How to tour Australia on a budget: 6 must-visit campervan stops for grey nomads

As rising inflation and interest rates put pressure on household budgets, taking an extended getaway can feel out of reach. But taking your motorhome on the road can mean hundreds of must-see destinations remain within reach.

"My favourite place is anywhere away from home," Richard Barwick, chief executive of the Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia (CMCA) told ACM, the publisher of this masthead.

"It's the lifestyle that it offers, and getting away from the hustle and bustle of the city."

From the tiny town of Humpty Doo to the coastal city of Bundaberg and the agricultural hot spot Deniliquin, Mr Barwick has shared some of his favourite destinations for those travelling in a campervan or RV.

Celebrating its 40^th anniversary in 2026, CMCA has used its 64,000 members to help create an Australia-wide map of RV-friendly locations, detailing the facilities and local attractions in more than 366 towns.

"We're really trying to encourage people to go into these regional and rural communities," Mr Barwick said.

Using the guide, travellers can chart a course to incredible destinations, with some offering camping for as little as $3 a night.

Below is a list of regional locations recommended by the CMCA for grey nomads and open road travellers.

Mr Barwick recommends a stop by the coastal city of Bundaberg, which is popular among grey nomads for its stunning white sand beaches, where turtle hatchlings make their way to the ocean throughout summer.

Travellers may also want to visit the Bundaberg Rum Distillery, where they can take a guided tour of the factory, or book in for a tasting.

The CMCA RV Park offers affordable site rental for $5 a night for solo travellers, and $7 a night for couples.

This NSW grain-growing town and former gold rush hot spot is about five hours drive from Sydney and three hours from Canberra.

RV-friendly 48-hour street parking is available on Parkes Street, where campers can also collect fresh water and empty their bins.

The CMCA also operates an RV park on Gardiner Street, with overnight stays available for as little as $2 a night for members.

Visitors can admire the sunny yellow canola fields in August and September, or make a stop at the Temora Rural Museum, which features historical agricultural equipment, and the town's Aviation Museum which has an impressive collection of historical military aircraft.

The coastal city of Geraldton offers stunning natural scenery including pristine beaches and flowering outback meadows.

Geraldton is also packed with bars, cafes and restaurants, and for history buffs, it may be worth a visit to the Museum of Geraldton to learn about the town's history, and nearby shipwrecks.

Those looking to explore the area can take a 90-minute drive to Hutt Lagoon, one of the state's iconic "pink lakes", which can change from red, to purple, to pink depending on the weather.

A five-hour drive from Perth, RV drivers can park at the Francis Street Car Park for up to 24 hours, where they'll find most of the amenities needed for life on the road.

For those exploring the territory, the Top End town of Humpty Doo is a must visit.

"Especially during the cooler months down south, there's no better place than up in Darwin and the Territory," Mr Barwick said.

Campgrounds are located behind the town's world-famous local pub, the Humpty Doo Tavern, with access to the on-site pool and RV facilities available for those stopping in, for as little as $3 a night.

While in town, you can get a selfie with the Big Boxing Crocodile, before settling in for a drink at the iconic Humpty Doo Tavern.

Close to the border of Victoria and sitting on the scenic Edward River, the agricultural town of Deniliquin is definitely worth a visit, according to Mr Barwick.

"I love Deniliquin, that's an absolutely unique little place on the Edward River," he said.

To get a real taste of outback culture, the annual Deni Ute Muster brings together ute enthusiasts from across the country. The event also holds the record for the "most people wearing blue singlets" with an impressive 4,961 blue singlets.

For those venturing inland, the rural town of Charleville could be worth a stop.

The largest town in the state's south-west, and the subject of a Slim Dusty song , the area housed thousands of US Air Force personnel during World War II, with visitors now able to tour the secret military base.

Animal lovers might want to check out the Charleville Bilby Experience to learn about a breeding program for the endangered marsupial.

CMCA operates an RV Park on Adavale Road for $3 a night for members, and $2 per additional person.