We recently paired with CampToo to check out the best places in NSW for a domestic holiday this year. With overseas destinations off the books for another few months at least, our own backyard is looking pretty good for a holiday destination, and CampToo have made the process even simpler for you – simply pick a motorhome, van or caravan to rent. The hardest part is deciding where to go, so we thought we’d generously help you out there as well.
South Coast
If you’re hitting the South Coast of NSW, there’s far too many attractions for me to list here. You should definitely check out the Kiama blowhole if you haven’t already, but the further south you go, the better it gets.
The tiny town of Tuross Heads is one such hidden gem. Nestled between two lakes, there’s plenty on offer – from kayaking, surfing, and fishing to some great waterfront dining, as well as whale- and dolphin-watching. There’s also a gorgeous nine-hole golf course if that’s your style, so give this place a look in if you’re looking for something stunning you probably haven’t seen before.
Bega, on the other hand, is very well known for its incredible cheeses. There’s plenty more going on here, including a produce market held every Friday near the town centre. There’s something here on offer for everyone, with local producers hawking everything from locally harvested honey, to Sapphire Coast cheeses and fresh veggies. There’s also some gorgeous scenery around, with Bega only a short distance from rainforests, rolling hills and plains stretching as far as the eye can see – all packed with Bega’s famous dairy cows.
If you’re looking for a picturesque place to park your motorhome for the night, you can’t go better than Mimosa Rocks National Park. We booked ahead at Gillard’s Campground, and ended parked about 3 metres from the edge of the beach, which made for a stunning backdrop after a long day’s drive. Bookings are essential, but so is the view, so make sure you don’t miss this stop.
The Snowy Mountains
Between Bega and the Kosciuszko National Park, there’s a wealth of sights to see. Aside from some gorgeous scenery (the best we had on our trip), we also had the opportunity to stop in at Wildbrumby’s Schnapps Distillery. Wildbrumby’s is a stunning alpine distillery, producing their own schnapps, gin, and vodka, and serving up some pretty incredible food too. If you find yourselves in the area, definitely check these guys out – you won’t be disappointed.
Thredbo Village is also worth stopping into. Despite the fact that you probably think of it as a winter destination, Thredbo maintains a thriving summer trade, offering mountain biking, gorgeous hiking trails and the famous wildflower season. Kosciuszko National Park is home to some truly unique natural scenery, including Three Mile Dam and beautiful alpine slopes. Our CampToo hire (named TinTin) handled the steep inclines with ease, and the campgrounds were absolutely picturesque and exactly what you’d expect from such a beautiful part of the world.
Yass, Young & Southern Wine Country
When you think wine country, your thoughts probably go straight to the Hunter Valley. While it’s popular for a reason, the areas around Yass are equally packed with picturesque wineries with their own unique grape varieties and fermenting practices. The Yass Valley is unique for its climate and altitude, enabling them to grow grapes that aren’t able to be produced elsewhere, turning them into delicious dry reds and fruity whites. If you’re a wine lover, make sure you spend a lazy day or three trawling through the valley to find your perfect drop.
The town of Young, about an hour away from Yass, is also well worth your time and petrol. Known as the Cherry Capital of NSW for good reason, stone fruit orchards offer picking experiences for cherries, strawberries, peaches, olives and more. In particular, Ballinaclash Orchard stands out, with some of the best cherries I’ve ever tasted, as well as jams, dessert wines and even cherry ice cream.
Around young is the Hilltops wine region, which produces some of the finest grapes in Australia. Grove Estate, which we visited for some ‘cultural enlightenment’ (read: wine and cheese) boasts that they sell their grapes all over Australia, even to Hunter Valley vineyards. It’s hard to turn down fine wine at the best of times, but when it’s surrounded by rolling hills, rows of grapevines and gorgeous sunshine, it’s a crime not to indulge a little bit.
Accommodation in this area is readily available too, with towns such as Grenfell being famously RV-friendly, as well as the Weddin Mountains National Park – nestled in the foothills of the mountains, these campgrounds are packed with wallabies, walking trails, and everything else you could possibly want to experience on your #VanLife tour.
So that;s our tips for a motorhome tour of southern NSW. Places like Byron Bay or the Blue Mountains will always be a safe bet, but it’s definitely something special to check out the southern half of our gorgeous home state – so jump in a CampToo van and make it happen!
