Country camping
Tree-lined streets, sprawling parks and a tonne of history make Australia’s country towns wonderful destinations for a family camping holiday. From the east to the west coast, jennifer ennion shares her favourites.
From the east coast to the west coast, Jennifer Ennion shares her favourite country camping destinations.
Tempting Toowoomba qld
Be awed by the majesty of the Great Dividing Range while embracing the distinct seasons in Toowoomba, about 1.5 hours west of Brisbane. Nicknamed Queensland’s Garden City, this is the kind of town where you’ll want to throw a rug down at a park and enjoy a family picnic in the crisp outdoors. There are more than 150 parks and gardens to choose from, but the aptly named Picnic Point is a standout thanks to its views over the Lockyer Valley and large play areas. Toowoomba Japanese Garden is another top choice; it’s the largest of its kind in Australia. Toowoomba is also a great place to introduce children to our colonial history, with buildings dating back to the mid-1800s and the impressive Cobb+co Museum housing 40-odd horse-drawn vehicles. Be sure to set aside time to play dress-ups, too.
Stay at BIG4 Toowoomba Garden City Holiday Park, where there are two pools, a jumping pillow and a caravan cubby house.
Buzzing Bathurst nsw
There’s more to Bathurst than motor cars, but the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 Supercars remains a major drawcard for ‘fast and furious’ families. The iconic annual race at Mount Panorama (4–7 October) is a wild celebration of racing in true-blue Aussie style. Outside of the event, you can drive the worldfamous circuit, while it’s also worth popping into the National Motor Racing Museum. For a special treat, take the kids to Annies Ice Cream Parlour, where you can step back in time while tasting delicious ice-cream and slurping on the best milkshakes. Older children will love getting up close to dinosaur skeletons, including one of a Tyrannosaurus rex, at the Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum. Among the 2.000 specimens you’ll also discover fossilised dinosaur eggs.
Stay at Barcoos Farmstays, where children can help feed the lambs, pigs and chickens, and go on pony and tractor rides.
Fabulous Forbes nsw
Pretty as a postcard, the historic city of Forbes, in Central NSW, is a fabulous place to enjoy a slow-paced holiday with the family. Pack the bikes and go for a gentle cycle along lovely Lake Forbes, where you’ll meet families of swans and flocks of birds. If you’re visiting in summer, wear your togs so you can enjoy a cycle break and beat the heat at the free water park. Mini twitchers will also love Forbes Wetlands and Bird Hide, where they can learn about more than 150 bird species. Little history buffs will be keen to delve into the town’s bushranger past and a great starting point is the fascinating Forbes Historical Museum (open 2–4pm).
Stay in one of a handful of campgrounds in this RV Friendly Town. Our pick is Apex Riverside Tourist Park.
01 Manjimup Park is a highlight for kids 02 Historic Forbes © Central NSW Tourism 03 Experience the mighty Murray at Mildura 04 Figs at Mildura Farmers’ Market 05 Manjimup’s marvellous fungi 06 Murray paddle steamer © Visit Victoria/roberto Seba 07 Seasons of Manjimup. Images 01, 05 & 07 © Jennifer Ennion. Images 03–04 © Visit Victoria/robert Blackburn
Magical Manjimup wa
It’s Margaret River 20 years ago, say the proud locals of Manjimup, 3.5 hours south of Perth. The quieter, lesser-known of the two regions, here you can restock your caravan pantry with pears, plums and potatoes at Manjimup Farmers’ Market (first and third Saturday) and follow road signs pointing toward vineyards and orchids. Manjimup is known for producing Pink Lady apples, but for a special treat head to The Truffle & Wine Co. As the largest producer of black Périgord truffles in the Southern Hemisphere, the estate offers a break from the caravan kitchen, with lunch-time dishes including scrumptious potato gnocchi with truffle. There’s plenty of space for kids to run around on the lawn in front of the restaurant, too, but be sure to call them back to the table when the truffle ice-cream arrives. Visit in winter for a truffle-hunting tour at the farm. While you’re in town, you’ll also want to spend a morning at the fantastic Timber and Heritage Park, with its giant slippery slide, flying fox and multi-aged play structures.
Stay at Big Brook Arboretum, a dogfriendly campsite surrounded by towering karri trees, about 30 minutes from Manjimup.
Mighty Mildura vic
Set on the banks of one of Australia’s most vital waterways, the Murray River, it’s no surprise holidays in Mildura centre on aquatic fun. The quintessential experience is to spend two hours cruising aboard a paddle steamer. PS Melbourne is a favourite and this grand lady plies the water twice a day, departing Mildura Wharf. If cruising is too slow for your family, try the popular pastimes of waterskiing or jet-boating on the river instead. Other family fun includes hopping on a tractor train and touring Orange World, a 20-hectare working citrus farm.
Stay at All Seasons Holiday Park, where the kids will have a hoot in the swimming pool and splash zone.