Brisbane to New England road trip: complete itinerary

Let’s Plan Your Brisbane to New England Roadtrip!

Leave home in the rearview and give your senses a break from the smog and speed of city living. You have seven days to take it slow, changing gears as your well-deserved Brisbane to Tamworth road trip begins and the kids look out the window, watching tall buildings fade away, replaced by the sweeping landscapes of inland NSW.

Before we launch into your daily itinerary, take some time to run a final check - do you have enough supplies for your trip? Have you researched the local weather and packed accordingly? Is your petrol tank full? Are you ready to let go and enjoy the experience?

Keep in mind, all stops, timings and destinations are suggestions only. If you want to plot your own way, or speak to one of our experienced Camplify VanLife representatives about alternative routes, we’re only a phone call away!

All good? Let’s get into it.

Day 1: Brisbane to Moree

We recommend leaving just after the sun rises, giving yourself plenty of time to reach Toowoomba, a regional centre bursting with colour, outlooks and side-adventures. Bring along a breakfast basket to sample at the peak of Picnic Point while the kids blow off some steam. After filling your belly, make your way to Moree, stopping over at Goondiwindi for a brief walk in the Botanic Gardensbefore arriving at your new favourite NSW rural camping spot for a delicious dinner at a nearby restaurant - locals rate the Royal Hotel Restaurantfor dinner and Balo Cafe for breakfast and lunch.

Fast Facts

Drive Time: 6.5 hours Terrain: Sealed and marked highways Insider Tip: Call ahead of time and book a wine tasting at Woolaway Wines.

Day 2: Moree to Tamworth

Kick-off your day with a soak in the Moree Plains Artesian Pools and let the mineral-heavy thermal springs relieve sore backs, soothe tired limbs and refresh the skin before strapping in for Day 2 of your VanLife expedition. We hope you packed your hiking shoes! Today, you’ll be stopping over to witness the dry but striking splendour of the Sawn Rocks and Mount Kaputar National Park. Packed with bushwalks, overlooks and spectacular sights, the relatively easy paths will have the whole family smiling from ear to ear, fingers poised to take the best picture. After you’ve contented yourself with the walks and wildlife of Kaputar, continue onto Tamworth where you’ll settle your tyres for a lovely meal and a long night of rest at Paradise Tourist Park.

Fast Facts Drive Time: 6.5 hours Terrain: Sealed and marked highways Insider Tip: The climb to the summit of Mt Kaputar is an easy 2km, with the final 400m requiring a bit more fitness as steps take you to the very top.

Day 3 &4: Exploring New England

Welcome to the Country Music Capital of Australia and your home base for the next couple of days. While we encourage you to enjoy the quirkiness of the Big Golden Guitar in town and take a ride on the back of a humpy, bumpy camel at Armidale’s New England Camel Co, the national parks of this jaw-dropping region are the main attraction. Why not go off the beaten track and swap manicured grounds for dusty, rough but beautiful surrounds? Warrabah National Park is a hotspot for day-walkers, bird-watchers, cyclists and anybody wanting a relaxing dip in a pristine, country waterhole, while Coolah Tops National Park offers adventure amongst the tall, ghostly gums by day and wondrous star-filled skies by night. Make sure to stop in and immerse yourself in our nation’s history, as the Boonalla Aboriginal Area holds many secrets, including the Boonalla Cave, a spiritually and culturally significant artefact of the Gomeroi people. One thing you absolutely cannot miss out on during your New England adventure is a trip to the Warrumbungles region, which is famous for its spectacularly clear skies -- perfect for stargazing!

Fast Facts

Drive Time: Up to you Terrain: Prepare for unsealed roads, gravel and dirt.

Eat: Spoil your palette at the Glasshouse Restaurant, a culinary destination located in the heart of Goonoo Goonoo Station, or keep it tasty but simple at Riviera Bar and Grill. Enjoy a beverage (you’ve earned one!) at Hopscotch and follow it up with breakfast the next day, preferably a big stack of ricotta pancakes courtesy of the good people at Gusto.

Insider Tip: There’s no one way to explore this treasured region. As you dive into the surrounding Tablelands, allow yourself to be swept away by hidden valleys, verdant countryside and thriving wildlife - you’ll feel worlds apart from your day to day life!

Day 5: Tamworth to Guy Fawkes National Park

It’s time to start slowly heading home. Spoil yourself and throw the clock away on this leg of the journey, as Armidale, Uralla and Glen Innis deserve more than a quick glance. Park your Camplify chariot and breath in the fresh air of the Woolridge Recreation and Fossicking Area - you may even find a Witchetty Grub to nibble on (if you dare). Waterfall Way and Wollomombi Falls, just outside of Armidale, demand eyeballs and cameras alike, aweing crowds with their tumbling appeal, and The Australian Standing Stones are sure to delight even the most skeptical traveller - young, old or somewhere in-between, the New England region rarely disappoints. Rest your vehicle and kick back at Chaelundi campground.

Fast Facts Drive Time: 5 hours Terrain: Sealed and marked highways

Day 6: Guy Fawkes National Park to Tenterfield

Before moving onto Tenterfield, immerse yourself in this paradise of flowing rivers, lush vegetation and countless walking tracks, keeping your eyes peeled for shy native birds in the treetops as the Boyd River gives way to the rumbling Ebor Falls. Speaking of the river, don’t forget to hitch your canoe or kayak to your hired motorhome - there’s nothing quite like seeing this part of Australia from the water. As you putter along the highway towards Tenterfield, by on the lookout for the Mount Mackenzie Nature Reserve. The unsealed, dirt road up to the summer retains some of the wildness of the surrounding area, as wildlife hops along the roadside, unphased by passing motorists. Unpack an afternoon picnic of snacks and enjoy the view before pulling into the Tenterfield Lodge and Caravan Park.

Fast Facts Drive Time: 3 hours Terrain: Sealed and marked highways Insider Tip: Access Ebor Falls from Waterfall Way. A gentle walk connects two vantage points and a neat little picnic area for a morning snack before heading out.

Day 7: Tenterfield to Brisbane

You’re on the final stretch! Before finding yourself back in the city, summit the southern hemisphere’s largest monolith at Bald Rock National Park and relish one last refreshing swim in the waters of Boonoo Boonoo Falls. Just because all good things must come to an end doesn’t mean you give up without filling every last minute with memories that will last a lifetime. Stop one last time in Warwick for a bite to eat before returning your caravan to the driveway and closing this VanLife chapter.

Fast Facts:

Drive Time: 4.5 hours Terrain: Sealed and marked highways

Are you ready to live your best VanLife? Switch the constant crush of airports and too-full planes for the open road, fresh air and total control of a New England adventure. You’ll be surprised to discover what you’ve been missing out on.

Starting from Sydney? Check out the ultimate Sydney to Tamworth road trip !

Camplify can help you find the perfect RV so that you can experience the joys of caravanning without having to own one yourself. Interested? Learn more about Camplify for hirers here_.

So what is Camplify?

We are Australia’s largest caravan and motorhome sharing community, helping connect holidaymakers with thousands of local van owners.

What does that mean?

Essentially, we provide a unique sharing platform where local owners of caravans, camper trailers, motorhomes, and campervans list their van for hire while not in use. As a van owner, this enables you to earn up to $10,000 - $20,000 a year by sharing with others

As a holidaymaker, Camplify helps you find a van that’s perfect for your next adventure, so you can experience the freedom & joys of caravanning - without having to own one yourself.

Interested? Learn more about Camplify here >_