Top 5 Wildlife Destinations for Caravan Travel in Australia
Australia offers travellers a cornucopia of potential wildlife experiences, with many diverse ecosystems spanning across our great nation. Here are the top 5 best caravan holiday destinations for getting amongst the wildlife.
Daintree Rainforest (Mossman Gorge) CC Image Courtesy Francisco Martins
1. Daintree Rainforest (Mossman Gorge)
The Daintree Rainforest is the biggest tropical rainforest in Australia. It spans some 12,000-square-kilometres and it’s one of the most diverse and complex rainforests on earth. As such, the habitat is home to thousands of living creatures, including 90 per cent of Australia’s bat and butterfly species, and three per cent of our reptile and marsupial species. It is perhaps the best vantage point to see some of Australia’s more exotic creatures.
Although you can’t actually caravan within the rainforest area, the Daintree Riverview Caravan Park is just around the corner, sitting beside the Daintree River.
If you would like fun and informative commentary while traveling through the Daintree Rainforest, take a look at the Self-Drive audio guide. Here is a great library of images displaying the beauty of the Daintree.
Kangaroo Island (Vivonne Bay Jetty) CC Image Courtesy Roger Smith
2. Kangaroo Island (Vivonne Bay Jetty)
When it comes to Australian animals there is hardly a better place to visit than Kangaroo Island, off the coast of Adelaide.
Named after one of the country’s mascot animals, the island is not only home to countless kangaroos and wallabies, koalas were introduced there to the point where they are now eating up all of the gum trees.
If you’re lucky you’ll catch a seal sun baking on the beach, or you’ll spot a goanna rummaging in the bush.
Kangaroo Island Shores Caravan Park is the closest park to the mainland, just off the Sealink ferry.
Find more great parks in South Australia here.
Great Ocean Road (Twelve Apostles)
CC Image Courtesy Wikimedia Commons
3. Great Ocean Road (Twelve Apostles)
You can’t devise a list of Australia’s best driving trips without mentioning the Great Ocean Road in southern Victoria.
It is regarded as one of the country’s most scenic and interesting routes. It’s also home to the Great Ocean Road Wildlife Park, which is 20 minutes from the iconic Twelve Apostles.
You can expect to see almost all of Australia’s much-loved animals, including kangaroos, koalas and wombats.
On the shore there are excellent whale watching opportunities, as well as the chance to see dolphins frolicking and seals basking in the exquisite surroundings.
Kimberly (Z Bend)
CC Image Courtesy Wikimedia Commons
4. Kimberley (Z Bend)
If you’re up for a bit of adventure, the Kimberley region in northern Western Australia is one of Australia’s treasured areas, and one of the earliest settled parts of the country.
Arid landscape, exotic reptiles including snakes, lizards and crocodiles, and a plethora of birds species, the Kimberley is a spectacular place to visit.
In terms of places to stay, you have the option of camping in outback style or you can go for a bit more luxury and book a site at one of the many fine caravan parks such as the Kimberleyland Holiday Park on Lake Kununurra.
Cradle Mountain CC Image Courtesy Wikimedia Commons
5. Tasmania (Cradle Mountain)
Once you get over Bass Strait, Tasmania is an incredibly tranquil and relaxing place to caravan.
There are plenty of opportunities to see some of Australia’s cutest and shyest animals. Have you ever seen a platypus? Your chances are significantly higher in Tasmania, where there are loads of crisp freshwater creeks.
Wombats and pygmy possums (the world’s smallest possum) also enjoy living in Tassie, and being nearer to the South Pole, there’s also a great chance to see penguins on the beaches.
Driving around parts of the mainland is easy and there are heaps of caravan parks, including top-rated BIG4 parks in Hobart, Bicheno, and across at Ulverstone.
Author – Brett Davis
Author: Brett Davis is obsessed with driving and travel, having played with Matchbox cars until he was tall enough to drive a real one. After earning a degree in journalism he started his career as an editorial assistant at Top Gear Australia magazine and then moved on to caradvice.com.au. Currently he is an editor at www.caravanloans.com.au.