Alaina

Will be in Australia In August and wish to hire a campervan in Sydney and drive up the East coast to Cairns in 3 weeks. We're looking at Apollo Camper? Does anyone have any experience of these. Are they reputable? Also can anyone recommend anywhere in particular on that route and is there any good websites with campsites on? Not been able to find much information about campsites.<BR>Thank You<BR>Alaina in the UK.

ALF

We looked at Apollo, and thought that their campervans were quite well-appointed, but that we were too cheap. Don't worry at all about campsites. Virtually every single town has at least one 'holiday park' or 'caravan park' that you can pull into without reservations. In the 4 months that we were in Oz, there were only 2 days (both national holidays) when we had any trouble getting into the first campsite we chose.<BR><BR>Here are a few sites:<BR>http://www.fpa.org.au/<BR>http://www.toptouristparks.com.au/index3.html<BR>http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/3648/links.htm#Stay

a

ttt

Kay

Alaina, two good sites are:<BR>www.travelmate.com.au which has general info plus the Map Maker section will tell you driving distances between places which would be helpful.<BR>www.jasons.com.au is very good for accommodation - all types.<BR>A couple of places we consider a 'must' are the Whitsundays - at Proserpine turn off towards the coast to Airlie Beach, the ferries to the islands leave from Shute Harbour. You can do day trips to lots of the islands or stay out there if you want. If you book once you arrive in Airlie Beach you should save heaps of money as you can get a standby (last minute) rate. There is a multi-storey lock up garage at Shute Harbour if you want to leave your camper van there.<BR>Also Mission Beach, again turn off the main highway to a couple of little villages along the beautiful beach, opposite Dunk Island. You can do a day trip to Dunk or go white water rafting at nearby Tully. Most people do the rafting from Cairns but it makes a long day.<BR>Once in Cairns, try and visit Palm Cove (small village with nice beach) and also Port Douglas which has a great beach and lots of choices of places to eat. There are a couple of caravan parks in PD.<BR>An unusual place for a visit is Paronella Park at Mena Creek, just south of Cairns. Think Spanish ruins in the jungle.<BR>Outside the main towns you will find wildlife - lots of it dead - on the roads so be careful driving at dawn and dusk when the wildlife is most active.<BR>Have not heard of Apollo, but two other campervan companies you could try are Maui and Britz.<BR>Hope your trip is terrific.<BR>Kay

marg

Another website for camping grounds is www.big4.com.au. Two places we can personally recommend are the Crystal Cascades park in Cairns and the Hideaway park at Mission Beach. On the Gold Coast, we always stay at Tallebudgera Creek camping ground - it's on river/beach frontage and five minutes traffic-free walk to the surf beach - for more info, www.gctp.com.au or email - [email protected]<BR>While you are in Cairns and if time allows, take the ferry across the Daintree River and drive to Cape Tribulation. Untouched (relatively) rainforest and great beaches.<BR>I agree with Kay's recommendation for Palm Cove and Mission Beach (think typical tropical beach). <BR>We have done the trip to Cairns many times with car and caravan, so email me if you like.

johnj

Two of my favourites are the camping grounds at South West Rocks and Broken Head near Byron.

Namibiaunlimited

Hello Marg, I saw you entry regarding doing the trip from Sydney to Cairnes. We are planing to do this route in September 2014.what I can not find is info whether the campsites also offer huts where one can stay instead of driving with a camper. what attractions would you recommend regarding wildlife and Abos. Looking forward to your reply.