Five epic Aussie road trips
Let's GO!
Great Ocean Road
Itinerary: Melbourne > Apollo Bay > Port Fairy > Port Elliot > Adelaide
Australia’s most famous touring route straddles the Victorian coast, passing through pristine surf beaches, dramatic clifftops, lush rainforest, and serene seaside towns. Head from Melbourne to Apollo Bay and the Otway Ranges then wind along the Great Ocean Road to the charming fishing village of Port Fairy. The historic port marks the end of the Great Ocean Road but you can continue your journey into South Australia, stopping at the top-rated beachside Port Elliot YHA - with 270-degree ocean views - before finishing up in the great city of Adelaide.
Right to the Middle
Itinerary: Adelaide > Alice Springs
You don’t quite realise just how big Australia is until you conquer this pilgrimage from Adelaide to Alice through the continent’s beating red heart, a vast expanse of ochre red dust only interrupted by a few dry shrubs and an endless strip of bitumen known as the Stuart Highway.
Pack plenty of water, some spare fuel, and some energy drink and you'll be crusin' down the highway all night long!
Pacific Coast
Itinerary: Sydney > too many awesome pit stops to mention > Cairns
A road trip from Sydney to Cairns is a ‘choose your own adventure’ scenario. The beaches of NSW’s North Coast. Hippie hotspots like Byron Bay & Murwillumbah. Surfing on the Gold Coast. Diving on Stradbroke Island. The Great Barrier Reef and tropical islands in North Queensland.
Hey, there’s so much to do on this route, why not extend your trip out for another week, soak up the sun!
The Wild West
Itinerary: Fremantle > Lancelin > Kalbarri > Exmouth > Broome
There’s no shortage of treats waiting for travellers on the West Coast, either. Head north from Fremantle to the sandboarding and windsurfing hub of Lancelin, then pop into the iconic Pinnacles Desert on the way to Kalbarri and its arresting national park.
Feed the dolphins in Monkey Mia before stopping in Exmouth for your Ningaloo Reef whale shark experience, then continue north to Broome, the multicultural resort town boasting famous sunsets over Cable Beach. This road trip's a biggie, so if you're a little nervous about trekking across the Wild West of Australia, join our 10 Day Perth - Broome Tour for the ultimate adventure, all planned out for you!
Sydney to Melbourne
Itinerary: Sydney > Canberra > Thredbo > Melbourne
Flying from one of the country’s two biggest cities to the other skips over stacks of scenic terrain.
Just three hours south of Sydney is Canberra, home to a treasure trove of great (and free!) museums and attractions as well as an increasingly cool food and drink scene, then it’s another three hours to Thredbo, a winter ski resort that’s equally worth a visit in the warmer months for its bike trails and alpine hikes, including Australia’s highest peak, Mt Kosciuszko.
Be prepared
It's becoming increasingly more common to experience unexpected conditions when venturing by vehicle around Australia. Here's a few tips to help you have safe trip:
- check current border restrictions and requirements if you are travelling interstate
- tell someone your plan and keep in touch regularly
- know the distance and time and have plenty of fuel to reach your destination
- share the load - take turns at the wheel to ensure you are alert at all times
- have water and snacks in case you get delayed
- check your tyres, and that includes your spare
- windscreen washer tank is full - don't let the bug splats, or red dust blur your vision
SEE YOU ON THE ROAD!
