14 day Beach and Winery Road Trip
Gold Coast Campervan Hire has prepared a 14 day Beach and Winery Road Trip. This road trips takes in stunning beachside locations. Picturesque country towns and some of the best wine regions in NSW. The freedom is yours, in your camper from Gold Coast Campervan Hire, follow all 14 days or pick and choose the places you want to visit.
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South West Rocks
Day 1 –3
(385km – 4 hours)
Pick up your camper from Gold Coast Campervan Hire just 10 minutes from Coolangatta airport head on the M1 to South West Rocks, about a four-hour drive 385 km
Call into Yamba at the mouth of the Clarence River a lovely little town to have a walk around and grab a coffee. If you get a chance head up to the Pacific Hotel on the top of the hill to see the beautiful view over the Pacific Ocean.
Get back on the M1 and head to Coffs Harbour. Drive down to Jetty Beach or take a walk along the Coffs Harbour International Marina to Muttonbird Island for stunning coastal views. You can also walk out along the Southern break wall to take in the view of the Harbour.
Leave Coffs Harbour still heading south for an hour and arrive at the beautiful South West Rocks.
Places to stay:
We recommend Horseshoe Bay Holiday Park if possible, book a site between 44 – 51. This will give you a perfect view over Horseshoe Bay.
The Horseshoe Bay Holiday Park is right in the middle of town, with all of the facilities that you need. It is a short stroll across the road to the pub, cafe, and shops.
The other option we recommend is the Trial Bay Campgrounds. The campgrounds are about 6 km out of town and in Arakoon National Park.
You will need to book online at the National Parks and Wildlife website . Trial Bay Campgrounds is a more rustic bush camp still overlooking the water and a great place to just relax, swim and soak up the sunshine.
Spend a few days at South West Rocks if you can, explore the Trial Bay Goal which was first opened in 1886. It really gives you a glimpse into Australian History and life as a prisoner in the goal.
There are many great walks in this area through the Arakoon and Hat Head National Parks. To find out more information on these walks visit National Parks NSW .
Myall Lakes National Park
Day 4-6
(230km – 2 hours 40 mins)
Leave South West Rocks and continue south along the Pacific Highway A1 to Myall Lakes National Park, you will take the turn off on Myall Way heading towards Tea Gardens.
There are a few caravan parks in town, but we recommend heading back out on Mungo Brush Road into Myall Lakes National Park.
Mungo Brush Campgrounds is a great spot where you can camp right on the lake. It is a beautiful view to wake up to in the morning. Try to book into Mungo Brush North, any sites from 1 to 8.
You will need to book your site via the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.
From the campground there is easy access to some great walks.
Head back into Tea Gardens and take the Port Stephens Ferry across to Nelsons Bay from Tea Gardens it is a lovely days outing.
Hunter Valley
Day 7 – 9
(130km – 2 hours)
Leave Myall Lakes and head southwest to the Hunter Valley, Gold Coast Campervan Hire recommend Wine Country Tourist Park Wine Country Drive and O’Connor’s Road, Nulkaba. It is a convenient place to check out the Hunter region and has great amenities.
When you arrive it is well worth calling into the Hunter Valley Tourist Information centre on 455 Wine Country Drive Pokolbin. Grab a map and work out the places you want to visit. there are so many wineries that without a plan you could spend days just driving around.
Spend the afternoon just relaxing at the camp or having a swim in the pool at the park.
Itinerary for Hunter Valley Day Trip
We have listed a full day trip of the area with some recommendations. You could follow all or part of this trip, the other option if you want to do some serious wine tasting then book a Winery Tour. You could also split this over two days if you want a take a more leisurely pace.
Start your day with breakfast at a beautiful little cafe come nursery called Simply DVine Cafe 151 Wine Country Drive, Nulkaba. The food is DVine, and the service was great. The staff are more than happy to give lots of great information about places to visit in the area.
First winery for the day – Ernest Hill Winery at 307 Wine Country Drive just near the Wine Country Tourist Park. The Vineyard was originally planted in the late 1960’s, early 1970’s. The cellar door is situated on a hill in the vineyard with commanding views of the Broken Back Ranges and Lovedale.
Next stop was the Hunter Valley Gardens , you will need to allow at least 2- 3 hours to wander around these incredible gardens. There are eight kilometres of walking paths winding through 14 hectares of gardens. There are 10 individually themed gardens including Italian Grotto, Sunken Garden, Rose Garden, Chinese Garden, and our favourite the Storybook Garden. They also have different themes depending on the time of year that you are visiting. There is also a little village with bespoke shops and close by is Harrigan’s Hunter Valley pub if you are ready for lunch.
Next winery was Thomas Allen Wines at 1733 Broke Rd, Pokolbin. Their standout wine was the Encore Barossa Shiraz 2019. It was a beautiful red, it may no longer be available, but I am sure they will have other reds that are just as good.
Next stop was River Flats Estate at 530 Wollombi Rd, Broke. They had a gorgeous little shop called Bare Nature Skin that stocks beautiful handmade soaps, gourmet foods and olives. If you are lucky, you will be able to try their hot olives that are warmed with a well-seasoned pan with lot of herbs and citrus rinds and chilly if you want to try something hot. It was well worth the drive out to River Flats Estate which is about 20 mins From Pokolbin.
Now time for some chocolate to go with your red wine, try The Hunter Valley Chocolate and stock up with dark chocolate and other chocolate delights.
Leaving the Chocolate shop and head along Lovedale Road to Binnorie Dairies to taste some cheeses, salamis, and other gourmet delights.
Last winery of the day was Hanging Tree Winery A 40 acre vineyard overlooking the valley and scenic views of Brokenback Mountain Range. You can order a cheese platter and sit in front of the log fire with a nice glass of red, a perfect way to finish off a day in the wineries. The winery closes at 5pm so give yourself some time.
Oberon and Mayfield Gardens
Day 9 – 10
(300 km – 4 Hours)
Heading west from Newcastle over the Blue Mountains to the township of Oberon. There are several free camping options in Oberon including The Reef Reserve about 3.5km from the town centre with unpowered sites that you can stay at for up to 72 hours. You can camp right on Lake Oberon which is well stock with trout there are toilets but no showers. Oberon showgrounds cost is about $20 per night and has hot showers and some powered sites.
Jenolan Caves are 25 mins from Oberon. You must pre-book on their website and check the opening times, Jenolan Caves are regarded as Australia’s most spectacular cave systems, with awe-inspiring crystal formations, Jenolan is among the finest and oldest cave systems in the world.
A must do whilst you are visiting Oberon, is a trip to Mayfield Gardens .This magnificent garden is the largest cool climate garden in the world. 40 acres of the garden are open to visitors every day, except Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Visit the fabulous Water Garden with its glorious mass plantings, the Copper Tree, and the Grotto on your way to the Gallery, which gives a fascinating history of the garden and a tribute to those involved with its creation.
Mudgee
Day 11- 12
(170 km 2 Hours)
Leave Oberon and start heading Northwest, stop off at the little village of Sofala on the Turon River. It is like stepping back in time to Australia’s oldest surviving gold town. You can take a historical walking tour around the town that will take you about 1 hour. You can get a copy from one of the local shops or the Bathurst Visitor Information Centre or you can download a copy here, Sofala Historical Walking Tour. It lists 18 places of interest in the town including the Royal Hotel, General Store the Court House, and the Gold Commissioner’s Residence. Sofala is well worth a visit on your way to Mudgee.
Mudgee is in the Central West of NSW and is set on the banks for the Cudgegong River, the township has many well-preserved colonial buildings some dating back to 1857. There is a host of boutique shops if shopping is on your agenda. There is also a plethora of wineries and in Spring Mudgee hosts a month-long Wine and Food Festival where you can experience some of the finest fresh produce from the region. If you are not passing through town in the Spring, you can always check out the Mudgee Farmers Market which is held in the local park, check out the dates it is on when you are in town. You can camp at the Ganguddy-Dunns Swamp Campground for around $17 per night or if you want to camp in town try the Mudgee Showgrounds also about $17 per night with hot showers. If you are wanting a great meal then head over to Three Tails Brewery on Lewis Street, try their smoked meat feasts and team it up with one of their inhouse brewed beers.
You can also check out the world heritage listed Wollemi National Park which offers dramatic settings for a scenic walk, wildlife spotting and getting back to nature. Close to the campground at Ganguddy-Dunns Swamp, you can take one of the easy walking tracks to the remarkable pagoda rock formations.
Tamworth
Day 13
(273 km – 3 hours 15 mins)
Still heading north but coming back towards the east coast you will head towards the well know country music festival town of Tamworth. The festival is held in late January and is the second biggest country music festival in the world. You can check out the Big Golden Guitar, and get your photo in front of this 12 meter tall Australian Icon. It is located at the Tamworth Visitor Information Centre. Check out the Australian Equine and Livestock Events centre they host more than 50 events per year from agility dogs to alpacas and show jumping to rodeos so there is likely to be some event on whilst you are travelling through.
Bellingen
Day 14
(264 km – 3 hours 30 mins)
Continue heading north east back towards the coast, through Armidale which is in the Northern Tablelands. Armidale is known as one of Australia’s most elegant regional cities, boasting nineteenth century churches and elegant universities. Stop off for a coffee in one of the many cafés and take a drive around the township to admire the heritage architecture.
Arrive in the township of Bellingen by the beautiful Bellingen River, take some time in the early afternoon to explore the historic Hyde Street and call into the Federal Hotel for an afternoon drink or dinner, you can also check out the Bellingen Brewery & Co with its beautifully restored factory, crafted from reclaimed timbers and salvaged materials. Gold Coast Campervan Hire love Showground campsites. They are cheap and have good amenities. The one at Bellingen Showgrounds is about $25 per night unpowered or you can camp for the night at Burdett Park – 763 Waterfall Way Bellingen. Take the Waterfall Way scenic drive down the mountain and back to the Pacific Highway it is then about a 3 hour drive back to Gold Coast Campervan Hire at Tweed Heads West to drop off your campervan. If you have flown into Gold Coast Airport we will do our best to offer you a free airport drop off.
