You might be aware – Australia is huge! You can fly for five hours and still be in Australia. But why fly when you can take in scenic and iconic sites via road. The Great Australian Road Trip can take many forms, but you’ll need some wheels, some pals and a sense of adventure. Oh and those cork hats do serve a purpose, the flies can be a little intense at times. Read below for 4 road trips to have on your radar when you’re off on your next adventure.

This drive takes you past some iconic Australian sites and one of the best bakeries around. These days you can head straight there on the Hume Highway. But take some small detours to check out the likes of Holbrook, Gundagai, Beechworth, Benella and Wangaratta. If you have less time, take in the highlights of the giant submarine (Holbrook) and Dog on the Tucker Box (Gundagai). Both of these stops have places to stretch your legs, good country cafes and playgrounds for the little ones and furry friends. 

Cooper Pedy, Alice Springs, Uluru, Katherine are all stops to stay and experience the sites such as underground homes and opal mines, the iconic Indigenous red rock and the Kakadu National Park.To break up the drive further, stops at Port Augusta, Warumungu and Daly Waters also have sites to see and facilities. We particularly love the watering holes and waterfalls in Mataranka and a sunset dinner or a guided trek around the base of the sacred sites of Uluru. Parts of this route can be quite remote, so plan ahead with your map and stock up on supplies and emergency communications so you can reach help if needed.

Crossing the bottom half of Australia, some 3500kms will get you from Perth to Melbourne, via Adelaide. You’ll pass coastal, wine country and more remote areas so make sure you have your campervan hire in Perth or Melbourne sorted to suit these needs. A leisurely 15 days or so trip will have you stopping in the likes of Margaret River, Albany, Esperance, Madura, Port Augusta, Port Fairy and Apollo Bay. Highlights of this journey include stops at Lucky Bay, the Nullarbor Plain, The Great Ocean Road, the wine of Adelaide Hills, Barossa and McLaren Vale and the Eyre Peninsula.

A 900km pilgrimage to some of Australia’s best-known beaches is on the to-do list of many backpackers and road travellers. Between Sydney and Brisbane, you will hit up the likes of Port Stephens, Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, Byron Bay and the Gold Coast. The trendy laid back vibes of Byron make it the site of many arts and cultural festivals, so time your visit well. The Gold Coast has oodles of theme parks for thrill-seekers and water slide lovers. The marine life in Coffs Harbour makes it worth a stop, and is also home to the famous Big Banana monument – perfect Insta fodder!