Top Road Trip Routes for Discovering Australia's Historic Towns
Exploring Australia by road unlocks a unique opportunity to discover the country’s historic charm up close. Beyond the big cities and modern highways lie dozens of heritage towns brimming with character, colonial architecture, and stories of the past. These destinations are not only steeped in history but are also perfectly suited to travellers exploring with a campervan for hire.
Whether you're interested in gold rush tales, preserved streetscapes, or vibrant local culture, this guide highlights some of the best road trip routes that bring you face-to-face with Australia’s living history. Each route is ideal for those travelling with a campervan for hire, offering convenient stopovers, scenic drives, and enriching experiences.
Route 1: The Goldfields Trail (Victoria)
Highlights: Ballarat, Bendigo, Maldon
Begin your journey in Melbourne and head north-west to explore the legacy of Victoria’s gold rush era. Ballarat and Bendigo are filled with beautifully restored heritage buildings, museums, and old mines. Ballarat’s Sovereign Hill is an open-air museum where costumed actors recreate 1850s life, while Bendigo offers tram tours and underground mine experiences.
Maldon, officially Australia’s first notable historic town, is a charming stop where time seems to have stood still. The whole township is classified by the National Trust. These towns have well-equipped holiday parks, making them easy overnight stops for those travelling with a campervan for hire.
Route 2: Southern Highlands Heritage Loop (New South Wales)
Highlights: Bowral, Berrima, Moss Vale
Just a couple of hours south-west of Sydney, the Southern Highlands offer a compact but culturally rich escape. Berrima is one of Australia’s best-preserved Georgian villages, with sandstone buildings, a colonial-era courthouse, and quaint tea rooms.
Bowral, once home to cricket legend Don Bradman, boasts heritage homes and a strong arts scene. Continue through Moss Vale for a relaxing drive lined with gardens and grand estates. Parking is convenient, and the area is known for its welcoming campgrounds that cater to campervan for hire travellers.
Route 3: Tasmania’s Heritage Highway
Highlights: Richmond, Ross, Oatlands, Campbell Town
This iconic route runs between Hobart and Launceston, taking in a series of early colonial towns that played pivotal roles in Tasmania’s development. Richmond is famous for Australia’s oldest stone bridge and intact convict-era buildings, while Ross and Oatlands preserve impressive examples of Georgian architecture.
This route is well-served by rural caravan parks and free camping areas, making it a favourite among those touring Tasmania in a campervan for hire.
Route 4: Queensland’s Pioneer Way
Highlights: Maryborough, Childers, Gayndah
Steeped in settler history, this route through Queensland’s Burnett and Fraser Coast regions offers beautifully preserved towns with rich heritage. Maryborough, the birthplace of Mary Poppins author P.L. Travers, celebrates its colonial past with heritage walks and stately architecture.
Childers and Gayndah showcase heritage pubs, homesteads, and colourful histories from Queensland’s early agricultural era. The roads are suitable for larger vehicles and are lined with campgrounds perfect for campervan for hire users.
Route 5: Clare Valley Heritage Route (South Australia)
Highlights: Auburn, Mintaro, Burra
The Clare Valley is not only one of Australia’s premier wine regions but also a place where history has been carefully preserved. Auburn and Mintaro feature slate cottages and early settler landmarks, while Burra, once a copper mining hub, is now a treasure trove of industrial and colonial relics.
This is an ideal weekend or short-stay route for travellers using a campervan for hire, with winery-based campgrounds and welcoming country towns.
Tips for Historic Road Tripping
- Plan ahead: While many towns cater to campervan for hire travellers, it’s wise to book accommodation in advance during peak seasons.
- Preserve the past: Be mindful when visiting heritage buildings and sites. Stick to designated paths and follow local guidelines.
- Mix in the modern: Many historic towns have embraced boutique shopping, local food scenes, and wineries – giving you a taste of the past with the pleasures of the present.
There’s no better way to explore Australia’s rich and layered history than from the comfort of a campervan for hire. With the freedom to stop, stay, and explore on your terms, these routes open up a side of the country that’s often overlooked but endlessly rewarding. Whether you’re after gold rush nostalgia, colonial charm, or regional pride, the roads to Australia’s historic towns are paved with stories waiting to be uncovered.