“Personal highlights? There are far too many!” say Richard and Jane Sennett, when we catch up with them following their ‘Australia’s Southern Delights’ independent motorhome tour.
This incredible 29-day experience takes in magnificent cities, interspersed with opportunities to explore hidden beaches, enjoy great food and spot the incredible wildlife for which the country is famous.
Caravan and Motorhome Club members for 20 years, Richard and Jane, who live near King’s Lynn in Norfolk, love exploring the UK and Ireland in their motorhome. But they are also drawn to more exotic adventures, with an Alan Rogers-run, escorted New Zealand Discovery tour already under their belts.
Although guests on this particular Australian tour pick up their motorhomes and travel independently, they are encouraged to follow a thoroughly planned itinerary, safe in the knowledge that all their overnight camping pitches have been booked, and they have the back-up of the Club/Alan Rogers should they encounter any problems.
The Club/Alan Rogers travel service is also happy to tailor holidays to members’ requests, so on this occasion Richard and Jane opted to follow the usual schedule in reverse, starting in Adelaide and finishing in Sydney.
“We are passionate followers of motorcycle racing,” says Richard. “We wanted to go to the Phillip Island World Superbike race so the Club adjusted the itinerary accordingly and even found and booked a campsite on the island for us for that weekend.”
The Phillip Island visit also gave the Sennetts the chance to see the famous ‘Penguin Parade’, during which hundreds of birds make their way up the beach to their burrows for the night – one of many stand-out memories.
“We journeyed off the main roads as much as possible to take in any sites of historical interest,” says Richard. “On Day 10 we started the Great Ocean Road with the campervan showing an outdoor temperature of 40.5˚, so we made frequent stops at amazing beaches to swim or just paddle.
“We stopped in Warrnambool and visited the maritime museum which was very interesting as it detailed the history of the early settlers’ voyages. On Day 12 we saw the marvels of the Bay of Islands and the Twelve Apostles [limestone stacks that stand off the shore of Port Campbell National Park beside the Great Ocean Road]. Arriving at Apollo Bay has to be the best highlight as the site was on the beach and had its own resident koalas which were in the trees next to our pitch!”
Luckily, the whole trip ran smoothly from start to finish. “We didn’t have any difficulties during our travels but it was a great comfort knowing that should we suffer any issues help was only a phone call away,” says Richard. “One of the reasons we chose Australia was that they drive on the same side of the road as us. There were quite some long distances between some sites but the roads made the journeys easy.”
Kangaroo Island off the coast of Adelaide was another treat, while other wildlife-spotting opportunities on this tour are provided at the likes of Gippsland Lakes – a spectacular hinterland east of Melbourne which is home to dolphins, water birds, kangaroos and wombats.
Other big draws for those interested in this tour include a Sydney Harbour lunch cruise, a visit to the famous Kiama blowhole (where water shoots out of the sea to a height of 60m) and the fascinating city of Melbourne, where guests might like to explore the buzzing city centre as well as the craft markets and antique stores of Mornington Peninsula.
So what’s next for the Sennetts? “We hope to do another independent tour to Australia in 2027, ideally the section from Sydney to Brisbane,” says Richard, “and will be contacting the team in due course!”
If you would like to find out more about Australia’s Southern Delights or any of our other fantastic independent or escorted tours to destinations such as Canada, the USA, New Zealand or Southern Africa, please visit worldwide.alanrogers.com.
Australia’s Southern Delights
Set off on an unforgettable journey across New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. Begin in bustling Sydney, visit the lively streets of Melbourne, and finish in the diverse city of Adelaide.
On the way you’ll drive your motorhome along the legendary Great Ocean Road, pausing in quaint towns scattered along the route, and you’ll also uncover secluded beaches, savour world-class wines and indulge in exceptional cuisine throughout your adventure. This itinerary can also be done in reverse – just let us know!
Duration: 29 days
Holiday Type: Independent Motorhome Tour
Departure: Year-round
Highlights: Sydney City Tour; Sydney Harbour Lunch Cruise; Kiama’s famous blowhole; Gippsland Lakes water playground; Phillip Island’s unique wildlife experiences; Geelong’s Surf Coast Highway; Great Ocean Road scenic drive; Blue Lake on the Limestone Coast
What’s included: Return economy flights from the UK to Australia; All transfers; 3 nights in a central 4-Star Sydney hotel including breakfast; 20 nights pre-booked campsites including electric power; 2 nights in central 4-Star Adelaide hotel including breakfast; City tour of Sydney; Sydney Harbour Lunch Cruise; Maui Ultima 2 berth motorhome hire for 21 days (including unlimited kilometres, High Road Insurance, liability reduction to zero, extra driver fee, kitchen kit, linen and bedding, linen exchange, picnic table and chairs); Mobile Travel App
Click here for a full itinerary, map and to make an enquiry.
Other Australian Motorhome Tours
At the time of publishing this blog post, there are five other tours which, like the Australia’s Southern Delights adventure, showcase the incredible scenery, wildlife and culture of the country.
- Western Wanderer: Explore Western Australia on a 22-day independent motorhome tour, departing year-round
- Tasmania: The Wild Island State: A 22-day independent motorhome tour of Tasmania, departing year-round
- Quintessential Queensland: Travel from tropical Cairns to bustling Brisbane on a 21-day independent motorhome tour, departing year-round
- Outback Explorer: This 14-day independent motorhome tour showcases the very best of Northern Australia, departing year-round
- The Pacific Coast Drive: A 19-day independent motorhome tour exploring the coast between Brisbane and Sydney, departing year-round
All information correct at the time of publishing.