DAY 1
Brisbane to Surfers Paradise (78km, 1h 15m)
Surfers Paradise located south of Brisbane on Queensland’s Gold Coast is a very popular place with backpackers. It is surrounded by trendy bars and pubs with some great places to eat, not to mention sandy white beaches and two huge theme parks in the near vicinity. Surfers Paradise invites exploration. Whether it’s through the winding streets lined with alfresco dining restaurants or the art galleries that showcase local artists’ works and Aboriginal exhibitions. There’s the unending shopping options from top-end designers to outlet bargains and nighttime beachfront markets. Surfers Paradise is enticing in every way imaginable. Surfers Paradise invites exploration. Whether it’s through the winding streets lined with alfresco dining restaurants or the art galleries that showcase local artists’ works and Aboriginal exhibitions. There’s the unending shopping options from top-end designers to outlet bargains and nighttime beachfront markets. Surfers Paradise is enticing in every way imaginable. Camp overnight in Surfers.
DAY 2
Surfers Paradise to Nimbin (105km, 1h 55m)
Slightly off the beaten track today, you will head to Nimbin, 70km west of Byron Bay. Nimbin is dubbed as the capital of alternative living. Nimbin, heart of the Rainbow Region is the most alternative town in Australia. Situated on its colourful doorstep is World Heritage listed rainforest Nightcap National Park. For some reason Nimbin is (in)famous amongst backpacker but Wicked has no idea why. Camp overnight in Nimbin.
DAY 3
Nimbin to Coffs Harbour (235km, 3h 25m)
Coffs is known for it’s golden beaches you won’t be able to resist the waves at popular beaches like Gallows, Park Beach, Diggers, Sapphire, Emerald, Sawtell and more. Catch your own dinner, take one of our professional reef and deep sea fishing charters or go whale watching in season, all our water based tours operate from the Coffs Harbour Marina. Arts, crafts and markets, attractions and walking trails. Tempting multi-cultural restaurants and cafes and a wonderful range of sporting facilities. Camp overnight in Coffs Harbour.
DAY 4
Coffs Harbour to Port Macquarie (160km, 2h 20m)
Ideally situated at the mouth of the Hastings River and the blue Pacific Ocean, Port Macquarie is a water lover’s paradise. 15 pristine beaches, most of them patrolled, line the coast from Port Macquarie south to the Camden Haven. Enjoy the coastal walks, surfing, sail boarding, swimming, fishing, whale watching, and even camel rides. Many beaches feature barbecue facilities and playgrounds. Camp overnight in Port Macquarie.
DAY 5
Port Macquarie to Newcastle (245km, 3h 10m)
Built around a large working harbour, Newcastle boasts a famous university, ten magnificent beaches and picturesque parks offering ample recreational opportunities including surfing, beach fishing and swimming in the fabled Ocean Baths. Newcastle has many attractions even when you can’t visit the major beaches. Camp overnight in Newcastle.
DAY 6
Newcastle to Sydney (160km, 2h 10m)
Sydney is a cosmopolitan world city surrounded by the iconic beaches, lush Hinterland, world heritage sites and acclaimed New South Wales wineries and Sydney I ranked first in the Asia Pacific region for quality of life! Sydney hosts many different festivals and some of Australia’s largest social and cultural events and if you’re lucky, you might just catch one of them. Camp overnight in Sydney.
DAY 7
Spend a full day in Sydney
DAY 8
Spend a full day in Sydney
DAY 9
Sydney to Canberra, ACT (285km, 3h 40m)
With over 300 restaurants, cafes and pubs, the dining scene just gets better and better. A vibrant and young city, Canberra has a thriving entertainment scene. From nightlife to licensed clubs, theatre, festivals and live music, there’s something to appeal to everyone. Tucked away in the city and surrounding suburbs are lots of stylish cocktail lounges, pumping clubs, and traditional pubs offering live music, beer gardens
and live sporting telecasts.
Many of Canberra’s best cocktail bars, clubs and pubs can be found around Garema
Place and nearby City Walk and in the historic Sydney and Melbourne Buildings.
There are plenty of bars in the fashionable inner city suburbs of Kingston and
Manuka, and in Dickson’s Chinatown area. Camp overnight in Canberra.
DAY 10
Canberra, ACT to Albury (345km, 4h 20m)
The Albury Wodonga region is situated on the River Murray in the foothills of Australia’s Great Dividing Range, almost midway between Sydney and Melbourne. The area is populated above the river flats of the Murray River about 160 metres (539 feet) above sea level. The region surrounding Albury Wodonga provides a wide variety of tourist attractions, including the Rutherglen wineries, the historic goldfields towns of Beechworth and Yackandandah, the Hume Weir, boating and fishing on the many rivers and lakes, the forests of the Great Dividing Range and is within driving distance of many of Australia’s snowfields. A paddle steamer runs tours along the Murray during the summer, and the city’s War Memorial, Monument Hill, provides a good view of Albury. Camp overnight in Albury.
DAY 11
Albury to Shepparton (175km, 2h 10m)
Shepparton lies in the Goulburn Valley, a major agricultural and food processing region termed the “food bowl of Australia”. On the banks of the Goulburn River, Shepparton offers great weather, great food and wine, and many recreational and entertainment facilities. Camp overnight in Shepparton.
DAY 12
Shepparton to Melbourne (190km, 2h 20m)
Enjoy the last day of your roadtrip and relax and take your time cruising from Shepparton to Melbourne. Please ensure that you have returned your van to our Wicked Melbourne depot by 2.30pm. Have a safe and above all, Wicked, onward journey!