10 Best Road Trips Around Australia (Australia’s Most Iconic Road Trips)

In a land dominated by vast landscapes, it would be imprudent to always take the shortest route from A to B.

It’s time to put down the boarding pass and pick up the road map in order to fully appreciate this Great Southern Land and its diversity. Here are eleven epic road trips that showcase the best of Australia.

1. The Big Lap

The Path

The Big Lap is, exactly as it sounds, a circumnavigation of this vast country. This road trip follows Highway One, which connects seven capital cities and roughly skirts the coastline between Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Broome, Perth, Esperance, Adelaide, Melbourne, and Hobart.

What Makes It One Of The Best?

If you have the time (at least six months) and a 4WD, this will be one of the most epic journeys you’ve ever taken. The route encompasses everything great about Australia in one continuous road trip, from big city lights to sleepy coastal towns, verdant green rainforest to dusty red outback, remote waterholes to sugar-white beaches, ancient rock art to kitsch big things.

Don’t Forget

Detour off the Stuart Highway in the Northern Territory to include Kakadu, Uluru, and Alice Springs for the ultimate itinerary.

Driving Hint

Spend April to September traveling across northern Australia between Broome and Cairns to take advantage of the best weather. This is the dry season, when temperatures are mild and most roads are open (during the wet season they can be closed).

2. Victoria’s Great Ocean Road

The Path

From Torquay to Allansford in Victoria, one of the country’s most famous road trips runs along its southern coast.

What makes it one of the best? A trip down the Great Ocean Road is considered an Australian rite of passage. It travels 243 kilometers along some of Australia’s most beautiful coastline, passing through rainforest, sunburnt cliffs, shipwrecks, and, of course, the famous Twelve Apostles – now reduced to eight.

Don’t Forget

Beyond the Apostles, explore Port Campbell National Park. Loch Ard Gorge, the site of a 19th-century shipwreck; the Island Archway, which collapsed in 2009; and the cliff-face Gibson Steps are also located here.

Driving Hint

If you’re only going one way, start in Torquay to be on the ocean side of the road, making it easier to stop for lookouts.

3. Gibb River Road, WA

The Path

This 660-kilometer road, built in the 1960s to transport cattle stock, runs from Derby to Wyndham in Western Australia’s Kimberley region.

Why Is It Considered One Of The Greats?

This is a one-of-a-kind 4WD adventure through the magnificent and remote Kimberley wilderness, complete with outback cattle stations, ancient gorges, thundering waterfalls, sacred Aboriginal sites and rock art, a unique pioneering history, and fascinating characters.

Don’t Forget

Bell Gorge is difficult to reach, but it is well worth the effort. This multi-tiered waterfall cascades down layered sandstone into several swimming pools.

Driving Hint

The Gibb River Road is very expensive for petrol, and there are only two roadhouses along the way, at Imintji and Mt Barnett. Only Mt Barnett sells gasoline, while both sell diesel.

4. The East Coast of Tasmania

The Path

This road trip follows the coast from historic Hobart to the exquisite Bay of Fires, passing through St Helens, Swansea, and Bicheno.

Why Is It Considered One Of The Greats?

Tasmania’s East Coast is stunningly beautiful and blissfully quiet, with abundant produce such as wine, cheese, and seafood, walking trails with plenty of wildlife spotting, empty beaches, and a unique convict history.

Don’t Forget

Take a detour to Freycinet National Park, which is rich in granite mountains, peaceful bays, azure waters, and abundant birdlife, and if time allows, join the award-winning Freycinet Experience Walk.

Driving Hint

If you’ll be in Tasmania for an extended period of time, consider bringing your own car from Melbourne via the Spirit of Tasmania to save money on car rental.

5. Cairns to Cape York, Qld

The Route

This 1000-kilometer drive begins in Cairns, the gateway to the Barrier Reef, and ends at mainland Australia’s most northern point, Queensland’s tip, Cape York.

Why Is It One Of The Greats?

This scenic route encompasses the Wet Tropics, an area where two World Heritage areas (the Reef and the Daintree) meet. It is made up of red dirt, croc-infested river crossings, ancient rock art, and lush rainforest.

Don’t Pass Up

The Quinkan Galleries at Laura is a collection of rock art that is thought to be 30,000 years old. The Quinkan & Regional Cultural Centre offers guided tours.

Driving Suggestion

The scenic coastal route via Cape Tribulation, the Daintree, and the Bloomfield Track requires 4WD, whereas the inland route follows the fully sealed Mulligan Highway.

6. Perth to Ningaloo, Western Australia

The Path

This west coast drive takes you from Perth to Exmouth along WA’s stunning Coral Coast, passing through Cervantes, Geraldton, Monkey Mia, and Carnarvon.

Why Is It Considered One Of The Greats?

Is there a more breathtaking sight than where the turquoise Indian Ocean meets the rugged outback? Mother Nature at her best, with the Pinnacles Desert, World Heritage Shark Bay, swimming with dolphins, manta rays, and whale sharks, and the dramatic gorges of Kalbarri National Park.

Don’t Forget

From June to September, the colorful wildflowers that carpet this arid landscape will also take your breath away.

Driving Hint

Supplies north of Carnarvon are limited and expensive, so plan ahead of time.

7. Great Alpine Road, Vic

The Path

This road trip begins in Wangaratta in the state’s north-east and travels 500 kilometers through the Victorian High Country to Metung in the Gippsland Lakes area.

Why Is It Considered One Of The Greats?

The highest accessible sealed road in Australia travels through mountain ranges, deep valleys, wine regions, and the sparkling waterways of the Gippsland Lakes region. This scenic beauty is interspersed with historic towns such as Beechworth, Bright, and Omeo.

Don’t Forget

Mt Hotham, Victoria’s highest alpine village, is a delight all year, with excellent downhill skiing and cross-country trails (245 hectares), as well as trekking, horseback riding, and fishing in the summer.

Driving Hint

If you’re taking this route in the winter, make sure your car has Diamond Pattern wheel chains, that you have a full tank of gas, and that you drive slowly and carefully.

8. The Savannah Way

The Path

This 3700-kilometer route connects Cairns in Tropical North Queensland to Broome in Western Australia’s stunning Kimberley region via the Northern Territory.

Why Is It Considered One Of The Greats?

This is the ultimate east-west road trip, with 15 national parks and five World Heritage sites. From tropical rainforest to vast grassy plains, remote cattle stations to waterfalls and gorges, ancient rock art to turquoise waters, expect to see it all.

Don’t Forget

One of Queensland’s best-kept secrets is the Boodjamulla National Park. It has spectacular gorges, ancient fossils dating back 25 million years, and a vibrant landscape of orange sandstone cliffs and emerald waters.

Driving Hint

Be prepared because this is the outback. Although a 4WD is not required (there are alternate routes for 2WDs), it is strongly advised that you bring a radio in case mobile reception is poor.

9. The Nullarbor, SA

The Path

The Nullarbor runs for 1256 kilometers between the goldfields of Western Australia and the Eyre Peninsula of South Australia.

Why Is It Considered One Of The Greats?

This legendary (almost) treeless plain meets the Great Australian Bight’s towering sea cliffs. It is home to a diverse range of wildlife (emus, kangaroos, dingoes, camels, etc.) as well as a number of unique caves, interesting outback characters, and the world’s longest golf course.

Don’t Forget

The ruins of Eucla Telegraph Station, which was built in the 1870s for the overland telegraph and is slowly being consumed by shifting sand dunes.

Driving Hint

The Nullarbor is sealed, but it is very remote, so having a full tank of fuel and plenty of water is essential when driving through the outback. Roadhouses and camping are the only options for lodging.

10. Pacific Coast, NSW & Qld

The Path

The 900-kilometer-long Legendary Pacific Coast runs from Sydney to Brisbane, passing through the Central Coast, Port Stephens, Newcastle, Coffs Harbour, Ballina, and Byron Bay.

What makes it one of the best? This is classic coastal Australia: a slew of surfing beaches, charming seaside towns, picturesque hinterland, and national parks sandwiched between two vibrant capital cities.

Don’t Forget

Detour west of Newcastle to the Hunter Valley region, which is known for its Semillon and is home to some incredible restaurants as well as boutique cheese, olive, and chocolate producers.

Driving Hint

Allow at least five days for this trip so that you can avoid the Pacific Highway as much as possible.

11. The Grand Pacific Drive, NSW

The Path

The Grand Pacific Drive is a scenic coastal drive of 140 kilometers that takes you through rainforests, over the iconic Sea Cliff Bridge, and through the coastal cities and townships of Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama, and the Shoalhaven.

Why Is It Considered One Of The Greats?

The Grand Pacific Drive showcases some of New South Wales’ most beautiful beaches while also passing through some of the state’s most beautiful cliff faces.

Don’t Forget

A chance to visit Kiama and see the impressive blowhole.

Driving Hint

Please bring your cossie!

Topic: 11 Best Road Trips Around Australia (Australia’s Most Iconic Road Trips)

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By: Travel Pixy