*This is a sponsored post brought to you by People's Choice Credit Union*
One fine day, when I get a lot of time in my hands, I will set out on an amazing road trip around Australia and never look back.
Right now, time is a gift I am blessed with sparingly so I travel the fastest way as much as possible.
But Australia, the sixth largest country in the world (in size), has so much to discover and just visiting the main cities won’t do.
Just as a comparison, take a look at how Australia sizes up with the United States of America in terms of land mass:
Well how’s that for size?
So to give me a little bit of preparation (and inspiration), I’ve rounded up 5 road trips around Australia I plan to take in the future.
1.) Sydney to Melbourne (and the Great Ocean Road)
Distance: 867 Kms
The coastal road between Sydney and Melbourne is one of the most scenic and dramatic self-exploration drives to take.
As you drive further south, the change in landscape is also noticeable. From the blues and greens of the New South Wales coast to the stunning coastal cliffs of Victoria.
And while in Melbourne, one shouldn’t miss taking a drive along the Great Ocean Road. I took this road long time ago with my parents when we hopped on a day tour from Melbourne. I remember the drive being as scenic as it looks, but I’m sure the experience is even better when you are self driving. After all, one of the joys of going on a road trip is that you are not confined by anyone’s or any company’s time schedule.
You can stop as much and however long as you like, and this will be handy as a huge amount of nature and wildlife abound the Great Ocean Road.
2.) Adelaide (or Ceduna) to Perth
Distance: 2,693 km
This route is usually taken by train but for the more adventurous, a 9-10 day road trip is the more appealing choice. With lots of camp sites in between and loads of activities to do such as whale watching at Head of Bright, exploring the 200 kilometre stretch of Bunda Cliffs among others, this road trip is a top choice for those wishing to head to the capital of Western Australia in one of the most unforgettable journeys.
What makes this long road trip special is that one will be driving through The Nullarbor Plain, which at 200,000 square kilometres, is the world’s flattest slab of limestone. Located between the borders of South Australia and Western Australia, Nullarbor Plain is almost a third the size of France.
And for the fact loving road trip enthusiasts, you will also be passing Australia’s longest straight section of road the 90 Mile Straight, between Balladonia and Caiguna on the Eyre Highway in Western Australia.
3.) The Savannah Way (Cairns to Broome)
Distance: over 4,000 kms
The Savannah Way is a route of highways and major roads across the tropical savannahs of northern Australia, linking Cairns in Queensland with Broome in Western Australia.
This route has always been recognised as one of Australia’s top road drives and because it also links 15 different National Parks in its route, this journey is definitely one for the adventurous self explorers.
It is estimated that it takes about 48 hours driving time to do this route. Given rest breaks, I would give about a week in total for this drive, though I would personally take a little bit longer as there’s so much to see along the way. I would also recommend a 4X4 if doing this drive as some roads are not sealed, especially if you want to explore in between the 3 main cities on the route (Carins – Katherine – Broome) and visit the fantastic gorges (Windjana Gorge, Geikie Gorge, Tunnel Creek, Lennard Gorge, Bell Gorge, Adcock Gorge, Galvans Gorge, Manning Gorge, Barnett River Gorges).
I also suspect that the change of landscape and scenery in this route will be dramatic. From the lush green foliage of Queensland , to the red earth of Northern Territory, to the golden-red shores of Broome.
4.) Uluru to Kings Canyon , Northern Territory
distance: 306 kms
When I see the phrase “Heart of Australia”, I think of Uluru. Geographically it is in the heart and centre of the country, it’s red, and depending on where the sun shines on it, sometimes it looks as if it’s glowing or beating.
It is prohibited to climb / walk Ayers Rock but Kings Canyon has a lot of walks available at the bottom of the gorge and the views are just as breath taking, and they are also totally different from each other so it will be a varied adventure for both sites.
This 3.5 hour drive should be pleasant, and though I hear it can be dusty (red and clean earth), the road is sealed so it is not necessary to drive a 4X4.
5.) Cairns to Cape York
distance: approx 1050 kms
Cape York Peninsula is also known as the Tip (of Australia) and the drive up from Cairns is known to be one of the most rewarding.
There are two main routes driving from Cairns to Cape York. The first is the extremely gorgeous coastal route via Cape Tribulation, the Daintree Rainforest and the Bloomfield Track to Cooktown. This drive will get you very close (while being on land) to the Great Barrier Reef.
Then there’s also the inland route, which offers a very tropical jungle scenery and via Mulligan Highway which is fully sealed.
I love the views and sceneries of FNQ (Far North Queensland) while driving. The greens are so vibrant and the skies piercingly blue.
I’d actually done a teaser of this drive when we were living in Cairns years ago. We drove up as far as Port Douglas (which isn’t far away at all) and returned, all in one day. It was such a fun road trip. We’d drive, eat, spot a waterfall by the rainforest, swim, hop back in the car, eat (again), swim at the beach, sleep.
By driving from Cairns to Port Douglas, we’d just touched the surface of an addictively fun road trip. I shall return one day and complete the drive all the way to Cape York!
—
I used to think that road trips are more work and hassle than fun but after I have gone on a number of them (here and overseas), I can definitely say that it’s one of the most rewarding ways to travel. This is where the phrase “The journey is the destination”, comes true to life.
We’ve done road trips on both hired cars and on our own vehicles. Sometimes it’s tempting to hire a car (especially on overseas road trips) but my tip is to compare the cost of the road trip (including gas, insurance, etc) versus buying a car (car loans can be convenient too), and you’d be surprised. Sometimes it can cost more, or equal to purchase a car versus hiring, especially as most long road trips are one-way and car hire companies do charge hefty one-way fees, depending on the state you are in.
And if by any chance you need some quality 4X4 accessories for your four-wheel drive, do check out Lifestyle 4X4.
—
Have you done any of the above road trips? What memorable road trip have you had?
—
This post has been written in collaboration with People's Choice Credit Union.
I’ve done Darwin to Broome and that was fab. Would love to do Cairns to Cape Tork next.
Wow, congratulations on accomplishing that! I can bet it was absolutely wonderful. Same here, I would really love to complete that trip we started. Cairns to Cape york!
I’ve been lucky enough to do three out of the five trips but by coach which doesn’t allow you the same sense of freedom but does allow you to kick back, relax and enjoy the ride. We just took our first road trip in February from Sydney to Surfers. It was glorious. We loved exploring all the little places and towns and although we spent a week in Byron Bay (heaven!) we stopped for the night twice on the way up and twice on the way back down. Having the car meant we had the freedom to explore and follow our own adventure. I have an obsession with Australian Big Things which really got us off the beaten path and added an extra dimension to our adventure! It was our first road trip but it definitely won’t be our last!
Hi Sammie! Wow 3 out of 5 is impressive. I don’t mind travelling by coach either as it’s less stressful than driving, but you are quite right in saying that it does not allow you the sense of freedom and independence. Byron Bay must be wonderful, I only spent a weekend up there in a retreat but I bet the town itself is amazing.
We’re on a mini road trip at the moment-very mini when compared to your road trips here! I love that pic of you too-clearly you were always a babe from day 1! 😀
Hi Lorraine! We also did a very mini road trip over Easter (Canberra-Sydney) but nothing compared to the above. Hope you guys had a wonderful time. And thank you very much!!! 🙂
Had to do a double take, you look cute as. 🙂
Love me a good road trip, have a done a couple of the trips you’ve listed, and will def get to all of them, especially the ones way up top of Aus.
We really do live in a pretty spectacular country.
Haha! Thanks Anna, same here even I couldn’t recognise myself in that photo 🙂 Those were the days! Indeed we do live in such a spectacular country, I think exploring Australia by land is the best way to do it 🙂
Would love to do one on this list!
Most of our long trips are all WA based, apart from when we crossed the border to the NT.
Not a road trip by car –but on our bucket list is to do the big trip on the Ghan.
Brisbane to Melbourne via coastal town to Sydney followed by mountain drives and race track detours to Canberra, with more hills and mountains stopping at small towns along the way to Melbourne and back in winter in a mini moke. i think was just the starting point for me and has set the bar on the others to follow.
Next is Bne to around Australia. brisbane to tazmania to melbourne to adelaide to perth to broom too darwin to cairns to end in brisbane in a mini panel van starting late this year.
the crossing of the nullabour and cainrs to broom parts are greatly exiting for those legs of my trip.
I did Uluru to Kings Canyon when I was a kid – would love to do it again with hubbie and my daughter. I’ve also done the great ocean road. SO beautiful. We’ve driven from Sydney to Queensland many many many times over my life and while I might not say it’s as good as some of these others there are a lot of gorgeous stops along the way.
Hi Christine, the change in landscape from Queensland to NSW (and vice versa), I can imagine would be fascinating! Oh and the great ocean road should be listed as one of the best drives of all time 🙂
It’s not prohibited to climb Uluru.
you have missed out sooooo much by not including WA and SA too. I have driven every state except Qld and NT. Esperance to Albany, to Pemberton then Augusta, then the cape to cape. south aust? the floreau? peninsula, kangaroo island, wilpena pound. sooo much to see
What about Tasmania? The east cost drive is defs top 10 in the country!
We have done four of the above, so all except the Cape, and having grown up in the Territory will probably never do that one, the others are all extraordinary, exciting and enjoyable, just get out and go..you will never regret it. Probably add the Gibb River Rd with a diversion to the Mitchel Falls as a possible 6th
The great ocean road is in southern Victoria, not between Melbourne and Sydney.
Sydney to melbourne via threbo to corryong down the ovens hwy to bright much nicer
Adelaide to perth but turn off to Esperance demark and Margeat River Do it in the spring after good winter rain Wild flowers everywhere
cairns to cape have done this at least 30 times Thats where I work Would go start of tourist season before road gets to bad Very dangerous road so take care
Broome to cairns great drive Only in dry seaon
I’ve had the opportunity to drive right around this country and its my experience that you have left some of the best out….South Eastern Victoria to the Lakes district and through to Canberra is exciting and stunning. Tasmania takes longer than three weeks to completely see and Melbourne to Adelaide can be a Fabulous drive. I’ve forgotten how many times I’ve travelled from Perth to Victoria, NSW or Queensland but going through Broken Hill is a ‘not to be missed’ road. If you don’t stop and drive for eight hours per day it takes three weeks to get right around Australia on the coast roads. It’s a big country but you have to get out there to see it, so enjoy your travels….