Winter on New Zealand’s North Island is a dreamy season for a couples road trip. Think cool, crisp mornings, wisps of geothermal steam rising over lakes, and the luxury of soaking in mineral-rich pools while the air tingles on your skin. With fewer crowds between June and August, you can slow the pace, lean into hot pools and couples’ spa rituals, and linger over easy walks and golden-hour picnics. This 7 day Thermal Explorer itinerary keeps drives short and scenic, primarily follows sealed roads suitable for an Apollo campervan, and focuses on indulgent downtime in Rotorua and Taupō before looping back to Auckland. Expect mild winter days on the North Island of New Zealand, compared to the south, with daytime highs around the low teens, frosty mornings inland, and the odd rainy spell that makes a post-walk soak feel even better. Pack layers, a rain jacket, and your favourite picnic blanket for sunset by the lake. For any short access roads or car parks that are unsealed, take it slow and park only where permitted. 

If you are craving an easy regional escape with heritage streetscapes, cellar doors, bakery stops and long afternoons by the lake, this Melbourne to Ballarat itinerary is an easy one to love. Starting and ending in Melbourne, this campervan road trip keeps driving light and gives you more time to enjoy regional Victoria at a slower pace. Over five days, you will roll through spa country in Daylesford before settling into Ballarat, where gold rush history, cool-climate wine, local produce and leafy gardens make it easy to switch off. 

One of the best things about this Ballarat itinerary is how manageable it feels in a campervan. The full round trip has short driving days and plenty of room to customise each stop. Autumn and spring are especially appealing for mild weather and colourful scenery, but every season works well. Summer suits long evenings outdoors, while winter brings a cosy feel to Ballarat’s historic streets and nights in the van. 

If you are looking for an easy-going road trip through the Northern Territory Top End, this Darwin to Litchfield National Park campervan road trip is hard to beat. Starting and ending in Darwin, this five-day journey is designed for couples who want to slow down, swim in clear plunge pools, picnic beneath tropical trees, and take in the region’s rich layers of nature, history, and culture. It is also ideal for an Apollo campervan, with sealed-road highlights and short driving days that leave plenty of time to enjoy the scenery rather than rush through it. 

Litchfield National Park is one of the great short road trip destinations in Australia. Within a relatively compact area, you can experience waterfalls, rainforest walks, termite mounds, historic mining sites, and beautiful swimming spots that feel wonderfully remote without demanding huge hours behind the wheel. The dry season from May to October is the best time to follow this Litchfield itinerary, with warm days, comfortable temperatures, and lower humidity. If you are planning a trip during the wet season, keep in mind that the Apollo Darwin branch is closed from 1 December to 31 March, and weather conditions and road closures should always be checked carefully before travel. You will also need an NT Parks Pass for entry into Litchfield National Park.