Is there anything better than going on the road, just you, your car, and the asphalt in forint of your for miles and miles at a time? A good road trip is like chicken soup for the soul, and the hardest part is basically choosing where you want to go. Well, why not visit Australia?
Australia is wild and urban, cultured and rugged, it’s the land of adventure and gorgeous nature. You can spend some time on the road, and then take a break in a National Park and relax surrounded by the wild, or go into a large city and party the night away. And if you’re still not convinced, then read the article below and see just what we mean.
The Great Ocean Road
This one is simply a must if you really want to make the most out of your road trip. Starting 90 minutes away from Melbourne, it’s a 240 kilometre stretch from Torquay to Allansford. You’ll be driving a great deal along the coast, gazing at the beautiful countryside. However, try to find some time and see what this area has to offer. First, get your car road trip-ready, second, visit the Great Otway National Park. You also want to check out the Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve and walk right down to Loch Ard Gorge.
If you have the time and the energy, check out Bells Beach in Torquay. Here you can find huge waves perfect for intermediate and advanced surfers. And all you beginners out there don’t have to worry either. You guys can find a lot of gentler beaches nearby, like the Torquay, like the Torquay Front and Back beaches, or the Jan Juc Beach.
An adventure from Perth to Broome
One of the most beautiful sights in the world belongs to Western Australia, found right on the coast from Perth to Broome. Here you can check out King’s Park, Rottnest Island, as well as hip Fremantle. Moving on to the North you can see the Pinnacles in Nambung National park.
Shark Bay should not be missed, a pristine piece of nature that has fortunately been placed on the Unesco World Heritage list. Along these 2500 kilometres, you can get the chance to swim in Karijini National Park, to check out the magnificent gorges found here, until you finally reach Cable Beach, your final destination.
Wild Savanah Way
One of the longer trips on this list, Savanah Way, spans over 3500 kilometres, all across the continent of Australia. You start from Cairns, and then you go all the way north to gorgeous Broome. Over two thousand miles of driving, you will move through 15 national parks, five World Heritage Sights, as well as one territory, and two Australian states.
Now, first, you are in Cairns, a tropical wonderland, close to the Great Barrier Reef. Moving on you will pass Outback towns, an area with fascinating history just waiting on you to get uncovered. As you move closer to the Northern Territory, you can check out the thermal springs right in Katherine Gorge and Elsey National Park. Before you arrive in Broome you should stop by and spend some time at Lake Argyle, the Purnululu National Park, as well as the El Questro Wilderness Park.
Rugged Tasmania
Of course, you shouldn’t miss out on driving to Tasmania. You start at Hobart, and then you basically drive in a clockwise circle until you get your fill of rugged, natural beauty.
Now, that doesn’t mean you should just stay on the road – there are many things you can see along the way. For example, you should check out the Cradle Mountain National Park. Be sure to grab a bite at Salamanca market in Hobart. Go hiking for a day or two in Tasman National Park, get a photo or two of the Hazards in Freycinet, and then finally relax in the Bay of Fires.
The Pacific Highway
The Pacific Highway leads you to Brisbane, and it starts in Sydney. You get 10 hours of enjoyable, relaxed driving, a drive filled to the brim with activities all along the way. First, you begin in Sydney, and we advise you to start with Bondi Beach. Catch some rays, have a cocktail, swim for a bit. Then, move on towards the North, walk along the coast and enjoy the sunset. Maybe make a stop at Byron Bay, if you have the time.
Next, you are pretty much near the Gold Coast, so be ready to party and to just go all out. It’s a party there, all the time, day in, day out.
The Great Alpine Road
Finally, we have the Great Alpine Road – 399 kilometres right through inland Victoria. You start at Wangaratta, and you end up in Metung. You need to prepare your tires for the potentially icy and snowy roads, stock up on supplies, but also prepare for a stark temperature shift once you get closer to the coast. This road leads you through mountains, valleys, rivers, and vineyards. You can get some high-quality organic foods at the local farms, have a nice glass of wine at one of their vineyards, and just take photos and bask in the beauty of the Victorian Alps. The highest point on this trip is 1840 meters, or over six thousand feet, found over Mount Hotham.
Now, at your starting point, you can check out Wangaratta, and maybe stop by for their Jazz Festival. Your final destination, Metund, is a gorgeous and cosy little town found right next to the Gippsland Lakes. Sandy beaches, swimming, water sports, it’s going to warm you right up after the cold Victorian Alps.
Conclusion
And there you have it folks, the best road trips you can take in Australia. You can go on the cold Alpine road and have almost four hundred kilometres of roads going through mountains and valleys, passing by vineyards and farms. Or maybe rugged Tasmania is something you would enjoy more? Whichever road you choose, just remember that the journey is always more important than the destination. So, take a break, get out of your car, and enjoy your surroundings. Bask in Australia’s beauty, and just breathe.