Planning the perfect road trip can feel impossible, especially if you are planning a trip to a distant city or even across the ocean! There is so much to consider, from the route you will take to the stops you will make, and what attractions you will see. Whether you have planned a road trip before or not, this can quickly become overwhelming, leaving you unsure where to turn or who to trust.
Luckily for you, we are here to help with 3 fantastic road trips you can enjoy, no matter where you are. Our Cairns, Christchurch, and San Francisco campervan road trips have something for everyone, taking you on coastal adventures and through luscious scenery. Check out each road trip below to see which is right for you.
Cairns to Brisbane road trip
Our Cairns to Brisbane 7-day road trip is perfect for anyone looking for stunning scenery across the coast. The journey takes you through Mission Beach, Yeppoon, and Hervey Bay before arriving in Brisbane to enjoy a vibrant city. Travellers Autobarn offers competitive rates for their campervan hire in Cairns, allowing you to start your journey without worrying about your budget. Check the campervan hire rates in Cairns before planning your trip.
We recommend the following itinerary for your road trip:
- Mission Beach – driving two hours brings you to Mission Beach, where you can enjoy four peaceful beaches, and the views are unparalleled. Make sure you find the perfect place to spend the night, with the best view of the stars
- Airlie – is a longer 6-hour drive, but allows you to take part in island hopping, exploring the Whitsunday islands, where you can hike and journey through rainforests to see native birds. Make sure you allow time to explore the Great Barrier Reef here, too
- Yeppoon – takes 5.5 hours to reach, but it is worth it to explore the colourful waters and visit the Capricorn Coast National Park. Here, layers of volcanic rock formations await you, with the perfect picnic spots
- Hervey Bay – known as the jewel in Queensland’s crown, there is so much to see and do here. The guided whale watching tour is a must, and with subtropical climates, you will never feel chilly. Make time for a trip to Fraser Island, where you can sink your toes into the white sand and relax
- Noosa – a shorter drive brings you to a calm world of coastal walks and cycle paths with trails to suit every ability level. You can take these trails to mountains, rainforests, and even countryside cafes
- Glasshouse Mountains – takes you away from the coast, to one of Queensland’s hidden treasures. This is the perfect day for short trips, with a tranquil environment
- Brisbane – your journey ends in this bus city, where you can enjoy stunning rides, street markets, and river cruises. We recommend that China Town, Kangaroo Point, Bartley’s Lookout, and Parliament House are worth visiting
Christchurch to Mount Cook road trip
A road trip from Christchurch to Mount Cook can take between 3 and 5 days, depending on how long you want to stay at each stop. The road trip will take you from alpine mountains to beautiful lakes and small towns, with plenty of hidden gems that you might otherwise miss. The best way to complete the trip is with a campervan, providing plenty of comfort and all the amenities you need on the road. Travellers Autobarn offer a range of campervans that would be perfect for your trip. Check out theircampervan hire rates in Christchurch before continuing with your planning.
When you are ready, follow our itinerary for your Christchurch to Mount Cook road trip:
- Christchurch – spend some time exploring Christchurch before heading off, enjoying the botanic gardens and Christchurch Cathedral. There are lots of cafes and restaurants, too, where you can fuel up before the road trip begins
- Rakaia – a short drive brings you to the banks of the Rakaia River, where you can see the Rakaia Bridge, the longest bridge in New Zealand. Here you can enjoy some of the best views from New Zealand and stretch your legs before the next leg of your drive begins. You can also fish here or book a guided jet boating tour to see the river up close
- Ashburton – is a small town where you can learn more about the rich history of the area. The Ashburton Aviation Museum is a must, where you can learn about vintage, military, and civilian aircraft. There are plenty of places for food too, including the farmers’ market, where you can sample local and fresh produce
- Lake Tekapo – is one of the most beautiful spots in New Zealand, and is the perfect photo spot. Its turquoise colour isn’t the only attraction, as many bird species flock to the lake, making it a great bird-watching spot
- Twizel – is a small town that is the gateway to Mount Cook National Park. There is plenty to see here, including the Clay Cliffs Track and Hooker Valley Track. There are cycling trails too, which are perfect if you are travelling with your mountain bike
- Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park – completes your road trip, where you can enjoy New Zealand’s tallest peak. There are plenty of hiking trails to suit every difficulty level. We recommend the Glencoe Walk for a short walk, with beautiful views and colours at sunrise or sunset. If you want a more difficult walk. The Sealy Tarns Track, nicknamed the Stairway to Heaven, is a good choice
San Francisco to San Diego road trip
San Francisco is the perfect starting point for a classic American road trip. As you travel to San Diego, you will pass some of the most beautiful beaches in America, with plenty of unique spaces to explore. Our itinerary will take 4 to 6 days, with plenty of opportunities for you to extend your trip. A campervan is best for this trip, with Travellers Autobarn offering an impressive range of campers to choose from. Check out their competitive campervan hire rates in San Francisco before heading off on your next trip:
- San Francisco – before you head out, spend some time exploring San Francisco, with the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, and Golden Gate Park being some of the best attractions here
- Half Moon Bay – has a fantastic coastal trail that hugs the shoreline and ensures your view of the ocean is uninterrupted. There are plenty of beaches to explore along the way before heading to downtown Half Moon Bay, where you can enjoy plenty of art galleries and shops, including Moonside Bakery
- Monterey – it’s home to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, where the whole family can enjoy a day of fun. The Monterey Bay coastal trail is perfect for those who want to see grey whales come back and orcas in the water. It’s a great trail for bikes, too, and you can enjoy some great sunset views
- Carmel-by-the-sea – is just five miles from Monterey, but allows you to explore California in more detail with stunning beaches and plenty of local shops and restaurants to explore. There aren’t many big tourist attractions, but a drive along Scenic Road to see breathtaking views and enjoy some peace is a must
- Pismo Beach – has a laid-back and sunny atmosphere that allows you to relax on your road trip. The ocean or dunes state vehicular Recreation area allows you to rent ATVs and feel some adrenaline and the wind in your hair along their sand dunes. The monarch butterfly Grove is a great option for those who want a calmer experience close to nature
- Santa Barbara – marks your halfway point on the trip with plenty of beaches to explore, including Butterfly Beach and East Beach. If you want to explore Santa Barbara up close, the Old Santa Barbara shows you the Spanish architecture and the Rose Gardens, which the area is famous for
- Los Angeles – offers plenty of excitement, with Venice Beach and Santa Monica Pier offering something for everyone, including arcade games, Street musicians, and unique Boutiques. The Warner Bros. studio tour is just 15 minutes away and allows you to go behind the scenes of some of your favourite films and TV shows. LA is also home to some of the best food, where you can enjoy anything from vegan tacos to Korean BBQ
- Anaheim – is home to Disneyland and some of the best food. The Packing District has a huge food hall in town where you can sample a range of cuisines. It’s worth visiting the Angels Stadium too, where you can book guided tours
- San Clemente – allows you to relax before your trip ends. The San Clemente Pier is a great viewpoint, or you can explore the Beach trail to see the coastline up close. The Casa Romantica Cultural Centre and Gardens mix beauty and history, while the T-Street Beach allows you to practise your surfing skills
- San Diego – complete your drive and explore the beautiful beaches in San Diego, choosing from Pacific Beach, Coronado Beach, or even Sunset Cliffs Natural Park. There are plenty of other activities and sights too, including the San Diego Zoo, North Park, and Balboa Park
Start planning your campervan road trip today
Whether you want to explore the Australian, American, or New Zealand coast, we have a road trip for you! These campervan road trips allow you to see unique parts of the coastline, with unique towns and plenty of attractions for the whole family. Start planning your trip today using our itineraries.
