Top road trips to take you off the grid

Gear up for the ultimate adventure because this time on our ‘Holiday Here This Year Summer Road Trip’ series, we’re taking you off the grid. This is the perfect opportunity to fully appreciate Australia’s incredible outback while visiting some of our most remote locations.

Before setting off on your escapade, it’s important to remember preparation is key. Many of these road trips include long drives where you will often be out of service, so make sure you’re ready for every possibility with a fully decked out toolkit, spare wheels, full jerry cans and plenty of water. Also keep in mind, the guidelines of your caravan’s warranty. Here at Jayco, we offer an outback policy and an adventure policy designed specifically for each range. For further information regarding our Outback and Adventure policies click here.

An off-road RV is essential for exploring each of these locations. Be sure to check out the Jayco CrossTrak and the Jayco All Terrain Caravan to take your off-road holiday to the next level.

Road Trip 1: Kangaroo Island, SA

The trip around Kangaroo Island offers 509 kms of remote and rugged coastline. To get there, SeaLink offers multiple ferries which depart from Cape Jervis. The roads on Kangaroo Island are also very user friendly as they are graded and well maintained, which makes for the ideal first timer off the grid adventure.

You are sure to be blown away by the breathtaking views, abundant wildlife and natural landscapes at Kangaroo Island. This wonderland is home to many stunning beaches perfect for a dip, or to just take a break. Our favourites are Yivonne Bay, Stokes Bay and Emu Bay where you can drive along the pristine beach.

You also won’t want to miss the Remarkable Rocks in Flinders Chase National Park or Admirals Arch while you’re there.

Road Trip 2: Cobar to Broken Hill to Pooncarie, NSW

Located 686km north-west of Sydney is the small heritage town of Cobar. Featuring a rich mining history with attractions such as the open-cut mines and Aboriginal rock art, this will mark the starting point for your expedition.

From here, you can drive a short 132 km up to Louth on the eastern side of the Darling River where you can take a walk alongside the tranquil waters before visiting the 320,000-acre Trilby Station. Continue your journey along the Darling River for 418km towards Broken Hill. Along the way, you will pass through Wilcannia and be met with some remarkable colonial architecture.

Broken Hill is Australia’s first heritage city and a must see for everyone wanting an authentic outback experience. Explore the Living Desert and Sculptures before taking in the vibrant art scene. The Mutawintji National Park is around 200km north-east of Broken Hill and well worth the trip. Spend the day here discovering the many bushwalks or set up camp and spend the night under the outback.

Finally, make the trip to Pooncarie, which is approximately 236km south-east of Broken Hill. After about two hours on the road, you will reach Kinchega National Park where you can take the opportunity to camp alongside the majestic Darling River before continuing your journey.

Road Trip 3: Burke and Wills Track, VIC to QLD

The iconic Burke and Wills Track begins in Melbourne and takes stretches close to 2,500km to reach Flinders River, at the Gulf of Carpentaria. Here you can follow the tragic story of the two explorers this track is named after who first walked it between 1860 to 1861.

Experience this expedition and the natural beauty of Australia while touring at your own pace. Some of your stops will include Swan Hill, Menindee, Coopers Creek, Burke River and Corella Creek. As this is such a long journey, be sure to pack plenty of supplies and take your time planning everything before departure. The ‘Following Burke and Wills Across Australia’ touring guide by Dave Phoenix may be a helpful book to take on your expedition.

If you wish to continue your adventure after arriving at the Gulf, you can explore the breath-taking Cape York Peninsula and the surrounding wilderness. However, be mindful to stick to appropriate surfaces for towing your caravan and remember to refer to your warranty. If you plan on taking any unsuitable 4WD tracks, the best and safest policy is to leave your RV at a basecamp.