Plan Your Australia Road Trip with a Destination Specialist

Great Ocean Road

12 Apostles, Great Ocean Road

It’s kind of hard to imagine that people from all over the world travel to Australia to go on a road trip.

But year after year, the Great Ocean Road manages to draw thousands of visitors to experience its coastal beauty.

Known as one of the world’s most scenic road trips, this drive weaves through some of Australia’s popular surf beaches and port villages. Its most well-known stop is the Twelve Apostles. These gargantuan limestone structures rise up from the sea, striated with the erosion of thousands of years. Let the grandeur of these larger-than-life rock formations wash over you as you take in the natural beauty of this Australian icon.

Make a stop at Port Campbell National Park to explore some of the Great Ocean Road’s must-sees, including the Gibson Steps, Lord Ard Gorge and London Arch. The beach walks winding through green, coastal wilderness are also perfect for stretching your legs.

You can also spot koalas in the wild at Kennet River and Otway Lighthouse Road. No Australia trip is complete without seeing koalas!

Check out more things to do on the Great Ocean Road.

Legendary Pacific Coast

Photo: Tourism Australia

Australia’s east coast is lined with spectacular beaches and magnetic port towns. It only makes sense that a road trip through these hot spots is nothing less than legendary.

This 10 hour drive connects Brisbane and Sydney, two of Australia’s largest cities. But you’ll want to explore the stops in between for true gems less frequented by mass tourism.

Stretching through some of Australia’s most stunning beaches, historic sites, wineries, natural wildlife spots and beachside towns, this road trip holds something for everyone.

Beginning in Brisbane, you’ll traverse through countless beaches to tempt you for a dip and splash in the waves. Stop in Gold Coast’s glamorous beaches or make a day out of its famous theme parks such as Warner Bros. Movie World and Wet’n’Wild Gold Coast.

Take it easy at Byron Bay, where the sun first hits Australia at dawn and the waves roll out laid-back vibes. Renowned for its alternative, hippie lifestyle and thriving marine life, the feel in Byron Bay is like an endless summer. Stop in for a classic fish and chips and spot bottlenose dolphins enjoying the surf.

Explore the dozens of national parks, wildlife and marine parks, and nature reserves stretched across this road trip. Stop at coastal town favorite Port Stephens for grand, uninterrupted beaches of gold and 4WD adventures or sandboarding on the Stockton Sand Dunes.

Take a detour over to the Hunter Valley, Australia’s oldest wine region, and taste its unique Semillon on an indulgent wine-hopping day trip before arriving in Sydney.

Great Eastern Drive

Tasmania is the nature lover’s dream destination, where mountains rise out of forest-clad national parks and unique Australian wildlife roam freely. It’s only a short 1 hour and 15 minute flight from Melbourne.

It’s also one of Australia’s most spectacular driving destinations. The Great Eastern Drive takes you on a journey along Tasmania’s east coast through pure white sand beaches, turquoise bays, historic convict settlements and wine country.

Spend a long weekend, a week or more road tripping through this island state. This road trip offers the opportunity to discover some regions of Tasmania inaccessible by public transport and often looked over by tourists.

From Hobart, the capital of Tasmania, you can head to Port Arthur, a historic site of a 19th century penal settlement showcasing the stories of its inmates as an open air museum. From Port Arthur travel towards Orford and Triabunna, where you’ll find the freshest oysters, mussels and finest east coast wines in all Australia

Detour onto Maria Island for a day trip visiting the Maria Island National Park, where naturally colored cliffs, great walks and historic ruins are waiting to be explored.

Don’t miss out on Freycinet National Park, home to one of the most beautiful beaches in Australia – Wineglass Bay. This secluded, pristine bay is perfect for tranquil camping on untouched white sands across the bluest water you’ve ever seen. This stop is what road trip dreams are made of.

Great Barrier Reef Drive

Alexandra Lookout, Daintree. Photo: Tourism & Events Queensland

Combine a tropical paradise with a classic road trip and you get the Great Barrier Reef Drive.

This three hour drive is lined with fantastic views across two World Heritage sites, the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. There’s so much packed within this short road trip that you’ll want to stretch it out for a few days.

Beginning in Cairns, soak up some sun on Ellis Beach and other northern Cairns beaches for relaxing vibes and palm-fringed foreshores.

Make a stop at Port Douglas, an Australian beach town favorite. Unspoiled tropical beaches line this dreamy resort town, where no building is built higher than a coconut palm tree. Make Port Douglas your base for explore the Great Barrier Reef with a snorkeling cruise or liveaboard dive trip. It’s not many road trips where you can see one of the world’s greatest natural wonders!

After Port Douglas head to the Daintree Rainforest, the oldest rainforest in the world. Yes, even older than the Amazon! Join a guided tour and learn about the flora and fauna of the region, and spot exotic cassowary birds in the wild. Take an exciting crocodile spotting tour or learn about the Aboriginal people who call this region home.

Make a stop at Cape Tribulation, where the rainforest meets the reef. Dip your toes in the white sand beaches with lush tropical rainforest in the foreshore or go on a mud crab hunting adventure. Boardwalk trails and jungle zip-lining are also popular activities.

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