Here are five to ponder, complete with recommended caravan parks where you can park your wheels.

SUMMADAYZE (January 5, Gold Coast)
If you have spent all winter rocking to the beats of Fedde LeGrand, Adrian Lux and Icona Pop, then don’t miss Summadayze this summer! Park your wheels: Gold Coast Holiday Park, Helensvale. Powered sites starting from $36.

BIG DAY OUT (Jan 18, Sydney)
What’s a good summer without a big day out? If you’re down for a party and a killer line up, including the Red Hot Chili Peppers and the Bloody Beetroots, head to Sydney Olympic Park. Park your wheels: Bass Hill Tourist Park. Powered sites starting from $35.

PYRAMID ROCK FESTIVAL (December 29 – January 1, Phillip Island, Vic)
Party your way into the new year with the annual Pyramid Rock Festival at Phillip Island. You and your mates are sure to have a blast and cool down at the nearby beach when you’re not tuning into an incredibly good line-up that includes Kate Miller-Heidke, Pnau and Tame Impala. Park your wheels: Big4 Phillip Island Caravan Park. Powered sites starting from $32.

A DAY ON THE GREEN (Nov 24 – Dec 1, Coldstream, Vic)
A one hour drive from Melbourne along the M3 and Maroondah Hwy. A day on the green under the sun in the country is all you need for the perfect day of summer fun. Daryl Braithwaite, Lisa Mitchell, and Simple Minds are some of the big names starring in this festival running throughout the country from November through to March. Park your wheels: Big4 Badger Creek Holiday Park, Healesville. Powered sites starting from $45.

WoMAD (March 8 – 11, Adelaide, SA)

Here’s one that you have a bit of time to plan for. If you’re looking for a friendly family atmosphere in a lovely setting, then the WoMAD festival in Adelaide’s Botanical Gardens in early March is the place to be. Catch a glimpse of some street theatre, browse some charity stalls and enjoy some of the world’s best traditional and contemporary musicians and dancers. Park your wheels: Adelaide Caravan Park. Powered sites starting from $36.

SCOTT PODMORE & BRIANNA PIAZZA

CYNDI Lauper made the call back in 1983 and there’s no doubt one of the best ways for girls who wanna have fun Down Under is to head off on the great Aussie road trip. But where to go?

With Spring in the air and Summer just around the corner, I called upon five friends from five different Australian states and asked the question: What’s your ultimate girls’ weekend road trip getaway after you grab a car hire at the airport? Here are their answers …

VICTORIA

Daylesford. A 90 minute drive from Melbourne along Western Hwy/C141 (115km).

“No question, has to be Daylesford, the perfect road trip for girls as it’s not to far and once you get there it’s heaven. In this former gold mining town surrounded by mountains you will find Hepburn Bathhouse and Spa. Wow. It’s definitely a treat. Hepburn is known for its natural spring mineral spas, where you can treat yourselves to well-deserved massages and body treatments. It’s also great to take in the thick forest scenery from your window as you sit back and relax. You also have to dine out at Frangos & Frangos.” - Amy, 36, Bentleigh.

QUEENSLAND

Byron Bay. A 2 hour drive from Brisbane along M1/Pacific Hwy/National Route 1 (165km).

“It’s becoming a little bit more commercialised every year, but it still doesn’t mean Byron Bay is any less appealing. In fact, it’s still as amazing as ever with a really relaxed vibe. Byron has several spas to choose from, including the Kiva Spa and Bathhouse, which has a Southeast Asian atmosphere. Spend some time in Kiva’s spas, sauna and plunge pool before pampering yourselves with massages and skin treatment. After that, relax at Byron Bay’s world famous beaches, only 15 minutes away.” - Renee, 51, Brisbane.

NSW

Hunter Valley. A 3 hour drive north of Sydney along Tourist Drive 33 (220km).

“You’ve got to visit Chateau Elan, a $40 million spa retreat, which has an extensive spa menu where you and the girls can choose from a range of different massages, including Balinese Palming. With its French inspired café, a golf course and a hair salon, the girls are in for a treat!” - Sheree, 45, Pagewood.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Barossa Valley Wine Region. A 1 hour drive from Adelaide along Princes Hwy and Sturt Hwy (70km).

“If you feel like some delicious wine and a relaxing weekend away then then Barossa Valley is the place to go! Most definitely without question. Sample some wine at one of the several vineyards on the way to the Endota Spa, an award-winning franchise. Relax with the girls and enjoy all kinds of treatments fit for a princess.” – Lisa, 29, Glenelg.

TASMANIA

Freycinet National Park. A 3 hour drive north of Hobart along A3 (200km).

“Head straight to Tassie’s Freycinet region, home to Wineglass Bay, and you will find the Saffire Freycinet – it’s perfect for a girls weekend away in Australia. With the Freycinet National Park Campground not far away, the Saffire overlooks Great Oyster Bay’s pristine coast. Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, venture out to the surrounding white sandy beaches to soak up the sun after your luxurious spa treatment.” Fiona, 41, Hobart.

SCOTT PODMORE

Brisbane to Caloundra

Tune in to the sixth annual Caloundra Music Festival (right) held over the September 28-30 weekend at Kings Beach.

Just over an hour’s drive north of Brisbane in your car rental, Kings Beach fires up to some of the best names in the Australian and international music industry. This year features acts such as The Living End, John Butler Trio and The Cat Empire. There’s a street parade, roving performers, beach-side carnival, buskers and children’s entertainment as well.

Roll up to the Sunshine Holiday Park at Dicky’s Beach or the Caloundra Waterfront Holiday Park and be only a couple of kilometres away from the action.

Check out http://www.caloundramusicfestival.com/

Melbourne to Deniliquin

Give yourself a leisurely four hours to get to Deniliquin in your Melbourne car rental. Get onto the Hume Hwy and then follow the long snake of utes making their way via Echuca, to the Cobb Hwy which takes you to Deni.

The Deniliquin Ute Muster and Play on the Plains Festival runs September 28 to 29 and appeals to all ages. Don your blue singlet to be a part of a world record count, then watch The Australian National Circle Work Championships, ute driving and show ‘n shine events. Kelly Clarkson, Lee Kernaghan and The McClymonts form part of the music festival line-up.
You didn’t rent a ute? Never mind, the festival site has camping for utes, cars, caravans, tents and campervans.

Check out http://www.visitnsw.com/events/deni-play-on-the-plains-festival-and-world-record-ute-muster

Sydney to Evans Head

Soak up some sun and nostalgia at the Annual Malibu Classic, held September 29 to October 1.

See 120 long-boarders from Victoria to the Sunshine Coast take part in this prestigious event and relive glory days as the “retro” divisions go through their paces. You’ll need to allow an eight-hour drive in your Sydney car hire  via the Pacific Hwy, so, if you’re in a camper, pull up at the Silver Sands Holiday Park when you arrive at Evans Head and take advantage of its relaxing facilities.

Check out http://www.visitnsw.com/events/malibu-classic

Adelaide to Wallaroo

Love to fish and then feast on the catch? Then check out the fourth Copper Cove Marina Festival on October 6 and 7.

About a two hour drive in your Adelaide car rental, the Wallaroo event combines the best products and produce from local boating, seafood and wine suppliers, all displayed at the multi-million dollar Copper Cove Marina. Stay nearby and enjoy the beach at Wallaroo North Beach Tourist Park.

Check out http://www.eventssa.com.au/south_australia/adelaide/eventssa_listings/2012_copper_cove_festival.html

QUEENSLAND

Where: Brisbane to Bundaberg. Grab your Brisbane campervan rental and jump on Bruce Highway (M1) for four hours for a cool Queensland road trip weekend escape.
What to do: Head for the Bundaberg Rum Distillery for a tour – and a tasting, of course – find out how our country’s famous rum is made, watch out for drop bears and pull up a stool at the bar to finish the day with some Bundy cocktails.
Park your wheels: At Bargara Holiday Park, only 10 minutes east of Bundy and on the beach. Close to cafes and restaurants, golf courses, fishing and surfing. Powered sites start from $32 a night.

NSW

Where: Sydney to the Hunter Valley. A couple of hours’ drive in your Sydney campervan rental on the F3 and then take the Cessnock exit.
What to do: Visit the Hunter’s only microbrewery, the Hunter Beer Co at Potters Hotel and Brewery. Join a tour, talk to the brewers or just sit back in the beer garden, have a meal and sip some award-winning beers.
Park your wheels: At BIG4 Valley Vineyard Tourist Park where you will find powered caravan and tent sites at $35 a night. For those who want to stay put, there is a BYO Thai Restaurant, resort pool and BBQ facilities.

VICTORIA

Where: Melbourne to Healesville, just an hour’s drive in your Melbourne campervan rental on the Maroondah Highway.
What to do: Think Alice in Wonderland and high-tail it to the White Rabbit Brewery, where tradition is mixed with imagination and the result is some amazing beer tasting experiences.
Park your wheels: At Big4 Badger Creek Holiday Park, five minutes away from the White Rabbit. Nestled in a bush and lake setting, the park offers great walks and fishing, and the wineries of the Yarra Valley are close at hand. Powered sites are $35 a night.

MAUREEN DOYLE

SO, you’ve packed the kids in a Brisbane campervan rental and you’re ready for adventure, but suddenly find you’re not quite sure to go from there? The answer is a no-brainer. Hit the motorway, head south for an hour, take exit No.60 and Gold Coast Holiday Park (www.goldcoastholidaypark.com.au) awaits.

Gold Coast Holiday Park is perfectly located in Helensvale, right in the heart of theme park territory, and it’s literally walking distance away from Movie World, Wet’n'Wild and the Australian Outback Spectacular, while only a short drive from Dreamworld, Whitewater World and Seaworld.

Park owner Theo Whitmont told me that one of the big bonuses for families staying at Gold Coast Holiday Park is the seamless way those families can score great deals and be organised for the theme parks the minute they arrive.

“Absolutely, simply let our Tour Desk arrange all your tickets and if you contact us before you arrive, your tickets will be ready to pick up on arrival and you can avoid the queues and walk right in through the VIP entrance,” Theo explained. “We have great packages, VIP access and offers – no one beats our ticket deals with the theme parks in Queensland.”

Gold Coast Holiday Park is a destination in itself. It’s the preeminent holiday park on the Gold Coast with a young, fresh, happy team who love the fact that they can bring people drea m holidays that they remember for years. Set on 32 spacious acres, there are accommodation options for all walks of life from camp grounds to powered sites and exceptional villas. The facilities are spotless and cater for everyone with a great camp kitchen, laundry, giant jumping pillow and buggy hire for the kids.

Just about everything in the place is brand new or beautifully renovated including a spectacular pool with a fantastic water slide and poolside cabanas, poolside alfresco dining, a great little cafe, 5 star villas that are out of this world, big rig sites and gorgeous riverside camping. You can hire a kayak, sink your fangs into free pancakes and sausages sizzles every week. There’s also a little moonlight cinema under the stars which lets you relax on a balmy evening with the family and enjoy an open air movie. For more info visit www.goldcoastholidaypark.com.au

SCOTT PODMORE

Gone are the days when pet-friendly accommodation consisted of mildew walls and flea ridden couches, or when you had to re-mortgage your home to pay the kennel to keep your beloved pooch fed, watered and entertained.

These days, there are a range of pet friendly holiday accommodation options that will ensure fun for all the family, two and four legged creatures alike.  Here are some of our favourites:

Puri Pantali Beach House – Byron Bay New South Wales

With pooch in your Gold Coast hire car, head for the hinterland and beach all rolled into one in the beautiful areas surrounding Byron Bay. Nestled on the exclusive Tallow Beach, Puri Pantali House affords absolute beachfront location in luxury Balinese style.  The house has four bedrooms, each with ensuite, catering for up to eight people comfortably.  Open plan living and a kitchen complete with state of the art appliances will ensure you feel right at home.   A private salt water solar heated pool will keep the kids entertained, while the stone paved pergola area and tropical gardens provide a romantic setting for adults.  Best of all, pets are welcome! $1000 – $2000 per night.

Cape Otway Cottages – Great Ocean Road Victoria

Providing creature comforts for four legged and two legged creatures alike, Cape Otway Cottages is a short drive in your Melbourne car rental along the famous Great Ocean Road.  The 60-acre property provides plenty of great walks for man and beast.  As you crack a bottle of champagne to celebrate your arrival, your pampered pooch will also have reason to celebrate, with a comfy bed next to the wood fire, silver service dog bowls and complimentary dog treats provided.  With an array of different cottage options of varying sizes, you are sure to find something that sill suit your family.  Prices start from $225 per night.

Kurrimine Beach Holiday Park, Queensland

Between Cairns and Townville lies Kurrimine Beach Holiday Park.  The quiet fishing village provides the perfect backdrop to a dream family camping escape as you scoot off in your Cairns hire car or Brisbane car rental and into paradise. The Park offers self-contained cabins and large private sites, set among long deserted dog friendly beaches, salt water swimming pool and an array of great fishing spots.  Self contained cabins form $65 per night, powered camp sites from $22 and unpowered camp sites from $19.

Peppermint Tree Lodge, Peppermint Grove Beach, Western Australia

Half-way between Bunbury and Busselton, Peppermint Tree Lodge offers oceanfront accommodation just 40 meters from the beach.  Choose from three uniquely designed houses and a spa villa, all air conditioned and with wood fires to keep you comfortable no matter what time of the year you visit.  Pets are allowed inside and there is a dog beach directly in front of the house.  Relax and keep an eye out for dolphins from the luxury of your own Jacuzzi style outdoor spa. Prices start at $250 a night.

By Scott Podmore and Karly Hickman

Lake Cania itself is situated just north of the Cania Gorge. The lake has a capacity of 88,500 megaliters, so they tell me. There are many facilities available at the dam which caters for some great fishing and other water sports with boat ramp access, picnic areas, public conveniences, kiosk and two camping and caravan parks.

Lake Cania, when full, covers an area of about 1,200 hectares – now that’s a bit of fishing! We set out in our two-man inflatable Coleman canoe (these little beauties are great for fishing!) and head to a little spot that ‘Jack’, a local who has been coming here for 43 years, told us is where the fish live.

So out we paddle to this remarkable spot, which is so quiet and with a ton of animals and wildlife – just check out the picture (right) of what we woke up to one morning with the kangaroos and cattle grazing right next to our tent. The tent sites are awesome, and you can go as close to the water’s edge as you like.

With the fishing they say you can catch Australian bass, golden perch, saratoga and silver perch at Lake Cania, but I personally can’t tell because on this particular day we caught nothing! Now that may have something to do with the fact that we had no idea what we were doing as it was our first visit to Lake Cania.
But for all you mad fisherman out there, Lake Cania must be on the top of your itinerary. We watched boat after boat come in with an impressive haul of fish. Maybe they just didn’t like our inflatable canoe!

The campsites are roomy and there is plenty of room for boats, cars, campervans and the kids to run around safely. Just remember your mozzie repellent and, of course, remember to read the Fishing Permits sign and obey the National Park regulations. Take home everything you take in and leave it just as you found it.

PETER “SPIDA” EVERITT
Catch the Great Australian Doorstep on 7TWO

Bundaberg is a city with plenty of “big” appeal. Start with the mighty Bundaberg Rum Distillery and Bondstore, a place where you get to meet a world famous big “drop bear” called Bundy R. Bear and explore the distillery in one of its daily tours taking place at the Queensland landmark. Bundaberg is also the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, is also home to the world’s finest ginger beer (Bundaberg Barrel), and there’s also a beaut interactive museum in town that pays homage to one of our country’s great aviators at Hinkler Hall Of Aviation.

Reaching “Bundy”, as it’s affectionately known, is easy from Brisbane. Hit the Bruce Highway (or M1) and the signs will do the rest for the four hour journey.

While Bundy has plenty by way of things to see and do, and places to stay, it’s worth venturing out a little further to check out the “small” delights. Head 15 minutes east towards the coastline and you will stumble upon an absolute pearler of a little beachside town called Bargara, the gateway to the Coral Coast, and a place where the world’s biggest population of nesting Loggerhead turtles come home to hatch an army of babies.

For accommodation, I chose Bargara Beach Caravan Park, a tropical holiday park across the road from the palm-lined beach. This park offers an excellent range of cabins, caravan and camping sites plenty of facilities and services to suit all walks of life: WiFi internet, playground, tennis court, basketball court, skate rink and park, walking and bike tracks, camp kitchen, bbq and picnic areas, and a convenience store on site.

As the owners say, “it’s the seaside haven without the traffic jams”, plenty of great restaurants and shopping for a small destination, and the world famous Mon Repos beach and turtle rookery offering night tours with rangers. It’s also worth throwing the golf clubs in the back of the campervan or car hire as there’s a popular scenic golf course in the heart of town.

SCOTT PODMORE

And boy, what a great little spot it is. Tin Can Bay is a very sleepy little coastal village, with some of the most stunning scenery. The beautiful harbour area is just fantastic dotted with a ton of yachts and people enjoying the area. It’s great for fishing, water sports and a super spot to explore the area.

The best part, though, is the wild dolphin feeding which happens every day. The dolphins come ashore to meet and greet you (there’s my wife Sheree, pictured right), and for just $5 you can get a bucket of fish and stand in the water as they scoot around you – it really is worth the wait, too, and we had to wait three hours for them. It just depends on how hungry they are at the time. But never fear, the local restaurant which is perched on the waterfront right where the dolphins come in has some of the best food ever, including the biggest ‘Big Breakfast’ you could ever imagine which almost took three hours to devour!

It’s a quiet place, but yet there’s loads to entertain visitors including two great bush walks and plenty of great fishing spots. We stayed at the Tin Can Bay Tourist Park, boasting a sparkly and new salt water pool and hospitality that’s second to none. Big grassy sites and nice clean amenities, it’s all you can really hope for as a campervanner enjoying road trips in Queensland. The park is home to many wildlife species including a huge flock of parrots who come by to see what you might have on offer – every afternoon! So when you are driving up the Bruce Highway, do yourself a favour and take the 15-minute detour out to the coast to visit Tin Can Bay. You will not regret it.

PETER “SPIDA” EVERITT
The Great Australian Doorstep, visit www.greataustraliandoorstep.com.au

But we’re here to see another endangered and fascinating marine creature – loggerhead turtles, who choose the beaches south of Bundaberg to perpetuate the cycle of life each summer. Mon Repos Beach is one of the two largest turtle rookeries in the South Pacific, which means it’s one of the best places to see them up close as they lay their eggs in the sand, with the babies hatching several months later.

To capitalise on all this area has to offer, having secured a great deal on our Brisbane Campervan Rental with DriveNow we are driving north,  so we can feel at one with our stunning natural surrounds. That’s the beauty of life on the road – you can pull up where your whim leads you, and with so many holiday parks located in areas of incredible beauty, we’re never disappointed.

It’s nearly a six-hour drive from Brissy to Bundy, but we decide to do it in one hit up with Bruce Highway, then take our time meandering back through the Sunshine Coast.

We’re a little exhausted as we pull into Bangara Beach Caravan Park late afternoon, but excited by what lies ahead. A pretty nature trail links the caravan park to the Mon Repos Turtle Rookery, and we head to the Visitor Centre after an early dinner to take one of their ranger-guided tours. These days, there are strict rules around approaching the massive reptiles as they haul their cumbersome frames up the sand; but it’s an incredible experience to see them giving birth with such dignity and determination.

My kids were a little disappointed they didn’t get to see the babies hatching and running the gauntlet back into the waves; but hopefully we can return one February to see nature’s miracle go full circle.

Taking our time to drive back down the coast, nature continued to impress – the stunning beaches of the Hervey Bay coastline, the wonderful dichotomy of Noosa, its glitz and glam complemented by glorious bushland and achingly beautiful bays; the emerald hills of the hinterland; and the sun and fun of the Sunshine Coast beaches. Australia Zoo is a must-see, as is the fabulous Underwater World at Mooloolaba, a massive aquarium filled with more than 25,000 sea creatures.

ANGELA DE LYON