Texas road trip | Campervan hire

Stop 1. Austin

Highlights:

The Continental Club: The crown jewel of the city’s live music scene, this modest-sized venue has a well-earned reputation.
Dirty Sixth: Dirty Sixth is a strip of Sixth Street lined with bars and clubs. With a rowdy reputation for drunken revelry, this is an experience you won’t want to miss.
Zilker Park: This public park has picnic areas, playgrounds, botanical gardens and an outdoor theatre. It’s a great place to get back to nature in the bustling city.

Where to Park and Stay:

Where to park in Austin: The city has a number of metered on-street parking spots that generally cost between $1 and $1.25 per hour. Unlike many major cities, Austin has some on-street parking downtown that allows you to leave your Campervan rental overnight — you just pay a bit extra at the parking meter.
Littlefield Garage: Great location and good prices. Prices range from $2 to $24.
Austin City Hall Garage: Plenty of parking and very secure. Prices range from $5 to $42.
Pecan Grove Campervan Park ($$): Located on a small site in downtown Austin, this park can’t be beaten for location. Prices depend on your dates of travel.

Sink into the sweltering heat that is Austin

Austin, the capital of Texas, is one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States. It's in Central Texas and is known for its many lakes, rivers and waterways, including Lady Bird Lake, McKinney Falls, Lake Travis, Lake Walter E. Long and Barton Springs.

Austin is a melting pot of musicians, university students, manual workers, civil servants and digital marketers. It's often called the live music capital of the world because of its many live music venues and resident musicians.

The city is a popular destination for a broad cross-section of people. The area is hugely diverse with a quirky vibe that makes it a popular hub for musicians and artists.

Stop 2. San Antonio

Highlights:

Pearl District: Packed with great restaurants, historic buildings, charming boutiques and art galleries, the Pearl District is San Antonio’s cultural hub.
The River Walk: Spanning 15 miles, the river walk is a must-see for those looking to stroll along the riverfront, taking in the city’s beautiful architecture.
Natural Bridge Caverns: The largest known commercial caverns in Texas, the Natural Bridge Caverns are a natural wonder that attract people from all over the world. Tour pricing depends on your date of travel.

Where to Park and Stay:

Where to park in San Antonio: San Antonio has plenty of on-street parking; however, when visiting the city centre a car park or multi-storey car park is generally the preferred option.
Bexar County Parking Garage: Best price in town for parking. Prices range from $3 to $12.

Experience the vibrancy of San Antonio

More than 34 million visitors visit San Antonio every year, and for good reason: it’s a beautiful, diverse city full of wonders and entertainment. At the meeting point of three different geological terrains (Prairie and Lakes, South Texas Plains, and Hill Country), the city is home to one of the largest Latino populations in the United States.

There’s so much to do in San Antonio, from historic missions to fine art museums, amusement parks and excellent places to eat and drink. The residents also create a melting pot of cultures which keeps the city vibrant and fascinating.

Stop 3: Big Bend National Park

Highlights:

Santa Elena Canyon: One of the park’s most spectacular hikes, the Santa Elena Canyon Trail is a 1.7-mile (2.7 km) round-trip that’s well worth it.
Hot Springs: These hot springs sit at about 41°C and are the perfect way to relax after a big hike.
Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive: For beautiful desert and mountain views, you can’t miss this scenic drive.

Where to Park and Stay:

Parking in Big Bend National Park: Big Bend National Park is remote with very few paved car parks. It’s best to park at one of the few campgrounds scattered throughout the park.
Rio Grande Village Campervan Campground: This campground is one of the few that takes reservations, but you should still book well in advance. Prices start from $36 a night.

A must-see for nature lovers. Big Bend National Park

On the border with Mexico is Big Bend National Park – one of Texas's most exquisite natural wonders. Desert, mountains and river combine to create an outstanding environment for hikers, canoeists, campers and nature lovers in this premier national park.

If you're less keen to explore the great outdoors, you can also see the park from the road on an epic scenic drive. Round it off with a stop at the Fossil Discovery Exhibit or a quick dip in the hot springs and you’ve got the makings of an excellent day.

A park pass will set you back US$30.

Stop 4: Waco

Highlights:

Armstrong Browning Library: Boasting the world’s largest collection of works by Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning, this library is not to be missed if you’re a bit of a literary nut. Entry’s free.
Cameron Park Zoo: The zoo is home to more than 300 species and is a great way to spend an afternoon. Tickets cost $13 for adults.
Carleen Bright Arboretum: One of Waco’s best natural attractions, the Carleen Bright Arboretum is 16 acres of nature reserve with approximately 8 acres of beautiful botanical gardens.

Where to Park and Stay:

Where to park in Waco: It’s legal to park on most residential streets in Waco unless a sign specifically says you can’t. There’s a 72‑hour limit on on‑street parking, however.
200 Cottonwood St Garage ($$): Clean and well positioned car park.

The little city with loads of heart

Situated on the banks of the Brazos River, Waco is a mid-sized city with a lot of heart. It has a great selection of restaurants, museums and fantastic natural attractions. While it doesn’t attract the tourist numbers of Texas’s larger cities, Waco is still a bustling destination with a healthy tourism scene.

Whether you prefer meandering through world-class museums, marvelling at historic homes, or wandering through leafy parks, there’s something for everyone in this little city.