Caravan sites are not all created equal, and as experienced campers know, the quirkiest are a destination in their own right.
A LITTLE LEFT OF FIELD
Where: Mount Field National Park, 64 kilometres north-west of Hobart, Tasmania
Out in the left field, at the gateway to the Mount Field National Park sits a garden of eccentric delights. A dreamscape of native and exotic plants carpeted with daffodils, Left of Field campground is nothing short of surprising. Follow one path to a fireside bush bath, another to a pizza oven and bar. Golfers will have a field day at the unconventional 18-hole golf course ("It's a challenge," admits owner Adrian) while lovers of live music will be rapt by the lineup of local bands. Visit over the last weekend in February for the Playing the Field music festival. Powered and unpowered sites from $15/night. See leftoffield.net.au wikicamps.com.au
UNDER THE MILKY WAY
Photo: Destination NSW
Where: Warrumbungle National Park, 30 kilometres west of Coonabarabran, NSW
Warrumbungle National Park in central western NSW is Australia's first Dark Sky Park, with the international certification to prove it (IDSP). Park your rig in Camp Blackman, turn off your lights and enjoy the celestial show. Thanks to the high altitude, low humidity and clear night skies the park is one of the best places in Australia for stargazing. Visit the nearby Siding Spring Observatory (now open Thursday, Friday and Saturday 10am to 4pm) home to Australia's largest optical telescopes. Powered and unpowered sites from $16/night. See nationalparks.nsw.gov.au
AT THE BACK OF THE NORTH GREGORY HOTEL
Photo: Tourism and Events Queensland
Where: Winton, 180 kilometres north-west of Longreach, QLD
Pub camping. Could there be anything better? The caravanner gets a campsite within (stumbling) steps of a cold beer, the pub scores a loyal patron, and the community gets a tourism boost. Win-win-win. The historic North Gregory Hotel has 15 unpowered van sites ($10/night) in the heart of Winton. It was here, on April 6, 1895, that Australia's unofficial national anthem, Waltzing Matilda, was played in public for the first time. Visit Winton's Waltzing Matilda Centre to learn more. Further afield the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum of Natural History is home to the world's largest collection of Australian dinosaur fossils. Van guests at the North Gregory have access to the hotel's Laundromat, showers, Wi-Fi and other facilities. Cheers! northgregoryhotel.com; countrypubcamping.com
ON THE ROOF OF A MELBOURNE CBD CAR PARK
Photo: Simon Schluter
Where: Notel Melbourne, Victoria
You don't need your own caravan at this campsite; the heavy lifting (requiring a 50-tonne crane) has been done for you. Six 1970s Airstream trailers, kitted and refitted as designer accommodation, sit atop a nondescript building on Flinders Lane. Finding the entrance will have you scratching your head, and reaching for your smartphone to swipe yourself in. Each gleaming trailer comes with a flamingo-pink ensuite, air conditioning, iPad loaded with Netflix and a virtual concierge. Part retro, part futuristic this is a trailer park, but not as you know it. From $399/night including minibar and parking. See notelmelbourne.com.au
TRACKSIDE AT THE KULIN BUSH RACES
Photo: Kerry van der Jagt
Where: 285 kilometres south-east of Perth, WA
The race that stops the golden outback is held annually on the first weekend in October. From Kulin follow the Tin Horse Highway, a 15-kilometre stretch of road lined with a herd of 70-odd pieces of equine art. The action kicks off on Friday afternoon when the main bar opens and the novelty "tin horse" race is run. From Saturday's opening parade to final fireworks there is a program of horse racing, novelty events, live music and old-fashioned country hospitality. Arrive early to score pole position from the 1000 unpowered camping sites on the northern surrounds of the racetrack, free on Friday and Saturday nights with a valid event ticket. See kulinbushraces.com.au
NEAR A GEOLOGICAL AND CULTURAL WONDER
Where: Karlu Karlu/Devil's Marbles 100 kilometres south of Tennant Creek, NT
Photo: Alamy
Geologists say these granite boulders formed over millions of years from an upsurge of molten rock, gradually becoming ovoid in shape due to weathering and erosion. To the local Aboriginal people they are Karlu Karlu (loosely, round boulders) that were laid by the Rainbow Serpent during the Dreamtime. Set up camp inside the Karlu Karlu/Devil's Marbles Conservation Reserve to see the boulders change colour in the early morning light and setting sun. Marvel at how some are precariously balanced on top of each other, seeming to defy gravity or explanation. Unpowered bush camping is available at the southern end of the reserve ($7.70/night). See nt.gov.au/leisure/parks-reserves
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