Best Road Trips in Australia

A road trip or self-drive vacation allows you to explore popular destinations and places off the beaten track at your own pace, in greater comfort and privacy. An Australian road trip is as epic as they come, thanks to the country's diverse landscape of dramatic coastlines, lush rainforests, and an expansive outback. Excellent road networks and conveniently located bases for getaways and adventures remove any complexity from trip planning.

That said, an expert-planned road trip vacation goes a long way in avoiding any hitches that may arise from overlooking an important detail. Here's a brief overview of the best road trips in Australia; these are a few of many that promise unforgettable experiences. 

Pacific Coast

This is a legendary route that takes you between Sydney and Brisbane, passing through the wineries of Hunter Valley, the scenic beaches of Port Stephens, the beautiful seaside resort of Byron Bay, and the glamorous Gold Coast. Activities you can look forward to include wine tasting in Hunter Valley, a dolphin cruise, and a 4WD sand dune tour in Port Stephens. Make a quick stop in Port Macquarie and learn about its convict history and continue onward to Coffs Harbor, home to the Big Banana Fun Park. Visit Byron Bay, known for its hippie-chic lifestyle, and enjoy theme parks, shopping, dining, entertainment, and miles of beautiful beach in Coolangatta.

Adelaide to Darwin on the Explorer's Way

The Explorer's Way is a popular road trip route in Australia that extends from Adelaide to Darwin. It includes such highlights as Uluru and Kata Tjuta in the Red Centre and spectacular desert views at Kings Canyon in Watarrka National Park. Embark on outback adventures in Alice Springs and West MacDonnell Ranges, see the Karlu Karlu/Devils Marbles and learn about Aboriginal culture, and visit the town of Katherine, the ideal base to explore the Nitmiluk National Park. Cap your self-drive Australian vacation with a camp out under starry skies and a swim in the waterholes of Litchfield National Park. Drive onward to Darwin, where art galleries, vibrant markets, and waterfront dining await you.

Road Trip between Sydney and Melbourne

Explore Australia's lesser-known south-east coast on a self-drive between Sydney and Melbourne. Revel in the spectacular seaside drive to Jervis Bay, a scuba diving and whale watching hotspot. Stop by the picturesque fishing towns of Batemans Bay, and move onward to Tilba Tilba, a former gold rush town. Make a stop at the former whaling town of Eden and learn about the story of orcas in the Eden Killer Whale Museum. Further along the coast is the lakeside town of Metung, which offers a range of watersports, including boating, fishing, and swimming. End your journey in Melbourne.  

The Great Barrier Reef Road Trip

This spectacular self-drive vacation takes you from Cairns to Cape Tribulation. It is marked by beautiful beaches, famous lookouts, and charming coastal towns. Enjoy distant encounters with crocodiles and tree snakes on a Daintree River Crocodile Tour, and conclude at Cape Tribulation, where the rainforest meets the reef.

Goway's Australia road trip tours cover the best driving adventures and scenic routes in the country.