australian road trip meme

27 Roadtrip Memes for Friends and Family Vacationing in the Car

Roadtrips are a different kind of a vacation. It's the most fun you'll have and also the most exhausting, maybe even the most nauseating… Whether you're on the road with your besties or your family, you need to roadtrip accordingly. You need the snacks, the playlists, the pillows and so much more. Who is gonna be the driver? Who is gonna be the copilot? Who is gonna nap in the back and request the pee stops?? It's all a very delicate system, any crack can cause a meltdown. Because have you ever been in the car for 12 hours? It does things to your head, man… It DOES things. Anyways, one way to stave off the car crazies is with memes! Keep it cool in the car with some top notch funny roadtripping memes. Unless you get carsick easily, then you probably shouldn't be looking at any screens—and take your dang Dramamine!

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12 Funny Road Trip Memes That Totally Capture What It’s Like to Travel With Kids

These hilarious memes show what it’s really like to hit the open road with the family.

When you head out on a road trip with a car full of kids (or heck, even just one), you can never predict what’s going to happen—except that there are sure to be a few squabbles mixed in with the good memories. But those moments are usually the ones that we look back on and laugh at, and they definitely make for funny road trip memes. Whether you’ve taken one cross-country road trip or a dozen, we have a feeling you'll identify with these hilarious memes.

???????? Via @closetoclassy A post shared by Mummy McMumface (@mummymcmumface) on Mar 27, 2018 at 7:48pm PDT

Everybody out of the car! The next rest stop isn't for hours.

????via @unicornmoms A post shared by Mummy McMumface (@mummymcmumface) on Jan 14, 2018 at 1:08am PST

Laugh silently, you don't want to encourage them!

1st day back at school is always a bit hit and miss..... #schoolday #schoolrun #Schoolkids #kids #children #schoolchild #mum #mummy #mumlife #mummylife #parenting #parentingmeme #meme #kidsmeme #humour #parentinghumour #funny #FitMumFormula A post shared by PollyannaHale -WeightlossCoach (@pollyannahale) on Jan 3, 2018 at 11:59pm PST

We will leave without you. (Empty threat maybe, but it will work at least the first few times.)

#currently via @motherplaylist A post shared by Mummy McMumface (@mummymcmumface) on Dec 22, 2017 at 11:24am PST

It's 9 p.m. somewhere—and you're going to bed now.

Happens all the time! (Follow @therealramblinma ) • #kids #toddlers #parenting #parentingquotes #momlife #dadlife #toddlerlife #drivingwithkids #lol #funny #jokes #laugh #babble A post shared by Jess McBride (@mommysaidshh) on Mar 31, 2018 at 4:51am PDT

If only moms could grow a few more arms.

#momlife #drivingwithkids #parenting A post shared by Sensory Pets (@sensory_pets) on Mar 19, 2018 at 3:47pm PDT

Can you guys just look for cool license plates? I'm a little busy.

I’m so luck to live in a place with nonstop traffic.... #momlife #drivingwithkids #traffic A post shared by Jenny Cioto (@jjustduckie) on Mar 7, 2018 at 1:45pm PST

Suddenly having kids in diapers again doesn't sound so bad.

Motherhood ???? driving with kids ???????? #canyouguysstoptalkingthisismyjam #musicwithkids #drivingwithkids #drivingismyonlypeacetime ???? A post shared by Vanessa (@nessa.bucky.val) on Nov 4, 2017 at 5:14pm PDT

Early Madonna never gets old.

"Two trailer park girls go round the outside, round the outside, round the outside..." ???????? A post shared by The Inner West's Play Centre! (@tumblesplayhouse) on Sep 27, 2017 at 6:02pm PDT

Obviously it's the radio-friendly version.

Truth #catchie #momboss #carseatcover #momblogger #momlife #momcar #drivingwithkids #car #carhack #catchie #carseat #babygear #babyshower #babygirl #momofboys #momofmultiples #dadsofinstagram #dad #parentingwin #parenthood #forwardfacing #rearfacing #toddlerlife #toddlers #toddlersofig A post shared by Catchie Concepts (@catchie_concepts) on Feb 11, 2017 at 9:37am PST

Parallel parking is cake compared to merging onto a highway with a screaming toddler.

#drivingwithkids #arewethereyet? #killmenow A post shared by Rachel (@rachmeadows_x) on Oct 30, 2016 at 5:11am PDT

This is a road trip, kids! The drive is part of the experience.

Do you let your kids eat in the car? We weren’t allowed to eat in the car growing up - curious what other moms think about this topic. Share your thoughts below ???????? #kidsincars #messycars #momlife #growingupwillis #realtalkmonday A post shared by Amy Willis ???? Growing up Willis (@growingupwillis) on Mar 12, 2018 at 11:50am PDT

Wait, they haven't eaten cheddar crackers since…last summer!?!

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20 Best Travel GIFs and Memes to Get You Ready for Adventure

By: Nick Callos

Ready for adventure?

At Frayed Passport, we write lots of articles about being a digital nomad , working abroad , and all the types of travel you can do. Today, we’d thought it would be fun to do a listicle of the best travel gifs and memes.

Whether you’re on your laptop dreaming of travel or on your smartphone en route to the next amazing destination , we have travel gifs and memes to inspire and humor you.

Read on, have a laugh, and get excited for the next big adventure.

5 Best Safe Travels GIFs and Memes

Safe travels gifs and memes are great to send to friends and family as they embark on a trip . Take a look at the top five safe trip and safe travels gifs below.

1. Because nothing says have a wonderful journey like a Snoopy pilot safe travels gif…

2. because travel means no worries (and maintaining proper social distance in the era of covid)…, 3. because the simpsons…, 4. because any list of the best safe travels gifs needs zach galifianakis…, 5. because toy story and mr. and mrs. potato head are awesome and this safe travels meme is just so precious….

That rounds out our list of the best safe travels gifs. Use one of these safe travels gifs the next time a friend goes on a trip and you want to wish them well. It will surely make them smile.

5 Best Road Trip GIFs and Memes

Now that we’ve done the best safe travels gifs, let’s have a little fun with some road trip gifs. As we mentioned in our travel predictions for the 2020s article, the road trip has become much more popular during the pandemic. These road trip gifs and memes will have you starting your car and journeying to your destination in no time.

1. Because any road trip should involve aggressively jamming out to “Bohemian Rhapsody”…

2. because you need this fast & furious gif for when the road trip goes off track…, 3. because every road trip needs the muppets, especially kermit the frog…, 4. because this scene from dexter was incredibly funny, and this question inevitably comes up each road trip…, 5. because you need the right road trip gif to send to friends and family when you arrive, and dumb and dumber delivers….

That finishes our list of the best road trip gifs and memes. Next time you go on a road trip with friends, family, or your partner, send one of these road trip gifs to them before you go. It will put them in a good mood for the trip!

5 Best Travel the World GIFs and Memes

We’ve covered safe travels and road trip GIFs and memes. Now, it’s time for some travel the world gifs. After all, we love long-term global travel here at Frayed Passport and spend a lot of time producing guides on how to live and work anywhere . So, check out these travel around the world gifs and get ready for your next global adventure!

1. Because Let’s Go Luna! has amazing educational content for children, and this travel the world gif will get you ready to learn about other cultures…

2. because princess leia is a hero, and you need the force with you when you travel the world (or galaxy)…, 3. because this kid president gif will have you spinning a globe to discover your next destination…, 4. because nothing could be as fun as traveling the world with spongebob and patrick…, 5. because any list of travel the world gifs needs amelia earhart, the first woman to fly across the atlantic ocean solo….

That concludes our list of the best travel the world gifs. Hopefully, you’re already looking at booking a trip to Europe , the Americas, Africa , Asia or elsewhere after viewing these travel the world gifs.

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Overemployment is the act of working two remote full-time jobs to earn extra income and reach financial freedom. More than simply having a side hustle, being overemployed means having two or more full-time jobs that offer salary and benefits. While overemployment may sound difficult and potentially hazardous if caught, the fact is any remote worker can do it successfully with the right approach and commitment.

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5 best holiday travel gifs.

Next up for this article on the best travel gifs is our list of the best holiday travel gifs and memes. Whether you’re heading home for the holidays or going abroad, these holiday travel gifs will have you laughing.

1. Because like Chandler says, “Spring break! Woo-hoo…”

2. because a home alone scene belongs on any list of the best holiday travel gifs…, 3. because this bubly gif captures how great it feels to set up your ‘out of office’ email before a holiday…, 4. because national lampoon’s vacation films are hilarious and every family holiday vacation has this sort of moment…, 5. because this adorable holiday travel gif says it all about returning to work….

That finishes our list of the best holiday travel gifs. Whether you’re traveling to Florida for the new year or backpacking in Central America for spring break, these gifs will put in the mindset for no work and all play.

Let these travel GIFs and memes inspire you to adventure

Now that you’ve looked at the best 20 travel GIFs, how do you feel? Are you ready to plan your next trip?

Let our vacation guides and travel tips help with your trip planning. From advice on how to beat travel price inflation to foodie travel articles , we have all you need to put together the trip of a lifetime.

About the Author

Nick Callos has always had a passion for reading, writing, and discovering the new and unknown. Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Nick holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English from Boston College. He currently splits his time between his hometown, Chengdu, China, and the open road. A full-time travel writer, Nick hopes his work can inspire others to explore the world more deeply and enjoy the digital nomad lifestyle.

Featured image via Unsplash .

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101 Hilarious Travel and Vacation Memes for Every Kind of Traveler

Last Updated on: 31st March 2022, 10:29 pm

Nothing is better than a Funny Travel Meme

Travel is fun, exciting, exhausting, exhilarating, stressful, thrilling, beautiful, and sleep-inducing. You can travel solo, with your family, with your friends, and with perfect strangers.

But no matter your travel style or travel companions, here are the best travel memes, vacation memes, and road trip memes just for you.

Love travel? Check out 250+ Inspirational Travel Quotes with Images!

My Favorite Travel Booking Sites for 2023

These are my favorite companies that I use on my own travels.

Protect Your Trip via Safety Wing

Find the best city tours, day tours, bus tours, & skip-the-line tickets on GetYourGuide and Viato r .

Find the best deals on hotels & vacation rentals on Booking.com .

For English-speaking private airport transfers, book through Welcome Pickups.

For road trips and independent travel, rent a car through Discover Cars .

Find information and cruise reviews on Cruise Critic.

For packing and travel essentials order via Amazon .

Book an affordable family or romantic photography session on your trip through Flytographer (Use the code HISTORYFANGIRL for 10% off your first photoshoot).

For travel guidebooks to have with you during your trip, I always pick one or two from Rick Steves and Lonely Planet.

(If you have the opportunity to travel be sure to do so. Just be sure in advance that all-important matters are under control. This is especially important for students. Have a lot of assignments? Then use a  website that writes essays for you  and travel without stress.)

1. Looking for a Travel Soulmate?

You don’t want to be locked in a ca bin in winter, a cute summer cottage , or a whole entire RV with the wrong person!

2. Nothing Compares to You

I would replace #5 with Diet Coke, but the rest is accurate.

3. They Really are the Luckiest

Life IS about choices.

4. Are There any Other Options?

5. A Dare is a Dare

The Dart has Spoken

6. Don’t all Ancient Religions have a god of Skyscanner?

I’m sure they did in Ancient Rome.

7. Even a Spider Can do It

Or a good app

8. Just be Chill

This is 100% how I am. Every time. Still.

9. Seven years into this travel blog life, and I still make this mistake. Every. Single. Time.

I’m working on getting better.

10. The Best Memes are Airport Memes

Or maybe little bottles of shampoo are freeballing instead of in a convenient ziplock.

Love memes? Check out 250 Hilarious History Memes to Soothe Your Dark Soul

11. NSFW Memes

I mean, duh.

12. I love a good Airport Security Meme

This has literally never happened to me?

13. This Meme is a Dark Meme

I’ve never thought about this before, but mind blown.

14. It’s a Union Thing

I’ve literally been asked to move 2 lbs from one checked bag to the other.

15. Sometimes You Need a Little Pick Me Up

16. Seriously tho

17. So Much Drool. How Did I Drool that Much?

18. I Assume this African Travel Meme is 100% Accurate

19. These People Should be thrown off the Airplane

20. Basically My Entire Childhood

21. Airplane Food Sounds Disgusting Until You Know it’s Too Late

22. Tales from First Class

 23.  Well Maybe Hotel Memes are the Best Memes

24. Like Zero

25. You Even Get Your Own Hotel Soaps!

26. Solo Travel Memes are Kind of Amazing Tho

27. No More Drama

28. There are Disney People and there Are Non-Disney People

29. Cheese Travel Pic Memes FTW

30. It’s the Thrill of the Fight

31. Instagram Boyfriends aren’t Always that Enthusiastic

32. It Usually Works Tho

33. When It’s Over

34. Family of the Year

35.  Travel Money Memes are Also Great Tho

36. Those Pesky Details

38. It’s Called a Work-Life Balance, and It’s Not Happening

39. I’m about 20% of the way there so far…

40. Punny Memes are Funny Memes

41. You know this one is true.

42. Get that Flight Voucher, Girl

43. I’m not Saying Babies shouldn’t be on Airplanes, but…

44. This one is harder than it should be

45. Not sure where he picked up a new head on vacation tho

46. Business Travel Memes, like Business Travel, is Less Fun

47. YASSSSS!

48. Yes, I do. Like a Boss.

49. The Classics are Classics for a Reason

50. That Last Day of Work before a Vacation is Torture, but the Exit is Pure Magic.

51. Parents, SMH.

52. And the pet in “Pet Cemetary”

53. Travel Buddy Memes should always have Pugs

54. When Treat Yo Self becomes Pack Yo Self

55. It was just a Vacation!

56. I’ll Believe it When I see the Plane Ticket Receipt

58. Where is this vacation, Heart Attack City?

59. That Purse is the Truth

60. The Feeling of Victory

61. Seriously, this continent doesn’t want people on it.

62. But I won’t. Even with it.

63. Group Travel Memes Be Like…

64. Joe Biden ::Hearts:: Emily Post

65. Another Punny One

66. Why bring 32 if You Could Justify 50?

67. Another packing meme for you, because the struggle is real.

68. If the point is to make more time for travel, then the answer is always yes. Just trust me.

69. The anticipation is palpable.

70. Jetlag and no cell service are a recipe for disaster.

71. Yeah, because it’s absolute bullshit.

72. But my legs do hurt, so…

73. It’s about priorities, Debra.

74. Oh, I thought you said to pack matching…

75. I would be dead, just in a bar somewhere.

76. How about if it’s me?

77. Death by email is a real thing, right?

78. Moms always worry, but there are ways to use it to your advantage.

79. How I feel the day before a vacation:

80. Different emotions for different experiences.

81. Raccoons should be in every Vacation Meme, like ever

82. Wach out for the Vacation Over-Sharer

83. Don’t mess with a flight attendant before they’ve had their coffee

84. Which is more annoying: talking about study abroad or memes about study abroad?

85. The Over-Planner might actually be worse than the Over-Sharer

86. Unless You have a Peanut Allergy…

87.  I Like to Travel for the New Cultural Experiences

88. When Your Bank Account is Incorrect…

89. Business Travel is Not Fun Travel, and You Can’t Convince me that It Is

90. Those subtitles sure are helpful.

91. Pun Memes are Fun Memes

92. And that’s exactly why I stopped telling non-travel people about my travel plans.

93. Instagrammers these days be like:

94. another one for the road (trip meme).

95. Yup, 100% accurate.

96. Travel Planner? I hardly knew her!

97. I just want that Jennifer Anniston Sky Bar situation

98. it’s only polite.

99. He propably saved $30 doing it this way.

100. But when it is, that’s a whole new kind of trip to take.

101. And finally, #RelationshipGoals

More Fun Travel Resources

250 Hilarious History Memes to Soothe Your Dark Soul 250+ Real & Inspirational Travel Quotes (with Images!) How to Improve Your Travel Photography

Pin 101 Hilarious Travel Memes for Your Next Vacation

In this Article:

5 thoughts on “101 Hilarious Travel and Vacation Memes for Every Kind of Traveler”

As always thank you for great article

You’re welcome!

Dara Pettinelli. Never trust Abby Perlman because she was planing to lock up Dara Pettinelli using CBS’s Otis Livingston!

http://www.TravelNakedVacations.com

Meme 33 happens every weekend. All too quickly!

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37 Funny Road Trip Memes for a Laughter-Filled Journey

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Are you ready to hit the open road and create unforgettable memories? Maybe even dance ? There’s nothing quite like the thrill of a road trip, where the possibilities seem endless and the adventure lies just beyond the horizon. And what better way to enhance your journey than with a collection of hilarious and relatable road trip memes?

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or planning your first expedition, these humorous snapshots perfectly capture the joy, challenges, and unforgettable moments that come with exploring the world on four wheels . So buckle up and get ready for a laughter-filled ride as we delve into a compilation of funny road trip memes that will have you nodding your head in agreement and laughing out loud along the way!

1) Let the road trip memes begin!

“Going on a road trip with your besties like…Can I use the charger now? Deborah, did you eat all the snacks? I think I missed the exit.”

2) Living life in the fast lane with road trip memes!

“I don’t always pass slow drivers but when I do, I check to see if they look as stupid as they drive.”

3) Funny road trip memes that answer the question, “Are we there yet?”

“Are we there yet? Are we there yet? How about now?”

4) Enjoying road trip memes with the fam.

“Babe, I know. I’ll miss you too. But Mom and Dad are taking me on a road trip.”

5) Waking up to a fresh dose of road trip memes!

“When you’ve been asleep for the whole trip and somebody says, ‘We’re here.'”

6) When you inhale the snacks.

“Buys $80 worth of road trip snacks. Eats them all in first 20 minutes.”

7) When you need to lookup the meaning of “Road head lane”…

“Let’s clear this up one last time. Passing lane. Travel lane. Road head lane. Exit lane.”

8) When you have to also hear non-stop dad jokes in the car.

“Dads. State line signs on a road trip.”

9) When someone says, “Road trip!”

“Did someone say road trip?”

10) Road trip memes only people from Texas will understand.

“Europeans: I drove forty minutes to the Netherlands for some groceries and then I popped into Germany to see some of my relatives before driving back home. Americans: I was in Texas, I drove for nine hours, now I’m still in Texas…”

11) When road signs are misleading.

“Fancy 4-star motel. Somehow I doubt that.”

12) When you’re the master of holding it in.

“When you finally stop to pee on your road trip.”

13) When you’re traveling on a budget.

“When your girl wants to see London, Italy, and Paris but you’re on a budget…”

14) When you ask directions from an old friend.

“Are we going the right way Yoda? Off course, we are.”

15) Funny Road trip memes only parents will understand.

“When you have to move your kid’s car seat into another car.”

16) When you start questioning your life choices.

“Holidays as a couple vs Holidays with kids.”

17) When you need a vacation.

“I get emotionally attached to the cars ahead of me on long road trips.”

18) When you’re doing your best.

“When you’re in the backseat desperately trying to be part of the front seat conversation.”

19) When you agree with the first rule of buying road trip snacks.

“It doesn’t matter how old you are, buying snacks for a road trip should always look like an unsupervised 9-year-old was given $100.”

20) Road trip memes when you’re traveling with kids.

“Me: Hey, do you need to go potty? Kid: No.”

21) When you call shotgun.

“Oh boy, did you say road trip?”

22) When you’re planning a road trip in Canada.

“Ok, we dug out the car, now what?”

23) When you wish you were an only child.

“When you’re on a road trip and your sibling’s being hyper as [censored]. Then you realize you have seven more hours to go.”

24) When you like to pack lightly.

“Me packing 56 outfits for a three-day weekend.”

25) The reality of road trip memes.

“Road trips: Expectation vs Reality.”

26) When it’s your first road trip.

“Road trip!”

27) When you read the rules for any road trip.

“Rules for any road trip. The driver: Drive, focus on the road, don’t kill us. Shotgun: Stay awake, have mad DJ skills, and navigate so hard. Back seat: Snack distributor in chief, remind front seat people that bathrooms exist, and nap like a boss.”

28) When you’re playing games on the road.

“Stuck in the alphabet game? QXYZ. You’re welcome.”

29) When you take your first road trip together.

“Let’s test the limits of our love by taking a short road trip together.”

30) Road trip memes only fans of Tim Hortons will understand.

“The first stop of every road trip in Canada.”

31) When you’re not sure what you’re getting into.

“Road trip with kids?? Trust me, it will be fun.”

32) Road trip memes that make you feel better.

“I was having a [censored] day. And then I saw this. I feel a lot better now.”

33) When you can’t wait to get there.

“Are we there yet?”

34) When you forget your luggage.

“When you arrive at a hotel and you realize you forgot your bag: Oh no.”

35) Funny road trip memes for cat lovers.

“I will turn this car around, dammit.”

36) When your kids love snacks.

“When you think your car is clean but then you have to move a car seat.”

37) When you’re a good parent.

“When your kid says something mean to their sibling but it was funny: I’ll allow it.”

I hope you enjoyed these road trip memes!

Please share these road trip memes with your friends and family.

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The Ultimate Australia Road Trippin’ Guide — 10 Itineraries For The Perfect Adventure of a Lifetime

From cities to coasts and national parks to natural beauties, an epic road trip is the best way to explore Australia!

Recently, I rented a Blue SG car with my best friend and had a wild time driving 17km from Yishun to Hougang. It barely qualifies as a road trip, but it reminded me of my last trip to Australia . If you didn’t know already, it’s one of the sweetest places for a truly epic road trip!

Across the country, there are tons of routes packed with scenery, action and adventure. And it’s friendly for beginners (a.k.a. driving noobs) too!

It’s a bummer we can’t travel right now, but I’ve found that an instant mood lifter is to get your ‘ revenge travel ‘ plans in order (i.e. a long post-COVID-19 trip that makes up for lost time) — so here are 10 of the best Australia road trips to go full throttle on once we get the green light! 🟢

1) Coastal drive from Sydney to Melbourne

Journey time: 4–8 days (~1,300km) Starting point: Sydney Airport (~8hr flight from Singapore)

Between two of Australia’s largest cities, the coastal drive from Sydney to Melbourne (or vice versa) is sensational. Every inch of the way from New South Wales to Victoria offers quirky seaside towns, golden beaches and wondrous ocean views.

Part of the route includes the Grand Pacific Drive , a 140km stretch along New South Wales’s South Coast . It covers gorgeous attractions like the Royal National Park and the stunning Sea Cliff Bridge .

The drive from Sydney to Melbourne is perfectly beginner-friendly. There are many stops along the route whenever you need to stretch your legs.

Read more: Sydney South Coast Road Trip — 7-Day Itinerary From Sydney to Eden

Now, onto the epic must-dos. First, sign up for some adrenaline-pumping skydiving over Wollongong . Above the magnificent coast, you’ll freefall at speeds over 200km/h, wayyy faster than you’ll ever go on your road trip!

Photo credit: @kattgao via Instagram

After Wollongong, drop by the Kiama Blowhole and be blown away. Well, not literally, but there’s a good chance of getting soaked.

Alternatively, if you’re road trippin’ during summer, spend a night or two in Jervis Bay . You might be lucky enough to catch the phenomenal sea sparkles , or bioluminescence.

Once you’ve crossed the border into Victoria , get ready for even more wow’s (and aww’s ). For nature lovers, don’t miss the adorable Penguin Parade on Phillip Island . It’s a heart-melting treat watching these little fellas waddle out of the ocean and scuttle around the beach.

Check out other island activities like scenic walks and visiting the cuddly Koala Reserve too!

Photo credit: @helenabradbury via Instagram

Before you reach Melbourne , make one last stop at Mornington Peninsula . Here, you can drink deep at exquisite wineries and explore the stellar coastline at Cape Schanck (recommended by Chris Hemsworth 🤩).

Got another week to spare? Extend your road trip from Melbourne to Adelaide just next door! Alternatively, if you’re flying out from Sydney , make the return drive from Melbourne to Sydney via the inland route . After coasts and busy beaches, you can now enjoy the quiet countryside and historic gold-mining towns.

2) Ultimate Australian Outback road trip from Darwin to Adelaide

Journey time: 10–14 days (~3,000km) Starting point: Darwin Airport (4.5hr flight from Singapore)

Cutting across the vast outback, the drive from Darwin to Adelaide takes you through a series of wonderful and unusual landscapes. You’ll pass miles of red earth in the Northern Territory before reaching South Australia’s world-renowned wineries.

This adventurous route is more suited for seasoned travellers as you might be driving long distances (depending on your itinerary). Petrol stations are also few and far between, so plan carefully and refuel at every stop.

To eager first-timers, don’t let the long drives stop you from diving into this road trip! Just add a few more days for exploration and extra rest.

Photo credit: @exploreuluru via Instagram

Deep in the heart of the Red Centre , the hallmark of this outback road trip is the monumental Uluru . Get to know it your way — see it from above with a badass helicopter ride , or join a cultural tour and learn about the sacred land and Aboriginal culture.

Photo credit: @nealjennings via Instagram

Eight hours away lies the strange town of Coober Pedy . It’s the opal mining capital of the world, but the show-stealer is that the locals live underground to avoid the scorching heat!

Staying a night here is a must. It’s not every day you get to live in a posh B&B carved out of natural sandstone, especially one located 25m below .

Photo credit: @alan.timms1 via Instagram

If you thought Coober Pedy was mind-blowing, wait till you hit the Flinders Ranges .

The national park is home to incredibly dramatic landscapes like Wilpena Pound , a massive bowl-shaped crater made up of craggy mountains. The best way to see it is through an exciting scramble up to its rugged ridges or a relaxing scenic flight .

Photo credit: @ashhughesphotos via Instagram

After days of non-stop adventure, wine down in the Barossa Valley — reputed as one of the world’s greatest wine regions. There are over 150 wineries and 80 cellar doors, so take your time to swirl and sip Australia’s finest Cabernet Sauvignon or special Barossa Shiraz.

The excitement doesn’t have to end in Adelaide ! Not too far from the city, there are plenty of jaw-dropping coastlines that are ripe for exploring, which brings us to our next route…

3) Scenic South Australia road trip — Southern Ocean Drive from Adelaide to Kangaroo Island and Mount Gambier

Journey time: 5–7 days (~500–1,200km) Starting point: Adelaide Airport (~7hr flight from Singapore)

With an abundance of coastal scenery, tasty wines and native wildlife, the Southern Ocean Drive is one of the loveliest, lesser-known road trips in Australia. In fact, some consider it a ‘sequel’ to Victoria’s Great Ocean Road drive (more on this later)!

The route is great for beginner road trippers as there are plenty of stops to pull over at. Plus, attractions are relatively nearby one another. It’s likely you won’t drive for longer than three to four hours each day.

Photo credit: @officialfleurieupeninsula via Instagram

South Australia produces half of all the wine in the country, so there’s no excuse not to indulge! Make your first stop at McLaren Vale in Fleurieu Peninsula . It’s home to some of the world’s oldest grapevines, and serves the most delectable wines and local produce you might ever taste in your life.

Photo credit: @promotemytown via Instagram

Nature and wildlife lovers would adore Kangaroo Island . A good part of it is protected in nature reserves, so it’s no surprise to meet wild ‘roos and see other wildlife roaming free!

Photo credit: TripAdvisor

To make your Kangaroo Island experience more unique, stay the night in a quaint cottage by Cape Willoughby Lighthouse . You’ll enjoy a well-deserved package: Exclusive privacy, calming sounds of crashing waves, and a magnificent sunrise view.

If you only have a few days, keep the road trip short and explore Kangaroo Island fully. Otherwise, take a ferry back to the mainland and continue your coastal journey.

Photo credit: @discover_mount_gambier via Instagram

Situated along the Limestone Coast , Mount Gambier is a city built atop an extinct volcano. Its main attraction is the mysterious Blue Lake , a huge crater lake. From April to November, the water is a distinct greyish-blue colour. But once November rolls around, it transforms into a striking turquoise blue.

The Blue Lake is not permitted for swimming, but its smaller cousin is! Satisfy your urge to dip at the Little Blue Lake , a giant sinkhole filled with pleasantly cool waters. It’s free to enter, and makes an awesome photo spot too!

Photo credit: @sarahafindlay via Instagram

4) Northern Territory Top End Nature’s Way Drive from Darwin to Katherine

Journey time: 8 days (~900km) Starting point: Darwin Airport (4.5hr flight from Singapore)

Top End Nature’s Way features a fantastic mix of tropical wonders and the fascinating Australian outback. Peppered with spectacular national parks, timeless Aboriginal culture, and the charming town of Katherine — this triangular route is especially geared for outdoor lovers.

Adventurous as it may be, the drive from Darwin to Katherine is actually easy. Main attractions are about three hours from each other. Roads are also well-paved, so you don’t need four-wheel drives (4WD). What you do need, though, are your best hiking shoes!

Photo credit: @_danieltran_ via Instagram

The first must-visit is Kakadu National Park , Australia’s largest. Take a walk through  Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) , an ancient rock art gallery that showcases Aboriginal traditions. Or, pack your bathers and dip in the beautiful Gunlom Plunge Pool .

Photo credit: @traveling_yorick via Instagram

The huge park is also home to boatloads of exotic wildlife, including 10,000 crocodiles ! Feed your curiosity and join a croc-spotting cruise — you might catch these prehistoric beasts basking lazily in the sun, or silently stalking their next meal.

Photo credit: Tourism Australia

In Katherine, travellers usually make a beeline for Nitmiluk National Park , and it’s easy to see why. The highlight is the Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge , a deep sandstone gorge that transports you to another realm.

While cruises are available, enjoy a bigger thrill by hiring a canoe . During the dry season (May–Sep), you’ll get enchanting views while paddling through ancient landscapes.

Photo credit: @fewdaysbetween via Instagram

Finally, after days of fast-paced action, cool off at Litchfield National Park on your drive back to Darwin. The park has plenty of lush swimming holes, great for refreshing soaks.

In need of more adventure? Fly down to Alice Springs from Darwin and explore the Red Centre Way ! The route snakes through mighty attractions like Uluru and Kings Canyon . Seasoned travellers can rent a 4WD and zip through Mereenie Loop , a dusty dirt road.

Read more: 40 Lesser-Known Things to Do in Australia Highly Recommended by Locals, Travellers and Celebrities  

5) Grand Tasmania road trip — Great Eastern Drive from Hobart to Bicheno and the Bay of Fires

Journey time: 2–5 days (~300km) Starting point: Hobart Airport (~8.5hr flight from Singapore)

Whether you’ve got a week or a weekend, Tasmania’s Great Eastern Drive promises a road trip getaway that’ll clear your head. Expect breathtaking coastal drives, pristine beaches and some of the freshest seafood around.

The drive from Hobart to Bicheno is mainly on sealed roads and highways, making it suitable for both beginners and seasoned travellers. Plus, attractions are less than two hours from each other!

Photo credit: Maria Island Walk / Great Walks of Australia

Start your trip by disconnecting from civilisation. Take a 30-minute ferry ride from Orford to Maria Island . Hike to the Painted Cliffs , made magical by its bold swirls of earthy colours. The best time to view it is at sunset when the colours truly pop — just be sure you make it back to the ferry on time!

Photo credit: @itsworthashot via Instagram

Back on mainland Tasmania , dedicate a full day for Freycinet National Park . Wake early (or try your best to) and follow the Mount Amos trail to see Wineglass Bay at sunrise. The famous azure bay looks completely different when it’s bathed in a warm orange glow.

For the rest of the day, treat yourself to juicy, succulent oysters from Freycinet Marine Farm . Or, you could always work a little harder and harvest oysters straight from the waters.

Photo credit: @lady_siu_mei via Instagram

Wildlife lovers, stop by Bicheno for a cute penguin tour . Every evening, little penguins splash out of the waters and waddle around their burrows on the beach. The tour lets you get up close to watch them go about their adorably busy routines.

Photo credit: @_aswewander via Instagram

Finally, drive an hour from Bicheno to the legendary Bay of Fires . Clumped together on the white sand beach, the orange lichen-covered granite boulders are a great place to rest, swim, and take lots of lit photos .

Read more: 16 Picture-Perfect Places Every Australia Itinerary Needs

6) Best of Victoria road trip — Great Southern Touring Route from Bellarine Peninsula to Great Ocean Road and the Grampians

Journey time: 5–8 days (~850km) Starting point: Melbourne Airport (~7.5hr flight from Singapore)

No Australia road trip is more iconic than the Great Southern Touring Route ! You’ll feast well at the gastronomical Bellarine Peninsula , before winding along the marvellous coastline of the Great Ocean Road , and end with adventures in the Grampians .

The weeklong, round-trip drive is great for beginners. Most attractions are within two to three hours from each other, and there are plenty of stops along the way for rest and photos. Add more days if possible — this is one brilliant journey you don’t want to rush.

Photo credit: @littlemusselcafe via Instagram

If you’re travelling to the coasts first, make a quick detour to the Bellarine Peninsula . Bring an empty stomach — the up-and-coming region serves delicious local produce, from insanely fresh seafood to full-bodied wines and decadent desserts.

Recommended eateries include the Little Mussel Cafe , Scotchmans Hill , and the Scandinavian Ice Cream Company . Or, plan your own yummy Bellarine Taste Trail !

And now, the main event: The Great Ocean Road . Take your time for this leg of the journey! It’s totally normal to stop every few minutes and take photos of the unbelievable coastline. But, make sure you’ve allocated enough time to see all its classic sights — the 12 Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, the Arch and the Grotto.

As you drive back inland, stop at the Grampians , another must-visit attraction. The National Park is popular with outdoor lovers and travellers, who come to rock climb or conquer its adventurous treks.

If you only have time for one hike, make it the Pinnacle Lookout , one of the park’s highest peaks. The journey from Wonderland Car Park is moderately challenging, but filled with scenery that makes it a highly Instagrammable spot .

For a less gruelling hike, head to MacKenzie Falls . It’s one of the largest waterfalls in Victoria that flows all year round.

Read more: 8D Melbourne Road Trip Itinerary — The Ultimate Road Trip Around Victoria’s Best Adventures

If you’re craving more coastal scenery, extend your Victoria road trip from Melbourne to Adelaide . The route includes Port Fairy , a whimsical seaside town, and picturesque Mount Gambier .

7) Hidden gems in the Australian Capital Territory — Canberra and Coast road trip

Journey time: 5–6 days (~650km) Starting point: Canberra Airport (8hr flight from Singapore)

For an unhurried escape, go on a picturesque road trip around Canberra and the South Coast . This round-trip route meanders from the city to the countryside and coast, topped with a mix of culture, adventure, and best of all — food!

As the road trip is relatively short, it’s great for beginners. Depending on your itinerary, you might be driving for a maximum of three hours a day. But there are many places to rest and take a breather along the way.

Photo credit: @balloonaloftcanberra via Instagram

Canberra is Australia’s capital, but not many travellers get to know the place! Rent a car and explore the city, teeming with friendly locals and cultural gems.

If you’re big on views, sign up for a fancy hot air balloon ride over the city. If not, tour around the impressive Australian Parliament House or the scenic National Arboretum .

Photo credit: @avenuehotelcbr via Instagram

After ticking off the city’s attractions, drive out to the peaceful countryside. There’s an abundance of fresh, farm-to-plate produce to savour, so bring your biggest appetite! During truffle season (Jun–Aug), many truffle farms offer hunting experiences, where you get to team up with a cute truffle dog that’ll sniff for this superb delicacy.

Other places to check out include traditional cider from Sully’s at the Old Cheese Factory , and Tilba Real Dairy for some rich, premium cheeses.

Get some peace and quiet with some overnight glamping! There are many sites to choose from in the South Coast, but the one that holds a special place in our hearts is Tilba Lake Camp . Located in the middle of a sprawling green pasture, you get a cosy lotus bell tent, a comfy bed and a delicious homemade breakfast.

Further down the coast, dip into the beautiful Bermagui Blue Pool . The good news is the natural rock pool offers some of the best views of the ocean, but be prepared — the waters can be quite chilly!

Once you’ve soaked up enough of the coast, end your road trip in Canberra.

8) Fun-filled Western Australia road trip — Indian Ocean Drive from Perth to Kalbarri

Journey time: 5 days (~1,800km) Starting point: Perth Airport (5hr flight from Singapore)

Few road trips are as vibrant as the Indian Ocean Drive . From Perth to Kalbarri , you’ll get a splash of colour driving past earthy landscapes, pink lakes and rich, red gorges. Arrive between Jul–Oct, and there’s also an explosion of multi-coloured wildflowers.

This route is part of Australia’s Coral Coast , and highlights some of the most exotic things you’ll ever see in the country. It’s also fairly easy for first-timers as there are many rest stops along the way. If you’re a seasoned traveller, don’t overlook this stretch — you might just discover something new!

Photo credit: @szjanko via Instagram

Just two hours from Perth, kickstart your adventure with some rad sandboarding at Lancelin Sand Dunes ! It’s a great winter sport substitute if you’re not a fan of cold or frozen snow. Plus, the fine sand makes a soft landing too!

Like the ruins of an ancient city, the Pinnacles Desert at Nambung National Park is one of Western Australia’s definite must-sees. Each limestone structure stands perfectly unique, eroded by centuries of wind. You can stroll around in the daytime, but we’ve found that this place makes an exceptional stargazing site once night falls.

Hutt Lagoon is a classic case of “you must see it to believe it”. The high salinity is what gives the lake its striking pink hue, which changes with the seasons and time of day. Naturally, it’s an Instagram hotspot — so dress your best and get snapping!

The final stop in the Indian Ocean Drive is Kalbarri National Park . It’s one of the most spectacular parks, with beautiful natural attractions around every corner.

Peek through Nature’s Window at the rocky gorge beyond, or check out the Kalbarri Skywalk . The park’s newest addition hovers more than 100m over the Murchison River, offering panoramic views of the arid landscape below.

If you’re here between Jul–Oct, wander around the Everlasting Wildflower Trail . The space comes alive with a burst of pretty, blooming wildflowers .

Photo credit: @roadtrippersaus via Instagram

Afterwards, follow the road back to Perth on your final day. But, if you have more time, extend your road trip down the Coral Coast .

Read also: 11D Western Australia Itinerary — Coastal Road Trip From Perth To Ningaloo

9) Epic Queensland road trip — Great Beach Drive from Noosa Heads to Rainbow Beach and Fraser Island

Journey time: 4–7 days (~420km) Starting point: Noosa Heads (~1.5hr drive from Brisbane Airport, 8hr flight from Singapore)

Here’s something for the young, wild and free! The Great Beach Drive to Fraser Island is as rugged as Aussie road trips get. In a comfy 4WD, you’ll cruise over 100km of beaches, sandwiched between wild bushland and the dazzling Coral Sea.

As the road trip requires a 4WD for off-road driving, it’s perfect for seasoned travellers. The backseat drivers can handle the road trip playlist and the vehicle access permit 😛

Photo credit: @t.becs via Instagram

Starting from Noosa Heads, take a 5-minute ferry ride from Tewantin or make a 40-minute detour to Noosa North Shore . In this unspoilt paradise, enjoy some beachside activities, or play a game to see who can spot wild kangaroos the fastest.

Photo credit: @manuelo.pro via Instagram

Further up, bask in the endless white sands of Teewah Beach . It’s only accessible via a 4WD so this is where your beachy journey begins! It’s also largely undeveloped — check that you’ve packed enough water and supplies, especially if you’re camping overnight .

Photo credit: @tracks.we.travel via Instagram

Continue on to Rainbow Beach . The lovely coastal town is famous for its coloured sand cliffs, caused by minerals staining the sand over thousands of years. Take a slow stroll and observe the natural swirl of colours ranging from white to ochre and red.

Photo credit: @alexxsadventures via Instagram

Finally, brace yourself for the grand event! From Inskip Point, take a short ferry ride across the ocean to Fraser Island . It’s the world’s largest sand island, and many come to conquer the glorious ‘highway’ that is 75 Mile Beach (that’s ~120km, FYI).

During your drive, swing by the Maheno shipwreck for photos and the Champagne Pools for a natural bubbling ‘jacuzzi’. Be sure to visit Fraser Island’s amazing rainforest too — it’s the only one on this planet that grows on sand!

10) Legendary Pacific Coast Touring Route from Sydney to Byron Bay

Journey time: 9–14 days (~1,000km) Starting point: Sydney Airport (~8hr flight from Singapore)

The Legendary Pacific Coast is another iconic route. The drive from Sydney to Byron Bay up to Brisbane is full of quintessential Aussie experiences — bucket-list-worthy adventures, soft, sandy beaches, and countless places to surf.

The route itself is a 10-hour stretch, but it’s pretty manageable if you break the distance down over two weeks. Following this, beginners would drive for a maximum of two hours every day on smooth, sealed roads.

If you’re not keen on exploring the famous Blue Mountains , opt for the quieter Bouddi National Park . Hop on the many scenic tracks , which feature sandstone cliffs, isolated beaches and vibrant native bush.

Photo credit: @sand_dune_adventures via Instagram

Further up north, the adventures begin! Port Stephens is where you’ll find the Southern Hemisphere’s largest moving coastal dunes — and there’s no better way to explore this shifting desert than with quad bikes (your first step to a 4WD!).

Read also: 9-Day Australia Road Trip Itinerary Around The Best Of NSW — Sydney, Blue Mountains and Beyond

Warning: Once you’re in Byron Bay , you might find it terribly hard to leave. The sun-kissed seaside town is arguably the best-kept secret in New South Wales , and there’s absolutely no shortage of things to do.

Read also: Byron Bay Guide: 25 Things to Do in NSW’s Ultimate Hipster Paradise

Experiences we 100% recommend include surfing at Main Beach , dining on fresh seafood at Catch-A-Crab , and watching the sunrise at Cape Byron Lighthouse . Meanwhile, Chris Hemsworth recommends diving at Julian Rocks (no kidding!).

Photo credit: @goldcoast_themeparks via Instagram

If you’re itching for more road trip adventures, drive a little further up to the Gold Coast or Brisbane in Queensland . Take your pick from hair-raising Gold Coast theme parks or the mellow Brisbane Brewing Co .

Read more: 2-Week Australia Road Trip from Sydney to Byron Bay — Discovering NSW’s Legendary Pacific Coast

Driving tips and planning for an unforgettable road trip in Australia

In a land so vast and wondrous, not exploring Australia on a road trip is a real shame. Even then, whether you decide to stay in the cities or hit the road, this country won’t have any problems curing your wanderlust !

All you need to do is find underrated things to do , or seek out socially-distant natural wonders . Hey, safety is sexy, no?

Speaking of safety, here are some useful driving tips for the long road ahead 👇 (1) Rent a GPS or download offline Google maps. Mobile reception isn’t available in remote places like National Parks. (2) Follow the speed limit — even in rural areas. Take it from us, the fines are hefty. (3) Watch out for wildlife on the roads. Drive at the recommended speeds, so that you can slow down or brake in time if an animal crosses in front of you. (4) Similarly, avoid driving in the dark as animals are more active then. If you do, use your high beam to see further ahead. Drop it when there are cars in the other direction (they’ll do the same too).

Need more ideas to plan your next Australia road trip? Find more guides and detailed maps for self-driving itineraries here !

Featured and Facebook image credit: @tracks.we.travel via Instagram

Which Australia road trip are you keen to go on? Share your plans in the comments!

This post is brought to you by Tourism Australia .

For more travel inspiration, follow us on Facebook , Instagram , YouTube , and Telegram !

View this post on Instagram A post shared by thetravelintern.com (@thetravelintern) on Jul 29, 2020 at 4:31am PDT

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10 of the best road trips in Australia

Nov 27, 2023 • 8 min read

From short scenic drives to epic countrywide journeys, here are the best road trips in Australia © John W Banagan / Getty Images

Australia is a country designed for road trips, with a diversity of landscapes and a scale that’s almost unrivaled anywhere in the world. 

Whether you want to squeeze in a day trip or pack up and go wherever the wind takes you, these driving routes won’t disappoint. Here are 10 of our favorite road trips in Australia .

1. Nullarbor Plain, South Australia

Drive the world's longest golf course Ceduna–Norseman 1200km (745 miles), allow two days

Arid, remote and stretching to the horizon, the treeless Nullarbor Plain is the stuff of road-trip legend: it’s the longest, straightest and flattest road in the country. While most believe that the journey along the Eyre Highway is only broken by the occasional roadhouse, there are some unexpected surprises along the way. For example, it’s home to the  Nullarbor Links , the world’s longest golf course. The 18-hole course spans 1365km (848 miles), with one hole in each participating town or roadhouse along the way. A scorecard is available for a nominal fee, which goes towards the upkeep of the course.

2. The Great Ocean Road, Victoria

The best road trip for epic coastal views Torquay–Allansford, 243km (150 miles); allow two to three days

Follow the wild southern coastline of Australia’s best scenic road trip: the Great Ocean Road . Start at the legendary surf town of Torquay, explore welcoming country towns like Lorne, and keep an eye out for koalas in Otway National Park, before taking in the iconic  Twelve Apostles . These are the main drawcard for photographers on this stretch of road, with just eight of these limestone stacks left standing sentinel along what’s also known as the Shipwreck Coast. 

While the Great Ocean Road can be tackled in a day, it’s best to stretch it over several. This will allow you ample time to stop for seafood in towns along the way (such as Apollo Bay, which hosts an annual seafood festival) and hike coastal trails found just off the highway.  

Planning tip: The weather is highly changeable along Victorian coastlines, so make sure you’re prepared for all seasons. If you’re behind the wheel, be mindful the roads are slippery when wet.

3. Grand Pacific Drive, New South Wales

The ultimate scenic day trip from Sydney Royal National Park, Sydney–Shoalhaven, 140km (86 miles), allow one day

The Grand Pacific Drive is the perfect day trip from Sydney . First, wind south through the eucalyptus forests of the Royal National Park . After crossing the weir at Audley, stop for a break at the Stanwell Tops cliffs, a popular hang-gliding spot and an excellent vantage point to watch whales between May and October.

Then, turn onto Lawrence Hargrave Drive. With both lanes suspended above the ocean, it’s easy to see why this stunning spot has played a starring role in numerous car commercials and photoshoots. You’ll then continue past clifftop pubs, small coastal villages, swimming beaches and rock pools, before arriving at the  Kiama blowhole . Finish your day with a walk around the harbor at Shoalhaven.

Detour: Budget enough time for a swim at secluded Wattamolla Beach in the Royal National Park, where you’ll find a cascading waterfall and a calm seaside lagoon.

4. The Coral Coast Highway, Western Australia

The best road trip for marine wildlife Perth–Exmouth, 1250km (776 miles), allow two weeks

Leave the city behind and head north along Western Australia’s Coral Coast, with the Indian Ocean to your left and red outback scenes on your right. This is a road trip for visitors with time to spare, with countless worthwhile stops along the way.

The first is the otherworldly Pinnacles Desert in Nambung National Park , where hundreds of limestone formations rise from the ground. Further north up the coast, you can watch dolphins approach the shoreline at  Monkey Mia in Shark Bay. And along the way, you can camp at traditional outback stations or farms, where living and working on the land is a way of life. 

The highlight of this drive, though, might be its final destination: Ningaloo Reef near Exmouth , which offers some of the country’s best snorkeling and diving, including alongside whale sharks and humpback whales. 

Planning tip: This is one drive you won’t want to see end. Fortunately, if time permits, you can continue your journey further north up the Pilbara Coast to Broome .

5. Hobart to Bruny Island, Tasmania

The best road trip for foodies Hobart–Bruny Island, 100km (62 miles), one day

Located a short drive southwest from Hobart , Bruny Island is one of Australia’s most mouthwatering foodie destinations. Wear your stretchy pants, as you’ll pass dozens of local producers on this day trip. 

Take the car ferry at Kittering to the north of the island and follow your stomach to feast on freshly shucked oysters, handmade cheese and local whisky direct from the producers at farm gates and cellar doors across the island. Cross the narrow isthmus known as  the Neck – which connects north and south Bruny – and finish your trip with a tour of Bruny Island’s 19th-century lighthouse .

Planning tip: Set out from Hobart early, as the line for the ferry can be long on weekends and public holidays.

6. Great Barrier Reef Drive, Queensland

The best drive for getting back to nature Cairns–Cape Tribulation, 140km (86 miles), allow at least two days

The world’s oldest rainforest, at roughly 150 million years old, the Daintree is one of the most biodiverse places on earth, with incredible species such as cassowaries (giant colorful flightless birds) and tree kangaroos hidden beneath its canopy. It’s also significant in that it borders another UNESCO World Heritage site: the Great Barrier Reef .

You can explore both rainforest and reef on this drive into Queensland ’s Wet Tropics. Head north from Cairns , stopping along the way in the resort towns of Port Douglas and get ready to dive in – its marina is one of the main departure points for trips to the outer reef. Along the way, detour to explore the Daintree’s Mossman Gorge , where Indigenous Kuku Yalanji guides will demonstrate traditional use of plants beside the crystal clear Mossman River. Finally, cross the Daintree River on a car ferry to Cape Tribulation , an off-grid eco haven. 

Planning tip: The heat might be on and the water might look lovely, but only swim if in designated safe swimming areas – this is crocodile country.

7. Gibb River Road, Western Australia

Australia’s best 4WD adventure Derby–Kununurra, 660km (410 miles), allow 10–14 days.

Wild, unpredictable and remote, the Gibb River Road is pure outback adventure. Open from around May to September during the dry season, this 660km (410-mile) route follows corrugated (washboard) roads, dirt tracks and multiple river crossings, with challenging 4WD sections best left to experienced drivers. Shelter under endemic boab trees said to be over 1500 years old, hike to swim in the cascading natural pools at Mitchell Falls , and get to know the untamed wilderness of the Kimberley , one of northwestern Australia’s most intriguing and desolate regions.

Planning tip: Carry adequate supplies, including water, paper maps and fuel. If you break down, stay with your vehicle. If you’re not confident taking a self-drive visit, several tour operators exist in the region.

8. The Explorer’s Way: South Australia to the Northern Territory

Best long-distance drive Adelaide–Alice Springs, 1500km (932 miles), six days

Following a route originally mapped out in the late 19th century for the Overland Telegraph Line, the Explorer’s Way runs all the way from Adelaide to Darwin . However, you only need to drive a portion of it to understand what a truly enormous feat it was to map. Starting from the neatly manicured vineyards of Adelaide wine country, you’ll watch the landscape shift into the big red majesty of Australia’s outback.

Along the way to Alice Springs , explore Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park , beat the heat by staying in underground accommodation in Coober Pedy – famous for its opal mining – and hit up Uluru and Kings Canyon. As you drive, keep an eye out for feral camels; they’re descendants of the ones first used by Afghan cameleers to help chart the path and transport supplies. 

Detour: Don’t miss the pink-hued waters of Lake Bumbunga, north of Adelaide. Its unique color – caused by algae – varies depending on the water’s salinity. It typically has its best Barbie moments in the spring and autumn.

9. Red Centre Way, Northern Territory

Best journey into the the heart of Australia Alice Springs–Alice Springs, 700km (434 miles), six days

This spectacular road trip hits up some of the same spots as the Explorer’s Way, but is intended to be done at a more relaxed pace by looping round the Red Centre’s biggest attractions. Departing from Alice Springs, take a break to cool off in water holes at Tjoritja/West MacDonnell Ranges and climb to the rim of Kings Canyon in Watarrka National Park. 

The main attraction for most, though, will be Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park , where you can walk 10km (6 miles) around the base of the world’s most famous monolith and head to watch the sunset over the domes of nearby Kata Tjuta.

Planning tip: All of the major attractions along the Red Centre Way can be reached in a regular car, but if you plan to complete the full loop, you’ll need a high-clearance 4WD for the Mereenie section.

10. The Big Lap

The trip for those who want to see it all Over 14,000km (8700 miles), allow at least six months – or a lifetime

There’s no Australian road trip more iconic than National Highway 1, one of the longest highways in the world. Encircling the entire country and popular with backpackers and gray nomads, it’s known as “the Big Lap" – but the exact route and detours you take will depend on your budget , the time of year , your departure point and how much time you have to spare.

Generally, travelers head north in the winter and south in the summer, all in a bid to avoid the wet season. Following the sun will give you a crash course in long-distance car travel, where you’ll build camaraderie with your fellow travelers and see the incredible diversity Australia has to offer.

This article was first published September 2020 and updated November 2023

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A guide to 30 of Australia's iconic Big Things

Carla Grossetti

Sub-Editor & Journalist

15 November 2023

It wouldn’t be an Australian road trip without a sighting of a Big Thing and we’ve put together a guide of Australia’s most iconic Big Things.

“Go big or go home”, so the expression goes, and Australia certainly received the memo. Australia’s penchant for ‘Big Things’ dates back to the 1960s when Adelaide’s Big Scotsman and the Big Banana in Coffs Harbour were unveiled to oversized delight. Today there is said to be more than 150 Big Things across the country, with some sources reporting in excess of 300, although the figure depends strongly on one’s definition of ‘big’.

Although there are some bona fide medium-sized items on our list, checking them all off is one of many reasons to head out on the highway. The quirkier the better. Here, we highlight some of the most iconic larger-than-life attractions (ranked by state, not by order of appeal) as well as those that are lesser-known such as Larry the Lobster, located in Kingston, South Australia, which was recently crowned champion in a ‘Which Big Thing is the Best?’ poll conducted by ABC Rural’s Warwick Long.

Qld | SA | NSW | NT | Tas | Vic | WA

The Sunshine State loves a Big Thing, judging by the sheer number of them you will find scattered around the state. From fruit and a giant gumboot to a cane toad, kangaroo and a giant easel, there is seemingly no “thing” too small to be transformed into a larger than life attraction. Here are nine of the best in Queensland.

1. The Big Pineapple

The  Sunshine Coast’s  Big Pineapple, located in Woombye, was once so iconic it made the cut as part of Prince Charles and Lady Diana’s 1983 Royal tour. Opened in 1971 on the existing Sunshine Plantation, located between Noosa and Caloundra, the 16-metre fibreglass pineapple attracted more than 1 million visitors a year at the peak of its popularity, and plans to return the heritage-listed landmark to its former glory are in progress.

The 170-hectare site includes attractions such as a ginger beer brewery, Diablo Co ., a water park , education programs and accommodation. There is already a Wildlife HQ zoo, a Tree Top Challenge with high ropes and zipline course, and regular events including the annual Big Pineapple Music Festival.

Part of the property’s footprint also includes Sunshine & Sons , a small-batch distillery that launched its Pineapple Parfait Gin in August 2021 to showcase the tropical fruit grown on the pineapple plantation and celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Big Pineapple.  There is also a push for the Big Pineapple to become the official mascot for the Brisbane 2032 Olympics.

There is a whole lot more to see at Woombye’s Big Pineapple location.

2. The Big Kangaroo

Matilda was the 13-metre tall kangaroo mascot from the 1982 Brisbane Commonwealth Games. The six-tonne Big Thing has since been upcycled and, ahem, roo-located several times from a water park on the Gold Coast to a truck stop in Kyborg, and today stands sentinel outside a petrol station in nearby Traveston, in the Gympie region of Queensland.

While the much-loved mascot used to be able to wiggle her ears, wink and blink, these days the icon simply manages to turn heads from her new position outside the new Chevron mega servo station on the Bruce Highway, which is even more accessible to road-trippers than her former Kyborg home.

The Big Kangaroo has had many homes over the years. (Image: Big Things Australia Facebook )

3. The Big Cane Toad

The locals have nicknamed the Big Cane Toad in Sarina ‘Buffy’ after the native tropical American tailless amphibian’s Latin name, Bufo marinus, and, love it or loathe it, it’s become a fibreglass fixture that celebrates the town’s cane farming history, warts and all. Big bold Buffy is located on the Bruce Highway, in the middle of the main road that slices through Sarina.

The cane toad was introduced to Australia as a pest control agent, but has become a pest itself. Originally crafted as the papier mache centrepiece to grace a float for a tropical sugar festival, the toad was cast in fibreglass in honour of the large, poisonous toad so prevalent in the region.

The Big Cane Toad can be spotted in Sarina. (Image: Mackay Region)

4. The Golden Gumboot

The township of Tully, located south of Cairns in Tropical North Queensland, has an average rainfall that exceeds four metres and, in 2003, a monument to the town’s unofficial status as Australia’s wettest town was erected in the form of a Golden Gumboot. Climbing up the gumboot is a white-lipped green tree frog.

After Cyclone Yasi roared through the town in 2017, the 7.9-metre-tall gumboot was given a facelift and it is now looking resplendent with its boot painted a golden hue and the fibreglass frog a vibrant shade of green.

The township of Tully is home to the Golden Gumboot. (Image: Tourism Events Queensland)

5. The Big Bullock

Rockhampton is home to the Big Bullock, a set of seven large statues that nod to the town’s triennial Beef Australia Expo. Vandals have been known to castrate the bulls’ balls, which are considered a trophy by local pranksters. The quirky statutes in the Beef Capital of Australia include a Brahman Bull at a roundabout on the southern entrance to the city and the Droughtmaster, at the entrance to the airport.

Romagnola is one of the seven statues that make up the Big Bullock in Rockhampton. (Image: Tourism Events Queensland)

6. The Big Easel

A drop of Tuscany meets the Central Highlands in Queensland with this mega artwork of Van Gogh’s sunflower painting. Artist Cameron Cross built the 25-metre high easel using about 13.6 tonnes of steel as part of his vision to construct seven Sunflower sculptures in seven different countries.

The painting, which punches the sky above Morton Park, was finished in 1999 and remains the world’s biggest rendition of a Van Gogh sunflower painting. The artwork is also a nod to Emerald’s proud history as a major producer of sunflowers. Visit the Emerald Visitor Information Centre to learn more about the awesome easel and return over Easter for the town’s annual Sunflower Festival.

The Big Easel in Emerald is a mega version of Van Gogh’s sunflower painting. (Image: Tourism Events Queensland)

7. The Big Barramundi

The Big Barramundi in Normanton is one of Queensland’s most famous big things. Constructed in honour of the elusive, large freshwater fish of the same name that is the most common species found in the Norman River, this Big Thing also celebrates the town’s status as the Barramundi Capital of the North.   

Constructed in 1995, the six-metre-long sculpture is one of three dedicated to barramundi located around Australia. The small Shire of Carpentaria town is also home to an 8-metre-long fibreglass saltwater crocodile named Krys, the Savannah King, which is a replica of the largest recorded saltwater crocodile captured in the world.

8. The Big Cassowary

As anyone who has come face to casque with a cassowary will attest, these flightless birds are not to be trifled with. So instead of trying to snap a selfie with the real thing, you can head to Wongaling Beach Shopping Centre in Mission Beach to clock the big bird that gave the Cassowary Coast its name.

While the statue is five metres tall, the actual bird itself – known for their wondrous red and blue wattles – can reach up to 1.7 metres and weigh up to 76 kilograms. The rainforest-cloaked hills around Mission Beach provide the perfect habitat for the big birds, and there are several street signs that warn motorists to slow down in case of cassowaries crossing.

The Big Cassowary can be found outside Wongaling Beach Shopping Centre in Mission Beach. (Image: Big Things Facebook)

9. The Big Apple

You will have to clock up a couple of hundred klicks on the Cunningham Highway to get to The Big Apple, located in the town of Stanthorpe. Located just 2.5 hours southwest of Brisbane, The Big Apple is about as far from New York as it gets, situated as it is in a region that is defined by its apple orchards, which sum up the seedy sculpture’s raison d’être.  

The Big Apple is located in the Granite Belt, in apple country, in a region where the orchards are considered a core aspect of Queensland’s bounty. You will find apple pies and apple cider tastings across the road from the Big Apple in Sutton’s Juice Factory, Cidery and Café.

The Big Apple is located in the town of Stanthorpe. (Image: @australiasbigthings )

South Australia

Famed for its vineyards, beaches and festivals, South Australia hardly needs a Big Thing to convince us to visit. Yet it’s the Big Things that show up in the most unlikely of places (like the Big Galah perched at the halfway point across Australia) that make South Australia stand out in the Big Things stakes. Here are three of the best.

10. The Big Lobster

Foodies looking for a fix of fresh lobster know that   South Australia’s Limestone Coast is well worth the journey, which is why a 17-metre-tall version of the crustacean was built in Kingston in 1979. Known as Larry the Lobster, the steel-and-fibreglass structure was designed to attract people to the adjacent restaurant and visitor centre.

The Big Lobster known locally as Larry the Lobster is one of the biggest of Australia’s Big Things, and was recently ranked No. 1 ‘Best Big Thing’ in an ABC Rural poll. There is now an old-school takeaway located in the lobster’s tail luring road-trippers off the Princes Highway near the entrance to Kingston for fish and chips and a selfie near the pincers.

Visit the 17-metre-tall lobster on South Australia’s Limestone Coast.

11. The Big Rocking Horse

There’s something thrilling about seeing a soaring big thing when you’re a child. And the fact the Big Rocking Horse is actually the giant emblem for a wooden toy factory doubles this Big Thing’s appeal. Although the 18-metre-high horse doesn’t rock – it’s set into 80 tonnes of concrete – you can climb through the horse to look out from three vantage points, the rocker, saddle and horse’s head.

The world’s biggest rocking horse is located in Gumeracha, in the Adelaide Hills, and is a top spot to enjoy some retail therapy. Bring your own picnic and spread out in the shade at the adjoining wildlife park, where peacocks, wallabies, sheep, goats, kangaroos and alpacas roam.

The Big Rocking Horse is actually the giant emblem of a wooden toy factory. (Image: @thetoyfactory.com.au )

12. The Big Galah

There are a few Australian colloquialisms that sum up our feelings toward the native galah. If you make a galah of yourself, you’re appearing foolish. If you’re ‘mad as a gum tree full of galahs’ you’ve gone completely cray-cray. Kimba’s Big Galah is a monument to the small Australian cockatoo that is coloured grey and pink, like bands of ‘80s eye shadow.

The giant eight-metre-high bush bird is perched out the front of a servo in Kimba that marks the halfway point across Australia. Today, the Big Galah is shadowed by the soaring 30-metre-high grain silos, which have been painted with murals and are now a major attraction in SA. The Big Kissing Galahs can also be found roosting in a concrete nest in Watson on the northern outskirts of Canberra in the ACT.

The Big Galah in Kimba received a new paint job in 2021. (Image: @thebiggalah)

New South Wales

Home to arguably the most famous Big Thing of them all, the Big Banana, New South Wales punches above its weight in the Big Things arena. Here are five of the state’s best.

13. The Big Banana

Opened in 1964, the Big Banana was one of the first, and remains one of the most popular, Big Things in Australia. A ‘you-can’t-miss-it’ position on the Pacific Highway in Coffs Harbour has aided the ‘na-na’s fame, but it is more than just an oversized piece of fruit for road-trippers to gawk at.

Although it originally had the simple role of marking the site of a banana plantation, the space has evolved over the years and the 13-metre-long landmark is now accompanied by an award-winning fun park with laser tag, a giant slide, mini golf, ice skating, a toboggan ride and a water park among other attractions.

The Big Banana also looms large for road-trippers, with the promise of a chocolate-coated banana or banana split keeping children happy for longer on their quest to get to Coffs Harbour. While there are many more stories to be told in Coffs Harbour these days, with the Mid North Coast town recently declared NSW’s first ECO destination , the Big Banana will always hold sway.

Coffs Harbour is home to the iconic Big Banana.

14. The Big Merino

Built in 1985, The Big Merino is a monument to the Goulburn region’s fine wool industry. And ‘Rambo’ is a particularly big, big thing, weighing in at 100 tonnes and measuring 15.2 metres high and 18 metres long. Once a go-to pit-stop for those travelling through Goulburn, The Big Merino’s popularity initially suffered when the Hume Highway was re-routed to bypass the town in 1992.

But in 2007, Rambo was relocated 800 metres closer to the highway so he could once again enjoy the spotlight. Unlike most of Australia’s Big Things, Rambo is open for inspection and a go-to on a weekend getaway in Goulburn . His three-storey interior is home to a permanent exhibition on the 200-year history of wool in Australia as well as a gift shop and an observation area where visitors can experience the Rambo’s-eye view.

The Big Merino was built in 1985 to celebrate Goulburn’s fine wool industry.

15. The Big Prawn

Ballina’s 33-tonne Big Prawn was constructed (tail-less for reasons unknown) in 1989 as a nod to the local prawning industry where it took up residence atop a local service station. The structure eventually fell into disrepair and faced demolition when the service station closed in 2010, but another Aussie icon, Bunnings Warehouse, came to the rescue.

When the hardware group moved in, it spent $400,000 restoring the 35-tonne prawn, which included the addition of a 16-metre tail. The Big Prawn now cuts a striking figure next to its saviour. After adding a few snapshots to your Snapchat, order seafood to-go from one of the stores across the road. There is also a Big Prawn located in Exmouth, on Australia’s Coral Coast.

Ballina’s 33-tonne Big Prawn has been around since 1989.

16. The Big Potato

The rural idyll of Robertson in NSW’s Southern Highlands is home to The Big Potato , built in 1977 by local farmer Jim Mauger in order to celebrate the production of potatoes in the region, which is known for its rich, fertile soil and reliable rainfall.

Located off the Illawarra Highway, near the Robertson Supermarket, the gigantic tuber measures 10 metres by four metres and is also affectionately known as ‘the big poo-tato’ for its resemblance to oversized excreta. The Big Potato, modelled on the Sebago potato variety, sold to new owners in 2020.

The Big Potato in Robertson, NSW. (Image: Neil Tait/Destination NSW)

17. The Big Kookaburra

Pokolbin artist Chris Fussel created this king-sized kookaburra out of recycled steel, aluminium and copper and the giant bird is now an iconic sculpture and centrepiece of Kurri Kurri’s Col Brown Park. It’s one of Australia’s more low-key, lesser-known Big Things, but it’s worth getting in a flap about: it’s absolutely beautiful.

The 4.6-metre-high Big Kookaburra takes pride of place in Kurri Kurri where the bird is used as an emblem for several Kurri sporting and community organisations. The artist utilised old car bonnets to fashion the feathers and airstrip lights to create the kookaburra’s eyes. It’s one of Australia’s most considered Big Things.

The Big Kookaburra in Kurri Kurri, NSW. (Image: Bidgee )

Northern Territory

The Northern Territory is undoubtedly home to the best “rock” in the country but it also has its share of Big Things to attract you to it. Here are the top three to add to your list.

18. Big Stubbie

You will clock up a lot of kilometres on the road between Darwin and Alice Springs in the Northern Territory. You are also most likely to be lured off the road for a pot of beer at the Larrimah Hotel in the Northern Territory thanks to the placement of the Big Stubbie, which does what it says on the tin.

The Big Stubbie is artfully placed next to a Pink Panther reclining in a chair outside the character-filled outback pub in Larrimah, which has one of the largest Second World War dirt airstrips in the country.  

19. The Big Boxing Crocodile

Never smile at a crocodile. Unless it’s outside Humpty Doo, in the Northern Territory. There’s more than a grain of truth to the tale that the town was founded on a post-war folly: to transform the surrounding flood plains into rice paddies.

When that plan went belly up, the town designed to build a representation of life in Humpty Doo in the form of an eight-metre-high crocodile.

The Big Croc is made comical with the addition of a pair of boxing gloves just in case it needs more in its tool kit than its crushing jaws to defend its territory on the Arnhem Highway, some 40 kilometres from Darwin. The Northern Territory is also home to The Giant Jumping Crocodile in Wak Wak, and George the Big Crocodile in Darwin.

20. The Big Turtle

Artist Techy Masero, who is also behind the Big Barramundi (in Wanguri, not Normanton), created this mosaic masterpiece with help from local Indigenous artists. The four-metre-wide turtle is located in Garamanak Park near a community centre in the northern suburb of Lyons, in Darwin.

It’s one of the more obscure Big Things created by the Australian artist who was born in Chile and came to live in Darwin in 1985. Masero works mostly in cane and other natural materials, albeit on a monumental scale. You can learn more about Masero on a leaf mosaic path near the open-air cinema designed to celebrate Northern Territory women.

The Apple Isle gets our vote for the cutest Big Thing of them all in the form of a giant fairy penguin – one of two Big Things that made it into our pick of the most iconic in the state.

21. The Big Penguin

The aptly named town of Penguin in Tasmania comes into its own between the months of September and March, when a colony of fairy penguins descend on this corner of the island state’s north west. The birds are called fairy penguins because of their small size, and it’s wonderful to watch them parade past with their bluish plumage on show during breeding season.

The Big Penguin is made from fibreglass and cement and locals love to dress it up in military fatigues, to commemorate Anzac Day, and in a Santa suit during the festive season making the town one of the top spots to stop on a Tassie road trip . Penguin’s penguin theme also runs hot in the souvenir stores and in the penguin-shaped rubbish bins on the town’s foreshore.

The Big Penguin can be found in the Tasmanian town of Penguin. (Image: @TheBigPenguin)

22. The Big Tassie Devil

There’s nothing comedic about the giant Tassie devil guarding the entrance to Trowunna Wildlife Park Sanctuary. In fact, it stands as a poignant reminder of the breeding programs in place at this privately owned park which has been at the forefront of conservation and education in the State since it first started caring for Tasmania’s native animals in the late 70s.

Wildlife conservation is indeed, a Big Thing at the park, at the foot of Cradle Mountain which also offers great scenery, walking trails and outdoor activities.

The list of Big Things in Victoria is long, but they’ve one-upped the other states and built a “Giant” thing in the form of Australia’s most beloved marsupial, a koala. Here, find five to put on your bucket list.

23. Giant Murray Cod

Keen anglers already in the know don’t need a Giant Murray Cod to alert them to the presence of the 11-metre-long blue-and-green Australian freshwater fish in the waterways that snake around Swan Hill, located on a bend of the Murray River between Robinvale and Kerang.

The 11-metre-long replica, dubbed the Giant Murray Cod, is actually a former movie prop from the 1992 feature film, Eight Ball , and it’s located near the Burke & Wills Moreton Bay fig tree, one of nature’s Big Things that is believed to be the largest tree of its kind in Australia.

24. Giant Koala

The soaring marsupial known as Sam was constructed in honour of the koala that made headlines the world over when it was photographed drinking from a water bottle offered by a firefighter in burned bushland in 2009. Located in Wimmera, in western Victoria, the giant marsupial is made from 12 tonnes of fibreglass, steel and bronze.

The Big Koala is located in Dadswell Bridge, between Horsham and Stawell, and is a top spot to break up a road trip as there is a restaurant, ice creamery and wildlife park located on the property.

25. The Big Strawberry

This enormous ode to the sweet soft red fruit so revered around the world brightens the darkest of days in Koonoomoo thanks to its eternally rosy disposition. The Big Strawberry , which survived a tornado in 2013, stands six metres tall and five metres wide and was a sweet collaboration between Competition Kayaks, which supplied the fibreglass, and Barry Dickson Paint & Panel, which rendered the sculpture Monza red.

This Victorian Big Thing is a draw for families who want to take their children strawberry picking. Order scones with strawberry jam and cream at the café and stock up on strawberry-themed souvenirs at the gift shop.

26. Big Ned Kelly

History buffs will stop dead in their tracks outside the Glenrowan Tourist Centre when they catch sight of the giant monument of Ned Kelly that nods to the outlaw’s suit of heavy armour forged from old farm ploughs. The rugged high country around Glenrowan is rich in gold rush and bushranger heritage and the Big Ned Kelly marks the site of the Kelly Gang’s last stand.

Visit the monument to learn more about the shootout that resulted in the deaths of three police officers who were murdered in Mansfield by the Kelly Gang.

27. Big Wine Bottle

Let’s get real: the town of Rutherglen is a magnet for oenophiles who are drawn to the region for its history and vineyards, not its oversized wine bottle. Regardless, the Big Wine Bottle stands like a beacon on the landscape, signalling the fact there are a growing number of award-winning cellar doors scattered around Tower Hill on the fringes of town.

This giant roadside attraction has a disused water tank on its top, which was originally the community’s second water supply.  The Wine Bottle became a big thing in 1969 when a mesh top section was added to the wine bottle, which put it on the map as part of the town’s Winery Walkabout.

Western Australia

Australia’s largest state has its fair share of Big Things to brag about, but if you really want to get the kids excited to see a Big Thing on a road trip, then take them to the largest free-standing Big Lollipop in the world – and they can stock up on lollies while they’re there.

28. The Big Lollipop

“If you build it, they will come.” This quote is based on a line from Kevin Costner’s Field of Dreams but instead of building a baseball field, the owners of The Yummylicious Candy Shack, Belinda and Darrin Mcharge thought they’d suck it and see, self-funding The Big Lollipop in order to attract more tourists to this part of WA. Families are now suckers for Ravensthorpe, which has been home to the largest free-standing lollipop in the world since 2019.

29. The Big Orange

Fans of James and the Giant Peach by British author Roald Dahl will appreciate the fact the owners of Harvey Fresh went out on a limb in order to celebrate the citrus fruit grown in the surrounding orchards. Harvey now rests on a 10-metre-high tower at the Harvey River Estate and, for a small fee, you can climb up into the giant piece of fruit to discover information about the history of Harvey.

30. The Big Western Rock Lobster

Western rock lobsters are only found on the continental shelf off the Western Australia coastline. This is not a hands-off kind of sculpture. In fact, visitors often climb onboard the giant marine crustacean to get their photo taken. While the icon has become an attraction in its own right, don’t forget the real reason you’re in Dongara Port Denison: to scoff seafood.

Honourable Mentions

Of course, not all of Australia’s Big Things are well known. But we think there are some that simply cannot be ignored. Nyngan’s Big Bogan in NSW is the first to spring to mind. Complete with a mullet, stubbies and a Southern Cross tattoo, the five-metre-tall ‘Maaaaaate’ was unveiled in 2015. Nyngan, it is important to mention, is in the Bogan Shire.

In Tropical North Queensland, we’d like to give a shout-out to the Big Peanut, in Tolga, which looks like a Mr Potato Head on a kipfler. But it’s pretty big, so it counts.

The Big Dugong in Rockhampton also makes the cut because dugongs are quite possibly the most fantastically strange-looking animals in the Kingdom. And what could be better than a 22-by-12-metre version? The mammoth mammal is located at the Rockhampton Dreamtime Cultural Centre.

We’re also waiting, with much anticipation, to see The Big Chris, statue of Chris Helmsworth come to life in the township of Cowra, as part of a clever Cowra Tourism campaign to put the NSW town on the map. “Four stories tall with a beard like spun canola” is how tourism manager Glenn Daley described the proposed Big Thing. Sounds Chris-tastic.

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Comments (7)

Not many people are aware of the BIG WHEELBARROW in Port Hedland entrance into their Light Industrial Area of Wedgefield.

The big trout, Talbingo an oldie but a goodie.

Kate, Carla, you’ve outdone yourselves. This has to be my favourite “list of (insert whatever)” article on a travel website ever. I knew we had lots, but I didn’t know there were that many. That potato though…….if there wasn’t a sign in front saying it was “the big potato” …..it’s grey…….and shaped like a log…..

Wow loved the ones that are pictured

In Warrnambool, Victoria there is a Big Seal built for local legend Sammy the Seal.

Australia has great big idea and iconic statues. There are so many more to build. Tourism is a great way to bring people and money to country areas.

Fantastic details for many iconic sites to see and visit – even our Big Kiama Blowhole is an icon in itself – we hope to see you soon Carla!!

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10 Awesome Australian Road Trips (For Your World Travel Bucket List)

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As a native of Tasmania who has traveled the country extensively, I’d argue that Australian road trips rank among the best in  the world.

Though I may be prejudiced, I think my homeland truly has it all.

There are jaw-dropping natural landscapes, some of the world’s most liveable cities, and minimal road traffic outside of the few major metropolitan areas.

Whether you seek weird and wonderful wildlife, photogenic landscapes, charming historical towns, or simply the wind in your hair, there are a wide range of epic road trips in Australia that will leave you never wanting to stop exploring.

So let’s dive into some of the country’s most iconic scenic road trips, highlighting each drive’s main attractions along with some helpful insider tips.

• The Great Ocean Road (Victoria)
• Tasmania’s East Coast
• Adelaide to Darwin (Australia’s center through the Outback)
• Darwin-Kakadu Loop (Northern Territory)
• The Great Tropical Drive (Queensland)
• Gibb River Road (Outback Adventure)
• Sydney to Brisbane a.k.a Pacific Coast Drive
• Tarkine Drive (Tasmania’s Wilderness)
• Kangaroo Island

THE GREAT OCEAN ROAD

The Great Ocean Road is not only Australia’s most notable drive, but also one of the most popular, scenic, and beloved touring routes in the world.

Stretching for over 150 miles along Victoria’s south coast, the route provides visitors with breathtaking ocean views around every bend.

Hugging the coast for pretty much the entire way from Torquay to Warrnambool, the Great Ocean Road provides incredible natural attractions, wildlife , and seaside towns. Here’s a look at a few of the major highlights along the way:

Your Great Ocean Road journey begins in Torquay, home to one of Australia’s finest surfing beaches. Bells Beach is where the pros come to surf, and Torquay is the birthplace of famous surf brands such as Rip Curl and Quicksilver. Enjoy catching a wave yourself, or simply watch the pro surfers hang ten from the cliff-top car park.

Twelve Apostles

The star attraction of the Great Ocean Road is the Twelve Apostles. This geological attraction consists of a group of limestone monoliths (which were caused by erosion) rising out of the ocean. Despite the attraction’s name, there were originally only nine stacks. The number now stands at eight, since a 160-foot stack recently fell. Have your camera ready in case another one topples, but photographing them just as they are is equally remarkable.

Great Otway National Park

In Great Otway National Park , rugged coastline meets lush rainforest. Here you can see stunning Triplet Falls, or marvel at the glow worms of Melba Gully. The Great Ocean Walk, which extends over 100km from Apollo Bay to the Twelve Apostles, passes through the park (bikes and horses are also permitted). The park is listed as an Important Bird Area and offers several campsites. It’s also ranked among Australia’s best National Parks .

Located in the heart of the GOR,  you’ll find the wildlife-rich area of Apollo Bay. Here you can search for Koalas among the gum trees in the nearby Kennett River Area, or enjoy a guided kayak tour among countless Australian Fur Seals. The area is home to lovely restaurants, cafes, museums, and beaches.

Warrnambool

Finnish your GOR trip in Warrnambool, where you’ll be rewarded with the sight of Southern Right Whales, who return to the waters off Warrnambool’s Logans Beach each year to calve. Take a side trip to Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve for guided and self-guided tours to spot Emus, Kangaroos, and Echidnas inside an enormous volcanic crater.

Insider Tips • A great place to spot Koalas in Kennett River is off of Grey River Road. Scan the gum trees carefully: Koalas don’t make much movement during the day, as they are constantly at rest. • As hard as it may be, make sure to keep your eyes on the road. The route is narrow, has many twists and turns, and may be slippery at times. • Watch your speed, since the speed limit changes frequently along the GOR. This will help ensure the safety of the local wildlife. • Take your time and spread the drive over several days in order to truly appreciate the incredible scenery.

READ MORE: The World’s Best Road Trips (World Travel Bucket List)

TASMANIA’S EAST COAST

Tasmania, Australia’s island state, offers incredible landscapes that are filled with an array of native fauna (and not many people). The island’s east coast offers one of Australia’s best road trips, rich with history and the finest beaches. Begin in Hobart and make your way north along the east coast to Launceston (or vice versa) to experience some of Tasmania’s greatest attractions.

Port Arthur

This 19 th  century Australian penal colony-turned-open air museum is one of Tasmania’s main attractions. Explore more than 30 restored buildings and ruins, including the penitentiary, flour mill, Commandant’s House, and the Isle of the Dead cemetery. While in the area you’ll also want to check out natural attractions such as the Tasman Arch, Devils Kitchen, and the Tessellated Pavement.

Maria Island

Offering both wildlife and historical ruins, this island lies in the Tasman Sea and is reached by ferry service from the town of Triabunna. The island is part of  Maria Island National Park , which is home to 11 of the state’s 12 endemic bird species as well as Wombats, Kangaroos, and the famous  Tasmanian Devils . A visit to the Painted Cliffs is an absolute must, and camping overnight will allow you to explore the island in greater depth.

Freycinet National Park

Freycinet National Park  occupies the Freycinet Peninsula, and is home to one of Tasmania’s most photographed landscapes, Wineglass Bay. Enjoy hiking trails to white sand beaches, which are surrounded by granite peaks and home to beautiful birds such as the Sea Eagles. The park offers basic camping sites as well as luxury eco-lodge accommodation options.

Bay of Fires

Stretching roughly 50km along the northern east coast, the Bay of Fires offers one of Australia’s most scenic coastal landscapes. Visitors can enjoy extremely crystal-clear waters and pure white sand beaches. Named for the aboriginal campfires spotted by early explorers, the area is also ablaze with fiery orange lichen-covered boulders.

Insider Tips • Be sure to check out Hobart, the state’s capital. There you will find the iconic Salamanca Markets, which are held each Saturday and feature hundreds of arts, crafts, and food stalls. • Plan to get to Port Arthur early if you want to beat the crowds. Pre-purchasing tickets online will save time when you arrive. Those tickets are good for two consecutive days, so take your time exploring. Be sure to bring comfortable footwear, sunscreen, and clothing for the weather , as most of the tour is outdoors. • Tasmania becomes very popular during the summer season , which is December through March in the southern hemisphere. So booking accommodations and car rental early is vital. Many campsites either book out far in advance or are on a lottery system, which is held much earlier in the year.

READ MORE:  Tasmanian Devil Conservation on Maria Island, Australia

ADELAIDE TO DARWIN

Cutting through the center of the continent, you’ll find an incredible Australian road trip that takes you through the heart of the iconic Outback. Since it is a solid 30-plus hour drive through vast expanses of desert landscape, you’ll probably want to take several days to a week in order to experience all the gorgeous scenery along the way.

Home to nearly 75% of southern Australia’s population, Adelaide is still far less busy than Sydney or Melbourne. The city boasts an impressive range of museums, cafes, fine dining restaurants, gardens, and great festivals throughout the year. It’s centrally located to explore famous Australian wine regions such as Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, and Clare Valley.

Coober Pedy

Coober Pedy is the world-renowned town that lies mostly below ground due to the extremely hot summer temperatures. It’s been used as the set for various movies, including Mad Max. Popular activities there include   shopping or fossicking (Australian slang for searching) for Australian opals or staying in an underground hotel.

Uluru  is without a doubt Australia’s most famous natural landmark. Held sacred by the indigenous Pitjantjatjara Anangu people, Uluru is a large sandstone rock rising nearly 350 meters above the Outback. It’s best viewed at sunset or sunrise, when it turns a fiery red color. As darkness falls, you can enjoy a star-filled sky far removed from any light pollution. The area is home to a surprisingly great diversity of flora and fauna, including the adorable lizard known as the Thorny Devil. Sadly, Uluru is currently facing the threat of mass tourism .

Alice Springs

Located halfway between Adelaide and Darwin, the town of Alice Springs is the gateway to exploring Australia’s Red Centre. Explore the area’s wildlife with a visit to the Desert Park , Reptile Centre, or Kangaroo Sanctuary. Natural attractions in this area include the Larapinta Trail, Ormiston Gorge, and West MacDonnell National Park.

Insider Tips • The famous passenger train known as The Ghan follows the same basic route and offers a luxurious return option instead of driving. But it is just a brief overview of what the area has to offer. • Climbing Uluru is currently allowed, but it is  strongly discouraged out of respect for the local Aboriginal people. After October 26, 2019, the climb will officially be closed to the public (hopefully for good). • Be sure to visit the equally impressive Kata Tjuṯa rock formations, which are also known as the Olgas. They consist of 36 orange-colored domes: Mount Olga towers over Uluru at 3,500 feet.

READ MORE:   The 25 Biggest Deserts in the World

THE DARWIN-KAKADU LOOP

This awesome road trip offers visitors a chance to explore the Australian region made famous by Crocodile Dundee . A drive through the Top End of Australia’s Northern Territory provides refreshing waterholes, Aboriginal rock art sites, and, of course, Saltwater Crocodiles.

Kakadu National Park

Kakadu is Australia’s largest national park, filled with one-third of Australia’s bird species as well as a wealth of mammals and reptiles. Take a scenic flight over Kakadu’s Jim Jim Falls and  Twin Falls for a bird’s eye view, or swim beneath them to cool off. Cruise the wetlands and billabongs in search of massive crocodiles and wading birds such as the black-necked stork. You can also see Aboriginal rock art dating back more than 20,000 years.

Litchfield National Park

In this national park you can walk amongst termite mounds the size of basketball players as you make your way to the numerous waterfalls Litchfield is known for. History buffs will want to visit the Bamboo Creek Tin Mine. You can also learn about the lives of Australian pioneers by visiting the Blyth Homestead, which dates back to the 1920s.

Named after the famed naturalist (who sailed there in 1839), Darwin is the capital of Australia’s Northern Territory. Popular activities there include taking a sunset harbour cruise, watching a movie in an open air cinema, or swimming with a massive crocodile at Crocosaurus Cove. Head to the Nightcliff Foreshore for a wide array of outdoor recreation opportunities, food vans, and stunning sea views.

Insider Tips • Crocodiles can be found in nearly every river and waterhole in this area. So always be cautious when swimming, even if Crocodile warning signs are not present. Also, carry plenty of water and bug repellent. • Car rentals in the Northern Territory usually have mileage limits and may not be allowed on unsealed roads. Road-tripping in camper vans and camper trailers  are becoming increasingly popular. •If you dislike crowds, avoid Kakadu from June to August. This is peak tourist season, as it falls within Australian school holidays. April to June will provide smaller crowds with pleasant weather and running waterfalls.

READ MORE:   Top 10 Australian National Parks

 THE GREAT TROPICAL DRIVE

With over two dozen different driving routes, Queensland’s Great Tropical Drive allows you to explore some of Australia’s most incredible destinations. From the Daintree Rainforest and access to the Great Barrier Reef, this is a great region for nature lovers to explore. You can stay in beautiful seaside cities and witness rare and endangered wildlife all along the way.

Daintree Rainforest

Witness the world’s oldest rainforest, which is filled with strange animals that are found nowhere else on earth.  These include large Cassowaries, Tree Kangaroos, Ulysses Butterflies, and Boyd’s Forest Dragons. Then head north towards Cape Tribulation, where the rainforest meets the Great Barrier Reef. Your drive will also include an exciting ferry across the Daintree River, where you may spot Crocodiles as you go.

Great Barrier Reef

Easily accessed as a day trip from Cairns and Port Douglas, the Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system, stretching some 2,000 kilometres along the Queensland coastline. Despite coral bleaching, it remains one of the world’s best places to SCUBA dive .It’s home to 30 different species of cetaceans, over 1,600 species of fish, 3,000 species of mollusk, and around 125 species of sharks and stingrays. You can also explore your choice of over 900 islands, including Hamilton, Fitzroy, and Lizard Island.

Cairns, Port Douglas, & Townsville

All three of these cities offer a wide variety of attractions, including museums, sanctuaries, tropical beaches, and more. From here you can access the Great Barrier Reef, take a day trip to the Atherton Tablelands, or hop aboard the Kuranda Scenic Railway.

Insider Tips • Head to Mission Beach if you really want to see a wild Cassowary, as they are a common sight here. • Many cities in the area offer a wide range of apartments where you can have your own full kitchen, laundry facilities, and scenic balconies. • Coral bleaching in the Great Barrier Reef Park was extensive, but 85% of that damage happened on a single 370-mile section. Most tour operators will take you to snorkel/dive more pristine sections.

READ MORE : The 10 Most Beautiful Forests in the World

GIBB RIVER ROAD

For a truly wild Outback adventure, take on the 670km 4WD track that stretches from Wyndham to Derby in Western Australia . Many side roads and even parts of the main road are rugged, with dirt and gravel rather than tarmac. But many improvements have been made in recent years, so you don’t need to have years of 4WD experience to tackle the route.

Windjana Gorge National Park

Windjana Gorge National Park is often touted as the best place in the world to see Freshwater Crocodiles in the wild. Located in the Kimberley region, the park also offers a 100-meter wide gorge with towering cliffs. Visitors can enjoy incredible camping opportunities , but please be aware that access may be restricted during the wet season.

Other Gorges

Driving the Gibb River Road provides access to numerous gorgeous gorges and wonderful waterfalls. The most notable ones are Lennard Gorge, Bell Gorge, Tunnel Creek, and Manning Gorge & Falls. Access to the gorges is usually prohibited during the wet season.

Insider Tips •Travel in this region is restricted to the dry season (April-October), and 2WD is not recommended until well after the wet season due to water on roads. •Although a 4WD vehicle is highly recommended, you can access many of the main attractions in a 2WD vehicle during the peak of the dry season. Always carry spare tires, petrol, and water, just in case!

READ MORE: Top 5 Australia Ecotourism Attractions

SYDNEY TO BRISBANE

This scenic 920-kilometer drive along the Pacific coast includes Australia’s most famous city, with its iconic landmarks, as well as luxury seaside resorts and theme parks. It’s more commonly known as the Pacific Coast Drive, and offers a continuous line of picturesque beaches, national parks, and loveable cities.

Home of the world-famous Opera House and the iconic Harbour Bridge, Sydney is Australia’s largest city. So naturally there’s no shortage of attractions worth exploring, including Darling Harbour, Bondi Beach, and the Taronga Zoo.

Brisbane & Gold Coast

This area is considered the sort of like the Orlando of Australia, including theme parks such as Sea World, Movie World, and Dreamworld. But ecotourism aficionados can also explore beautiful natural attractions such as Springbrook National Park and Lamington National Park by day, and then return to luxurious oceanside resorts by night.

Newcastle, Port Macquarie & Coffs Harbour

There is no shortage of gorgeous cities along the Pacific Coast Drive. Each of them offers a mixture of educational museums, zoos, botanical gardens, lighthouses, surf beaches, and national parks. The highlights include walking along Newcastle’s Nobbys Beach, checking out Coffs Harbour’s Forest Sky Pier, and visiting Port Macquarie’s Tacking Point Lighthouse.

Insider Tips • For adventurous souls seeking an incredible aerial view of Sydney, experience the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb or the Sydney Tower Eye Skywalk. • Oenophiles will want to take a brief detour from the coast in order to see the world famous Hunter Valley Wine Region.

READ MORE: What Is Ecotourism? History & Principles of Responsible Travel

TARKINE DRIVE

Tarkine Drive is a circular route beginning and ending in Stanley or Smithton, which provides access to Tasmania’s true, rugged wilderness. Along the way, you’ll pass through the Australia’s largest patch of temperate rainforest, mountain ranges, rushing rivers, cool caves, and the  craggy western coastline.

Arthur River

Arthur River makes for a great entrance point to coastal walks and forest exploration. Experience the massive waves brought on by the “roaring forties” as they batter the coastline at the Edge of the World, Gardiner Point.

Hiking & Wildlife

The Tarkine is home to some of Australia’s rarest animals , some of which no longer found on the mainland. Search for Tasmanian Devils, Platypus, Echidnas, Wombats, Bandicoots, Quolls, and the extremely rare Orange-bellied Parrot. Numerous hiking trails lead to lookouts, waterfalls, Aboriginal sites, and the picturesque coast.

Insider Tips • Although the Thylacine or Tasmanian tiger has long been considered extinct, they are rumored to possibly still exist in this remote stretch wilderness, which has suitable habitat. • Take a detour south to Corinna Wilderness Retreat for some incredible kayaking and cruises on the Pieman River.

READ MORE:  Tasmanian Devil (Endangered Species Spotlight)

KANGAROO ISLAND

Kangaroo Island is known as the Galapagos Islands of Australia. Access to this wildlife-rich area is available via ferry from Cape Jervis on South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula. The island has a large population of Koalas as well as a host of endemic plants found nowhere else. Other rare wildlife found there includes the Glossy Black Cockatoo and Rosenberg’s Goanna.

Flinders Chase National Park

Flinders Chase National Park is located at the western end of of he island. Visitors can enjoy the sight of the beautiful Cape du Couedic Lighthouse as they walk along many hiking trails, including the Platypus Waterholes Walk and the Heritage Walk. Check out the seal colony near Admirals Arch, and the truly and aptly named Remarkable Rocks.

Seal Bay Conservation Park

Located on the southern coast of Kangaroo Island, this park is home to the third largest Sea Lion colony in Australia. Access to the beach where you’ll find the large breeding colony is limited to ranger-led beach tours for their protection. If you don’t care about seeing them up close, you can simply view them from the boardwalk. Tours are held daily, and the visitor center provides further insight into the life of the Sea Lions.

Insider Tips • Get a chance to see Penguins via a night tour of the colony located in Penneshaw, just as you depart the ferry on Kangaroo Island. • Be sure to check out Little Sahara, where you can sandboard down some seriously impressive dunes. • For conservation purposes, there are strict quarantine laws on the island. Be aware that things such as potatoes and honey are no-gos.

READ MORE: Wondrous Wildlife on Kangaroo Island, Australia

THE GRAMPIANS

This excellent Australian road trip takes you through Grampians National Park , which includes sandstone mountain ranges and rich Aboriginal history. Outdoor recreation seekers head to the Grampians for mountain biking, rock climbing, and numerous hiking trails. Scenic lookouts abound, with many easily reached by car. The circular route around the park is easily accessible from Melbourne or Adelaide.

Halls Gap is the main town that services travelers to the Grampians area, offering diverse accommodation options ranging from campsites to luxury 5-star retreats. Make sure to visit the Brambuk Cultural Center, which is owned and operated by Aboriginal people. There you can engage in activities such as boomerang throwing as well as learn about the indigenous culture through artifacts, talks, music, and dance.

MacKenzie Falls

A must-see while driving through the Grampians, this stunning waterfall flows all year long. It can be seen via a lookout point or by taking the lovely MacKenzie Falls Walk. Note that swimming beneath the falls is strictly prohibited.

Pinnacle & Reeds Lookouts

Make your way to the top of Pinnacle Lookout if you want to see the park’s impressive rock formations in detail, as well as Halls Gap below you. Access is available via the Sundial car park, the Wonderland car park, or (for the truly adventurous) from the base of the mountains.

Reeds Lookout is best accessed from Mt. Victory Road, and provides incredible sunset viewing over the Victoria Valley and Range. The lookout path is fully wheelchair accessible.

Insider Tips • You’ll find that wineries in the Grampians region produce incredible Shiraz and Riesling, so pop into a local cellar door for a tasting. • A visit during autumn will reveal vibrantly colored fall foliage that’s just begging to be photographed. • Be sure to check out the Grampians Grape Escape wine, food, and music festival , which is held every year in May. –Megan Jerrard

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Home » Oceania » Australia » 10 EPIC Australia Road Trips: Big, Bold, and Beautiful

10 EPIC Australia Road Trips: Big, Bold, and Beautiful

Australia: a continental landmass of crocodile-wrestling locals, man-eating dropbears, and gigantic expanses of endless red dirt. Maybe only one of those things is true.

That said, there is truly, truly massive amounts of red dirt. On any Australian road trip through its gargantuan “Red Centre”, you will see endless horizons of ochre hues. Words cannot describe the scope of this untameable land.

In Australia, one can easily drive for days on end without the scenery changing at all and with only the occasional roo – jumping out in front of the car on a suicide mission – to break up the routine. But if you can handle the distances and duck the kamikaze kangaroos, the country can be one hell of a setting for some epic Australian road trips.

Of course, embarking on Australia’s road trips isn’t so simple. First, you’ll need a vehicle. You’ll also need to manage the equally untameable cost of travelling in Australia. (Damn you fuel prices in Oz!)

And of course, you’ll need to decide on which of the best road trips in Australia you’ll be Mad Max-ing. Spoiler: they’re all bloody magnificent.

So that’s why I’ve written this guide to travelling Australia by car (or van). A roundup of the most epic Australian road trips you can possibly sink your teeth and adventurer chomps into!

Fire her up cause we’re headin’ out back, mate.

Exploring Australia: Prepping for the Road Trip

Top 10 epic australia road trips: she’ll be right, 10. kangaroo island, some safety advice for australia, let the great australia road trip commence.

The word Australia is now pretty much synonymous with the word “backpacking”. This is primarily because countless backpackers from all around the world now flock here annually, either to take long working holidays (yay for obscenely high minimum wages) or to try and start a new life.

Meanwhile back in the rest of the world, (certainly in India, South-East Asia and South America) it often feels like most of the other backpackers you meet are Australian (closely followed by Germans then Israelis). In summary Australia = Backpacking . Right?

Despite this, the former prison colony has still not really been properly explored save by only a handful of very brave and foolish souls. Australia is massive, it’s red, it’s angry, and it’s often damn well deadly and therefore, most folks (residents and visitors alike) end up sticking to the coastlines .

However, if you want to discover the real Australia then you need to head away from the beach and into that deliciously daring ‘outback’ . For a proper adventure, you gotta get away from humanity and into the sheer undulating arid heat. If you’re going to do that, then you’re going to need to get yourself a car and set off for an epic road trip in Australia.

The road is calling (here are a few inspiring road trip quotes , just in case you need any more motivation).

How to Travel Australia by Car

Firstly, you will need a driving licence . A serious traveller may even want to get an International licence although most “Western” licence (US, EU, etc.) will be perfectly valid down under . Be sure to get this back in your home country because everything is expensive in Australia.

You’re also going to need a vehicle for a road trip in Australia – no brainer! There are three ways to go about this:

• Hire a car or van in Australia – Renting a car in Australia is easy albeit expensive and much better suited to a short trip. There are heaps of car rental services in Australia but I recommend JUCY Rentals . They’ve been in the game as long as I remember; parked by the beaches of Byron Bay is a time-honoured Australian tradition almost as much as a beer and fish and chips. Probably also in Byron.
• Buy a car or van –  This is option two and the true backpacker way to have a road trip in Australia. Backpackers buying and reselling vehicles in Australia is incredibly common (given the sheer scope of Australia) and acquiring a pre-loved gypsy warhorse and selling it again later is super viable. The best way to go about this is through online listings: social media groups, car sales websites, Gumtree , traveller/hostel message boards, or even dipping into your personal network.
• Steal a car or van – Jokes, don’t do that. Remember how I said Australia was an ex-prisoner colony. Dem fuckers be crazy.

Travel Australia by Van or Car

Right, so you may have noticed how I specified van  OR  car. That’s because both are viable, however, I do have a special love in my heart for living and travelling in a van. And truth be told, Australia’s barren empty wilderness and endless beaches are simply built for the vanlife.

Ultimately though, the choice is yours. A car is cheaper to acquire (generally) and requires less mechanical knowhow, but you won’t have the sheer magnificent awesomeness a home with wheels. That said, vans can be absolute primadonnas and konk out on you at the worst possible time so it’s a matter of choice and desire.

Lastly (and most importantly), it is worth noting that not ALL of Australia will be open to you in a standard van or car. A lot of Australia’s landscape is incredibly harsh and some of the absolute best road trips will only be doable with a four-wheel drive.

Either way, the vehicle type you choose is going to affect your packing for the great Australian road trip . To that end, here is some more recommended reading:

Car Camping in Australia Resources:

• The Ultimate Road Trip Packing List
• The Camping Master Checklist
• Best Budget Backpacking Tents
• Best Sleeping Bags
• And don’t forget a sleeping pad!

Van Travel in Australia Resources

• The Full Guide to Vanlife
• Campervanning in New Zealand Guide

(Yes I know it’s New Zealand but bar the much smaller scope and lack of murderous animals, the countries are quite comparable.)

Oh, and here’s a kickass post discussing the cost of a road trip in Australia . Ta-dah!

A Word on Australian Visas

Pretty much everybody will need a visa to enter Australia. The immigration policies and staff are zealous and you will be given the once over.

Travellers from most Western Countries can enter for tourism purposes on an Australian ETA (subclass 601) . Whilst these are amongst the easiest type to obtain, do remember to apply before you fly or you risk deportation

Ok, no more blabber-blabber: the best road trips in Australia! Let’s hop to it and get this show on the road!

So. Many. Puns.

So. Little. Time.

1. Gibb River Road – Western Australia

Accessible only by four-wheel drive, and completely impossible to do in the wet season, this road is one hell of an adventure. Bringing you 660 km down a dirt track from Broome to Kununurra , you’re likely not to see another soul on the road.

Countless waterfalls and natural springs greet you along the way – just make sure to check for freshwater crocs before you hop in! It’s one of the best routes you can take for an Australian road trip.

2. Cairns to Cape York – Queensland

At the northernmost tip of Australia, practically touching Papua New Guinea, lives a place called Cape York . Far from the backpacker trail, it’s an amazing place to explore. (Other than the saltwater crocodiles lurking in the water. Australia’s wildlife: the reoccurring theme of this guide).

The road travels down dirt roads with many river crossings, so you definitely need a four-wheel drive, much like most of the best spots in an Australia road trip. As you travel up from Cairns , you’ll pass through Cape Tribulation – a tiny town nestled in the rainforest, with the Great Barrier Reef a mere 30-minute boat ride away. It doesn’t get more idyllic than that.

3. Darwin to Uluru – Northern Territory

While this one can be done with an ordinary two-wheel drive vehicle, the route is definitely far from ordinary. A hundred kilometres south of Darwin , you’ll reach the gorgeous Litchfield National Park . With more waterfalls than you can handle, a ton of different bush walks, and a unique (and odd) type of termite mound, you could spend weeks in the park.

Continuing south you’ll get a true taste of the Outback, with roads stretching far into the horizon. But don’t worry, you won’t get bored; those suicidal kangaroos will keep you on your toes as you cruise to the red hot centre of Australia. Be sure to stop in at Alice Springs on your way to Uluru – yes, the famous giant red rock – to check out some traditional Aboriginal art  as well as the stunning views you won’t catch anywhere else on earth. You’ll find a few great hostels in Alice Springs as well. A great route to choose for an Australia road trip!

4. Great Ocean Road – Victoria

The Great Ocean Road is widely mooted as the “greatest” amongst the epic Australian road trips, and one of the best road trips in Victoria . For all those in love with the ocean, this road is an absolute must. Gliding along from every surfer’s paradises to massive plunging cliffs, the road is nothing short of spectacular.

Starting 275 km west of Melbourne , you’ll find the world-famous Twelve Apostles , where huge rock stacks rise from the waves. Love surfing (or the movie Point Break)? Get to Bells Beach , the setting of the last scene of the film, as well as Rip Curl’s surfing competition.

Be sure to stop in at some of the villages along the road as well; from Victorian-era buildings to small fishing communities, there are some great destinations along the Great Ocean Road.

5. The Greater Blue Mountains Drive – New South Wales

Mountains in Australia? Blue mountains ? Yep, they’ve got more than just kangaroos and koalas out there.

Taking you from the metropolis of Sydney right up the middle of the Blue Mountains , this drive is anything but ordinary. From Jenolan Caves , filled with crazy limestone formations, to the Three Sisters rock formation in Katoomba , you will find plenty to do in the area.

And if you get bored of the main route, no worries! The Bluies (a bit of local lingo for ya there) is an absolutely massive mountain range with awesome hostels to stay at tonnes of branching tracks:

• Running from Sydney to Lithgow is the Great Western Highway (the main route).
• Parallel to the Great Western on the other side of the Grose Valley is Bell’s Line of Road .
• There are heaps of dirt roads and fire trails running into the bush everywhere to explore.
• And tonnes of branching roads in other directions. Check out the  Megalong Valley or head towards  Oberon for some more eye candy.

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6. The Nullarbor Plain – West Australia

The long road to Perth takes in 2000km of red Australia at its harshest. It’s flat, it’s long, it’s arid, and it’s a big wide open space so don’t get acrophobic on me now. It’s also an utterly rewarding adventure and one of the best of the epic Austrian road trips you can do.

It’s fair to say that doing the proper crossing of Australia by car is both an Australian and backpacker rite of passage. Take a friend or get used to your own company because it’s a lonely journey and not for the faint of heart. But my god is it a journey.

If, however, this all sounds like too much then see number 7.

7. Tasmania’s Heritage Trail

Tasmania is Australia’s best-kept secret. The region boasts beauty in abundance but has somehow escaped consumption by the backpacker trail. It’s also a lot smaller and compact to travel; like a miniature New Zealand!

This was once the gateway to Australia and was where the original convict chain-gangs were set to work colonising the country. The highwaymen that once haunted these high-ways and by-ways are now gone but you still need to be mindful of those damn roos who may surprise you! This is quite a short and pleasant drive – it’s a lot greener too – so is the perfect contrast to the above Australian road trip.

8. The Alpine Way – New South Wales

Did you know you could fit the entirety of old Wales into New South Wales several times over? However, this route is only 121km long so should only take you a day (plus stops).

The best time to come here is in early spring when the snow is melting (yes, Australia gets snow) but you still get the alpine scenery. There are also loads of great, and safe, places to wild camp along the way.

9. Sydney to Melbourne

Ok, so we did kind of dissed the folks who stick to the coast back there. However, the reality is that if you’re gonna fly all the way to Australia, you will most likely either fly to Sydney or to Melbourne first – two of the best places to stay in Australia . Therefore you may as well make a road trip out of it, right?

There are loads of little coastal towns along the coastal route (think Summer Bay from Home & Away) as well as idyllic little spots for fishing and bird watching. This trip is also perfect if you’re short on time, an inexperienced explorer or if your car is not up to the harder, inland roads.

If the mainland somehow feels too big, then take the ferry from Adelaide across to Kangaroo Island . As the name suggests, it’s an almost untouched animal sanctuary so you can expect more kamikaze kangaroos then we care to mention. To battle stations, comrades: they’re rebelling!

You can take your car onto the ferry (it’s the same deal for Tassie by the way) but if you are renting one, please check that the rental company allows you to do this.

Seriously, there’s a whole other post in this but ok. Pickpockets, terrorists, murderers: these aren’t a concern so much in Australia (Ivan Milat notwithstanding) . There are other concerns, however. Especially for travellers unwitting to Australia’s harshness.

The wildlife is, of course, the bad joke of the global community. Crocs, jellyfish, snakes, spiders, sharks… hell, an emu can kill you if it wants. Generally, you stay away from them, then they’ll stay away from you. The big exception is crocs.

Any area where crocs are common in the water (northern areas of Australia in particular), be hella safe swimming. In fact, probably just don’t swim. If a croc gets you, you’re dead: end of story. Australia isn’t some landscape of bloodthirsty man-eating monsters like people seem to think, but you need to pay attention.

Next, swimming safety. A lot of the beaches are rough and tourists have died going past their limits. Be careful swimming on Australia’s beaches: swim between the lifeguard’s flags, watch out for surfers, and if you get stuck in a rip, let it take you until it subsides. Common sense prevails when swimming in Australia.

Are you done, Dad?  No. Two more things

One More Thing: Australia Road Trip Safety

Road trips in Australia are very different from the States, Europe, or most other places for that matter. Maybe it’s comparable to a hot Siberia.

Populated coastlines are different but in rural areas and especially in the Outback, there are a number of things to be careful about:

• Supplies –  Always have enough food, petrol (including extra tanks),  WATER ; it’s quite possible to go days without seeing another human in Australia’s most vast areas and if you breakdown without these things, she’ll probably not be right.
• Stop, revive, survive – Famous safety motto in Australia: take frequent rest breaks and naps if necessary when driving. It’s actually amazing how many people die on Australia’s long, straight, empty roads – counter-intuitive, right? It’s easy to lose concentration when you’ve been driving in a straight line staring at the same dot on the horizon for 6 hours. It’s easy to fall asleep at the wheel and flip your car or smash into a pole at 120+km/h. Be smart.
• Watch out for wildlife –  All the jokes aside about suicidal kangaroos, imagine hitting one. That can be 6+ feet and 80+ kilograms of proper red-blooded Australian muscle and bone crunching your bonnet and coming through your windshield. It’s the same as hitting a person. Hitting wildlife on an Australian road trip can be just as bad for you as it is for them. Plus, they’re so damn cute! Just watch out for them.
• Roadside Drug Testing –  Can be common in some states and areas and the laws are an absolute mess. Just sayin’…

Last Thing! Get Insured Before Travelling to Australia

What if the kangaroos really do form an army and rise up. Do you know how many kangaroos there are in Australia? We’ll never stand a chance!

Na, you’ll be fine. You know why? Because you’re a smart cookie and you got travel insurance!

A wise man once said that if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t really afford to travel – so do consider backpacker insurance sorted before you head off on an adventure! Traveling without insurance would be risky. I highly recommend World Nomads .

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

There! Done dad-ing you now. Now you can go and get yourself killed in Australia!

Kidding! You’re not gonna die. You’re gonna have an amazing time. You’ll see some sights like no where else in the world, you’ll face some challenges that’ll help you grow, and at the end of it you’ll say:

“Strewth, mate! Too bloody right. That was pretty fuckin’ orright!”

Have fun, amigos. Australia is truly breathtakingly beautiful and she offers something no other country in this world can. Truly, she is special.

So go hit her up! Take her for a drive – some epic Australia road trips – and go see something you never have before! Take some weed too. It’s a long fucking drive.

Updated: February 2020 by Ziggy Samuels at Zigz Writes Things .

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

Aiden Freeborn

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12 Amazing Australian Road Trips

• Post last modified: January 6, 2024
• Post category: Australia

Australia is a magical country that has so many diverse ecosystems and incredibly unique cities. So what better way to explore all of this variety than with an Australian road trip or two. Sure, Sydney is great and diving the Great Barrier Reef is memorable, but if you want to experience the real Australia, you have to get out and drive those winding roads into the small towns, dusty outback, rural hinterlands and barefoot beach towns. The only way you’re going to experience this is with an Australian road trip. We’ve included the most popular road trips in Australia below.

Stuff In This Post

Driving In Australia

Sure they drive on the wrong side of the road: the left side, not the right side (double entendre intended). But driving in Australia is actually quite easy for those who can read English. There are road signs everywhere! They are very helpful. There are even road signs about what government grants sponsor the newly erected road signs.  

However, cell service in rural Australian areas can be spotty. So we’d recommend a paper map, GPS or offline Google map . We bought an Australian road atlas and found it super helpful. If you buy from this link here we earn a small commission at no extra charge to you – check out our terms and conditions below for more info.

We’ve included general maps below to give you an idea of drive time. However, the maps don’t include all of the amazing stops so keep that in mind as Australian road trips tend to be longer than expected. 

If you’re coming from outside of Australia, you’ll likely need to rent a car. Prices average around $26 USD/day. You’ll also pay more for one way rentals (where you drop off a car at a different location from where you pick it up). While this will add a bit of a price tag to your trip, most of the road trips below are one-way. This is because Australia is huge and it would add a huge amount of time to your trip to return the car. When we rented cars for most of these Australian road trips, we picked up the car at one airport, drove the route, then returned it to another airport and flew on to our next Australian road trip.

One-Way Australian Road Trips

Pacific coast drive.

Time: 4-6 days     |     One Way – Sydney to Brisbane     |     Best For: beaches

This is one of the most popular road trips in Australia with both tourists and locals alike. That is because it goes through several popular towns famous for their laid back touristy vibes. Towns like Byron Bay, Gold Coast, Port Macquarie are popular stops along this road trip . But don’t forget the big two that make the start and stop point, Brisbane and Sydney. Sydney is a great stop with tons of iconic Australian sights. But Brisbane is more laid back with lots of chances to get a taste for Australian wildlife, like the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary .  

East Coast Drive

Time: 1+ week     |     One Way – Brisbane to Cairns     |     Best For: island adventures

Coastal Queensland is covered in sandy beaches and dotted with pristine islands, like the Whitsundays. This is another popular area with locals and tourists alike as the plethora of great spots means you can feel like you have entire beaches and islands to yourself as everyone spreads out along this route. This is also a great place for adventurers as popular activities include snorkeling, off-roading and rafting inland rivers.  

Sydney Coastal Route

Time: 3-5 days     |     One Way – Melbourne to Sydney     |     Best For: Ocean retreat

The coastal areas between Melbourne and Sydney encompass more of the stunning coastline Australia has to offer. These dark blue waters are constantly by your side on this Australian road trip. The hip towns along this drive will make stops fun while the stark contrast of different beaches will keep the drive exciting.  

Great Ocean Road

Time: 2-4 days     |     One Way – Melbourne to Adelaide     |     Best For: ocean views

This is one of the best road trips in the World! This twisting and turning road takes you along the cliffs of souther Australia. The towns along this road trip are amazingly unassuming and not overly touristy, despite being along one of the most popular Australian road trips. But the towns aren’t what you’ll be looking at. Around every twist and turn is a new view of the coast line, including the Twelve Apostles , with each view more impressive than the next. This is also a great place to spot koalas and kangaroos!

You can drive this as a one way trip, or make it into a loop from Melbourne like we did! Even returning through one of the oldest forests in the world.

The south west coast.

Time: 3-4 days     |     One Way – Perth to Esperance     |     Best for: exploring the West coast

Western Australia doesn’t get nearly as much love as Eastern Australia – but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have just as much to offer. Perth is the cornerstone of any trip to the west coast. But that isn’t all you’ll see. From the white sand beaches to towering forests, the coast of western Australia has everything to offer the road tripper.  

Coral Coast

Time: 1+ week     |     One Way – Perth to Broome     |     Best for: unusual beaches

Another gem of Western Australia, the Ningaloo coastal drive takes you from Perth to Broome alongside so many unique beaches along the Indian Ocean. While eastern Australia boasts the biodiversity of the Great Barrier Reef, the Ningaloo coast is a common spot to see larger see creatures, like dolphins, sharks and the elusive whale sharks. In addition to the beauty of the coastal drive, you’ll also enjoy some quirky towns boasting Aboriginal culture and historical Australian commerce.  

Nullarbor Plain

Time: 1+ week     |     One Way – Adelaide to Perth     |     Best for: the open road

The Nullarbor plain stretches across western Australia in its vast emptiness. For that reason, this Australian road trip may best represent the barrenness of the Australian outback. Because of this lack of civilization, it’s also a great place to star gaze in the southern hemisphere. And while you won’t find many cool living things here, you will see tons of geological highlights along the route like Wave Rock. However, this Australian road trip is not for the faint of heart as there are huge stretches of driving and lots of straight roads.  

The Stuart Highway

Time: 1+week     |     One Way – Adelaide to Darwin     |     Best For: Australian outback

If you want to see the greatest variety of Australian wilderness, this is the rugged road trip for you. This huge road trip runs through the center of Australia, past mountains, gorges, and desserts. All of this ends in Darwin, another green town along the coast. This is a drive that you need to be prepared for as you’ll go long stretches between signs of civilization. If you do drive this Australian road trip, don’t forget to add on The Red Centre loop below for a view of Uluru.

Circular Australian Road Trips

The great barrier reef road trip.

Time: 1-4 days     |     Loop – Cairns     |     Best For: rainforests

Sure you can dive or snorkel the Great Barrier Reef , but don’t overlook the shoreline that it protects. In this loop from Cairns , you’ll drive through the Daintree Rainforest – another World Heritage site. In these lush forests, you’ll spot some very unique wildlife, different from the more popular southern Australian road trips. Along this road trip, you can snorkel, swim, spot crocs, see waterfalls and explore some posh vacation destinations along the coast.  

The Red Centre

Time: 5-7 days      |     Loop – Alice Springs     |     Best For: Uluru

In the heart of the Australian outback is Uluru, a towering red cliff. This sight is on the top of many Australia bucket lists. And the best way to explore this area is with a road trip through the Red Centre from Alice Springs. On this loop, you’ll explore Watarrka National Park and see King’s Canyon, Uluru and plenty of other amazing desert features like red cliffs and hidden swimming holes.  

Sydney Sights

Time: 5-7 days     |     Loop – Sydney     |     Best For: those staying in Sydney

This road trip combines several Sydney days trips into one Sydney road trip loop. Along this loop, you’ll explore Canberra, Australia’s capital city before heading into the Blue Mountains for some serious hiking. Top it all of with some wine tasting in the Hunter Valley and you have a perfect loop around New South Wales.

Tasmania Road Trip

Time: 4-8 days     |     Loop – Hobart     |     Best For: seeing Tasmania

Tasmania is a small island state off the southern coast of Australia. It is often overlooked on Australia vacations because it is so different from mainland Australia. However, it is a beautiful, rugged state that is worth a road trip. Highlights of Tasmania include wine drinking, hiking and beautiful beaches.  

** We’re not including a map here because it’s an island, you drive around it and stop at the bits your interested in 😉

We hope these road trips have inspired you to visit your favorite location in Australia! We recommend picking a few road trips and fitting them together to make an epic Australis itinerary. You may have noticed that lots of these one way road trips connect. And you can put all of the coastal road trips together to make up “The Big Loop”, which takes you around the entire mainland of Australia. However, this would take you over a month. So most people pick a choose a few. Our absolute favorite road trip was the Great Ocean road – the road was just so fun to drive! Good luck and enjoy your time down under.  

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How To Plan The Ultimate Australia Road Trip in 2024

May 10, 2023 | Views: 1,354

Australia feels like it was made for road-trippin’. And, I’m not just talking about a two-day ramble into the countryside here, more like weeks and weeks of driving through the remote outback, camping under the stars, with nothing but the occasional calming sound of didgeridoos, a few kangaroos (and much scarier species) to keep you company along the way. 

If that idea gets you sprinting to your nearest dusty atlas, then read on… we have some serious planning to do.

Table of Contents

How To Plan The Ultimate Australia Road Trip

Before you jump behind the wheel and drive off into the Aussie sunset, you’re going to have to narrow down exactly when and where you want to take your ultimate Australian road trip because well… Australia’s pretty huge.

You’ll also need a pretty good idea of what to bring because no one wants to be left stranded in the Outback Inbetweeners style .

Below, you’ll find a guide to surviving the expansive island that is Australia, first-hand planning advice and I’ll bow out the article with some of the best road trips you’ll find in the Land Down Under. 

Best Time of Year For An Australia Road Trip

The great thing about Australia is that it doesn’t tend to get as cold as it does over in the northern hemisphere, which means an Australia road trip is always on the cards, no matter what time of year it is. You just need to pick and choose carefully where you go, according to the seasons.

The main things to watch out for in Australia are flooding (in the subtropical north/northeast), insanely hot and dry temperatures (in the Red Centre), and, can you believe it, snow (in Tasmania)!

If you’re not familiar with the Australian seasons, here’s a quick low down:

• Spring – September to November
• Summer – December to February
• Autumn – March to May
• Winter – June to August

Hold up, here’s where it gets a bit complicated. 

Almost everywhere in Australia abides by these seasons, except for the subtropics in the north and northeast of the country. If you find a map of Australia and draw a line from Broome in the west to Townsville in the east, everything above that line is considered to have a tropical climate.

In these areas, the weather is dictated more by weather patterns that we see in places like Southeast Asia, with a pretty definite wet and dry season.

As you’ve probably guessed, the wet season sees A LOT of rain, causing road closures, and flooding in towns, and it also happens to coincide with peak crocodile breeding season too. Not ideal conditions for that lovely, laid-back romantic or solo soul-searching trip you had conjured up in your mind.

To make it a bit easier for you, I’ve put together a cheat list of when the best time to organise a road trip is according to different regions of Australia:

• Tropical North: April to October (less rain and not too hot)
• Red Centre: March to May, or September to November (these shoulder seasons offer up much cooler days for hiking)
• East Coast: June to September (temperate weather conditions the whole way for this mammoth 5,000 km road trip)
• West Coast: April and September (temperate weather conditions for outdoor activities and animal encounters)
• Tasmania: December to February (warm, sunny and peak nature spotting season)
• Southwest Australia: September to April (hot summer days and luscious greenery)

If you’re looking to add some excitement to your adventure, consider  whale watching Bremer Bay . The ideal time for orca sightings in Bremer Bay is January to April, while Southern Right whales come to give birth in the sheltered waters from July to October. Humpback whales can also be seen during their migrations in these months.

Transport Options (For All Budgets)

When it comes to an Aussie road trip, there are a few options to choose from: venturing out in your own car, jumping on a coach to find some fellow travellers, or joining a ready-made tour. 

Australia does have a train system too, but it’s pretty limited and certainly won’t get you very far when it comes to road-tripping around the country. I almost definitely wouldn’t recommend it as an alternative road trip, but train travel is fun so feel free to get acquainted with Australian trains at some point if you like.

Let’s delve into your transport options in more detail… 

Option 1: Buy a car

Buy a car and do the whole thing yourself. Nothing beats the freedom of getting up in the morning and deciding where you want to go, turning off on little dirt roads to explore the unexplored, and staying a couple of extra nights at your favourite campsite just because you feel like it.

If you’re in Australia for several months, I’d definitely recommend buying a car. In most cases, you’ll be able to sell the car to other backpackers at the end of your trip, saving you a good chunk of money along the way.

You’ll also find a load of companies around Australia that promise to buy your car back from you at the end of your trip, so you’ll recover at least some of the money that you’ve spent. The most popular of these, albeit with the occasional sketchy reviews, is Travellers Autobarn.

If you feel like being super thrifty, investing in a station wagon is ideal. Also known as estate cars, these spacious motors fit a mattress in the back, saving you money on accommodation too. Ford Falcons are pretty common in the backpacker world, and you’ll find them for sale for between $3,000 and $6,000, including rego (the Australian version of road tax insurance combined).

Option 2: Rent a car/camper

All countries are not created equal when it comes to overland journeys. Vietnam is ideal for a motorbike road trip and in my opinion, Oz via camper van is my personal favourite choice of wheels to gallivant around this gorgeous country.

If you’re in Australia for less than a couple of months, renting a car or camper van is another excellent option and also comes with a sense of freedom. There are hundreds of companies around the country offering a range of motors suitable for road tripping.

You’ll find older, budget-friendly campers with a lot of character for as little as $50/day or a souped-up motorhome with all the mod-cons for $350/day.

If you decide to hit the open road in a motorhome or camper van during your Australian adventure, don’t forget to capture the incredible moments along the way. Taking photos and videos of your journey can help preserve memories that you’ll cherish for a lifetime. Once you’ve gathered your footage, consider using a  free movie maker  tool to create a captivating travel video. It’s a great way to relive your road trip and share your experiences with friends and family back home. 

You’ll also need to factor in insurance costs too, which you’ll most often buy through the rental company. As is normally the case, you can choose from different levels of cover, from basic to comprehensive.

From experience, if you’re heading into the deep outback, you’re going to want to get comprehensive coverage. It’s quite incredible just how quickly a kangaroo or wallaby can jump out from nowhere… that’s not to mention a rogue emu that decides to sprint across the road at the last minute! Look into ROLLiN’ Insurance’s comprehensive car insurance to ensure you’re covered for all unexpected encounters.

A quick side note on petrol: Whether you’re buying or renting your car, you’ll still need to factor in the cost of petrol. Petrol is much cheaper in Australia compared to the UK or US, BUT you will be travelling considerably longer distances, and at times, you may find yourself rinsing through a full tank of petrol in half a day or so.

Also, when in doubt about whether you should fill up your tank or not… always fill up!

On average, petrol fluctuates between AUD$1.2 and AUD$1.6/litre, but you’ll find that it gets a lot more expensive as you venture out to more remote locations. 

Option 3: Book a Bus

If you’re travelling on a shoestring, Australia has a pretty impressive network of buses that travel cross country. While you’re more than welcome to make use of the public buses that run from city to city via Busbud , most younger travellers tend to opt for a Greyhound bus.

Designed with backpackers in mind, Greyhound offers routes to all state capitals and major towns and will also stop at smaller towns and cities if you ask in advance.

For tickets, you can either pay for each journey individually (sometimes you’ll find fares for $5 or less!), or, if you’re looking for ultimate freedom, I’d recommend a Whimit Pass. These give you unlimited travel around the country for a set period of time, whether it be for 15, 30, 60, or 90 days. These will set you back (AUD) $339, $419, $469, and $599, respectively, which is pretty good value for money for the flexibility the pass will give you.

Option 4: Join a Tour

Sometimes, we just want the easy life, and that’s where tours come in oh-so-handy, especially for those of us who might not be so confident on the road or might not have a valid driving license just yet. 

A possible drawback to joining a tour is the cost – you’ll certainly pay for the convenience of having everything organised for you. You also won’t usually have a say over the type of accommodation you stay in, or where you end up eating, which can make everything that little bit more expensive and for me as an onion-hating strict veggie; annoying as hell.

You’ll also find that road trip-esque tours tend only to cover a few days too, so you will be limited to where you actually find the tours heading. 

Some common road trip tours include the Great Ocean Road from Melbourne , the East Coast from Sydney, and the Red Centre from Alice Springs , tours have their time and a place though and if you do decide it’s best for you to book one, you’ll be happy to know that Aussies really have their sh*t together when it comes to organisation skills.

Bonus Option 5: Car Pooling

If you’re searching for that proper authentic Australia road trip experience, car sharing has also become common in recent years. For those who aren’t familiar with the concept, I’ll quickly explain how this works. Someone with their own car lists an advert or posts on a Facebook group with a planned itinerary for their road trip and, usually, a suggested contribution for the road trip too. All you need to do is respond to it and hope you got a seat in their car. 

Some people will ask for a set amount of money each week, while others simply split the price of fuel, insurance and repair jobs along the way. It’s a great way to save some pennies, get rid of the sometimes frustrating process of buying a car and make some mates along the way.

What To Pack For A Road Trip

There are tonnes of different routes you can take on your Australia road trip, each with its own requirements when it comes to packing. If you’re heading out on dirt roads into the depth of the outback, you’re going to want to be prepared with things like a satellite phone, a couple of extra tyres and a good-quality tool kit. 

For road trips along the east coast, or anything closer to civilisation, you can get away without taking a bit less. 

If you’re camping along the way, you can check out my master camping list , which has pretty much everything you’ll need for a tremendous trip. I also have a general travel packing guide for ladies (including a warm climate section) and I have a typical list for fellas too . 

Here’s a pretty extensive list of things that are worth having in the car for almost every Australia road trip, I admittedly went overboard in some areas as I figured it’s best you have more options.

Papers/Documentation

People of authority in Australia are incredibly strict and anyone who has bought into the chilled-out, flip-flop meme of Australia as a whole has been duped. While the average Aussie is easy-going, the place is a complete stickler for rules and regulations so it’s best to keep them happy to stay out of trouble.

• Driving licence. You can drive with a foreign driver’s license for three months in Australia – any longer and you’ll need to have an international driving license. 
• Vehicle registration and insurance. In Australia, your vehicle registration and insurance are wrapped into one. Just make sure you have the documents nearby in case you get pulled over by the feds.
• Copy of health insurance. Hopefully, you’ll never need this during your Australia road trip, but it doesn’t hurt to have a copy in your car.
• Write down important phone numbers. As you head into the outback, you’ll have limited signal and even fewer places to charge your phone. Make sure you write down important numbers so you can borrow a friendly stranger’s satellite phone.
• Paper map. It’ll come in handy if your GPS fails or your phone overheats. 

Clothes & Shoes

In a country that is so big that it’s actually a bloody continent too, you have to pack for all possibilities Down Under. If you are really going on the ultimate Australian road trip then it’s best to pack up that vehicle with more options so you can get the full Aussie experience.

• Waterproof jacket
• T-shirts 
• Shorts/dresses/skirt
• Hiking boots
• Flip flops (or thongs as they like to call them down under)
• Waterproof sandals
• Swimming gear
• Lightweight fleece
• Buff Headwear (for baldies)

Toiletries and Medical Bits

Everyone knows that getting sick on the road is a recipe for a “Holidays From Hell” episode. Stock up on most of these bad boys and you’ll have prevention and also cure in your arsenal.

• Insect repellent
• Imodium. Because you’d be certifiably crazy to travel anywhere without it .
• Citronella candle
• Fly net for food (if you’re heading into the red centre)
• First aid kit
• Toothbrush 
• 50+ SPF sun cream
• Menstrual items
• Lightweight towel
• Hand sanitiser
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Pain killers

Whether you want to check in with your family when possible or bang out some Kylie and Jason during your ultimate Australia road trip (showing my age there) it’s better to remember these handy gadgets.

• Car charger
• Camera 
• Playlist of music and podcasts 
• Headtorch/lamp

Cooking and Food

Keep those hangry demons at bay and always be prepared to eat whenever, wherever during your road trip. Ideally, you want to eat in as many recommended places as possible, but sometimes you will be stuck when you’re out in the sticks so it’s better to be stocked up.

• Tinned food/dehydrated food
• LifeStraw bottle or a GRAYL Geopress Water Purifier
• At least five litres of water per person per day
• Cooking utensils (pots, pans, cutlery, cups etc.)
• Washing-up cloth and detergent
• Cooking fuel
• Chopping board
• Sharp knife
• Tin opener (Golden advice, you were warned!)
• Bottle opener
• Powdered milk
• Herbs and spices
• Cooking oil

Repair Tools

It’s all fun and games on the ultimate Australia road trip… until you break down!

• Emergency roadside toolkit 
• Jump cables
• Reflective sunshade for your windscreen
• Sturdy jack
• Wheel brace (to loosen the nuts)

For Campers

A friendly reminder that not all species are created equally lovely and that Australia has some savage animals . That being said, camping in Australia is undoubtedly fun.

• Tent stakes
• Groundsheet
• Sleeping bag and compression pack
• Sleeping mat tress
• Travel pillow
• Sleeping masks

Miscellaneous

Because you never think that you will need it… until you forget it!

• Swiss army knife
• Laundry detergent
• Football/frisbee/tennis racket for a bit of beach entertainment!
• Toilet paper
• Rubbish bags

If your head is permanently buried in your phone during your road trip then well done… you are very much a part of the problem. That being said, you still have to be pragmatic and some apps are needed more than others in this situation.

• WikiCamps/AirCamps. Every budget traveller’s best friend, both of these apps help you to find nearby camps, breaking down their cost, amenities and location. It’s great for finding free camps with toilets (and sometimes even free showers!).
• FuelMap. Fuel gets expensive in the outback, and this app helps you find the best deal in your local area. 
• Audible/Spotify. It’s easy to drive 200km without seeing another car in Australia, so downloading a few offline playlists will keep you from falling asleep at the wheel. 
• Google Maps. Downloadable Google Maps are a must for an Australia road trip. No need to worry about losing signal along the way, simply download the area you’re driving through, and Google Maps will keep you on the right track. 
• MAPS.ME. Imagine Google Maps and Wikipedia combined, and you’ve got something that looks like MAPS.ME. It’s a sort of editable map that previous travellers can add hidden camps and locations that Google Maps might not know about. Its real charm is that it works offline! Perfect for when that Aussie Outback Wi-Fi disappears on you.
• Pocketbook. If you’re travelling on a budget, this is an awesome app to help you to keep track of your expenses as you go, and make sure you don’t blow the budget in the first week.

9 Experienced Tips For The Ultimate Australia Road Trip

Australia is gigantic, and the excitement of a road trip can quickly turn into a disaster if you’re underprepared or not really sure what you’re doing. Take these tips from someone who has made the mistakes so that you don’t have to.

The ultimate Australia road trip martyr, if you will.

• Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Australians are a typically friendly bunch for those in need, and most are happy to help if you find yourself in trouble along the way. It’s remarkable just how much the average Aussie knows about cars. So, if you’ve broken down on the side of the road, don’t be worried about flagging down a car for help. 
• Keep an eye out for petrol. It’s quite incredible how the price of petrol almost doubles as you head into the outback. Fill up on petrol as much as possible before you hit the Red Centre or remote locations in the outback, or you’ll easily be spending up to $100/day on the stuff. 
• Look out for relocation services. From time to time, car rental companies need their campers to be moved around the country according to demand. To do this, they offer a discount for anyone willing to move the camper (within a certain time frame) from one city to another, often for as little as $1 a day, plus insurance. 
• Take a spare tyre … and learn how to change one ! You really don’t want to be calling out roadside assistance (and facing a hefty bill) to simply change a tyre on your car. Which reminds me: get some roadside assistance cover too.
• Learn some basic mechanics. Make sure you understand what’s underneath your bonnet and remember to keep track of it. Check your oil and water at least once a week and keep some spares in your boot. It also pays to check your tyre pressure every so often, especially if you’re travelling on dirt roads. 
• Avoid driving at night. No matter how tempted you are, as soon as that sun starts to go down, you want to get off the road pronto! Kangaroos, wallabies, wild horses, camels , wombats, koalas… you name it, they all come jumping out of nowhere at night, drawn in by your bright headlights. Most insurance companies won’t even insure you for driving at night because of the high possibility of hitting an animal, as it is just too common. 
• Stay respectful of the Aboriginal people. If you’re heading through central or northern Australia, you’ll more than likely come across Aboriginal communities and a lot of sights that these communities consider to be incredibly sacred. Keep a lookout for signs as you drive around, as you’re not allowed to park up in some communities, and there’ll be a lot of sacred sites around that you can’t stand on, or take photos of . 
• Don’t get close to the Cassowary. The flightless bird that you might see roaming about with a blue face and red neck may get you curious for a selfie with such a rare-looking creature. Avoid at all costs. The Cassowary holds the creepy record as the most dangerous bird in the world and the Papua New Guinea tribe who I stayed with feared it more than God itself! Do not, by any means, fuck with the Cassowary’s personal space or you will know about it.

9. Watch your speed! Every state in Australia governs its own driving rules, and it’s pretty easy to cross a border without even realising it. That’s especially true when you drive from the Northern Territory to South Australia, dropping from 130mph to 110mph in a matter of seconds. I know a couple of friends who got hit with a $950 fine… but they were pushing their luck at nearly 60mph over the speed limit. 

I got a pricey speeding ticket in Thredbo. I swear I was being very careful, although I had just summited the tallest mountain on the continent of Australia the day before and taken 6 diverted domestic flights from all over Indonesia (thanks to a last-minute volcanic eruption) to get to Australia – so maybe I’ll give the police the benefit of the doubt on that one!

The Best Australia Road Trips (3 Itineraries)

There are more road-tripping opportunities in Australia than you could imagine in such a vast area of the world, but here are just three to give you a taste of what’s on offer Down Under. 

The itineraries I’ve suggested below include the absolute minimum amount of time I’d recommend spending on these road trips. Still, they can easily be extended if you’ve got some spare time on your hands.

I’m not going to be a travel contrarian here; Australia completely deserves the hype that it receives, I fully endorse putting these routes together (plus some more) and going on a truly ultimate Australian road trip where you leave no stone unturned in this glorious country.

3-Day Road Trip: Melbourne to Port Fairy (Great Ocean Road)

The Great Ocean Road technically starts in Torquay, a coastal town 100km (60 miles) south of Melbourne. However, most tend to start the journey from Victoria’s capital, mainly because it’s easier to get to and rent a car from. 

Apart from the stunning coastal views and world-famous rock formations, the Great Ocean Road has a pretty cool history to learn about along the way (more on that later). You can fit the drive into a day if you really want to, but three days is about right to soak in all of the views and navigate through the windy roads. 

The day before your trip, I’d recommend checking out a few of the sights in Melbourne, which is a pretty cool city in its own right. Here are a few of my top recommendations:

• Explore the laneways and grab a coffee. Melbourne claims to make some of the best coffee in the world and I will hold my hands up here; after living in the land of tasty coffee that is Colombia, I prejudged this as absolute patriotic bollocks. My sincere apologies to Aussies, they were bang on – Australian coffee is definitely some of the best (if not, the best) that my lips have ever had the pleasure of sipping on during my travels. 
• Check out the street art. Parts of Melbourne are designated “street art areas”, and you’ll regularly see local artists adding their latest murals to the walls.
• Wander through the botanic gardens . Just a short walk from Melbourne, the botanic gardens offer up a welcome respite from the busy streets with more than 8,500 species of plants. Botanic bliss right there.
• Drop into the Australian Sports Museum. Part of the MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground), this award-winning museum features interactive exhibits and immersive sporting experiences. I don’t usually care for museums, but this stands out due to how interactive it is (it also helps that I’m a sports fan) and I bloody LOVED IT here. 
• Go shopping at Queen Victoria Market. One of the best markets in Melbourne, shop for local produce during the day but stay for street food at night.
• See what’s on at the National Gallery of Victoria. The NGV is Melbourne’s largest art gallery and hosts some pretty interesting exhibitions, from indigenous artworks to works from internationally renowned artists. 
• Say hello to the colony of penguins in St Kilda. These unexpected residents have called St Kilda Beach their home since the 1970s. You can see them returning from their daily feed around sunset each day. 

Day 1: Melbourne to Apollo Bay

It’ll take you around an hour to drive to Torquay from Melbourne, which is where the Great Ocean Road officially begins. This seaside town has heaps of local cafes and sweeping bays, one of which is one of the most famous surfing beaches in Australia; Bells Beach . 

Then, it’s about 90km from Torquay to Apollo Bay, with plenty of places to stop off in between:

• Split Point Lighthouse. Are you a bleeding-hearted 90s kid? Did you ever watch the show Round The Twist ? This is where it was filmed! Even if you’ve never heard of the show, this quick 20-minute stop offers beautiful views over the coastline, and you can also take a tour of the lighthouse if you wish.
• Memorial Arch. This poignant arch remembers the war veterans who fought for the country during WWI, the same men who built the Great Ocean Road on their return. The road actually had a great history behind it; check out this article if you want to learn more.
• Lorne. A quiet coastal town, perfect to grab some lunch.
• Kennett River. Grey River Road is home to a huge colony of wild koalas, and you’re almost guaranteed a sighting if you head here. For your best chances, visit during the cooler hours of the afternoon when the koalas are a little more active.

Day 2: Apollo Bay to Port Campbell

The 120km stretch between Apollo Bay and Port Campbell is home to some of the Great Ocean Road’s most popular attractions. If you’ve got time, spread today’s itinerary across two days to fit more in!

Here’s a little bit of what to expect today:

• Otway National Park. This is one of the only sections of the Great Ocean Road that takes you inland to explore the region’s rugged rainforests. You can zip-line your way through the forest, join a mountain biking tour or simply take a hike through the redwood forests. The choice is yours. 
• Twelve Apostles. Everyone in Australia knows the great Twelves Apostles – possibly the most iconic image of the Great Ocean Road. They were once part of the mainland, but they became caves, arches, and eventually sea stacks through natural erosion. Since they were discovered, a few have eroded completely, leaving eight to be admired from the viewing point.
• Loch Ard Gorge. This small beach surrounded by tall limestone cliffs makes for a great photo and a bit of a learning opp! The gorge is actually named after a boat, Loch Ard, which shipwrecked here in the late 19th century. The ship had two survivors, Tom and Eva, the woman he heroically saved. 

Day 3: Port Campbell to Port Fairy 

For the last day of this Australia road trip itinerary, there are only about 60km to cover before you spend the night in Port Fairy, a quiet seaside town. You can drive back to Melbourne today if you want, but it’ll add about three hours of driving to the end of your day.

Here are some final sights to see:

• Bay of Islands Coastal Park. Arguably more beautiful than the 12 Apostles, the Bay of Islands is a 32km stretch of rugged sea stacks, limestone cliffs and sweeping beaches. There are plenty of opportunities to stop and admire the view along the way.
• Warrnambool. Between June and September, Warrnambool is known for its whale-watching opportunities as the Humpback whales and the occasional Orca swims past on their yearly migration.
• Tower Hill State Game Reserve. Victoria’s first green space to be declared a national park, Tower Hill sits in a volcano crater and is one of the best places to see emus, koalas, echidnas (hedgehog-type things), kangaroos and wallabies in the wild. 

Another option to consider if you only wanted a shorter day trip is to do something like a  Phillip Island tour . Day tours can be an efficient way to experience some very unique places.

4-Day Road Trip: Sydney to Snowy Mountains (Great Alpine Way) 

Are you up for scaling the highest peak in mainland Australia ? The best way to get there is on a (quite literally) pretty scenic road trip from Sydney (if you’ve got time beforehand, here’s some inspiration for unique things to do in Sydney ). The roads are pretty easy to navigate here but be prepared for some hairpin bends.

Day 1: Sydney – Jervis Bay

Home to white sandy beaches and sparkly clear water and just a three-hour drive from the capital of New South Wales, Jervis Bay has become a popular weekend away for Sydney residents. The 200km drive will take you along the Grand Pacific Drive with views worth stopping to take a photo of.

Once you reach Jervis Bay, it’s all about enjoying the great outdoors. Hire a kayak to explore the many bays, head across to Hyams Beach for a picnic, take a tour at Cape George St Lighthouse, or bask in the sun with a cocktail in hand.

Day 2: Jervis Bay – Canberra

Canberra doesn’t get much attention as the capital city of Australia ( and many still wrongly believe that Sydney is!) However, home to a selection of museums and galleries, it’s worth a quick stopover on your Australia road trip. Even if you’re not too interested in visiting the many cultural sights, it’s the best pit stop between Jervis Bay and Cooma.

Take your pick of the city’s best museums:

• National Gallery of Australia
• Australian War Memorial
• National Portrait Gallery
• Old Parliament House
• National Museum of Australia

Day 3: Canberra to Cooma

Cooma perches just on the edge of the snowy mountains and is around a 90-minute drive from Canberra along with a pretty boring, and very straight road, so best to whack those Kylie tunes on that I mentioned earlier! 

It’s known as the gateway to the Snowy Mountains and is the perfect introduction to the scenery you’ll get to check out over the next few days as you drive into Kosciuszko National Park.

There aren’t loads to do in Cooma, it’s more of a jumping-off point for various activities in the snowy mountains. Join a white water rafting adventure along the Alpine River, ramble through the area’s many hikes or head to the Bombala Platypus Reserve to see the elusive mammal in its natural habitat.

Day 4: Cooma – Jindabyne

A 45-minute drive away from Cooma is the town of Jindabyne, often known as Snow Town. During the Australian winter (June to August), Jindabyne is packed with keen skiers and snowboarders hoping to hit the slopes at the first sight of snow. For the rest of the year, it’s the jumping-off point to hike the tallest peak in (the country of) Australia; Mount Kosciuszko.

I climbed “Kozzie” at the most off-peak season possible in snow so deep, that you’d easily mistake it for Russia (see my images in this article).

From Jindabyne, you can follow the Great Alpine Way for half an hour to the start of the trail, depending on which one you choose. Both options are relatively easy and only get a little challenging once you’re nearing the peak.

Here’s a quick overview of your options:

• Thredbo Village. Most people choose to take the 13km trail that starts from Thredbo Village. First, you’ll need to catch a lift on the express chairlift from Thredbo (around $30 for a one-way trip) and then begin the five-hour hike along the Snowy River.
• Charlotte Pass. For a quieter but longer alternative, try starting from Charlotte’s Pass. This option does add 6km to your walk (19km in total), but it’s a relatively leisurely incline to the top, and you can check out the historic Seaman’s Hut built in 1929 on the way.

7-Day Road Trip: Perth to Exmouth (West Coast)

There’s a lot of competition in the country for the title of the best road trip in Australia. For me, this trip through Western Australia is hard to beat. Just the right amount of outback, but not too remote that you feel you’re miles away from civilisation. And the Australian wildlife ?

The wildlife opportunities along this stretch of coastline are second to none in the country. 

Day 1: Perth 

There’s little to no driving to do today, but it’s the perfect time to stock up on food, and petrol and get yourself organised before you head into the more remote parts of Western Australia. 

But, before you head off on your road trip, I’d recommend at least a day or two to explore Perth and its nearby attractions. Here are a few top spots to hit up in the city:

• Kings Park. A pretty combination of botanical gardens and protected bushland, Kings Park looks proudly over Perth, offering some of the best sunset views in the city. 
• Swan River. The Swan River runs through the heart of the city, dividing it into two areas: the north and the south. Grab a bike or don your best versatile travel trainers and complete the 27km loop that runs right along the river. 
• The Perth Mint. If you’re interested in the gold mining history of Australia, The Perth Mint can provide a pretty fascinating insight into its nearly two-hundred-year-old past.
• Fremantle. A little suburb just south of the city centre, Fremantle is the heart of art and culture in the city. Stop by the historic market at the weekend (it’s been going since 1897!), soak in some of the neighbourhood’s cafe culture, or take a tour around Fremantle Prison – the largest structure in Western Australia built entirely by convicts.

Day 2: Perth to Geraldton

Today, you’ll be tackling a stretch of road known as the Indian Ocean Drive, a pretty stunning 400km of road that offers unbelievable views out to the ocean. Even better, the road is in pretty immaculate condition, so you won’t have trouble driving along here with even the smallest of motors. 

While Geraldton will be where you’ll be spending the night, there are a few stops to see along the way:

• Lancelin Sand Dunes. Considered to be the largest network of sand dunes in Western Australia, these are worth a stop. If you’ve got time for more than just a photo opportunity, you can hire a sandboard and have some fun on the slopes.
• The Pinnacles. Sitting in Nambung National Park, a drive through the Pinnacles Desert, is pretty awesome. Covering around 17,000 hectares (42,000 acres), the park is home to the Pinnacles, natural limestone structures that jut out of the sand and are sometimes more than three meters high. Formed after the sea receded and left seashell deposits, they’re thought to be around 30,000 years old! 
• Lake Thetis. A quick stroll around Lake Thetic will introduce you to some of the oldest living organisms in the world – otherwise known as thrombolites.
• Leaning Trees. With strong coastal winds along these roads, you’ll see some pretty awesome leaning trees that are almost flat to the ground.

There’s not much to see in Geraldton itself, but it’s a good place to stop before you carry on your road trip tomorrow.

Day 3: Geraldton to Kalbarri 

It’ll only take you about an hour to drive from Geraldton to Kalbarri, which leaves the rest of the day to explore the stunning Kalbarri National Park. If you’ve got time, you could stop in at the Principality of Hutt River; Australia’s self-declared sovereign state – to get a pretty unique stamp on your passport.

This “ micro-state ” was formed in 1970 due to an argument with the Australian government over wheat production quotas, and over the past 50 years developed its own currency, stamps and passports (that were not accepted as valid by any government).

The passionate Principality officially laid down its proverbial arms in 2020 , but it’s still worth a visit for the banter. I mean it even had its own national anthem!

Check out this banging tune:

Once you’ve reached Kalbarri, you’ll be within a 20-minute drive of Kalbarri National Park, for which you’ll need to pay a $15 entry fee per vehicle. The park is split into two sections: the coastal cliffs and the inland gorge. 

 I’d definitely recommend visiting both, but if you’re stuck on time, prioritise the inland section. Here you can choose from a number of different hikes:

• Nature’s Window . A quick 1km hike from the car park to a rock formation known as Nature’s Window, which forms a pretty cool natural frame looking over the gorge.
• Z Bend Lookout. An easy 600m stroll to a lookout that treats you to views across deep ravines and winding rivers.
• Loop Walk. A challenging 8km hike that has you wading through rivers, clambering across rocks and tackling some pretty steep hills. If you’re attempting this walk, go as early as possible to beat the midday heat.

Day 4: Kalbarri to Monkey Mia 

Driving distances in Western Australia can get pretty huge, so today is all about getting from A to B. It’ll take you about four hours to drive the 360km from Kalbarri to Monkey Mia, one of the most remote places you’ll find in this itinerary.

Part of the Shark Bay World Heritage Area, Monkey Mia is known for its close-encounter dolphin experiences. Around two hundred bottlenose dolphins live in the area, some of which come to the shoreline each morning for a feed. The dolphins are still 100% wild, so there’s no guarantee of a sighting on your visit.

While some question the ethics behind feeding the dolphins, others say that it mimics the natural feeding habits of the dolphins themselves. You’ll be given a briefing, and there’s a limit to visitor numbers and strictly no touching. 

In these situations when you are unsure, It’s best to do your own research and see where your own moral compass lies. 

Anyway, you’ll be too late to see the dolphins today, so you’ll need to get up nice and early for the 7.45 am feeding in the morning.

Day 5: Monkey Mia to Denham

After an early morning dolphin sighting, it’s just a 20-minute drive to Denham, where you can set up camp for the night. Denham is perfectly placed to explore one of Australia’s best UNESCO World Heritage Areas: Shark Bay, which is filled with remote national parks, pretty coastlines, and, you guessed it, a good chance of spotting some sharks in the water.

There are tonnes to see and do in this area, so spend more than a day here if you can. Here’s a snapshot of some of the best bits:

• Francois Peron National Park: Stretching along the top of the Shark Bay peninsula, Francois Peron National Park is made up of vibrant red rock cliffs towering above clear turquoise waters. This remote national park has no tarmac roads, so you’ll almost definitely want to have a 4WD to explore all of its best bits.
• Hamelin Pool: Hamelin Pool is home to the oldest living fossils on earth , which are thought to be more than 3.5 billion years old! Formally known as stromatolites, this is only one of two places you’ll find them in the world (the other being in Tasmania). They aren’t the prettiest things to look at – they pretty much resemble knobbly rocks – but these things are amazing, active colonies of one of the very first life forms on the planet is a pretty solid bragging point.
• Eagle Bluff: Eagle Bluff forms a lookout point over Shark Bay and is your best chance of spotting some of the larger marine animals that call this place their home. Wander along the boardwalk and keep an eye out for sharks, manta rays and dugongs. 
• Shell Beach: Stretching 120km along the Indian Ocean coastline, Shell Beach is made up of trillions of tiny cockle shells, which are thought to be ten meters deep in some places. Other than the shells, this is the perfect place to test your buoyancy as the waters are twice as salty as the sea .

Day 6: Denham to Coral Bay

This is one of those days of driving when you wish that Australia was just a little bit smaller as you’ll be making a mammoth 500km drive. Driving the five hours from Denham will take you to a popular holiday destination among locals called Coral Bay.

It’s known as a gateway to the Ningaloo Reef and is particularly famous for its super accessible and easy-to-explore coral reef. With the continental shelf just meters from the beach, you can grab a snorkel and start exploring pretty much straight away.

One of the easiest ways to do this is to drift snorkel from Turquoise Bay. Rent or buy a snorkel from one of the many shops around town and head to the “Drift Snorkel” car park.

From here, walk onto the beach and head south around 100 meters, past the cliffs. That’s where you can enter the water with your snorkel and let the current gently carry you past the coral reefs. You don’t need to swim or paddle, just let the waves do their job as you enjoy the colourful coral below. 

The currents aren’t too strong here, but you’ll need to be a relatively confident swimmer to exit the water before you hit the sandbar. (I am not and I admittedly struggled, but it wasn’t too much of a drama). 

Day 7: Coral Bay to Exmouth

A relatively quick (well, for Australians) 90-minute drive will land you in Exmouth, a sleepy town at the very top of the peninsula. It’s known for its easy access to the great Ningaloo Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage area that stretches for 270km and is home to some pretty cool species, including the gentle giant; the whale shark. 

Over 400 whale sharks come to the Ningaloo Reef each year to find food like plankton and krill, along with Humpback whales, manta rays, turtles and a range of different sharks. Tours leave from Exmouth all year round, but you’ll have different experiences depending on the season:

• Turtle Season : From December to February, you can witness Green Turtles, Loggerhead Turtles and Hawksbill Turtles nesting in their natural environment.
• Whale Shark Season: Between March and August, you can swim with whale sharks as they come to the area in search of food. 
• Manta Ray Season: Manta Rays appear in the area between April and November and can be combined with a tour to swim with whale sharks or to observe the turtles’ nesting grounds.
• Humpback Whale Season: From June to August, humpback whales come to the reef to escape the cooler waters down south, with 35,000 of the giants passing by Ningaloo as part of their yearly migration. 

As a World Heritage-listed area, there are strict rules and regulations around encountering these animals in the wild, hence the hefty price tag. Every tour operator must undergo a rigorous self-assessment process to operate in the area and contribute to the conservation of the area.

While I can’t promise that every tour is perfect, the area seems to be one of the best-regulated reefs in the world .

If you struggle to come to terms with things like the whale shark swimming situation in the Philippines , this is a relatively guilt-free alternative. But again, I’d recommend doing your research, weighing up the pros and cons and seeing where your conscience lies with it all. 

There you go, mate. Now you’re now fully armed with enough info on how to plan the ultimate Australia road trip happen, what are you waiting for?

Anthony Middleton

Hi, I'm Anthony!

In November of 2010, I took on a mammoth challenge against the clock in a quest to upgrade my miserable life. I went out of my comfort zone and turned it all around. Ten years later, I’m completely location independent…

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