Aussies love a road trip – and there are plenty to choose from around the country. Here are 10 of our faves, counting them down from 10 to 1.
10. The Explorer’s Way, SA – Adelaide to Wilpena Pound (via the Flinders Ranges)
To see some of Australia’s most epic landscapes, a road trip along the Flinders Ranges is an absolute must. This 500km drive on dusty red roads is home to rugged peaks, incredible cliffs and spectacular gorges – sights you need to see to believe. For an incredible family experience, pitch a tent for the night and marvel at the starry sky before setting off into the mountain ranges the following morning.
9. Great Alpine Road, VIC – Wangaratta to Gippsland Lakes
Make sure you pack your appetite for this 339km adventure. After starting off in Wangaratta, taste your way around the Rutherglen and King Valley wine regions, and make sure to save time for a pit stop in Beechworth, where you can try Beechworth Bakery’s famous lamingtons. When you’re full to the brim, take a hike through the Mount Buffalo National Park or, in winter, hit the slopes at Mouth Hotham before resting up in the peaceful Gippsland Lakes. One of the best things about this road trip is that it’s great no matter the season.
8. Heritage Highway, TAS – Hobart to Launceston
They don’t call it the Heritage Highway for nothing. On this incredible drive you’ll find some of Australia’s most outstanding architecture and design, all originally built in the 1800s by convict labourers. You could complete this 200km drive in a couple of hours, but it’s better to take your time and really appreciate the relaxed country atmosphere. Start in Hobart, then spend some time exploring beautiful national parks, quaint towns and villages, and fascinating local museums before arriving in quaint Launceston.
7. Grand Pacific Drive, NSW – Sydney to the South Coast
Less than an hour’s drive from Sydney, the Grand Pacific Drive makes for a fantastic weekend road trip. Starting in the Royal National Park, this 140km drive takes you through some classic NSW coastal holiday spots down south, including Wollongong, Kiama and Shellharbour. Give yourself a few extra days to make the most of it and you can check out all the South Coast has to offer, including stunning beaches, the famous Kiama Blowhole and Shoalhaven’s fantastic wineries.
6. Great Eastern Drive, TAS – Hobart to the Bay of Fires
If lazing on pristine beaches and sampling some of Australia’s best produce sounds like your type of trip, then the Great Eastern Drive is for you. You’ll cover over 176km of Tasmania’s East Coast including the cultural hub of Hobart, with countless award-winning restaurants and delicious cellar doors to visit, as well as spectacular coastal views (the Bay of Fires is a highlight!) and even waterfalls if you travel inland. You can do this one in a weekend, but we recommend you give yourself a week so you can have time to stop and wander.
5. Gibb River Road, WA – through the Kimberley
This 660km adventure is one of the Kimberley’s greatest highlights. Open for only seven months of the year (outside of the wet season), we recommend giving yourself a full two weeks to properly experience this epic drive. Book a 4WD and get ready to hike, swim and admire those awesome outback sunsets.
4. Legendary Pacific Coast – Sydney to Brisbane via the Central Coast
Get ready for the ultimate family road trip! This 900km drive will take you to some of the best family-friendly hot spots Australia has to offer. With highlights including Sydney, Treetops Central Coast, the Australian Reptile Park, The Big Banana in Coffs Harbour and Brisbane, the Legendary Pacific Coast is a hit with kids. The Hunter Valley wine region and Byron Bay make it a top choice for grown-ups too.
3. Darwin to Litchfield to Kakadu, NT
For a seriously iconic Aussie experience, an epic NT road trip is the way to go. Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks are some of the most important cultural sites in the country and the drive from Darwin to Litchfield National Park then onto Kakadu is as enriching as it is fascinating. The 735km drive is a solid trip and takes around five days to complete, so plan accordingly, and be prepared to be blown away by the incredible sweeping views of Arnhem Land.
2. The Coral Coast, WA – Perth to the Ningaloo Reef
This massive 1,200km road trip has it all. From chilling in the coastal city of Perth, to trekking through the gorges at Kalbarri to swimming with whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef, WA’s Coral Coast is a must-visit Aussie destination and hitting the wide, open road to explore at your own pace is the best way to do it. Give yourself at least seven days for this trip – there are so many unique and diverse experiences along the way.
1. The Great Ocean Road, VIC
Hugging the Southern Ocean’s windswept coastline, this famous 243km stretch of road is a must-drive at any time of the year, with gorgeous ocean views and countless beach towns to explore along the way. Start in Torquay and give yourself three or four days to check out Lorne, Apollo Bay and iconic sites like the 12 Apostles before finishing up in Port Fairy – Wotif’s Aussie town of the Year for 2019.
Heads up! Due to COVID-19, government restrictions are in constant review and travel guidelines may change. We strongly recommend that all travellers seek further information about destinations and attractions before scheduling trips or making bookings, take extra care and follow all rules.
