Explore more of Australia in these amazing little-known parks
National parks are national treasures. They display some of the best of a country’s natural features, heritage, flora and fauna in a way that’s accessible to everyone, and are a hub of outdoor recreation for locals and visitors alike. Australia has some spectacular national parks that showcase the nation’s hotspots - from landmarks to landscapes - and it’s one of the most motorhome-friendly countries on earth, making it an ideal place to pick up a motorhome rental and explore.
Some of Australia’s national parks need no introduction, such as Uluru-Kata Tjuta which includes the famous Uluru rock formation, the Blue Mountains near Sydney or the vast Kakadu near Darwin. Today we are not re-hashing the delights of these famous parks, but featuring some little-known ones which are equally deserving of a visit during your motorhome itinerary in Australia. These are the hidden gems if you will, and including them in your adventures will mean you get to see the Australia that many don’t.
Kosciuszko National Park, NSW
Here’s where you’ll find the highest peak in mainland Australia, along with a whole host of things to see and do - horse riding in the High Plains, walking the trails beside the Snowy River, spelunking in the Yarrangobilly area, carving up the slopes of several NSW ski resorts. While the mountains are fantastic to explore during the summer, Kosciuszko is primarily known as a Mecca for snowsports, and it makes a great Australia winter road trip destination. What’s more, it has a grand total of 24 campgrounds where you can stay cheaply, many of which are open to campervans and caravans.
Kosciuszko National Park is located between Melbourne and Sydney, so you could pick up a campervan from either city and include this park in your travels. With a small detour, it would fit neatly into our Sydney to Adelaide: Down Under Wonders road trip itinerary. If you want to fist explore the south, securing a motorhome hire in Adelaide is a good choice.
Wolf Creek Meteorite Crater National Park, WA
Image: By MissMegido, CC BY-SA 4.0, from Wikimedia Commons
The main intrigue of this park is described in its name. The crater was formed when a giant meteorite crashed hundreds of thousands of years ago. It is the second-largest site of its kind in the world, measuring 800 metres across, and is an impressive sight. This national park is one to remember, and you’ll get some amazing travel snaps - this is certainly an Instagram-worthy destination!
The small park is quite remote in the northern reaches of Western Australia, so best for the itineraries of those with intrepid spirits - and might be included in a 4WD motorhome rental adventure! A Broome motorhome rental will get you there, and the Wolf Creek crater makes an interesting stop along the way of our Darwin to Broome “Tropical Wilderness Trek” itinerary.
Wilsons Promontory National Park, VIC
Image: By Eduardo Mariz from Sydney, Australia, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
This well-kept secret in the state of Victoria is a local favourite - if you want to camp there, you’ll need to book well in advance. Scenery highlights include granite mountains, forest, rainforest, sweeping beaches and more. The walking tracks here are varied and wonderful, ranging from short strolls to multi-day hikes. All in all, Wilsons Promontory is a playground for fun, particularly in the summer when swimming and watersports are on the agenda. Stay a few days!
A campervan rental from Melbourne is a good way to get there - it’s around a three-hour drive to the Promontory from the city, and you could visit the Mornington Peninsula along the way. Picking up a motorhome in Melbourne is always the beginning of an adventure, and Wilsons Promontory is just one of the destination options.
Carnarvon National Park, QLD
Image: By Vidariv, CC BY-SA 3.0, from Wikimedia Commons
Head away from the Queensland coast and far into the arid interior, and you may come across the green oasis of Carnarvon Gorge and its surrounding national park. Sandstone cliffs, hundreds of metres high, form the sides of the gorge and plunge down towards the lower canopy and winding Carnarvon Creek. The unique Australian flora and fauna to be explored here are impressive, and there are even platypuses in the creek. Keen hikers will love Carnarvon's many hiking trails, many of which visit fascinating aboriginal art sites.
A campervan hire from Brisbane or Cairns is the best way to get to this lush and off-the-beaten-track national park. Add it on to a Northern Queensland journey like our Brisbane to Noosa round trip and enjoy a part of the state that many will never see.
Don’t take a campervan trip that’s been done many times before. Add some of these national parks that you haven’t heard of to your itinerary and experience the unique, interesting and beautiful natural features, wildlife, outdoor recreation opportunities and cultural attractions that they are harbouring - with an Australia campervan hire, of course.
