Exmouth

Exmouth

Exploring
Exmouth

Western Australia

Exmouth, Western Australia, is a hidden gem for nature lovers and families alike. Known for its breathtaking landscapes and extraordinary marine life, it offers an unparalleled experience for those traveling to Exmouth as a family. Whether you’re an adventure seeker or someone looking to unwind amidst nature, Exmouth has something for everyone.

Where We Stayed

During our time in Exmouth, we had the pleasure of staying in various locations that perfectly suited our family’s needs. We began our journey by settling into a spot just south of Exmouth on the East side, recommended by a friend of a friend. This location became our home for the first week and the final three weeks of our trip. It offered a peaceful retreat close enough to the town while still allowing us to immerse ourselves in the natural beauty of the area.

Off Grid Adventures

For a more adventurous experience, we also spent six nights at Osprey and five nights at Mesa campgrounds within the Cape Range National Park. These off-grid sites were a dream come true for snorkelling enthusiasts. We swam with turtles, explored vibrant coral reefs, and enjoyed fishing and easy access to boat and diving tours. The proximity to these activities made our stay truly unforgettable.

Things to Do in Exmouth

Exmouth offers an abundance of activities, from snorkeling in crystal-clear waters to canyon hikes that reveal stunning vistas. Families will love the diversity of experiences available, with something for every budget. While Exmouth is known for its premium-priced activities and accommodations, there are still plenty of affordable options for those looking to enjoy this spectacular destination without breaking the bank.

The town itself is RV-friendly, with ample dump points and a convenient water filling station (just 5c per litre). However, due to its remote location, be prepared to pay a premium for essentials like petrol and groceries. Despite this, we found a gem in the Whalebone Brewery, where we enjoyed incredible food, great drinks, and surprisingly reasonable prices—a welcome break from the typical high costs in the area.

Getting around Exmouth

Getting around Exmouth is a breeze, thanks to its small-town layout designed with tourists in mind. Towing a caravan or maneuvering an RV here is far easier compared to similar tourist hotspots on the East Coast.

Traveling to Exmouth as a family is an experience like no other. With its unique blend of adventure, natural beauty, and family-friendly amenities, it’s a destination that will leave you with memories to cherish for a lifetime.

Bay Of Fires

Bay Of Fires

Exploring
Bay of Fires

Tasmania

Traveling to the Bay of Fires as a family offers a truly unforgettable experience. Immersing you in one of Australia’s premier nature regions. With exceptional beaches, river systems, forests, waterfalls, and mountains, this area is a haven for nature lovers. We stayed at the Tasman Caravan Park in St Helens, which proved to be a fantastic base for all our adventures in the region.

Discovering The Gardens

Our journey began with a visit to The Gardens, the northernmost part of the Bay of Fires. This remote wilderness meets a stunning coastline, offering pristine beaches and captivating walks. The untouched beauty of this area made it a highlight of our trip, and we highly recommend spending time exploring its natural wonders.

Beach Bliss at Binalong Bay

Next, we headed to Binalong Bay, a charming small town with unreal beaches perfect for swimming and snorkeling. The crystal-clear waters and white sandy shores provided a picturesque setting for a family day out. The kids loved splashing in the waves, and we enjoyed the serene ambiance of this coastal gem.

The Fascinating Little Blue Lake

Located at South Mount Cameron, Little Blue Lake is a geological marvel worth visiting. The lake’s hyper blue color is due to abnormal mineral levels, creating a mesmerizing sight. Although swimming is not advised, the fun walk around half the lake provided plenty of photo opportunities and a chance to marvel at its unique beauty.

Mountain Biking in Derby

For a change of pace, we visited Derby, a small town dedicated to mountain biking. With several world-class trails, driving into town felt like stepping into a mountain biking movie. We also indulged in a visit to the floating sauna, a truly exceptional and unique experience that left us refreshed and rejuvenated.

Culinary Delights and Natural Wonders

No trip to the Bay of Fires is complete without a visit to the Pub in the Paddock and Pyengana Dairy Company. The pub, one of Australia’s oldest, served exceptional food, and the dairy company offered live cow milking presentations and some of the most incredible ice cream we’ve ever tasted. Just up the road, St Columba Falls, one of Tasmania’s premier waterfalls, provided a spectacular sight. Ella found a small water hole near the falls for a refreshing dip.

Surfing and Sand Dunes

Beerbarrel Beach was a great spot for a surf, and Ella caught a couple of waves in the afternoon. However, be mindful of the tricky currents. We also visited Peron Dunes, an exceptional spot for the kids to slide down on bodyboards and have fun running around the massive dune system right on the beach.

Surf Village Vibes at Beaumaris Beach

Our adventure continued to Beaumaris Beach, a little surf village where we spent fun mornings chatting with locals and watching surfers. The open beach, with its left break off a small headland, provided an exciting surfing experience.

Navigating St Mary’s Pass

On our way to St Helens, we drove through St Mary’s and down St Mary’s Pass. After our experience with Bulli Pass, we were initially apprehensive, but we found this pass manageable if you take your time. Set your brakes right and enjoy the scenic drive without too much fret.

Traveling to the Bay of Fires as a family was a remarkable experience filled with adventure, natural beauty, and memorable moments. We can’t wait to return and explore even more of this incredible region.

Fleurieu Peninsula

Fleurieu Peninsula

Exploring
Longford

Tasmania

The Fleurieu Peninsula is a magical area, perfect for a family getaway. With raw beaches, national parks, wineries, cute coastal towns, and lots to do, it was easy to spend ten days based in Victor Harbour. Traveling to the Fleurieu Peninsula as a family allowed us to experience the stunning landscapes and diverse activities that this region offers.

Staying at NRMA Victor Harbour Beachfront Holiday Park

We chose the NRMA Victor Harbour Beachfront Holiday Park for our stay on the Fleurieu Peninsula. It had everything you could want as a family and more. The park boasts water slides, a pool, a jumping pillow, a TV room, and plenty of other amenities to keep everyone entertained. The location was perfect, allowing us to explore the peninsula easily.

Exploring Granite Island

One of our first adventures was walking over to Granite Island. It’s an unreal spot, featuring a café and plenty of trails to explore. The island offers beautiful views and a chance to see some local wildlife. The kids enjoyed the walk, and we all loved the fresh air and scenic surroundings.

Fun at Horseshoe Bay

Horseshoe Bay is a beautiful, protected beach with a playground and a café. It was an excellent spot for a family day out. The kids had a blast at the playground, and we enjoyed a leisurely coffee while watching them play. The beach itself is perfect for a swim, making it a favorite spot during our trip.

Surfing at Middleton Point

Middleton Point is a classic surf beach, working slightly like a point break. The cold waters were a bit much for Ella, but I managed to catch a few waves in the mornings alongside some brave locals. The beach has a rugged charm, and it was a great place to soak up the local surf culture.

The Scenic Drive to Cape Jervis

The drive from Victor Harbour to Cape Jervis and back was a highlight of our trip. We explored remote and wild beaches, some of which looked incredible for surfing under the right conditions. Cape Jervis is a small town where the ferry departs for Kangaroo Island. We also visited Morgan’s Beach, drove on the beach, played in the dunes, and Ella had a swim. The landscape along this drive is truly breathtaking.

Relaxing in Rapid Bay

Rapid Bay is a beautiful little town we would love to stay in next time. With an unpowered park right on the beach, it’s protected from southerly and westerly winds. The area is ideal for relaxing, swimming, fishing, and boating. It’s a hidden gem on the Fleurieu Peninsula.

Treats in Normanville

A visit to the bakery in Normanville provided us with some very good treats for lunch. The town has a relaxed fishing village vibe, and we enjoyed walking around and soaking in the atmosphere. It’s a quaint stop that added to the charm of our trip.

Enjoying Down the Rabbit Hole Winery and Restaurant

Down the Rabbit Hole Winery and Restaurant was bustling with activity when we visited. Ella tasted some wines, the kids played in the play area, and we had a fantastic time. It’s definitely a spot to add to the return list, with a great ambiance and delicious offerings.

Victor Harbour Essentials

Victor Harbour is a great town, providing opportunities to stock up on supplies, shop at Kmart, get some 4WD gear, and prepare for adventures around South Australia. It served as an excellent base for our travels on the Fleurieu Peninsula.

Traveling to the Fleurieu Peninsula as a family was a delightful experience, offering a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure. From exploring islands and surf spots to enjoying local treats and scenic drives, the Fleurieu Peninsula has something for everyone.

Cradle Mountain

Cradle Mountain

Exploring
Cradle Mountain

Tasmania

Traveling to Cradle Mountain as a family is a chance to visit one of Australia’s most iconic and recognisable landmarks. This place is incredible. With multiple walks, hikes, and treks, filled with mountains, lakes, waterfalls, and rivers, it is a natural wonderland. It also snows here a lot, so be prepared all year round for it to be cold. We went in January and still needed normal winter clothes we would normally wear back home in Coffs Harbour.

Accommodation: Gowrie Park Wilderness Village

We stayed at Gowrie Park Wilderness Village for a few nights. It was about 30 minutes northeast of Cradle Mountain and the closest place to stay with a van outside of the Discovery Park at Cradle Mountain.

Day 1: Exploring Dove Lake

Our first day was spent as a group, with Ella’s mum and her partner Gary joining us. We visited Dove Lake and then walked back to the Ronnie Creek car park. We spent equal parts around Dove Lake, taking our time to enjoy the scenery. The track back to Ronnie Creek car park took about 80 minutes of walking with the kids. We were lucky to see one wombat on the track. When Ella and I did this in 2016 in September, we saw many more wombats. We assume that the hotter temperature kept the wombats out of the sun.

Day 2: Climbing Marion’s Lookout and Family Walks

On the second day, Ella, Mel, and Gary climbed Marion’s Lookout. They had a blast, and it took them around 3 to 4 hours for the return trip. Meanwhile, the kids and I did some short walks around the Enchanted Forest, Pencil Pines Falls, and Knyvet Falls. The walks took less than an hour, with plenty of stops for snacks and wombat spotting.

Visiting Devils @ Cradle

The kids and I then went to Devils @ Cradle. This experience was fantastic for the boys, as the enclosures were well-suited for young kids. It was also reasonably priced for a prime attraction in the area.

Tips for Visiting Cradle Mountain

Cradle Mountain can be done as a day trip from nearly anywhere on the northwest coast, or even Launceston. However, if you plan to stay closer, ensure you have enough food supplies, as shopping is limited.

Driving with a Caravan

Driving the caravan from Devonport to Gowrie Park was an eye-opener. I hadn’t driven on such narrow roads with the van before, but traffic was minimal. This set the tone for most of the driving done with the caravan off the major highways. There’s roadkill everywhere too, so it pays to be very attentive.

Traveling to Cradle Mountain as a family was a memorable experience, filled with breathtaking scenery and adventures. Whether you’re hiking, wombat spotting, or exploring the local attractions, Cradle Mountain offers something for everyone.