The five Australian touring destinations every adventurous traveller should aim to do at least once. From the picturesque Kimberley to the iconic Simpson Desert, the legendary Fraser Island to the alpine playground of the Vic High Country to the surprisingly wild Blue Mountains.

Different trips, different difficulty levels, different parts of the country — but all unmissable.

Photo by Chris Gresham-Britt on Unsplash

A long way from anywhere, but the long transport is worth it. Arguably the most picturesque of all "must-see" destinations — remarkably similar to South Africa (hence the name). Famous for stunningly beautiful gorges. Home to the iconic Gibb River Road (mild these days, but inevitably dusty).

• Don't miss Cape Leveque — just up the road from pearl city Broome. The image of glittering white sand, glistening turquoise water, bold red cliffs against cerulean sky burns into your brain forever
• Other highlights: El Questro Wilderness Park, Mitchell Falls, Bell Gorge, Tunnel Creek, Geikie Gorge, Purnululu (Bungle Bungles)
• Best season: autumn-spring (April-October). Summer = The Big Wet — most things become a mammoth undertaking
• Vehicle: 4WD essential for off-Gibb destinations; conventional + caravan ok for the main highways
• Plan: 4-6 weeks minimum to do justice; 2-3 months ideal

Photo: Dylan Shaw / Unsplash

Right on Melbournians' doorstep, but reachable for Sydneysiders + Adelaideans too. Variety of memorable experiences — civilised pubs + wineries through to white-knuckle 4WD challenges.

• History buffs: magnificent heritage of cattlemen's huts (Wallaces, Bluff, Pikes, Craigs)
• Photographers: speccy alpine scenery + autumn colour
• Hard-core 4WDers: Wonnangatta Station access, Billy Goats Bluff, Blue Rag — tracks that demand every milligram of skill
• Soft-tourers: visit Yackandandah (National Trust classified), Bright (autumn breathtaking), Beechworth, Mt Buller cellar doors
• Avoid winter — many tracks closed
• Plan: long weekend or full week — covers most of it

The largest sand island in the world. Mecca for fishermen + families. You really need a 4WD just to get off the barge — the sand is extremely soft + churned up.

• Be warned: very popular spot — isolation isn't on offer
• Highlights: whales cruising offshore (June-October), spectacular freshwater lakes (Lake McKenzie + Lake Wabby), rock pools, Maheno shipwreck, dingo sightings
• The Aboriginal name K'gari means "paradise" — discovered by Captain Cook 1770, named for Eliza Fraser (shipwrecked + lived with local Aboriginals)
• Camping: book ahead via QLD Parks
• Vehicle: 4WD with snorkel + recovery gear
• Plan: 5-7 days minimum

Photo: Dylan Shaw / Unsplash

The last of Australia's deserts to be fully explored, the Simpson is well within reach of any modern, high-clearance 4WD. You must be COMPLETELY self-sufficient — more than enough food, fuel, water for the journey.

• Routes: QAA + French Lines + Rig Road — all built by 1960s oil/gas exploration teams. QAA/French is the most direct + the standard crossing
• 1100 dunes between Birdsville + Mt Dare — side tracks if the bigger ones daunt you
• NOT trailer country — inexperienced towers chop up the dunes ruining them for everyone
• Best season: spring + autumn. Bitterly cold winter nights; summer travel officially prohibited
• Plan: 4-7 days for the crossing + 2-3 days each side for travel to Birdsville/Mt Dare

The Blue Mountains have an undeserved reputation as purely tourist-y. Understandable — Three Sisters + the Scenic Railway draw millions. But there's a serious adventurous side.

• Even tourist-style destinations like the Lost City near Lithgow can be exciting via the more demanding tracks
• Mount Airlie out of Capertee — bring your skills
• Glow Worm Tunnel at Newnes — family-friendly highlight
• Accommodation: bush camps to six-star resorts
• Hour or so out of Sydney — easiest of the big-five for most Aussies
• Don't miss: high tea at the Carrington Hotel in Katoomba — like travelling back in time
• Plan: long weekend covers the highlights; full week to explore properly

Heading to one of these touring destinations? Use our Campsite Explorer to find current campsite options along the route.

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Five destinations, five different Australias. Tick them off over years rather than rushing. The Blue Mountains is the easy intro; the Vic High Country is the next-step adventure; Fraser Island is the iconic family expedition; the Simpson is the desert milestone; the Kimberley is the great culmination.

By the time you've done all five you'll be a properly-experienced Aussie tourer — and you'll have stories that fill the bar for the rest of your life.