There's a dream that lives in the heart of nearly every Australian — pack up the van, point the rig toward the horizon, and take on the infamous "Big Lap" around this incredible country. But ask any seasoned traveller what they remember most, and it's rarely the famous stops. It's the hidden gems. The unmarked tracks, the tucked-away swimming holes, and the beaches you have all to yourself.
The trouble with hidden gems is right there in the name — they're hidden. So we did the next best thing to stumbling across them yourself: we asked our Oricom Ambassadors, the people who live this life full-time, to share the secret spots they'd normally keep close to their chest.
From the south-west of WA to the top of Arnhem Land, here are the places our ambassadors reckon are worth going out of your way for.
Barn Hill Station, The Kimberley — Western Australia
Shared by Live Yonder
Around 130km south of Broome, just off the Great Northern Highway, Barn Hill Station is one of those places travellers tend to discover only once they're already close. It's a working cattle station with a campground perched above a spectacular stretch of Kimberley coastline — think striking red cliffs, brilliant white sand and turquoise water, all teeming with marine life. Live Yonder even spotted manta rays cruising the shallows during their stay.
Despite the remote, untouched feel, it's wonderfully welcoming and family-friendly. The station store is famous for its freshly baked bread, pizzas and treats — worth the stop on their own — and the nearby "Lost City" rock formations make for a brilliant adventure for kids and adults alike.
Insider tip: If you love fishing, time the tides and you're in for a treat, with great spearfishing on offer too. And don't rush — this is the kind of place that turns a one-night stop into a week.
East Arnhem Land — Northern Territory
Shared by Sarah and Keelan and Wild Touring
East Arnhem Land is unlike anywhere else in the country - one of Australia's last truly untouched paradises. Tucked away in the far north-east of the Northern Territory, this remote wilderness is home to crystal-clear creeks, stunning waterfalls, jungle swings, pristine beaches, world-class fishing and remote islands that feel a million miles from anywhere. Add in incredible opportunities to learn about Yolŋu culture and history, and you've got a destination where the journey is every bit as special as the places you find along the way.
This is the traditional homeland of the Yolŋu people, and access is carefully managed to protect both the land and its culture. Visitors need the appropriate permits before travelling — including transit permits for the Central Arnhem Road and recreational permits for camping and visiting many of the region's attractions — so do your homework before you set off.
And getting there is all part of the adventure. The trip begins with a 675km run along the legendary Central Arnhem Road, one of Australia's most iconic outback tracks. Wild Touring clocked more than 10 hours to reach the township of Nhulunbuy, rolling through massive termite mounds, rainforest-like vegetation, river crossings, potholes, washouts and endless stretches of red dirt — spotting wild buffalo, dingoes, donkeys and plenty of other wildlife along the way. Their base once they arrived was Manyimi Campground, a beachfront spot within the Gove Boat Club and the perfect launchpad for exploring everything the region has to offer.
Insider tips:
- Catch the ferry to Bremer Island for lunch at Banubanu Beach Retreat, then a swim, snorkel and walk around the island.
- Cool off beneath the jungle swings at Goanna Lagoon and Lathram River.
- Watch the sun set over Banambarrŋa (Rainbow Cliff).
- Head out on a fishing charter for some of the best fishing in the country.
- Pack a swag and spend a night camping on the remote Granite Islands.
- Explore beautiful beaches including Little Bondi, Turtle Beach and Macassan Beach.
- Visit the Buku-Larrŋgay Mulka Art Centre, then finish the day with dinner and drinks at the Gove Boat Club.
- Travelling with a caravan? Pack a swag or tent as well so you can reach the more remote camps around Nhulunbuy. One to book well in advance is Memorial Camp — with only a single site available, you'll have the whole place to yourself, complete with a waterfall that makes the perfect midday swim.
Carnarvon Gorge — Queensland
Shared by Offgrid with James
Carnarvon Gorge feels like you've been transported to another world. One minute you're in dry outback Queensland, the next you're surrounded by lush waterholes, towering rock faces and endless tracks begging to be explored. Most travellers take a 4x4 to get out that way, and the reward at the end is more than worth the effort.
Insider tips: There's no drinking water out there and you'll be on your feet all day, so pack plenty of your own. And if you've come all that way, you may as well make a proper adventure of it — the Big Bend walk turns it into a multi-day trip (around a 20km return hike).
Mungo National Park, Outback NSW
Shared by The Lifestyle Pioneers
One of the most extraordinary deep-time landscapes in Australia. Ancient lakebeds, the striking Walls of China lunette, and a sense of isolation that feels almost otherworldly — this is where some of the oldest human remains on the planet have been found. It's history you can feel underfoot.
Insider tip: Book tours ahead of time, as they fill up fast and offer the best access and insight into the area. Then time your visit to Red Top Lookout for sunrise or sunset, when the light and texture across the landscape are at their absolute best.
Parachilna Gorge, Flinders Ranges — South Australia
Shared by The Lifestyle Pioneers
A quiet, lesser-known pocket of the Flinders with incredible geology, peaceful free campsites and that classic ranges atmosphere — minus the crowds. It's a brilliant base for exploring the northern Flinders highlights, from the Glass Gorge Scenic Drive to the North Blinman Hotel and Brachina Gorge.
Insider tip: Drive the gorge track late in the afternoon, when the light on the walls is unreal, and lace up the boots to explore the surrounding peaks and ridges for views that go on forever.
Lennard Drive, Collie — Western Australia
Shared by Escape the Daily
Everyone knows Honeymoon Pool. Very few realise the river keeps going well beyond the campground. Just past Honeymoon Pool, Lennard Drive hides a string of swimming spots along the road, most only a 10–20 second walk from the car park — and far enough off the tourist radar to skip the crowds.
Each spot offers something a little different, from natural rock slides into crystal-clear pools to calm sections that are perfect for a lazy float. Pack an inflatable tube and you can drift through some of the best parts of the river. It's the kind of easy-access gem that turns a good weekend into a great one.
Insider tip: This stretch is a summer favourite for a reason — bring the tube, and you may never bother stopping at the main pool again.
Drages Beach, Bremer Bay — Western Australia
Shared by Escape the Daily
If you're happy to swap easy access for a bit of adventure, Drages Beach is hard to beat. Hidden on the western side of Hood Point, it doesn't show up on most maps and takes a tight squeeze through the bush to reach. The track is rarely driven, so it grows over quickly — expect a few branches down the side of the vehicle before it opens up.
The payoff? One of the most secluded beaches on the south coast. A tiny sheltered cove that often feels like your own private slice of paradise, with calm water that's great for families and rock pools made for exploring.
Insider tip: This one you earn. A track like this is exactly where a reversing camera and a bit of patience pay off — take it slow, and enjoy having the place to yourself.
Half the Adventure Is Getting There
If there's one thing every one of these gems has in common, it's that they sit a little way off the beaten track. Overgrown bush tracks, corrugated outback roads, sandy beach approaches and remote camps well beyond phone reception — that's exactly where the magic is, and exactly where being properly set up makes all the difference.
It's the reason so many travellers rely on Oricom gear for the road less travelled:
- A UHF CB radio to stay in touch with your convoy and other travellers when there's no mobile signal for hundreds of kilometres.
- A Tyre Pressure Monitoring System keeping an eye on your rubber across corrugations, gravel and heat.
- A wireless reversing camera for backing into tight bush campsites and tackling those overgrown tracks with confidence.
- An RV Leveller to get set up quickly and comfortably, no matter how uneven the ground.
Reliable, simple, and built for real Australian conditions — so you can spend less time worrying about the drive and more time soaking up the destination.
Over to You
Australia is full of hidden gems, and this is just a handful of the spots our ambassadors love. The best part of the Big Lap is that there's always another secret swimming hole, another private cove, another otherworldly landscape waiting just past the turn-off most people drive straight past.
So take the detour. Follow the track that looks like it leads nowhere. Just make sure you're set up to get there and back safely.
Explore the full Oricom Automotive range and gear up for your next adventure — and while you're at it, meet the Oricom Ambassadors sharing the journey with us.
A huge thank you to Escape the Daily, Wild Touring, Live Yonder, Offgrid with James, The Lifestyle Pioneers, and Sarah and Keelan for sharing their favourite hidden gems. Give them a follow to see more of their travels around this incredible country.
