The destination can significantly impact the experience of going on a road trip, so where is it best to go on a road trip anyway? Australia is certainly a good bet, with its untold amounts of good roads and unique attractions, all over the country.
Not sure what Australia has to offer when it comes to tourist attractions?Â
Read our trip-list 5 things to see “down under” for some inspiration for your next holiday in Australia.
Best routes in Australia
There is an incredible number of great routes in Australia. The terrain varies greatly depending on where you are in the country. Some routes are pretty flat, and others are mountainous – some routes even offer a lot of wildlife.Â
If you want to ensure good weather when on the road trip, you should go there in Australia’s summer months (December-February).
The Great Ocean Road - Southeastern Australia
Location: Victoria
Distance:Â 243 kilometres (151Â miles)
Duration: 1-3 days
Period: December-February
With its 243 kilometres along the coast of south-east Australia, The Great Ocean Road is one of the most beautiful road trips one could wish for. The route is located in Victoria, from the city of Torquay to Allansford.
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On the trip, it will be possible to see the following things:
- Bells Beach
- Lorne
- Great Otway National Park
- The Twelve ApostlesÂ
- Loch Ard Gorge
- Island Arch
- London BridgeÂ
- The Grotto
- and much more!
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If you don’t need to drive along the coast, you can also take alternative routes, which allows you to see many other exciting things!
Driving tip:Â Start your trip in Torquay rather than Allansford for a better view. Doing that, you will be driving on the side of the road closest to the ocean.
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A video showcasing how this type of road trip could end up looking
Jackson Groves, Youtube-channel.
The Nullarbor Plain - Southwestern Australia
Location:Â Western Australia, South Australia
Distance: 1256 kilometres (780 miles)
Duration:Â 1-3 days
Period: December-February
The Nullarbor Plain is atypical compared to other road trips because the route is more or less just a straight stretch on a flat road.Â
You will eventually get to a very long highway without turns. As a matter of fact, it’s the longest straight road in Australia called the “90-Mile Straight” (146 kilometres).Â
However, the route is close to the coast a big part of the time, so you still have the opportunity to get a lot of beautiful sights – simply hold into the side of the road, walk for a few minutes, and you will be at the coast.
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There will also be plenty of opportunities to see some of Australia’s wildlife when crossing parts of the outback (kangaroos, dingoes, emus, camels etc.)
The Nullarbor Plain also offers the world’s longest 18-hole golf course, with a total length of 1365 kilometres.
Although, be aware of snakes, another part of Australia’s wildlife!
The route may not offer mountains, but it can offer caves galore.Â
These caves are really magnificent and definitely worth spending some hours exploring along the way.
Since the route is very remote, it is advantageous to make sure that it is possible to sleep in the car, as there are no hotels to find on the route. In addition, it will be an advantage to drive in a 4WD so you can take some detours down towards the coast, etc.
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Driving tip:Â It’s a very remote route, which means having a full tank of fuel can be essential. Water is also vital since there aren’t many places to stop for refreshments along the way.
The Grand Pacific Drive - NSW
Location: New South Wales
Distance: 140 kilometres (87 miles)
Duration: 1-2 days
Period: December-February
Another route that might be one of the most beautiful road trips on earth is The Grand Pacific Drive. With its only 140 kilometres, The Grand Pacific Drive is a superb road trip, with many things to see if you don’t mind taking a few detours.
The route itself starts 30 kilometres south of Sydney, but it is recommended that you begin the trip in Sydney, so you also get to see the attractions that Sydney has to offer.
Also, the route ends in Nowra; however, driving a bit further down to Jervis Bay is definitely recommended.
On the trip, you will come across the following locations:
- Royal National ParkÂ
- Bald Hill Lookout
- Sea Cliff BridgeÂ
- Nan Tien Temple
- Minnamurra Falls
- Kiama Blowhole
- Nowra
- Jervis Bay
Routes Worth Mentioning
Qairns to Cape York, Queensland
- Distance: 1000 kilometres (620 miles)
- Duration: 5-7 days
- A 4WD is essential for this road trip, as you will be crossing rivers and driving in tough terrain.
The Savannah Way
- Distance:Â 3700 kilometres (2300 miles)
- Duration: 7-11 days
- 15 national parks and 5 World Heritage areas are part of what The Savannah Way has to offer. Parts of the trip are incredibly remote, so think of it as a sort of a survival trip. On this route, a 4WD is also an advantage, though not a necessity.
