'We loved every minute of our drive'
Travel Counsellor Alex Maxwell-Clarke
I won a prize of five nights’ rental at a Tourism Australia event, and we travelled in March this year. I planned the route very carefully as I treated this trip more like a self-fam than a holiday. My partner is also an amateur photographer, so he was especially keen to capture the diverse Australian landscapes and wildlife.
We used a standard Ocean Road itinerary from my DMCs (Southern World and Anzcro) as a starting point and Google to map out the best route. We built our stopping points around what was realistic to cover in a day — about 11 hours of daylight – allowing time to enjoy each location before reaching the next campsite. I also made good use of Google Maps to check viewpoints along the way.
My partner drove the motorhome, a two-berth Maui Ultima, for the full five-day rental and found it both easy and comfortable to handle. A UK licence was sufficient, and in Australia they also drive on the left-hand side of the road.
All of the campsites were researched and booked in advance, and we slept in the Maui and found it very comfortable. Being just the two of us, we set up the sleeping area right away and left it as it was for the duration of the trip. There was still plenty of room in the rest of the van for preparing meals and eating, so it worked perfectly. We didn’t use the gas cooking facilities – aside from breakfast and making sandwiches, we mainly enjoyed meals at local restaurants.
There is a flushing toilet, but it needs to be emptied at designated disposal points in campsites every two to three days, depending on usage. We decided early on to use it as little as possible since, as you can imagine, emptying the waste isn’t the most pleasant task. The motorhome also had a shower and sink in the same area as the toilet, but we didn’t use them – we preferred to make use of the campsite facilities instead.
Maui Motorhome © thl online
We collected the vehicle in Melbourne (making a quick stop at a nearby Aldi nearby to stock up on supplies) and returned it in Adelaide, as that was where we were boarding The Ghan. From Melbourne, we took the westward coastal route, travelling along the Shipwreck Coast into southwestern Victoria.
Key landmarks we spotted along the Great Ocean Road were Apollo Bay; Gibson Steps; Twelve Apostles; Loch Ard Gorge; London Bridge (London Arch); The Grotto; Bay of Islands/Peterborough Coastal Reserve and Griffiths Island & Port Fairy.
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Although this route covered many of the iconic highlights, we extended the journey beyond the Great Ocean Road to include South Australia’s southernmost point, Coorong National Park, Warrnambool Hot Springs, Victor Harbor and Granite Island, and Urimbirra Wildlife Park. Adding these stops made the trip even more rewarding – and we loved every minute of it.
We followed our route as much as possible to ensure we arrived at campsites in daylight hours. We visited so many beautiful places that it’s hard to choose just one highlight but I’ll always remember feeding kangaroos at Urimbirra Wildlife Park near Victor Harbor and driving through Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve, waiting patiently for some emus to cross the road.
Emus crossing © Alex Maxwell-Clarke
The views were out of this world. We enjoyed lunch at a stunning viewpoint overlooking South Australia’s southernmost point and, of course, the 12 Apostles is such an impressive panorama.
I was surprised how well equipped and reasonably priced the campsites were. There was a very friendly atmosphere in their common areas, where we met mostly Australians. When booking campsites, it’s a good idea to select ones with power facilities, so you can recharge the batteries that run the living areas of the motorhome.
I’d also advise clients, before setting off, to make sure they feel confident using the motorhome. There are useful videos available that are worth watching ahead of your arrival, and if anything is unclear, don’t hesitate to ask the staff when you pick up the vehicle. It’s also wise to drive only during daylight and plan manageable daily distances.
I would highly recommend this open-road experience – it really gives you the freedom and flexibility to travel anywhere and experience the “true Australia”.
'Evenings were a dream – dining under the stars'
Travel Counsellor Elizabeth Suena
In March 2025, we did the thing we always tell clients not to do – try to see all of Australia in one trip! With just three weeks, we crammed in Perth, Cairns, Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne.
The highlight was five incredible days driving a Maui 2 Berth motorhome, kindly provided by THL Online, from Sydney to Melbourne. The handover in Sydney was seamless, giving us more time to enjoy the Sydney Opera House, Bondi Beach and the city’s buzz before hitting the road.
Travel Counsellor Elizabeth and her partner tuck into dinner at a campsite © Elizabeth Suena
Instead of the scenic coastal route, we chose the faster inland drive and were not disappointed. Canberra offered a calm contrast to Sydney, while the journey south took us through wine country, with Wangaratta and Victoria’s landscapes proving peaceful and picturesque stopovers at vineyards.
Evenings were a dream – cooking on the built-in grill and dining under the stars.
Our top tip? Pack air fresheners (the toilet smelled funky even when we only used in emergencies!) and disposable gloves (for emptying the black water waste)... and get ready for an adventure of comfort and freedom!
