12 Best Road Trips in Australia: My Ultimate Self-Drive Guide

Australia has completely changed the way I think about road trips.

Before travelling here, I used to see driving mainly as the practical part between destinations. I would choose a city, find the quickest route, arrive, unpack and begin sightseeing.

Australia taught me to stop doing that.

Here, some of my strongest memories happened before I reached the place marked on my map.

I remember pulling over because the Southern Ocean suddenly appeared between the trees on the Great Ocean Road.

I remember driving through central Australia with red earth stretching toward a horizon that seemed impossibly far away.

I remember following Tasmania's east coast with bread, fruit and cheese in the car because I kept finding beaches where I wanted to stop for lunch.

In Tropical North Queensland, the road itself became extraordinary because rainforest-covered mountains rose on one side while the Coral Sea appeared on the other.

Western Australia gave me roads where I could drive for what felt like hours and then suddenly arrive at water so turquoise that I wondered whether I had imagined the whole journey.

And then there was the Nullarbor.

Long.

Quiet.

Sometimes repetitive.

And somehow unforgettable.

Australia is enormous, and that size changes the road-trip experience.

I cannot simply look at two destinations on a map and assume they belong in the same day's itinerary.

A route that appears reasonable at first glance can mean eight hours behind the wheel.

Fuel stations can be far apart.

Weather can completely change the experience.

A tropical road trip that is easy during the dry season can become far more complicated when heavy rain arrives.

An Outback walk that feels comfortable in July can be dangerously hot during summer.

That is why choosing the best Australian road trip is not only about deciding which scenery looks prettiest.

I think about how many days I have, what time of year I am travelling, whether I need a 4WD, how much driving I genuinely enjoy and what I want the journey to feel like.

Do I want beaches?

Rainforest?

Wildlife?

Desert?

Small coastal towns?

Remote roadhouses?

Mountain scenery?

National parks?

Or one route that combines several of them?

Tourism Australia currently highlights ten routes as some of the country's most iconic self-drive journeys, ranging from the Great Ocean Road and Red Centre Way to the Gibb River Road and South West Edge.

I have used those famous routes as the backbone of this guide, but I have also included two additional drives I would happily repeat because they show completely different sides of the country.

These are the road trips I would put on my own Australia bucket list.

My Best Australian Road Trips at a Glance

If I had to match each journey with a particular type of traveller, this is how I would choose:

1. Great Ocean Road, Victoria – best iconic short road trip
2. Great Eastern Drive, Tasmania – best for beaches, wildlife and relaxed driving
3. Red Centre Way, Northern Territory – best desert road trip
4. Great Barrier Reef Drive, Queensland – best short tropical drive
5. Legendary Pacific Coast, NSW to Queensland – best classic east-coast trip
6. Grand Pacific Drive and NSW South Coast – best road trip from Sydney
7. South West Edge, Western Australia – best for white beaches and forests
8. Perth to Broome – best long Western Australia adventure
9. Gibb River Road, Western Australia – best serious 4WD adventure
10. Explorer's Way, Adelaide to Darwin – best cross-country Outback drive
11. The Nullarbor – best journey for open-road lovers
12. Kangaroo Island, South Australia – best compact wildlife road trip

I would not try to combine all twelve into one holiday.

Each deserves enough time to become a journey rather than a driving challenge.

How I Choose an Australia Road Trip

Before looking at individual routes, I ask myself five questions.

How Many Days Do I Really Have?

Not how many nights are printed on the airline booking.

How many actual road-trip days?

If I land in Melbourne after an overnight international flight, I do not collect a campervan and begin a six-hour drive immediately.

If I have seven days in Australia, I choose a compact route.

If I have three weeks, I can begin thinking about the east coast, Perth to Broome or a slower Outback journey.

What Season Am I Travelling In?

This matters enormously.

Southern Australia is often easiest for road trips during spring, summer and autumn.

Northern Australia is usually better suited to its drier months.

The Gibb River Road, for example, is a seasonal route. Tourism Australia's current 12-day Gibb itinerary says access is generally between April and October, and travellers need to plan carefully around fuel, permits and road conditions.

Do I Need a 4WD?

Most road trips in this article do not require one if I stay on the standard sealed route.

The Gibb River Road is different.

Some alternative Red Centre routes are also 4WD territory.

Tourism Australia's Kings Canyon guidance confirms that major access roads are sealed, while some alternative routes require four-wheel drive.

Am I Happy Driving Long Distances?

I genuinely enjoy driving.

I still do not want to drive eight hours every day.

My favourite road-trip days usually contain two to four hours behind the wheel and several hours outside the car.

That balance gives me time for walks, lunch, viewpoints and all the unplanned stops that make a road trip worthwhile.

Car or Campervan?

A car is easier in cities and usually more fuel efficient.

A campervan gives me flexibility and puts my bed, food and basic kitchen in the same vehicle.

Neither is automatically better.

I choose based on the route.

1. Great Ocean Road, Victoria

Best for: First-time road-trippers
Ideal time: 3–5 days
Route: Melbourne → Torquay → Lorne → Apollo Bay → Great Otway National Park → Twelve Apostles → Port Campbell
Best season for me: March–May or September–November

If someone asked me to choose one Australian road trip that almost anyone could enjoy, I would probably choose the Great Ocean Road.

It gives me dramatic scenery without forcing me into extremely remote travel.

There are regular towns.

Fuel is easy to find.

Accommodation options are plentiful.

Driving distances between highlights are manageable.

And yet the scenery feels enormous.

Tourism Australia describes Torquay, just over an hour from Melbourne, as the official starting point of the Great Ocean Road.

My First Day: Melbourne to Lorne

I leave Melbourne after breakfast rather than attempting to beat sunrise.

The first part of the journey feels fairly ordinary.

Then I reach the coast.

Suddenly the drive becomes the attraction.

I pass Torquay and continue toward Lorne, with ocean appearing between cliffs and trees.

This is where my schedule always begins falling apart.

I stop at one lookout.

Then another.

Then I see a beach I had not planned to visit.

Then I need coffee.

Tourism Australia's Melbourne-to-Adelaide route gives the Melbourne-to-Apollo Bay section via Lorne at about 187 kilometres, but I never judge this road by raw driving time.

The stops are the reason I am here.

Lorne and Apollo Bay

Lorne is the kind of place where I immediately want another night.

I walk beside the beach, find a bakery or café and enjoy being somewhere that feels much smaller than Melbourne.

Apollo Bay has a similar relaxed appeal.

I usually choose fresh fish, salad, sandwiches or bakery food while road-tripping because I want meals that leave me ready to keep walking.

The Otways Were My Biggest Surprise

I expected ocean.

I did not expect rainforest.

Turning inland into Great Otway National Park changed the whole atmosphere.

Tall trees replaced sea cliffs.

The light softened beneath the canopy.

The air felt cooler.

Waterfalls and fern-filled forest made the trip feel like two completely different destinations in one day.

That contrast is one of the main reasons I think the Great Ocean Road deserves several days rather than a rushed return trip from Melbourne.

Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge

The Twelve Apostles are famous enough that I worried I would feel underwhelmed.

I did not.

Tourism Australia describes the limestone stacks as reaching roughly 45 metres above the Southern Ocean.

But I would never visit the Apostles and immediately turn around.

Loch Ard Gorge, Gibson Steps, The Grotto and the coastal formations farther west deserve time too.

My favourite approach is to sleep somewhere near Port Campbell so I can see this stretch without rushing back to Melbourne.

My Great Ocean Road Tip

Do not measure success by kilometres.

Drive less.

Stop more.

That is when this route becomes special.

2. Great Eastern Drive, Tasmania

Best for: Slow travel, beaches and wildlife
Ideal time: 5–8 days
Route: Hobart → Tasman Peninsula → Freycinet → Bicheno → Bay of Fires → St Helens
Best season for me: December–March

Tasmania may be my favourite Australian state for easy road-tripping.

The island is compact enough that I do not need enormous driving days, yet the scenery changes constantly.

Tourism Australia highlights the Great Eastern Drive as one of its ten iconic Australian road trips, running along Tasmania's east coast between Hobart and the Bay of Fires region.

Leaving Hobart

I always feel slightly reluctant leaving Hobart.

It is small enough to feel comfortable almost immediately, and I enjoy mornings around the waterfront.

But the real pleasure begins once the city disappears behind me.

Roads become quieter.

The landscape opens.

Small towns appear.

I start carrying picnic supplies because I never know when I will find a beach where I want to stop.

Tasman Peninsula

I would add the Tasman Peninsula before travelling north.

The coastline feels wild and dramatic, with tall cliffs and ocean views that make me forget how close I still am to Hobart.

I also like having time for the Port Arthur Historic Site rather than treating the east coast solely as a beach journey.

Freycinet National Park

Freycinet is where this road trip becomes unforgettable for me.

Pinkish granite mountains rise behind blue water.

Wineglass Bay appears below its famous lookout in a curve so neat it barely looks natural.

I start early.

Carry water.

And leave time afterward for smaller beaches and quieter corners.

Bicheno

Bicheno became one of those towns I originally saw as an overnight stop and then genuinely enjoyed.

Small.

Coastal.

Easy.

I bought fresh food, walked beside the ocean and appreciated having a day that did not need a major attraction.

Bay of Fires

The Bay of Fires gave me one of my favourite Tasmania road-trip lunches.

Bread.

Fruit.

Cheese.

A thermos.

And a beach framed by orange-covered granite boulders.

No reservation.

No timetable.

Just a place I did not want to leave.

Tourism Australia's iconic-road-trip guide specifically highlights Binalong Bay and the Bay of Fires among the scenery of Tasmania's east coast.

My Tasmania Tip

Do not trust the weather simply because it is summer.

I always carry a warm layer and rain protection.

Tasmania likes reminding me that it makes its own rules.

3. Red Centre Way, Northern Territory

Best for: Desert landscapes and First Nations culture
Ideal time: 7 days
Route: Alice Springs → Tjoritja / West MacDonnell Ranges → Kings Canyon → Uluṟu → Kata Tjuṯa
Best season for me: May–September

The Red Centre Way gave me one of the strongest senses of travelling somewhere completely different.

The colours alone changed the trip.

Blue sky.

Red earth.

Pale spinifex.

Dark rock.

Then Uluṟu appearing in the distance.

Tourism Australia's current Red Centre Way itinerary covers about 1,363 kilometres over seven days, beginning around Alice Springs and linking the region's major landscapes. A Mereenie Loop permit is required when using that route, and road closures can occur during the wetter season.

Alice Springs

I begin in Alice Springs rather than racing immediately toward Uluṟu.

The town gives me context.

The surrounding desert gives me space.

I buy water, food and everything I want before moving into longer driving days.

Tjoritja / West MacDonnell Ranges

This was one of the most beautiful surprises.

Gorges cut through ancient ranges.

Waterholes sit between red cliffs.

The landscape changes constantly despite appearing empty from a distance.

Tourism Australia's road-trip overview specifically recommends not overlooking the gorges and waterholes of Tjoritja when driving the Red Centre Way.

Kings Canyon

Kings Canyon feels like a reward after the road.

I start early and choose my walk based on conditions.

The cooler months are easier for hiking, while temperatures can become intense during summer. Tourism Australia currently identifies April through September as Kings Canyon's cooler high season.

Uluṟu and Kata Tjuṯa

These are not simply scenery stops to me.

They are culturally significant landscapes.

I begin with interpretation and cultural information before chasing sunrise and sunset photographs.

That changes how I experience the entire place.

Kata Tjuṯa deserves its own day.

The domes feel completely different from Uluṟu, and I would never reduce them to a quick side trip.

What I Eat on a Red Centre Road Trip

Food becomes practical.

Oats.

Fruit.

Bread.

Wraps.

Nuts.

Simple lunches.

Then a proper meal once I finish driving.

I carry more water than I would on almost any coastal route.

My Red Centre Tip

Never plan Outback days based only on distance.

Temperature matters just as much.

A three-hour drive plus a long midday walk can be far harder than five hours of comfortable coastal driving.

4. Great Barrier Reef Drive, Queensland

Best for: Tropical scenery
Ideal time: 3–5 days
Route: Cairns → Palm Cove → Port Douglas → Mossman Gorge → Daintree → Cape Tribulation
Best season for me: May–October

Not every memorable Australian road trip has to cross half the country.

The Great Barrier Reef Drive is relatively compact.

That is one of its strengths.

Tourism Australia's iconic-road-trip guide follows the route from Cairns toward Cape Tribulation, where reef and rainforest landscapes sit remarkably close together.

Cairns to Port Douglas

This is one of those drives where I need to remind myself to look at the road because the scenery keeps demanding attention.

Ocean on one side.

Tropical hills on the other.

Palm trees.

Bright water.

Roadside lookouts.

I stop often.

Port Douglas becomes my favourite place to slow down.

I walk Four Mile Beach early, have breakfast and enjoy the fact that I am no longer measuring time in major driving distances.

Mossman Gorge

I move inland from the coast and suddenly the trip is green.

Dense.

Humid.

Alive.

Mossman Gorge adds freshwater, forest and cultural context to what could otherwise become a beach-heavy itinerary.

Daintree and Cape Tribulation

The farther north I travel, the less conventional the landscape feels.

Rainforest pushes toward the coastline.

Cassowary warning signs appear.

The road becomes part of the adventure.

Tourism Australia describes the route as one of the rare places where travellers can move between two World Heritage-listed environments: the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest.

Food I Love Here

Tropical fruit.

Fresh fish.

Simple breakfasts.

Cold fruit after a humid walk.

I keep a cooler bag because food tastes infinitely better when I do not have to search for lunch every time I get hungry.

My Great Barrier Reef Drive Tip

Make the short distance work in your favour.

Do not rush because the map says Cairns and Cape Tribulation are close.

Stay.

Walk.

Swim only where local guidance says it is safe.

Take a reef excursion.

Then give the rainforest a separate day.

5. Legendary Pacific Coast: Sydney to Brisbane

Best for: The classic Australian coast
Ideal time: 9–14 days
Distance: Around 1,000 km on the core touring route
Route: Sydney → Central Coast → Newcastle → Port Stephens → Coffs Harbour → Byron Bay → Gold Coast → Brisbane

This is the road trip I recommend when someone tells me she wants beaches, towns and enough services to keep the journey easy.

Tourism Australia's current Legendary Pacific Coast itinerary is approximately 1,000 kilometres over nine days from Sydney to Brisbane.

I would take longer.

Leaving Sydney

Sydney is difficult to leave because there is always another coastal walk I want to do.

But once I finally drive north, the city disappears faster than expected.

Port Stephens

This is where the trip starts feeling properly coastal.

Water.

Sand dunes.

Wildlife.

Quiet bays.

I usually give Port Stephens at least two nights rather than treating it as a lunch stop.

Coffs Harbour

Coffs works beautifully as a practical midway base.

Food.

Accommodation.

Beaches.

And enough surrounding nature that I never feel I am stopping purely because the map told me to.

Byron Bay

Byron can be busy.

I still love the coastline.

My favourite moment is early morning around Cape Byron before the day becomes hotter and more crowded.

I walk, look for wildlife offshore and enjoy the feeling of standing on Australia's eastern edge.

Gold Coast to Brisbane

By this point, the trip becomes more urban.

That contrast is welcome after so many small towns.

Tourism Australia's itinerary puts the final Gold Coast-to-Brisbane leg at about 100 kilometres.

My Pacific Coast Tip

Do not turn Sydney to Brisbane into a race.

I would rather see four coastal places properly than twelve through the windscreen.

6. Grand Pacific Drive and the NSW South Coast

Best for: A shorter road trip from Sydney
Ideal time: 2–6 days
Route: Sydney → Royal National Park → Sea Cliff Bridge → Kiama → Jervis Bay → South Coast

This is the drive I choose when I want a road trip without committing to a long interstate journey.

Tourism Australia's iconic-road-trip guide describes the Grand Pacific Drive as beginning just south of Sydney, crossing the famous Sea Cliff Bridge and continuing toward Kiama and the South Coast.

Sea Cliff Bridge

I had seen aerial photographs before driving it.

The reality feels surprisingly short.

But the surrounding coastline is what makes the stop worthwhile.

I park legally nearby and spend time walking rather than simply crossing the bridge and continuing.

Kiama

Kiama makes a perfect lunch stop or overnight stay.

I like the coastal walking, the blowhole and the small-town pace.

I usually find a bakery or café and buy enough food for the next part of the day.

Jervis Bay

The water here can look almost tropical on the right day.

Pale beaches.

Blue-green sea.

Bushland behind the sand.

I prefer staying at least one night because arriving, photographing a beach and immediately leaving misses the atmosphere completely.

Extend to the Sapphire Coast

With more time, I would continue toward Batemans Bay, Narooma, Merimbula and Eden.

Tourism Australia explicitly links the Grand Pacific Drive with longer South Coast journeys toward the Sapphire Coast and Melbourne.

My NSW South Coast Tip

This is an excellent road trip for travellers nervous about Australia's huge distances.

Services are frequent.

Towns are close together.

And the scenery still feels special.

7. South West Edge, Western Australia

Best for: White beaches, forests and a two-week escape
Ideal time: 10–14 days
Route: Perth → Margaret River → Walpole → Denmark → Albany → Esperance
Best season for me: March–May or September–November

The South West Edge is one of the routes that convinced me Western Australia deserves entire holidays of its own.

Tourism Australia highlights the Perth-to-Esperance route for white beaches, clear water, tall forests and wildlife, and offers a dedicated long-form itinerary through the region.

Perth to Margaret River

I leave Perth and immediately slow down.

This region rewards detours.

Beaches.

Forest walks.

Caves.

Farm shops.

Small towns.

I base myself around Margaret River for several nights rather than moving constantly.

Walpole and the Giant Trees

This is where the trip changes from coast to forest.

The Valley of the Giants adds one of my favourite contrasts in Western Australia: walking high among enormous trees one day and standing on a wild beach the next.

Tourism Australia specifically highlights the treetop experience as one of the route's signature attractions.

Denmark and Albany

Denmark feels soft and green.

Albany feels more dramatic.

The Southern Ocean coastline becomes rugged, windy and powerful.

I buy local bread, fruit, cheese and fresh seafood and build picnic lunches around the scenery.

Esperance and Lucky Bay

Then comes the reward.

Cape Le Grand.

Clear water.

Pale sand.

Granite.

Kangaroos sometimes near the beach environment.

Lucky Bay is one of the places that looked almost unrealistic the first time I arrived.

My South West Edge Tip

Do not underestimate the distances near the end.

Western Australia has a way of making 300 kilometres feel normal.

I deliberately add spare days so I am not completing huge drives simply to keep up with my bookings.

8. Perth to Broome via the Coral Coast

Best for: A long Western Australia adventure
Ideal time: 2–3 weeks minimum
Route: Perth → Cervantes → Kalbarri → Shark Bay → Coral Bay → Exmouth → Karijini → Broome
Best season for me: May–September

This is one of the Australian journeys I would recommend only if someone genuinely enjoys driving.

The distances are serious.

The reward is enormous.

Cervantes and the Pinnacles

The landscape north of Perth begins changing quickly.

The Pinnacles provide one of the first major visual reminders that I am leaving the greener southwest behind.

Kalbarri

Kalbarri deserves several days.

I divide my time between the inland Murchison River gorges and coastal cliffs.

Nature's Window is famous, but the Kalbarri Skywalk, Z Bend and quieter viewpoints gave me just as many memorable moments.

Shark Bay

The landscape becomes more remote.

The water becomes clearer.

Wildlife becomes part of the reason I am stopping.

I slow down here because several of the best experiences are about being outside early rather than ticking off attractions.

Coral Bay and Exmouth

Ningaloo is the moment this road trip becomes extraordinary.

The reef sits unusually close to shore in places.

I snorkel.

Walk beaches.

And if my timing matches the wildlife season, I consider a guided marine experience.

Karijini

This is the inland detour I would never skip if I had enough time.

Gorges cut into ancient red landscape.

Rock pools.

Hiking.

Completely different scenery from Ningaloo.

Broome

Broome feels like a finish line.

Warm.

Tropical.

Red earth meeting bright sea.

After weeks on the road, I want a comfortable room, laundry and several days with no major driving.

My Perth-to-Broome Tip

Two weeks is the minimum I would accept.

Three is better.

This route becomes exhausting when every beautiful place receives only one night.

9. Gibb River Road, The Kimberley

Best for: Experienced 4WD travellers
Ideal time: 10–14 days
Vehicle: Proper 4WD
Best season: Dry season

The Gibb is a different category of road trip.

I would not treat it like the Great Ocean Road with rougher scenery.

Tourism Australia's current Gibb River Road itinerary is a 12-day, approximately 1,192-kilometre adventure, and it specifically warns that access is seasonal, fuel is limited and permits may be required.

Why the Gibb Appeals to Me

Gorges.

Waterholes.

Boab trees.

Huge skies.

Remote stations.

The feeling that getting there is part of earning the experience.

Derby and the Beginning

I prepare seriously.

Fuel.

Water.

Tyres.

Recovery equipment.

Road conditions.

Bookings.

Permits.

Offline maps.

I do not begin this journey with a casual “we'll figure it out.”

Gorges and Swimming Holes

The reward is the landscape.

Manning Gorge.

Bell Gorge.

Other remote swimming and walking areas.

I follow current local guidance carefully because access and conditions can change.

River Crossings

This is where vehicle choice and experience matter.

Tourism Australia describes the Gibb as one of Australia's great 4WD adventures rather than a general rental-car route.

I would rather join a guided trip than pretend confidence I do not have.

Food and Accommodation

I keep expectations practical.

Road-trip food.

Simple meals.

Station stays.

Campgrounds.

The luxury is the location.

My Gibb River Road Tip

This is not where I learn 4WD skills by trial and error.

Preparation is part of the trip.

10. Explorer's Way: Adelaide to Darwin

Best for: Crossing Australia from south to north
Ideal time: 14 days minimum
Route: Adelaide → Flinders Ranges → Coober Pedy → Red Centre → Alice Springs → Katherine → Darwin
Best season for me: May–September

This is the road trip that makes me understand Australia's scale.

Tourism Australia's Explorer's Way route runs from Adelaide through South Australia's Outback and the Northern Territory, linking landscapes that shift from southern hills to desert and then tropical north.

Adelaide to the Flinders Ranges

I love beginning gently.

Adelaide gives me food, supplies and a comfortable city start.

Then the ranges begin rising from the landscape.

Ikara-Flinders Ranges becomes one of those places where I immediately wish I had scheduled more nights.

Coober Pedy

Coober Pedy feels almost surreal.

Dry.

Open.

Mining history everywhere.

Underground living makes much more sense once I feel the heat outside.

I stay overnight instead of treating it as a fuel stop.

The Red Centre

I would add several days for Uluṟu and Kings Canyon rather than continuing straight up the Stuart Highway.

This route is too significant to reduce central Australia to a photograph.

Alice Springs to Katherine

The landscape gradually changes.

More vegetation.

Warmer air.

Then tropical influence.

Mataranka and Katherine introduce water and greenery after so much desert.

Darwin

Arriving in Darwin feels extraordinary.

I started in southern Australia.

Now everything feels tropical.

That transition is exactly why I think Explorer's Way is more memorable than flying between the two cities.

My Explorer's Way Tip

Fourteen days is not generous.

It is the minimum I would want for a meaningful version.

Tourism Australia's current featured itinerary also uses around two weeks for the broader north-south journey.

11. Crossing the Nullarbor

Best for: People who genuinely love the open road
Ideal time: 4–5 days for Norseman to Ceduna
Route: Norseman → Balladonia → Caiguna → Eucla → Border Village → Head of Bight → Ceduna
Best season for me: April–October

The Nullarbor is the road trip that sounds boring when described badly.

“Drive a long way through nothing.”

That is not how it felt to me.

It felt meditative.

Huge.

Strange.

And occasionally spectacular.

Tourism Australia includes the Nullarbor among its iconic Australian road trips, highlighting the Great Australian Bight, remote roadhouses and the enormous open landscape.

Norseman and the Western Start

I begin rested.

Fuelled.

With food and water.

I do not arrive after an enormous Perth driving day and then continue simply because I am excited.

The 90 Mile Straight

The road becomes almost hypnotic.

At first I photograph the straight highway.

Then it keeps going.

And going.

Eventually the extraordinary becomes normal.

That is exactly when I remind myself to stop and stretch.

Eucla

Eucla was one of my favourite stops because the old telegraph ruins gave human history to a landscape that had started feeling timeless.

Bunda Cliffs

Then the continent seems to end.

The cliffs above the Great Australian Bight are the visual climax of the crossing.

I use official viewpoints and keep away from unstable edges.

Head of Bight

In whale season, this becomes one of the strongest reasons to drive rather than fly.

I stand above the coast, scan the sea and wait.

Sometimes wildlife asks for patience.

That patience becomes part of the memory.

Ceduna

Ceduna feels almost luxurious after remote roadhouses.

Shops.

A waterfront.

Fresh seafood.

More choices.

I celebrate with a proper meal and a day with less driving.

My Nullarbor Tip

Do not ask, “How fast can I cross?”

Ask, “How comfortably can I cross?”

That produces a much better journey.

12. Kangaroo Island Road Trip, South Australia

Best for: Wildlife and a compact island journey
Ideal time: 4–5 days
Route: Penneshaw → American River → Kingscote → Seal Bay → Flinders Chase → western coast

Kangaroo Island is much smaller than most routes in this guide.

That is precisely why I like it.

I can spend several days driving without needing huge distances.

Tourism Australia's current Kangaroo Island itineraries use around four to five days and connect the island with Adelaide via Cape Jervis and the ferry.

Arriving by Ferry

The ferry crossing makes the journey feel like a proper departure from the mainland.

If taking a rental vehicle, I always confirm that the rental company allows it on Kangaroo Island. Tourism Australia specifically warns that not all hire companies permit this.

Seal Bay

Wildlife feels central here.

Seeing sea lions in a natural environment changed the pace of my day.

I was not rushing toward the next attraction.

I was watching animals simply exist.

Flinders Chase National Park

Remarkable Rocks are as strange as the name suggests.

Huge sculpted granite forms sit above the Southern Ocean.

I arrive when the light is softer if possible.

The surrounding coast is just as important as the rocks themselves.

Beaches and Hidden Corners

Kangaroo Island is filled with places I almost drove past.

Small coves.

Bush tracks.

Viewpoints.

Beaches reached through unexpected gaps in the landscape.

Tourism Australia highlights Stokes Bay and Vivonne Bay among the island's coastal experiences.

Local Food

I kept meals simple and local.

Fresh fish.

Local honey.

Bread.

Vegetables.

Picnic lunches.

This is exactly the kind of island where I would rather eat outside with a view than spend every afternoon driving toward another reservation.

My Kangaroo Island Tip

Allow one completely flexible day.

Wildlife, weather and unexpected stops can easily become more memorable than the attraction I originally planned.

Which Australian Road Trip Is Best for First-Time Visitors?

I would choose one of three.

Great Ocean Road

Best if I have only a few days.

Easy logistics.

Huge scenery.

No serious remote-road preparation.

Tasmania's Great Eastern Drive

Best if I have about a week and want beaches, wildlife and national parks without extreme driving distances.

Sydney to Brisbane

Best if I have ten days or more and want the classic coastal Australia experience.

I would not make the Gibb River Road my first Australian driving experience.

I would also think carefully before making a huge Outback crossing my first time driving on the left.

Best Australian Road Trip for Beaches

My shortlist is:

South West Edge for extraordinary white beaches and relatively quiet coastal scenery.

Great Eastern Drive for Tasmania's mix of beaches and granite coastline.

Legendary Pacific Coast for easy access and classic Australian beach towns.

Great Barrier Reef Drive for tropical scenery.

If forced to choose one?

South West Edge.

Lucky Bay alone makes a powerful argument.

Best Australian Road Trip for Wildlife

Kangaroo Island is probably the easiest choice.

Wildlife is part of the whole experience.

Tasmania comes close.

Western Australia also becomes extraordinary if marine wildlife is part of the itinerary.

For whales, route and season matter more than the road-trip name.

Best Road Trip for the Outback

The Red Centre Way is where I would begin.

It gives me iconic desert landscapes without requiring the extreme scale of Explorer's Way.

Explorer's Way is the bigger adventure.

The Gibb is the more technical one.

The Nullarbor is the pure open-road experience.

Best Road Trip for a Campervan

My favourite campervan routes are:

Great Ocean Road.

Tasmania.

Sydney to Brisbane.

South West Western Australia.

All have enough services and campgrounds to make life easier than a highly remote Outback route.

How Long Should an Australian Road Trip Be?

For me:

3–5 days works for the Great Ocean Road or a compact coastal drive.

7–10 days suits Tasmania, Red Centre Way or Sydney to Brisbane.

2 weeks is ideal for South West Western Australia.

2–3 weeks makes Perth to Broome much more enjoyable.

10–14 days minimum is how I approach Explorer's Way or Gibb River Road.

The biggest mistake I see in Australia planning is treating long drives as invisible time.

Driving five hours is still five hours of my holiday.

Car or Campervan for an Australian Road Trip?

I choose a car when:

I am staying in hotels.

I am moving through cities.

Fuel efficiency matters.

I want easier parking.

I choose a campervan when:

I am mostly travelling through regional Australia.

I want flexible accommodation.

I like simple cooking.

Campgrounds are part of the experience.

For very remote routes, the question may be less about car versus campervan and more about 2WD versus properly equipped 4WD.

My Road-Trip Accommodation Strategy

I mix accommodation styles.

In cities, I want a comfortable central room.

In national parks, I prioritise location.

On longer road trips, self-contained accommodation is extremely useful.

A small refrigerator and basic kitchen mean I can eat breakfast early and pack lunch.

For campervan travel, I mix simple campgrounds with occasional powered holiday parks so I can recharge, shower properly and do laundry.

The Food I Always Carry

My road-trip food bag is rarely exciting.

It is incredibly useful.

I carry:

• Water
• Fruit
• Nuts
• Dates
• Crackers
• Bread or wraps
• Cheese in a cooler
• Simple sandwiches
• Reusable containers
• Coffee supplies
• Napkins

A beautiful lookout is much more enjoyable when hunger does not force me to leave.

My Australia Road-Trip Packing Essentials

I do not pack differently for every route, but my basic kit always includes:

• Comfortable walking shoes
• Sandals
• Lightweight clothes
• Warm layer
• Light rain jacket
• Hat
• Sunglasses
• High-protection sunscreen
• Refillable water bottles
• Daypack
• Portable charger
• Charging cable for the vehicle
• Basic first-aid kit
• Offline maps
• Small cooler or insulated food bag
• Travel documents
• Roadside-assistance details
• Camera
• Reusable rubbish bag

For remote routes, I add substantially more water, emergency food, communication planning and route-specific vehicle equipment.

My Biggest Australian Road-Trip Mistakes

Driving Too Far

This is number one.

Australia makes huge distances look normal.

That does not mean they are enjoyable every day.

Changing Accommodation Every Night

One-night stays become exhausting.

Packing.

Checking out.

Driving.

Checking in.

Repeating.

I prefer two or three nights in major regions.

Underestimating Heat

This matters particularly in the Red Centre and Outback.

A walk that feels simple on paper can become completely different under intense heat.

Driving Too Much at Dawn or Dusk

Wildlife is more active around roads in many regional areas during lower-light periods.

I prefer reaching accommodation before dark when practical.

Relying Completely on Mobile Reception

Remote Australia can have long gaps.

I download maps and key information.

Forgetting Fuel Strategy

I refuel early in remote regions.

Waiting for a warning light saves nothing meaningful.

Ignoring Rental-Car Conditions

A road can be physically driveable and still be prohibited by the rental agreement.

I check before I commit.

Packing Too Much

Large luggage becomes irritating on a road trip.

I want one manageable main bag and one daypack.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Road Trips in Australia

What is the best road trip in Australia?

For a first trip, I would choose the Great Ocean Road because it combines spectacular scenery, manageable distances, good infrastructure and easy access from Melbourne.

Tourism Australia also ranks it among the country's iconic drives.

What is the most scenic road trip in Australia?

That depends on my definition of scenic.

For dramatic coastline: Great Ocean Road.

For tropical scenery: Great Barrier Reef Drive.

For desert: Red Centre Way.

For beaches: South West Edge.

For scale: Explorer's Way or the Nullarbor.

What is the best Australian road trip for one week?

My favourite options are Tasmania's Great Eastern Drive or the Red Centre Way.

Tourism Australia's current Red Centre itinerary is designed around seven days.

What road trip should I do from Melbourne?

The Great Ocean Road is the obvious choice.

Torquay, the official beginning, is just over an hour from Melbourne.

What road trip should I do from Sydney?

For a short trip, take the Grand Pacific Drive toward Kiama and Jervis Bay.

For a longer trip, drive north to Brisbane on the Legendary Pacific Coast.

What road trip should I do from Perth?

For roughly two weeks, I love the South West Edge to Esperance.

With three weeks or more, consider heading north toward Kalbarri, Ningaloo and Broome.

What is the best Tasmania road trip?

For a first visit, I would start with the east coast and combine Freycinet, Bicheno and the Bay of Fires.

Tourism Australia features the Great Eastern Drive among its ten iconic national road trips.

How long is the Sydney to Brisbane road trip?

Tourism Australia's Legendary Pacific Coast touring route is about 1,000 kilometres and is structured over nine days.

I would happily give it 10–14 days.

How long should I spend on the Great Ocean Road?

Three days is my minimum recommendation.

Four or five feels much more relaxed.

The core road itself can obviously be driven faster, but that misses much of the Otways and coastal walking.

Do I need a 4WD for the Red Centre Way?

It depends on the exact route.

Major roads to Uluṟu and Kings Canyon can be accessed on sealed roads, but alternatives such as some sections used in broader Red Centre loops can require permits and appropriate vehicles.

Do I need a 4WD for the Gibb River Road?

Yes, I would treat the Gibb as a proper 4WD route.

Tourism Australia specifically describes its featured Gibb itinerary as a four-wheel-drive adventure.

When can I drive the Gibb River Road?

Tourism Australia's current planning guidance says the track is accessible seasonally, generally between April and October.

I would still check real-time road conditions before departure.

Is the Great Barrier Reef Drive long?

No, and that is part of its appeal.

It links Cairns with Port Douglas, the Daintree and Cape Tribulation through a relatively compact part of Tropical North Queensland.

What is the best road trip for wildlife?

Kangaroo Island is one of my strongest choices because wildlife encounters are integrated into a relatively compact island itinerary.

Tourism Australia suggests around four to five days for its featured Kangaroo Island journeys.

Is Western Australia good for road trips?

It is one of my favourite places in the country to drive.

The trade-off is distance.

The South West Edge is manageable over around two weeks, while Perth to Broome deserves substantially longer.

How many days do I need for the South West Edge?

I would allow around 12–14 days.

Tourism Australia currently features a dedicated 12-day version of the Western Australia South West Edge journey.

Is the Nullarbor worth driving?

For me, yes.

Not because every kilometre contains a famous attraction, but because the scale and isolation are the experience.

The route also includes Eucla, remote roadhouses, Head of Bight and the Bunda Cliffs.

Can I drive the Nullarbor in a normal car?

Yes, the standard Eyre Highway route is sealed.

For off-highway detours, vehicle requirements can change.

How many days should I allow for the Nullarbor?

I prefer four to five days between Norseman and Ceduna.

Anything much faster turns the journey into a driving endurance exercise.

How long should I allow for Adelaide to Darwin?

I would use at least two weeks if I want to include meaningful stops and side trips.

Tourism Australia currently features Explorer's Way as a broad 14-day style journey through Australia's centre.

What is Australia's easiest road trip?

For a first-time visitor, I think the Great Ocean Road is one of the easiest.

Good roads.

Regular towns.

Manageable distances.

Lots of accommodation.

Huge visual rewards.

What is Australia's hardest road trip?

Among the routes in this guide, I would consider the Gibb River Road the most demanding because of remoteness, seasonal access, 4WD requirements, limited fuel and route conditions.

Can I road-trip Australia alone as a woman?

Yes, I find many of these routes suitable for solo travel with sensible preparation.

For remote journeys, I become more conservative about fuel, water, communication, fatigue and letting someone know my route.

Is a campervan better than a car?

Not automatically.

Campervans are fantastic when flexibility and camping are central to the experience.

Cars are easier for cities, parking and fuel efficiency.

I choose based on the route rather than the image I have of road-trip life.

What is the best month for an Australia road trip?

There is no national answer.

For southern Australia, I love spring and autumn.

For Tropical North Queensland and the Northern Territory, I generally prefer the drier months.

For the Red Centre, cooler months make walking more comfortable.

Can I drive around all of Australia?

Yes, but that is a major long-term road trip rather than an ordinary holiday.

I would want months, not weeks.

Australia becomes far more enjoyable once I stop trying to prove how much of it I can cover.

Final Thoughts: Which Australian Road Trip Would I Choose Again?

This is the question I keep changing my answer to.

If I had only three days, I would drive the Great Ocean Road again tomorrow.

I would leave Melbourne, stop at Torquay, sleep around Lorne or Apollo Bay and spend an entire day moving slowly through the Otways toward the Twelve Apostles.

If I had one week, Tasmania would be difficult to beat.

I would buy breakfast supplies in Hobart, drive toward Freycinet, walk above Wineglass Bay and keep going until I reached the beaches around the Bay of Fires.

If someone gave me ten days and told me she had never seen the Australian Outback, I would choose the Red Centre.

Alice Springs.

Tjoritja.

Kings Canyon.

Uluṟu.

Kata Tjuṯa.

Early mornings.

Cold desert air.

Red earth.

Long roads.

If I had two weeks, I would probably fly to Perth and drive south.

Margaret River.

Walpole.

Denmark.

Albany.

Esperance.

The kind of trip where forest and bright ocean keep replacing one another.

And if I had three weeks?

I would be tempted by Perth to Broome.

That road feels like Western Australia getting bigger every day.

Kalbarri's gorges.

Shark Bay.

Ningaloo.

Karijini.

Then Broome.

But the road trip I think about differently from all the others is the Nullarbor.

The Nullarbor taught me that a road does not need to be spectacular every kilometre to become unforgettable.

Sometimes the scale is the story.

Sometimes the silence is the story.

Sometimes the fact that the next roadhouse is genuinely important becomes the story.

And sometimes the best part of the day is making coffee beside the car and watching an empty road continue all the way to the horizon.

That is what Australian road trips have changed for me.

I used to plan around destinations.

Now I plan around journeys too.

I look at the road between two places and ask whether there is enough time to enjoy it.

Can I stop?

Can I walk?

Can I take lunch somewhere beautiful?

Can I stay two nights instead of one?

Can I avoid driving after dark?

Can I turn around when the weather changes?

Can I leave one day free?

Those questions produce better trips than simply trying to cover the greatest possible distance.

Australia rewards that kind of patience.

The country is too big to finish.

That is a good thing.

I do not need to drive every famous road on one visit.

I can choose one.

Give it enough time.

Let small towns become memorable.

Eat local food.

Learn whose Country I am travelling through.

Walk more.

Drive less.

Keep water in the car.

Stop when I am tired.

And pull over safely when the landscape gives me a reason.

Because on an Australian road trip, it usually does.

If you are choosing your first route, start with the amount of time you genuinely have and the landscape you most want to experience.

Then choose the road that matches it.

Do not add three more states because the map looks tempting.

Australia will still be there next time.

And after one proper road trip, I suspect you will want a next time.