Australia winter road trips: top 10 destinations

From soaking it up in beautiful hot springs to keeping cosy on an indoor wine tasting tour, a winter getaway offers some of the best experiences to enjoy on a road trip! To help you make the most of the cooler months, we’ve put together an ultimate guide to the top ten winter road trip destinations in Australia. Covering bucket list locations from Deep Creek Conservation Park to the Sunshine Coast, we’ve sorted routes by state - all you need to do is pick your favourite!

Top ten winter road trip destinations in Australia: routes you can’t miss

1. The best route to Peninsula Hot Springs

Total distance: 100km | Recommended days: 2 days | Route Map

Is there anything better than unwinding in a relaxing hot spring, surrounded by crisp winter air? Simply sort out campervan hire in Melbourne and make the 1.5-hour drive to complete and utter luxury on a remarkable winter road trip.

The naturally warm water at Peninsula Hot Springs will chase away any of those inevitable winter chills. If you’re really feeling like you need the opportunity to relax and unwind, you can indulge at the Day Spa and treat yourself to a little pampering at the same time.

Enjoy free camping at the nearby Point Leo Beach reserve (see WIkicamps for details) or head to one of the paid powered sites (a little more comfortable in winter) at Kangerong Holiday Park, Dromana.

Want to discover more amazing places to visit in Victoria? Check out our guide to winter camping activities in Victoria.

2. The best route to Deep Creek Conservation Park

Total distance: 105km | Recommended days: 1 to 2 days | Route Map

Winter is the perfect chance to get outdoors. The cooler weather lends itself to hiking adventures, and things don’t get much better than Deep Creek Conservation Park! Sort out campervan hire in Adelaide, and from there it’s just 1.5 hours to your destination. Pass through Morphett Vale, McLaren Vale and Normanville on this easy drive.

Don’t have a lot of time to spare? You can even turn this into a winter day trip, and fish out those hiking boots for a few hours of walking trails. With 15 different trails to explore, stay as little or as long as your legs will allow.

The park is home to more than 400 native plant species, and if you’re lucky, you might even spot western grey kangaroos, southern brown bandicoots and yellow-tailed black cockatoos.

Want to discover more amazing places to visit in South Australia? Check out our guide to winter camping activities in South Australia.

3. The best route through Tennant Creek

Total distance: 988km | Recommended days: 3 to 5 days | Route Map

All stocked up on that winter camping gear? Why not do something a little out of the ordinary and head to the Desert Harmony Festival. Caravanning in winter doesn’t get much cosier than this! In fact, it has been named Australia’s most remote festival - and for good reason! It’s 10 hours from Darwin, so it's probably best to stop off for a night on the way at Daly Waters to break up the trip! Start in Darwin then stop off in Pine Creek then rest for the night in Katherine before you hit the road again. Now head through Daly Waters and on to Tennant Creek.

For the last 30 years, Tennant Creek has hosted this incredible concert on the lands of the Warumungu people in August. It’s the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself into the community and culture of these people, and experience something just a little bit different for that next trip.

Want to discover more amazing places to visit in the Northern Territory? Check out our guide to winter camping activities in the Northern Territory

4. The best route through Margaret River

Total distance: 270km | Recommended days: 2 to 3 days | Route Map

There’s one activity you can carry out rain, hail or shine, and it’s a delicious wine tasting. Set out to the Margaret River region for a truly memorable getaway in the crisp air. Sort out your campervan hire in Perth, and then it is just a 3-hour drive to this amazing destination. On your drive, pass through Rockingham, Mandurah and Bunbury, before you arrive in Margaret River.

Enjoy a laid-back vibe all year long as you sample some of the quaint wineries, while also taking in some incredible views. Head to Stella Bella Wines, Voyager Estate, Moss Wood or any of the other options. You really can’t go wrong with the endless cellar doors!

Make sure you add Margaret River Chocolate Factory and Margaret River Fudge Factory to the list to stock up on some essentials.

Want to discover more amazing places to visit in Western Australia? Check out our guide to winter camping activities in WA.

5. The best route through the Blue Mountains

Total distance: 280 km | Recommended days: 1 to 3 days | Route Map

Camping in winter isn’t for everyone, but it does make a very unique and memorable experience. You really can’t beat the Blue Mountains for stunning views and plenty of walking trails to keep your blood pumping. Simply organise your campervan hire in Sydney and make the 2.5-hour drive to this jaw-dropping destination!

The Blue Mountains are a chance to check out some incredible natural wonders. Set your sights on the Three Sisters and Katoomba Falls. You can give your legs a rest and take the world’s steepest passenger railway train at Scenic World for some more spectacular views. If you keep travelling, you will also hit the Jenolan Caves and Glow Worm Tunnel track in Wollemi.

At the end of the day, there’s nothing better than getting cosy in the fresh air in front of a fire and enjoying that winter chill.

Want to learn more about this route? Check out our guide to the ultimate NSW winter road trip guide.

1. The best route through the Snowy Mountains

Total distance: 487 km | Recommended days: 3 to 5 days | Route Map

Of course, if a winter road trip is on your mind then you can’t go wrong with hunting down the snow. With Australia’s five tallest peaks, you really will have your pick when it comes to skiing and snowboarding in the area.

It’s just a 5.5 hour trip from Sydney, passing through Canberra along the way, which makes the perfect place to stop for the night if time allows.

Once you arrive in the Snowy Mountains, you can base yourself and check out Perisher Valley, Mt Kosciuszko, Jindabyne and more. Stock up on the snow gear, including gloves, beanies and scarves, as they will be very much needed for this chilly destination. There are some great campgrounds near the slopes, including Thredbo Diggings Campground and Ngarigo Campground.

Want to discover more amazing places to visit in New South Wales? Check out our guide to winter camping activities in NSW.

7. The best route to Namadgi National Park

Total distance: 56.2km | Recommended days: 2 to 3 days | Route Map

The ACT is the perfect winter destination with a number of awesome winter camping spots for you to choose from. All you need to do is sort campervan hire in Canberra and hit the open road! Drive your way past Greenway and Paddys River, before finding yourself in Namadgi National Park for some hiking fun.

Set your sites on Honeysuckle Campground, where you can base yourself for the entire trip and enjoy a number of day hikes around the area. Namadgi stretches across almost half the area of the ACT and offers up a massive 106,000 square hectares. Put simply, there’s plenty for you to explore.

Booroomba Rocks is a nice and easy 2.5km that leaves from Namadgi Visitors Centre. If you’re looking for something a little more challenging, check out the Orroral Heritage Walk, which is a 6km track taking you through the heritage of the area.

Want to discover more amazing places to visit in the ACT? Check out our guide to winter camping activities in the ACT.

8. The best route to Mount Nelson

Total distance: 131km | Recommended days: 3 to 5 days | Route Map

Tasmania is a gorgeous destination all year round, but there is something extra special about the cooler months here. Once you sort out campervan hire in Tasmania, you can take off for some winter van camping and explore its legendary wilderness. Drive through Bothwell and Glenorchy on your way, or even stop for lunch and a wander if you have the time.

Start by heading to Mount Nelson and catching a front-row seat to the stunning Southern Lights.

Tasmania’s darkest months are from June to August, which is when you have the greatest chance of seeing these lights dancing across the sky. Take the time during the day to explore the surrounding area, while you wait for a completely cloudless night to see the lights at their best. You can even book a cruise two hours south to Cockle Creek for the best chance at spotting the show.

Want to discover more amazing places to visit in Tasmania? Check out our guide to winter camping activities in Tasmania.

9. The best route to Dove Lake

Total distance: 184km | Recommended days: 2 to 3 days | Route Map

If you’re looking for a more laid back winter trip, then you can’t go wrong with the stunning Dove Lake in the Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park. It’s a picture-perfect experience that shouldn’t be missed. Hire your campervan in Hobart and make the trip, which will take you through some of the best Tasmanian countryside along the way. You will pass through Elizabeth Town, Promised Land and Moina on the way, which are all worth stopping and exploring!

Jump out of the campervan as soon as you arrive and enjoy the circuit walk. It’s a 6km track that will take you around the base of the lake, ending just beneath Cradle Mountain. This is the perfect trip to get you outdoors and appreciate the cooler weather, which brings with it some breathtaking views.

1. The best route along the Sunshine Coast

Total distance: 105km | Recommended days: 2 to 3 days | Route Map

Sort out campervan hire in Brisbane and plan the perfect winter break to the Sunshine Coast. Just a short 1.5 hours away, you can either make a weekend getaway of it or enjoy it as part of a longer Queensland trip. With mid-20 degree days (that’s right, still nice and warm!), you can leave that scarf at home and get exploring!

Between June and November, more than 13,000 humpback whales make their journey to warmer waters, many making their stop in Mooloolaba. It’s the perfect winter activity for the whole family to enjoy. You can even get outdoors and hike while the weather is cooler, head to the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, and go on the hunt for waterfalls, scenic views.

Of course, if you’re looking to relax then unwind with some wine tasting and check out Flame Hill Vineyard in Montville or Maleny Mountain Wines. Stroll the grounds and enjoy a fresh winter pick-me-up.

Want to discover more amazing places to visit in Queensland? Check out our guide to winter camping activities in Queensland.

Explore your favourite winter road trip destination

While Australia is known for its golden sandy beaches and endless sunshine, it really does come alive in winter, offering up completely new experiences for you to enjoy! Add these top ten winter road trip destinations to your bucket list and see a side of Australia that will take you on some of the most incredible adventures yet.

Need a rental for your road trip? Check out the best motorhomes for winter use and hit the open road with your gloves at the ready!

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