Domestic Tourism 2021: Getaway Ideas and Tips
In 2020, we were forced to rethink the way we holiday. With the COVID-19 pandemic sweeping the globe, affecting the tourism industry and deeming international travel off-limits, many of us put our plans for overseas travel on hold, with a view to revisiting the idea in 2021—however things haven’t quite panned out the way we thought they might.
Even with the promise of a COVID-19 vaccine to be rolled out in the not-too-distant future, with Australia’s Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly recently announcing that the international travel ban is going to be one of the last conditions to change with international borders shut until mid 2021, it looks like domestic travel is still going to be the best option for Aussies in need of a getaway in 2021.
But that’s no reason to despair—in Australia we’re blessed to have such an expansive and diverse range of both natural and people-made attractions across the country, that even if you’ve already seen a lot of it, there’s still plenty to explore.
If you’re looking for some inspiration of great Australian getaways that you can add to your 2021 travel itinerary. Here are our top domestics tourism 2021 picks that are well worth considering:
Locations
South Australia: The Barossa Valley and Kangaroo Island
If the idea of great food, excellent wine, pristine beaches and picturesque natural scenery sounds appealing, a trip to the Barossa Valley and Kangaroo Island in South Australia is sure to hit the mark.
A mere hour or so out of Adelaide, the Barossa Valley is not only home to beautiful countryside and plenty of great cycling and walking tracks, but it’s most famed as a food and wine destination.
Known for producing some of the best Shiraz and Riesling you’ll find anywhere in the globe, the Barossa is not only home to big-name wine producers like Penfolds, Henschke, Jacobs Creek, Seppeltsfield, Yalumba, Wolf Blass and St Hallett, but with more than 40 wine grape varieties grown throughout the region, it’s also home to an endless list of boutique vineyards and wineries ensuring you’ll never struggle to find a good drop. If you’re looking for extra experiences, check out the offers at redballoon.
Then when it’s time leave and head on to Kangaroo Island (or ‘KI’), you’ll love taking in the Adelaide Hills and the historic German village of Hahndorf, en route to Cape Jervis where you’ll need to hitch a ride on the SeaLink ferry to reach the island.
Despite the fact that much of the island was ravaged by the 2019-20 bushfires, the natural beauty of this corner of the globe is still undeniable. Best known for its beaches, bushland and bountiful wildlife, by no means is KI a small island, so you’ll need to allow at least a few days if you want to get around to all the main attractions such as the Remarkable Rocks, the Little Sahara dunes, Kelly Hill Caves and the Seal Bay Conservation Park. You can learn more about all the attractions and recommended itineraries on the official Kangaroo Island website.
Hire a motorhome for your Barossa and Kangaroo Island adventure from our Adelaide Branch.
We Recommend the Conquest Royale for this trip. When life on the road calls for the very best in creature comforts. The Jayco Conquest Royale is the way to go, with premium features including a slide-out island, queen-size bed and spacious ensuite.
Going the Extra Mile
If you’re living in Melbourne and want to take this trip to a whole new level, you can hire a motorhome in Melbourne and drive to Adelaide. Check out our Melbourne to Adelaide Itinerary.
Western Australia: The Kimberley and Broome
There’s possibly no better place to escape it all and get a taste of the Australian wilderness than with a road trip through the Kimberley to Broome.
The expansive yet sparsely populated area that is the Kimberley encompasses a diverse range of landscapes including dramatic gorges, breathtaking waterfalls, spectacular coastline and ancient geological landmarks. From Lake Argyle and the Ord River to the Bungle Bungles, Mitchell Plateau, Windjana Gorge or the Kimberley Coast, it’s entirely up to you to decide where you’d most like to explore.
While the Kimberley is a destination in itself, if time permits, it’s also well worth driving the extra distance to the pearling town of Broome to take in the glistening turquoise waters and dramatic rust-red cliffs, along with major the major drawcard which is of course the pristine white sands of Cable Beach. To find out more about what Broome has to offer, you can check out their official website.
Kick-off your Kimberley and Broome adventure by hiring a motorhome from our Darwin Branch or Perth Branch. We Recommend the Jayco 2+1 Escape. If you want to travel light and still enjoy the benefits of a motorhome, but on a smaller scale, then the Jayco Escape campervan is for you. It’s the perfect option for solo pioneers or couples with a little one in tow.
Going the Extra Mile
Explore Darwin while you’re there and enjoy what the tropical capital city has to offer, from great food to other fun and adventures. Check out our Darwin Bucket List.
Victoria: The Great Ocean Road
It’s a rite of passage for every Australian to be able to drive Victoria’s Great Ocean Road at least once in their lifetime, and if you haven’t done it yet, there’s no better time than the present!
Winding for more than 240-kilometres along the rugged coastline stretching between Torquay and Allansford (near Warrnambool), the Great Ocean Road grants you access to numerous impressive surf breaks, the breathtaking waterfalls and lush scenery of the Otway Ranges and spectacular rock formations including the world-famous 12 Apostles.
Taking in charming coastal townships like Anglesea, Aireys Inlet, Lorne, Apollo Bay and Port Campbell, whether you decide to do the drive over a few days or you want to park yourself in a nice spot where you can sit back and soak in the sand, surf and serenity for a while, there are plenty of options to explore the coast your way. For more information about the Great Ocean Road, check out their official website.
It’s easy to organise motorhome hire for your Great Ocean Road coastal adventure from our Melbourne Branch. We recommend the Jayco 2 & 3 Berth where luxury meets comfort for three, it’s the perfect home away from home for a small family. The self-contained Jayco 3 Berth Cruiser offers a comfortable living space for two adults and a child.
The Extra Mile
If you’re heading to Melbourne and want to know what you absolutely must include on your itinerary while there, we’ve got you covered. As a city with plenty to do, see and explore, it can be difficult to know where to go to get the full Melbourne experience, so check out our Melbourne Bucket List.
New South Wales: The NSW South Coast
While the South Coast of New South Wales bore much of the brunt of the 2019-20 bushfires, the region is very much back up and running and ready to welcome back visitors to enjoy everything the region has to offer.
Home to a long list of popular destinations like Wollongong and the Illawarra, Shellharbour, Kiama, Shoalhaven and Jervis Bay, Batemans Bay and Eurobodalla and Merimbula and the Sapphire Coast, there’s no question that the vibrant coastline is the star of the show.
With beautiful beaches a-plenty, whether you’re mostly into fishing, boating, surfing, swimming, kayaking or paddle boarding, the NSW South Coast is an ideal destination.
From catching a wave at Killalea in Shellharbour, to snorkelling at Bushrangers Bay or whale watching and dolphin spotting on the Sapphire Coast, the region is perfect for channeling your inner water-baby. However, if you do decide you’ve had enough of the water, you can always head to Eurobodalla for a Bushwalk, sample the delicious local produce (including freshly shucked oysters) at the many restaurants and eateries throughout the region, or soar through the treetops at Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures.
Arrange motorhome hire for your NSW South Coast road trip from our Sydney Branch. We recommend the Jayco Up to 6 Berth Journey. This motorhome is spacious enough for six to travel in luxurious comfort. All you need to drive this motorhome is a standard car license and a sense of adventure.
The Extra Mile
If you want to get the full Sydney experience, make sure you check out our Sydney bucket list and add these six Sydney favourites’ to your travel plans.
Queensland: The Great Barrier Reef and Daintree
If the idea of taking in one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World along with one of the three oldest rainforests on the planet in a single trip sounds appealing, it’s entirely possible when you plan a getaway to Cairns.
Cairns is uniquely positioned to provide easy access to both the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree, allowing you to take in the best of both worlds.
Whether you’re keen to jump on a cruise to explore near-by Fitzroy or Green islands, snorkel or dive at to nearby spots like Flynn, Milln, Thetford or Pellowe reefs, or use the area as a launching pad to reach some of the more remote areas of the reef, Cairns is the ideal spot to become better acquainted with the reef.
Then when it’s time to explore the Daintree, you can reach the famous Mossman Gorge in a little over an hour’s drive, before winding your way up further north through the picturesque rainforest to reach Cape Tribulation.
When you can also stop and enjoy other popular holiday spots including Port Douglas and Palm Cove along the way, it’s sure to be a getaway that you won’t forget in a hurry!
Motorhome hire for your reef and rainforest getaway is easy to arrange from our Cairns Branch. We recommend the Jayco 3 Berth Campervan. It’s the best of both worlds. The self-contained Jayco 3 Berth Wanderer accommodates up to two adults and a child, and has all the features of a motorhome (including shower, toilet and air conditioning) in an economical package.
The Extra Mile
To get the full experience up in QLD, you can include Cairns in your itinerary, but make sure you add these 6 activities to your bucket list—we know you won’t be disappointed!
Tips for planning your motorhome getaway
Whether you decide to head to Broome, the Barossa or the Barrier Reef, there are a few things you can do to ensure your 2021 domestic tourism motorhome getaway is a breeze.
Here are a few of our top tips to help you make the most of your next Aussie motorhome getaway…
- Develop a loose itinerary for where you plan to travel. While you can always decide to make a few detours, having a basic idea of where you want to go and what you want to see is never a bad idea.
- Choose a motorhome that’s suitable for the number of passengers and the length of your trip. While a campervan can be a great option for a week or so, if you’ll be on the road for a lengthier period of time, you might be more comfortable in a slightly larger motorhome.
- It’s worth checking if your motorhome or campervan hire company can pre-stock your vehicle with everything you need (such as your groceries or even alcohol) to ensure you can get on the road quickly and easily without any fussing around.
- If you’re travelling with young children, check if your vehicle can accommodate baby or booster seats and pre-book this with your motorhome hire company to ensure availability for your dates.
- If you want to travel a fair distance, look for a motorhome hire company with plenty of branches around Australia. This will give you the flexibility to return your vehicle to a location of your choosing so you can plan your trip how you want, unrestricted.
- Set yourself up by downloading these useful travel apps that are sure to come in handy while you’re on the road!
- Book a few caravan park spots in advance. You will need to plug in your motorhome every couple of days and some caravan parks can book out well in advance (especially during peak season), so it’s worth locking in a few places in advance to ensure you don’t find yourself in a tricky spot.
- Some good music can be the thing that turns a good road trip into a great one, so why not invest a little time to create an epic road trip playlist before you hit the road!
Planning an Australian domestic tourism motorhome getaway in 2021? Check out our range of campervans and motorhomes available for hire from a long list of locations throughout Australia to find the right one for you.