Australia road trip
Visit the world’s longest golf course or try your luck in spotting the Aurora Australis on one of these iconic routes.
As airline travel continues to test our patience, the simplicity of a road trip is luring many Australians away from the airport and onto the road. We are certainly spoiled for choice: with over 34,000 km of coastline and 800,000 km of roadways to explore, the opportunities for a great Australian road trip are as diverse and varied as this wide brown land.
For Robert Blackman, a corporate director from Queens Park, Sydney, exploring the remote red-dust roads of Central Australia proved to be a “great opportunity to just get out and explore somewhere I’d only seen from a plane.” Blackman, 55, embarked on a 9,000km loop from Sydney to the Red Centre via Queensland, before making his way back down through South Australia towards home – “One hell of a journey,” he says.
“It was an unreal experience – I’ve already planned my next one,” say Blackman. In October, he plans to take it slower and venture from Sydney to the Simpson Desert in another looping journey to see more of the outback and regional Australia.
Despite the return of international travel, and not deterred by rising fuel prices, two in five Australians are still planning to take a domestic road trip this year, according to a survey by Finder. For others, they’re doing away with fuel prices all together; electric vehicle sales tripled last year, perfect for the more humble road trip.
Whether you are looking to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime cross-country trip or are simply after a long weekend drive, there’s something special to see in all corners of the country. Stop by the world’s longest golf course, cross croc-infested rivers or try your luck in spotting Aurora Australis on one of Australia’s most scenic road trips.
The Great Ocean Road
One of the most recognisable drives in the country, the Australian National Heritage listed Great Ocean Road extends 248km between Torquay and Allansford in Western Victoria. The drive straddles the rugged coastline, offering views of Bass Strait on one side and lush inland scenery to the other. What’s more, there are plenty of opportunities to add to your journey. Whether you’re drawn to Torquay’s surf beaches or Port Fairy’s thriving food and wine scene, make sure you set aside three days at a minimum to explore the route.
Perfect for: Casual road trippers. Beginning only 100km from nearby Melbourne, this is an ideal long weekend option.
Must Do: Treat yourself to a meal from acclaimed chefs Ryan and Kirstyn Sessions at Fen in Port Fairy. The ten- to twelve-course degustation menu changes seasonally, and will feature anything from locally caught kingfish with daikon and tamarind to duck sourced from farms along the road. Currently only open on Friday and Saturday nights, the space also plays host to a well-stocked wine and cheese delicatessen on other days.
Red Centre Loop
Starting and finishing in Alice Springs, this round-trip journey takes you through the spiritual heart of Australia, where you’ll have a chance to see Uluru in its soulful and resounding glory. Dotted throughout the journey you’ll see more of Australia’s desert scenery like Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) and Watarrka (Kings Canyon). With both sealed and unsealed roads, this trip can be done in either 2WD or 4WD. Looping through over 1000km of red desert sands and towering gorges, it’s best to take your time on this trip and allow at least six days to complete the journey.
Perfect for: 4WD beginners. With its long stretches of sealed roads, and options for unsealed exploration, the Red Centre loop is a great chance to get a feel for outback driving.
Must do: Like any road trip, it can be a relief to relinquish the wheel at some point. So, when you get to Uluru, let someone else show you around. Private helicopter tours like those offered by Fly Uluru allow you to get up in the air at sunset when the desert changes from rich saffron to deep indigo.
Southern Tasmania and Bruny Island
South of Hobart lies an expansive network of natural wonders and culinary experiences. Explore an island-off-an-island by venturing down through Tasmania and across to neighbouring Bruny Island. Speckled with artisanal distilleries and wineries, this is a true foodies delight. Adventure seekers should head further south to Cockle Creek, where only pristine national park and Antarctica lie beyond. Fortunately, due the modest size of Tasmania’s south coast, you’ll only need to allow four or so days to traverse this route.
Perfect For: Gourmands. All of the roads along the route are sealed and can be done in your vehicle of choice. You don’t need a caravan to complete the trip either, as there are plenty of places to stay along the way.
Must stay: Satellite Island, located a short ferry ride from the west coast of Bruny Island, offers a premium stay where you can have an entire expanse to yourself. If you are lucky, you might also spot Aurora Australis, the spectacular southern lights display.
Cairns to Cape York
The journey between Cairns and Cape York in Northern Queensland is the ultimate off-road exploration for true adventurers. Between dense tropical rainforests and azure beaches, this tour is an ever-changing blend of the idyllic and the rugged. As AC/DC said, it’s a long way to the top, and with over 1000km of road to traverse, this is not a trip for the faint of heart. But for those with the determination and the expertise, it is a truly rewarding experience. The one-way trip up north should take a good six days to complete with stops. The off-road sections can be arduous to complete for inexperienced 4WD operators, so it’s best to allow extra time.
Perfect For: Seasoned adventurers. With plenty of river crossings and camping spots, we recommend saving this trip until you’ve got a bit of experience behind the wheel of a 4WD and are comfortable across different terrains.
Must stay: The recently reimagined Silky Oaks Lodge is the perfect place to unwind between long days of bumpy off-roading. Open air dining and tranquil accommodation stands in beautiful contrast to the untamed rainforest that surrounds it, making it the perfect pit stop.
Clare Valley and Flinders Ranges
Starting and finishing in Adelaide, this trip takes you through one of Australia’s premier wine regions and through to the towering Flinders Ranges. The rolling vineyards in the lush green countryside of the Clare Valley slowly evolve into the arid beauty of the Flinders Ranges National Park. If you’re beginning the trip from Adelaide, going up through Clare Valley and to the Parachilna consists of around 1040km of sealed roads. It can be completed over a leisurely five days including the loop back. Make sure to plan your accommodation well in advance, as some places along the route close their doors during parts of the year.
Perfect For: Wine lovers. This is a perfect trip for oenophiles to taste the best expressions of riesling and cool climate varieties in the country. Not a big drinker? Take a cycling tour along the way to spot the flora, fauna, and historical landmarks instead.
Must stay: Wilpena Pound Resort, located within Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park, offers premium glamping with options for both couples and families. The 15 luxury trends are outfitted with air conditioning and an ensuite, as well as an outdoor area with a fire pit. Once the sun goes down, gaze up to the Milky Way above and spend a few nights here before beginning the trip home.
Perth to Exmouth along Ningaloo Reef
The turquoise water of the Indian Ocean will follow you for most of this 1200km drive, which begins two hours north of Perth. Enjoy world-class seafood and the spectacular view of the ocean as it meets the rugged Western Australian outback. By sticking to the coastline, it will take ten days to get from Cervantes to Exmouth to see the famous Ningaloo Reef.
Perfect For: Long distance drivers. This lengthy but easy-to-navigate road trip along sealed roads is perfect for those looking to explore the rugged Western Australian landscape. With plenty of spots to stay along the way, don’t feel like you need to bring your camping equipment (unless that’s your preference).
Must see: Ningaloo Reef, one of Australia’s most pristine marine environments. Here, you can swim with whale sharks, turtles, manta rays and more, in what will prove to be an unforgettable experience. Take at least a day to explore Ningaloo Reef on a boat, with afternoon swims and morning snorkelling available.
Crossing the Nullarbor
The famous Nullarbor Plain stretches across the southern edge of Australia, separating the goldfields of Western Australia and South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula. Another bucket list trip for many Australians, crossing the ‘Bor is your chance to drive the longest, straightest, and flattest road in the country. Stretching 1256km across an arid, sparse plain, we’d recommend giving yourself six days one way to get through the plain.
Perfect for: Organised travellers. You’ll need to do a lot of prep to take on the Nullarbor. Ensure you have plenty of extra petrol, water, and food for your journey — when we say it’s remote, we mean it.
Must do: Play a round at the world’s longest golf course, 18-hole, par-72 Nullarbor Links, which sprawls over 1365km of the Eyre Highway. Each hole in the course is placed next to a participating road house or township, so once you’ve played a hole or two, pack up your clubs and drive a few hundred kilometres to the next spot. Taking five days to play a round, it certainly puts your casual Sunday match to shame.