When you think about Australia's sparse landscape, a road trip is one of the first things that comes to mind: hours and hours of driving, amazing landscapes, admiring the ocean, the desert, the forests and more. Here is our wrap up of the top ten road trips around Australia.
It's probably the road trip that everyone dreams of. It is a circumnavigation of the continent on Highway 1, at a total length of 15,823 km. And it has to be done on a 4x4. If the goal is to simply circumnavigate the country then a month will get you around. But realistically speaking, it would take from three to six months.
It's a classic and that's why you can't go wrong. One of Victoria's most scenic drives, it is a magnificent three-day self-drive of 664 km. While possible to make it in 10 hours, three days would be the perfect time frame to see surf capital Torquay, the iconic 12 Apostles and ending at historic fishing village Port Fairy.
A favorite route of backpackers in rental vans. It goes from Sydney to Brisbane for 930 km and allows you to visit two big capitals at either end with lots to see in between. A rough time estimate ranges from three to seven days but may not be enough. Not to be missed: bohemian Byron Bay and the Gold Coast with its 57 km of beaches.
Tasmania is becoming an incredibly popular part of Australia among tourists from all over the world. The east coast route is one of the country's most dramatic coastal drives, where you'll find spectacular national parks, beautiful white sand beaches, wildlife, maritime, food and wine experiences. All in all there's 295 km, which can be covered in two-five days, going through Maria Island, Freycinet Peninsula and Wineglass Bay.
A long self-drive of 335 km along the Captain Cook Highway from Cairns up to Port Douglas, to admire the very north of Queensland. Must-see stops include Palm Cove, Daintree Rainforest, Cape Tribulation and obviously two or three days break to discover the Great Barrier Reef is a must.
One of the most pristine road trips of the world. The Indian Ocean Drive from Perth to Geraldton, along the west coast, takes you in 1250 km to the most gorgeous beaches and wildlife. Don’t miss Jurien Bay Marine Park to see the rarest sea lions in the world, Nambung National Park famous for its lunar Pinnacles and Ningaloo Reef, to get close to the big whale sharks.
This is a real Outback experience. The advice is to jump in a 4x4 and leave from Katherine to get to Nhulunbuy in the Gove Peninsula. You'll travel across the desert, rivers and nature at its wildest to end in the untouched beaches of the Northern Territory. To do this trip you'll need to get a permit from the Northern Land Council and be careful, there is 450 km route with no petrol station.
This is an adventure only for the most brave travelers, crossing 15 national parks and three states: Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australia. Travelers must prepared for an epic 3,700 km drive and explore Cairns, Broome and Kimberley National Park.
Another long tour, which will require you from three to ten days. We are talking about 1,200 km from Margaret River, well known for its unique wines, to Esperance, one of the most beautiful beaches of Australia. If you love the ocean, a swim in Albany and Discovery Bay is a must, and then from there head to the Valley of Giants Tree, stopping at Hopetoun, Fitzgerald River National Park, Unesco heritage for its 1,800 unique species of plants, 22 species of mammals, 200 bird species and 41 species of reptiles.
A triangle of land from Adelaide to the Great Australian Bight, the Eyre Peninsula is a hidden treasure. To traverse the 700km route, you'll need a week to enjoy the best oysters in Whyalla, the capital of seafood, then on to Coffin Bay to camp inside the National Park. From there continue to Port Lincon to swim with white sharks. If you are not tired of driving, you can keep going along the Eyre Road and end your trip in Western Australia, crossing the Nullarbor Plain. Be careful though and plan ahead - petrol stations are 200-300km one from another.
