After some top summer holiday destinations? Our Road Trippers of the Year 2012, Lyndon and Bec Sparrow from 1 Year Off, share their 5 favourite summer destinations.
We’ve been lucky enough to spend 2012 travelling around this great country of ours, and when Explore Australia asked us if we could come up with our 5 favourite summer destinations, we jumped at the chance to share our experiences.
So in no particular order and after much discussion, here are our top 5 favourite summer destinations.
Eyre Peninsula, South Australia
Elliston Sculpture Drive, Eyre Peninsula, courtesy of Lyndon Sparrow
If you love being on the coast and love your fishing just as much, then you can’t go past the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia as a summer destination.
Whether it’s camping in a national park, setting up in a caravan park or B&B in a little town, there is so much to explore.
The area is also renowned for its oysters, and there is nothing better than going to an oyster barn to pick up a dozen or so fresh oysters, heading back to the campsite and shucking them straight out of the shell.
It is a bit of a trek to get over to the Eyre Peninsula from its closest major city, Adelaide, but this adds to its appeal as the peninsula isn’t as crowded as the beach areas closer to the city.
Margaret River, Western Australia
Margaret River really is a Disneyland for adults, with its beaches, wineries, breweries, famous chocolate factory, gourmet foods, restaurants, cafes, national parks and of course the pretty township of Margaret River. What more could you ask of a summer holiday?
Coming from Melbourne we’ve spent a lot of time in the Yarra Valley, and we preferred the Margaret River region purely for what it has on offer.
Make sure you try out their local delicacy of red marron where you can either prepare it yourself or get a local chef to cook you up something special.
We stayed just out of Margaret River on a working sheep station called Big Valley Camp which we really enjoyed, but there are numerous other options from caravan parks to hotels/motels and B&Bs.
High Country, Victoria
Lots of people head to the High Country in Victoria during the winter months for its snow skiing.
But we think you just can’t beat holidaying here in the summer months, when you can set-up camp in the many designated free camping sites. Surrounded by tall gumtrees, you can do as little or as much as you desire.
You’ll find many of the sites have a river running right past. It’s great for a refreshing dip after a day of trout fishing along the banks; walking along the paths where the horse tours pass through; or four-wheel driving along the many tracks that lead to the huts dotted throughout the countryside, including Craigs Hut from the Man from Snowy River movie.
Of course if camping isn’t your thing, then the many little townships in the area have fantastic accommodation options too.
Murray River, South Australia/New South Wales/Victoria
Whether you’re in South Australia, Victoria or New South Wales, the Murray River is a beautiful spot with its abundant campsites along the river, caravan parks, motels and B&Bs in the towns. Or, if you prefer to live on the river, then why not try out a houseboat?
There is nothing like sitting on the banks of the river watching the world go by, especially at sunset as you get that last glimpse of the sun passing through the trees before everything goes dark.
Fishing is a popular pastime up here with people trying to catch that elusive Murray cod.
Of course, it isn’t all peace and quiet, as there are plenty of boats on the river pulling skiers along, but that’s what makes it a great destination as there’s an activity for everyone.
Esperance region, Western Australia
Our favourite beach so far is Lucky Bay in the Cape Le Grand National Park, just out of Esperance.
Imagine turquoise blue water and sand so white it looks surreal, throw in the odd kangaroo on the beach and you have Lucky Bay.
There is camping overlooking the beach, but it’s first in first served. If you do manage to secure a spot it is well worth the effort.
But if you do want to take the safer option and book into a caravan park, we can highly recommend the caravan park at Bay of Orleans, which is a little further around and some of the beaches there are just as stunning.
Otherwise set yourself up in Esperance, as the town is just a short drive into Lucky Bay, and is also surrounded by lovely beaches.
As a little footnote, sorry New South Wales! We haven’t ignored you on purpose, we know you have some fantastic spots along the coast. We‘ll be exploring them in the new year as we make our way up to Brisbane.
Thanks, Lyndon and Bec! Tell us – what has made your summer list this year?
