Six of the best Aussie road trips to take at least once in your life

Whether you’re headed to the ocean or the outback, a road trip is the best way to experience everything Australia has to offer. Does your favourite scenic drive make the list?

The sunrise over the famous Bay of Fire.

Australia is home to some of the most spectacular scenery in the world, and the best way to experience it is on four wheels.

Our rocky coastlines, lush rainforests, stunning beaches and rolling mountain ranges make a strong case for taking the scenic route on your next holiday.

But with so much tarmac to traverse (and plenty of detours along the way), it’s hard to know where to begin.

Here are our top picks for the six road trips you must take in your lifetime.

1. GREAT EASTERN DRIVE, TASMANIA

From rocky coastlines and white sandy beaches to rolling vineyards and rainforests, the journey along Tasmania’s picturesque east coast has something for everyone.

Stretching from St Helens in the north to Orford in the south, the route takes in east coast wine country, the seaside towns of Swansea and Bicheno, as well as mountains, farmland and the stunning Bay of Fires.

Hit the road to Tasmania’s famous Wineglass Bay.

Don’t miss: From Bicheno, take a detour along the Freycinet Peninsula and allow several days to explore some of the many bushwalking tracks that take in the national park and coastline, including spectacular Wineglass Bay. Seafood lovers will also find some of the freshest oysters and mussels on the Apple Isle.

Travel tip: Taking your car on the Spirit of Tasmania can often be cheaper than flying and hiring a rental car, particularly if you are planning to spread the journey over a week or longer.

2. CAIRNS TO CAPE YORK, QUEENSLAND

The 1000km journey from Cairns takes in the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest on the route to Cape Tribulation, before venturing through croc-infested river crossings, remote beaches and national parks towards the northern tip of mainland Australia.

Take the scenic route to Cape York, the northern most tip of mainland Australia.

Don’t miss: The Quinkan Galleries outside the town of Laura has a large collection of rock art thought to be around 30,000 years old. Listed by UNESCO as one of the top 10 rock art sites in the world, the cluster of five shelters is also included on the Australian Heritage Estate.

Travel tip: The scenic coastal road is still unsealed, so you will need a four-wheel-drive to explore the national parks and wetlands. There is, however, a sealed route inland by way of the Mulligan Highway.

3. PERTH TO NINGALOO, WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Road trips don’t get more scenic than this 1200km stretch between Perth and Exmouth, where the red of the desert meets the turquoise-blue of the Indian Ocean along WA’s stunning Coral Coast. From The Pinnacles Desert to the world heritage-listed Shark Bay, this is Mother Nature at her most spectacular.

Cruise through the ancient limestone formations of The Pinnacles Desert in Western Australia. Photo: Gemma Phillips

Don’t miss: The Loop Walk through Kalbarri National Park is challenging but one of the best ways to explore the dramatic gorges that have been eroded by the Murchison River.

Travel tip: Travel between June and September and you will find the arid landscape transformed by colourful wildflowers.

4. PACIFIC COAST DRIVE, NEW SOUTH WALES

Discover the beaches of Byron Bay, the incredible produce of the Hunter Valley and the vast sand dunes of Port Stephens on the 900km coastal route between Sydney and Brisbane.

Springbrook National Park is thought to be home to some of the oldest trees in Australia.

Don’t Miss: Make a detour through the Gold Coast hinterland to check out the spectacular waterfalls of Springbrook National Park. This forest wilderness is thought to have been formed by the eruption of a volcano 23 million years ago, and is home to some of the oldest trees in Australia.

Travel tip: The Pacific Coast is a popular destination for families, so travel outside school holidays to avoid the crowds.

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5. GREAT OCEAN ROAD, VICTORIA

Closest to home, there is probably a good chance you have driven at least a section of this famous stretch of road that hugs the rugged Victorian coastline. But have you ever made the full 250km journey from end-to-end? Start at Torquay and wind your way past lush rainforests, sunburnt cliffs, shipwrecks, and the Twelve Apostles (now eight) to Warrnambool.

The Great Ocean Road is one of the best drives in Australia and it’s right on our doorstep.

Don’t miss: Head a few minutes beyond the Apostles to Loch Ard Gorge, where you can learn about the ill-fated Irish sailing ship that sunk here in 1878 and marvel at blowholes, offshore limestone stacks and towering cliffs.

Travel tip: Visit between May and September and you may spot southern right, humpback, blue whales — and the occasional orca — on their annual breeding journey up from Antarctica.

This story was published in the Herald Sun’s Living+ liftout on September 21. Read it in our digital edition.