Whether you’re a home grown Aussie or hail from across the seas, there’s no denying that this great country offers some extraordinary sights and experiences, and is somewhere that everyone should visit at least once. Like the US, Australia is a country that was seemingly made to experience by car, so putting this little list of the very best road trips together was as enjoyable as taking to the tarmac ourselves. So pack that suitcase, sort out some travel insurance and pick out a perfect car – here are eight of the country’s best road trips.
Great Ocean Road, Victoria: Hugging the southern coastline of Victoria, the Great Ocean road offers some truly stunning visuals. The 12 Apostles are nothing short of iconic, although only eight remain today. The entire route takes in lush rainforests, local towns, beautiful surf beaches and many other sweeping scenes of land meeting sea.
Snowy Mountain Drive, New South Wales: New South Wales is an area reputed for its beauty, and the Snowy Mountain Drive is one of the standout journeys in the region. It offers glimpses of the highest mountains in Australia, various historic and cultural towns, and some truly diverse flora and fauna. And that’s to say nothing of the many picturesque spots that are ideal for a bit of mid-trip sunbathing.
The Savannah Way: Without doubt a trip for the more adventurous, the Savannah Way links up Cairns in north Queensland with the historic pearling town of Broome in Western Australia. What’s adventurous about the journey? Well, a vast majority of the trip’s 3500km are across unsealed roads run through the tropical savannahs of the country’s interior, hence the name.
The Watagan Mountains: The Watagan National Park route is a superb drive, offering some of the very best views in Australia as the road snakes its way towards the Hunter Valley. The forested mountain range that separates the valley from the Tuggerah Lakes system is perfect for a family outing, with a number of large recreation sites available along the way.
The Fleurieu Peninsula, Southern Australia: Within easy reach of Adelaide, the Peninsula comprises some of the most jaw-dropping scenery on offer in the country. The stunning visuals make it the perfect host destination for the country’s richest landscape art prize, which is staged in the area. Beautiful hills sweep down into sun-drenched bays and into the deep blue water.
The Huon Trail, Tasmania: Another rich and varied journey, the Huon Trail takes in many of the best things about its home state: winding waterways combined with blue-green landscapes, centuries old forests and mighty rivers. A big looping drive, the trail is ideal for those staying near the Hobart area.
Uluru, NT: This drive from Uluru to Kings Canyon is absolutely perfect for those with a 4WD and a sense of adventure. Visitors making the journey will enjoy traversing the Mereenie Loop from Alice Springs, which offers a palm-fringed swimming hole and some stunning 300 metre cliff faces.
The Nullarbor Plain: Though it’s possible to travel between Perth and Adelaide by most means of public transport, travelling by road offers a completely different experience, and is highly recommended. Though it’s about the longest road trip on this list – taking about eight or nine days to complete – the dramatic landscapes, soaring cliffs and genuinely spectacular views will be more than compensatory to anyone who wants to take in visuals that are truly beyond compare.
