10 Road Trips in Australia You Must Do Once in Your Lifetime

Road Trips in Australia

Plan on visiting multiple Australian cities on your upcoming trip? That calls for an Australia road trip that is action-packed in every state. If you're looking for a bucket list experience, you can't miss the Great Ocean Road or the legendary Grand Pacific Drive. And if you're itching for an outback adventure, you have to drive the Red Center Way in the Northern Territory. If you'd rather take a more scenic route, though, the drive from Cairns to Cape takes you past Mossman Gorge and the Daintree Rainforest. On this Australian road trip, you'll pass through the coastal town of Port Douglas and see stunning natural scenery, including towering trees and gurgling rivers. If you're looking for an adrenaline rush, one of the best 4x4 routes in Australia is the winding Gibb River Road which passes through Katherine, Kakadu National Park, and El Questro. You can take in breathtaking panoramas of the Kimberley region's stunning geological features.

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Best Road Trips in Australia

01

The Big Lap

The Big Lap is a literal definition of a trip around this massive country.

From Broome to Sydney to Cairns to Brisbane to Melbourne to Darwin to Perth to Adelaide to Esperance to Hobart, this road trip covers the roughly 15,000 kilometers of Highway One that connects seven of the capital cities.

It's the best of Australia in one long road trip, from bustling metropolises to quiet seaside villages, lush forests to arid plains, secluded swimming holes to pristine beaches, and ancient rock formations to modern tourist traps.

Location: Australia

Duration: Six months

Stops: Visiting Kakadu, Uluru, and Alice Springs in the Northern Territory is a must, but you'll need to venture off the Stuart Highway to do so.

Tips: The northern part of Australia, from Broome to Cairns, is best traversed between April and September when temperatures are mildest. It's the dry season now when the weather is nice and the roads are usually passable even though they might be impassable during the wet season.

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02

The Great Ocean Road, Victoria

This breathtaking Australia road trip rightfully earns its reputation as one of the best driving routes in the world, thanks to its stunning scenery, which includes sandy beaches, verdant rainforest, quiet fishing villages, and tree canopies adorned with koalas.

Spanning over 150 miles, the Great Ocean Road is rife with attractions like wineries, world-class surfing spots, and spectacular rainforest footpaths.

The Twelve Apostles are the most impressive sight you can see from your window. Located in the waters of Port Campbell National Park, these limestone stacks make for a dramatic sight.

Location: From Torquay to Allansford, along Victoria's famous south-east coast, is where you'll find the Great Ocean Road

Duration: 2-3 days minimum

Stops: Geelong, connewarre, The Great Ocean Road Memorial Arch, Otway Fly Treetops Walk, 12 Apostles

Tips: If you're only going to drive one way, it's best to begin in Torquay so that you can stay on the ocean side of the road and easily pull over to take in the sights.

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03

Gibb River Road, WA

This is a rough and ready Australia road trip that thrill seekers will adore.

Known as one of the best 4x4 routes in Australia, Gibb River Road passes through Katherine, Kakadu National Park, and El Questro on its way to some of the most impressive natural wonders in the Kimberley, such as Katherine Gorge and Mt. Hart.

If you're looking to spice up your self-drive experience, the bright orange tracks of Gibb River Road are the way to go. You'll regularly cross wide rivers and climb dusty hills.

Location: The Great Northern Highway connects the cities of Kununurra and Wyndham in Western Australia, and it passes through the Kimberley region, where the drive is particularly exciting.

Duration: 1-2 weeks

Stops: Derby, Windjana Gorge National Park, Bell Gorge, Manning Gorge, Drysdale river station, Homevalley station, El Questro Wilderness Park, Kununurra

Tips: Only two roadhouses, in Imintji and Mt. Barnett, sell gasoline along the Gibb River Road, and the price is exorbitant. Neither location sells gasoline but both do sell diesel.

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04

Tasmania’s East Coast

This Australia road trip, best experienced as a loop from Hobart to Freycinet National Park and back, is filled with unforgettable wildlife and beautiful beaches.

It would be ridiculous to go on this trip and not stop at any of the National Parks along the way to see the incredible wildlife and flora that lives there.

Visit Freycinet National Park to see stunning granite peaks and topaz blue waters, and then head to Cradle Mountain National Park to hike through pristine rainforest and pass by shimmering lakes.

Location: Tasmania

Duration: 3-5 days

Stops: Maria Island National Park, Freycinet National Park

Tips: If you'll be staying on Apple Island for an extended period of time, you can save money on car rental by bringing your own vehicle from Melbourne on the Spirit of Tasmania.

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05

Cairns to Cape York, Qld

On this tropically inspired Australia road trip, your self-drive vacation in the continent will take on a whole new light.

Driving through Port Douglas, a coastal town with excellent restaurants and white sand beaches, you will have the chance to take in breathtaking views of the Daintree Rainforest and Mossman Gorge.

Dive into the alluring waters of this World Heritage site in search of turtles and tropical fish—every bit as beautiful as the pictures suggest.

Location: This vibrant Australia road trip goes through the Daintree Forest in North Tropical Queensland.

Duration: 4 hours 26 minutes

Stops: Great Barrier Reef, and Quinkan Galleries

Tips: In contrast to the fully sealed Mulligan Highway, which runs through the interior, the stunning coastal route via Cape Tribulation, the Daintree, and the Bloomfield Track requires 4WD.

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06

Perth to Ningaloo, WA

It's just under 1200 kilometres from Perth to Exmouth to Ningaloo Reef in the north along the beautiful Coral Coast of Western Australia.

You pass through Cervantes, Geraldton, Monkey Mia, and Carnarvon.

You experience Mother Nature at her best, complete with the Pinnacles Desert, Shark Bay—a World Heritage Site—dramatic gorges, swimming with dolphins, manta rays, and whale sharks.

Location: Western Australia

Duration: 8-10 days

Stops: Geraldton, Carnarvon, Exmouth, Ningaloo Reef, Coral Bay via Turquoise Bay, shark bay, kalbarri, and Cervantes

Tips: Be well-prepared before venturing north of Carnarvon, as supplies will be few and expensive.

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07

Great Alpine Road, Vic

Take an Australia road trip along the Great Alpine Road to get a feel for the Victorian Alps.

This road is 308 kilometres long, stretching from Wangaratta in the north to Bairnsdale in the east.

In the fall and winter, this is the place to go if you've ever wanted to experience a taste of what it's like to live in Europe during the cold season.

If you prefer milder weather, spring is a great time to visit the mountains and appreciate some horseback riding, wine tasting, and scenic exploration.

Location: Victoria

Duration: 5 hours

Stops: Bairnsdale, Gipps Lakes, Mount Hotham

Tips: Drive slowly and cautiously, keep your gas tank at least half full, and install Diamond Pattern wheel chains if you plan on taking this route in the winter.

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08

The Savannah Way

It's about 3,700 kilometers long and connects Cairns in Tropical North Queensland to Broome in Western Australia's beautiful Kimberley region via the Northern Territory.

This is the best possible east-to-west Australia road trip, as it takes in 15 national parks and 5 World Heritage sites.

You can look forwards to seeing everything from lush tropical forests to vast grassy plains, isolated cattle stations to breathtaking waterfalls and gorges, and rock art etched into rock to crystalline waters.

Location: Queensland to West Australia

Duration: 7 days

Stops: Boodjamulla National Park

Tips: The outback requires preparedness. There are side roads suitable for 2WD vehicles, so having a 4WD is not strictly necessary. However, you should bring a radio in case your phone has spotty service.

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09

Pacific Coast, NSW & Qld

From Sydney to Brisbane, the fabled Pacific Coast Highway travels roughly 900 kilometers past Port Stephens, Coffs Harbor, Central Coast, Newcastle, Ballina, and Byron Bay.

Surfing beaches, cute seaside towns, scenic national parks, and two exciting capitals—this is classic Australian coastal territory.

You can get away from the city for a while by taking a trip to the Hunter Valley, which is located west of Newcastle and is famous for its Semillon wine as well as its fantastic restaurants and artisanal olive oil and chocolate.

Location: New South Wales to Queensland

Duration: 5 days

Stops: Daintree rainforest, Great Barrier Reef, Purnululu National Park, Hunter Valley region

Tips: In order to avoid the Pacific Motorway as much as possible, you should give yourself at least five days to complete this journey.

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10

The Grand Pacific Drive, NSW

The Grand Pacific Drive is a scenic coastal Australia road trip that spans 140 kilometers.

It passes through the cities and towns of Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama, and the Shoalhaven as well as through rainforests and across the famous Sea Cliff Bridge.

It takes you past some stunning cliff faces and along some of New South Wales' most stunning beaches.

Location: New South Wales

Duration: More than 5 five hours

Stops: Symbio wildlife Park, Sea cliff Bridge, Wollongong Harbor, Kiama’s blowhole, Minnamurra Rainforest, Jervis Bay, Coolangatta Estate Winery

Tips: Do not pass up a visit to Kiama without seeing the impressive blowhole.

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Eureka Tower (Melbourne Skydeck)

All great cities in the world have great icons. And that icon is a point of recognition for it. And that’s what Eureka Tower is for Melbourne. It is a glistening, urban skyscraper in the modern, cosmopolitan city of Melbourne. It was named after the Eureka Stockade, which was a rebellion during the Victorian gold rush in 1854 and it is one of the famous places to visit in Melbourne.The Eureka Tower is more than just a tall building, it is a popular tourist spot. The tower stands tall at 297 meters (975 ft.). The building is gold-plated and is next to the Yarra River, in the center of the Southbank precinct. The top 10 floors have 24 carat (99.9%) gold plated glass windows. There is a constant system of pumps moving water between the two 300,000-liter tanks so it can beat the wind-induced oscillations.What makes this a very popular spot for tourists is the fantastic view from the Eureka Towers. From the top floors, one can get unrivaled views. This also happens to be the highest observation tower in the Southern Hemisphere. There are a whole lot of things that you can do here. In fact, the towers also have a range of activities available for everyone from kids to adults. There are interactive games, one can dine here and also do some shopping.These towers are more than just a tourist spots. You get to experience going up at speed -- quite enthralling. Plus, there’s something very soothing about being at a spectacular height. It still remains to be the third tallest building in Australia, with the Q1 in Queensland and Australia 108 leading the way.Checkout and Book Now: Eureka Skydeck Tickets

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Queen Victoria Market, Melbourne Melbourne Cricket Ground Yarra Valley, Melbourne Luna Park Melbourne Puffing Billy Railway, melbourne Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium Healesville Sanctuary , melbourne Sydney Opera House Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, gold coast Dreamworld Gold Coast Wet'n'Wild Gold Coast Warner Bros. Movie World, gold coast Sea World Gold Coast Sydney Harbour Bridge Tamborine Mountain, gold coast Surfers Paradise, gold coast Burleigh Heads, gold coast Springbrook National Park, gold coast Currumbin Beach, gold coast Taronga Zoo, sydney Natural Bridge, gold coast White Water World Gold Coast Infinity Attraction Gold Coast Darling Harbour, Sydney ArtVo Gold Coast Dracula's Cabaret Gold Coast Wax Museum Gold Coast Australian Outback Spectacular Gold Coast Broadbeach, gold coast The Rocks Market, sydney Sydney Tower Sea Life Aquarium, sydney Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney Bondi Beach, sydney Circular Quay, Sydney Queen Victoria Building, sydney Shelly Beach, sydney Luna Park, sydney WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo Cockatoo Island, sydney Hard Rock Cafe, sydney Royal National Park, Sydney Coogee Beach, sydney Madame Tussauds Sydney Manly Beach, sydney Australian National Maritime Museum, sydney Darling Quarter, sydney Sydney Harbor National Park Centennial Park, sydney Chinese Garden Of Friendship, sydney Chinatown, sydney Hyde Park, Sydney Sydney Jewish Museum Vivid, sydney Kamay Botany Bay National Park, sydney Bilgola, sydney Macquarie Street, sydney Bronte Beach, sydney Susannah Place Museum, Sydney Garigal National Park, sydney Chinaman's Beach, sydney Birkenhead Point Outlet Centre, sydney Featherdale Wildlife Park, sydney George Street, sydney Customs House, sydney Collaroy Beach, sydney Redleaf Beach, sydney Swan Valley, perth Skypoint Observation Deck, gold coast Fremantle Prison, perth Perth Zoo Lamington National Park, gold coast Aqwa Under Water World, perth Rottnest Island, perth John Forrest National Park, perth Penguin Island, perth Escape Room, melbourne Melbourne Zoo iFly Gold Coast Yanchep National Park, perth Aqua Park Gold Coast Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, gold coast Blue Mountains, sydney Miami Marketta, gold coast Gold Coast Motor Museum Grange Beach, adelaide Scitech, perth Elizabeth Quay, perth Glow Worm Caves, gold coast Tallebudgera Creek, gold coast Fremantle Markets Purling Brook Falls, gold coast Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk, gold coast Cedar Creek Falls Gold Coast Ripley’s Believe It or Not Gold Coast Caversham Wildlife Park, perth Bathers Beach, fremantle

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Australia Reviews

Devi Marar Jet Ski Hire in Gold Coast

Excellent

this experience in Gold Coast was one the most memorable . Driving a jetski gave me goosebumps and being an advance one, we could do so many things. At that moment I could feel the adventure reaching at max level.

Achyut Tandon Gold Coast Water Sports Combo

Excellent

The ground staff which helped us throughout this package was super friendly and supportive. We enjoyed thoroughly and had a great overall experience. I personally liked parasailing and will recommend to all the travellers.

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Excellent

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Excellent

Adventurous zipline and too above most beautiful views, it was a perfect combination. Going above the greenery at a great speed and winds blowing on my face refreshed me. Gold Coast canyon flyer zipline tour was better than perfect.

Chandani Achari Cheapest Australia Tour Package

Excellent

Every aspect of the trip was very smooth. Director provided excellent information on what was upcoming. Local guides were great in sharing personal stories tied in to what was being seen.

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Excellent

The overall arrangement done by Thrillophilia was absolutely wonderful. The trip was very well-planned, well-organized, and perfectly synchronized, The itinerary was very rich and very satisfying too, the team was nice helps us with all documentation, booking, and payment process. Great assistance during the trip and regularly sharing information and tips... from starting the team ensured that planning was flawless and well-executed... And YES, It was exactly as they promised to us... We were extremely delight and enjoyed every moment on this trip... Everything thanks to Thrillophilia and the whole team for their hard work to make our trip successful.

Kalinda Verma Beginner Surf Experience in Gold Coast

Excellent

Alex took care of me while I was surfing. He was so friendly and knowledgable and helped me learn from scratch. He even showed us his skills which were amazing. I would recommend beginner surf experience in Gold Coast to all.

Balaaditya Malik Beginner Surf Experience in Gold Coast

Excellent

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