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For many travellers, the joy of hitting the road in a campervan lies in the freedom they get to explore. Every stop becomes a lasting memory that they can cherish forever, all as part of the bigger picture! But what if you took that spirit beyond one country? Your campervan bucket list needs three specific countries added to it: Melbourne in Australia, Auckland in New Zealand, and Las Vegas in the USA. They each offer beautifully unique landscapes that a van-lifer won’t want to miss. Today, we’ll look at how to make the most of your road trips in each country.
Melbourne and the Great Ocean Road
Melbourne is often celebrated for its coffee culture and wonderful street art, but driving just beyond the city enables you to find one of the most scenic coastal drives in the world: the Great Ocean Road.
Once you’ve checked the best rates on campervan hire in Melbourne and collected your home on wheels, it won’t take long before the busy city gives way to quaint surf towns and white-sand beaches. Torquay, the epitome of Australia’s surf culture, is a great first stop. As you continue west, drive along rugged cliffs with an amazing view of the Southern Ocean below.
The highlight for most travellers is the Twelve Apostles, which are towering limestone stacks that rise out of the water like ancient beings. But that’s not all you can get up to on these road trips. Enjoy a quieter night in Apollo Bay with a seafood dinner, or take a detour inland to the Grampians to find its mountain lookouts and Aboriginal rock art. With so much coastal drama and rich culture to immerse yourself in, your Melbourne road trip will be unforgettable.
Auckland’s gateway to the North Island
Despite how geographically close Auckland, New Zealand, is to Australia, the landscape changes dramatically as you cross the Tasman Sea. Auckland is perfect for explorers who spend as little time in their campervan as possible, thanks to its gorgeous views. Auckland is also the perfect starting point for a road trips exploring New Zealand’s North Island.
Heading south, the scenery changes quickly – serene green farms and fields give way to more geothermal landscapes. Rotorua, with its mud pools and Māori heritage, feels like a different world altogether. Travel a little bit further and find Tongariro National Park, where volcanic peaks and high-altitude trails deliver some of the best hiking in the country.
If you love driving by the coast, we highly recommend taking a detour east to the Coromandel Peninsula. You’ll find plenty of golden beaches and hidden coves to explore here. Or, head north from Auckland to the Bay of Islands, a subtropical paradise where you can spot dolphins swimming in the clear waters. A fan-favourite aspect of Auckland for van-lifers is its flexibility. There’s so much to see and do here, you’ll wonder how you’re going to fit it all into your trip!
Desert Roads and National Parks in Las Vegas
A stark contrast from Auckland and Melbourne, Las Vegas may come as a surprise when looking for road trip destinations. However, if you venture beyond the Strip, you’ll find the threshold of some of America’s most extraordinary desert landscapes and views. Find the best rates on campervan rental in Las Vegas and set off on a trip you’ll never forget!
Within just an hour of driving, you’ll be able to see the red cliffs of Red Rock Canyon rise on the horizon. Keep going to reach Hoover Dam and Lake Mead, two popular tourist destinations. If you have time, there are plenty of national parks that feel almost otherworldly to visit and spend a few hours, including Zion’s sandstone canyons that glow at sunset and Bryce Canyon’s hoodoos that twist into surreal shapes. Of course, who could forget the Grand Canyon!? With views as magnificent as these, we can’t do them justice – you’ll have to visit and see for yourself.
The beauty of starting in Las Vegas is the freedom of choice. You can spend a long weekend looping through one or two parks, or dedicate two weeks to a road trip that takes in Death Valley, Monument Valley, and beyond.
Start Your Road Trips Planning Today
One amazing thing about campervanning is how fantastically wide the world is. Whether you’re hiring a campervan from Auckland, hitting the Great Ocean Road in Australia, or exploring Vegas away from the Strip, there are so many memories to be made. So, where will you start first?
