When it comes to travel research to get inspired or plan your next trip, you are often overwhelmed with the available information, both online and offline. We also provide you with a wealth of valuable information about the most epic road trip along the East Coast of Australia.
However, when you catch up with your friends after a trip, they will most likely tell you stories about their highlights or about the things that blew them away most, apart from the typical.
In this article, let us be your friends while we share with you our top 6 experiences that stuck with us from our East Coast Australia campervan road trip. Believe me; we will go beyond the anticipated 'highlights' like the Twelve Apostles, the Sydney Opera House, and Byron Bay, etc... Instead we will take you to our hidden gem highlights we had no clue or expectation of before:
- Pebbly Beach With Wild Kangaroos
- Raymond Island With Wild Koalas
- Kayaking in Sydney Harbour at Sunrise
- Watching the Sunrise from Mt Oberon in Wilsons Promontory National Park
- Hyams Beach at Jervis Bay - the Whitest Beach in the World
- Swimming in the Bondi Icebergs Pool
1. Pebbly Beach With Wild Kangaroos
Now, we obviously all expect to see kangaroos when thinking about visiting Australia. However, how is very different from what many people anticipate, including us. Before our epic road trip, I got to visit Australia once before on a business trip, and part of that trip was to visit a sanctuary to see (and touch 🙈) koalas and kangaroos. Nowadays, I don't support visiting places where animals are being kept in captivity, except if it is to save them.
That being said, I thought kangaroos live on the mainland, inner part, the Outback, whatever you wanna call it, of Australia. Boy, was I wrong!
We discovered this amazing remote campground at Pebbly Beach, about four hours south of Sydney, where wild kangaroos literally live on the beach! 🤩
This was a really unique experience, observing these fascinating creatures in their natural environment, eating, pooping, playing, waking up and scratching themselves, you name it.
2. Raymond Island With Wild Koalas
Everything I just voiced above is the same for koalas. The treasure spot to view them up close without intruding too much is Raymond Island. A small island in the middle of the Gippsland Lakes, about four hours east of Melbourne.
Not only did we not expect to see so many gray furry balls sleeping in the trees at once, but the entire environment of Raymond Island provided some sort of magic for us. Peaceful, laid-back, waterways, happy, relaxed people, nature - I could go on...
3. Kayaking in Sydney Harbour at Sunrise
Previous to our trip, I thought of all kinds of things to do in Sydney, kayaking was not one of them. Jen actually surprised me with it for my birthday, and I have to tell you, best birthday gift ever!
It was such an intimate, fun, and special experience. We were about 15 people in our group, most of them locals, who were referred to this tour by friends. Having worked on cruise ships for four years, I have always been a fan of getting a view from the water. With a kayak in Sydney Harbour, that is a whole different level. The water is very soft, and the perspective priceless.
The team from Sydney by Kayak was extremely friendly, fun, and informative.
Do yourself a favor and book that tour!
4. Watching the Sunrise from Mt Oberon in The Prom
Have you ever heard of Wilsons Promontory National Park before? Right, me either, before I started my research. The Prom, as its called, is the southernmost point of mainland Australia and offers spectacular nature and hiking opportunities. You could spend four full days hiking along the Great Prom Walk, 52.8 km (32.8 miles).
However, we are on a road trip and not a hiking expedition, so we stick to shorter hikes. One of the best ones is the trail up to the summit of Mount Oberon, especially for sunrise. The trail and hike itself are nice, but not that spectacular. The view from the summit, though beats anything you have ever seen. Very unique and postcard-like.
So mark that one down: Mount Oberon Summit Hike for sunrise in the Wilsons Promontory National Park. Got it?
5. Hyams Beach - the Whitest Beach in the World
There is a chance that you might have heard of this one before, as there is the claim that Hyams Beach in Jervis Bay is the whitest beach in the world. All we can say is that it is definitely white! A lot whiter than any other beach on the East Coast of Australia. That, combined with its gorgeous turquoise water, makes it a place that needs to be on your road trip itinerary. For more details check out day 4 of our in-depth 4 day itinerary from Sydney to Melbourne below.
6. Swimming in the Bondi Icebergs Pool
Maybe its the fact that I used to swim competitively in my youth or that I have been obsessing about Sydney for some time; however, swimming in the Bondi Icebergs Pool has always been a dream. Although the Icebergs Club, Sydney's oldest and the world's only winter swimming club, is world-famous and super hard to get into, it is accessible for the public. Yay!
You don't have to be into swimming all that much, to still find a reason to pay those AU$8 entrance. The pool is world-famous for its history and tradition. But it is also super famous on Instagram. Your highlight, if not the swimming itself, will be sitting on the edge of the pool and getting sprayed (or hit 😅) by the ocean's waves.
That is such a unique experience. Just please be sure to not sit too close to the corner of the pool, as the waves are strong and might push you into the pool. You don't want to hit the wall on the corner of the pool (like we did 🙈).
Here you have the whole scene, and yes, you are allowed to laugh 😂.
That's it - short and sweet!
Be sure to include at least some of these into your road trip adventure along the East Coast of Australia - we promise you they will spice up your experience!
Are you interested in our entire itinerary, go ahead, grab yourself a coffee, beer or glass of wine and let us take you on a digital road trip:
