In a world full of missing deadlines and a never ending pile of work, people are always ready for an escape or a nice vacation and road trips to their favorite destinations. Among many of those destinations, there is a country called Australia; extensively dominated by rich landscapes and all the right places that are perfect for a road trip. There are gigantic rainforests, vast beaches, sparkling rivers, and all those undiscovered outback’s, where Australian spirit is palpable. Here are some of the best road trips that you can take in Australia.
1. Gibb River Road, WA
This is an unmatched magnificent 4WD road adventure, in the remote areas of the Kimberley, with ancient gorges, abandoned cattle stations, sacred aboriginal sites and rock art, mesmerizing waterfalls, fascinating characters and a unique pioneering history. While visiting Gibb River Road, Bell Gorge is a must-visit place. This multi-layered waterfall cascades down different layers of a sandstone into shinning pools and is a perfect spot for swimmers.
2. Cairns to Cape York, Qld
This 1000-kilometre drive takes its start from the Cairns, the doorway to the Barrier Reed, and ends its route at the Queensland’s tip, Cape York; Australia’s most northern point. The place is fully equipped with aesthetic rock art, croc-infested river crossings, red dirt, and a number of lush rainforests. This scenic beauty circumscribes the Wet Tropics, a place where two World heritages (the Daintree and Reef) meet. While taking a road trip from Cairns to Cape York, do not miss out on the Quinkan Galleries at Laura; a beautiful collection of 30,000 years old rock art.
3. Great Alpine Road, Vic
Starting in the state’s north-east, this adventurous road trip winds its way almost 500 kilometers through the Victorian High Country to Gippsland Lakes area. It is one of the greatest places to take a road trip. This sealed road takes in deep valleys, mountain regions, sparkling waterways, and exotic wine regions of the Gippsland Lakes region. The place is also fully equipped with aesthetic historic towns including Bright, Beechworth, and Omeo.
4. Pacific Coast
Located amidst New South Wales and Queensland, Pacific Coast is a 900km drive between Brisbane and Sydney. It’s featured with the sparkling beaches of Port Stephens, the wineries of the Hunter Valley and the glitz of the Gold Coast and hippie-chic town of Byron Bay. It’s a windows down type of road trip that perfectly embraces Australia’s aesthetics and indie vibes. It is one of the most iconic stops for a nice and cozy road trips within Australia.
5. The Great Barrier Reef
Great drives aren’t long drives. Even in a vast land of Australia, you can take an only 140km long road trip to the Great Barrier Reef; offering its fair share of beauty. It’s a place where you can witness two Heritage sites i.e. The Daintree and the Great Barrier Reef, at the same time. You can also spot the vibrant and lively colors of coral and the cassowary birds. Beneath the palms in Port Douglas, there is a great chilling spot, where you can snorkel over the kaleidoscope of colors.
6. The Great Ocean Road, Victoria
The Great Ocean Road is one of the Australia‘s most famous road trip spots, and stretches along the southern coast; from Torquay to Allansford in Victoria. This scenic beauty covers 243 kilometers alongside some of the Australia’s most stunning and beautiful coastlines, taking in sunburnt cliffs, rainforest, the famous eight Twelve Apostkes and various shipwrecks. A road trip to the Great Ocean Road will be wasted without having a look at the Port Campbell National Park.
7. The Big Lap
If you’ve got some time on your hands (at least six months) and a 4WD, do yourself a favor and take a road trip to The Big Lap. Not only the destination but the route is as mesmerizing and dreamy; taking in everything from city nights to coastal towns, remote waterholes to white beaches, calm and verdant green rainforests amidst dusty outback, ancient rock art; covering all the great things about Australia in one long road trip. Moreover, don’t miss out on the scenic beauty of the Stuart Highway, including Uluru, Kakadu, and Alice Springs.
8. Red Centre Way
The Red Centre Way is an Australian outback and a place of transformation. Take a road trip to this wonderland, in order to witness the dreamy skies, ancient landscapes, and diversity of cultures. Driving through the Red Centre Way means having a loop beginning and ending in an ancient town of Alice Springs and witnessing Australian icons at every possible turn. Kata Tjuta, Uluru and Watarraka National Park are the winners, but don’t underestimate the gorges and engrossing cool swimming holes of Tjoritja.
9. The Nullarbor Plain, South Australia heading to Western Australia
If you’ve got a lot of time on your hands, then fill up the gas tank of your car and set off for The Nullarbor Plain. You will be leaving from Ceduna in South Australia and then head on to the west for almost 2000 km to Perth across the gigantic, treeless, expanse of the Nullarbor. It might feel a little bit dry and harsh, but it’s definitely not a desert. Wooded hills are flatten out to vast plateaus studded with high quality blue bush.
10. Tasmania’s East Cost
Blissfully quiet and stunningly beautiful, Tasmania‘s East Coast is famous for the production of bountiful products including cheese, wine and seafood. Wildlife cam be spotted in an ample amount on the walking tracks. The coast is equipped with a unique convict history and peaceful empty beaches. Make sure not to miss out on Freycinet National Park, an area famous for its peaceful bays, Granite Mountains, prolific birdlife and azure waters.
Road Trip to Australia -Don’t just plan, Pack!
Taking a road trip every now and then, gives our minds and bodies the necessary break. It’s your chance of saying ‘yes’ to the things that bring you joy and happiness, and what other place to experience this adventure than exploring the one and only Southern territory, Australia. Encompassing five World Heritage areas, 15 national parks and alot of historical areas, Australia proves to be one of the best place to take a road trip from its east to west.
Dorothea Mackellar, an Australian poet, beautifully described her country in one of her pieces ‘The Poems of Dorothea Mackellar’,
I love a sunburnt country,
A land of sweeping plains,
Of ragged mountain ranges,
Of droughts and flooding rains.
I love her far horizons,
I love her jewel-sea,
Her beauty and her terror –
The wide brown land for me!