There’s no shortage of incredible destinations to explore in Australia. From the sweeping red centre, to white-sand beaches, to bustling cities and quaint coastal towns, our land down under is filled with many unique places. To fully appreciate what this incredible country has to offer, why not take the scenic route and organise a road trip. Here are 10 incredible road trips in Australia that you need to experience.

The Big Lap

Exactly as the name suggests, the Big Lap is a full circle around Australia. The road trip follows the M1 Motorway, which is the world’s longest highway at 14,500km in length. The journey follows Australia’s glistening coastline, connecting the cities of Sydney, Brisbane, Darwin, Perth, Adelaide, and Melbourne.

The Great Ocean Road

Stretching 243km along the south-eastern coast of Australia, the Great Ocean Road is one of the world’s most scenic coastal drives. The incredible drive runs between the Victorian towns of Torquay and Allansford and boasts rainforests, sweeping cliffs, shipwrecks, and of course, the famous Twelve Apostles.

Cairns to Cape York

From the Great Barrier Reef to the very tip of Australia, this magnificent Queensland road trip begins in Cairns and ends at Cape York. For the adventurers at heart, this 1,000km road trip showcases Queensland’s red dirt roads, ancient rock art, deep river crossings, and unique wildlife.

Gibb River Road

This road trip is a truly unique Aussie adventure through Western Australia’s untouched wilderness. Some of the most iconic sights of the Kimberley can be seen along the 660km Gibb River Road. Explore incredible gorges, cascading waterfalls, and outback waterholes.

The Explorers Way

The Explorer’s Way road trip takes you on a 3,000km journey from Adelaide to Darwin, straight through Australia’s stunning red centre. Discover charming wineries on the outskirts of Adelaide. Travel to the awe-inspiring Flinder’s Ranges. And marvel at Uluru and Kings Canyon as you make your way north to Darwin.

Nullarbor Plain

The spectacular Nullarbor Plain stretches 1,256km between Eyre Peninsula in South Australia and the goldfields in Western Australia. In fact, the road trip has been voted one of the world’s greatest adventure drives. This incredible journey boasts sweeping cliffs, wide-open plains, unique caves, and the world’s longest golf course.

Great Eastern Drive

This journey follows Tasmania’s East coast between the towns of Orford and St Helens. As it is only 176km long, this road trip can be experienced over a weekend. Discover Tasmania’s award-winning walks, explore Freycinet National Park, and enjoy gourmet food and wine.

Grand Pacific Drive

If you’re wanting to explore Australia’s east coast on a weekend getaway, look no further than the Grand Pacific Drive. This 140km long road trip is an easy drive from Sydney’s South to the Shoalhaven region of New South Wales. Explore the Royal National Park along the way, admire the turquoise waters under the Sea Cliff Bridge, and stroll along Australia’s whitest sand at Jervis Bay.

The Savannah Way

From Cairns in North Queensland to Broome in Western Australia, the Savannah Way showcases 3,700km of gorgeous destinations. This incredible road trip boasts 15 national parks, 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and a collection of unique sights. Admire waterfalls and gorges, marvel at ancient rock art from 25 million years ago, and explore sweeping sandstone cliffs along your journey.

The Coral Coast

The Coral Coast Drive is a spectacular journey from Perth to the Ningaloo Reef. The 1,250km stretch is one of Australia’s most scenic drives featuring stunning destinations including the Kalbarri National Park, Shark Bay World Heritage Area, and Port Gregory’s Pink Lake. Discover the tropical fish and brightly coloured coral of Ningaloo Reef. See the Pinnacles Desert in the Namburg National Park. And marvel at the friendly pods of bottlenose dolphins at Monkey Mia.

Have you been on any of these road trips in Australia? Or perhaps you have more to add to the list. Let me know your road trip recommendations in the comments below.

Until the next adventure,
Jetsetter Soph