The 7 Best Road Trips in Australia

Australia is one of the ultimate road trip destinations. With vast coastlines, ancient rainforests, dramatic mountains and seemingly endless stretches of the Outback, there is no shortage of incredible scenery to discover from behind the wheel.

From the world-famous Great Ocean Road to the remote landscapes of the Red Centre, Australia has a road trip to suit every type of traveller. So buckle up, get your favourite playlist on, and get ready to hit the open road, because these are the 7 best road trips in Australia.

Unmissable road trips in Australia

1. The Great Ocean Road

Few Australian road trips are as iconic as the Great Ocean Road. The best route starts from Torquay, just south of Melbourne, but it is entirely possible to start the route from Melbourne itself.

The road hugs the southern coastline of Victoria, taking you past dramatic cliffs, golden beaches, lush rainforest and some of the country’s most famous viewpoints.

After starting the road trip, make your way southwest towards Bells Beach, while making sure to stop at gorgeous seaside towns like Lorne and Apollo Bay. The further west you travel, the more remote and spectacular the scenery becomes, culminating in one of Australia’s most iconic sights: the Twelve Apostles, huge limestone stacks off the coast of Port Campbell National Park.

Many of the stops with wooded areas along the route – including next to the iconic ‘Great Ocean Road’ sign which straddles the road – are also excellent places to find wild koalas, while it’s not uncommon to see whale spouts out in the ocean along the route, especially when travelling between May and October.

Distance: 280km

When to do it: Year-round

Car Hire: Hire a car from Melbourne Airport (MEL) and head south. A car like a Toyota RAV4 or similar SUV is a great choice for additional boot space with the advantage of a higher driving position, making for a comfortable ride.

2. Sydney to Melbourne Coastal Route

Southeastern Australia’s coastline is simply stunning. While the most popular route between Sydney and Melbourne is the inland route thanks to the highways, the far more scenic option is the coastal route.

Follow the coast down from New South Wales and into Victoria, and you will be treated to spectacular scenery including beautiful beaches, national parks, and plenty of opportunities to stop and explore.

Leaving Sydney, make your way south through the Royal National Park before reaching Wollongong and the stunning Sea Cliff Bridge. Continue further south along the New South Wales coastline, passing locations such as Kiama and Jervis Bay, before stopping for a photo opportunity at the Victoria border.

You will spend the majority of this road trip on the coastal A1 highway, although there is a good opportunity, once in Victoria, to take smaller coastal roads which we highly recommend.

Distance: 1,000km

When to do it: Spring and summer are ideal if beaches are high on your priority list.

Car Hire: Pick a car up from Sydney Airport (SYD) and head south along the A1 towards Melbourne. An SUV such as a Mazda CX5 or an Audi Q5. Automatic models are ideal for comfort on long road trips like this one.

3. The Great Alpine Road

The Great Alpine Road is one of the best ways to experience Australia’s wine country, through mountains, forests, and alpine landscapes before ending the journey in the Gippsland Lakes.

Start from Melbourne Airport and head up to Wangaratta, and wind through the Ovens Valley towards Harrietville. You will then notice the roads begin to get steeper as you climb towards Mount Hotham – a must-stop destination for an Instagram-grid-worthy photoshoot. From there, the road dips back down again towards Omeo before reaching the coastal town of Metung.

This is one of Australia’s most varied drives, and incorporates city driving, rural Australian towns, mountain passes and beachside roads – all in under 600km.

Distance: 550km

When to do it: Avoid winter, because sometimes the roads can be impassable due to snow and ice. Any other time of year is fine.

Car Hire: Hire a car from Melbourne Airport. A 4x4 is a good idea to make the mountainous roads easier to tackle. Good examples include a Ford Everest or a Mitsubishi Outlander.

4. The Red Centre Way

For something completely different, head into the heart of Australia on the Red Centre Way.

This loop starts and finishes in Alice Springs, and takes in some of Australia’s most iconic Outback scenery, including the West MacDonnell Ranges, Kings Canyon and Uluru (Ayers Rock).

The landscape here is simply on a different scale: vast red deserts stretch out endlessly on all sides, and it really puts into perspective how vast the continental landmass of Australia really is. Towering sandstone cliffs, also deep red, complement the rugged mountain ranges and look at their absolute best at either sunrise or sunset.

Simpson's Gap and Ormiston Gorge make for excellent stops, and you simply have to stop at Uluru – one of the most important Aboriginal sites in Australia.

Distance: 1,150km

When to do it: The cooler months from May to September are generally the best for exploring central Australia.

Car Hire: Hire a car from Alice Springs Airport. Some of the roads can be little more than dirt tracks, so an off-road vehicle is essential. Good choices include the Mitsubishi Pajero, Toyota Hilux 4x4 and the Subaru Outback.

5. Adelaide to Perth

If you’re serious about road tripping, then this 2,700km-long journey from Adelaide to Perth is the one for you.

This is no ordinary road trip – while it may look like a straight line from South Australia to Western Australia, 2,700km is approximately the same distance as driving between Madrid and Istanbul.

Known as the Eyre Highway, this road connects two of Australia’s major cities through one of the country’s most remote regions. This is a road trip where the journey really is the destination, and the sense of achievement after completing such a journey is unparalleled.

Despite its remoteness, there are still plenty of sights to see along the way. Animals such as kangaroos are frequently seen, while remote roadhouses all come with their own stories. Coastal cliffs are a constant reminder that you’re never too far from the ocean, and this road trip is best undertaken at a slow pace, rather than trying to cover huge distances every day.

Distance: 2,700km

When to do it: Avoid the summer, due to excruciatingly hot temperatures.

Car Hire: Hire a car from Adelaide Airport. A comfortable, roomy car with lots of storage space is essential, such as a 4x4 or a people carrier. Good examples include a Kia Carnival, Toyota Hi-Ace or a Ford Everest.

6. The Pacific Coast Way

For a road trip that combines beaches, islands, rainforests, reefs, and laid-back coastal towns, put the Pacific Way on your bucket list.

The route runs along Queensland’s eastern coastline, starting in the Gold Coast and ending in Cairns, incorporating in some of Australia’s best sites.

Rather than try to get it done as quickly as possible, slow is best with this road trip, with numerous stops along the way. Start in the Gold Coast, and head north. Your first stop should be Brisbane, Queensland’s capital, before moving further north to the Sunshine Coast. This is where you will find Steve Irwin’s legacy, Australia Zoo, as well as Noosa Heads National Park.

Continue north, through Hervey Bay and Bundaberg before reaching the Whitsundays – which are home to some of the most stunning beaches in the world. You will then pass Townsville and Mission Beach on the way to Cairns, which is the gateway to both the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics rainforest.

This is truly one of Australia’s best road trips, and is best done with good friends, lots of stops and time to explore and appreciate your surroundings.

Distance: 1,875km

When to do it: Between April and November is good. The further north you go, the wet season (November to April) brings hot and humid weather, which can create tricky conditions on the roads.

Car Hire: Gold Coast Airport (OOL) is a convenient place to pick up your hire car. A comfortable and roomy car should be the priority, while a 4x4 can also be good for exploring the Whitsundays. Good examples include the Mazda CX3, Kia Sportage or the Toyota Camry Sedan.

7. Tasmania’s Great Eastern Drive

Tasmania may be Australia’s smallest state, but it certainly doesn’t lack good road trips.

The Great Eastern Drive follows Tasmania’s eastern coast from the state capital, Hobart, towards St Helens, on the island’s northeast coast. You can expect beautiful beaches, vineyards, traditional fishing towns and some of the island’s most impressive scenery.

From Hobart, head northeast towards Orford before continuing along the coastline. Swansea, Freycinet National Park and Wineglass Bay are all worth exploring and stopping off in for a rest and a refuel.

For travellers who want to experience a version of Australia that is not often spoken about, including fantastic vineyards with beautiful wines, outdoor scenery and adventures and something away from the classic beach and surfer culture, then this is the road trip for you.

Distance: 275km

When to do it: Any time of year.

Car Hire: Pick up your hire car from Hobart Airport and head northeast. The roads are not too difficult to navigate, so a 4x4 isn’t necessary, but good options with plenty of storage space include the Hyundai Kona, Mitsubishi Eclipse and Honda Civic.