7 Epic Road Trips in Australia

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Australia provides the most spectacular scenic road trips in the world, with everything from lush green rainforests to almost 25,000 miles of coastline to the red dust of the outback. Road trips in Australia are especially practical when you have kids because you can experience a lot and save if you plan your trip well.

Whether you’d prefer a short jaunt or a long excursion, Australia’s got a variety of drives that won’t disappoint you. So put down your boarding pass and grab the road map to appreciate the beauty of this land and its diversity. Book your Australia Tour Package Now.

Seven Epic Road Trips That Highlight Australia’s Best

1. Red Centre Way, Northern Territory
2. The Great Ocean Road, Victoria
3. The Savannah Way, Queensland and Western Australia
4. The Grand Pacific Drive, NSW
5. Brisbane to Cairns, Queensland
6. Great Beach Drive, Queensland
7. Tasmania’s East Coast

1. Red Centre Way, Northern Territory

This six-day drive from Alice Springs to Uluru offers a glimpse of the outback. You can marvel at the dusty plains, towering gorges and some indigenous groups. The journey will take you deep into mulga forests, spinifex savannas and red desert lands. Discover the ancient Aboriginal culture and visit the domes of Kata Tjuta to learn more about the traditional Aboriginal way of life. Get to know friendly locals while exploring rocky valleys home to rare plants and animals.

2. The Great Ocean Road, Victoria

This World Heritage-listed road trip is a must for your bucket list! This coast drive stretches for 243 km along the southeast coast of Australia. You will pass by lush rainforests, famous surf breaks and breathtaking mountains. Every turn provides a new highlight, such as Gibson Steps with its unique beach vistas and Ballarat Wildlife Park with its cute kangaroos. Try gold panning at Sovereign Hill, and don’t forget your camera so you can get some beautiful shots at Loch Ard Gorge.

3. The Savannah Way, Queensland and Western Australia

This journey links Cairns in Tropical North Queensland to Broome in Western Australia’s Kimberley. You will see Australia’s tropical savannahs and the Northern Territory’s remote Top End. There are 15 national parks, five world heritage areas, epic gorges and stunning beaches along the route. From rainforests to grasslands, cattle stations to waterfalls, ancient rock art to turquoise waters, tourists can expect everything along this road.

4. The Grand Pacific Drive, NSW

You can try this shorter yet impressive route that stretches from the outskirts of Sydney to the South Coast, about three hours away. An hour south of Sydney, this route starts at the Royal National Park. You can journey to the seaside city of Wollongong by crossing the Sea Cliff Bridge—a 665-metre bridge that hangs off the coast. A skydiving enthusiast should make a pit-stop here because it’s an epic spot. The food scene and beautiful beach make it a great place to visit. Down the road at Jervis Bay, you’ll find beautiful, white sand like nowhere else.

5. Brisbane to Cairns, Queensland

The stunning shores of Queensland are a compelling reason to travel the entire coast route from Cairns to Brisbane. Beaches and islands that are accessible from the road are another plus point. From Brisvegas, it’s a quick trip north to the Sunshine Coast and then to Noosa Heads. Beyond that, you will see Fraser Island and Hervey Bay, followed by Bundaberg, Yeppoon and Airlie Beach.

6. Great Beach Drive, Queensland

There’s no better road for beach lovers than The Great Beach Drive, which covers Queensland’s coastline. Through Fraser Island and the relatively untouched Fraser Coast further north, the trip stretches 380 kilometres. It connects the Sunshine Coast resort hub to the Fraser Coast. As you drive by, you’ll pass rainforests and sandy beaches. You might even see a migrating humpback whale while exploring a UNESCO World Heritage-listed island. This unusual way of exploring Australia’s coast will become a memorable experience.

7. Tasmania’s East Coast

From Melbourne, you can take the ferry or fly to Tasmania in an hour and 15 minutes. The Ocean Highway loops right around the island, so you’ll be able to see the rugged beaches that surround this beautiful island. This road trip stretches along the coast through St. Helens, Swansea and Bicheno, taking you from the historical city of Hobart to the spectacular Bay of Fires. If you drive instead of taking public transportation, you have the option of discovering areas of Tasmania that are not accessible from the city. Tasmania is perfect for a road trip thanks to its short distances and spectacular scenery!

FAQs

Q: What is the best time to plan a road trip in Australia?

A: Locals and international travelers find traveling around Australia during summer to be the most expensive and most crowded time. You should avoid going to Australia in Summer from December to February if you do not like crowds and want to save money. The best time of the year to visit Australia is spring, when temperatures range from 20-30°C along the west coast to the southeast coast.

Q: When should I book a flight?

A: When possible, book your domestic flights and accommodation well in advance, particularly if you will be traveling during Australian school holidays toward the end of June, although the main winter holidays usually take place in late July.

Q: What are the must-haves for the road trip?

A: You should definitely carry food & drinks, sunscreen, insect repellent, a first aid kit and torches while traveling by road. Also, having a GPS system in your vehicle will help you a lot.

Q: Which one is the most scenic drive in Australia?

A: It has to be the Great Ocean Road. As expected, it lives up to the hype. It is an Australian Heritage-listed drive, stretching 243 kilometers (151 miles) on the Victorian coast from Torquay to Allansford.

Q: How much does it really cost for a road trip in Australia?

A: The cost is going to vary wildly according to your preferences, but an average weekly spend is around $1000 – $1200.

Q: Can you suggest some places to drive that are free of crowds?

A: To escape traffic, you can drive through Grand Central Road (Western Australia), Great Inland Way ( Queensland), Gove Peninsula (Northern Territory), Skull Springs Road ( Western Australia) and beyond the Great Ocean Road (Victoria).