Australian Drive Itineraries

With lush rainforests, pristine white beaches and plenty of city attractions, Australia is the ideal country for an unforgettable road trip. Whether you fancy camping in the cooler climate of the south or enjoying luxury hotel stays up towards the north, Australia has something for you.

In recent years, I’ve travelled Australia all the way from Perth to Brisbane via Adelaide, Melbourne, Tasmania and Sydney on an amazing self-driven road trip.

I’ve used my knowledge and experience to carefully craft the recommended drive itineraries for you, which include drive stops, distances, costs and accommodation. So, get planning and organise your trip!

1. Tasmania

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)

Tasmania Drive Itinerary: 21 Days of Unspoilt Beauty

2. Perth to Adelaide

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 Perth to Adelaide drive itinerary covers road trip distances, drive stops, petrol costs, campsites, Nullarbor, fuel stops & attractions!

Perth to Adelaide Drive Itinerary: Nullarbor, Dolphins & Stunning National Parks

3. Adelaide to Melbourne

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
This Adelaide to Melbourne drive itinerary via the Great Ocean Road includes road trip costs, drive stops, driving time & distances.

Adelaide to Melbourne Drive Itinerary via the Great Ocean Road

4. Melbourne to Sydney

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
Use this Melbourne to Sydney drive itinerary to plan your East Coast Australia road trip. Includes distances, drive time, stops & costs.

Melbourne to Sydney Drive Itinerary: Pristine Coastal Beauty

5. Sydney to Brisbane

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 Sydney to Brisbane drive itinerary includes drive stops, distance, driving time, costs & campsites for your east coast road trip.

Sydney to Brisbane Drive Itinerary: Amazing East Coast Australia Adventure

6. Great Ocean Road

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
Plan your Great Ocean Road drive itinerary! This useful guide includes top attractions, such as the 12 Apostles, distances & accommodation.

Great Ocean Road Drive Itinerary: Top 12 Attractions

7. Grand Pacific Drive

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
Discover the ultimate highlights of the Grand Pacific Drive through the Illawarra region of NSW. Admire the iconic Sea Cliff Bridge, hike to breath-taking viewpoints and relax at a choice of picturesque seaside suburbs such as Austinmer and Thirroul on this memorable drive from Sydney to Wollongong.

Grand Pacific Drive via Sea Cliff Bridge

8. Nullarbor Plain

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
Thinking of crossing the Nullarbor Plain, Australia? This useful Nullarbor driving itinerary will help you plan your trip from Ceduna to Norseman, and includes fuel stops, roadhouses, distances, attractions, accommodation and free camping sites.

The Ultimate Guide to Crossing the Nullarbor Plain

9. North Coast NSW

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
Discover the best places to visit in North Coast NSW beyond the main towns with these attractions in Mid-North New South Wales & Northern Rivers region.

North Coast NSW Itinerary: Small Towns & Attractions

10. Sapphire Coast Drive

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
Ditch the highway & take the stunning Sapphire Coast drive NSW! Discover beautiful beaches, forested roads & coastal scenery from Merimbula to Bermagui.Ditch the highway & take the stunning Sapphire Coast drive NSW! Discover beautiful beaches, forested roads & coastal scenery from Merimbula to Bermagui.

Sapphire Coast Drive NSW: Merimbula to Bermagui