nomad OZ in Central Australia

The post TOP 7 Central Australian RED HOT Spots once you’re done with Uluru! appeared first on Australia by Red Nomad OZ.

Searching for Australian campsites or caravan parks that we won’t regret in the morning adds that little frisson of uncertainty that makes road-tripping round Australia so exciting.

Although sometimes it’s a little TOO exciting when darkness is falling and we’ve got NO clue as to where we’ll spend the night. That’s why we take time each trip on a reconnaissance mission for the next one! And that includes scoping out future campsites.

But sometimes, after a long day on the road, it’d be nice to find somewhere COOL to stay with the facilities we want and directions on how to get there.

And now I can with the FAAAAABULOUS new Explore Australia Camping Around Australia app (available for iPhone & iPad)!

I’d already picked out these 6 HOT campsites to stay at one day – but who knows how long before we re-visit them? And whether they’ll still be operating when we DO get there? Using the app will not only tell me that, but it’ll also suggest alternative Australian campsites to try if I find we’ve missed the boat!

And you can too!

So check out these 6 COOL Australian Campsites at the top of my list – then try the Camping Around Australia app from Explore Australia!

1. Caroline Pool, via Halls Creek, Western Australia

The unbelievably scenic Caroline Pool (pictured above) just south of Halls Creek would’ve made an ideal campsite IF:

• a) our camper trailer had high clearance (it doesn’t);
• b) we were ready to ‘ROCK’ along the rugged dirt track out towards Old Halls Creek (we weren’t);
• c) we hadn’t already travelled 367 km since leaving Wyndham that morning (we had); and
• d) we didn’t care about its lack of facilities (we did)!

Besides, any extra driving would’ve eaten into my photo time at China Wall, a 6 metre high quartz vein that bisects the landscape just like a miniature of its namesake!

But there’s always a next time, right? Although judging by the number of rigs already set up when we dropped in for a look, maybe the word’s already out!

MORE about Halls Creek

2. Yarrie Lake, via Narrabri, New South Wales

Whether or not the circular Yarrie Lake was formed by a meteor way back in the dim, distant past is kind of irrelevant if you’re looking for a peaceful and picturesque campsite with powered sites, hot showers, toilets and laundry facilities.

Oh, and a great birdwatching, water-sports, walking, relaxing and photography spot!

About 30 km west of Narrabri, the gateway to magnificent Mt Kaputar National Park, with its amazing Sawn Rocks it sounds too good to be true.

So next time we’ll check it more thoroughly for hidden flaws!!

MORE about Narrabri

3. Point Sturt, via Goolwa, South Australia

On the last leg of its long journey through three states from headwaters high in the Snowy Mountains, the mighty Murray River enters the Great Southern Ocean at Goolwa. But not before passing through Lake Alexandrina which, along with Lake Albert is the centrepiece of South Australia’s Lower Lakes region.

Near a water-bird wetland (aka ‘swamp’) and overlooking the dunes of the amazing Coorong National Park across the lake, Point Sturt is superbly situated to appreciate the 360 km²(138000+ acres) body of water.

And who needs facilities in a cool camping spot like this?!?!

MORE about Lake Alexandrina and Goolwa

4. Barcoo River camping area, via Isisford, Queensland

A long time ago, one of the most feared creatures on the planet started its quest for world domination right here in Isisford! Fossils of Isisfordia duncanii – also known as the mother of all crocodiles – were found nearby and are now on display at the Outer Barcoo Interpretive Centre.

But ancestral crocodiles aren’t the only attraction in this small outback township south of Longreach.

One of the most bizarre and intriguing town signposts I’ve ever seen greets travellers from the east before crossing the Barcoo to the campground on the other side complete with toilets. Showers are available in the town park – if you can get past the beautifully restored pub!

But Isisford is memorable for other reasons.  Because a few years ago, on our one and only day trip there, it was the very first spot EVER where I was given a Senior’s Discount.  INCORRECTLY, of course – I’m not THAT old!! But you knew that, right?!?!?!

MORE about Isisford

5. Borough Huts, via Halls Gap, Victoria

We just can’t seem to get past the Halls Gap Caravan Park on our regular visits to the Grampians – jewel in the Victorian National Parks crown!

Perhaps it’s the proximity to the Halls Gap bakery – the perfect destination for an early morning constitutional!

But every time we drive past the excellent Borough Huts campground on Fyans Creek around 10 km south of Halls Gap on the Dunkeld road, we vow to stay there.

Next time!

There’s a lot to be said for staying in the middle of the Grampians National Park right next to your very own scenic public toilet and within cooee of many of the excellent hikes and drives that make a visit to the park so memorable.

If only we could tear ourselves away from that TOO-FINE bakery …

MORE about the Grampians National Park

6. Devils Marbles, via Tennant Creek, Northern Territory

As well as the location of one of my favourite Scenic Public Toilets; a killer sunrise AND sunset photo spot; AND a site significant to the local Aboriginal people, Karlu Karlu – colloquially known as the Devils Marbles – also boasts what must surely be one of Australia’s most picturesque campgrounds.

However, ever since we discovered Wycliffe Well – Australia’s UFO capital – on our first road-trip foray north of Alice Springs in 2008, the Devils Marbles campground has always been left for another day.

BUT … it’d be handy to be right on site at sunrise and sunset to capture the magical light that paints the Marbles with classic Central Australian Outback colours.

And test out that Scenic loo …

MORE about the Devils Marbles

If you’d like to have around 3000 MORE Australian campsites at your disposal, check out the Explore Australia Camping Around Australia app (iPhone and iPad compatible) – and I’ll see you on the road somewhere!

And for photos of some of the GREAT Australian Campsites I and others have discovered all around OZ, visit my Pinterest Board – Cool Australian Campsites!

AND … check out my post about Australia’s 10 BEST Camping HOT Spots!

The post 6 MUST-visit Aussie Campsites appeared first on Australia by Red Nomad OZ.