Australia is the 54th most populated country in the world, but it ranks ninth in the number of kilometres of road per person. So it’s clearly well suited for a road trip! It also offers unique landscapes, from coastal cliffs to arid deserts, which can make looking out the window a pleasure. Here we unpack ten of the best Australian road trips to bookmark for a future trip. There’s something for every interest, from scenic drives to wine-tasting and off-road driving!
#1 Pacific Coast
Where? New South Wales to Queensland
How long? Approximately 900km (Sydney to Brisbane)
How many days? 4 or more
Australia’s surf culture is thriving (or “frothing” to employ a bit of Aussie beach slang)! And this drive takes you through the heart of it. You’ll visit prominent surf towns like Newcastle – where Mark Richards, Australia’s great surfing champion of the 70s and 80s, was born and raised – plus smaller centres such as Crescent Head and Yamba that offer consistent swell and options for all levels of surfer. The likes of Byron Bay (pictured) and the Gold Coast, meanwhile, have beaches that attract tourists from around the world all year long.
But there’s much more to this scenic drive than waves. You can explore the renowned Hunter Valley wine region, hike and kayak through beautiful rainforests and national parks, swim with dolphins, sky-dive over incredible scenery, and enjoy amazing food, local crafts and hippie vibes in various hinterland towns. There’s accommodation galore (from hotels to Airbnb options) all the way up and down the coast, which means you can make this Australian road trip as long or short as you like.
#2 Grand Pacific Drive
Where? New South Wales
How long? Approximately 500km (Sydney to the Sapphire Coast)
How many days? From a day to a week
Like the Pacific Coast drive, this great Australian road trip starts from Sydney, but it heads south instead of north. The first port of call is the Royal National Park (45 minutes south of the city), with its eucalyptus-laden bushland and coastal views. And the adjoining Heathcote National Park is not to be missed either.
From there, you wind your way along the sea to the dramatic Sea Cliff Bridge. This elevated 700m stretch of road above the water has unsurprisingly been used as the setting for car commercials, music film clips and even video games.
There are more highlights to follow, including pretty beaches, charming villages, whale-spotting opportunities and plenty of great food. (It’s an oyster-farming area, so you could start with a dozen of those little beauties!) The official Grand Pacific Drive is only 140km long, but if you have more time, continue all the way down to the Victorian border on this fabulous road trip.
#3 Great Ocean Road
Where? Victoria
How long? 243 km (Torquay to Allansford)
How many days? 1-4
The Great Ocean Road is an ideal pick for your first Australian road trip, as it’s not long, yet still packed with stunning features and interesting stopping points. You could actually cover the distance in under three hours, but that would mean no time to linger at highlights like the Twelve Apostles. This collection of limestone stacks rises dramatically from the ocean off Port Campbell National Park – it’s one of Australia’s most recognisable landscapes.
This scenic drive starts an hour out of Melbourne at Torquay. Nearby Bells Beach is home to the Rip Curl Pro, a world-renowned surfing competition (Kelly Slater and Stephanie Gilmore are four-time champions). Other quaint seaside towns of note include Lorne, Apollo Bay and Point Fairy, but you can also turn your attention to the hinterland and enjoy the valleys and waterfalls of the Great Otway National Park. You’ll find a forest of giant Californian redwoods in the latter, too.
Another plus about this Australian road trip is that it’s a wonderful scenic drive throughout the year.
#4 Nullarbor Plain
Where? South Australia to Western Australia
How long? Approximately 1,200 km (Ceduna to Norseman)
How many days? 2-5
Looking for an Australian road trip that’s completely different to the Great Ocean Road? Try crossing the Nullarbor Plain. The word “Nullarbor” is often mistaken for an Indigenous word, but in fact it derives from the Latin for “no tree”. And while it’s true that this long, straight, isolated stretch of road is mostly treeless, it’s not just a vast desertscape. Plenty of it is full of shrubs, grasses and other vegetation.
What it definitely doesn’t have is much infrastructure. You’ll need to come prepared! Petrol isn’t quite as difficult to come by as some might think – there are road stops around every 150km – but you’ll need plenty of backup water and food in case of breakdowns, as there’s nothing at all between those stops.
Highlights of this drive include whale watching at the Head of the Bight. From June to October each year, head to the Bunda Cliffs and you’re bound to see some southern right whales, as this area is a nursery for them. The other big plus in this utterly remote part of the world is how clear the stars are at night.
#5 Great Eastern Drive
Where? Tasmania
How long? Approximately 390km (Hobart to Bay of Fires)
How many days? 3-5
While the west coast of Tasmania is renowned for its wild, untamed wilderness, the east coast is a more sedate affair – and perfect for exploring by road for a few days. This is a nice scenic drive for road-trip rookies, it’s an easy drive and well signposted, and there are countless stops along the way for excellent eats and drinks.
Among the many highlights is the Freycinet Peninsula, a national park of pink granite mountains, white-sand beaches and turquoise waters. If you can handle the less-than-balmy sea temperature, take a dip in the pristine setting of Wineglass Bay. Elsewhere along the way, enjoy the cool little coastal town of Bicheno, stop at different farms and cellar doors to taste berries, oysters and wine, and go for a stroll among towering ancient trees in a national park.
A perfect end point to this Australian road trip is Binalong Bay in the Bay of Fires, which earlier this year was named the best beach in the world!
#6 Coral Coast Highway
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Where? Western Australia
How long? Approximately 1,200km (Perth to Exmouth)
How many days? 10 or more
Perth is blessed as the starting point for two fabulous Australian road trips – the one heading south through Margaret River and beyond, and this one that heads north and takes in countless sights and adventures. One of the first major highlights you’ll come to is the Pinnacles Desert. Located in Nambung National Park, this area is full of limestone pillars (thousands of them) that rise straight up from desert sands in striking fashion, reaching heights of up to four metres. It’s the closest you’ll come to feel like you’re walking on the moon!
Also on this road trip is Monkey Mia in Shark Bay, whose beaches are visited year-round by frolicking dolphins. Or, if you prefer your marine life with a bit more heft, head to Ningaloo Reef to see the incredible whale sharks. If you’re an Insta fan, you’ll also want to stop at Hutt Lagoon for a photo opportunity alongside its famous pink water. You can head there after a lunch break in Geraldton.
Other must-sees include the ancient rocky landscapes of Kalbarri National Park, a day trip to Dirk Hartog Island (the first recorded landing spot of Europeans on Australian soil, in 1616), and Quobba Station, where you can camp in sand dunes and go fishing, snorkelling and whale-watching.
#7 Epicurean Way
Where? South Australia
How long? 223km (McLaren Vale to Clare Valley)
How many days? 3-4
Like the Great Ocean Road, this Australian road trip is short but sweet! It’s a wonderfully scenic drive that starts just outside the South Australian capital of Adelaide and leads you through some of the country’s very best wine regions, including McLaren Vale, the Adelaide Hills, the Barossa and Clare Valley. That’s why you might need more days than you think for this trip: with over 100 cellar doors along the route, there’ll be a day or two when you’ll want to park the car by lunchtime so you can enjoy the delicious wines on offer.
The region has amazing food too, from seasonal fruits and vegetables, to olive oils, small goods and pastries. Try them all at the award-winning Willunga Farmers Markets.
Aside from wining and dining, there are historic towns to mosey around in, including charming Greenock with its tree-lined streets, and Mintaro, home to a striking heritage mansion-cum-museum, Martindale Hall.
#8 Gibb River Road
Where? Western Australia
How long? Approximately 700km (Broome to Kununurra)
How many days? 10 or more
The Kimberley is heaven for experienced road-trippers, and the Gibb River Road takes in the very best of what this outback region has to offer. You’ll need a 4WD to explore all the plunging waterfalls, swimmable gorges and remote cattle stations that dot this rugged part of Australia. And you’ll love camping out in the open under an astonishingly bright canopy of stars.
Highlights along the way include Western Australia’s oldest cave system at Tunnel Creek, the famous 1,500-year-old boab tree at Wyndham whose 14-metre girth saw it used as a prison in the past, and the ancient limestone walls of Windjana Gorge. (The latter is a no-go for swimming though, as you’ll see from the dozens of crocodiles sunning themselves on the water’s bank!)
Note that its best to avoid this road trip in the wet season from December to March. In fact, the route is often closed at that time because of impassable river crossings.
#9 Great Barrier Reef Drive
Where? Queensland
How long? 140km (Cairns to Cape Tribulation)
How many days? 2-3
No, you can’t drive on the Great Barrier Reef, but you can take the coast road alongside it, and marvel at some stunningly lush wilderness. This might be the shortest distance in the Australian road trips we’re featuring, but it packs a punch! Starting in Cairns, you’ll first drink in some great views of the coast. Stop at pretty Palm Cove or the resort town of Port Douglas for a seafood lunch (or make it an overnight stay), then continue on to the Daintree Rainforest via an old but very reliable car ferry. The Daintree isn’t just a scenic drive; it has something for every foodie, from hot scones and locally grown tea, to tropical fruit ice cream, and the chance to taste Aussie ingredients like emu and crocodile.
Cape Tribulation is the meeting place of two World Heritage-listed pieces of wilderness – the reef and the rainforest. One minute you can be walking through dark groves of ancient trees; the next you can be on boat out to the reef itself. Try snorkelling, diving or a fishing adventure!
The best time for this scenic drive is probably March to September. That’s when the temperatures are cooler and there are more swimming options. Even then, you’ll need to heed signs and other warnings about “stingers” (dangerous jellyfish) and crocodiles before immersing yourself in any body of water here! (One guaranteed safe spot for a dip is Mossman Gorge – not to be missed.)
#10 The Red Centre Way
Where? Northern Territory
How long? Approximately 1,200km (starting at Alice Springs)
How many days? 5-6
This one is for the 4WD enthusiasts! For iconic views of Australia’s red desert terrain, this loop starting in “The Alice” is hard to beat. The main highlight is Uluru (formerly Ayers Rock), the largest single rock formation on the planet. Taking in the sight of this massive feature as its colours change dramatically during sunrise and sunset is a memorable experience. You can also swim in the welcome cool waters of Ormiston Gorge, Ellery Creek Big Hole and other waterholes and gorges, and learn about the history and culture of local Indigenous peoples of the area through guided tours and light and sound installations. Other highlights include seeing working cattle stations in operation and enjoying a cold beer at a roadhouse. You’ll see loads of Aussie wildlife, too, from kangaroos and dingos, to wild camels and brumbies.
Note: While a lot of the Red Centre Way is doable in a 2WD car, you’ll be much more comfortable in certain sections in more appropriate vehicle. And having a 4WD also allows you to take side routes to see some of the key sights along the way.
Enjoyed this list of 10 of the best Australian road trips? Now read our roundup of cool activities in Australia’s biggest city, Sydney.
Looking for advice on driving in Australia, including converting licences and doing driving tests? See our feature here.
