Summer travel trends: top camper destinations revealed

Looking for some summer inspiration? We dug into the data to find out where Camplify travellers are planning on heading over the holiday season. If you’ve got the time to join them, we’ve got the wheels to get you there, so have a scroll, pick a spot, then check out our campervans and motorhomes (there are plenty still available) and choose your favourite.

1.Margaret River, WA

If there’s one place that proves, once and for all, that west is best, it has to be Margaret River. Hug the Indian Ocean heading south from Perth and you’ll eventually find yourself in a tight-knit community celebrated for its craft breweries, sprawling wineries and white-sand beaches boasting endless surf breaks. Time seems to slow down here, making Margaret River the perfect place to chill despite the summer heat.

Hire a van: Western Australia Where to stay: Margaret River Tourist Park

2. Sunshine Coast, QLD

What’s in a name? Well, head to the Sunshine Coast and you’ll soon find out. The summer gods smile down on this stretch of coastline – only 1.5 hours north of Brisbane – with in-the-know Queenslanders flocking here over the holiday season while interstate travellers have traditionally headed to the Gold Coast. Currimundi is an epic spot to laze away a summer day, while Coolum is renowned for having one of the best surf breaks in the region. And if you’re looking to get away from it all, the Hinterland promises rainforests, waterfalls and unbeatable views from the Glass House Mountains.

Hire a van: Queensland Where to stay: Coolum Beach Holiday Park

3. Port Macquarie, NSW

We’d claim that Port Mac is back, but to be perfectly honest, it never went away. This coastal town has always been a mecca for surfers and sun seekers, but now the secret is well and truly out. Families will love the beaches and wildlife while more, shall we say, mature travellers can pair their summer fun with a glass of wine from one of the local vineyards. Take a coastal walk in town or head further afield to Hat Head National Park, where a more remote nature experience awaits. Hire a van: New South Wales Where to stay: NRMA Port Macquarie Breakwall Holiday Park

4. Port Fairy, VIC

Consider Port Fairy the pot of the gold at the end of the Great Ocean Road. It’s an arts-loving town where sandstone cottages have stood for over a century, and though the streets are quiet through winter, the summer always, always sizzles. You can stroll down to the port to watch the local fishermen unload their catch, or while away a day exploring the antique stores, art galleries and ice-cream stores. And the beaches? They’re refreshing, they’re rugged and you better believe they’re just the right amount of windswept. Hire a van: Victoria Where to stay: BIG4 Port Fairy Holiday Park

5. Eyre Peninsula, SA

The air is better in Eyre; breathe deeply and let the salty goodness fill your soul. Highlights have to be Coffin Bay and its famous oysters, diving with Great White Sharks and the secluded national parks that are home to some of the whitest beaches you’ll ever see. Port Lincoln is a fascinating town too, with a long-running fishing industry and seafood restaurants that take freshness to another level.

****Hire a van: South Australia Where to stay: Port Lincoln Tourist Park

6. Bruny Island, TAS

How could you not want to visit a place called Adventure Bay? And trust us when we say that there’s something for every kind of adventurer on Bruny Island. From cheese and chocolate tasting to eco-cruises and surf spots, Bruny has plenty on offer at any time of the year. Don’t miss checking out The Neck – an isthmus connecting the north and south of Bruny – where you’ll enjoy 360-degree views of the beautiful landscape. It’s one of the most photographed spots in all of Tassie, so bring your best smile and maybe a selfie stick (kidding). Hire a van: Tasmania Where to stay: Captain Cook Holiday Park

Hire a van this summer and head to some of the best locations throughout Australia to enjoy the warmer months near the water!