Road Trip Australia
Iconic Australian Road Trips by State
Australia is made for road tripping — from coastal drives and desert tracks to rainforest routes and outback highways. Whether you’re dreaming of a classic route like the Great Ocean Road, planning a 4WD adventure on the Gibb River Road, or exploring hidden gems like The Old Grafton Road, there’s a journey here for every kind of traveller.
Use the information below to discover some of the best road trips in each state and territory — including distances, highlights, and must-see stops.
National Road Trips
| Route Name | Distance | Highlights | Duration | Vehicle Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Big Lap | 15,000km | Complete circuit of Australia via Highway 1, encompassing major cities, coastal and outback regions | 3–12 months | Any |
| The Outback Way | 2,800km | Winton (QLD) to Laverton (WA) via Uluru, Kings Canyon, Alice Springs, Warakurna | 2–3 weeks | 4WD |
| The Savannah Way | 3,700km | Cairns (QLD) to Broome (WA) via the Northern Territory, traversing tropical and outback landscapes | 3–4 weeks | 4WD |
New South Wales Road Trips
| Route Name | Distance | Highlights | Duration | Vehicle Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Pacific Drive | 140km | Royal National Park to Jervis Bay via Sea Cliff Bridge, Wollongong, Kiama, Shoalhaven | 1–2 days | Any |
| Pacific Coast | 900km | Sydney to Brisbane via Central Coast, Port Stephens, Newcastle, Coffs Harbour, Byron Bay | 5–7 days | Any |
| Waterfall Way | 185km | Coffs Harbour to Armidale via Dorrigo National Park, Ebor Falls, New England National Park | 2–3 days | Any |
| Kosciuszko Alpine Way | 320km | Canberra to Albury via Snowy Mountains, Thredbo, Jindabyne | 3–4 days | Any |
| Darling River Run | 730km | Walgett to Wentworth via Bourke, Louth, Wilcannia, Menindee | 5–7 days | Any |
Northern Territory Road Trips
| Route Name | Distance | Highlights | Duration | Vehicle Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Centre Way | 1,135km | Alice Springs loop via Uluru, Kata Tjuta, Kings Canyon, West MacDonnell Ranges | 5–7 days | Any |
| Nature’s Way | 550km | Darwin to Kakadu, Litchfield, and Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) National Parks | 4–6 days | Any |
| Arnhem Way | 700km | Katherine to Nhulunbuy via East Arnhem Land (permit required) | 7–10 days | 4WD |
| Explorer’s Way | 3,000km | Adelaide to Darwin via Alice Springs, Tennant Creek | 2–3 weeks | Any |
Queensland Road Trips
| Route Name | Distance | Highlights | Duration | Vehicle Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pacific Coast Way | 1,874km | Brisbane to Cairns via Sunshine Coast, Noosa, Bundaberg, Yeppoon, Airlie Beach, Mission Beach | 10 days | Any |
| Great Beach Drive | 380km | Sunshine Coast to Fraser Coast, including Rainbow Beach and Teewah Beach (4WD only) | 3–5 days | 4WD |
| 75 Mile Beach, Fraser Island | 120km | Iconic 4WD beach drive on K’gari (Fraser Island) | 2–3 days | 4WD |
| Overlander’s Way | 1,550km | Townsville to Tennant Creek via Charters Towers, Mount Isa | 5–7 days | Any |
| Water Tower Art Trails | Various | Explore Central and North Queensland’s water towers adorned with murals | Flexible | Any |
South Australia Road Trips
| Route Name | Distance | Highlights | Duration | Vehicle Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nullarbor Plain | 1,256km | Ceduna (SA) to Norseman (WA) via the Eyre Highway, featuring the world’s longest straight road | 2–3 days | Any |
| Eyre Peninsula Loop | 1,200km | Adelaide to Eyre Peninsula via Whyalla, Port Lincoln, Ceduna | 5–7 days | Any |
| Flinders Ranges & Outback | 1,000km | Adelaide to Ikara-Flinders Ranges, Oodnadatta Track, Lake Eyre | 7–10 days | 4WD |
| Seafood Frontier | 1,000km | Adelaide to Ceduna via coastal towns, renowned for fresh seafood | 5–7 days | Any |
Tasmania Road Trips
| Route Name | Distance | Highlights | Duration | Vehicle Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tassie Loop | 1,200km | Hobart to Launceston via Freycinet, Bay of Fires, Cradle Mountain, Strahan | 7–10 days | Any |
| Heritage Highway | 200km | Hobart to Launceston via historic towns like Ross and Oatlands | 1–2 days | Any |
| Cradle to Coast Tasting Trail | 180km | Devonport to Stanley via food and wine experiences | 2–3 days | Any |
| Bruny Island Adventure | 100km | Explore Bruny Island’s beaches, wildlife, and gourmet produce | 2–3 days | Any |
Victoria Road Trips
| Route Name | Distance | Highlights | Duration | Vehicle Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Ocean Road | 243km | Torquay to Allansford via 12 Apostles, Apollo Bay, Lorne | 2–3 days | Any |
| Great Alpine Road | 339km | Wangaratta to Metung via Bright, Mount Hotham, Omeo | 3–4 days | Any |
| Silo Art Trail | 700km | Explore regional Victoria’s silo art installations in towns like Brim, Sheep Hills, Rupanyup | 3–5 days | Any |
| Yarra Valley & Dandenong Ranges | 200km | Melbourne to Healesville via wineries, forests, and gardens | 2–3 days | Any |
Western Australia Road Trips
| Route Name | Distance | Highlights | Duration | Vehicle Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coral Coast Drive | 1,200km | Perth to Exmouth via Cervantes, Kalbarri, Monkey Mia, Ningaloo Reef | 7–10 days | Any |
| Gibb River Road | 660km | Derby to Kununurra via rugged Kimberley landscapes (4WD only) | 5–7 days | 4WD |
| South West Edge | 1,200km | Perth to Esperance via Margaret River, Albany, Denmark | 7–10 days | Any |
| Perth to Broome | 2,400km | Coastal journey via Shark Bay, Karijini National Park, Eighty Mile Beach | 10–14 days | Any |
Plan Your Ultimate Road Trip Adventure
These road trips are just the beginning. Whether you’re chasing sunsets, photographing wildflowers, or camping under star-filled skies, Australia’s diverse landscapes promise unforgettable adventures. Want something more personalised? Head over to Our Personal Road Trip Adventures in Australia to follow our own campervan journeys — including unique routes, photography tips, and custom itineraries. You can also follow our travels and photos on Instagram:
📷 @adventuresintheganvan & @susanganphotography
Our Personal Road Trip Adventures in Australia
Follow our campervan adventures off the beaten track! These custom routes blend iconic highlights with hidden gems. The journey has been broken into three parts, but we’ll also be sharing details of the entire route for those who want the full cross-country experience. We’re currently adding detailed blog posts, photos, and itineraries — stay tuned!
Brisbane to Broome: A Cross-Country Campervan Adventure
Over six weeks, we will journey inland from Brisbane, heading west through Queensland’s outback country — stopping at towns like Roma and Mt Isa — before crossing into the rugged wilderness of the Northern Territory and onward to Western Australia’s remote Kimberley region. Traveling with Myrtle the Turtle, our trusty campervan, we’ll experience vast red deserts, dramatic gorges, and rich wildlife habitats, capturing the essence of Australia’s heartland.
Wildflower Photography Road Trip in WA
Timed to capture Western Australia’s spectacular wildflower season, this three-month adventure will take us from north to south through blooming fields and nature reserves. We will combine photography hotspots, camping tips, and seasonal highlights to create the ultimate guide for flower lovers and nature photographers alike.
Esperance to Brisbane: The Long Road Home Across the Nullarbor
For the final leg of our journey, we will travel east from Esperance, crossing the vast Nullarbor Plain into South Australia. From there, we’ll head straight to Broken Hill in New South Wales, bypassing Victoria, before continuing our way north to Brisbane. This route will take us through iconic outback landscapes, historic mining towns, and peaceful rural roads — the perfect way to conclude our epic Australian road trip.
Stay Connected
We’re currently working on detailed blog posts, photos, and itineraries to share the full story of each adventure — stay tuned! Meanwhile, you can follow our campervan journey off the beaten track on Instagram at @AdventuresInTheGanVan, and see our latest wildlife, landscape, and macro photography on Instagram at @susanganphotography as well as on the Susan Gan Photography website.
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