AUSTRALIAN DRIVE ITINERARIES

If you love the idea of lush, unspoilt rainforests, mirror-like lakes and winding mountain roads, a Tasmania road trip could be just what you need.

• Distance: 1,510km (circular route)
• Time: 3 weeks
• Route:
  1. North-east (Devonport to Mt.William National Park)
  2. East coast (Bay of Fires to Port Arthur)
  3. South-east (Hobart, Bruny Island & Ross detour)
  4. Centre (Lake St. Clair-Cradle Mountain)
  5. West (Queenstown & Strahan)

While this south coast journey involves crossing the monotonous Nullarbor, it also includes gorgeous beaches, ancient forests and amazing national parks!

• Distance: 3,500km
• Time: 3-6 weeks
• Route:
  1. Southwest WA (Perth to Hamelin Bay via Margaret River)
  2. Southern Forests WA (Pemberton)
  3. South coast WA (Walpole to Esperance via Bremer Bay)
  4. Nullarbor
  5. Eyre Peninsula SA (Baird Bay & Port Lincoln)

This fun and scenic road trip includes the famous Great Ocean Road rock formations and rainforests, as well as the unique city of Mount Gambier, which is set on an extinct volcano!

• Distance: 1,000km
• Time: 1 week
• Route:
  1. Adelaide to Coorong National Park
  2. Mount Gambier
  3. Portland
  4. Great Ocean Road
  5. Geelong to Melbourne

There are so many lakes, national parks and beautiful coastal towns along this stretch of coastline that you’ll be totally spoilt for choice.

• Distance: 1,123km
• Time: 1-2 weeks
• Route:
  1. Melbourne to Phillip Island
  2. Wilsons Prom to Gippsland Lakes
  3. Eden to Batemans Bay
  4. Jervis Bay
  5. Wollongong to Sydney

This classic east coast Australia road trip includes a diverse array of drive stops, from lively Newcastle and Byron Bay to quirky rural towns like Bellingen.

• Distance: 925km
• Time: 1 week
• Route:
  1. Sydney to Newcastle
  2. Port Stephens to Myall Lakes
  3. Port Macquarie to South West Rocks
  4. Bellingen to Coffs Harbour
  5. Byron Bay to Brisbane

This famous Australian road trip hugs the craggy Victoria coastline from Torquay to Allansford and starts just a 90-minute drive west of Melbourne.

• Distance: 243km one way + 105km from Melbourne
• Time: 3 days or more
• Attractions:
  1. Holiday towns such as Lorne, Torquay & Anglesea
  2. Rainforest in Great Otway National Park
  3. Limestone rock formations such as Twelve Apostles

Sydney’s answer to the Great Ocean Road is the beautiful Grand Pacific Drive, a scenic coastal route from the Royal National Park down to Kiama.

• Distance: 140km one way + 56km from Sydney
• Time: 1-3 days
• Attractions:
  1. Royal National Park & Bald Hill Lookout
  2. Sea Cliff Bridge
  3. Coastal suburbs such as Austinmer & Thirroul
  4. Wollongong
  5. Kiama

If you’re travelling between Adelaide and Perth, you’ll need to cross the almighty Nullarbor, a name that literally translates as “no trees”. Road houses are few and far between, so use my guide to plan your trip carefully.

• Distance: 1,202km
• Time: 3-4 days
• Attractions:
  1. 90 Mile Straight
  2. Eyre Bird Observatory
  3. Madura Pass Lookout
  4. Buried telegraph station ruins under Eucla sand dunes
  5. Great Australian Bight & Bunda Cliffs

While North Coast NSW and the Northern Rivers region are part of the well-travelled and well-developed east coast, they’re also home to lots of smaller towns and attractions that are well worth a visit. This set of short drive itineraries will give you plenty of ideas!

• Highlights:
  1. Quirky boutiques in tiny Gladstone
  2. Nambucca Heads painted break wall
  3. Bohemian Bellingen
  4. Historic and charming Ulmarra
  5. Scottish-themed Maclean
  6. Tea Tree-stained Lake Ainsworth

Between Sydney to Melbourne, a fantastic scenic detour from the Princes Highway is the Sapphire Coast drive in far South Coast NSW. It includes a series of beaches, forests and charming coastal towns.

• Highlights:
  1. Walking tracks & beaches in Merimbula
  2. Tathra Memorial Garden lookout
  3. Views across Bega River
  4. Scenic Cuttagee Lake
  5. Bermagui Harbour
  6. Mirror-like Wallaga Lake