6 of Australia’s Lesser Known Treasures

So you’ve walked across the Sydney Harbour Bridge, frolicked on the beach in the Gold Coast, and went snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef - what’s next?

It’s time to step away from the major tourist attractions and get the most out of your motorhome rental in Australia by heading out to lesser-known sites around the country. Many of them are just as awe-inspiring and enjoyable as their famous counterparts, yet far quieter and without the lines.

Here are six of Australia’s top hidden gems that you probably haven’t even heard of:

 

1. Peninsula Hot Springs

Image: Ziham Omar, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

A geothermal hot spring and day spa, the Peninsula Hot Springs makes for the ultimate day of relaxation on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula. The site is relatively new, having been founded in 1997 after a pair of local brothers saw the attraction of natural hot springs in Japan. The water here is a luxurious 54 degrees when it bubbles out of the ground, so you can easily pass the day floating around in cosy bliss. There are also saunas, cold plunge pools, and barrel baths included in the price of admission, or you can take it a step further and purchase a spa experience for a massage or skin treatment, then finish off with an indulgent meal at one of the cafes on site. The hot springs are just 90 minutes from Melbourne with a campervan for an easy day trip adventure.

 

2. Carnarvon Gorge

 

Image: Geoffb60, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

The Carnarvon Gorge, in the Carnarvon Gorge National Park, is a little out of the way, and therefore largely undiscovered by the grand majority of visitors to Queensland. It’s a place of almost surreal beauty, where you can walk and swim at the bottom of a canyon with sandstone walls looming high above you on both sides in Carnarvon Creek. There is also an important cultural side to the gorge, as ancient Aboriginal rock art can be seen in some areas, with rock engravings, freehand paintings, and ochre stencils, all of which are widely regarded as some of the finest Aboriginal rock art examples in Australia. Make your way there with a Brisbane motorhome rental and camp within the national park itself (you will need to purchase a camping pass).

 

3. Umpherston Sinkhole

Image: Thom Devereux, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Midway between Adelaide and Melbourne lies the Umpherston Sinkhole, also known as the Sunken Garden. As the name suggests, this area is a massive sinkhole by Mt Gambier, but it has been cultivated and turned into a bizarrely beautiful garden, unlike anything you’ve ever seen. It was originally a limestone cave until it collapsed, and was then turned into a floral garden with ferns, hydrangeas, a fountain, and more, in 1886 by James Umpherston. To make this site even more special - especially to those visiting from overseas - sunrise and sunsets are usually accompanied by hundreds of cute possums who visit the garden to feed. The site is open from dawn until dusk and is 4-5 hours away from Adelaide and Melbourne.

 

4. Mungo National Park

Image: DOMENICO STALLO, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

The Mungo National Park is situated in New South Wales but is most easily accessible with a motorhome from Adelaide or Canberra. It’s a place that looks like it belongs amongst the bizarre rock formations of Utah, with tall red rock formations and ancient history. This incredibly special place was inhabited by Aboriginal people thousands of years ago, and numerous tools and artefacts from this time have been found in the park dating back roughly 40,000 years. This makes the Mungo National Park one of the oldest places outside of Africa to have been occupied by humans since ancient times. There are walks, tours, and campgrounds to help you fully explore this special, and somewhat unknown, piece of heritage.

 

5. Lancelin Sand Dunes

Image: RustyHistory, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

The Lancelin Sand Dunes are at once exhilarating, beautiful, and fascinating. It has become Australia’s premier sandboarding destination, but even if you’re not into thrill-seeking, these gigantic white-sand dunes still offer one of the country’s most arresting sights. You’ll need to hire an actual sandboard, as your usual boogie boards and surfboards will not slide down the grainy hills, and you can do this in the general store in Lancelin or right on site. The dunes are free to visit, and less than two hours away from Perth with your campervan, making it an affordable day trip for an experience that’s truly unique.

Top tip: For the best experience, make sure your board is in good condition!

 

6. Newnes Glow Worm Tunnel

Image: Jameslamb at English Wikipedia, GFDL, CC-BY-SA-3.0 or CC-BY-2.5, Wikimedia Commons

Delve 400 metres into a tunnel and watch as thousands of glow worms light up the walls and roof like the night sky outside. The Newnes Glow Worm Tunnel is an unknown little gem not far from Lithgow and just 2.5 hours from Sydney with your campervan hire. It is a magical little getaway that you can visit at any time! Originally, this tunnel was created for a train line but is now solely the home of glow worms, where you can take a short bush walk to wonder at their gorgeous displays in the dark. You’ll need good walking shoes and a torch for your visit - and be careful as you drive the access road as you may come across wildlife such as kangaroos.

Need more lesser-known treasures of the world? Check out 6 of Portugal’s unknown gems and start planning your next motorhome adventure.