Australia is a very lucky country. Our vast land simply means we get to experience unique attractions in every corner of the continent. From the red outback, tropical rainforests, snow-capped alps to beautiful beaches — Australia really has it all. Perhaps the best way to explore all this beauty is by going on a road trip. So fasten your seat belts as we share ten mind-blowing Australian road trips you must experience in your lifetime.
The 10 Best *Cannot Miss* Road Trips Around Australia:
- Great Ocean Road, VIC
- Grand Pacific Drive, NSW
- Australia's Big Red Centre, NT
- Heritage Highway, TAS
- Drive-up the legendary Pacific Coast, NSW & QLD
- Kangaroo Island, SA
- The Alpine Way, NSW
- Great Barrier Reef, QLD
- The Gibb River Road, WA
- Explorers Way, SA & NT
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1. Great Ocean Road, VIC
The rugged limestone stacks of the 12 Apostles are not to be missed!
Quick Facts
- Where: Victoria
- Length: 224km
- Recommend trip time: 5 days
Perhaps one of the most incredible drives in Australia, the Great Ocean Road road trip has both sea and scenery. There are also empty beaches, a variety of wildlife, good eateries and magnificent rainforest walks. It ticks alllll the boxes!
The road stretches from Allansford to Torquay and then easy access to Melbourne. There are several quaint little towns to check out along the way such as Apollo Bay, Lorne and Peterborough. If you're a foodie, you will not be disappointed by the local produce, dining and excellent wineries.
We recommend visiting Lorne Fisheries Co-Op to taste the morning's catch or the Apollo Bay Fishermen's Co-Op for delicious fish and chips.
And if anything, you cannot miss the famous 12 Apostles. These rugged limestone stacks rise beautifully from the Southern Ocean. It's a photo op not to be missed, but we're sure you already knew that!
Short on time? Take a Day Tour of the Great Ocean Road.
2. Grand Pacific Drive, NSW
The Sea Cliff Bridge is an epic drive. Image credit: aussieskys2019
Quick Facts
- Where: New South Wales
- Length: 140km
- Recommended trip time: two to three days
The Grand Pacific Drive is an easy drive of coastal waters on one side and lush landscapes on the other. The road trip begins from the south of Sydney in the Royal National Park and all the way down the coastline to the Shoalhaven region. On the way, you'll pass the iconic Sea Cliff Bridge which is shaped like a snake and overlooks the glistening waters of the Pacific Ocean!
While you're there, drop by the coastal towns of Wollongong, Shellharbour and Shoalhaven. Make sure you also head to Kiama where you can catch blowholes blasting seawater 20 metres up into the air!
If you really want to soak in the view, how about seeing it from 10,000 feet?
3. Australia's Big Red Centre, NT
Experience the majestic silhouette of Uluru.
Quick Facts
- Where: Northern Territory
- Length: 1135km
- Recommend trip time: 1 week
A road trip into the rich red outback is an adventure seekers mecca. Start your road trip by driving the Red Centre Way, which is a loop that begins and ends in Alice Springs. This means you get to see famous Aussie icons along the way such as Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Watarrka National Park.
The most famous icon is, of course, Uluru, so stop and soak in the sacred surroundings as you look up the majestic silhouette from the rock's feet. One of the best times to be at the rock is at sunset, so plan your day accordingly. Our pick? An Uluru sunset tour, so the guide can show you all the best spots!
4. Heritage Highway, TAS
Too cute to be a Tassie 'devil.'
Quick Facts
- Where: Tasmania
- Length: 200km
- Recommend trip time: 1-2 days
Did you know convict gangs in the early 1800s built the road that connects Hobart and Launceston? There is certainly a lot of rich and colourful history in this place and in its people. You can access Heritage Highway starting from Hobart or Launceston, from the East Coast via Campbell Town or Fingal, or from Port Arthur via Richmond.
The big drawcard here is the lush countryside, fresh gourmet food, historic buildings and adorable cottages. Although the drive is relatively short at just a few hours, you can easily stretch out the trip by stopping by to explore Cressy, Evandale, Longford and Perth.
Short on time? Try this scenic day tour from Hobart that hits the spot.
5. Drive-up the legendary Pacific Coast, NSW & QLD
Gorgeous scenery of Byron Bay and the hinterland
Quick Facts
- Where: Sydney to Brisbane
- Length: 900km
- Recommend trip time: 1-2 weeks
This long road trip is stretched with remarkable experiences and coastal beauty. You can stop by wineries in the Hunter Valley, or catch some waves in Port Stephens. The chic-hipster town of Byron Bay is also along the way as well as the glam of the Gold Coast. It's a road trip that has it all. It's worth giving yourself the extra time so you can relish in all the awesome pit stops along the way.
But whatever you do, don't forget to stop by one of Australia's most iconic road trip pit stop — the Big Banana in Coffs Harbour. It's definitely one for the gram!
6. Kangaroo Island, SA
1600km worth of adventures on Kangaroo Island.
Quick Facts
- Where: South Australia
- Length: 509 km
- Recommend trip time: 1-2 weeks
While you cannot get to Kangaroo Island via road, you can hop on a ferry from Adelaide. Once there, hire a car to enjoy 509 km worth of stunning coastline and Kangaroo Island's wide-open spaces and abundance of native wildlife. See rare Australian sea lions at Seal Bay Conservation Park, or spot cute koalas in the trees just outside Flinders Chase National Park. And at night, you can see little penguins in the town of Penneshaw beside the beach. So cute!
The food on Kangaroo Island is just as impressive. There are award-winning wineries, farm gates, producers, restaurants and more, so leave plenty of time for all the foodie stops.
Only have a day?
7. The Alpine Way, NSW
Road trip to the snow for a fun-filled day skiing
Quick Facts
- Where: New South Wales
- Length: 121km
- Recommend trip time: Less than a week
Experience the breathtaking and dramatic scenery of the Australian alps when you take a drive on Alpine Way. There are plenty of outdoor adventures to do, from trekking Australia's highest peak, Mount Kosciuszko, to fly fishing in crisp waters, to skiing and snowboarding in the colder months. When the snow melts in late spring, you can explore the mountains bike trails, or go bushwalking. The Alpine Way is action-packed with adventure!
Horse-riding is also popular in the high country which is portrayed in Banjo Paterson's 1890 poem, 'The Man from Snowy River' as to where 'the hills are twice as steep', and the 'air is clear as crystal'. Look at you getting a history lesson and poetry hit all in one. Day done.
If you're heading south from Sydney, make sure you swing into Canberra on route for a night or two. It may have been a boring excursion when you were a kid, but this city has some serious buzz!
8. Great Barrier Reef, QLD
The Great Barrier Reef is one of the world's natural wonders.
Quick Facts
- Where: Queensland
- Length: 140km
- Recommended trip time: less than a week
The Great Barrier Reef drive may be short at just 140 kilometres, but it's a pretty special one where you can marvel at two World Heritage sites at the same time — the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree rainforest. The drive starts from the tropical city of Cairns and heads north to the wilds of Cape Tribulation, where the rainforest meets the reef.
There is so much to explore in Australia's tropical north. You can snorkel over the beautiful coral reef, explore the world's oldest tropical rainforest, fish for barramundi or take a crocodile spotting tour.
All the view from the road is epic, the view from above is even more impressive!
9. The Gibb River Road, WA
Tick the Kimberly off your bucket list.
Quick Facts
- Where: Western Australia
- Length: 660km
- Recommended trip time: 1 to 2 weeks
The Gibb River Road trail is a legendary outback route to adventure through the heart of the untouched Kimberley. It stretches from Derby (near Broome) to almost as far as Kununurra.
But take note, the road can be a little bumpy and requires a 4WD vehicle! If you're game, roll down the windows for that carefree open-road feeling as you drive through isolated gorges, stop by fresh waterfalls and see fascinating ancient bungles.
If you want to take a short break and refresh, then head out for some 'float therapy' in one of the local waterholes in Kununurra.
Prefer to let someone else drive?
10. Explorers Way, SA & NT
Experience the dramatic Flinders Ranges.
Quick Facts
- Where: South Australia and the Northern Territory
- Length: 3000km
- Recommended trip time: more than two weeks
This is an epic road trip from Adelaide to Darwin. The 3000-kilometre journey takes you through the Clare Valley, which is one of South Australia's famous wine regions, before making your way up to the panoramic Flinders Ranges and then into the outback. The vast untouched wilderness, far-reaching skies and the wide-open road stretching out in front of you are unlike any other place in the world.
When you get to the Flinders Ranges, check out the Wilpena Pound, which looks like a giant meteorite crater. This is just one of many dramatic locations in the 600-million-year-old Flinders Ranges.
The Explorers Way passes through an extraordinary landscape of ancient gorges, red rock canyons and weathered peaks. Along the way, you'll come across the interesting underground city of Coober Pedy. While you're there, you must check out the most famous pub, the Prairie Hotel, where you can order an emu omelette and kangaroo steaks.
Just want the SA highlights?
Australia never ceases to amaze. The rich diversity in the landscape and sights is simply unmatched. With ten mind-blowing beautiful Australian road trips to choose from, you'll be in for an adventure of a lifetime. Pack your bags, fill up the tank, and let's hit the road!
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