Beyond the vibrant city experiences, Sydney and New South Wales offer spectacular natural beauty, with untouched wilderness, stunning views, native Australian wildlife in their natural habitat and unique outdoor activities.
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If you haven’t thought about taking a campervan trip, let us convince you! There’s really nothing quite like this experience — sleeping under the stars, being surrounded by nature (some campervan parks are in locations that regular cars can’t access), flexibility to start and end your day anytime, cruise at your own space AND you save money on accommodations!
It’s a unique way of spending time with the family in the comfort of your campervan while exploring NSW’s coast, nature, and wildlife while feasting on the freshest produce. Here’s our 6D5N Muslim-friendly itinerary for your upcoming trip!
Day 1: Driving from Sydney to the Blue Mountains (half day)
- Make sure you’ve done thorough research to find the best campervan suited for your family: number of passengers, amenities, insurance coverage, budget and so on. Daily rates are around $55 (two adults) to $120 (four adults).
- We recommend renting a campervan from these companies - Maui, Britz and Mighty Campers.
- You must have a valid drivers licence. You can drive on a foreign drivers license for three months, as long as your licence is in English. An International Drivers Permit (IDP) is required if your license is not in English. Please refer to the road safety and regulations in Australia.
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- Drive for about one and a half hours to the Blue Mountains, one of the world’s UNESCO World Heritage sites. Be enchanted by the natural beauty, breathe in eucalyptus-scented air and visit many quaint villages like Leura, Katoomba and Blackheath. It’s also home to the famous sandstone formation, The Three Sisters, which should be your first stop.
- From this unique rock formation, head on to Katoomba Falls. This picturesque waterfall is a great photo spot and is located between Echo Point and Scenic World.
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- We highly recommend enjoying the view at the Scenic Skywayat Scenic World. You’ll get a jaw-dropping view as you glide between the cliff tops in a glass-bottomed cable car 270 metres above the ground!
- Alternatively, you go on the world’s steepest train, Scenic Railway,and descend down an incline of 64° degrees to the floor of the forested valley.
- Grab a bite at EATS270, Scenic World which offers halal, vegan and vegetarian options.
- Spend your night in Katoomba Falls Tourist Park, a great campervan and RV friendly site before continuing on your journey the next day! It’s within walking distance to the famous Three Sisters (20 mins), Scenic World Skyway (5 mins) and Katoomba town centre (15 mins).
Day 2: Join local tours of the Blue Mountains (full day)
- A great way to immerse yourself while travelling is to let the locals show you their secret spots. After a good night’s rest, you’ll be ready to explore scenic lookouts such as Olympian Rock, Elysian Rock, Pulpit Rock and Honeymoon Bridge. Join a guided walking tour with a Tread Lightly eco-tour,who arespecialists in the environmental and cultural aspects of the Blue Mountains World Heritage.
- Explore more than 2000 stunning acres of nature trails on horseback with One Hour Wilderness Riding, horses are matched to your skill level from beginners through to advanced riders.
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- Adrenaline junkies, take note. Did you know that you can go rock climbing and abseil in the Blue Mountains? You can purchase tickets with High and Wild Australian Adventures. The Half-Day Rock Climbing Adventure allows you to climb novice-friendly cliffs with professionals guiding you. Alternatively, you can join the Abseiling and Rock Climbing Combo to get a taste of 5 metre abseiling and a simple climb.
- Take your family to explore the nature track at Blue Mountains National Park. This adventurous 3.3km loop is a scenic journey that takes you past spectacular views, swamps, lush ferns and tranquil pools. The prettiest village in the Blue Mountains, Leura, is located at the edge of this park!
- Halal food nearby: Purchase fresh seafood from Fish and Fowl. You’ll find the freshest fish fillets, sashimi, oysters, prawns and squid. Electric barbecues are available with no charges for guests at Katoomba Falls Tourist Park, book in advance.
Opening hours: Mon – Fri: 9AM-5.30PM; Sat: 9AM-4PM
Address: 1 Pioneer Place, Katoomba NSW
Day 3: Central Coast (full day)
- Rise and shine! Today you’ll hit the road from the Blue Mountains to the Central Coast (2 hours drive) where you’ll spend a full day exploring the natural bushland and serene seaside towns.
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- Head straight to Glenworth Valley Outdoor Adventures for a fun morning with the family! Choose from guided horse riding, quad biking, kayak tours, laser skirmish (an outdoor game like paintball, but with mess-free laser lights instead), and axe throwing.
Credits: @safranrestaurant on Instagram
- Halal food nearby: Safran, a sophisticated spot to feast on Turkish food, is located only 35 minutes away at Ettalong Beach. Try their Baba ganoush (fire-grilled eggplant dip with bread), falafel hummus, Middle Eastern charcoal chicken or wagyu.
Cuisine: Turkish
Halal status: Halal meats and ingredients used, alcohol served in the establishment. Please inquire beforehand as Safran might not be able to source 100% halal ingredients all the time.
Opening hours: Wed – Sun: 5.30PM till late; Sat: 12PM till late
Address: 81/189 Ocean View Road, Ettalong Beach, NSW
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- Your family will be in for a treat at Treetops Adventure Park! Surround yourself with the beautiful forest as you weave through the treetops on a self-guided rope course, zig-zag through the trees with the world’s longest zipcoaster (a combination of a zipline and a rollercoaster) and bounce around with gigantic inflatable balls at NetWorld.
- Nearby prayer space: Central Coast Islamic Cultural Central (Wyong Masjid)
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- After all that adventure, it’s time to unwind at Long Jetty. You’ll be able to shop at vintage and second-hand stores, go on a leisurely family cycle along the Tuggerah Lake Bike Path, walk along the longest jetty (351 m) in NSW (with stunning views!), and snap some photos at Norah Head Lighthouse.
- Gather around The Entrance waterfront for The Pelican Feed which happens daily at 3.30pm.
- Or you could opt for the 7.6km Coast to Lake Walk from Long Jetty to the Entrance. Discover the diversity of the coastline, visit various landmarks, explore different attractions (Toowoon Bay beach, Memorial Park), and just enjoy the sea breeze along this three-hour walk.
- Halal food nearby: Shahi Mahal (Indian), located near The Entrance and Arabian Lounge (Middle Eastern)
Shahi Mahal
Savour the authentic taste of delectable Indian cuisine. Choose from a range of meat and vegetarian entrees, including the tandoori grilled platter, biryani, lamb chop masala, zenobia (cottage cheese and potato balls cooked in curry sauce), or karuvepillai fish curry.
Halal status: Halal meats and ingredients used
Opening hours: Open daily: 4PM-10PM
Address: 261 The Entrance Road, The Entrance
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- Recommended campervan and RV-friendly sites - Norah Head Holiday Park. It’s in a prime location, close to all the popular must-see local attractions such as Norah Head lighthouse and The Entrance. It’s also near a Coles supermarket for all your groceries needs, you’ll be able to purchase some pastries and fruits for your breakfast the next day.
Day 4: Port Stephens (full day)
- More sunshine and outdoor fun await at your next destination, Port Stephens, known as the dolphin capital of Australia and less than two hours drive from the Central Coast.
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- Kids and the young at heart will love the first stop of the day, Oakvale Wildlife Park! You’ll find a massive collection of Australian native, exotic and farm animals. Try your hand at feeding the free-roaming animals then let the kids cool off at Splash Bay Water Park, a fun water activity area filled with wildlife water features, water cannons, spray tunnels, and the super soaker bucket.
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- Tick Dolphin watching off your bucket list with Moonshadow TQC Cruises. Get comfortable in their 360-degree viewing decks and enjoy a 2.5-hour dinner cruise around the bay to explore the inlets and harbour and spot Port Stephens’ resident dolphins. Meals are fully halal-certified and prepared with no pork or alcohol. Do note that alcohol is served on board.
- Take this opportunity to explore the monumental Stockton Bight Sand Dunes. This majestic landscape allows you to enjoy sandboarding, 4WD tours, quad biking or even riding a camel on the longest-moving sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere.
- Halal food nearby: Buy fresh seafood from Fisherman’s Wharf Seafoods -a multi-award-winning seafood outlet or Nelson Bay Seafood.
- Recommended campervan sites: Shoal Bay Holiday Park. It’s directly opposite Shoal Bay, one of the most beautiful beaches on the east coast of Australia. Beachside Holidays also has two other Holiday Parks in Port Stephens, Fingal Bay and Halifax.
Day 5: Hunter Valley (full day)
- After spending a day in Port Stephens, it’s time to head on to your next destination - the Hunter Valley, a one hour and 40 minutes drive away. Although it is Australia’s oldest wine region, there are still plenty of Muslim-friendly experiences waiting for you here!
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- Enjoy a change of pace as you head to Hunter Valley Gardens in Pokolbin, a relaxing way to spend your morning. Take a stroll through 10 themed display gardens (The Story Book Garden is a must-see), take the kids on five amazing rides and relax among the greenery.
- Experience farm life and pat the alpacas at Starline Alpaca. These friendly furry animals will keep everyone in good spirits, especially when you’re busy feeding them.
- Halal food nearby: Buy fresh, seasonal vegetables from local farmers at Earth Markets Maitland and bring them back to your campervan site to cook.
- Rest up for the night at Ingenia Holidays Hunter Valley, located right in the middle of Hunter Valley and surrounded by rolling green lawn hills. Camp Kitchen and a BBQ area is also available on site.
- Alternatively, a new offering by Hunter Valley Resort, Hunter Farm is also a great 4-star accommodation to stay in. In addition to a comfortable room to sleep in, the entire family will be able to enjoy fun activities like horse riding, segway tours, candy making classes and grape stomping.
Day 6: Hunter Valley (half day) and head back to Sydney
- After a good night’s rest at Ingenia Holidays Hunter Valley, spend the first half of your day in the Hunter Valley before heading back to Sydney.
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- Take to the skies and bask in a view of Hunter Valley from above on a hot air balloon ride with Balloon Aloft. Your journey begins at sunrise and ends with a hearty gourmet breakfast!
- Explore the countryside on horseback with Hunter Valley Horse Riding and Adventures. The whole family can join the trail rides and you may even spot native wild animals like kangaroos and wombats. Pony rides are also available for the little ones!
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- For a unique way to wander through the Hunter Valley vineyards, join a tour with NSW Segway. This guided tour journeys through the wine country and its diverse terrain, with wildlife occasionally crossing paths with you.
- It’s time to head back to Sydney –a two-hour drive back to the city. Return your campervan and spend the rest of the evening exploring the iconic sights, designer shops and diverse dining scene in the city.
Whether it’s a leisure horse ride around the Hunter Valley, getting your adrenaline fix by rock climbing in the Blue Mountains, or living it up with Port Stephens’ coastal experiences, NSW offers a variety of experiences for the whole family. Being in a campervan allows you to experience all these activities while enjoying nights out under the stars. The best part is the flexibility to stay longer at some locations (Hunter Valley, Port Stephens and Blue Mountains) as there are so many more things to see and do.
Tick “travelling in a campervan” off your bucket list with this 6D5N journey through Sydney and New South Wales. It will be a much-needed break from the routine back in the city. This Muslim-friendly destination welcomes you!
This article is brought to you by Destination NSW