There’s one thing magical about hitting the street in your home-on-wheels. The freedom, the views rolling previous the window, the sensation that you may simply… hold going. This was the primary leg of our Queensland caravan journey – about 800 kilometres from the Gold Coast as much as Rainbow Beach and again – and I couldn’t wait to see what surprises the street had in retailer.
Planning your journey?
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Hotels, I exploit Agoda
Insurance: Cover-More
Rentals: Discover Cars
RVs: Motorhome Republic
Transfers: Welcome Pickups
Travel eSIM: Saily
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The rig for this journey was a magnificence: a strong Jeep with 4WD functionality, towing a fully-equipped pop-top caravan. Before setting off, I made certain I knew find out how to hitch the van, test all of the connections, and observe reversing. Basic abilities which might be price their weight in gold while you’re new to caravanning.
If you’re planning your individual journey, don’t underestimate how a lot the little issues can remodel the journey. A couple of high quality equipment in your caravan, like a sturdy awning to flee these blazing Queensland afternoons, intelligent storage hacks, or super-comfy camp chairs, could make life on the street really feel easy. Pair that with dependable heating in your caravan or RV and all of the sudden these chilly nights flip into cosy, star-filled evenings.
First cease: Esk – A rustic gem within the hills
From the Gold Coast, we headed northwest about 142 kilometres to the little city of Esk. Nestled within the Brisbane Valley and backed by the dramatic slopes of Mount Glen Rock, it’s a type of cities that immediately feels welcoming. There’s historical past right here – Captain Patrick Logan explored the realm in 1830 – however there’s additionally a quiet, small-town appeal that makes you decelerate and breathe slightly deeper.
As you roll in, you’ll discover how the mountains wrap protectively across the city, and the way life right here appears unhurried. It’s the type of place the place locals wave as you drive previous, and the principle avenue nonetheless has that old-country really feel.
Where I stayed
We arrange at Esk Caravan Park, proper off the principle avenue. It’s a type of uncommon spots that caters to everybody. Families get their very own pool, adults have an adults-only sanctuary pool, and the camp kitchens are the type you can fortunately spend all afternoon in (they even have pizza ovens). There’s fowl feeding within the evenings (though we did handle to spook a couple of lorikeets by chance), spotless showers and laundry services, and no annoying codes or tokens.
Dean, who works there, deserves a medal for his endurance. He guided me by means of my first try at reversing the camper trailer with no trace of judgment. If you’re new to caravanning, individuals like Dean are gold.
Where to eat in Esk
For lunch, we hit Nash Gallery and Cafe. Set inside a beautiful outdated Queenslander, it serves hearty nation meals alongside gluten-free and vegan choices. My Moroccan patties with salad and relish have been contemporary, filling, and stuffed with flavour.
Dinner was caravan-style: easy daal made on the fuel cooktop, eaten whereas the night breeze rolled by means of. The pop-top was surprisingly roomy – an enormous mattress, air con, storage for days, and no rest room (more room, much less cleansing – a win in my books). The caravan park’s showers have been roomy, sizzling, and even had heated flooring.
Breakfast the subsequent morning was a brand new favorite: crumpets drizzled with maple syrup and completed with a pinch of sea salt. Try it. You can thank me later.
Things to do in Esk
- Brisbane Valley Rail Trail – This 160+ km path follows an outdated railway line by means of scenic countryside. You can deal with the entire thing or simply do a piece. We cycled a brief stretch from Esk and liked the combo of farmland, forest, and heritage railway stations.
- Wander the principle avenue – Browse antiques, decide up native fruit, seize a espresso, and chat with locals. Esk’s tempo of life is its greatest appeal.
- Lake Wivenhoe – Just 10 minutes from city, this enormous lake is ideal for picnics, kayaking, and birdwatching. It’s a peaceable spot to spend a lazy afternoon.
On the street to Gympie
The subsequent morning was our first correct pack-down. Stopwatch in hand, we managed to go from espresso in hand to able to roll in 23 minutes and 17 seconds. Not dangerous for a primary try.
We stopped simply outdoors of Esk for a fast rig test, topped up water, and grabbed a traditional Aussie pie for the street. These little stops are a part of the enjoyment of caravan journey – you’re not simply driving by means of locations, you’re assembly them.
If you’ve obtained time, the scenic route between Esk and Gympie can take you thru the Sunshine Coast hinterland – assume rolling hills, rainforest pockets, and nation cities with wonderful bakeries.
Gympie – Queensland’s gold city
Gympie is located roughly 170 kilometres north of Brisbane on the Mary River. In 1867, prospector James Nash struck gold right here, actually discovering 70 ounces and triggering a gold rush that saved Queensland from chapter. The city’s title comes from the Gympie-Gympie stinging tree, which supplies you a great trace at how powerful youth right here was.
Today, Gympie blends its gold rush heritage with a full of life regional centre vibe. The historic Mary Street precinct is lined with restored buildings, boutique outlets, and loads of good espresso spots.
Where to eat in Gympie
First cease was Cafe By Farmer & Sun. Think contemporary salads, cold-pressed juices, and quite a lot of choices for gluten-free, vegan, and dairy-free diets, alongside hearty meat dishes. My salad was crisp, vibrant, and precisely what I wanted after a morning on the street.
Exploring Gympie’s historical past
I’ve pushed previous the Gympie Gold Mining and Historical Museum loads of occasions on the best way to Rainbow Beach, however this time we lastly stopped. The museum is sprawling – outdated miners’ cottages, blacksmith sheds, and shows filled with instruments, pictures, and private tales from the gold rush period. Walking by means of the outdated properties was a reminder of simply how far we’ve come. It’s humbling to consider the lives constructed right here with so little.
If you’ve obtained youngsters in tow (or identical to outdated equipment), the steam engines, working pumps, and classic automobiles are fascinating. The volunteers are additionally stuffed with tales, including that further layer of connection you possibly can’t get from the data boards alone.
Next cease: Tin Can Bay
From Gympie, it’s a couple of 40-minute drive to Tin Can Bay – well-known for its wild dolphin feeding at Norman Point and its calm, sheltered waters. It’s additionally a implausible spot for fishing, biking, and having fun with contemporary seafood straight from the trawlers. But that’s a narrative for the subsequent leg of the journey.
For now, the Jeep and caravan have been proving to be the proper mixture for exploring Queensland’s backroads and smaller cities – locations you may in any other case bypass on the freeway. From Esk’s mountain views to Gympie’s gold rush tales, this primary leg set the tone for a street journey that’s as a lot in regards to the journey because the vacation spot.
Insider ideas for this route:
- Caravan newbies welcome – Even in case you’ve by no means towed earlier than, Esk and Gympie are nice starter locations. Wide roads, straightforward caravan park entry, and loads of pleasant locals prepared to assist.
- Plan your meals – Caravan parks have wonderful camp kitchens, however a mixture of easy caravan meals and native cafe stops works finest.
- Break up your drive – There are loads of bakeries, farm stalls, and scenic lookouts between every cease. Make essentially the most of them.
- Don’t rush – This route is brief sufficient that you may take your time, however lengthy sufficient to really feel like an actual journey.
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Author: Matthew Turk
Matt is a Brisbane-based adventurer and content material creator keen about progress, health, creativity and journey. Matt loves crafting vibrant content material that evokes and entertains.