Hidden Gems to Explore This Easter Long Weekend in Australia
Easter long weekend travel doesn’t have to mean packed highways, full caravan parks and crowded boat ramps. With the right destination and smart timing, your caravan Easter road trip can be smooth, relaxed and genuinely memorable.
Before you lock in the usual hotspots, consider these hidden Easter destinations across Australia, perfect for a long weekend getaway and ideal for towing.
| Destination | State | Road Access | Best For |
| Barrington Tops & Gloucester region | NSW | Gravel/unsealed sections | Nature lovers with camper trailers |
| Metung & Gippsland Lakes | VIC | Sealed | Families and couples with boat in tow |
| Collie River Valley | WA | Sealed access, bush tracks nearby | Active families and trail riders |
| Burrum Heads | QLD | Sealed | Relaxed fishers and boat owners |
Plan your Easter getaway without the chaos
Easter is one of the busiest travel periods in Australia. The summer holidays feel like a distant memory, and everyone is eager to take advantage of the milder weather and long weekend public holidays. Caravan parks fill up fast, boat ramps get crowded, and highways can slow to a crawl. But with a few thoughtful tweaks, you can enjoy a getaway without the chaos.
Start by choosing the right destination – somewhere with natural beauty, but away from the go-to tourist towns. Aim for a distance that’s far enough to feel like a proper break, yet close enough to reduce fatigue and heavy stop-start towing.
Here’s our recommendations for hidden gems around Australia.
Barrington Tops and Gloucester region – NSW
While many Sydney travellers head east to the coast, this inland escape offers cool mountain air and fewer crowds over Easter. The region forms part of the Barrington Coast and sits close to the Upper Hunter. It’s around four hours’ drive north of Sydney and three hours from Newcastle.
There are eight campgrounds within Barrington Tops National Park. Gloucester River and Polblue are easy-access, with drive-up spots for camper trailers or caravans. You’ll also find camping in Chichester and Barrington Tops State Forests. Gloucester Holiday Park offers powered sites and cabins, while The Steps Campground sits beside the Barrington River with modern amenities and fire pits.
Surrounded by mountain ranges, the area offers scenic walks, hiking trails and mountain bike tracks for a range of ages and skill levels. Or simply relax by the river and take in the forest scenery and crisp alpine air. Road quality can change quickly. Some sections are unsealed and may have potholes or corrugations, so check current conditions before towing.
| Full location name | Barrington Tops National Park |
| State | NSW |
| Nearest town with fuel | Gloucester |
| Road access type | Gravel |
| Powered sites? | Campsites within the national park are unpowered |
| Towing feature | Mostly flat campground surface |
Metung and the Gippsland Lakes – VIC
While Melbourne crowds flock to the Great Ocean Road, Metung offers calm inland waterways, relaxed coastal charm and far less congestion over Easter. Set on the shores of the Gippsland Lakes, this picture-book village sits along a narrow sandy peninsula, four hours east of Melbourne at the end of the Great Alpine Road.
Metung is well suited to towing, with flatter driving than alpine routes, multiple boat ramps and lakeside caravan parks with larger sites. Inland waters are typically easier to manage than exposed coastal ramps during busy periods.
A Metung caravan holiday centres around boating, fishing and boardwalk strolls. Sardine Flat and Metung RV Rest Stop provides quieter, pet-friendly options, while nearby Lakes Entrance has large caravan parks with full facilities. Boat lovers can cruise the lakes, hire a yacht or explore by runabout. Anglers visit year-round for bream, flathead, tailor and King George whiting.
| Full location name | Metung & Gippsland Lakes |
| State | VIC |
| Nearest town with fuel | Lakes Entrance |
| Road access type | Sealed |
| Powered sites? | Metung campsites are unpowered. Nearby Lakes Entrance has powered sites with full facilities. |
| Towing feature | Two-lane concrete boat ramp with jetty and floating pontoon, ideal for launching small boats and jet skis. |
Collie River Valley – WA
Tucked among forests and trails, Collie gives you lakes, bush tracks and space to breathe. It’s a place where you can ride, swim, explore and still make it back for a relaxed pub meal with the locals.
Recognised as Western Australia’s Official Trail Town, Collie offers hiking, mountain biking, cycling, paddling and 4WD tracks across the Wambenger Trail network. Walk sections of the Wiilman Bilya Trail, ride the Munda Biddi, or paddle glassy waterways. The Wellington Dam mural – stretching across 8,000 square metres – is a standout stop.
For caravan and boat trailers, access is straightforward with sealed roads most of the way and less holiday traffic pressure than major coastal hubs. Large campgrounds like Collie Tourist Park offer turning space, and freshwater boat ramps provide easy lake access. Book ahead over Easter, check local road conditions if venturing onto bush tracks, and allow extra time if towing into lake areas.
| Full location name | Collie River Valley |
| State | WA |
| Nearest town with fuel | Collie |
| Road access type | Sealed |
| Powered sites? | 80 powered sites at Collie River Valley Tourist Park |
| Towing feature | Large grassed sites with space between caravans |
Burrum Heads – QLD
If you want a coastal escape without Sunshine Coast traffic, Burrum Heads is a Queensland hidden gem for the Easter long weekend. Sitting where the Burrum River meets the Coral Sea, it offers calm water, open space and a relaxed fishing-town feel.
Access is straightforward via sealed roads. The town layout is easy to navigate, and local caravan parks offer practical base options close to the water.
Fishing is a major drawcard. The Burrum River is known for bream, whiting and flathead, with boat ramps providing direct access to protected waterways. Compared to major holiday hotspots, ramps here are generally easier to manage during peak periods.
Beyond fishing, visitors can enjoy beach walks, kayaking, riverside picnics and sunset views over the water. Book early, check ramp conditions before launching, and aim to arrive outside peak afternoon traffic. For a caravan Easter road trip that balances coastal scenery with breathing room, Burrum Heads delivers.
| Full location name | Burrum Heads |
| State | QLD |
| Nearest town with fuel | Burrum Heads |
| Road access type | Sealed |
| Powered sites? | Yes |
| Towing feature | On site dump point at Burrum Shores Beachfront Campground |
Top tips for an Easter road trip – explore more, stress less
Easter long weekend travel can get busy, but the right planning makes all the difference. A few smart decisions before you leave can reduce stress and help you avoid holiday traffic when towing.
- Choose realistic distances – far enough to feel like a break, close enough to reduce towing fatigue
- Head inland, to lakes or smaller coastal towns instead of major beach hotspots
- Leave before 6am or later in the evening to avoid peak traffic
- Avoid Thursday afternoon departures if possible
- Use inland or secondary highways where practical
- Book caravan parks well in advance – Easter fills fast
- Check boat ramp access and local road conditions
- Brush up towing rules and regulations before you go
Good planning reduces time spent braking in heavy traffic and helps you arrive relaxed.
How to tow safely in Easter long weekend traffic
Holiday traffic means more sudden stops, tighter gaps and heavier loads. Safe towing comes down to space, smooth inputs and properly set-up equipment.
To tow more confidently in peak conditions:
- Increase your following distance and brake earlier in stop-start traffic
- Apply the brakes progressively, not suddenly
- Avoid sharp lane changes or last-minute moves
- Maintain steady, predictable speeds
Before you leave, inspect your towing setup and ensure your brake controller is correctly adjusted. In heavy traffic, small gain adjustments can help create smoother, more controlled braking. Always test changes in a safe area first.
If you’re towing with an electric vehicle this Easter, you don’t need complex vehicle modifications to tow safely. Trailer-mounted brake controllers are designed to work seamlessly with EVs, making setup simple and compliant without altering your vehicle’s electrical system.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I go for Easter long weekend without crowds?
Look inland or to lakes instead of major beach towns. Regions like Barrington Tops, Metung, Bunya Mountains and Collie River Valley offer space without extreme congestion.
What are good short road trips for Easter in Australia?
Trips within 3-4 hours of home are ideal. They reduce fatigue, fuel costs and peak traffic exposure while still feeling like a proper break.
Is Easter a busy time for caravan parks?
Yes. Easter is one of the busiest periods of the year. Book early and confirm site sizes if towing larger caravans.
How do I avoid traffic when towing at Easter?
Leave early, avoid Thursday afternoon departures and consider inland routes. Allow extra braking distance and drive steadily.
Are boat ramps crowded over Easter?
Coastal ramps often are. Inland lakes and river systems are typically easier to access and less congested.
What’s the best time to leave for a long weekend road trip?
Before 6am is ideal. Traffic is lighter and temperatures are cooler for towing.
How can I tow more smoothly in holiday traffic?
Increase following distance, brake progressively and ensure your brake controller is correctly adjusted.
Do I need to adjust my brake controller for heavy traffic?
Possibly. Stop-start traffic may require slight gain adjustments for smoother braking. Always test changes safely before joining busy roads.