The weather is warming up, so we’re hitting the road in search of watering holes. Whether we’re swimming, fishing or looking for places to visit in a van, these are the lakes and rivers topping our list right now.
Lake Awoonga
It’s a relatively well-kept secret unless you’re from the Gladstone region, but Lake Awoonga might soon be your new favourite travel destination. The sprawling 6.7-hectare lake is popular for fishing and animal spotting, with the grey-headed flying fox and the yellow-bellied glider among some of its most fascinating residents. Adventure-seekers can jet ski or boat around the lake, but we recommend floating in the water or relaxing on the shore to soak up all that Lake Awoonga’s beautiful surrounds have to offer. Spend a weekend or a month here and we guarantee you won’t get tired of the view.
Daintree National Park
This slice of far north Queensland paradise is the ultimate road trip destination for its unparalleled beauty and variety of UNESCO World Heritage-listed natural wonders. The Daintree Riverview Lodges & Van Park is the best place to enjoy views of the Daintree River as well as everything that the national park has to offer, with the cascading Mossman River and Mossman Gorge just a short drive to your south. Head north and you’ll arrive at Cape Tribulation, famous for its rainforest-clad mountains that meet the white sandy beaches at the coastline. Stick close to the Daintree River and explore the ancient vegetation and spot the array of native wildlife just outside your door.
Jardine River National Park
The Jardine River National Park is only accessible by off-road campervans and trailers, but its hard-to-get-to nature makes it one of the most perfectly preserved camping spots in northern Queensland. Situated at the top end of the Sunshine State, the Jardine River is dotted with cascades of clear blue water, flowing in from the Torres Strait. You can enjoy a leisurely float in one of the many swimming pools but be sure to obey crocodile warning signs and use your common sense to avoid any encounters with the river’s reptilian residents. Do your research before visiting this relatively untouched part of Queensland to ensure you minimise your impact.
Lake Burrendong
Sprawling and still, Lake Burrendong is a popular spot for water sports and boating, but it’s also a beautiful place for a dip after a long day of hiking around the surrounding state park. You can wile away the days casting a line or rent a kayak to explore the lake, but it’s the sunset over Burrendong that makes it the perfect place to park your van (if you have one). Reflections Holiday Park at Lake Burrendong is the best spot to be to make the most of the water, and we can certainly see how people spend weeks at a time soaking up the sun lakeside.
Sussex Inlet
Separating New South Wales from the fascinating Jervis Bay Territory – which was surrendered to the ACT in 1915 to give the national capital access to the sea – Sussex Inlet puts you in prime position to explore all that the Shoalhaven area has to offer. Water sports, fishing and kayaking are just some of the activities you can do in St George’s Basin itself, but it’s just a short drive around the basin to the ocean – which offers surf and white sandy beaches – meaning you’re unlikely to ever run out of things to do. Situated right on the water’s edge, Talofa Caravan Park is the place to be to make the most of St George’s Basin, Jervis Bay Territory and the surrounding region.
Moruya River
Rich history and beautiful scenery are just two of the things that draw travellers to Moruya. The riverside town has homed Indigenous communities, bushrangers and even a booming mining industry during the Gold Rush. Moruya offers more than just a wide flowing river for water lovers – the granite quarry, which mined much of the stone used for landmarks like the Sydney Botanical Garden’s Captain Cook statue, the Martin Place Cenotaph and even the piers and pylons of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Stay just five minutes down the road at Riverbreeze Holiday park to enjoy the river, the quarry and beautiful Malabar Creek.
This story was originally published on March 22, 2019.
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