Transfercar Blog

Australia is an incredibly popular travel destination owing to its beaches, sea, breathtaking scenery, steep mountains, vast fields, and authentic wildlife. Blessed with such profound natural beauty, it simply begs to be explored and admired. One of the best ways to enjoy everything this continent has to offer is to go for horse riding. If you happen to be a lover of horses and an avid horse rider, then this will be a unique opportunity to revel in a wide variety of areas such as bushland, forests, desserts, and beaches and explore them in much greater detail. 

While you can find horse riding activities all over the mainland, there are simply some of the hotspots you mustn’t miss on your visit to Australia. Since these magical places are scattered around the continent, and in order not to miss any of these amazing locations, rent a transfer car and start exploring. 

Queensland

Queensland is home to some of the most beautiful beaches found on the continent. With coloured sand and surrounded by several national parks, these beaches attract tourists and locals all year round. One of such beaches is Rainbow Beach with Great Sandy National Park located nearby. This is the perfect horse riding trail since you can pass through rainforests, beaches, swamps, creeks, lakes and the famous Australian mangrove forests. If you are lucky enough, you might get to see some of the rare bird species which this sanctuary tries to conserve. 

The Sunshine Coast has several popular beaches aligning next to each other. Noosa Beach is the most attractive one. Apart from serving as the paradisiacal seaside escape, this beach also provides a great trail leading through bushlands, nearby mountains, and palm trees. In case you get tired, you can always take a break and have a swim or go surfing in the clear blue sea. 

For those who prefer riding through the landscapes filled with rugged mountains and steep cliffs in the background, then head off to Mapleton National Park, Tambourine Mountain, and the Numinbah Valley. Tambourine Mountain and the Numinbah Valley are a part of the Golden Coast hinterland because of many tourist attractions such as waterfalls, national parks, creeks, and immensely rich flora and fauna. These areas are also suitable for horse riding and hiking because of the trails which wind through rainforests and past waterfalls and plunge pools. 

Tasmania

Hobart’s Seven Mile Beach offers a unique riding experience as you can admire the pristine coastline and at the same time encounter some of the best representatives of local wildlife. Who knows, maybe you stumble upon a Tasmanian devil! 

Aside from beaches, there are a couple of trails that lead through the Tasmanian bush, lakes, and mountains. For example, the Tasmanian Trail is the longest multi-purpose trail on the island. This trail will take you to local small towns, but as you go farther, you can expect steep terrain and sudden weather changes. Another great trail is the Cradle Country which takes you through a variety of Tasmanian landscapes, from agricultural fields, Cradle Mountain to Tasmanian World Heritage Wilderness Area. 

Western Australia

This area of the continent is well-known for its camping hotspots but why not combine it with horseback riding? Horse riding and camping will last a bit longer than just following a trail but the experience is truly authentic. 

During the day, you can explore the terrain and experience the diverse landscapes of Western Australia such as deep gorges surrounded by rocky cliffs, plunge pools, and the outback. Make sure you have a well-trained horse because the area can be too demanding at times. 

Some of the popular walk trails are by Moore and Margaret River. The trail along the Moore River will allow you to explore Guilderton and reach the coastal trails. Margaret River has a couple of walking, hiking and riding trails which are really worth your time and effort such as Carter Road Trail Head, Wadandi Track and Quenda Trail. 

When you feel tired and in need of a break, you can taste some of the most exquisite local wines in the wineries nearby, or simply go fishing. As the night starts to fall, you can put up your tent and enjoy the unpolluted blue sky and stargaze. 

Australia provides a one-of-a-kind horse riding adventure enabling you to experience the most astonishing examples of diverse landscapes. If you want to explore some of these remarkable riding trails with ease and at your convenience, you can now even rent a free transfer car or campervan. Just how good does that sound?

Travellers visiting Australia usually visit beaches in the south, around Melbourne and Sydney. Indeed, these regions are full of great beaches. Still, it’s good to know there are some breath-taking places for swimming and sunbathing in the northeast of Australia. One of such places is Airlie Beach, Queensland, located some 700 miles to the north of Brisbane. It’s a secluded and tranquil refuge for regular tourists, backpackers, and road trippers. The latter ones can get a free campervan to explore the stretch of coast between Brisbane and Airlie Beach. And here are some suggestions for a frugal stay at this beach. 

Lounging at the Lagoon

The Airlie Beach Lagoon is the heart of the entire beach. Lined with palms, it’s a sand beach with a grassy area in the background. As such, it gives you a combined feeling of tropical heat and park calm. The access to the beach is free. You can just spread your towel and start ogling the azure colours of the Pacific Ocean. The Whitsunday Islands are right across the Pioneer Bay so you can go on a boat trip to these islands. In addition to this, the Lagoon is rich with various restaurants and bars where you can have a snack or get a refreshing drink. 

Strolling along the Airlie Creek Track

The Airlie Creek Track goes from Airlie Beach to the hills in the background. It’s only 850 m long but it offers a plethora of unique tropical plants and gigantic trees. There are usually some colorful, local birds around the grove surrounding the track, which is a real treat for bird watchers. You can enjoy the mesmerizing view of the Whitsundays on your way back. 

Visiting Conway National park

People coming to Airlie by car might want to use their vehicle to visit some other places nearby. Conway National Park is located only 26 km away from Airlie Beach to the south. With dozens of different walking trails and hundreds of plants, this area is a pleasant contrast to the hot Airlie waterfront. It’s recommended to use this park as an afternoon getaway from Airlie in high seasons. That way, you can enjoy the late afternoon shade and quiet of this lush place. 

Scoring deals at beach markets

If you want to feel something genuine at Airlie Beach, visit the local Airlie Beach markets. Usually held on Saturday mornings, these events awaken some local crafts through handmade souvenirs. Also, if you’re staying at Airlie Beach for several days, these markets are the right place to get some fruit and local specialties for your fridge. After buying the traditional local stuff, feel free to add a grain of international cuisine by having lunch at the La Tabella trattoria. 

Watching cane toads races

A very local thing, the races of cane toads are something that every visitor to Airlie needs to see. Basically, you can go to the Magnums hotel, get a local craft beer, and see one of these races. These races represent a long tradition of the Queensland area. They’re usually organized on Thursday evenings. You can even choose your favorite and place a bet on one of the racing toads. 

Having lunch on the Foreshore

The Airlie Foreshore is the frontal area of the beach where you can have a barbecue in the open air. After a long day at Airlie and some other beaches in its vicinity, this will help you enjoy the night in a slow and tasty way. If you feel comfortable enough, you can even go swimming after this dinner. Instead of having a meal at a fancy restaurant, this is an alternative way to feel Airlie at night. 

Going to the Cedar Creek Falls

A stay in the Airlie area would be incomplete without visiting the Cedar Creek Falls. Situated on Saltwater Creek Road, right between Proserpine and Airlie Beach, these waterfalls are real eye candies. You can swim with turtles and climb the top of the waterfalls with butterflies flying around you. From the top, you’ll witness some incredible scenery on all sides of the hill. Also, you can have a picnic in this area with the food that you bring with you. 

Experiencing Dingo Beach

About 45 km away from Airlie, Dingo Beach is one of the most beautiful places in this area. The town behind this beach is very small, with only one pub and one street. However, the beach gives you the essence of the sun, the ocean, and the sand – the three basic things that you need to lounge and chill on a warm summer afternoon. So, if you’ve already rented a free transfer car or campervan, drive it to this scenic beach and see for yourself all its beauty. 

Airlie Beach might not be as famous as Bondi or Coogee, but it has preserved its natural feeling. When you’re at this beach, you feel modernism and tradition at the same time. And when you see some marvelous places in the vicinity of Airlie, you realize that every traveler to Australia should visit this part. 

Whether you and your family are after large cities, pristine beaches or breathtaking natural scenery, Australia offers a plentitude of choices, so you are bound to find the vacation spot that has your family’s name on it. Here’s our pick of top family holiday destinations in the Land Down Under.

Cairns

The Queensland city of Cairns, often referred to as the ‘Gateway to the Barrier Reef’, is a popular tourist spot for the people who enjoy exploring natural scenery. Owing to a serious influx of tourist in recent years, it is now easy to find kid-friendly accommodation. The city has this relaxed vibe and people often use it as a jumping-off point for different other attractions in the region.

The activities that you can do with your kids include going for a ride on the Kuranda Scenic Railway, taking a leisure stroll down the Esplanade Boardwalk and discovering the beauties of the Cairns Botanical Garden. The Great Barrier Reef aside, Cairns is a great base for exploring the areas like Port Douglas, the Daintree National Park and Cape Tribulation.

The Gold Coast

Located on the southeastern corner of Australia, the Gold Coast is the ideal spot for the lovers of sun, sand and surf. There are over 50 km of beaches, giving you plenty of opportunities to teach your youngsters to surf. 

Apart from surfing, you and your family can set off on a kayaking excursion, enjoy some whale watching or go for an adrenaline-pumping jet ski adventure. The Gold Coast is also home to several exciting theme parks, as the DreamWorld, the Warner Brothers Movie World and the Sea World.

Kangaroo Island

No visit to Australia can be complete without hanging with some kangaroos. And what better place to see Australia’s favourite animal than the island names after it? Kangaroo Island is the third-largest island Down Under, and the easiest way to reach it is by taking a boat from the city of Adelaide. Besides spending some memorable moments with kangaroos at the KI Wildlife Park, you and your family can also enjoy the company of seals, platypi, koalas and penguins, explore the caves in the Kelly Hill Conservation Park or marvel at some truly amazing rock formations found at the Flinders Chase National Park. 

Once you’re done discovering all the thrills that Kangaroo Island has to offer, you and your loved ones can head back to the mainland to pay a visit to Adelaide’s top sites like the German Hahndorf settlement and the Glenelg Beach.

Brisbane

The capital of Queensland and Australia’s third-largest city, Brisbane is best explored by embarking on one of CityCat ferries, which can take you literally anywhere you want to go in the city. 

The Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is definitely one of the Brisbane’s major draws for kids. Besides meeting and greeting cute koalas, kids can also learn about the importance of protecting natural habitats and wildlife in general. 

The Queensland Museum and Sciencentre and the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium are also the places that are bound to keep your kids entertained. And for those who aren’t afraid of heights, both the Story Bridge and the summit of Mount Coot-tha offer some really stunning views of bustling Brisbane.

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

Uluru, which is the Aboriginal name for Ayers Rock (it’s in the local Anangutribe’s language, to be precise), is among the most incredible rock formations on the face of the earth. This majestic sandstone monolith in Australia’s Northern Territory stands 348 metres high, with the majority of its bulk below the ground. So, if there are any budding geologists in your family, a visit to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is simply a must. 

Besides Uluru, you’ll also get a chance to visit Kata Tjuta, also known as the Olgas, which is a group of 36 large bornhardts (domed rock formations). Today there are different tour options available to get the most out of your stay. If you don’t feel up to hiking, you can book a bike, Segway or camel tour of the region. The Cultural Centre, located inside the park, provides an introduction to Tjukurpa (the foundation of Anangu life and society).

Ayers Rock Resort in Yulara, just outside the national park, offers a wide range of accommodation options, from five-star luxury to campsites. 

Hopefully, this list will give you some great holiday ideas to keep everyone in your family satisfied. If we tell you that you can now even rent a free campervan, the prospects of having an utterly enjoyable family vacation become even brighter. 

The Kimberley region of Australia is definitely one of the prettiest this great country has to offer. Spreading across the vast stretch of northerly Western Australia, everything is super-sized, cast out into an iconic, other-worldly landscape. The unassuming town of Kununurra is a regional hub, having this rough-and-ready charm all of its own, in addition, to lending itself as a perfect base for exploring all there is to see in the eastern part of the Kimberley region, which is now even more affordable with free transfer car rentals. Here are the top things Kununurra and its surroundings have to offer. 

Cruising Lake Argyle 

Spreading over a thousand square kilometres, Australia’s largest body of freshwater, Lake Argyle, didn’t occur naturally – it formed when the Ord River Dam was constructed across the river’s narrowest point, in an immense feat of engineering that drowned pastoral leases, valleys and an entire mountain range. You can enjoy cruises, scuba diving, canoeing the Ord River Gorges, as well as gourmet camp oven experience.  And if you are into the wildlife, you’d be happy to learn that over a third of all Australia’s birds can be seen here.  

Testing fresh produce 

Visiting the Ord River Irrigation zone also gives you the opportunity to sample fresh and tasty local produce, which is usually picked from the neighbouring farms in the morning, packed at lunchtime and delivered to the open-door outlets only a few hours later. Depending on the season, you can find beef, watermelons, rockmelons, bananas, Kent pumpkins and – my personal favourite – mangos. You should also check out local spots as Lovells Gallery and Zebra Rock Gallery Café that not only exhibit artworks and organise workshops but also sell ice-cream, smoothies and cheesecakes made from the locally grown ingredients. 

Taking a scenic flight

There are several options for fabulous scenic flights from Kununurra – you can opt for a seaplane, helicopter or light aircraft.  You can gaze at the majestic Lake Argyle, which holds almost twenty times the volume of water in the Sydney Harbour and look for sparkles above the Lake Argyle Diamond Mine, the place where the most of the world’s pink diamonds can be found. The patchwork of farming land leading the way to the marvellous landscape and ancient beauty of the Bungle Bungles — the beehive domes in the Purnululu National Park – will also take your breath away. 

Discovering the Hidden Valley

Mirima National Park, also referred to as the Hidden Valley is only a 5-minute drive from the town centre. With its distinctive striped domes, it is almost like a mini version of the Bungle Bungles. You’ll find numerous walking paths and enjoy stunning views over Kununurra. You can also learn about the ways local flora was being utilized in daily Aboriginal life.

Enjoying Lily Creek Lagoon and the Sleeping Buddha

As its giant cousin Lake Argyle, Lily Creek Lagoon also wasn’t naturally formed, but it’s a perfect setting for a rock formation that pretty much resembles the Sleeping Buddha from Celebrity Tree Park and the Elephant’s head from the Zebra Rock Gallery’s vantage point, which is just down the road. For wildlife spotting, you’d be best advised to stay right on the banks of Lily Creek Lagoon. You can watch exciting bird-life hopping around, including the Crimson Finches and Comb-crested Jacana, also known as the ‘Jesus bird’.

Hooking a big barramundi

Kununurra’s waterways abound in barramundi fish (Asian sea bass), so if you are one of those keen fishermen, you’ll definitely revel in reeling a couple of them in. You can hire a tinnie (you’ll need a licence if fishing from a boat, though) or simply throw in a line from the bank of Lake Kununurra. Joining a fishing tour is also a good idea, as the locals who organise it will reveal you the best fishing spots.

Settling in for the sunset

If you like to feast your eyes on a truly spectacular sunset, head for Kelly’s Knob lookout, located in the very heart of Kununurra. Panoramic views spread across the township and irrigation area, to some of the best-known attractions, including Lake Kununurra, the Diversion Dam, the Sleeping Buddha rock formation, as well as the nearby ranges. Take some nibbles and refreshments with you to make an occasion of it.

As you can see, the town of Kununnura is a precious little WA gem well worth exploring. If you want to make your visit comfier and more wallet-friendly, make sure you get a free car or campervan.  

Western Australia spreads on one-third of the entire Australian continent, with more than a half of the country’s biodiversity hotspots and a high percentage of unique flora and fauna thriving here. Along with being home to some of the Australia’s most iconic animals, such as crocodiles and red kangaroos, Western Australia is home to 141 of the nation’s 207 mammal species, 1,600 fish species, 439 reptile species, as well as over 12,000 species of wildflowers (by far the largest collection of wildflowers on the face of the earth). With this in mind, here’s an introduction to WA’s marvellous biodiversity. 

The Forest

Western Australia’s forests evolved in total geographic isolation, meaning that the lion’s share of its exciting flora and fauna can’t be found anywhere else in the world, including the karri jarrah, tuart, marri and tingle trees and a great many of the State’s species of wildflowers.

The Fitzgerald River National Park is one the largest and most botanically significant locations Down Under. Nearly 20 percent of WA’s flora species, many of which grow only within the park’s confines, can be found here. Although the central ‘wilderness core’ is closed to traffic to ensure its protection, the two unsealed roads (Hamersley Drive and Quiss Road) are suitable for thrilling scenic drives with your free car across the heart of the park.

As for other points of interest, you can discover unearthly landscapes, from the beehive domes of the Purnululu National Park (commonly referred to as the Bungle Bungle Range) to the earth’s second-largest meteorite crater at the Wolfe Creek Crater National Park and thousands of huge limestone spires of the Pinnacles Desert. 

The Karijini National Park offers plenty of thrills with natural plunge pools, waterfalls and an adventure playground that has been taking its shape for over two billion years. The Valley of the Giants is famous for its treetop walk, suspended high in the canopy of an ancient tingle forest. 

The Ocean 

With 12,500 km of mainland coastline, as well as its islands and archipelagos, Western Australia boasts some of the most diverse marine habitats in the world, with one the largest global hotspots of coral reef diversity stretching on hundreds of kilometres from the World Heritage listed Ningaloo Reef (the earth’s largest fringing reef) and Shark Bay, all the way to Rottnest Island, just offshore from Perth.

If you want to experience magical encounters with bottlenose dolphins, they can be found along WA’s coastline, all year round, but there are four main areas where you’ll be more likely to have an interaction with these delightful mammals: the protected bays of Shoalwater Island Marine Park and Rockingham, the turquoise shallows of Monkey Mia, picturesque waterways of Mandurah, and the Bunbury Dolphin Discovery Centre in Koombana Bay.

The time between May and December is when the epic annual migration of whales (southern right, humpback and the rare blue whale) takes place along Western Australia’s coast, from the food-rich South West to their breeding grounds on the Kimberley coast. Midday is the best time to marvel at these gentle giants, when the sun is directly overhead. 

Shark Bay and Ningaloo Reef bring you breathtakingly close to dugongs, turtles, reef sharks, manta rays and the majestic whale sharks, the largest fish in the ocean.

The Outback

Covering more than a half of Western Australia, the Golden Outback stretches from the rugged red earth of Kennedy Ranges and Mt Augustus and in the north to the extensive white beaches of Esperance and the South Coast. 

In the largest tract of the outback in Australia, plunging gorges and wide-open desert landscapes provide natural habitats for a vast array of wildlife, from western grey and red kangaroos to saltwater crocodiles and numbats, the State’s national emblem.

The Golden Outback is home to the world’s largest collection of wildflowers, as well. They even have a wildflower tracker, designed to help visitors find the wildflowers that are currently blooming around the state. 

As you can see, Western Australia abounds in places for flora and fauna enthusiast. If you want to get the most of it this spring, make sure you get a free transfer car or campervan.   

On the mention of the so-called ‘grey nomad movement’, the first thing that springs to mind are retirees who travel independently for extended periods of time, usually in a campervan or caravan, but this lifestyle has also caught the attention of a number of younger people and working families in Australia. Managing their finances is certainly among the biggest challenges that these people have to overcome. With this in mind, here’s how to save money as a full-time nomad Down Under.

Minimalist living

Travelling full-time means that you are not on holiday anymore, so you should start behaving accordingly. For instance, you should stop buying souvenirs or drinking fancy cocktails every night. It’s essential that you learn to live only with the absolute necessities, as letting go of materialistic ties will not only save you money but also make you feel unburdened and happier in general. 

Do you actually need a storage unit packed with stuff you’re not using anymore? Consider selling the household items you no longer need and using this money for cool experiences and additional gear that might come in handy on the road. 

Driving economically

When you are planning a route, do your best to minimise backtracking, try to avoid driving on windy days, and keep a consistent speed when behind the wheel. These little hacks can all help you considerably cut down on your petrol usage, thus reducing one of your biggest expenses. Don’t forget to get one of those petrol cards that offer discounts or rewards on fuel fill-ups.

And if you don’t have your own vehicle, you can now rent a free one-way campervan. You simply register an account and verify your personal details. When you find your drive among all the cars and campervans available on the website, you simply submit a request for it. You’ll soon be notified if your request is accepted, after which a rental car operator will contact you to organise the pick-up details. 

Home Cooking 

As tempting as it may sound to eat out, this can be a huge blow for your budget. Instead, head to a local grocery store and purchase seasonal goods. Always remember to take advantage of the products that are on sale and regularly stock up on dry and canned food. 

Search for camping-friendly recipes to get inspired, bearing in mind that preparing your own meals is not only more affordable but often healthier, as well. Keeping some sandwich supplies on board will prevent you from giving into fast food at lunchtime.

Free camping

Free camping, also known as freedom camping and boondocking, essentially means finding a spot where you can legally camp free of charge. Free campsites generally have minimal amenities, so make sure you have a full water tank, an empty grey water tank and a fully charged power bank.

Getting solar panels for camping might look like a costly investment at first, but if you are really serious about being a nomad, it will save you money in the long run. 

CamperMate is an amazing free mapping app that helps you locate free campsites, in addition to offering many other useful camping and RV-specific pieces of information.

Enjoying liberty 

Living the life of a full-time nomad means taking the life you had at home on the road. They say that the most authentic experiences are those that come from the land itself, so go on a hike, relax on the beach, take a nice bike ride, read a book outdoors, picnic in a park, or simply breathe in fresh air. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that you need to constantly be spending money and go sightseeing like crazy to have a memorable experience. A nomadic lifestyle is, in fact, attainable for most: you just need to adjust your living habits accordingly.