Great Beach Destinations for Motorhome Travellers

When most people imagine motorhome holiday destinations, they tend to picture remote winding roads, soaring peaks and icy blue alpine lakes. But making your way along a stunning coastline, windows rolled down with the sun beaming in, is just as good. Stopping wherever the waves look good, lounging on golden sands before moving on at your leisure to the next beautiful spot… could it get any better? To give you some inspiration for the next beachy holiday you’re planning (and if you’re not already planning one, what are you waiting for?) we’ve highlighted a handful of destinations which are ideal for motorhome travellers seeking sun, sand and surf. Remember: each beach is just one of many coastal gems you can discover along the way, and a motorhome road trip will give you the chance to set your own pace and fully embrace the beach lifestyle.

Wineglass Bay

Often lauded as one of the top ten beaches in the world, it’s hard to deny that Wineglass Bay has that special something. To get there, you’ll need to head to Tasmania (Australia’s southernmost state) and pick up a Hobart campervan rental. From there, you’ll head northeast up the coast and make your way to Freycinet National Park. Wineglass Bay is far from the only amazing coastal location along the way, so don’t rush your trip. Getting to the bay itself requires a little bit of a stroll, but the views are more than worth it. If you have time, park up your motorhome for the day and make a day trip of walking from Wineglass Bay to Hazards Beach and back. A picnic lunch is not compulsory but highly recommended.

Santa Monica

There’s no question that Santa Monica provides an incredible beach experience, but it’s definitely at the opposite end of the scale from the isolated purity of Wineglass Bay. The appeal of Santa Monica has much less to do with its natural assets and more to do with the wildly varied assortment of people who frequent the beach. If you love people watching, you’ll be in heaven walking down the boardwalk at Santa Monica beach. If you book a Los Angeles RV rental, Santa Monica can be just the first of many stops on a Californian coastal road trip that could carry you past the spectacular cliffs of Big Sur and beyond. Don’t forget to throw your surfboards in the back of the RV if you’re that way inclined: America’s west coast has dozens of excellent surf spots, and you can try them all.

Cathedral Cove

This location is so beautifully otherworldly that it was featured on film as the idyllic entrance to the magical land of Narnia, but no movie scene can compare to the experience of coming here in person. Located near the town of Hahei on New Zealand’s Coromandel peninsula, you’ll need to park up your campervan and walk for a good 40 minutes or so to reach Cathedral Cove itself but it’s not a tough walk and the way is well signposted. Of course, the signature attraction is the massive rock archway which frames a picture perfect snap of New Zealand coastline. Walking through the towering arch really will have you feeling like you’re discovering another world. As a side note, the Cathedral Cove car park is closed annually from 1 October to 30 April, but you can leave your motorhome at the visitor car park in Hahei instead and catch a shuttle. The Coromandel is packed full of amazing little beaches, so make sure you schedule enough time in your trip to drive down from Auckland and explore the area thoroughly.

Falesia

The Algarve region of Portugal is famous for its sparkling blue waters and beautiful beaches, drawing more than 7 million tourists annually, but even in this exceptionally scenic coastal area Falesia Beach stands out. The nearby town has somehow managed to preserve a measure of its traditional charm, adding a peaceful note this beach in a region that can often become crowded and hectic in the high season. The beach itself is over 6 kilometres of golden sand, and is backed by dramatic red cliffs - this locale is without doubt an essential item on any Portuguese summer itinerary. Algarve is reigns supreme amongst beach destinations in Portugal, but if you have a decent amount of time for your road trip, consider broadening your journey to include as much of the Iberian Peninsula as you can - there are so many coastal treasures in Spain and Portugal, it would be a shame to ignore most of them. Picking up a motorhome rental in Faro will put you right in the midst of Algarve.

Surfers Paradise

This is the second Australian beach on the list, but in our defense it’s extremely different place to Tasmania’s Wineglass Bay. Surfers lies at the heart of the world renowned Gold Coast on Australia’s sun drenched east coast. Surfers Paradise offers far more than just good waves and soft sand: visitors can indulge in shopping sprees, hit the casinos, go clubbing or get their thrills and spills at nearby theme parks. There’s always something fun to do in or around Surfers Paradise, no matter what kind of holiday you’re looking for - but there’s no need to cut your trip short there. The eastern coast of Australia is littered with excellent beaches, and once you get a campervan hire on the Gold Coast you can choose to head north, deeper into the tropics of Queensland, or south to discover destinations like Byron Bay, Port Macquarie and Sydney.

No matter where in the world you’re chasing the sun, travelling in a motorhome rental gives you the chance to explore more, discover new things and go to places you’d never dreamed of before.