A road trip can be a truly transformative experience. From the incredible sites to the challenges you face on the road, few holidays come close to the immersive feeling that you get when you explore a location by car. And, when it comes to spectacular locations, Australia has got to be at the top of the list. With startling wildlife, breath-taking scenery, and vast stretches of unique wilderness, road trips in Australia are world-class opportunity to explore everything that this amazing continent has to offer.
Best road trips in Australia: Northern Territory
Mereenie Loop, Red Centre Way
Scattered across miles of central outback, this meandering route is one of the best ways to experience the true remoteness of the Australian landscape. The Red Centre way is also an excellent choice because the route is quite beginner-friendly and doesn’t involve too much heavy off-road terrain. Travellers can set off from anywhere on the route, but the most popular and convenient starting points are Alice Springs or Uluru.
Drivers will also find plenty of fuel stations along the route, as well as numerous campsites and hotels like the Crowne Plaza Alice Springs Lasseters or the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Alice Springs. If you’re following the Mereenie Loop section of the Red Centre Way, you can easily split the journey up over several days, driving from Alice Springs to Uluru on Day 1 then to Mereenie on Day 2. On Day 3, you can drive to the stunning McDonnel Mountain Range and then head back to Alice Springs on Day 4.
Best road trips in Australia: Queensland
The 75 Mile Beach Road
The 75 Mile Beach Road offers a scenic trek around Fraser Island, located just off the Queensland coast and quite close to Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast. Camper van owners who dream of waking up by the ocean every morning are sure to be seduced by this inviting coastal stretch, which runs right around the fringe of the island. Parts of the road are so coastal that they are actually submerged at certain times of day. This makes it really important to check the tide times and plan your route accordingly.
The route also has numerous campsites along the way, particularly on the east coast. You could also stay at the Kingfisher Bay Resort located on the island’s west coast. The 75 Mile track is a great option for nature lovers, as Fraser Island has a large dingo population and is a great place to see Humpback whales. If you’re splitting the drive over a few days, why not head from Dili Village Campsite on Day 1 to Fraser Island Forest then head on to the South Ngkala Rocks on Day 3?
Cairns to Cape York
With Queensland’s Cairns to Cape York route, your endgame is the stunning ocean views from Cape York, Australia’s most northerly point. At around 670 miles altogether, this route offers spectacular coastal vistas, the ancient Aboriginal rock art at the Quinkan Galleries in Laura, and sections of the lush and exotic Daintree rainforest.
A 4-wheel-drive is definitely ideal if you’re sticking to the coastal path; however, a 2-wheel drive will be fine if you take the highway inland. Whereas, along the coastal road you’ll get the best views and access to parts of the Great Barrier Reef from spots like Cooktown and Walker Beach Bay. For a useful itinerary, head from Cairns to Cooktown on Day 1, Cooktown to Portland Road on Day 2, and Portland Road to Cape York on Day 3.
Best road trips in Australia: Victoria
The Great Ocean Road, Torquay to Warrnambool
Starting around 2h 30min away from Melbourne, Victoria’s Great Ocean Road is a fantastic opportunity to see all the region’s major highlights in one road trip. As well as the beautiful beaches, the dramatic rainforest, and the city sights, the Great Ocean Road takes you past the breath-taking 12 Apostles at Port Campbell.
The Great Ocean Road is also a brilliant road trip if you plan to catch some waves during your adventure. Surfers can pick up the trail in Torquay, which is a major hub for water sports, and stop off at rugged coves with epic tides in locations like Bells Beach and Cape Otway. Start from Torquay on Day 1, then drive on to Port Campbell then Warrnambool on Days 2 and 3.
Best road trips in Australia: Western Australia
Perth to Broome
Australia is a country of extremes and no Australian road trip highlights this more than the Western Australian route from Perth to Broome. Covering nearly 1500 miles and taking between 10-14 days to drive, this road trip is definitely not for the faint-hearted and requires some serious planning. However, it is well worth it. Much of the route runs alongside the coast and offers dazzling views across the Indian Ocean.
Drivers on this route will frequently come across fascinating desert rock formations, Aboriginal land sculptures, and startling cliffs and gorges. This route also winds up in the quaint seaside town of Broome, where you can check into a B&B and enjoy a comfortable bed after your long trek. If you’re starting from Perth on Day 1, you could stop at Mount Magnet or Lake Austin for your first overnight stay.
Best road trips in Australia: South Australia
Eyre Peninsula to Adelaide
South of the famous pink lake, Lake Eyre, the coastal Eyre Peninsula offers some incredible opportunities for a fun week on the road. This stretch of road is a great place for seafood lovers to explore, as this area offers some of Australia’s finest shellfish. You can also stop off at gorgeous seaside towns, like Port Lincoln, which is famous for the Glen Forest Tourist Park & Vineyard.
The Park is home to cuddly Australian critters, including koalas, kangaroos, and wombats that kids can meet and interact with. You can also enjoy a tour of the on-site winery. Start from Adelaide on Day 1 and drive to Port Augusta, then head on to Port Lincoln and the Eyre Peninsula on Days 2 and 3.
Best roads trips in Australia: New South Wales
The Pacific Coast
Connecting Sydney and Brisbane, this route spans two of Australia’s most bustling cities and takes you through New South Wales and up into Queensland. Following this route gives you the chance to see some of the most beautiful beaches in New South Wales and experience the city sights at either end. The route is around 550 miles altogether, so leave at least 5 days to make the trip. If you start slightly further down the coast at Kiama, you will also get to witness the incredible Kiama Blowhole: a tidal natural phenomenon where huge waves are pulled through a narrow gap in the rocks creating vast plumes of spray.
If you’re starting at the Kiama Blowhole on Day 1, a stopover in Sydney is ideal. You can then drive on to Newcastle on Day 2, followed by Laurieton and Byron Bay on Days 3 and 4. Days 4-5 will take you onto the Gold Coast and up to Brisbane.
Australia is one of the best places in the world to explore by car. The most exciting part? These road trips in Australia are only the start of what this incredible destination has to offer. So, get your driving playlist ready, toss your camping gear in the boot, and get ready to embrace the open road.
