Thinking about hitting the road this Easter?
Popular Easter Campervan Road Trips in Australia for 2026
If you’ve ever toyed with the idea of taking a campervan holiday but haven’t quite taken the plunge, Easter 2026 might be your moment. With the break running from Good Friday 3 April to Easter Monday 6 April, it’s the perfect taste-tester for campervan first-timers. It’s long enough to cover some proper kilometres, but short enough that if you discover you sleep terribly or hate washing dishes in a tiny sink, you’re home by Monday. We are confident you will be back for more!
Easter usually lands in that sweet spot of warm days, mild nights and lively towns. It’s ideal for picking up a van from one of Australia’s main depots and heading out for a proper adventure. And because you’re booking through DriveNow.com.au, you’ll get real-time prices and availability from all the reputable suppliers, plus options for one-way hires where available. Some drivers do choose a different drop-off depot, but just keep an eye on potential seasonal one-way fees.
To help you map out the perfect 2026 Easter getaway, here are six classic short-break road trips that start and finish at key rental hubs.
1. Pacific Coast Drive
Birubi Beach - Port Stephens. Image Credit - Alesha Bradford, Destination NSW
Start/Finish: Sydney or Brisbane
This run between Sydney and Brisbane is one of Australia’s most loved coastal routes. Easter sits in the goldilocks zone here: warm water, sunny days and plenty of seaside towns hosting markets and local events.
Suggested 4-day itinerary
Day 1: Sydney → Port Stephens
Beaches, dolphins and great powered sites around Shoal Bay and Fingal Bay.
Day 2: Port Stephens → Coffs Harbour
Break up the drive with lunch in Port Macquarie.
Day 3: Coffs Harbour → Byron Bay
A cruisy day with swim stops. Book your Byron campsite early – Easter gets busy.
Day 4: Byron Bay → Brisbane
Ease into Queensland with a beach walk at Burleigh or coffee at South Bank.
👉 Itinerary on DriveNow:
https://www.drivenow.com.au/roadtrips/sydney-to-brisbane-road-trip.jsp
2. Sydney to Melbourne Heritage Drive
Grand Pacific Drive - Image Credit - Destination NSW
Start: Sydney → Finish: Melbourne
A slower, more scenic alternative to the inland motorway. This coastal heritage route dips in and out of quiet coves, fishing villages and national parks.
Suggested 4 days
Day 1: Sydney → Jervis Bay
Day 2: Jervis Bay → Batemans Bay
Day 3: Batemans Bay → Lakes Entrance
Day 4: Lakes Entrance → Melbourne
👉 DriveNow coastal itinerary:
https://www.drivenow.com.au/blog/drivenow-recommends-sydney-melbourne-coast
3. The Grampians Loop
Start/Finish: Melbourne → Melbourne
If you’d rather trade surf for mountains, the Grampians National Park is perfect for short breaks. Rugged sandstone ranges, waterfalls and wildlife all within easy reach of Melbourne.
Suggested loop
Day 1: Melbourne → Halls Gap
Day 2: Explore the Grampians (Boroka Lookout, MacKenzie Falls, the Balconies)
Day 3: Wineries around Great Western
Day 4: Return via Daylesford
👉 DriveNow itinerary:
https://www.drivenow.com.au/roadtrips/melbourne-to-grampians-road-trip.jsp
4. Margaret River Loop
White Elephant Cafe - Margaret River, Image Credit - Tourism WA
Start/Finish: Perth → Perth
The Margaret River region mixes world-class wine, dramatic coastline and towering forests. Campgrounds around Busselton, Yallingup and Margaret River itself are excellent over Easter.
Suggested circuit
Day 1: Perth → Busselton
Day 2: Busselton → Margaret River
Day 3: Margaret River → Augusta/Hamelin Bay
Day 4: Return to Perth
👉 DriveNow inspiration:
https://www.drivenow.com.au/blog/margaret-river-campervan-trip/
5. The Fleurieu Peninsula
Rapid Bay, Fleurieu Peninsula. Image Credit - Tourism South Australia
Start/Finish: Adelaide → Adelaide
The Fleurieu Peninsula is tailor-made for a short break. Beaches, wineries, coastal drives and excellent holiday parks all within an hour or two of Adelaide.
Suggested loop
Day 1: Adelaide → McLaren Vale
Day 2: McLaren Vale → Victor Harbor
Day 3: Victor Harbor → Second Valley/Rapid Bay
Day 4: Return to Adelaide
6. Uluru & the Red Centre
The magnificent red rock of Uluru. Photo by Wikimedia
Start/Finish: Alice Springs → Alice Springs
If you want the full Outback experience in a short timeframe, this loop covers all the icons: Kings Canyon, Uluru and Kata Tjuta.
Suggested 4-day circuit
Day 1: Alice Springs → Kings Canyon
Day 2: Kings Canyon → Uluru
Day 3: Explore Uluru & Kata Tjuta inside Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
Day 4: Return to Alice Springs
👉 DriveNow Outback itinerary:
https://www.drivenow.com.au/blog/outback-drive-itinerary/
Bonus Easter Ideas
If you're near a depot, these also work well for a four-day break:
The Great Ocean Road (Melbourne)
The Tasman Peninsula (Hobart)
Great Lakes region (Newcastle)
Darwin → Litchfield loop (Darwin)
Why Book Through DriveNow for Easter?
Booking a campervan at Easter can get competitive, but DriveNow keeps it simple with:
Live pricing
Live availability
All reputable suppliers compared on one page
Clear inclusions and conditions
One-way hire options where available
It means less time flicking between tabs and more time planning where to park your van for the best sunset view.
