Our Top Five Coastal Favourites
We’ve camped near plenty of beaches on our travels: some wild, some quiet, a few full of sand in the wrong places.
They’re not the flashiest stretches of coast, just the ones that made us stop for a while. Good spots for a swim, a photo, or a lazy afternoon with Zoe asleep under the awning.
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Our Faves!
Dundee Beach (NT)
Where red dirt meets the Timor Sea, the tides are big, the crocs are bigger, and the sunsets hit hard. There’s not much to do but sit and relax and take it all in. This was not a Zoe fave, as it was the first beach she saw after three months of red dirt and she wasn’t allowed to swim!
Hervey Bay (QLD)
Zoe’s favourite stretch of coast. Shallow water, no crocs, and a slope into the water so gentle, she could get her toes wet one small step at a time. Mornings here are all about coffee, whale spotting and the sound of paws in the sand.
Emu Park (Capricorn Coast, QLD)
Quiet beaches, friendly locals, and a boardwalk built for slow strolls. It’s the perfect coastal beach—small-town calm with just enough salt in the air.
Port Willunga (SA)
Pale cliffs, the remains of the old jetty, and a soft light that photographers chase but rarely catch. Evenings here smell like seaweed and wine.
Bermagui (NSW)
Somewhere between surf town and secret retreat, where the sea pools glow blue in the afternoon. We’ll get back soon. The Sapphire Coast still owes us a few stories.
Port Willunga gave us the perfect blend of beach time, wine country rides, and coastal charm. From vineyard-hopping on the bikes to salty swims and surreal art, this stay was all about slowing down and soaking in.
Beach strolls, market browsing and a breathtaking afternoon spotting whales off K’gari. Hervey Bay gave us sun, salt air and sea life in spades. It’s a relaxed spot that delivered more than we expected.
A few days around Yeppoon gave us time to reset with a cave tour, a solid brunch by the sea, and just enough space to slow down before rolling into the next leg of the journey.
Tilba Tilba cheese, Bermagui’s Blue Pool, and tall pub stories marked the moment we started finding our rhythm on the road — and learned that good cheese might just be worth every detour.

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Blistering heat, long roads, and a sense of humour carried us from Julia Creek to Hughenden. Between dusty stops, cool lakes, and cranky tyre alarms, we found that real travel isn’t always picture perfect.
We spent three days in Cloncurry, exploring its history, murals, aviation heritage, and dam. From the first Qantas hangar to the birthplace of the RFDS, this outback town surprised us with stories and charm.
Croydon, Normanton, and Karumba gave us history, character, and Gulf Coast charm. From welcoming the Gulflander to cold drinks at the Purple Pub and sunsets in Karumba, this stretch of the Savannah Way was unforgettable.
We explored Cobbold Gorge after a rugged drive from Forsayth. Floating along the calm waters and hiking to the glass bridge, we were captivated by the towering cliffs, wildlife, and serene beauty of this Queensland outback gem.
Exploring the Undara Lava Tubes was like stepping into another world…towering underground tunnels carved by ancient lava flows, part history, part geology, and all awe. A side quest well worth the detour.
Soaked in Mareeba, charmed by Herberton’s historic village, waterfall-hopped around Ravenshoe, and finished with cheesecake and live guitar—our journey through the Tablelands mixed history, nature, and indulgence in perfect balance (with Zoe happily in tow).
Cooktown charmed us with laid-back days, sunset cruises, museums, and even a cheeky paddle for Zoe. We wrapped it all up at the iconic Lions Den Hotel—live music, hearty meals, and full hearts.
Camping at Newell Beach set the scene for exploring Mossman. We browsed markets, braved Mossman Gorge, detoured back to Cairns on a stunning coastal drive (with a giggle at Yorky’s Knob), before heading inland towards Cooktown.
From swimming holes to rainforest tracks, our time between Babinda and Kuranda was a mix of sightseeing, family catch-ups, and a long-overdue crocodile feast.
We broke up the drive north with stops at coastal Cardwell, rainy Tully with its Golden Gumboot, and the atmospheric Paronella Park. Each stop offered its own charm before we pushed on towards Cairns.
Exploring North Queensland took us from the busy streets of Townsville to the calm waters of Big Crystal Creek and the sheer power of Wallaman Falls. City views, creek swims, and unforgettable waterfalls in one stretch.
From a tense river crossing and a surprise snake encounter to a crowded Airlie Beach and a quiet roadside camp in Home Hill — our journey north was full of unexpected turns and memorable stops.
A quick coastal stop turned into seven relaxing days camped beneath palms in Seaforth. Beach swims for Zoe, fresh scones, friendly neighbours, and a kangaroo tourism reality check made this one of our favourite unexpected stays.
We spent a week in Mackay with family, exploring art galleries, sugar tours, vibrant laneway murals, and orchid-filled gardens. While the city didn’t charm us completely, the time together made it memorable.
A roadside rescue, a closed pub, and a peaceful night in St Lawrence. Our trip from Rockhampton to Mackay was a reminder to slow down, lend a hand, and savour the road’s unexpected moments.
Back in Rockhampton after two years, we camped at peaceful Kershaw Gardens, revisited favourite spots by the river, soaked up local art, stocked up on fresh produce, and enjoyed a slice of city life before heading north.
Carnarvon Gorge had been on our bucket list for years, and it didn’t disappoint. Panoramic views, ancient rock art, dramatic cliffs, and lush pockets of green made this one of the most rewarding stops so far.
Our Carnarvon adventure kicked off with black bull “bears,” startled tourists and a stunning warm-up walk into Mickey Creek Gorge. A perfect taster before the main hike into the heart of the gorge.
From railway tragedy in Bogantungan to the supermarket aisles of Emerald, this leg of our trip marked the shift from outback stillness to something closer to civilisation — with Carnarvon Gorge waiting just around the bend.
Barcaldine blends rich history with small-town charm. We stayed at a peaceful local park, visited the famous Tree of Knowledge, admired the mighty Comet windmill, and soaked up the stories that shaped this resilient outback town.
A peaceful few days along the Lake Dunn Sculpture Trail gave us quiet skies, curious art, and a dose of outback magic - including a visit to the healing circle that worked wonders for Zoe.
We reached Muttaburra just behind the rain, camped close to town, and met the towering Muttaburrasaurus. From fossils to the Centre of Queensland sign, this quiet little town gave us plenty to smile about.
A night of chicken races, rain, and school holiday chaos had us making a quick dash through Tambo, Blackall and Barcaldine — chasing dry ground and peaceful camps before heading into Queensland’s quieter heart.
Charleville gave us two slow weeks of outback charm, filled with friendly faces, hearty meals, and quiet mornings. From historic pubs to bilbies and bombers, there’s more here than first meets the eye.
Peaceful riverside camping, outback sunsets, and a surprise burger stop. Not every stop has to dazzle. Sometimes, a full belly and a calm creek are just right.
St George keeps pulling us back — and it’s easy to see why. Big skies, flowing rivers, great food and country charm make this town the perfect launchpad for exploring Queensland’s quiet, beautiful southwest.
Every now and then, you meet people on the road who feel like old friends. Mel and Susie’s bush poetry, humour, and warm-heartedness made us instant fans — and lifelong mates.
We rolled into Lightning Ridge for the third time — this visit a little muddier than usual. After dodging puddles and slick backroads, both the moho and Jimny looked rally-ready and well-travelled.
We’re chasing warmth in Northern NSW and Queensland’s hidden thermal pools — from the soothing hot springs at Burren Junction to the steamy delights of the north, each dip is a refreshing escape into nature.
Narrabri was a familiar dot on our map — we’d passed through before, but this time we decided to linger and take a closer look.
Dundee Beach is a laid-back coastal escape where sunsets steal the show. With fishing boats bobbing offshore, soft sand underfoot, and that endless Territory sky, it’s the perfect spot to pause and breathe.