Campervan Hire Sydney to Darwin

Only 45 minutes west of Sydney, the Blue Mountains are the place to visit if you’re looking for stunning views, incredible hikes, and some fresh mountain air to kick off your adventure. While you’re here, make sure you check out the famous Three Sisters rock formation or wander along one of the many bushwalking tracks, and if you’re up for it, take the Scenic World cable cars along the steepest railway in the world!

After a few hours on the road, Dubbo is a great spot to stop and stretch your legs. One of the most popular attractions here is the Taronga Western Plains Zoo, where you can see loads of animals, including giraffes, lions, and rhinos, and it’s a particularly good place to visit if you’re travelling with children. Dubbo also has a rich Indigenous history, and you can visit the cultural centre here for a deeper look into the region’s past.

Cobar, which is about six hours from Dubbo, is where you’ll start feeling that true outback vibe. This small mining town is packed with history, and you can visit the Great Cobar Heritage Centre to learn more about the region’s mining background and get panoramic views from the Fort Bourke Lookout – perfect for snapping some pics of the wide-open landscapes.

Broken Hill is an artsy, historic mining town that is famous for both its quirky galleries and incredible outback scenery. You’ll find plenty of spots to stop and take in the wide, red desert plains here, and if you head to the Living Desert Sculptures just outside of town at sunset, you can take some awesome photos as the sun hits the sandstone sculptures in a truly magnificent way.

Port Augusta, often called the “Crossroads of Australia,” is the perfect stop to break up the long drive between Coober Pedy and Broken Hill, and this coastal town sits at the top of the Spencer Gulf and is packed with interesting things to do. It’s also the starting point of The Ghan, one of the world’s most iconic train journeys that travels all the way up to Darwin through the heart of Australia, and you can learn about the town’s rich railway history at the Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden and the Wadlata Outback Centre.

Your next stop along the road should be Coober Pedy – a town quite unlike any other. It is most famous for its underground homes (called “dugouts”) and these were designed to help escape the desert heat. You can take tours of these amazing builds, including underground churches, an underground hotel, and an opal mine.

Although a bit of a detour from the direct route, Uluru, Kata Tjuta, and Kings Canyon are three iconic landmarks in Australia’s Red Centre, and together, they offer an unforgettable experience of the outback’s raw beauty and cultural significance. Uluru is a massive sandstone monolith, which is not only visually stunning, especially at sunrise and sunset, but also holds deep spiritual meaning for the local Anangu people. Once you’ve taken in the majesty of Uluru, head to Kata Tjuta (also known as the Olgas and just a short drive away) to see this striking collection of 36 domed rock formations. And, before heading onto the next part of your trip, pay a visit to Kings Canyon (part of Watarrka National Park), where you’ll find epic cliff walks with jaw-dropping views over the canyon’s rugged, red rock walls and lush palm-filled valleys below.

As you head into the Northern Territory, Alice Springs is the heart of the Red Centre. There’s so much to do here, from visiting the Alice Springs Desert Park to hiking the stunning West MacDonnell Ranges, and it’s also a great place to learn about Aboriginal culture. Just make sure you give yourself a couple of days to explore this fascinating town – you’re going to need them!

A bit north of Alice Springs, you’ll find the iconic Devils Marbles. These giant boulders, stacked and balanced on top of each other, are not only incredible to look at but also hold cultural significance for the Warumungu people. Stop here for some fantastic photo opportunities, especially around sunrise or sunset when the light makes the rocks glow.

Katherine Gorge is where you can get up close and personal with the rugged beauty of the Northern Territory. Here, you can paddle a canoe through the gorge, take a guided boat tour, or take a hike through the towering cliffs and flowing rivers. Or, if you feel like cooling off with a swim, head to Edith Falls or Katherine Hot Springs. It’s also an area that is rich in Aboriginal culture, and there are rock art sites that go back thousands of years.

If you’re a wildlife lover, a trip to the Adelaide River is a must. Here, you can take a crocodile cruise and watch massive saltwater crocodiles leap out of the water (certainly not something you see every day) and add a bit of a thrill to your road trip before you head into Darwin.

Just 45 minutes out of Darwin, Berry Springs is a favourite with the locals and is a series of natural swimming holes surrounded by bushland. This is an ideal spot for cooling off after all those kilometres on the road, and there are also plenty of shaded picnic areas and walking tracks, giving you the opportunity to take a breather before rolling into Darwin.

Darwin is famous for its sunsets, and Mindil Beach is the best place to see them. Grab some food at the Mindil Beach Sunset Market while you’re here (which is open during the dry season) and settle in for one of the most stunning sunsets you’ll ever see – just don’t forget your camera!

This one is for the animal lovers. Crocodylus Park is home to hundreds of crocodiles, and you can learn all about these fascinating creatures with guided tours, boat rides, and feeding sessions. It’s not just crocs, either – you’ll also see lions, monkeys, and a whole host of different reptiles.

MAGNT is the perfect place to get a feel for Darwin’s history and culture, and from Aboriginal art to exhibits on Cyclone Tracy (which devastated Darwin in 1974), there’s plenty to explore. And, if you’re interested in the natural world, be sure to check out “Sweetheart”, a giant crocodile that’s preserved right here in the museum.

The Darwin Waterfront is a fantastic spot to kick back and relax after a big road trip. There’s a swimming pool, a wave pool, restaurants, and plenty of green spaces to chill out, and it’s a great place to take a swim or enjoy some great food by the water. It’s croc-free, too, so you can enjoy some great food by the water without any worries.

Longing for some peace and quiet? The Darwin Botanic Gardens are a tropical oasis right in the city, and make a lovely place to wander around and see a huge variety of local plants, including rainforest areas, boab trees, and orchids. You can even bring a picnic with you or grab a coffee from the cafe, which you can enjoy while admiring the lush surroundings.

Just over an hour’s drive from Darwin, Litchfield National Park is all about waterfalls, swimming holes, and natural beauty. Florence Falls and Wangi Falls are the most popular spots for a swim, and the magnetic termite mounds are pretty wild to see up close! This is a good shout if you’re looking for an easy day trip and a perfect way to spend a day out of the city.

Darwin has a fascinating military history, and the Darwin Military Museum is the place to learn all about it. The museum covers everything from World War II air raids to the role Darwin played in Australia’s defence, and it’s a really engaging way to get a sense of the city’s past.