Want to explore this rugged country with a little more luxury than sleeping in a tent? If so, you’ve come to the right place! Check out our guide for the suggestions you’ll need to take in all the splendour and scenery of Australia, a stunning, cultured country.
1. The Sydney Opera House
Naturally, one of the most important historical sites in New South Wales is the Sydney Opera House. An iconic emblem of Australia and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Sydney Opera House is a must-see site due to its distinctive architecture and cultural significance.
There are several campgrounds and caravan parks in and around Sydney where you can stay, though you cannot park your caravan at the Sydney Opera House itself. The Sydney location of Cruisin’ Motorhomes is located 15 km from the airport. Alternatively, you can visit Sydney Lakeside Holiday Park, the closest campground to the city, with excellent bus and other public transportation connections.
2. Port Arthur Historic Site
The Port Arthur Historic Site, a well-preserved former prison community with an exciting past, is in Tasmania. Situated within 90 minutes from Nipaluna/Hobart, the site is a UNESCO World Heritage site that offers an intriguing look into Australia’s convict past.
When it comes to caravan parking, the Port Arthur Historic Site is within a 30-minute stroll from the lovely NRMA Port Arthur Holiday Park, located in the rugged wilderness. During business hours and Ghost Tours, another vast car parking area is specifically designated for that purpose. However, long-term parking is exclusively accessible to those registered for the Three Capes Track, ensuring a hassle-free experience for caravan campers.
3. The Jenolan Caves
Another stunning World Heritage site, these limestone caves, found west of the Blue Mountains, are the world’s oldest and most impressive cave systems. The Jenolan Caves hold significant historical and geological value and offer guided tours for visitors.
Though the Jenolan Caves are sometimes closed due to extreme rainfall, the nearby Jenolan Caravan Park in the heart of Oberon offers caravan parking, cabins, and tent sites.
4. Old Government House
The Old Government House in Parramatta is a significant historical landmark as Australia’s oldest surviving public building. Managed by the National Trust of Australia and open to the public as a museum, the Old Government House offers insight into the colonial history of New South Wales. The building also holds many events, such as a candlelit tour.
Parking is limited at Old Government House, but you can access the area quickly with public transport. You’ll need to download a free permit to access the park with a passenger vehicle over 3 tonnes.
5. The Rocks
These historic suburbs in Sydney are filled with cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and stories of early convict settlers. Whether you want to eat, drink, shop at boutiques, or take in the stunning harbour views, this laneway neighbourhood is a great place to explore and learn about the early days of the colony.
For caravans, you’ve got spots like Discovery Parks at Lane Cove. If you park here, you can come and go from The Rocks as you like. There is also plenty of other parking available in the greater Sydney area.
6. Hyde Park Barracks
Located in the heart of Sydney, the Hyde Park Barracks is another UNESCO World Heritage-listed site where you can learn about the lives of convicts in the early days of the Australian colony.
Again, parking is limited in this central Sydney area. Your best bet is to try a caravan park like the Sydney Tourist Park. With toilets and shower rooms, you’ve got all the facilities you need here to get ready for an exciting day out in Sydney!
7. The Australian Museum
As the oldest museum in Australia, the Australian Museum in Sydney houses an extensive collection of science, nature, and cultural exhibits.
While parking a caravan in the city can be difficult, caravan parks and camping grounds in the surrounding areas offer convenient access to the museum. For example, the NRMA Sydney Lakeside Holiday Park is just 4 km from the Northern Beaches. They’ve pulled all the stops out with two communal kitchens, two BBQ pavilions, a waterpark, a playground, and a coin-operated laundry, ensuring a comfortable stay for caravan campers.
8. Fort Denison
Situated in Sydney Harbour, Fort Denison is a former penal site and defensive facility with a rich history. While you can’t park a caravan on the island itself, there are caravan parks and camping sites near Sydney where you can stay and take a ferry to visit Fort Denison.
The Bass Hill Tourist Park is one place you can park your campervan near Fort Denison. Then, there’s Bonnie Vale Camping Ground, another scenic spot to stop at. Another option is the BIG4 Holiday Park, a family-friendly choice with locations throughout Greater Sydney.
9. The Mint
The historic Sydney Mint, now a museum, was once a convict hospital and is the oldest public building in Sydney. Built for the cost of 45000 gallons of rum, The Mint was also known as the Rum Hospital. The Mint offices made up the south wing of the General Hospital, constructed between 1811 and 1816. Today, the halls host many events, too.
While you can’t get parking directly in the city, caravan parks and camping facilities in the greater Sydney area provide convenient access to The Mint. There is no public parking at the Mint, but you can get limited meter parking in the streets around the Royal Botanic Gardens and Hyde Park and paid parking at the nearby Wilson – The Domain.
10. Vaucluse House
Vaucluse House is a historic estate and Australia’s first official house museum in the harbourside suburb of Vaucluse in Sydney. Today, the Estate Vaucluse House is one of Sydney’s top wedding venues, with its house, kitchen wing, stables, and outbuildings.
Though there is no option to park your caravan directly on the spacious grounds of Vaucluse House, there are caravan parks and camping grounds in the surrounding areas that offer easy access to this historical site. You can then take the 325 bus from Sydney CBD and Edgecliff station. You could also take the 324 bus to Vaucluse shops and then take a 10-minute walk down a public walkway to get to Vaucluse House.
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