6 essential Australian road trips

Several epic journeys battle for the title of best Australian road trip, including Tasmania’s historic Heritage Highway, the famous Great Ocean Road, and the vast Nullarbor Plain crossing. Between them, those three routes cover everything from antiquing to stunning coastal views and long desert highways.

Or perhaps you’d prefer to see wineries and riverside towns as you motor from Sydney to Melbourne or cruise the incredible array of beaches en route to Brisbane. Choose your own adventure with some help from this guide to the best road trips in Australia.

1. Great Ocean Road

Best for stunning views

Route information

Distance and driving time: 150 miles (240 kilometers); 4 hours.

Best time of year for a Great Ocean Road trip: Fall (March to May).

Road types: Highway

Great Ocean Road trip highlights

One of the best road trips in Australia, the Great Ocean Road (GOR) is a mere four-hour drive from Torquay to Allansford, but those miles are seriously packed. See breathtaking clifftop views, towering rock formations like the Twelve Apostles, a forested national park roughly the size of Hong Kong, and some of Victoria’s most charming seaside towns.

If you have time, make it at least a three-day excursion to take in all the sights.

Key stops along the way

• Memorial Arch: visit this iconic tribute to the fallen and the 3,000 WWI veterans who built the GOR.
• Great Otway National Park: a 254,908-acre (103,185-hectare) parkland filled with waterfalls, redwood forests, and breathtaking bioluminescent glowworm displays.
• 12 Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge: the most impressive of several iconic coastal rock formations during this great Australian road trip
• Warrnambool: unwind at the end of the GOR in natural hot springs, or hang out at picture-perfect Logan's Beach.

2. Sydney to Melbourne (inland)

Best for discovering flavorful wines

Route information

Distance and driving time: 545 miles (877 kilometers); 9 hours.

Best time of year for a Sydney to Melbourne road trip: Spring (September–November).

Road types: Mostly highways.

Sydney to Melbourne road trip highlights

Take the inland route for an epic journey through several of Australia’s best wine regions. Sample the earthy pinot noirs of the Southern Highlands wineries, try crisp chardonnays in Canberra, sip sparkling prosecco in Benalla, or taste peppery shiraz on the Bellarine Peninsula.

If you're the designated driver, enjoy charming towns like historic Goulburn, riverside Wagga Wagga, and artsy Albury.

Key stops along the way

• Canberra: home to superb museums and galleries, and splendid cool-climate wines.
• Wagga Wagga: a scenic riverside town with some fantastic public art.
• Albury: an artsy town along the Murray River.
• Bellarine Peninsula: an alluring combination of boutique wineries and beautiful beaches.

3. Nullarbor Plain (Adelaide to Perth)

Best for getting away from it all

Route information

Distance and driving time: 1,621 miles (2,609 kilometers); 27 hours.

Best time of year for a (route) road trip: Fall and winter (April–August).

Road types: Highway, with multiple optional rural detours.

Nullarbor Plain road trip highlights

It's just you and the open road on this run from Adelaide to Perth. Clare Valley vineyards and epic Western Australia beaches frame the Nullarbor Plain — the backbone of this ultimate Australian seven-day road trip.

Drive on flat, desert-like terrain for hundreds of miles, featuring the longest straight road in Australia (91 miles; 147 kilometers) and 130 miles (210 kilometers) of Bunda Cliffs, the world's longest sea cliffs.

Key stops along the way

• Clare Valley: the Riesling capital of South Australia.
• Nullarbor Links: the world's longest golf course, this 849-mile (1,365-kilometer) behemoth starts in Ceduna and ends in Kalgoorlie.
• Head of the Bight Lookout: in season (May–October), you can see right whales in the ocean from this coastal clifftop spot.
• Esperance: a lovely seaside town with white-sand beaches and bright blue waters

4. Sydney to Brisbane

Best for seeing some of Australia's best beaches

Route information

Distance and driving time: 571 miles (919 kilometers); 9.5 hours.

Best time of year for a Sydney to Brisbane road trip: Spring (September–November) or fall (March–May).

Road types: Mostly highway.

Sydney to Brisbane road trip highlights

This Pacific Highway hugs Australia's thrilling east coast. From beach-laden Port Stephens, to charming Coffs Harbour, unspoiled Yamba, and Insta-famous Byron Bay, you could make this a multi-day tour of Aussie beach life.

Between the beaches, check out the rugged beauty of Blue Mountains National Park, tour Hunter Valley wine country, or enjoy the rainforest in Dorrigo National Park.

Key stops along the way

• Blue Mountains National Park: exceptional hiking and viewpoints, beautiful valleys, and waterfalls, all just outside Sydney.
• Port Stephens: a beautiful seaside retreat set amid 26 beaches.
• Coffs Harbour: the halfway point between Sydney and Brisbane and home of the iconic Big Banana water park.
• Byron Bay: spectacular beach town and popular celebrity hideaway.
• Gold Coast: more than 44 miles (70 kilometers) of stunning sandy beaches.

5. Heritage Highway

Best for family fun

Route information

Distance and driving time: 122 miles (197 kilometers); 2.5 hours.

Best time of year for a Heritage Highway road trip: Fall (March–May).

Road types: Highway with occasional optional smaller roads.

Heritage Highway road trip highlights

Tasmania’s Heritage Highway connects the state capital, Hobart, to its biggest northern city, Launceston. It’s one of the shorter Australian road trips, but this is a route to savor.

Along the way, you’ll discover scenic towns and villages, explore landmark sandstone architecture, see a bridge so impressive it won pardons for its criminal creators, go antiquing, or detour to one of Tasmania's natural wonders, Brown's Caves.

Key stops along the way

• Brown’s Caves: hike through Chauncy Vale Wildlife Sanctuary to a series of caves that kids will love exploring, and discover a fabulous view of the entire nature reserve.
• Oatlands: one of Tasmania’s oldest settlements, famous for its well-preserved 19th-century sandstone buildings.
• Ross Bridge: the masterful stonework on this bridge won pardons for both the convict stonemasons who oversaw this monument's creation.
• Evandale: a beautiful, historic town with excellent antique shops and weekend markets.

6. Red Centre Way

Best for experiencing iconic sights

Route information

Distance and driving time: 684 miles (1,100 kilometers); 11.5 hours.

Best time of year for a Red Centre Way road trip: Spring (September–November).

Road types: Highway, with one stretch of unpaved road.

Red Centre Way road trip highlights

Australia’s Red Centre, so-called for the red-dirt deserts that stretch across central Australia, is home to some of its most sacred and iconic sites.

Take this massive loop, starting and ending in Alice Springs, that leads you through Kings Canyon, Uluru, and Kata Tjuta. Along the way, you'll find swimming holes, sunset lookouts, and (if you’re lucky) incredible wildflower blooms.

Key stops along the way

• Alice Springs: an artsy town that’s a gateway to the outback.
• Kings Canyon: stunning red-rock canyon featuring towering sandstone cliffs and lush green valleys.
• Uluru: Australia's most famous natural landmark, a sacred site for thousands of years.
• Kata Tjuta: iconic domed red-rock formations, also known as The Olgas.

FAQS: Best road trips in Australia

Generated with the help of AI

Is Australia a good destination for a road trip?

Australia is an excellent destination for road trips, offering diverse landscapes and iconic routes. The Great Ocean Road in Victoria is renowned for its stunning coastal views. Other notable routes include the Grand Pacific Drive near Sydney, the scenic Great Barrier Reef Drive north of Cairns, and Western Australia's Coral Coast. Each offers unique experiences and breathtaking scenery, making Australia perfect for road trip enthusiasts.

Which drive offers the most picturesque views in Australia?

Australia boasts several breathtaking drives, each offering unique landscapes. The Great Ocean Road in Victoria is renowned for its stunning coastal views over 243 kilometers. The Pacific Coast Drive spans New South Wales and Queensland, while the Gibb River Road in Western Australia offers rugged outback scenery. The Red Centre Way in the Northern Territory showcases desert landscapes. For a diverse adventure, try the Savannah Way across Queensland, Northern Territory, and Western Australia. South Australia's Eyre Peninsula Coastal Drive and the Tasmanian Loop also promise unforgettable vistas.

What is the best road trip from Sydney?

Sydney offers diverse road trip options catering to various interests. Families might enjoy the Blue Mountains with its stunning landscapes. Adventure seekers can head to Port Stephens for thrilling activities. Food enthusiasts will delight in the Hunter Valley's wine and culinary offerings. Nature lovers should consider the Grand Pacific Drive for its breathtaking coastal views. Those who enjoy camping may prefer Glenworth Valley, while Wollondilly Shire offers a more off-the-beaten-path experience. Each destination provides a unique experience, making it hard to choose just one as the best.

Is the drive from Melbourne to Adelaide worth it?

The journey from Melbourne to Adelaide is truly rewarding, showcasing diverse cultures and stunning natural landscapes. Highlights include wine tasting in Coonawarra and exploring the historic caves at Naracoorte. Each stop offers something unique, making it a memorable road trip.

What are some road trip destinations within 3 hours of Sydney?

Within a 3-hour drive from Sydney, you can explore diverse destinations such as Shoal Bay, Nelson Bay, Tea Gardens, Bathurst, and Newcastle. These spots offer a variety of experiences, from beautiful coastlines to lush mountains and forests, making them ideal for a short road trip.

What are some road trip destinations from Melbourne?

Melbourne offers several exciting road trip options. The Great Ocean Road is a classic choice, taking around 1 hour 25 minutes from the city. For wine lovers, the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges are just an hour away. Relax in Daylesford and Hepburn Springs or enjoy the wildlife on Phillip Island. The Mornington Peninsula offers beautiful beaches, while Geelong and the Bellarine provide a mix of coast and culture. Ballarat, known for its gold rush history, is another interesting stop.