Australian Mountain Road Trips
Mountains, deserts, cities and coasts – Australia’s got them all. Most people think of Australia as quite flat – but it’s not the case. With numerous mountain road trips around the country, it’s hard to know which one and when to go suits you. From desert ranges to snow-capped mountains, we list some of the top mountain road trips.
Note that towing a caravan through mountainous regions can be a tall order for a vehicle, check out our Utes and SUVs – Towing Vehicles for some tough towers.
The Blue Mountains – NSW
About: One of Australia’s premier mountain road trips, the Blue Mountains have a lot to offer. The area, west of Sydney, has a dense Eucalyptus tree forest which provides not only homes to many of Australia’s koala population but also a refreshing air quality for visitors. Eucalyptus oils mixed with water droplets disperse sunlight creating the distinctive ‘blue’ in the Blue Mountains. Katoomba, the main town in the Blue Mountains is considered the ‘hub’ by locals and tourists.
Distance From Sydney: 102km
Attractions: Jenolan Cave, cable car, glow worms, hiking
Best Time to Go: Winter months
Caravan Parks: Katoomba Falls Tourist Park, Wallacia Caravan Park
Average Price / Night: $45 (powered site)
The Grampians – Vic
About: When driving to The Grampians, travellers often comment on the ‘bump on the otherwise flat horizon’ that gets more and more significant as you drive. The stunning and ‘compact’ mountain range that is The Grampians provides easy-access adventure perfect for travellers with time constraints. Highlights can be ‘done’ in a long weekend but you’ll need a little longer to explore every nook and cranny. Kids love the large number of local kangaroos that relax side by side with people.
Distance From Melbourne: 260km
Attractions: Stunning lookouts, hiking, wildlife, Aboriginal art and history
Best Time to Go: May – September
Caravan Parks: Halls Gap Lakeside Tourist Park, Halls Gap Caravan Park
Average Price / Night: $35 (powered site)
The Snowy Mountains – NSW
About: The Snowies as the locals call them are, of course, snowy in the winter months. Australia’s highest mountain, Mount Kosciuszko (pronounced ‘Ko-zi-os-kow’) resides in The Snowies which provides stunning views of the area. In the warmer months, the mountains make for excellent mountain biking and hiking trails. Fresh-water fishing and kayaking are also popular. You might even spot one of Australia’s illusive platypuses in the many crystal clear waterways.
Distance From Sydney: 492km
Attractions: Skiing and snow activities, adventure, Mount Kosciuszko, wineries / distilleries
Best Time to Go: Winter months
Caravan Parks: Cooma Snowy Mountains Tourist Park, Jindabyne Holiday & Caravan Park
Average Price / Night: $36 (powered site)
The Flinders Ranges – SA
About: Towing cliffs and quintessential Australian dusty red roads – the Flinders Ranges are a spectacular outback mountain range. SA’s most popular mountain road trip offers world-class starry night skies, wildlife and hiking trails. Visitors often remark that the landscape is like the surface of Mars. Home to Wilpena Pound, a giant ‘table-top’ mountain that fills with rainwater during winter to create outback waterfalls, the Flinders Ranges is a photographer’s dream. The Pichi Richi Railway is a historical steam train that winds its way through the mountains.
Distance From Adelaide: 470km
Attractions: 4WDing, Wilpena Pound, Aboriginal history, Pichi Richi Railway
Best Time to Go: April – October
Caravan Parks: Wilpena Park Caravan Park, Big4 Stuart Range
Average Price / Night: $36 (powered site)
Cradle Mountain – Tas
About: Located in the Central Highlands of Tasmania, Cradle Mountain is an iconic and picturesque wilderness retreat. Yep, this is where the infamous Tasmanian devils live too, giving you a chance to encounter the mysterious creatures. The area is blessed with stunning autumn colours, spring wildflowers and winter snow. Visitors often comment they’ve entered Jurassic Park – minus the dinosaurs.
Distance From Hobart: 320km
Attractions: Luxury spas, wildlife, hiking, wildflowers, Dove Lake
Best Time to Go: April to October
Caravan Parks: Discovery Parks Cradle Mountain
Average Price / Night: $65 (powered site)
Bluff Knoll – WA
About: Bluff Knoll is part of the Stirling Ranges in southern Western Australia. A popular mountain road trip from Perth and known for its stunning views. On a clear day, you’ll be able to see the surrounding mountains, right down to the coast. Some of the hiking trails demand pretty decent fitness so be sure to pack carefully and check the difficulty ratings. Bluff Knoll is one of the few places in WA to experience snow. The area is home to 19 species of Australian mammals and over 1500 species of plants making hiking hugely popular.
Distance From Perth: 406km
Attractions: Wildlife, rock climbing, hiking, panoramic views
Best Time to Go: March – October
Caravan Parks: Mt Trio Bush Camp & Caravan Park
Average Price / Night: $38 (powered site)
The Glass House Mountains – QLD
About: Colloquially known as ‘Glasshouse’ by the locals, the mountain range is popular for day-trippers from Brisbane. Depending on your time budget, this mountain road trip can be a ‘weekender’ if you’re coming from Brisbane. The Glass House Mountains are so striking against the surrounding area, it’s considered a ‘landscape of national significance’. Offering some simple walks to grade 5 hikes needing rock climbing/scrambling experience. Other activities on offer include picnicking and mountain biking.
Distance From Brisbane: 70km
Attractions: Aboriginal history, mountain biking, hiking, rainforest, birdlife
Best Time to Go: Cooler months
Caravan Parks: Glass House Mountains Caravan & Camping Park, Big4 Caloundra Holiday Park
Average Price / Night: $40 (powered site)
Keen to get into a new caravan and explore Australia’s mountain road trips? Try our caravan loan calculator to see what your rates and repayments look like.
How about a powerful towing vehicle to tackle the steep roads? We’ve got you covered with our car loan calculator.
