Your Guide to Australia's Best Summer Motorhome Journey (2026)
Published 29 September 2026
At a glance
Australian summer belongs on the open road, and for many families and couples, a Star RV motorhome is how that time is spent. Rather than offer another generic list of places to visit, we looked at where Star RV's own travellers actually went last summer: hundreds of completed journeys between December 2025 and February 2026, across every major mainland city. This guide covers:
- Why summer, particularly the school holiday period, is the ideal season for a self-guided motorhome journey.
- The five most popular summer journeys, based on real Star RV bookings
- Who travelled with Star RV last summer, and how far they went
- When to book for the best rate and the widest choice of motorhome
- Which Star RV motorhome suits your summer plans
Why Summer Is the Season to Explore Australia
Summer offers what a motorhome journey is built for: long days, warm evenings, and genuine time to slow down. For many families, that time lines up with the school holidays, roughly six weeks from mid-December to late January, with the added flexibility of the Christmas, New Year and Australia Day breaks close by. It's a natural window for families to travel together, and for couples to make the most of annual leave while the weather cooperates.
We wanted to understand what that looks like in practice, so we reviewed hundreds of completed Star RV Australia journeys between 1 December 2025 and 28 February 2026. The patterns that emerged are a useful guide to what a well-planned summer journey looks like, whichever part of the country you're exploring.
Australia's Top 5 Summer Motorhome Journeys, According to Real Star RV Travellers
Rather than guess where our travellers went, here are the five journeys Star RV travellers actually took last summer, based on real pickup and dropoff data.
Perth: Margaret River and the South West
Perth produced the single largest journey volume last year, with many travellers picking up and returning to the same city last summer. The natural route south leads to Margaret River's wineries, the beaches at Yallingup and Injidup, and Augusta, where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet.
Journey highlights:
- Cellar doors and breweries throughout Margaret River
- Beach days at Yallingup and Injidup
- Cape Leeuwin at Augusta, where two oceans converge
Suggested length: 9 days, the average length for this journey last summer.
Where to stop: A day or two in Bunbury on the way down, four or five days based in Margaret River, then a day or two in Augusta before the return leg to Perth.
The popular choice: The Polaris 6 and Polaris 2 were closely matched here, with the Polaris 4 not far behind. It's a route that suits everything from a couple wanting extra space to a family filling every berth.
Best for: Couples and families wanting a well-paced loop through Western Australia's wine country and coastline.
Pick up from: Perth
Looking for a guide to the best road trip from Perth? Check out our guide to a road trip through Southwest Australia >
Sydney: The Blue Mountains and Hunter Valley
Sydney was the second most popular base for a loop journey, with a number of travellers picking up and returning to the city last summer. West to the Blue Mountains for cool-climate scenery and charming villages, then north to the Hunter Valley for New South Wales' best known wine region, before returning to Sydney.
Journey highlights:
- Echo Point and the Three Sisters in the Blue Mountains
- Wine tasting through the Hunter Valley
- A well-paced loop that doesn't demand a long stretch of leave
Suggested length: 7 days, the shortest of the five journeys and an easy fit around a standard week of leave.
Where to stop: Three days in the Blue Mountains, then three days in the Hunter Valley before a final day on the way back to Sydney.
The popular choice: The Polaris 6 was the clear favourite on this route, chosen for well over half of all bookings. A shorter journey close to a major city appears to be exactly when travellers prefer the extra space.
Best for: Couples and families after a shorter, comfortable break without long days behind the wheel.
Pick up from: Sydney
Whilst in Sydney, don't miss out on some of the city's hidden gems. Take a look at our list of 10 unique and unusual things to do in Sydney >
Brisbane to Sydney: The Classic East Coast Run
The most popular one-way journey our customers enjoyed last year, running between Brisbane and Sydney. Head south along the coast through the Gold Coast, Byron Bay, Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie, before finishing in Sydney, or reverse the route for an equally rewarding journey north.
Journey highlights:
- The Gold Coast's beaches as a first stop out of Brisbane
- Byron Bay's relaxed pace and lighthouse walk
- Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie for quieter coastal stops
Suggested length: 9-10 days, the average for this journey.
Where to stop: A day or two on the Gold Coast, two days in Byron Bay, a day or two in Coffs Harbour, then a day each in Newcastle and Port Macquarie before the final stretch to Sydney.
The popular choice: The Polaris 6 and Polaris 2 were nearly evenly split here, suggesting this route works equally well as a couple's escape or a family holiday.
Best for: Families and couples wanting the classic Australian coastal drive, in either direction.
Pick up from: Brisbane or Sydney
The east-coast route is one of Australia's most beautiful trips. Don't miss a thing, check out 10 must-dos on your Brisbane to Sydney road trip >
Melbourne: The Great Ocean Road
Melbourne's own loop volume made it the fourth most popular journey last summer, with a number of travellers picking up and returning to the Melbourne branch. The natural choice heading southwest is the Great Ocean Road, taking in Torquay, Lorne, Apollo Bay and the Twelve Apostles, before returning to Melbourne.
Journey highlights:
- Surf beaches at Torquay and Lorne
- Apollo Bay's rainforest hinterland
- The Twelve Apostles and Port Campbell National Park
Suggested length: 7 days, the average for this journey.
Where to stop: A day or two in Torquay or Lorne, two days around Apollo Bay, then a day near Port Campbell before the return drive to Melbourne.
The popular choice: The Polaris 6 was the standout here, chosen for close to three in four bookings on this route, the highest share of any journey in our data.
Best for: Couples and families wanting the country's most scenic coastal drive without leaving the state.
Pick up from: Melbourne
Brisbane: The Sunshine Coast and Scenic Rim
Brisbane's loop volume placed it fifth in our data, with many travellers picking up and returning to the city last summer. Head north to the Sunshine Coast for beaches and hinterland villages, or inland to the Scenic Rim for mountain views and farm-gate produce, both easily managed as a loop from Brisbane.
Journey highlights:
- Noosa and the Sunshine Coast's beaches
- Hinterland villages including Montville and Maleny
- The Scenic Rim's mountain views and local produce
Suggested length: 7 days, the average for this journey.
Where to stop: Two to three days on the Sunshine Coast, a day in the hinterland around Montville, then a day or two in the Scenic Rim before returning to Brisbane.
The popular choice: The Polaris 6 led the way here too, with the Polaris 2 a solid second choice for couples wanting a more compact journey.
Best for: Families and couples after an easy, well-paced loop close to Brisbane.
Pick up from: Brisbane
Who's on the Road This Summer
If you're planning a considered, well-paced Australian getaway, you're in excellent company. Roughly six in ten Star RV travellers last summer were aged 35 and over, reflecting the mix of established couples, young families and experienced travellers who choose a motorhome journey. Australians made up around half of all summer travellers, with a solid contingent from the United Kingdom, and the remainder spread broadly across Canada, Switzerland, Germany, the Netherlands, the United States and Singapore. It's a genuinely international mix, and one that skews toward travellers who know exactly what they want from their time away.
When to Book Your Summer Journey (and How to Secure the Best Rate)
Timing makes a meaningful difference to both price and choice. December is the busiest and most expensive month to travel, with average daily rates around 40 percent higher than in February. Rates ease steadily through January and reach their lowest point in February, making it the better month for travellers with some flexibility.
Most Star RV travellers book around a month ahead of their journey, though a meaningful number of travellers plan further out: around one in three book more than two months in advance, and around one in five book more than three months ahead. If your dates fall within the school holiday window, booking early is worth the effort, both for the better rate and for first choice of motorhome.
How Far Australians Travelled This Summer
Last summer's journeys covered solid ground without feeling rushed. The typical trip ran from 7-12 days and covered around 1,750 kilometres, a pace that allows for proper time in each place rather than constant driving. Close to half of all journeys were one-way, most often along the east coast, while the rest were loops based from a single city, a pattern that suited both shorter breaks and longer, more considered journeys equally well.
The Star RV Motorhome Range for Your Summer Journey
Explore all motorhomes
Polaris 6
Whether travelling as a family or as a group of friends, this stylish vehicle provides a unique way to explore. Many motorhomes are the same, but only one carries the Star.
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
- Sleeps 6
- Expansive, flowing space
- Sleeping arrangements prioritise comfort and privacy
- Fully self contained bathroom
- Smooth driving experience
- Six belted travel seats
- Booster and baby seats available as extras
Polaris 4
Whether you’re adventuring with family or friends, this sleek and stylish vehicle transforms every journey into an unforgettable experience. Many motorhomes may look alike, but only one shines with the legendary Star.
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
- Sleeps 4
- Expansive, flowing space
- Sleeping arrangements prioritise comfort and privacy
- Fully self-contained bathroom with shower and toilet
- Kitchen with 150 litre fridge, gas burner and sink
- Rear bed converts into a dining and entertaining space
- Automatic, easy to drive, GPS included
What to Pack for a Summer Motorhome Journey
- Sunscreen and a hat for Australia's strong summer UV, even on overcast days.
- Light layers for warm days and cooler evenings, particularly further south.
- Comfortable walking shoes for coastal walks and hinterland villages.
- An esky or cooler bag for day trips away from the motorhome.
- Binoculars, wildlife and whale watching are never far away on an Australian coastal route.
Every Star RV motorhome comes fully equipped with kitchenware, bedding and linen, so the essentials are covered before you even begin packing.
Why Travel with Star RV This Summer
The data reflects what Star RV is built for: journeys that suit families and couples who want comfort, space and a considered pace, whether that's a five-day loop from Sydney or a full week exploring Western Australia's South West. Every motorhome in the range is self-contained, so accommodation and transport are one and the same, and with pickup available in every major city, your journey can begin exactly where it makes sense to.
Couples after a compact, easy-to-drive option will find their match in the Polaris 2. Families and larger groups wanting the most space will do best in the Polaris 6. And for a group of four after the right balance, the Polaris 4 does the job well. Whatever the makeup of your trip, the range already includes the motorhome that suited last summer's travellers.
Something special awaits.