Sydney to Adelaide Drive

Wagga Wagga

Wagga Wagga (an Indigenous word for 'land of many crows') is New South Wales' largest inland regional city and it sits on the wiggly banks of the Murrumbidgee River. Locals just call it Wagga (pronounced Wogga). It's bursting with colour in Autumn and in Spring when the canola fields are in flower. Wagga Wagga is home to the Charles Sturt University. The city has a vibrant arts scene, hip boutiques, grand old architecture, tree-lined streets, well cared for gardens, and majestic riverside eucalypts. enjoy the galleries, museums, wineries, olive groves, and the Botanic Gardens and zoo. 

Things to do in Wagga Wagga

• Relax on Wagga Beach on the banks of the Murrumbidgy River.
• National Glass Art Gallery - there's more than glass here. It has an extensive range from well known artists. 
• Museum of Riverina - three exhibits: Agricultural machines, people and place, sporting hall of fame.
• City of Wagga Wagga Botanic Gardens - These large gardens are also home to the Museum of Riverina (above) a zoo and a bird aviary. Walking through the free-flight aviary is a highlight of visiting the zoo. More than 90 species of animals and birds, both native and exotic, live here including peacocks that roam freely within the zoo. The Children's Farmland has chickens, ducks and rabbits.

Wagga Wagga Caravan Parks

• BIG4 Wagga Wagga Tourist Park is by the river. Facilities include a swimming pool, camp kitchen, BBQs, free WIFI, playground, laundry, sewage dump.
  RATES: Unpowered site $40 for two. Additional adults $15.
  

Wagga Wagga canola fields

Wagga Wagga Beach. Photo: @renaewako via Instagram

Hay Plains

The Hay Plains are one of the flattest places on earth. You won't get bigger skies than these and it can be very photogenic, especially at dawn and dusk. Star gazers will enjoy the night sky. The town of Hay lies half way between Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide, smack bang in the middle of nowhere. The people here are kind and chatty, so don't be in a rush.

You'll see a lot of emu, parrots and sheep along the Hay Plains. 

Things to do in Hay

• Hay Gaol Museum - Learn the history of Hay by learning about the history of these buildings. They have been used as a gaol, maternity hospital, insane asylum and girls school.
• Bishops Lodge Museum - a beautiful 1888 house museum.
• Shear Outback - watch sheep being sheared.
• Dunera Museum - learn about the 6,000 Prisoners of War kept here during WWII.
• The Murrumbidgee River has walking trails, cycle paths, camping, fishing, birdwatching, boating, water skiing, kayaking etc. 
• Sandy Point is considered the main beach in town and has  BBQs, boat ramps, picnic tables, a swimming area and toilets.

Caravan Parks and Camping

• Ask the locals in town where to camp on the Murrumbidgy River.
  
  
• Hay BIG4 Caravan Park has shady trees and grassy sites. It is a stones throw from the Murrumbidgy River and scenic walks. It also has a lot of bird life. Facilities include a swimming pool, laundry, camp kitchen, playground, WIFI, sullage.
  RATES: Powered site $28 for two people. Additional adults $10.

Hay Plains. Photo: @catherine.hickson via Instagram

Hay Plains. Photo: @hickey243 via Instagram

Starry night skies. Photo: @the17thphotographer via Instagram

You'll see a lot of sheep. Photo: @theoutbackfeed via Instagram

Hay Plains snow gum. Photo: Local photographer Bels_Rural via IG

Hay Plains after the rain. Photo: Local photographer Bels_Rural via IG

Mildura

Mildura is an oasis in the outback and an abundance of locally grown produce and vineyards. Stop here for the paddle steamer tours of the Murray River, the art deco buildings and the wine tasting at local vineyards. 

Things to do in Mildura

• Visit Lock11. Paddle steamers pass through this lock and it is fascinating to see how a lock works, and more photogenic when it is a paddle steamer that is being transported. 
• The Mildura Arts Centre is housed in a Queen Anne mansion.
• The Etiwanda Wetlands is a bird watcher's paradise. Bring your camera!
• Chateau Mildura Vineyard is a pleasant spot to sip wine.
• Sand Bar pub has Art Deco architecture and a beer garden.
• Kings Billabong Nature Reserve is good for kayaking.
• Apex Beach is the spot to catch some sun, swimming, and enjoy people watching.
• The Arts Centre will give you plenty of culture.
• Drop in to the Brewery or the Cider Tree for some local brews.
• Taste the local oranges and their products at Orange World. You can also take a tour of the orange orchard and learn how to pick a good orange. 

Mildura Caravan Parks

• The Buronga Riverside Tourist Park receives excellent reviews. It sits on the banks of the Murray River and they have wildlife, an animal farm, a tennis court, 2 swimming pools, a BMX track, 2 playgrounds, and a jumping pillow.RATES: Unpowered sites from $29 for two. Additional adults $9, kids $5.
  
  
• BIG4 Mildura Getaway is right in town. Facilities include camp kitchen, jumping pillow, swimming pool, toddler pool, playground, games room (foos ball, table tennis, pool table, wii), hot showers, laundry, BBQs, free WiFi, TV lounge, dump point, lending library.
  RATES: Powered sites from $38 for two people. Additional adults $15, kids $12.
  
  
• BIG4 Golden River is just north of town on the Murray River. Facilities include camp kitchen, jumping pillow, swimming pool, toddler pool, playground, games room, hot showers, laundry, BBQs, WiFi, TV lounge.
  RATES: From $37 for two. Additional adults $12.
  
  
• All Seasons Holiday Park is located in town. They have an amazing water playground for the kids. They also have a heated swimming pool and toddlers pool, free WiFi, camp kitchen, BBQs, games room, jumping pillow, herb garden, basket ball, totem tennis, tennis court, dump point.
  RATES: Powered sites from $36. Additional adults $10.

• River Gardens Holiday Park is located outside of town on the banks of the Murray River. Facilities include hot showers, laundry, free WiFi, playground, swimming pool, jumper, BBQ, pizza oven.
  RATES: Unpowered site from $27 for two people. Additional adults $10
  
  
• Apex River Holiday Park is located on a quiet bend of the Murray River. The sites have river views. Facilities include hot showers, laundry, BBQs, camp kitchen, playground and dump point. 
  RATES: Unpowered from $32 per night for the site.

The Mundoo Paddlesteamer has Gin and Jazz Twilight Tours. Mildura.

Barossa Valley

Vineyards and wineries, rolling hills, good food, art and quaint villages sum up the Barossa Valley. We have a self drive tour that consists of 25 stops. To fit it all in would take two days, but the Barossa Valley is only an hour out of Adelaide so you could do it as a day trip from there if you are basing yourself in Adelaide for a while.

Seppeltsfield. Photo: @australianinsider via Instagram

More Information

• Campervan Hire Sydney
  
• Campervan Hire Adelaide
• Campervan Hire Melbourne
• Sydney to Adelaide Drive - 3 routes
• Adelaide to Melbourne Drive
• Melbourne to Sydney Coastal Drive
• Sydney to Melbourne Alpine Way & Coastal Drive