Road trip! The best in every state

With a car full of petrol and the Australian outback at your fingertips, adventure is never too far. If you’re ready for a weekend getaway, each state has an iconic road trip just waiting for you.

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With a car full of petrol and the Australian outback at your fingertips, adventure is never too far. If you’re ready for a weekend getaway, each state has an iconic road trip just waiting for you.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

THE PERTH HILLS

Less than an hour east of Perth CBD, Perth Hills offers vibrant vistas, scenic drives and top swimming spots.  Pack a picnic (and your swimmers) for a stopover at Lake Leschenaultia, before experiencing the beauty of the regions’ national parks and state forests en route.

CAVES ROAD

A romantic country road leading from western Busselton to Augusta, Caves Road is dotted with spectacular surf spots, big and bold wineries and incredible caves. 

Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park, Boranup Forest and Hamelin Bay are great to explore en route, before making a stopover at the infamous caves nestled into the limestone Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge.

THE GIBB RIVER ROAD

Spanning through the Kimberley Region, The Gibb River Road is one of Australia’s most legendary tracks. The perfect 4WD adventure, expect to see freshwater crocs in the Windjana Gorge National Park, plunging waterfalls at Manning Falls and deep swimming holes at Bell Gorge.

NORTHERN TERRITORY

NATURE’S WAY

The 735-kilometre loop into Darwin through World Heritage-listed Kakadu National Park, Nature’s Way, is the perfect way to experience the very best natural landscapes. Stop off at Mindil Beach Markets to watch the infamous Top End sunset,  plunge into waterfalls at Litchfield National Park and sleep under the stars at Nitmiluk National Park en route.

RED CENTRE WAY

An adventurous five-day drive showcasing Australia’s dramatic desert landscape, the Red Centre Way takes you to some of the country’s biggest icons. Making your way from Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park (home to Ayres Rock), to Watarrka National Park, the legendary outback road trip is also home to plenty of wildlife (such as kangaroos, dingoes and wild camels). 

EXPLORER’S WAY

Passing some of Australia’s most iconic natural spots, such as Uluru and MacDonnell Ranges, The Explorer’s Way is the perfect snapshot of our incredible outback. A driving route of great adventure and astonishing sights, the drive includes plenty of stopovers such as Katherine Gorge and Devils Marbles Conservation Reserve. 

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

THE EYRE HIGHWAY

A stretch of road which connects Western and Southern Australia via the Nullarbor Plain, The Eyre Highway could be the quietest road you ever drive down. Travelling through this expansive plain, however, means you’ll spy the Great Victoria Desert, the incredible Eyre Peninsula and the stunning sea cliffs of the Great Australian Bight.

COASTAL WAY

Close enough to Adelaide for an easy, weekend drive, the Coastal Way road trip drives through Yorke Peninsula’s sandy playground. Get your fitness fix by Walking the Yorke (from Port Wakefield to Moonta Bay), sample fresh seafood at Port Vincent Kiosk and visit Corny Point Lighthouse whilst exploring the incredible coastline.

OODNADATTA TRACK

An unsealed outback road between Marree and Marla via Oodnadatta, this track follows a traditional Aboriginal trading route.  The ideal track for those off-road driving for the first time, the incredible hot springs and deep waterholes are perfect for a swim, before stopping into Marree for a beer and bite to eat (if you’re not the designated driver).

QUEENSLAND

GREAT TROPICAL DRIVE

With 26 different routes to follow, the Great Tropical Drive takes you to some of Australia’s most iconic tropical attractions, such as the Great Barrier Reef, Hinchinbrook Island and World Heritage Tropical Rainforest.  Opportunities for adventure are almost unlimited with dive expeditions and white water rafting available for those seeking an adrenaline rush.

GREAT GREEN WAY

A tourist drive from Townsville to Cairns, Great Green Way showcases the diversity of Queensland.  Dotted with cane-fields, papaya plantations and farming towns, deep-dive into Babinda Boulders, visit the sprawling Spanish-style castles in Paronella Park and explore the Wooroonooran National Park.

ADVENTURE WAY

One of the largest roads in Queensland, the Adventure Way passes straight through the state’s richest grain and cotton-producing area.  Go for a ride at the Queensland Pioneer Steam Railway in Ipswich, explore the Cobb & Co Museum in Toowoomba and taste the different varietal at Riversands Winery in St George.

NEW SOUTH WALES

THE GRAND PACIFIC DRIVE

One of Australia’s most scenic driving tracks, the southerly route from Sydney starts in Royal National Park and heads south down the coast of Wollongong and Kiama. With pristine parks and delicious food and wine dotted along the rugged coastline, be sure to stop off at Kiama to see the blowhole, Berry Sourdough Café to eat the pastries and Silo Estate to taste the wine.

PACIFIC COAST

What is often referred to as the ultimate road trip, the Pacific Coast serves up everything you could want from a holiday – beautiful beaches, quirky shops in quaint towns and larger-than-life monuments (such as the giant gumboot).  Take a detour through Coffs Harbour for a morning kayak and selfie at the Big Banana, Port Macquarie for fresh strawberries and camel-rides and the Central Coast for quad biking and beach-hopping.

THE GREATER BLUE MOUNTAINS DRIVE

Linking Sydney with its own world heritage backyard, The Greater Blue Mountains Drive has something for everyone – Wentworth Falls for adrenaline-seekers, Leura for picnic-lovers and Jenolan Caves for geography buffs. 

VICTORIA

GREAT OCEAN ROAD

Set off on your own Great Ocean Road adventure, experiencing the most incredible of scenic drives.  Home to surfing hot spot Bells Beach, the 12 Apostles and Tower Hill, foodies will enjoy the burgeoning food scene, tasting wine at cellar doors, fresh produce at artisan providores and gourmet foods courtesy of local chefs.

GREAT ALPINE ROAD

The Great Alpine Road passes through farmlands, vineyards and valleys, starting at Wangaratta and driving right through the Victorian Alps. And whilst the trip itself takes a day, the drive is much more exciting with stopovers at Mount Buffalo National Park, Mount Hotham and Lakes Entrance.

BLACK SPUR DRIVE

Linking the Yarra Valley with Marysville, Black Spur Drive is considered to be one of the best scenic drives in Victoria. Famous for its breathtaking scenery, the route itself passes by magnificent hiking trails, inviting picnic areas and pockets of forest.

TASMANIA

THE EAST COAST ESCAPE

One of Australia’s most breathtaking coastlines, the east coast of Tasmania encompasses the best of the area. With a number of picturesque national parks, beautiful beaches and small, friendly towns lining the strip, be sure to stop off at the stunning Freycinet National Park and surrounding Wineglass Bay.

GREAT EASTERN DRIVE

Taking you from the white beaches of Tasmania’s east coast, the Great Eastern Drive is a playground for food and wine-lovers. Stop off at some of the world’s best beaches, visit award-winning cellar doors and visit providores to buy gourmet treats for your own personal picnic.

THE TARKINE DRIVE

Off the beaten track, The Tarkine Drive is perfect for those wanting to explore the wilderness. Experience unique rainforests, wild river and cave systems and long sandy beaches, whilst spying local residents such as the platypus, echidna and bandicoot.

Originally published as Road trip! The best in every state