NOMADasaurus Logo

The PERFECT 1, 2 or 3 Week Australia Itinerary [2024]

Gabby Boucher

  • Last Updated: January 30, 2024

Whether you have 1, 2, or 3 weeks in Australia, here are some suggestions for an Australia itinerary that will help you make the most of this huge, diverse, and stunning country!

Planning a trip to Australia can be quite difficult, simply because the country is so huge. 

Lots of its best attractions, cities, and natural landmarks are very spread out, so it’s impossible to see everything in a short amount of time. 

Australia is also an expensive country to visit, so most backpackers and average travellers won’t be able to visit every single point of interest without spending a lot. 

Despite these challenges, planning an epic trip to Australia is definitely possible. 

You just have to be smart about your Australia itinerary, sticking to one or two major areas and picking travel routes that are logical. 

For example, you won’t be able to fit Sydney, the Great Barrier Reef, Melbourne, Uluru, Tasmania, and beaches and national parks of Western Australia and the Northern Territory into a 1 week Australia itinerary. 

To see all those incredible places, you’d need at least one month, and even then you’d be rushing to get everywhere. 

What you can do, is pick the areas that appeal to you the most and plan your trip accordingly. 

READ MORE: Check out our comprehensive guide with everything you need to know about travelling in Australia !

So you’d be better off picking either the east coast or the west coast and hanging around there if you only have 1 or 2 weeks in Australia. 

In this article, I’ll provide a few sample Australia travel itineraries. 

Each Australia itinerary will include a few of the country’s best places to visit, while maintaining reasonable travel times.

Whether it’s your first trip to Australia or you’ve been here for a while, there is always something incredible to see!

Table of Contents

How to Get Around Australia

Days 1-2: sydney, days 3-5: brisbane , days 6-7: airlie beach and the whitsundays, days 1-3: sydney, days 3-6: melbourne , day 7-8: the great ocean road, day 9-10: adelaide, day 11: kangaroo island, day 12-14: perth, days 3-4: byron bay, days 5-6: the gold coast, days 7-8: cairns, days 9-10: port douglas and the great barrier reef, days 11-13: cape tribulation and the daintree rainforest, day 14: darwin, days 15-17: kakadu national park, days 18-20: uluru and the red centre, the ultimate australia itinerary travel guide.

Having travelled all around the country, we’re excited to share these epic 1, 2 and 3 week Australian itineraries that’ll cover the best places around.

But first, a tip…

It’s also important to consider how you’ll get around Australia during your visit. 

As I mentioned, the country is huge and public transport like buses or trains is expensive. 

If you’re staying in one area, it’s worth renting a car for a few days so you can explore and do day trips, but driving from one city to the next may take 12+ hours of driving. 

The best way to get around is to rent a car and explore on your own! We recommend Rental Cars , which has the largest range of vehicles for the best value on the market.

Catching cheap domestic flights is the best way to jump from one state to the next, and you can take public transport or drive within smaller areas. 

Though every traveller will have their own unique preferences and modify these itineraries as necessary, here are some sample Australia itineraries that will hopefully help you plan your dream trip!

Qantas Plane Australia Itinerary

7 Day Australia Itinerary

One week in Australia goes by quickly, but some people can’t afford to take much longer off of work or their other responsibilities. 

You can still manage to experience some of the Aussie culture and natural beauty in one week. 

In this 7 day Australia itinerary, you’ll be sticking to the middle east coast. 

You’ll begin in Sydney, then head up to Queensland to enjoy the Great Barrier Reef. 

This plan is perfect for 7 days in Australia because it doesn’t require huge amounts of travel time. 

READ NEXT: 25 Amazing Things to Do in Australia

Sydney Harbour Australia

After arriving in  Sydney  and getting settled, you have two days to enjoy the city. 

You can spend one day visiting all the popular tourist attractions, like the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Tower Eye, the Royal Botanic Gardens, and maybe some of the museums. 

Another day can be spent swimming and sunbathing on one of the city’s main beaches. 

The northern beaches around Manly, or the western beaches around Bondi and Bronte are great options for a fun day in Sydney.

Bondi Beach has a very strong health and fitness scene, so they have lots of incredible healthy cafes where all the locals like to fuel up. 

Visit  Berri Bar Bondi Beach  for a refreshing Acai bowl,  Porch and Parlour  for a healthy breakfast on homemade bread, or  Umu  for some nourishing organic lunch bowls. 

After 2 days in Sydney, you can catch a quick, 1-hour flight up to Brisbane. 

Check out this post on how to spend one day in Sydney if that’s all the time you have.

Bondi Iceberg Pools

Brisbane is another incredible city to visit in Australia. 

After 2 days in Sydney, however, you may be sick of the crowded city streets. 

Luckily, Brisbane makes a great gateway for exploring more peaceful areas of Queensland. 

There are tons of amazing day trips from Brisbane that allow you to explore nature and see more of Australia, including:

  • Burleigh Heads:  a charming coastal town with a massive beach and national park
  • Hervey Bay:  one of the best spots in Australia for whale-watching
  • Lamington National Park:  full of hiking trails and waterfalls
  • Stradbroke Island:  a beautiful location that’s great for kayaking, paddleboarding, and trying other water sports
  • Fraser Island:  the world’s largest sand island

After exploring Brisbane and the surrounding areas, catch another cheap domestic flight from the city up to Airlie Beach. 

Read our list of the best things to do in Brisbane for more inspiration!

Brisbane Sign

Airlie Beach is known as one of Australia’s most stunning beaches, complete with soft white sand and clear turquoise water. 

From here, you can soak in the postcard-worthy views in the Whitsundays Islands and do a day trip to the Great Barrier Reef and the famous Whitehaven Beach. 

Book an  ocean rafting day tour  that include all your snorkelling gear and takes you to Whitehaven Beach and the best locations in the Whitsundays.

BONUS –  Booking ahead of time ensures you won’t miss out on the tour, and get the best price too! And just for NOMADasaurus readers, if you use the Klook discount code  “NOMADS10”  on the website when checking out, you’ll get $10 off your first booking!

Snorkelling, scuba diving, and sailing through the Great Barrier Reef will make an unforgettable ending to your 7 day Australia itinerary.

At the end of your week in Australia, you can fly from Airlie Beach back to Sydney for your departing flight. 

Island Whitsundays

2 Week Australia Itinerary

Two weeks in Australia allows you a bit more time to see different areas of the country. 

This two week Australia itinerary will start in Sydney, move down to Victoria to explore Melbourne and the Great Ocean Road , and will then curve up to Adelaide in South Australia and end in Perth in Western Australia. 

So with two weeks in Australia, you can still manage to visit 4 states! If you’d prefer to spend more time in one place rather than jumping around so much, you can always modify this. 

For example, you could skip Perth and spend a few more days exploring New South Wales, Victoria, or South Australia. 

But here is a sample two weeks in Australia itinerary. 

Opera House

Once again, you’ll fly into Sydney and begin your Australian adventure in the capital city of New South Wales. 

In addition to all the touristy stuff like the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House and touring a local art gallery, you could spend one of your days in the lush nature surrounding the city. 

Two perfect day trips from Sydney are:

The Blue Mountains:  Full of waterfalls, scenic lookouts and hiking trails, connected to Sydney by train so you don’t even need a car. Here’s what you should do there .

The Royal National Park:  Dramatic coastal scenery with rugged cliffs and secluded beaches. Check out these awesome Royal National Park walks .

After 3 days in Sydney, hop on a plane for a 1-hour flight down to Melbourne.

Wattamolla-Falls-Royal-National-Park

As one of the most vibrant and cosmopolitan cities in Australia,  Melbourne  is a favourite among travellers and locals alike. 

Spend your days in Melbourne visiting street markets, sipping cocktails from rooftop bars, checking out all the cool cafes and restaurants, and experiencing the wild nightlife. 

You can also visit St. Kilda Beach in the south of Melbourne, or head to Brighton Beach to photograph the colourful Brighton Bathing Boxes.

Or take a day trip to Phillip Island or tour the Melbourne Cricket Ground .

After you visit Melbourne, continue on to the famous Great Ocean Road.

Melbourne Skyscape And Trees

One of the highlights of Victoria is the natural wonders of the Great Ocean Road. 

This coastal road runs for 243 kilometers in total and is full of Australian wildlife, quaint little towns, surfing spots, picturesque viewpoints, campgrounds, and overall gorgeous scenery.  

Be sure to see the Twelve Apostles, Split Point Lighthouse, Port Campbell National Park, Apollo Bay, Loch Ard Gorge, and other stunning landscapes along the way.

You can either rent a car from Melbourne and drive the road on your own, or  book a day tour . 

It only takes one day to see all the best spots along the road, but you’ll need to save some time to make your way back to Melbourne and you don’t want to rush. 

You can also stop by the Australian National Surfing Museum in Torquay at the start of the Great Ocean Road.

Fly from Melbourne to Adelaide. 

12 Apostles

Spend the next days of your two weeks in Australia itinerary soaking in the culture of  Adelaide . 

Enjoy the delicious food, the museums and galleries, and the laid-back charm of South Australia’s capital. 

One of your 2 days in Adelaide should definitely be spent touring a vineyard and wine tasting in the Barossa Valley. 

Again, you can either rent a car in the city and drive yourself around the vineyards (make sure you don’t drink too much!), or you can book a day trip. 

Adelaide University

As one of the most unique places in South Australia, Kangaroo Island makes a super fun day trip from Adelaide. 

Take photos of the interesting rock formations in Flinders Chase National Park , stroll along the pristine golden beaches, or search for some local animals like wallabies, koalas, and of course, kangaroos. 

Head back to Adelaide after Kangaroo Island and hop on another quick flight to Perth to finish up this two week Australia trip.

Read next: 8 Amazing Things to Do in Kangaroo Island, Australia

Kangaroo Island Sunset

Your last few days of visiting Australia will be well-spent in Perth, the capital city of Western Australia. 

Enjoy the beaches, explore the Fremantle Markets, visit wineries and wildlife parks, and more.

You could also treat yourself to one last epic adventure in Australia by taking a day trip to Rottnest Island . 

This island is full of fun activities, natural wonders, beautiful views, and cute little quokkas, which are small, native Australian marsupials similar to wallabies. 

After a few days in Perth, either catch your departing flight from here or fly back to Sydney if your flight leaves from there. 

You could also consider a day trip to Margaret River , one of the top wine and surfing regions in Western Australia.

It’s a 3 hour drive from Perth to Margaret River, so only make the trek if you feel like you have time.

Arial View Of Perth Western Australia

3 Week Australia Itinerary

3 weeks in Australia allows you to visit some big cities and tourist spots, but it also allows you to venture out to more remote and isolated areas. 

In this 3 week Australia Itinerary, you’ll visit Sydney and Byron Bay at the start. 

Then you’ll head up to The Gold Coast, and tropical north Queensland to the Daintree Rainforest. 

Continue your journey up north by travelling to Darwin and Kakadu National Park, and then venture inland to Uluru (Ayer’s Rock). 

Koala Australia

Again, spend your first couple days in Australia checking out Sydney and maybe doing a day trip to the Blue Mountains of the Hunter Valley Wine Region.

Be sure to visit Sydney Harbour, Darling Harbour, and the famous Bondi Beach during your time in Australia’s largest city.

Then fly to Ballina, a small airport 30 minutes away from Byron Bay. 

Check out our Sydney to Brisbane road trip guide if you’d prefer to rent a car and drive up the east coast.

Byron Bay  is a hub for backpackers, and it is a very fun place to experience when you visit Australia. 

From bar crawls and drum circles on the beach, to night markets and street art, to coastal walks and lovely beaches, a couple days in Byron Bay will feel like bliss. 

Even if you aren’t on a strict backpacker budget, Byron Bay has so many great hostels that it’s worth immersing yourself in the backpacker scene. 

Some of the best hostels in Byron Bay include Wake Up! Byron Bay and Byron Bay Beach hostel. 

Both of these have hundreds of great reviews from travellers cost around $30 per night, which is pretty cheap for Australia. 

If you want to meet other cool people and take part in all the fun social activities of Byron Bay, you may want to stay in one of these fun hostels instead of a hotel!

You can choose to hang out in Byron Bay for a few more days, or catch a flight from Ballina to the Gold Coast for a taste of the Sunshine Coast surf vibes. 

Byron Bay Lighthouse

The  Gold Coast  is one of the best places to learn how surfing when you visit Australia. 

You can take a surf lesson from an experienced local and ride the waves, or just relax on the beach, eat some great food, and hit the bars and nightclubs in the evening. 

The Gold Coast combines the excitement of the city with the salty air and water sports of a beachside town, so it’s a diverse and fun place to visit. 

Fly from the Gold Coast up to Cairns. 

Gold Coast Cityscape

The next few days of your 3 week Australia Itinerary will take you up along the coast of Tropical North Queensland. 

This corner of Australia is hot, humid, and jam-packed with rich jungles, Aboriginal culture, waterfalls and the marine life of the Great Barrier Reef. 

Keep in mind that during the rainy season, from October to April, you can’t swim in the ocean here because there may be crocodiles and jellyfish. 

Cairns  is the gateway to tropical north Queensland. 

The real beauty lies outside the city, but spend a couple days adjusting to the heat, partying with the many backpackers, shopping at Rusty’s Fruit Market, and swimming in the big public swimming pool called the Lagoon. 

Also check out Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park and the nearby Barron Gorge National Park near Kuranda.

Then you’ll take the local bus up to Port Douglas. You can buy your bus ticket from any tourism agency or from the main bus station, and take the Cairns to Cooktown route. 

Barron Falls Cairns Australia

Only about an hour north of Cairns is Port Douglas, a small, relaxed town with one backpacker hostel, a few amazing restaurants, and a nice park lined with palm trees for viewing the sunset. 

This is one of the best places to book a Great Barrier Reef  snorkelling or diving tour  because up here, the reef isn’t as crowded as near Cairns. A snorkelling reef trip is one of the most popular Australia tours and shouldn’t be missed!

So spend one of your days in Port Douglas swimming in the crisp, blue waters of the reef and seeing some incredible, colourful marine life. 

From here, get back on Cairns to Cooktown bus and continue north up to Cape Tribulation in the Daintree Rainforest. 

Great Barrier Reef

Located in the midst of the jungle, Cape Tribulation is the perfect place to disconnect from technology and reconnect with nature. 

There is only one main road running through the town, if you can even call it a town. 

Cape Tribulation has a few resorts and hostels, a couple tourism companies and about two shops, and that’s it. 

But the powerful presence of the rainforest is more than enough to entertain you for a couple days.

The Daintree is the oldest rainforest in the world, and is one of the true natural wonders of Australia.

Go hiking, ride horses on the beach, book an ATV sightseeing tour, do an exotic fruit tasting at Cape Trib Farm, visit the Daintree Discovery Center, or take a boat cruise on the Daintree River to spot some crocodiles. 

Try to avoid visiting Tropical North Queensland in December through February, however. This is the wet season and many roads may be flooded and tours will be closed.

On your third day, take the bus back to Cairns then fly to Darwin. 

Cape Tribulation Daintree Rainforest

Darwin is the capital city of the Northern Territory, and it is a convenient starting point for a trip into Central Australia and Ayers Rock, in the south of the state.

Use this day to walk around and sightsee a bit, relax and unwind, and plan your journey into Kakadu National Park. 

Check out our guide for the best things to do in Darwin!

Darwin Nt Australia

Rent a car in Darwin and spend the next couple days exploring the largest national park in Australia!

You can swim in waterfalls, find ancient Aboriginal rock art, and go hiking through some incredible landscapes. 

If you have a van or a tent, you can camp at one of the park’s campgrounds. Otherwise there is a handful of resorts where you can stay overnight in Kakadu. 

Most of the accommodation in Kakadu is located in Jabiru, the main town of the park. 

You could also  book a guided tour  to Kakadu as a day trip from Darwin. This is a good option for those who want to take a break from planning and driving. A tour will take you right to the best spots in the park, which is handy because the park is so huge.

After exploring the national park, drive back to Darwin and then fly to Alice Springs at the heart of Australia’s Red Centre. 

(Alternatively if you don’t want to keep travelling so much, you could stay in the Northern Territory and explore more natural wonders like Nitmiluk National Park.)

Kakadu National Park

From Alice Springs in the center of the Northern Territory, it’s time to begin your journey to Uluru!

The Red Centre is the central desert area of Australia, consisting of Alice Springs and the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park.

Uluru, or Ayers Rock, is a sacred monolith and it one of the most famous places to see on a trip to Australia.

You have two options for getting to Uluru. 

Option 1:  Rent a car in Alice Springs and complete the 5-hour drive on your own. Keep in mind it’s also 5 hours to get back, so that’s a 10 hour road trip in total. You should also have your own camping gear and pack enough food and water for the road trip.

Option 2:  Book a tour from Alice Springs if you are tired of driving. You can  choose a straightforward day trip . It’s a bit pricier to do a guided tour, but it takes away a lot of the effort on your part. 

Either way, watching the sunrise and sunset bathe Uluru in soft, natural hues is a sight you’ll never forget, so the journey is worth it. 

If you are renting a car and doing your own road trip, consider also heading out to Watarrka National Park and Kings Canyon. This amazing spot is a 3 hour drive from Ayers Rock, which is a short drive for the Outback!

READ MORE: Check out all the incredible things to do in Uluru !

Uluru Nt Australia

Your final day of the 3 week Australia itinerary will mostly be spent travelling. 

Drive back to Alice Springs, then fly back to Sydney for your flight home.

I just want to add that there are many other natural wonders that I didn’t get to mention!

Australia is massive so it’s hard to fit in so many cool places in a short time.

For example, the north of Western Australia is stunning, but it’s very remote and not convenient to add to a few weeks in Australia.

Few Australians even make it out here on holiday.

But riding a camel on Cable Beach , snorkelling with Whale Sharks in Exmouth , or camping in Cape Range National Park are amazing experiences that you can have if you have the time to venture out there.

Tasmania is also one of the most gorgeous places in Australia. The island is home to some of the best hiking and camping in the country , but it requires lots of prior planning and preparation and gear.

You could also road trip around Australia, taking more time to see all the attractions and not having to rush.

But it would take you months or even years to road trip all of Australia!

Regardless of how much time you spend here, don’t stress about seeing everything!

It’s impossible to see everything, and no matter where you go, you’re sure to have an epic time.

Camel Riding In Broome

DISCLAIMER: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links, which means if you book accommodation, tours or buy a product, we will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These commissions help us keep creating more free travel content to help people plan their holidays and adventures. We only recommend the best accommodations, tours and products that ourselves or our fantastic editorial team have personally experienced, and regularly review these. Thanks for your support, kind friend!

Gabby Boucher

Gabby Boucher

Hi, We’re Alesha and Jarryd!

Join the Team

We’ve been traveling the world together since 2008, searching for the planet’s best destinations and adventures.

Love Travel?

Sign up for our free weekly newsletter for the best travel tips, ideas and deals!

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.

READ MORE...

The Ultimate 3 Days in New York City Itinerary (2024 Update)

3 Days Kayaking in Abel Tasman (Everything You Need to Know)

The Golden Circle Route – An Epic Yukon Road Trip Itinerary

17 Awesome Things to Do in Dawson City, Yukon

Brisbane to Cairns Drive – The Perfect Road Trip Itinerary

Related Posts

The ultimate guide to backpacking in sydney (2024 edition), discovering sustainability at ecocamp in torres del paine, travelling with a hangover sucks, things to do in battambang – not just the bamboo train, 5 thoughts on “the perfect 1, 2 or 3 week australia itinerary [2024]”.

Have you got any info/tips about Central Australia? Adelaide, Coober Pedy, Alice Springs to Darwin (Stuart Hwy).

Would like more information on all inclusive 3 wk itinerary for family of about 12.

All the best with your research. Have a great trip.

Terrific article. Thanks so much for the insight!

Thank you so much. Glad the article was helpful 🙂

Leave a comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Road Trip Around Australia

Around australia trip planner.

Build your own road trip around Australia or embark on one of our three suggested routes and itineraries with our Around Australia road trip planner. Maps, best camping, prices, top sights, awesome photos, drive times and distances, it's all here!  So, buy or hire a campervan from the departure point of your choice  and hit the road for an adventure of a life time!

Three Routes Around Australia

1. the circumnavigation around australia.

17,100 km | 244 hr drive time | 3 months or more

This road trip can be started and finished from any point you choose, but it misses the central desert region of Australia with Uluru, the Olgas, and Coober Pedy. 

Driving around Australia

Itinerary from Cairns (example) Cairns to Darwin – 3,260 km | 9 - 15 days Darwin to Broome – 1,900 km | 7 days Broome to Perth – 3,200 km | 14 - 19 days Perth to Adelaide – 3,700 km | 16 days Adelaide to Melbourne – 1,500 km | 7 - 12 days Melbourne to Sydney – 1,200 km | 5 - 10 days Sydney to Cairns (East Coast) – 3,500 km | 5 weeks

2. Our Favorite Road Trip Around Australia

18,100 km | 258 hrs drive time | 3 months or more

This is our favorite drive around Australia because it includes the central desert region and our beloved Uluru while missing out some of the less interesting stretches between Cairns and Darwin. You can start this road trip in Cairns and end it in Adelaide, or start in Adelaide and end in Cairns.

drive around australia itinerary

Itinerary from Cairns  

Cairns to Sydney (East Coast) – 3,500 km | 5 weeks Sydney to Melbourne – 1,200 km | 5 - 10 days Melbourne to Adelaide – 1,500 km | 7 - 12 days Adelaide to Darwin – 3,760 km | 9 - 15 days Darwin to Broome – 1,900 km | 7 days Broome to Perth – 3,200 km | 14 - 19 days Perth to Adelaide – 3,700 km | 16 days

Itinerary from Adelaide

3. The I-Don't-Want-to-Miss-a-Thing Road Trip Around Australia

20,300 km | 293 hr drive | 4 months or more

If you're like us, and don't want to miss anything, this road trip around Australia includes not only Uluru in the central desert region but Broken Hill, Mungo National Park and the rural regions of New South Wales. You can start this road trip in Cairns and end it in Sydney, or start in Sydney and end in Cairns. 

road trip around australia

Cairns to Sydney (East Coast) – 3,500 km | 5 weeks Sydney to Melbourne – 1,200 km | 5 - 10 days Melbourne to Adelaide – 1,500 km | 7 - 12 days Adelaide to Darwin – 3,760 km | 9 - 15 days Darwin to Broome – 1,900 km | 7 days Broome to Perth – 3,200 km | 14 - 19 days Perth to Adelaide – 3,700 km | 16 days  Adelaide to Sydney – 1,800 km | 7 - 14 days

Itinerary from Sydney

Build Your Own Road Trip Around Australia

Click the route to bring up the link.

Driving Around Australia

Vast Distances

Australia is larger than you might think - as large as the USA without Alaska and three quarters the size of Europe. It is also extremely diverse with everything from snow-capped mountains to lush tropical forests, the outback desert and rolling green pastures. If you fly from city-to-city, you'll miss all this.

The Best Way to Travel Australia is by Campervan

The best (and cheapest) way to experience Australia is to hire or buy a campervan and take a road trip. That way you can set your own itinerary, be spontaneous, take the road less travelled, and stop where you want for as long as you want.  With a kitchen in the back, you can pull into a stunning location, make lunch and soak in the views. It's the most convenient, affordable and memorable way to dine. And at the end of an adventure-filled day, your home is wherever you park it. 

Australia's Friendly Nomad Community

You will soon discover the camaraderie of the campervan community - kindred spirits who like to get off the beaten path, who appreciate the beauty of Australia, and are eager to share a few tips and their favorite camping locations with you. As Edith Wharton once said  "One of the great things about travel is you discover how many good, kind people there are." 

Traveling around Australia is a popular thing to do when you retire here, so much so that these travelers are known as the 'grey nomads'.

Kangaroos and Driving At Night

We strongly advise against driving at night due to the volume of kangaroos that will jump in front of your campervan. Not only will you damage your vehicle, but you'll injure or kill a kangaroo. When you see a dead kangaroo on the road, check its pouch for a joey when safe to do so. Kangaroo rescue centers can be located at Coober Pedy, Alice Springs, Darwin, Katherine and many other towns around Australia. You can find  wildlife rescue phone numbers here . Offer it water but nothing else until you get it to a rescue centre. You might save a life! 

Outback Driving Etiquette

If a truck approaches while travelling the outback roads, it is polite (and sensible) to pull over onto the side of the road and wait for it to pass. The trucker will thank you for it and you’ll protect your windscreen from flying rocks. 

Sign up for amazing offers exclusive access for offers and promotions

Campervan hire depots, airlie beach.

Heart of Reef Shuttles, 48-50 Carlo Drive, Cannonvale, Queensland 4802 Phone: 1800 216 223

20 Noble Avenue, North Gate, Queensland 4013 Phone: 1800 216 223

440 Sheridan Street, Cairns, Queensland 4870 Phone: 1800 216 223

273 Elizabeth Street, Coburg, Victoria 3058 Phone: 1800 216 223

23-25 Erskine Rd, Caringbah, Sydney, NSW 2229 Phone: 1800 216 223

Do you have any questions or need additional information?

Claire's Footsteps

All Destinations , Australasia , Australia , Road Trip Itineraries

Road trip in australia: an itinerary for the whole country.

around australia trip

G’day mates, I’m here to take you on a 6 month long road trip in Australia.

Well, I’m not actually taking you (although maybe I’ll get the chance to do guided road trips around this beautiful country at some point, watch this space!), but, with this 6 month itinerary for the ultimate Australian road trip, you’ll know exactly where to go and when .

This Australia road trip planner is customizable depending on your wishes, but I’ve added suggested lengths of times in each location. I

’m recommending at least six months to orbit Australia (this Australia road trip itinerary takes you into the centre as well).

Australia is big and some days will consist of just driving.

Also, this itinerary doesn’t include for rest and admin days – so do take that into account when you plan your road trip in Australia.

I’ve also got dozens of more detailed itineraries for different segments of the road trip, as well as city and region itineraries for different parts of the country.

You can click through to them using the links below – all links open in a new window.

So wherever you’re visiting on this island, and whether you’re backpacking in Australia or on a road trip with toddlers , you can use this 6 month itinerary to plan your ultimate Australia road trip.

Shall we begin?

When to take the road trip in Australia?

around australia trip

I recommend that you begin the road trip in Melbourne in March or April.

Of course, you don’t have to begin at this time, or even in Melbourne. Most travellers fly into Melbourne or Sydney, and as Melbourne is the most temperamental weather – wise, I thought it would be nice to give you two chances to see it in its glory.

Plus, Tasmania, which I’ve put on the end of this road trip Australia itinerary, is accessible from Melbourne.

I’d recommend starting your road trip from Melbourne in March or April, as this should give you the best weather everywhere – it’ll be a bit cold in the south at first, but it will quickly warm up.

Then once you’ve returned to Melbourne, you’ll have a summer there!

Of course, if you want to start in Darwin (which is the cheapest place to fly into from Asia), then you could do this loop starting in September or October, skipping the rainy season in the north and arriving back there for the high season.

Bear in mind that some parts of the north, like Kakadu and the Gibb River Road, are inaccessible during the rainy season.

The south is still great during the winter, but may be a bit chilly and it is more rainy. Some rough outback roads all over the country can be closed when it rains.

What to pack for the Australia road trip

around australia trip

I’m going to be writing a full road trip Australia packing list very soon, but here’s some staples you’re not going to want to forget:

  • A car or van (just in case you forget!). If you want a car like my Subaru, you can find deals on a Subaru model on KBB, BCP, Edmunds and other huge sites. For my budget, I couldn’t have asked for a better car in Australia. It’s a great vehicle for road tripping, with AWD capacities and a fantastic reputation for reliability – actually, its Outback model is on the Consumer Reports’s best road trip vehicle lists!
  • High quality tent if you’re not sleeping in your car/ van
  • High quality sleeping bag suitable for both tropical and temperate climates
  • Mattress – a blow up, camping mat or full on double inflatable mattress (you might want to opt for the latter if you’re camping for six months).
  • An esky – that’s Australian for coolbox, by the way – or a cooler bag .
  • A camping stove
  • Gas for said stove
  • Pots and pans
  • High quality torches
  • Coolant, oil, jump leads, and a spare fuel tank for the car
  • Ask for some of these gifts for campers for Christmas as some extras!
  • If you’re planning on doing some serious off-roading and have a 4×4 (only do off-roading in a 4×4!) You might also want some quality 4×4 accessories. Check out Lifestyle 4x4s range here. 

If you haven’t left your home country yet, check out my what to pack for Australia list to check you’ve got all of the essentials covered.

Where to stay during your road trip around Australia

around australia trip

I’m presuming you’ll be camping around most of Australia – download the app WikiCamps to help you find free and paid campsites, and check out my free camping in Australia post to get the basics.

In places where campsites, free or paid, aren’t readily available, I’ve recommended some hostels and hotels.

You can also of course use Airbnb (click here for money off your first booking) and Couchsurfing, depending on your travelling style.

Road Trip Australia Itinerary for 6 Months on the Road

Melbourne: 3 days.

around australia trip

There are so many things to do in Melbourne; it’s been voted the world’s most liveable city time and time again for a reason.

From the wealth of museums to the amazing coffee, to cultural attractions like the AMCI and the Victoria Art Gallery, to the many vintage stores, to the beautiful library, you certainly won’t get bored during your time here!

You might not quite have seven days in the city, but this Melbourne itinerary will help you get to grips with the place.

Oh, and are you conscious of not spending too much at your first stop? I got ya! I had an erm… interesting time in Melbourne where I only had about $14 to my name.

Check out my tips for visiting Melbourne on a budget here.

There aren’t many places to free camp near Melbourne – I stayed at Urban Central Hostel, which is decent (although no free parking). You can book in by clicking here .

Victoria Hotel Backpackers is 5km from the city centre, but does have free parking. Click here to book .

Want to stay somewhere a bit more upscale? The Novotel Melbourne is a good option, close to the centre and with free parking. Click here for rates and to reserve .

Melbourne to Sydney: 1 week

around australia trip

The Melbourne to Sydney road trip is one that’s well-trodden with travelers, but it still isn’t hard to find somewhere that’s a little off the beaten path.

Highlights include Wilson’s Promontory National Park , Lakes Entrance , Eden , camping in a NSW state forest and Jervis Bay .

Once you reach Jervis Bay, if you want, you can take a detour inland to Canberra , the nation’s capital and to the beautiful Blue Mountains National Park – a must-see about 3 hours west of Sydney.

Sydney: 3 days

around australia trip

Sydney’s the most famous city of Australia, and one that all tourists want to visit, but there’s more here than just an opera house. Once you’ve seen the crowning glory from a few different angles – from Darling Harbour, Mrs Macquaries Seat and of course, up close are my favourites – check out some of the other things to do in Sydney.

It’s famous for its beaches of course; Bondi, Glebe and Manly are firm favourites. Click here for my three days in Sydney itinerary. There are some really great hostels in Sydney – although they’re bladdy expensive.

Bounce is really well facilitated, but it’ll set you back around $40 for a dorm room. I also really like YHA Railway Square, where you can stay in dorms in train cabins! Click here to book .

If you want free parking, you’ll need to stay a bit further out. I’ve also stayed in Cambridge Lodge Budget Hostel which is near Newtown – it has cheap dorm rates (for Sydney) and free parking. Click here to book .

If you’re looking for a hotel, Veriu Broadway is in a good location and has free parking. Click here to book .

Sydney to Brisbane: 1 week

around australia trip

The Sydney to Brisbane road trip takes in some amazing nature spots, as well as my favourite place in the world, Byron Bay.

Driving north, you’ll reach Newcastle fun things to do in this town here (check out some ) and Port Macquarie before turning inland towards the Waterfall Way .

This hinterland is beautiful, so give yourself a bit of time to properly absorb it all.

Then head out toward Coffs Harbour and up to Yamba , a chill beach town with some great natural spots.

Then it’s time for Byron Bay and its surrounds – check out these great things to do in Bryon Bay and don’t forget to see its hinterland.

Then you’ll cross into Queensland – the Gold Coast is your first point of call, with Surfer’s Paradise being a place to let your hair down before relaxing on some of the other beaches!

Finally, you’ll arrive into the capital of the sunshine state, Brisbane .

Brisbane: 3 days

around australia trip

Brisbane is often an overlooked Australian city, but it’s well worthy of a spot on your road trip around Australia. It’s a chilled out, breathable place, with lots of attractions to pass a few days in.

Check out the Brisbane Botanical Garden, the Brisbane Museum, the City Beach and the sunset from Kangaroo Point Cliffs.

If you’re already missing nature, head to Stradbroke Island which is very close to the centre and feasible as a day or overnight trip. You could even go camping at Adder Rock if you don’t want to return to the city for accommodation!

City Backpackers HQ is my preferred Brisbane hostel – and it has free parking! It’s reasonably priced and has a bar, a pool, a terrace with city views and $10 nightly dinner deals. Click here to book .

For a hotel option, Ibis Styles is a great option in the middle of the city. Click here for rates and book today .

Brisbane to Cairns: 3 weeks

around australia trip

The most popular one of all the Australian road trips, Brisbane to Cairns is the one where you’ll see the most travellers – and for good reason.

There are tons of amazing spots here, and it’s also the perfect spot to make some friends!

Highlights include Noosa National Park , Fraser Island , surfing at Agnes Water , the Aboriginal cultural centre at Rockhampton , the Whitsunday Islands , Magnetic Island , diving or snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef , and the beautiful Daintree Rainforest .

Cairns is another place you’ll probably be wanting to stay in a hostel – all of the free campsites are quite far out.

Gilligans has free parking, and the rest – it’s a really well facilitated place, with lots going on, but is only for those who are dedicated to partying!

If you want somewhere a bit more chilled, Cairns City Backpackers has free parking as well and has a calm courtyard and good atmosphere. It’s a 15 – 20 minute walk from the centre. Click here for rates and book today .

Want a hotel? Double Tree Hilton Cairns is a great place to relax and unwind! Click here for rates and book today .

around australia trip

You’ll need a four-wheel drive for this segment of the road trip; and it’s somewhere really off the beaten track. Think rainforest, crocodiles, rugged tracks and beautiful beaches, eventually making it to the tip of Australia.

Accommodation on the way will be free camping, and there’s only the odd roadhouse or pub – this is proper off the grid living.

Cape York was a spot I didn’t make it to (and I can’t wait to return to Australia and go!) – here’s a great 7 day itinerary for the trip to the tip .

Cape York to Uluru: 1 week

around australia trip

From the base of Cape York, rejoin the highway and head westwards, towards the Northern Territory border .

You’ll see a really distinct landscape here as the terrain changes, and experience towns like Karumba and Burketown (if you take highway one) or Charters Towers and Mount Isa (if you take the A6).

Either way, it’s a lot of country towns, desolate scenery and hot temperatures! Once you reach the Stuart Highway, turn down and head towards your ultimate destination: Uluru .

You’ll be able to see the attractions on the Stuart Highway on the way back up, but by all means stop at them on the way down as well!

Uluru is an unmissable place in Australia and at least 2 full days should be spent here.

Take some time to walk around the base and see the rock art, do some of the walks in the area to the gorges, and see Katja Tutja on the Valley of the Winds walk.

Uluru to Darwin: 2 weeks

around australia trip

After some time at beautiful Uluru, make your way north. If you have a 4WD or an AWD (or you can do it in a 2WD if you’re daring – do double check road conditions before you head out though!) take on the Red Centre Way .

This is a loop that takes you to King’s Canyon and then to Alice Springs the back way.

You’ll get to check out the West McDonnell Ranges , which are really spectacular, and drive along rough, outback roads. You might see wild ponies and camels!

Then head to Alice Springs for a couple of nights.

Next, head north to Tennant Creek , stopping in Wycliffe Well – the UFO capital of Australia – and at the Devil’s Marbles . You’re approaching the top end now; after Tennant Creek spend a night at Daly Waters , a fantastic pub and campground.

Mataranka has some beautiful springs and sweltering Katherine is your next stop, with the Nitmiluk National Park . Then it’s on to Kakadu National Park and finally, to Darwin .

Darwin: 3 days

I love and hate Darwin at the same time.

It’s a great place to let your hair down and party, if that’s your scene – but the backpacker crowd is typically pretty OTT.

There are some fun things to do in Darwin , however – the Military Museum is a must, as is the Art Gallery and Museum of the Northern Territory.

If you have the funds, a day trip to the Tiwi Islands is a must-do as well.

Plus there’s Charles Darwin National Park and the lagoon which is perfect for a dip on a sweltering Darwin day.

Darwin hostels are… interesting. If you’re there to party and don’t mind sacrificing on sleep and erm a certain standard of cleanliness, Youth Shack is an option – I found the dorms and bathrooms not the cleanest, but there is a really nice pool area. (Have I sold it? Click here if you want to book after my rave review 😉 )

Melaleuca has higher cleanliness, but is even more of a party place (if possible!). Click here for more information .

If you want somewhere chill on a budget in Darwin, I’d recommend staying at a campsite out of the city, finding somewhere on Airbnb – use this link for $44 off your first booking – or Couchsurfing .

I’ve done all of these in Darwin!

The Argus Hotel is modern, comfortable and clean and has a pool and on-site restaurant. Click here for rates and to book .

Darwin to Broome (via the Gibb River Road): 2 weeks

around australia trip

Heading south, your first stop should be Litchfield National Park .

I don’t find it as breathtaking as Kakadu, but it’s worth the stop.

Then head west, towards the border with Western Australia. It’s a long old drive, but once you’ve crossed it, head into Kununurra and check out some of the town’s attractions.

Then it’s time for Lake Argyle – this beautiful spot is perfect for kicking back in for a couple of days. Make sure you stay in the Lake Argyle campsite and enjoy its amazing infinity pool!

If you have a 4WD or AWD (I did it in an AWD, much to a lot of people’s disbelief!), take on the Gibb River Road .

This is my favourite part of Australia – 660 kilometres of gorges, waterfalls, secluded campsites and unmissable nature.

You’ll get off the road at Derby, from which it is a 2-hour drive to Broome.

Broome to Perth: 3 weeks

around australia trip

Spend a few days recharging in beautiful Broome , making sure you don’t miss a sunset!

If you’re there during Staircase to the Moon, it’s well worth checking out.

Gantheaume Point is amazing for dinosaur footprints and cliff jumping, and if you have a 4WD Cape Leveque is a great spot to head up to.

Broome town centre has some interesting attractions which nods to its Indigenous heritage and history as a pearling town. If you’re wanting to stay in the heart of Broome or Cable Beach, you’ll need to pay for accommodation.

I spent a month at Cable Beach Backpackers, which is a small hostel with a really nice atmosphere. Click here for more information and to book .

If you want to stay in Broome town Kimberley Klub YHA is a good option. Click here for rates and book today .

For somewhere a bit more private, try Broome Vacation Village. Click here for more information and to book .

Once you hit the road again, your first stop will be 80 Mile Beach and then Port Hedland .

From Port, you can head southwards to Karijini National Park – one of the best in Australia.

Then head out to the west coast to Exmouth and the Ningaloo Reef .

If it is the right time of year, you can go snorkeling with whale sharks here; a bucket list experience.

Diving at the Navy Pier is also incredible. From Exmouth, head south to the country town of Canarvon and then Shark Bay .

Going south more will take you to Kalbarri National Park , Geraldton and then the Coral Coast .

The Indian Ocean Drive here is incredible, as you drive right next to the sea. The Pinnacles, Lancelin and New Norcia round off your west coast itinerary before arriving in Perth.

Perth: 4 days

around australia trip

Perth is my favourite Australian city .

I love the spaciousness, the blue skies, the copious amounts of water. Spend a day in the CBD, seeing the attractions there like Elizabeth Quay and King’s Park.

Day two should be spent in funky Fremantle, a hip suburb with lots of attractions .

On day three, head to the Perth Hills to see another side of the city.

Finally, take a ferry over to Rottnest Island for a slice of island livin’. Billabong Backpackers in Perth offers free parking and also has a pool, a large common area and free breakfast. Click here for more information and to book .

If you’re wanting to stay in Fremantle, the Old Fire Station is the one – check out my review here and book using this link .

OFS does have parking but it’s kind of expensive – I used to park at South Beach and take the free CAT bus there.

For a hotel option, Tribe Perth is clean, contemporary and has free parking. Click here for more information and to book .

Perth to Esperance: 1 week

around australia trip

Once you’ve had your fill of Perth, head back down south (you could stop back into Freo on the way down, I wouldn’t blame you!) toward Margaret River .

This is a beautiful area where you could easily spend a few days. Next on your trip is the karri forests of Pemberton and swing by D’entrecasteaux national park .

There are some amazing beaches around Denmark and Albany , as well as some intriguing natural attractions. Then head to Fitzgerald River National Park and check out the unique biosphere here.

After, it’s time for Esperance , which has a picturesque ocean drive. Head to Cape le Grand National Park after, which has famous white sand beaches and lots of kangaroos.

If you have a 4WD, Cape Arid National Park is worth a visit too, before you head back to Esperance and start the drive north to the Nullarbor Plain.

The Nullarbor: 3 days

around australia trip

The Nullarbor Plain is a place of mystery; it’s a long, arid stretch of road with not much at all to see. But it’s really beautiful, and the feeling of being so in the middle of nowhere is unbeatable.

Take three days to drive it, as you’ll want to take it in properly and avoid driver fatigue. Highlights include Australia’s longest straight road, various quirky road houses and the beautiful Great Australian Bight .

You can free camp near here and watch the sunrise in the morning – it’s a magical experience. At the end of the Nullarbor, the seaside towns of Ceduna and Streaky Bay are worth popping into.

The Eyre Peninsula: 2 days

around australia trip

The Eyre Peninsula juts down at the bottom of South Australia, and is a great destination for 4WDing, beautiful beaches and wild camping.

The terrain varies from what you’ve just experienced on the Nullarbor, and there are a few small towns that are worth checking out around the peninsula.

Port Augusta to Coober Pedy: 4 days

things to do in Coober Pedy - big winch viewpoint

At the top eastern side of the Eyre Peninsula, arriving in Port Augusta will feel like you’ve reached a city. It’s time to head north, up the Stuart Highway, to a town called Coober Pedy.

This is a 550-kilometre detour (plus the return trip) to see a population 3,500 town where everyone lives underground; and I do think it’s worth it.

If you love the weird and wonderful, you’ll find lots of entertaining things to do in Coober Pedy . The drive up there is pretty mesmerizing as well!

Coober Pedy to the Flinders Ranges: 5 days

around australia trip

And the good news is you don’t have to go back the way you came; from Coober Pedy, you can head south east on the Oodnadatta Track – an unsealed but generally in good condition (check before you head out) road connecting the Stuart Highway with the Outback Highway.

You’ll drive around the south side of Lake Eyre (if you have a 4WD and a sense of adventure you might have the chance to go off the track and see it more) and experience even more outback living.

It’s hard to ever get enough, really!

The Flinders Ranges are a beautiful national park that twin mountains and outback – looking otherworldly.

Adelaide: 3 days

around australia trip

From the southern end of the Flinders Ranges, it is about a fiv hour drive to Adelaide (and this is their local national park – told ya Australia was big!).

Adelaide, like Perth, seems to get a reputation for being ‘boring’ but it’s actually a bundle of joy.

The city is really gorgeous, with markets, museums, a great state library and there’s lots of nature around the city, including beaches and vineyards. Make sure you check out the Barossa Valley.

Backpack Oz in Adelaide has a great atmosphere with a bar and organized trips, and is set in a historic building. There isn’t free parking right by the hostel, but there are spots nearby – the hostel staff can advise you. Click here for rates and to book .

If you’re after a hotel, Pullman Adelaide is a good option with free parking. Click here for more information and to book .

Adelaide to Melbourne: 1 week

around australia trip

Between Adelaide to Melbourne, there are a few great attractions, both coastal and inland. Coolong National Park and Mount Gambier are great spots to visit with South Australia, and once you cross over the border, head north towards Gariwerd (The Grampians) National Park .

A couple of hours east from here is the historic city of Ballarat , with attractions geared around its gold-rush history.

From here, zig-zag back down to Warrnambool, where you can enjoy the gorgeous Great Ocean Road. Spend a few days here enjoying the beaches and attractions before completing your loop and reaching Melbourne city once again.

Tasmania: 3 weeks

around australia trip

But your trip doesn’t stop here!

From Melbourne, catch the Spirit of Tasmania over to Devonport .

From here, you can do a circuit of the island state, enjoying attractions like the Bay of Fires, Wineglass Bay, the Tasman Peninsula, the capital Hobart (which is worthy of a few days in itself) and the mighty Cradle Mountain . Make sure you check out the north coast and the beautiful town of Stanley as well.

Three weeks is a great time to see everything properly, although because Tasmania is small compared to the rest of Australia, you can do it in less.

You’ll be able to free camp most of the way around Tasmania, but in Hobart, I recommend staying at Montacute Bunkhouse. It’s a beautiful boutique hostel with lots of features to make a really pleasant night’s stay. Click here for rates and book today .

If you want a bit more space, Riverfront Motel and Villas makes you feel like you’re still in nature while being very close to Hobart city! Click here for rates and to reserve .

Then take the spirit back over to Melbourne and conclude your road trip around Australia!

End: Melbourne, VIC in SEPTEMBER OR OCTOBER

You’ve done it! You’ve circumnavigated Australia, seeing the very best of the country.

If you’re in the country on a year’s working holiday visa, you’ve arrived in Melbourne just as the summer kicks off and the city comes alive. You’ve even got time to do your regional work for another year down under!

Pin Me if You’re Happy!

Planning a road trip in Australia? This road trip Australia itinerary takes you to the best spots in every state. It is a 6 month Australia itinerary covering more or less the whole country. Check out the Australia highlights by visiting this post! #australia #roadtrip

13 thoughts on “ Road Trip in Australia: An Itinerary for the Whole Country! ”

' src=

Oh my goodness, this itinerary is AMAZING!!! What an adventure you would have had!! This is a total dream for my husband and I. I’ve stayed at the Urban Hostel in Melbourne, it’s a great little hostel. I wonder did you do much freedom camping? We dream of kitting out a van or minibus but we’ve heard it can be hard to find places to camp free. Will be bookmarking this itinerary to come back to if we’re lucky enough to get to do this trip someday!

' src=

I’m glad you enjoyed this Rhiannon! Are you based in Australia currently? It’s a cool spot isn’t it! Yes I did mainly free camping 🙂 Wikicamps has lots of options and I never had any issues – many of them are serviced by pubs or roadhouses so I just spent a little in the establishments. I have an article about free camping in Australia as well! I hope you get to do this trip, it’s not too expensive and it’s the adventure of a lifetime!!

' src=

Hi Claire! Going to Australia early in may to do my 3 months of work asap after arrival. Hopefully i will be ready to kick off my roadtrip somewhere in september starting in Southwestern Aus and travelling the country in a –> (N) <– looking route if you can understand what i mean. Doing this because a want the eastcoast summer and will probably stay there for a while. Im guessing this will take me approximately 7 moths to complete, I dont really have a timeline, but would like to get a full year on my second year visa to settle down and work etc.

What do you think about the route, does it make sense to you considering the weather and all or does it sound completely crazy?

Thank you for your inspo, noted many tips from you! 😉

I think it’s a great idea to do your farm work as soon as you get there. You should be able to find something in Southwestern, I’m not sure what the harvest seasons are like in Margaret River but I know it’s a popular spot for farm work.

In September I actually think I’d go the other way. It’ll be warming up by then down south, you’ll get over to the east coast around November and will still be there for summer (although you don’t really need to be there then above Brisbane, I’d say spring/ autumn are better weather, it is rainy season during the summer as well!), and then after summer you’ll get to enjoy the NT and the Kimberleys after the wet season (when waterfalls are at their best).

The other way would work too, but you’d need to rush the west coast/ Kimberleys/ NT to get it done before the wet season starts and they’re not places you want to rush, trust me!

But do whatever you think is best depending on your preferences 🙂 Let me know if you have any more questions and I’m glad the blog helped!

' src=

This looks like an awesome trip! I will probably fly to Australia at the end of august/ beginning of september. Not sure where I will be landing yet, keeping my options open for now. If I would want to start this roadtrip , where would you suggest me to start if i would want to start in september?

Your blog is very helpfull btw!

' src=

Hi Claire, We are a family of four (kids 3y and 5y) living in Rocky for one year. We are thinking of a roadtrip Rockhampton-Cairns-back to Townsville-Alice springs- Kings canyon- Aderlaide-Melbourne in 1,5-2 months. What do you think about that? We have a 2w car at the moment, would that be enough? Also thinking about getting a camper trailer for this roadtrip, or du you think it would be enough B&B, motels or hostel on the way to be ok? And we are thinking about doing it between May-August sometime. Or is it preferable a 4W car doing that roadtrip? We are just in the beginning of this plan, so I am happy with every advice you can give me. Regards Frida

Amazing! Your itinerary sounds good, although I’m guessing with kids you’ll want to add some time on so I’d definitely go towards 2 months in your case. As far as I know the only way you’d get from Townsville to Alice Springs on a 2WD track is via Tennant Creek, certainly doable but it will take a while. There is the Outback Way that stretches from Queensland all the way to Western Australia via the red centre but that’s 4WD only.

I love camping and would always recommend it, it does save a lot of money as well. If you’re happy to use tents they’re a great option without having to get a camper trailer! If not, you could probably just about get by without (staying at roadhouses and hostels in bigger places) but I wouldn’t want to say 100%.

May – August is a good time! It might be a bit cold in the south, so you might want to opt for some indoor accommodation then, but it’s still beautiful.

Let me know if you have any other questions!

' src=

Claire, I have been planing a solo Australian cross country driving trip from Sydney to Darwin. What have learned is that car rental in Australia is different then USA. My original plan was to land in Sydney, rent a suv and start driving but it doesn’t seems that easy due to your car rental laws.

That said would you be able to advise the best approach to achieve my goal.

Kind regards Tom K. [email protected]

So I’m actually British but spent a long time in Australia, I bought a car in Melbourne no problem and sold it again 8 months later. I did however rent a car in Australia and didn’t have any issues. What is the problem that you are finding with the car rental? Let me know and hopefully I can help!

' src=

Hi Claire, I am planning to do road trip with roughly the same itinerary, and I was wondering wether you think a 4*4 car is necessary or not ? And weather 4 or 5 months would be enough to do it? Thanks, Taís.

' src=

Myself, my partner and our 2 yr old son are planning to go from Melbourne to Broome via Perth along the West Coast. Then possibly up to Darwin and back down through Alice Springs to Melbourne. We are taking a caravan with us. Firstly, do you think it’s going to be too long and uncomfortable for a 2 old to cope with being on the road so long. And also is 2 months long enough for this trip?

' src=

This is a great itinerary! I’m looking to come to Aus and do a roadtrip of as much of the country as possible without rushing too much. I’ll be there late May-August. How much do you think is doable for 3 months? What would you cut out to squeeze this itinerary down?

Thank you!!

' src=

hi lovely! wow your trip looked incredible! what an experience. i have 2 months with hubby and 2 kids to do round trip… any tips? i am using some of your stop off as the base 😀

starting in canberra.. wondering if we should head clockwise or anticlockwise? will be starting in june next year (ideally). driving in a 4wd with pop top tent.

thank you any feedback would be amazing. i have no idea where to start..

love from an amateur

Comments are closed.

  • New Zealand
  • The Philippines
  • The Netherlands
  • United Kingdom
  • Inspiration
  • Overland Itineraries
  • Packing Lists
  • Travel Tips
  • Working Abroad
  • Accomodation Guides
  • Overland Travel
  • Preserving Cultures
  • Protecting Animals
  • Living Abroad

Ben & Michelle

Road Trip Around Australia | Getting Set Up

Posted on Published: October 14, 2020

  • So you’re planning a road trip around Australia?

We’ve been through that same exciting process of planning to travel Australia by road: but finding the answers to the many questions I had, proved time-consuming and a little bit frustrating. Though we searched high and low, the answers were all over the place.

So we decided that we wanted to help others; those that are as excited about travelling around Australia as we were, who have a seemingly insatiable desire to read everything they can about the topic, and who love planning everything that they possibly can before they go.

I mean, if you’re anything like me, then the planning, the anticipation, the lining-all-your-ducks-up, is almost as fun as the going.

But don’t get too bogged down in planning your road trip.

Sure, do it because it’s exciting and helps the time before the trip pass more quickly. But don’t wait until you have absolutely everything sorted out.

You can’t.

And that’s half the fun of a trip like this, the learning and experiencing and changing tack because you discovered something new.

So heads up, this is a loooong post…

around australia trip

So before you start reading, I just want to warn you that this is not a short post.

Coming in at over 16,000 words, this is the most comprehensive post I’ve ever written and it covers EVERYTHING I could think of that would be important for getting set up for a road trip around Australia.

I recommend that you use the table of contents below to guide you to the sections that are most important to you.

And bookmark this page so that you can refer back to it, or pin it on Pinterest.

1. The benefits of a road trip around Australia

2. the mistakes we made (that maybe you can avoid), 3. understanding the different types of vehicles, 4. how to rent a motorhome or caravan in australia, 5. how to buy a motorhome or caravan in australia, 6. how the camping works in australia, 7. how to set up your rig for self-sufficient camping, 8. being prepared for disaster, 9. how to keep in touch with friends and family when you’re on the road, 10. how to plan your route around australia, 11. how to pack for a road trip around australia, 12. how driving in australia is different to the rest of the world, 13. how much does it cost, 14. how to fund your road trip around australia, ready to make a road trip around australia a reality.

And at the end of the post, I’ve provided a planning checklist to help you gather together everything you’ve learnt and tick them all off the list as you go through them.

Since this post is so large and comprehensive I have to warn you that it is not for everybody!

DO read this post if you:

  • Want to drive around Australia and will camp each night.   That may be camping in a motorhome, caravan, campervan or tent and it could be in a caravan park, national park or a free camp.
  • Are coming from outside Australia.  International travellers, I answer all your questions in here too.  With that in mind, there may be a few times where Aussies reading this article will think, ‘well duh, of course you can drink the tap water’ but that’s not obvious for someone from another country. (Whether it tastes any good is another story.)
  • Are going for 2 weeks, 12 months or heading off full-time.

DON’T read this post if:

  • You’re after a travel guide of all the things you must see while you’re in Australia .  There is soooo much to see and it all depends on whether you’re a city person or a bush person, whether you’re into museums or waterfalls, and it certainly will depend on your budget. There is so much information to be found on the internet of all the places you can visit, so I’m not covering that here.
  • You are already travelling around Australia.  There’s nothing new or ground-breaking in here. There’s nothing you wouldn’t have already experienced yourself, whether by trial or error.

This post is full of the basic information that you just don’t know when you’re either from another country, or haven’t camped in Australia. And if you’re on the road already, that’s not you.

Let’s get stuck in!

Please note: some links in this post are affiliate links which means that if you decide to purchase I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please see our affiliate disclosure for more information.

The very fact that you’re reading this post tells me that you don’t need to be convinced that taking an extended road trip around Australia is a great idea.

You already know why you want to do this. You may want to spend more time with your family, or see more of Australia, or just not work for a while!

But here are some other benefits that you may not have thought of.

Problem solving skills

When you’re on the road and something goes wrong, you don’t always have the luxury of being able to call someone up to deal with it for you. You have to deal with it, you have to get your thinking cap on and problem solve. You have to reach out to people to ask for help. You have to research a topic you know nothing about to see if you can figure out what’s wrong. You have to try and fix it, and either be pleasantly surprised that you got it right, or learn one way NOT to do it.

And it’s not just you that benefits from this, your kids do to.

Have you ever had the time to teach them to fish, or to light a fire, or to dig a hole to go poop? In our increasingly fast paced and electronic world, they often aren’t given the time or opportunity to learn tactile skills. When you’re camping they can take the time to learn how to light a fire, and practice dozens of times until they’re confident.

All of you will learn great problem solving skills.

A new appreciation for nature

How many sunsets have you missed simply because you were inside and didn’t realise the sun was setting until it was time to turn on the lights? Or you couldn’t see it anyway because you’re surrounded by lots of buildings.

We may be a bit cuckoo, but we got so much enjoyment out of simple encounters with the local wildlife.

It was delightful to make friends with a magpie and feed her scraps of meat, and be totally entertained by her as she frolicked around our campsite.

And we felt special with each night that one frog would come and sit on our outdoor table and greet us (okay, frighten us me) as we headed to the toilet in the middle of the night.

I had never thought about ‘compromise’ as being something that was important for the attainment of my goals. But being on this road trip has certainly taught me that.

Doing this road trip has been a dream of mine for many years. But I thought that I only wanted to do it if I could be in a nice motorhome, with an onboard bathroom, and nice decor and a great solar set-up. And I wanted to do it without having to work or worry about money.

And so if felt unattainable.

But when we decided we’re going to do this trip anyway, there was certainly a lot of compromising that needed to be done.

A camper trailer instead of a motorhome, no onboard bathroom but staying at caravan parks and using their bathrooms, definitely no nice decor and an okay solar set-up.

While there was compromise, it certainly felt nice to not be compromising on our dream. For once.

Yes, a lot of people talk about the benefit of time when you’re on a road trip. Not only time with your loved ones and time to relax. But time to pursue the things that are important to you. Time to read. Time to create.

Time to discover what’s really important to you.

When we started on this road trip, we thought that it might be something we’d like to do for the foreseeable future, but we weren’t sure.

So we said that we’d try it for a year and then reassess.

We also gave ourselves the ‘out’, that if either of us didn’t like it, we could stop whenever we wanted. No harm no foul.

Well…

As it turns out, we LOVE this life, so a few things have needed to change in the way that we’re set up.

Picking the right camper for us

I think it’s pretty common, no one’s first purchase of a home-on-wheels is the ‘right’ one. It’s not until you’ve travelled in it, realised what type of travelling you like to do, the comforts that you don’t want to give up, and those features that you just don’t care about.

You have to take it around with you for hundreds of kilometres, set it up, pack it down, be stuck in it in the rain, sleep in it in the heat, cook in it, eat in it and clean it. Then maybe, you’ll have an idea if it’s the right type of vehicle for you.

For us, we got it quite wrong.

The camper trailer was great for a first-go because it was cheap and light, and it certainly was everything we needed for our first four months.

But now that we want to be on the road for at least a couple of years we’ve realised a few home truths about ourselves. We will happily get a caravan and sacrifice those hard-to-get-to places in order to have some more comfort, an easier time setting up and packing down… and a toilet.

Funding our trip

We have loved our trip so much that it’s made us want to live this life for the foreseeable future.

Six months, well, it was actually more like almost 5 months, just isn’t enough time for us to see this country. We don’t want to just drive through all these wonderful locations, we want to set up camp and stay for a couple of days, if not weeks. We want to live on the road.  

So we have to figure out how we’re going to make money. I’ve got a whole section below on ‘ funding your trip ’, but in hindsight, it would have been better if we’d had that sorted before we left.

We’ll start off with a bang and get straight into talking about vehicles. This will be your largest one-off expense and determines so much about your trip.

We’ll have a look at the different types of vehicles commonly available here in Australia and the pros and cons of each.

Just a note for my North American readers, you’ll find that large rigs are pretty rare here. You’ll be hard pushed to find an RV or travel trailer over 30ft and fifth wheels are pretty rare, but becoming more popular.

The list below is in order of the most popular, widely available and most seen options, to the least seen options. (Based on our own travels around half of Australia. The point is, caravans are everywhere, Class A RVs and fifth wheels are not.)

Australia is definitely a caravanning nation (that’s a travel trailer to my North American friends). There are thousands of these traversing the country at any one time.

The pop top is also very popular. The little effort required to pop up the roof when setting up camp means that the overall caravan weight is reduced as well as reducing the wind-resistance/drag of the caravan. Which equals cheaper fuel bills.

around australia trip

We’ve done lots of research on caravans to help you decide which is best for you:

around australia trip

Motorhome / Class C

You’ll find lots of these mid-size motorhomes around Australia. They’re a popular choice for renting because they’re large enough to be comfortable, but small enough to be not too stressful to drive.

Check out my favourite motorhome here .

Camper van / Class B

These are great little units; small, compact and having everything you need for a road trip. (Except a toilet, and that’s a deal breaker for me.)

While many are built on a van chassis like the Toyota Hiace, I would also include in this category, the mini-vans or people-movers like the Toyota Tarago or Honda Odyssey.

You’ll see lots of these around Australia, the rented ones painted bright, and somewhat gaudy colours, so you won’t miss them

around australia trip

If you like the idea of a campervan but would only be interested if they have a bathroom onboard, this post on small campervans is for you. I’ve only included  camper vans that have a toilet and shower.

around australia trip

Pop-up trailer

These seem to be great for families.

With beds at each end, a small kitchen, a seating area and some built-in storage the pop-up trailer is a good compromise between quick set-up and light weight.

There isn’t too much set-up (well, not as much as a tent anyway) but they’re not as heavy as a caravan.

Pop up trailer extended up, ready for camping.

Camper Trailer

Camper trailers are very popular in Australia. They are light weight, manoeuvrable and stand up well to the rigours of harsh Australian roads and 4WD tracks.

They come in either soft or hard floor. The soft-floor are cheaper and allow you to have a large tent space (like ours) which is great for families who need the space for all the beds.

The hard-floors are quick to put up and bring the tent area off the ground but it does mean that the inside the tent space is limited.

around australia trip

There are lots of camper trailer manufacturers here in Australia, we’ve compiled a big list below, as well as the pros and cons of our own camper trailer.

around australia trip

Tent / Roof top tent

The roof top tent is a design that will not limit where you can go.

Quick and easy to set-up, your bed is off the ground (and away from any wild animals), yet it packs up into a compact unit that sits permanently on the roof of your car.

This is a great option for serious 4WD enthusiasts, not needing to worry about towing anything and not adding too much height to their vehicle. It’s perfect for the person that wants to be outside all the time (except when they’re sleeping), because that’s where you’ll be.

The Right Set Up for your Road Trip Around Australia - Which would suit you and your travel style best? A caravan, campervan, motorhome, rooftop tent or... should you just stay in hotels?

Bus / Class A

I do look on these a bit jealously sometimes.

With all that space, and huge windows, it’s as close to an actual home on wheels as you can get, I think.

But the idea of having to drive one of these things make me shudder, and then having to park it!

That’s why the bigger the bus, the more likely it is to have a car being towed behind.

around australia trip

Fifth Wheel

There are not as many fifth wheels in Australia as there are caravans, but they are around.

While they are large in both length and height, they do look like they could have every mod-con (so you can get your laundry done without having to find a laundromat) you could want.

There are a couple of manufacturers in Australia but not heaps.

I can’t wait till they take off here in Australia and New Zealand and the prices start to come down (I might just be dreaming about that) because I would love one of these.

around australia trip

Love the idea of a fifth wheel, but not enthusiastic about their massive size? These are all the fifth wheels we’ve found in Australia that are small (less than 25ft).

around australia trip

To Rent or Buy?

You’ve got two options for a vehicle to road trip around Australia, you can rent one, or buy one. There are two main factors which will determine the option that will suit you best.

  • How long are you coming for? If it’s only a couple of weeks, then it certainly doesn’t make sense to go through all the hassle of buying a vehicle. If you’re planning on staying for a couple of months? Well then it starts to make more sense financially, if you buy a vehicle.
  • The other factor to consider is whether or not you’re planning to go off-road. If it’s a 4WD drive adventure that you want, purchasing your own vehicle may be best option.

Some of the best views and campsites can be found down the dusty dirt roads, if you’re looking to escape the crowds and explore the raw (and often harsh) Aussie outback, then you may want to leave the sealed roads.

Having said that… you can travel all the way around Australia without leaving the seal. Just keep this in mind when you’re deciding whether you’re going to rent or buy.

If your Australian road trip is a couple of months or less, and you want a campervan or motorhome, then renting a vehicle will probably be your best option.

Just a couple of things to note:

Insurance – particularly for off-road

If you’re going to go off the sealed highway (at all!) then make sure you get the right vehicle and insurance package to go with it. It will cost you more, but if anything happens while you’re on the unsealed road you could be up for a hefty insurance excess … and that’s if you’re lucky enough to still be covered.

One-way rentals

You would need to fly into a main city and pick up your vehicle there. Main cities include: Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide, Cairns or Darwin. But if you’re planning on doing a one-way rental, for example flying in to Perth, driving a rental vehicle across to Sydney and leaving it there, make sure to check out the costs. One-way rentals can be very expensive here in Australia.

Renting a caravan

There are places where you can rent a caravan, but then you’ll need to hire a tow vehicle as well. While it can be done, they are not as popular as campervan and motorhome rentals, and you will likely have to do a lot more searching for this. Campervan and motorhome rentals are everywhere, you can easily pick up your rental at the airport making it super easy and convenient.

Guaranteed Buy Back

There are some campervan hire companies that will sell you an ex-rental campervan and give you a guarantee to buy the vehicle back from you at an agreed price. They’ll buy it back at approx. 30-50% of the original purchase priced, based on when you bring it back (it needs to be within 12 months). You just have to have it regularly serviced.

This option looks like it’s set up to appeal to the young backpacking crowd, as I’ve only seen older vehicles in this category which are on the lower end of the price scale, but there’s no reason why it should be limited to the young. ☺

around australia trip

If you’re going to be in Australia for more than a couple of months, then this option probably makes the most sense for you.

Dealership or Private Sale

In Australia, there are two main ways you can purchase a vehicle, caravan, campervan. By buying from a dealership, or from a private party.

When you buy from a dealership it’s less hassle than buying privately. A dealership:

  • Will have inspected the vehicle and made repairs if necessary
  • Gives you more legal protection because they can only operate within strict laws
  • Will handle all the paperwork such as transfer of ownership
  • Must provide a history check of the vehicle
  • Can offer extras such as warranties and road side assistance

I suppose the biggest turn-off about dealerships for most people, is that you’re dealing with professional sales people. While I don’t want to tar all used-car sales people with the same brush, many of us have had experience with that one salesperson that made us feel uncomfortable, or duped. Obviously, they’re not all like that and there are things you can do to protect yourself, such as getting a pre-purchase inspection.

Generally, the biggest benefit to buying private, rather than from a dealer, is that the seller may have more room to negotiate on their price. That can mean a saving of thousands of dollars, but offers less security for the buyer.

Petrol or Diesel

Having only ever bought regular 2WD cars before, I have never considered whether or not I should buy a petrol or diesel vehicle, they’ve always just been petrol. But once you start looking at 4WD vehicles, there are many that are diesel.

You can get both fuel types, pretty much everywhere around Australia.

Personally, I’ve found that in more metropolitan areas there are fewer diesel bowsers at the gas station. If there are 10 bowsers, then maybe 2 of them will be diesel. (But then, there are less diesel vehicles in metro areas too.)

The more rural you go, the more often diesel is found. I’ve read that in some of the really remote places, you can only buy diesel, and if you happen to get stranded with no fue, a passing motorist, local road workers or nearby farmhouse, is more likely to have diesel than petrol.

I like having diesel because I feel it’s safer to transport, and we have two 20L jerry cans which we carry with us.

Research before you get here

Once you’re figured out which city you’ll be starting from, start looking for the vehicle that you would like to buy, and follow the marketplaces websites.

These are the websites that I recommend keeping an eye on.

The reason why I recommend this, is that it gives you an idea of what types of vehicles are available, the prices, and which types of vehicles sell faster than others. This can help you to get an idea of prices, the condition you can expect a car to be in (at a particular price range) and the availability of different types of vehicles.

Gumtree.com.au – for cars, caravans and motorhomes. Gumtree is probably the equivalent of eBay or Craigslist and both dealers and private sellers advertise on here.

CarSales.com.au – for cars

CaravanCampingSales.com.au – for caravans, camper trailers, motorhomes etc

Just a note – I know that for Gumtree, I wasn’t able to contact any of the sellers (their contact details were hidden from me) because I was in New Zealand at the time that I was doing all the research. When we got to Australia, Gumtree still thought I was in New Zealand and still wouldn’t allow me to see the sellers contact details. A quick phone call to their Helpdesk confirmed that I was now in Australia and they were able to clear my account.

Checks that need to be done prior to purchase:

Rta checks for ownership – by different states.

If you’re doing a private purchase, then you must do a check of who is the legal owner and if there is any finance on the car. This is easily done online at: https://checkrego.com.au/

Pre-Purchase Inspection

Regardless of whether you’re buying from a dealership or a private party, I would still recommend getting a pre-purchase inspection of the vehicle. If you’re confident to do that yourself, that’s cool, but if you’re as clueless as me about all things mechanical, you’ll need to book a pre-purchase inspection with a local mechanic or an organisation like the NRMA.

We chose NRMA , which is a nationwide organisation that does insurance and road-side assistance.

We ordered two pre-purchase inspections through them and found them to be great. It seems that they have inspectors out on the road all the time so once you book they’ve got a team of people they could assign the job to.

For us in Sydney, this meant that we were able to ring up for the inspection and have it conducted within 24 hours. They provide you with quite a comprehensive report (emailed to you) and give you a fairly good idea of what you’re getting yourself into.

We’re so glad we did this.

The first car we had inspected was, in our inexperienced opinion, okay. It was a good price and there didn’t seem to be anything wrong with it. The pre-purchase inspection showed that there were a number of items that would need some serious work in the near future.

The second vehicle we had inspected actually gave a glowing report and we’ve been really happy with our purchase.

The pre-purchase inspections, while not fool-proof, give a bit of peace of mind for those of us mechanically challenged.

Checklists for inspecting a second-hand caravan / camper trailer etc

I’d like to say that I have a comprehensive checklist for anyone purchasing a second-hand caravan or camper trailer. But I don’t, which is pretty much how we ended up with the camper trailer that didn’t have half the features that were listed on it’s ad. But it was road-worthy and safe, thank goodness.

Here are some checklists that will help you on your initial inspection.

Camper Trailer Checklist

CamperTrailerAustralia.com.au – Buying a Used Camper Trailer

AussieLeisureLoans.com.au – Checklist for Buying a Camper Trailer

Caravan Checklist

CaravanBuyersGuide.com.au

Big4.com.au – Important Tips for Purchasing a Used Caravan

Outdoria.com.au – Ultimate Guide to Buying a Used Caravan Online

Campervan Checklist

Camplify.com.au – Ultimate Guide to Buying a Used Campervan

RollingSolo.com.au – Killer Checklist for Buying a Motorhome or Caravan

Motorhome Checklist

Buying a second hand motorhome becomes a little bit trickier if you’re planning on buying privately. When buying privately, you have no recourse should you find issues with the motorhome. From my research, it seems that the sensible option for buying a motorhome is to buy one from a dealer. Unless you’re able to do the inspections yourself, of course.

There are companies that will do an inspection for you, however there are not as many as there are vehicle inspectors, which makes sense.

Ownership Costs

Of course, there is always costs associated with owning a vehicle. For any international visitors, here’s what you’ll need to consider for Australia.

Car registration

Vehicle registration is different in each of the eight states of Australia. But here’s the general information:

  • Registration lasts for a year
  • You may need to have your vehicle inspected (at a registered inspection centre, such as a mechanic) for road-worthiness
  • If the registration runs out while you’re on your trip, you may need to return to the state that the vehicle is registered in, to re-register.
  • You are required to purchase Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance when you register your vehicle.

The rules and costs are different for each state, so if you already know where you’re going to buy your vehicle here are the links to each states vehicle registration information:

Australia is not like the USA where you need massive insurance in order to just walk down the street, but you will want to have vehicle insurance.

In Australia we have Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance which is paid when your vehicle is registered (you can’t register without it). CTP is not comprehensive insurance, it only provides the driver cover for any legal liability for injury or death as a result of an accident for which the insured is responsible.

You can easily purchase comprehensive insurance online. When we bought our car, I organized our insurance over the internet (on my phone) while Ben went through the sale process with the seller. By the time we drove off, we were fully covered.

Roadside Assistance

This isn’t a pre-requisite of owning a vehicle, but it’s a very, very high on the list of ‘should haves’.

Unless you’re a mechanic yourself, travelling with all your tools… and spare parts, then you should have road side assistance. ESPECIALLY if you’re travelling to remote areas. You’ve got to remember that in some parts of Australia it could be 300kms to the nearest town, and by town I mean a pub, general store and a gas station. Getting a tow truck could cost you thousands and if your vehicle is broken down, you’ve got no way to tow your home. It gets very complicated, very quickly. Just get roadside assistance, okay?

Options include:

The various RAC is each state:

Once you’ve got your vehicle sorted, you’ll be looking for somewhere to park each night…

I want to talk about camping in Australia, because the type of camping you want to do will help determine the type of set-up you need and any of the accessories you’ll likely want.

Caravan Parks

Caravan parks can be found all over Australia. In every city and town and sometimes even in the very smallest of towns that, if you blink, you’ll miss it.

All caravan parks will have the following facilities:

  • Powered sites – where you can plug into 240V power and water, and drain your grey water.
  • A facilities block – with toilets, showers & laundry room
  • A kitchen – with basic cooking (sink, stove, fridge, bench space) but many have extra things such as toaster, oven, blender, pots and pans, crockery and cutlery.
  • Dumping – so you can empty your toilet cassette or black tank.

Caravan parks can vary widely, from a basic campsite with not much appeal (or grass), to resort-like complexes with multiple pools, children’s play areas, cafes, games rooms and mini-golf.

Private Camping Sites

With the popularity of WikiCamps (an app that lists all the campsites around Australia – see section ‘How to find campsites’ below) it’s been much easier for people to set up campsites on their private property. Since campers will use the app to find their next campsite, the private campsite owners don’t need to spend a fortune on traditional advertising. They just list their campsite on WikiCamps and that’s it.

This could include farms, lifestyle blocks, the local pub with a big garden out the back or some other business with space out the back.

Since this is not regulated, you will get a huge range of options. It may just be grassy spot down by the river with no facilities, or a powered site with water and access to a bathroom block.

Prices are also variable, it can be quite pricey if you’re in a popular tourist area, or it may be ‘free’ but with the expectation that you will buy a drink and/or a meal in the pub.

National Parks

There are National Parks all over Australia and they provide some of the best outdoor experiences. Each of the National Parks is managed by the state government, so they’re all different.

You will find that there is a huge array of camping options, from free camping with no facilities, to fully managed campsites with power, water, dump points and a kitchen.

Some of the National Parks require that you pay a fee to enter the park, and then you pay camping fees on top of that. But they’re all different, so search the website of the National Park for each state. These links should get you started:

Free or Low-Cost Camps

First lesson… you will not find free camps in very touristy areas.

For example, if you’re travelling anywhere along the east coast, don’t expect to find any free camps on the beach. For free camps, you will need to head inland and further away from the main touristy areas and then you’ll find HEAPS of free or low cost camping options.

The one caveat I have to not being able to find free camping along the east coast, is rest stops. There are quite a lot of roadside rest stops where you’re able to stop for the night. But they’re not exactly in scenic areas, can be noisy since they’re right beside the highway and may or may not have facilities. Most will have at least a long drop toilet, but that’s about it.

Oh, and don’t park in designated truck parking areas, these are rest areas for truck drivers only.

More info on free camping in Australia:

around australia trip

How to find campsites

Here are the two most common ways to find campsites in Australia:

This app is a crowd-sourced database of all the campground and caravan parks across Australia. It shows the details of the campsite, the facilities available, the cost, as well as other information such as whether they allow dogs, local sites to see and the proximity to other amenities. The value of the app lies in the comments, ratings, photos and updated costs of fellow campers.

The app also shows places of interest, dump points, day use areas and even has a map feature to direct you straight to the campsite.

At just $7.99 it is worth every single cent.

Camps Australia

This is a physical book – now I haven’t used this myself, but people that I’ve talked to have been pretty happy with this book. They also have an app which is still only $9.99. I think that the main difference with the Camps Australia list of campsites, is that they’re all verified sites.

Okay, so now that you know the different types of camping that you can do in Australia, hopefully you’ve got an idea of the type that you and your companions will want to do.

If you’re going to be staying in caravan parks for the duration of your trip, then you will be fine with a more basic set-up; you can use the caravan parks’ toilet, shower, kitchen and laundry. You can charge up your electronic devices each night using the supplied power, you can get fresh drinking water and dump your toilet (if you have one).

But if you’re planning to do free or low-cost camping then you’ll need to be self-sufficient . And that means having access to the following things:

  • Water supply
  • Grey water disposal

When you’re free camping you probably won’t have access to drinking water, so you need to take enough for you and your travelling companions, for the number of days you plan to stay.

Your caravan/motorhome/campervan is likely to have a water tank already, but consider how big the tank is, and all the things you’ll be using that water for such as: drinking, cooking, washing (dishes and people) and the toilet.

In order to extend your stay you’ll need to think about ways to conserve water, carry more water or have a way of re-filling your water. This may include things such as:

  • Taking navy showers, or no showers, especially if there is a river or lake where everyone can go for a swim. (No soaps in the waterways though!)
  • Taking extra water such as a tank in the tow vehicle, water jerry cans, water bladder or even just extra plastic bottles of drinking water.
  • It may be that you’re able to fill your water containers (e.g. jerry cans) when you’re out and about sightseeing and use these to fill up the tank in the caravan.

You’ve got to remember that in some areas of Australia (i.e. the whole middle of Australia) water is scarce and you need to be mindful of where you’re going and if there’ll be water.

It’s no problem in built up areas, but you’ll need to think about this fact when travelling in remote areas.

When we first set out on our road trip around Australia, I had thought that an on-board toilet wasn’t such a high priority. I figured that if we’re free camping with no toilet facilities, then I’d just go in the bush. But not all free camps are out in the bush. Some are beside the highway, or in an open field, or jam-packed with other free campers.

This is where it really comes in handy to have your own toilet on-board.

There are a couple of different types of toilet, that I think it would be handy to know about.

Cassette Toilet

around australia trip

This is the most common caravan/motorhome toilet that you will find in Australia. It’s not too dissimilar to a regular toilet, you open the flap at the bottom of the bowl, you do your business and when you flush it empties into a small holding tank/cassette, and then you close the flap.

Emptying the cassette involves taking the cassette out (usually accessed from outside the caravan or motorhome) and dumping it into a dump station or in a toilet.

around australia trip

Holding Tank Toilet

These are the most commonly found toilets in large RVs in North America; where the toilet empties in a holding tank (black tank) and can be pumped out at a designated dumping point. These are not hugely popular in Australia, they are around, but cassette toilets are well and truly the most popular.

Portable/Chemical Toilet

around australia trip

The porta potty or chemical toilet is a self-contained unit you can use anywhere. It works on the same principle as the cassette toilet above, but the porta potty comes in two parts with the holding tank or cassette part right under the toilet seat part. You can easily separate the bottom half of the toilet from the top half so that you can dispose of the contents.

The porta potty can be easily moved around (just pick it up, it’s not attached to anything and doesn’t have any hoses etc) which makes it a great emergency loo.

Store it anywhere on your rig and just bring it out when it’s needed.

around australia trip

In less populated areas of Australia, it’s acceptable to go to the toilet out in nature. However, there is a bit of etiquette involved in this.

Here’s some basic tips for going bush toilet in Australia:

  • Be discreet. No one wants to see you flashing your bits around and definitely no one needs to see you defecating.
  • Number two’s require you to dig a hole. Don’t just break ground , but dig a decent depth hole that isn’t just going to have the dirt blown away.
  • Toilet paper – now this is really important. We have a little bit of an ongoing problem with toilet paper being disposed of incorrectly and creating a despicable scene at some of our most beautiful spots. DO NOT leave your toilet paper behind. Don’t bury it, because it will get dug up by some curious critter. You have two options:
  • either put a match to your toilet paper and burn it (although not in the middle of a dry field or during a fire ban!) OR
  • just put it in the rubbish. Take a little rubbish bag with you and put your loo paper straight in there after use. It’s so easy to do, yet some people seem to think they’re exempt from this problem and refuse to dispose of their toilet paper properly. Once you see toilet paper strewn around, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about, and you’ll be as annoyed (and flabbergasted) by it as I am.

Central to your power solution is your batteries. You’ll use them to keep power hungry things going, like:

  • Electronic devices such as laptop, phone, camera equipment
  • Microwave, coffee maker, TV

But you’ll need to keep the batteries topped up, and you do this by recharging them by either:

  • Charging from the car alternator when driving
  • Solar panels
  • Battery charger when connected to mains power or a generator

around australia trip

If you’re renting a motorhome or campervan, then this is most likely to be set up already. But if not, here are the BASICS of what you’ll need.

1. Battery – Deep-Cycle Battery

around australia trip

First question I get is: can you use the battery that’s already in your car – the one that’s used to start the car – to power everything?

No – you need another battery that is a deep-cycle battery. You may hear this referred to as an auxiliary, secondary, or a dual battery system. This is the battery that will be used to power the fridge, lights, devices etc.

A deep-cycle battery is a lead-acid battery designed to be regularly deeply discharged using most of its capacity. In contrast, starter batteries (e.g. most automotive batteries) are designed to deliver short, high-current bursts for cranking the engine, thus frequently discharging only a small part of their capacity.  Thank you Wikipedia.

There are different types of deep-cycle batteries, the most commonly used types in Australia are the Lead Acid Battery and the AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) battery.

 Lithium batteries are becoming more and more popular as they are more efficient, lighter (in weight) and last a lot longer.  They are also much more expensive, you can read more about them in  this article.

The deep-cycle battery can be fitted under the bonnet of some cars (if they have a space already available) or they can be fitted into the cargo area of your car or in the camper trailer/caravan. It will depend on the type of battery you have and the space available.

What do the different sizes mean?

The battery size is determined by the Amp Hours (Ah) of the battery. If the battery is 100Ah, this means that you have 100 Amp Hours of power available (theoretically).

If you have power consumption of 10 amps per hour (for example, you’ve got a fridge that uses 5 amps of power per hour, lights that use 2 amps per hour and other devices that are using 3 amps per hour) then that means the battery will last for 10 hours before it is completely flat.

Unfortunately it doesn’t quite work like that, AGM batteries should only be discharged about 60-80% before you need to recharge them again. But the Amp Hours is a good way of defining the size of a battery.

Now let’s talk about how a battery is recharged.

2. Recharging by Driving

Your deep-cycle battery can be charged by being hooked up to the start battery in your car, which is charged up by the alternator when you’re driving.

he Basics of Battery Power for Camping - one way of recharging your deep-cycle batte

If you’ve heard of things like a DC-DC charger or VSR (Voltage Sensitive Relay) these are pieces of equipment that go between your car’s start battery and the deep-cycle battery, this is to make sure that the battery is charged enough, but not too much and to make sure that the start battery never gets drained.

3. Recharging with Solar Panels

If you want to recharge your batteries using solar panels you will need to have a solar controller or regulator between the solar panels and the battery. The solar controller ensures that the battery does not get overcharged.

he Basics of Battery Power for Camping - solar panels are one way of recharging your

The size of the solar panels you need, will depend on how much power your devices consume. A set-up with a large fridge, multiple lights and devices will need more solar panels than a smaller set-up. I’ve found a very informative article on Hema Maps on the  The Basic Guide to Camping with Solar Power .

4. Recharging with a Battery Charger

attery Power for Camping - when you're at a spot that has mains po

When you have access to mains power, you can also recharge your AGM battery with an AC battery charger . You just plug the charger into the power point and connect it up to the battery.

Battery chargers come in different amp sizes, the larger the amps the quicker the battery will charge. For example, a 10A battery charger will take about 12 hours to recharge a 120Ah battery. Whereas a 20A battery charger will take 5 hours.

Or from a generator – If you have a generator, you can use the AC outlet to plug in the battery charger, and use it just like it were mains power.

5. Powering your 12v devices

Anything that uses 12v can be plugged straight into the battery . This includes things like your portable fridge or lights. You need adaptors or a battery box that are connected to the battery so that you can plug the cigarette lighter plug into the battery.

6. Using 240v devices – you need an inverter

There are other electronic equipment that doesn’t use 12v power, things like laptops, microwaves and toasters. They have the normal plug that you use in your house and run on 240v AC power.

In order to power these devices, you will need an inverter that will convert the 12v DC power of the battery, to 240v AC power for your devices.

he Basics of Battery Power for Camping - you can use your deep-cycle battery to powe

The size of the inverter you buy, will depend on the power consumption of the devices you’re running (i.e. the watts). For example, charging a laptop uses less power than running a microwave, so you will need a bigger inverter if you’re planning to take a microwave with you.

Air Conditioners

Here’s a question that we’ve pondered ourselves as we’ve sweated away in hot and sticky Darwin, or fried in the dry, but 40°C heat of Dubbo: can we run an air-conditioning unit while we’re free-camping?

From batteries? NO

From a generator? Maybe. I’ve heard plenty of people are able to run their air-con from generators, you just have to make sure you get a generator that is rated high enough to power your air-con.

These should be part of every travellers set-up, as important as your batteries, or your hat, or your phone, but so many people forget these.

First Aid kit

Make sure you have a suitable first aid kit and check that everything is within date (i.e. not expired) and that you know how to use everything in there.

Have you all taken a first aid course? Don’t forget, when you’re out in the middle of nowhere (i.e. much of Australia) then you must all look after each other, and that includes having a well-stocked first aid kit and the knowledge to use it.

Search more first aid kits here.

around australia trip

Personal Locator Beacon / Satellite phone

around australia trip

Consider taking a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) with you.

Having this device with you can mean the difference between life and death, particularly in remote areas. PLBs are designed to be used on land, and are designed to stay with individuals rather than vehicles. You should make sure that you get one that has GPS as this means it will be much quicker for emergency services to find you. See the Australian Maritime Safety Authority website for more details.

Another option would be to either buy or hire a satellite phone.

While not as cheap as a cell phone, they do mean that you can make calls even when you’re out of cell phone coverage.

And there are satellite messenger devices like the SpotX , where you can send text messages via satellite.

Search more PLB / Satellite phones here

Fire Extinguishers

This one is a no-brainer really. Make sure you have a fire extinguisher in your vehicle and in your caravan/camper trailer.

Search more fire extinguishers here

Emergency Contact List

This is a simple, free and easy to do thing that will save you mountains of stress should you have an emergency situation.

A piece of paper that is easily locatable to you and those travelling with you, that has all the important contact phone numbers and details.

Things like:

  • Everyone’s mobile number – because you may not have memorised their numbers since they’re all in your mobile phone anyway
  • Phone numbers of close relatives – like parents and siblings
  • Your doctors name and number
  • Your medicare numbers
  • Your car insurance phone number and policy number
  • Health insurance numbers

It’s simple stuff, but when it’s an emergency and your phone happens to be flat, you’ll be super glad to have all this info handy.

I’ve got a free emergency contact form template over here if you would like.

There are a couple of large mobile phone providers in Australia like Telstra, Optus, Vodafone, Virgin as well as many smaller companies.

Without a doubt, the company with the best coverage around Australia is Telstra. They have the largest infrastructure network and therefore the largest coverage of Australia.

Update: I’ve been reading reports of Optus setting up cell towers in some remote towns so it will be worthwhile keeping an eye on them too.

Telstra Coverage Map

around australia trip

Vodafone Coverage Map

around australia trip

Telstra seem to have a bit of a reputation for not-that-great customer service, but that hasn’t been our experience at all. Yes, you’re going to get put through to a call centre in India, but each time they’ve been knowledgeable and able to help out with our situation.

Also, Telstra is certainly not the cheapest, but with the coverage they have (in both cell service and customer service) they really are the best choice.

If you live in Australia already, then you’ve likely got your phone sorted out already.

If you’re travelling to Australia from somewhere else, then you will probably want a prepaid service. The costs for prepaid phone are not too bad… it’s data that’s the big cost.

Ahh, the bane and blessing of every travellers existence!

Getting internet in Australia isn’t too hard, especially if you don’t need lots of gigs and you’re not in a remote area. But if you need/want heavier internet usage, things get a little bit trickier, and a lot more expensive.

Here’s how you’re going to get internet in Australia:

Free Wi-Fi can be found in all the regular places: shopping malls, airports, MacDonalds, hotels and libraries. Most often this will be capped, so of course this is only good for checking email, social media and browsing.

Hot Spot from your phone or mobile modem

This is a popular, and easy solution. If you’re with Telstra you’ll be able to get internet most of the time. For those on pre-paid it may be your only option.

If you’re not on unlimited data, then please take note, you must change your internet habits!

We found that on the road we had to be a lot more conscientious of our internet usage. You can’t watch whatever you like, whenever you like. You’ve got to stop going down the rabbit hole of endless Facebook or Youtube videos and make the most of free wi-fi when you get it, buy cheap DVDs from the second-hand shop, or read a book. Seriously, you have to get off your laptop / devices for this trip. I think you’ll find that it’s not hard though, there’s so much to see you’ll be glad to see how much you don’t need the internet.

around australia trip

TV in Australia

I think people who watch TV while their on their road trip around Australia cop a bit of flak for doing so.

I used to be one of those people that gave them flak. :-/

But now that we’re on the road ourselves, I totally understand peoples desire to watch some TV.

After a day of adventuring and exploring, it’s really nice to be able to relax in the evening, catch up with the news, watch your favourite TV shows and maybe even a movie.

We do exactly the same thing, but we don’t have TV, we use our laptops and internet.

Since TV isn’t my thing, I’m going to refer you to Free Range Camping who know more about it than me.  See their article all about getting a satellite TV kit here .

So you’ve arrived in Australia, you’ve got your home on wheels, you’ve packed in your clothes and bedding, you’ve stocked up the cupboards and fridge and you’re ready to hit the road!

But which way do you go?

Well, that will depend on a few factors; where you’re flying in and out of, the time of year that you’re visiting, how long you’ve got and your bucket list of must-see places. But the main factor that you’ll want to keep in mind is the weather.

Because Australia is so large, it has a wide variety of landscapes… and weather. In the north you have tropical rainforests, in the south and east you have mountain ranges and the centre is one huge dry desert.

So you’ll want to consider the timing of your visit to some of these areas.

The north of Australia is semi-tropical, making it very hot and humid in the summer (Dec-Feb) and subject to monsoonal type rains and tropical cyclones. The rainy season runs from approximately November to April and can severely hamper travel in the region. Some roads become impassable, being either washed away or totally underwater.

The vast expanse that is the middle of Australia is desert or semi-arid. In the summer, temperatures can be in the high 30’s to 40°C (104°F) during the day.

The winter months are a popular time to travel to the centre of Australia because the day time temperatures are comfortably warm, but you do need to be aware that at night the temperature plummets and you’ll want to have warm clothing and bedding.

A more temperate climate is found in the south-east and south-west regions of Australia. While it’s cold for us, it will rarely get as cold as 0°C (32°F) so it’s not nearly as frigid as our northern hemisphere visitors would be used to.

around australia trip

Southern Hemisphere Seasons

The southern hemisphere seasons are:

  • Summer – December, January, February
  • Autumn – March, April, May
  • Winter – June, July, August
  • Spring – September, October, November

You will find that many, if not most, people travelling around Australia will travel to the northern half and centre of the country in winter, and enjoy the warm tropical weather while avoiding the monsoonal rains and heat of summer.

Then in summer, they’ll head back south again where it will still be a hot summer, but not as hot.

Shoulder Season

We found ourselves travelling in the north of the country during the spring shoulder season (August/September) and we loved it. While literally hundreds of caravans were heading south as we went north we got to enjoy much less crowded camps but still pleasant temperatures.

Public Holidays & School Holidays in Australia

Being mindful of the public holidays will most likely help you with ‘crowd-control’ more than anything.

Starting your trip in Sydney? Well you DO NOT want to be picking up your campervan from the airport at 2pm on the Thursday before Easter and be heading north. You will be joined by every Sydney-ite desperate to leave the city limits on their first long weekend since summer.

Sure you could do it, but it will save yourself a heap of stress if you knew it was a long weekend and decided to stay the night near the airport instead.

You can find all the public holidays here and since it would also be best to avoid school holidays, if possible, here’s the link to them here too .

Bucket List items

And then, of course, the other thing to take into consideration is those ‘bucket list’ places that you’ve always wanted to see.  

Planning the actual route

For our trip around Australia, it was a case of ‘head north’ and then figure out the rest as we go.

However, if it’s a shorter trip, or you have limited time then you might like to plan out your itinerary a bit more.

Online Trip Planners – these are where you can input your start and finish points, and stops along the way, and it will show you your route along with some tourist attractions along the way. I find them to be a little bit limiting, but they can be a great way to start your planning and give you some ideas.

Here’s one from the NRMA that you may find helpful: Holiday Finder

Pre-made Itineraries – you’ll find lots and lots of itineraries already planned out for you, if you’d like to go that route. For example, Tourism Australia has some great self-drive itineraries here , that you could just follow these trips and you’ll have a great time.

But chances are, you’ll use them as a guide for planning your route, taking note of the things they recommend that appeal to you, and ignoring the rest.

Google Maps – if you enjoy the planning process, you could use something as simple as google maps and enter in your start and finish points, and the places on your bucket list in between.

It’s great how google maps gives you the drive times so you’ll be able to gauge how far you can travel each day.

While you’re there, you can search for local accommodation, restaurants and things to do. You can have a look at the map and see how far away the water is, the next town, the next interesting site to visit.

You can use the information that you find from itinerary examples and online trip planning tools to give you some idea of what would make a good trip, but then totally design it to your own needs, desires, budget and timeframe.

Personally, it’s my favourite way of planning for a trip because I’m in total control.

Packing is a bit of a personal preference and I’m certainly no fashionista, so I won’t be listing out the clothes I think you’ll need. But rather, some of the items that you may not think about bringing.

So of course, bring the shorts, t-shirts, nice dress, button up shirt, comfy undies and high heels if that’s what you want, these are the other things:

Protection against bugs

Light coloured and loose, long sleeve top and long pants.

As dusk approaches and you want to sit outside with your glass of chardonnay or tinnie of VB, there’s a good chance that the mosquitoes or sand flies are also thinking of settling in for their happy hour feast… of you!

It’s no fun wearing longs when it’s so hot, but it’s either that get eaten alive. Or sit inside.

This is a particularly sore point for me, because the insects seem to LOVE me. Insect repellent and long everything doesn’t seem to deter them. They find their way in and it’s no fun.

../../../Pictures/Photos%20Library.photoslibrary/Masters/2017/12/23/20171223-221127/IMG_1471.JPG

This photo is what happened in Darwin when we left our window flaps open. All the doors and windows had fly screens but on one side the weave of the fly screen was a bit bigger than all the other openings, we normally kept it shut but it was so hot we made sure that every one was open. The tiny little blighters got through the bigger weave (which happened to be right beside me) and had a feast of my legs. Itchy. For. Days.

Insect Repellent

Everyone says that the only insect repellent that is any good must have DEET in it to be effective. While I’ve been happy enough to buy this at the supermarket I have to admit, it is a pretty ‘corrosive’ product. We had a roll-on insect repellent that leaked and while I can’t remember what it corroded or stripped, but it was dramatic enough that we did quickly decide that it need to be stored in a zip lock bag from now on. And we put this stuff on our skin!?

I’ve read quite a few recommendations for natural products available here in Australia. I’m not endorsing them, because I haven’t tried them; but I’ve heard them mentioned a quite a few times so I’m putting their website links here for your reference: Good Riddance & The Locals

Heat & Sun

Okay okay, everyone sees pictures of sun-kissed Aussies enjoying the beach, splashing around in their next-to-nothings and looking youthful and happy.

That picture is not so common anymore.

More and more people are becoming painfully aware of our harsh Aussie sun and seeking protection from it.

around australia trip

While a cap may look cool, if you’ve got a favourite wide-brimmed hat then I’d bring that with you. If not, you’ll be buying one when you get here anyway.

Long sleeves and pants

You know, when you see anyone that works out in the Australian sun all day (think road workers, farmers, those crazy cyclists and hikers that walk through the outback) they are most often wearing long pants and sleeves and a wide brim hat. Take your cue from them, especially if you’ll be spending your whole day outside in the summer.

In the water is where we are usually having the most fun and so forget to reapply sunscreen. Rashies are so, so popular now, so join the trend. They are especially great for kids, and everyone is wearing them, so you won’t be the odd one out.

It’s not as effective as staying out of the sun in the first place. But if you can’t/won’t keep your skin out of the sun then at least find a high SPF sunscreen and reapply regularly.

Yes, it does get cold!

I’ve reminded you a few times throughout this post that it can get really hot in many parts of Australia, but it’s certainly not hot all the time and in all places!

If you’re going to be in the middle to south of Australia during the winter months, then you’ll need to pack your warm clothes too. Average winter temperatures would get as low as single digits in ° Centigrade (34-48°F).

And don’t be fooled into thinking that the middle of Australia is hot all the time. In the winter, while day time temperatures may be warm, it can get down to zero (°C) overnight and take a couple of hours to warm up again in the morning.

There are a few considerations that you need to be aware of when it comes to driving in Australia. Things that may be quite different to where you come from, so let’s list them out:

International Drivers

In Australia we drive on the left side of the road and the majority of vehicles have the steering wheel on their right side.

You can use your overseas license in Australia for your entire visit, as long as you remain a visitor. If your license is not in English you must also carry an English translation or an International Driving Permit (IDP). Information on the IDP can be found here .

Australian Road Rules

Just like you would in any new country, it makes sense to familiarise yourself with the local road rules. A good article which outlines the major parts of the road rules (especially those pertaining to international drivers) can be found here . (Scroll about a third of the way down the page to get to the heading ‘Australia Road Rules’).

Driving at dawn or dusk

What might be quite different for our international visitors is that it if you are in a country area, it is recommended that you don’t drive at dawn or dusk times of the day. This is when the wildlife is the most active, and the chances of you hitting a kangaroo, wallaby, wombat or other creature, increases greatly.

You may not think that hitting a wallaby is that big a deal, but if you were to hit a large kangaroo that’s decided to bound across the road at the last minute, these can be big enough to cause serious damage to your car.

Driver Fatigue

In some parts of Australia you can be driving for hundreds and hundreds of kilometres, with little change in the landscape and huge distances to cover. Don’t push it. If you’re tired, there are plenty of designated rest stops, so make the most of them.

GPS and maps

You may think, like us, that phones are so useful now and that getting a GPS is a waste of time and money.

Or you may have figured out already, unlike us, that in the middle of the outback a phone is useless if you don’t have any reception. So at the time when you really need reassurance that you’re heading in the right direction to your intended campsite… you have no idea.

Unless you’re able to use an app that doesn’t require an internet connection but still uses the GPS function.

Otherwise, I’d recommend getting a GPS so you can have your navigation running all the time and there’s no arguments when you want to use the phone to take pictures and videos to post on Instagram!

And don’t forget the good old paper map. You remember them, right? You know that a paper map isn’t ever going to leave you stranded because it can’t get an internet connection, or doesn’t have a line of sight to the sky or has gone flat. There is nothing quite so old school, yet safe and practical, as having a physical map. You’ll find these in every Information Centre around the country.

Most Useful Apps

There are gazillions of apps that you could be using to plan and navigate your way around Australia. But for us, there were just a handful that I couldn’t do without:

I mentioned WikiCamps in the camping section and this is, without a doubt, the most used app on my phone. Ok ok, maybe facebook and Instagram are used more often, so I should probably say that WikiCamps was the most important app on my phone. I used it everyday that we needed to find a new camp.

It’s just $7.99 and worth every cent.

This app used to be part of the WikiCamps app but they’ve separated it out into it’s own app. There were a couple of times that we became a little concerned that our fuel was running low but we weren’t sure how far it was to the next town. Or we were at a town with half a tank of diesel left but diesel was $1.55 per litre. A quick look on the app assured us that the next town was 130 kms in the direction we were going and it was $1.42 per litre. So we kept driving. It helped us to save money and, more importantly, keep the stress and anxiety levels in check!  This app is free.

Special Considerations for Outback Travel

I’m just going to put this map of Australia here, superimposed over a map of North America, to remind you of just how large Australia.

around australia trip

But while the population density of the United States is 33 people per km 2 , the population density of Australia is a measly 3 people per km 2 .

Population Density – Australia Map ( Source )

around australia trip

Once you have a look at the geography of Australia, it all starts to make sense when you see that most of the middle of Australia is largely uninhabited. Sure there are small towns, and even a large town (Alice Springs) but no cities, and lots and lots of space in-between.

See all that pale yellow expanse in the Population Density – Australia Map above? All of that space has a population density of less than 0.1 person per km 2 . So that’s just one person per 10km 2 . That’s hardly any people.

I think I’ve made my point. You get it, that much of Australia is large and remote.

It’s not only remote and sparsely populated, it’s also desert or semi-arid. Which means you MUST ensure that you have enough drinking water on-board your vehicle so that, should the unforeseen happen, you can at least stay alive.

It’s also going to be hot. Depending on the time of year that you travel, it’s going to be really hot. Make sure you’ve got appropriate clothing, that your set-up affords you some shade when you stop, and that you have ways to cool down when you need to.

Some of the ideas we had are a 12v fan, a fridge or freezer for cold drinks, and a spray bottle with water that you can squirt on yourself every now and then.

Fuel & Other Spares

Use the FuelMaps app to see where your next fuel stop is. Carry extra fuel if possible.

Make sure your vehicle is in good working order before you leave on your trip.

Make sure to take the common spares such as oil, water, spare wheel & wheel changing kit, some basic tools.

Road Conditions

Anyone who’s driven on an unsealed back country road will know the displeasure of road corrugations / washboards. Having everything shaken to within an inch of your life is bad enough… doing so for over 500km is just soul-destroying!

We found this out ourselves due to some less than stellar planning. On the road from Burketown QLD to Boroloola NT, I couldn’t understand why the Maps app kept wanting us to go the longer 1,255km route instead of the more direct 523km route.

around australia trip

If I’d taken just a few moments to notice the time difference between the two routes, I might have put two and two together.

I didn’t.

And hence, we had two days of bone rattling corrugations. Our car and camper trailer handled the corrugations with aplomb – even though EVERYTHING was covered in red dust – but imagine if we’d had a caravan. I think that would have, literally, shaken a caravan to pieces. With our light little camper trailer we could afford to make mistakes like that and be none the worse for wear.

When we get a caravan, we’ll have to be more careful and aware.

We have no regrets taking that road though. What ensued was a great little adventure that involved a lot of laughing as we shuddered down the road, a couple of exciting (to us) river crossings and picking up three locals in the middle of nowhere to give them a ride to the next town… 150kms away!

Alcohol Restricted Areas

Here’s something you may not be aware of:

There are parts of Australia where alcohol restrictions are in place. You will come across these areas in parts of the Northern Territory, Far North Queensland and some parts of Western Australia. The restrictions vary in each state and area, and are constantly changing, but can be a total ban on alcohol consumption or a limit on how much you can buy, when you can buy and what you can buy.

There will be signs on the road as you enter into these restricted areas, but you’ll also be made well aware of any restrictions when you buy alcohol. If in doubt, just visit the nearest Information Centre and they’ll have all the info you need.

In one bottle store I heard a lady complaining loudly that she was a visitor to the area and shouldn’t have to be subject to the same restrictions as the local people.

But you’ve got to remember that while these restrictions may be a bit of a nuisance to you as a visitor because they limit how many drinks you can have at your daily happy hour; the restrictions are certainly not for your benefit.

It’s for the benefit (in terms of safety and health) of the local community. In the aboriginal communities where these restrictions are in place, the goal of the restrictions is to minimise the dreadful harm caused by rampant alcohol abuse and misuse, and associated violence.

Now, this is going to be the hard section to write. Of course you already know that everyone is different so eveyones road trip around Australia budget is going to be wildly different.

If you’re on holiday for a limited time, you may not be so worried about costs because you’re going back to work as soon as you get home anyway; compared to the person who has made being on the road their new lifestyle, and is now a lot more selective about what he spends his limited resources on.

First up, particularly for our international visitors, Australia is expensive.

All cost estimates are in Australian Dollars.

I think the most helpful thing I can do here is to share our budget with you, tell you how we came up with this budget, and whether it proved to be practical on the road.

Setting a budget

This is the budget that we had set ourselves before we’d even left New Zealand . Setting a budget for something when you don’t even know what you’re getting yourself into, can be quite hard. But I did lots and lots of research and did the best I could.

Our budget was divided into two parts, the One-Off or Set-Up Costs that we would incur within the first few weeks of arriving in Australia, and then our Living Expenses for six months on the road.

One-off costs

around australia trip

Getting to Australia $2,100 – Fights, rental car, hotel etc. This will be zero if you live in Australia already, significantly more if you have to come from the other side of the world.

Vehicle $10,000 – I had a look at sites like carsales.com.au and gumtree.com.au to see what type of vehicles were available and the price range. While $10k is on the low side for a 4WD vehicle, we were recommended a Hyundai Terracan so I did a heap of research on them and we decided it would be perfect for us and our small budget.

Camper trailer $5,000 – Once again, it was only by looking online at lots and lots of camper trailers, caravans and campervan etc that we came up with a budget of $5,000. We realised that we could get a good quality camper trailer for that price and still afford all the things we thought we’d need.

Toilet & Tent $300 – This is for one of those pop-up shower tents and a porta-potti.

Solar, Battery & Fridge $3,000 – We were hoping we’d get lucky and find a camper trailer that already had a dual/portable battery system, but we weren’t banking on it. So we set this budget of $3,000 after doing lots of looking for batteries, fridges & portable solar panels online and figuring out how much it would cost us.

Insurance $500 – I just used www.iSelect.com.au to figure out what insurance would cost if I purchased one of the cars I’ve been looking at.

Roadside Assistance $250 –  through NRMA

Maintenance $2,400 – I guessed this one. Based on $100 per week for 6 months…ish. Oil changes, punctured tyres, ummm other stuff?

Misc – because there’s always miscellaneous!

Business costs $1,700 – this won’t apply to everyone, but for us I needed to keep some money aside for regular payments for things like hosting, domain name renewals and other business costs.

Other bills or giving – mortgage, car or caravan loans, charitable giving – anything else that you will keep paying regardless of the fact that you’re heading off on a trip of a lifetime.

Six Months Living Costs

When trying to come up with a ‘living budget’ for our road trip around Australia, I racked my brain for all the things I thought we’d need to pay for. I started with the things we already pay for in our lives – rent, food, petrol, phones, internet, entertainment, gifts, subscriptions. And then added all the things that would be extra being on this trip.

The thing is, you won’t know everything. You’ll get some of it wrong, when you’re on the road you’ll realise that you needed to allocate more money to one area and you allocated too much money to other areas. But figuring out a budget beforehand, allows you to know how long your money is going to last you. If you’re waaaay overspending your weekly budget you’ll be able to know in advance that you’re likely to run out of money. Either that’s fine… and you break out the credit card. Or you tighten your belt and cut back on the less important things.

I probably did things a little bit backwards, but I calculated (sometimes guessed) how much we would spend each month and therefore for the whole six months. Then I divided it by 26 weeks to come up with the weekly budget.

around australia trip

So here’s how I determined our monthly budget:

Camping fees $400 – would be just like paying rent, or paying for a hotel/motel every night. From some quick online research I could see that $30 per night for a caravan park (unpowered site) was reasonably normal. Ben and I talked about trying to free camp for four nights per week and staying in a caravan park for the other three nights per week. That gave us a budget of $90 per week for camping fees, which I rounded up to $400 per month.

Not exactly a science to my methods, but at least it gives us something to work with.

Food $1,000 – we’ll still eat generally the same things as we do now and in the same quantities, so that shouldn’t change too drastically. Having lived in Australia previously we knew that the food prices between NZ and Australia are reasonably similar.

For any international readers, I would suggest taking the time to go through one of your regular weeks grocery list and jumping on to an online shopping site like www.shop.coles.com.au to price each of the items. It’s a time consuming exercise for sure, but it will give you a really good idea of what you should budget for.

Fuel $800 – it’s gonna be a lot, I mean you are driving around Australia. Here’s how I roughly calculated how much fuel would cost us.

around australia trip

Expected KMs – I used google maps to give me an approximate kilometres for a half loop starting in Sydney, following the coast up to Cairns, across to Darwin, down through the middle via Uluru to Adelaide, and then across to Dubbo.

This came to 10,175km. Since this amount is just direct distances between major cities I added on another 50% to account for the fact that we wouldn’t be on the main highway the whole time, and for sightseeing etc. It’s just an aroundabout figure so that I knew we were talking about 15,000kms rather than 5,000kms.

Fuel Consumption per 100km – I found some figures online as I was doing all the general research for this trip, that showed people reporting fuel consumption of 12-20L per 100km. I just took a stab and guessed that ours would be 18L/100km. I guessed this because:

  • we wouldn’t be in a vehicle with a huge engine, towing a massive (heavy) caravan, so it wouldn’t be the highest number
  • but we would be in an older vehicle which I just presumed we have worse fuel consumption
  • I was guessing so I thought I’d better err on the generous side (notice a pattern here?)

Cost of diesel – $1.60 per litre. Online I found people quoting an average diesel price of $1.55 per litre, so I added another .5 for good measure.

Add all those figures into my calculation and this is what I got.

around australia trip

I rounded the per month cost up to $800 (because I’m continually adding in padding when I’m doing lots of guessing like this).

Electricity $0 – will now be zero as it’s covered in the nightly rate at caravan parks, or our battery system with solar will cover our needs

Gas – we didn’t have a budget for this because we only used gas for cooking so it was hardly anything. But if you’ve got a gas fridge or water heating system you’ll need to factor that in.

Phone / Internet  $100 – presuming you’ll be going with Telstra, just look up their website and see which pre-paid or contract plan (depending on which suits your circumstances) works for you. For us we figured we’d have two phones with each one on the $50 per month pre-paid.

Spending $400 – yeah, this one is a total guess. You’ll need to think about what kind of travel you enjoy.

While we love a good tour or attraction or night at the pub as much as the next person, we also get a lot of joy from a bundle of newspaper-wrapped fish and chips while sitting on the beach. If it happens to include a glass of Veuve Clicquot then you’ll find me in a world of happiness!

While we would LOVE to have a much bigger budget here, we knew this was the most flexible area of the budget because it is all about our ‘wants’, not our ‘needs’. Just because we’re tight-arses, doesn’t mean that you have to be.

You may find it helpful to break this bucket down even further. Here are some other categories that could go under ‘Spending’:

Coffee – although I love a good coffee, I would only buy one as a treat, so I don’t need a separate budget for it.

Alcohol – this on the other hand… we probably should have budgeted for. :-O

Sightseeing Trips – you’ll need to factor in museum or attraction visits or any of the we’re-only-here-once-so-we’d-better-do-it visits.

You know, things like swimming with whale sharks, a scenic flight over Uluru or a sunset cruise on Sydney Harbour. If there are must-dos on your list, then I would find out the price of each of those attractions (online) and add them to the budget.

Eating out – any takeaways, pub, café and restaurant meals.

Hair and beauty – haircuts and styling, nails, waxing – anything that you know you’ll want to get done while you’re on the trip.

Dog sitting services – if you’ve got an extra family member with you

Kid expenses – I don’t know what extra costs kids have, but I hear they’re expensive. ☺

It cost us…

I kept pretty good records of our expenses for our whole trip and I’m pleased to report that I wasn’t too far off. I had way under-budgeted for in one area, but we made up with my over-budgeting in other areas.

Here’s how it panned out at the three month mark:

around australia trip

Not too shabby.

We’re happy with this, we didn’t stress over every dollar, but we did keep an eye on things.

And here are the ‘Living Costs’ for the first three months. Though it fluctuated wildly each week, it averaged out to being on budget .

around australia trip

Every person and family will have a different budget, but by taking the time to at least price out what you think it will cost you, it will help you the plan your trip.

This is the question that has always stumped me the most.

For us, not only did we need to save for the caravan or motorhome, but also for our living expenses while we were on the road.

I had always thought it would be at least $100k for a motorhome and then $50k to travel for a year. While that is a HUGE amount of money and already felt out of our reach, the idea of then having to go back to work, well, I think that might have been the most frightening prospect of all.

So a few things had to happen before we could even contemplate setting out on this trip.

  • We had to downsize our motorhome expectations A LOT, and
  • We had to either figure out ways of making money online, or get comfortable with needing to stop and work as needed.

Downsizing our motorhome expectations

I’ve always been obsessed with RVs.

I love reading about all their features and new developments. I love reading blogs from people that have been travelling and working in them. And most of all, I love looking at RV floor plans, trying to decide which layout, size and type would be best for us.

So I decided to start my own blog about RVs, appropriately titled RVObsession.com.

Now, I could read anything and everything on the subject of RVs, all in the name of research!

It was this obsession with RVs and all my reading from so many different types of RVers that it started to dawn on me that we didn’t need the fanciest rig in order to travel. We just needed something we could afford and then we’d figure it out from there.

When I started looking for something that we could afford , rather than something we wanted , a world of options opened up.

We realised that a camper trailer was the cheapest option (while still being a step up from a tent because the bed and much of the kitchen was already set-up) for a road trip around Australia but we would still be reasonably comfortable.

Our budget for a camper trailer and car was $15k… a far cry from the $100k I thought we’d need for a motorhome.

Downsizing our expectations meant we could get on the road in three months… not three decades.

Figuring out ways to make money online

In all honesty, we’ve been trying to make money online for years (and years).

We’ve spent thousands of dollars on programs and tools and information products (probably enough to afford us a nice caravan by now :-O) and, while we’ve made some money here and there, it hasn’t been much.

And only recently we started making enough money from our blogs to cover our living expenses. 

You can read more about how we’ve been making money to fund our travels here:

around australia trip

Just a caveat about making money online: we’ve been involved in some really good quality programs and learnt from some really great people.

We’ve done everything from MLM, blogging, affiliate marketing to advertising, creating courses and sponsored posts. We’ve bought ads and traffic, learnt copywriting, created autoresponders and email newsletters.

We’ve done lots of stuff, but we totally recognise that we have lacked focus, discipline (argh) and the tenacity to consistently apply these things to one business idea.

We’ve learnt that we have to fix those things (discipline etc) first, and then consistently apply all the technical skills we have.

All that to say: just because we’ve not seen much success with making online money YET, we still believe it’s a valid and valuable way to fund your travels, and we’re still working very hard at it.

Phew, caveat over.

Okay, so on to what we are doing to create an online income:

We have two blogs (this one and RVObsession.com) where the aim is to make money from advertising on the blogs, affiliate marketing and sponsored posts.

Both RVObsession and this blog make money through ads and affiliate marketing.

It’s always been my goal to make money from blogging, and it’s a slow, long and hard process… not helped by the fact that I’m very inconsistent at posting new content.

Blogging is the long game.

So in the short term, the two other ways we make money online is through offering virtual assistant services and freelancing.

Virtual Assistant

It can be a little tricky to define exactly what a virtual assistant is/does but in a nutshell:

A virtual assistant is someone who helps you run your business, whether a traditional or online business, by doing any online tasks that you need.

This could be ANY tasks that can be completed online.

It could be admin tasks anyone in the corporate may undertake like: diary management, minute taking, email management, answering the phone, ordering stock, managing a database, customer service or cold calling.

Or it may be scheduling posts on your blog, social media management, email marketing or running ads.

Currently, I help one blogger by running her Instagram account, and the other client I have is a motorhome manufacturer who’s Pinterest account I have set up and manage.

I think that being a virtual assistant is a fantastic way of creating an online income. It what I’ve done and this is how I got started as a VA .

Freelancing

Generally this is someone who has a specialist skill that they provide to businesses on either a one-off project or an ongoing basis. This includes services like: writing, website development, design, app development and more.

Currently I have one freelancing gig where I write articles for a motorhome manufacturer every month.

Casual & temping work

This is our least favourite way to make money as we road trip around Australia, but it’s what we’re the most used to and there’s plenty of it around.

When we stopped in Dubbo, Ben had a casual job at a tyre shop. And I had a casual admin job and then a temping contract for a couple of months.

It’s not our favourite way of working because it means we’re tied to the one location, plus you have to wear work clothes every day.

But it’s easy and familiar and as I said before, there’s plenty of it around.

This is the main way we’ve made money on this trip so without it we’d be screwed.

This is just what we are doing to make money and hopefully it will give you some ideas about what you could do if you also need to make an income while you’re travelling.

This topic could be a whole ‘ultimate guide’ in itself, but I’ve written a bit more about ways that I’ve seen people making money while on a road trip around Australia. You can read that here .

I realise that’s a lot to take in and maybe you’re stuck in the stage of, ‘yeah that’s great to know all that stuff… but what to I do now!?’

I’ve put together a timeline planner to help you go through all the steps that you need to think about and set up, in order to turn your dream into a reality.

I wish it could be as easy as saying, ‘follow these steps, and in one year you’ll be on the trip of a lifetime!’, but we all know that a cookie-cutter approach will not work for everyone. We’re all so completely different, with different needs, wants, budget and level of compromise!

This planner will help you to determine what things you should be thinking about, and at what stage. Just go to our Free Resources page to download it.

If you want to download this huge post as a PDF, you can purchase it below for $9. 

Phew, that’s my take on Getting Set Up for a Road Trip Around Australia ! I really hope you got some value out of this tome. If you have any questions, please feel free to add them in the comments below and I’ll get to them as soon as I can.

Save the ‘Guide to getting set up for a road trip around Australia’ to Pinterest

Car and caravan on outback road. Text overlay: Getting set up road trip around Australia

Tuesday 15th of December 2020

Hi Michelle and Ben.

I’ve stumbled across this blog and have found it a brilliant read. So well done! And just what I need! Thank you. I’m all inspired and more confident in giving it a go and making my dream a reality. Thank you x

Olivia Confidus

Friday 3rd of April 2020

Just lucky I found your blog! Great, thanks for the beginner's guide on planning an Australian trip! I hope after quarantine I can do it.

Saturday 4th of April 2020

Yes, once this is all over (who knows how long that's gonna take?) I can't wait to get out on the road again! M :-)

Removalists

Monday 25th of March 2019

Great content, you should also include the removalist services that are somethimes necesessary when moving on Australia. Thanks and looking back for more informative articles.

A Globe Well Travelled

The ultimate itinerary for a trip around Australia

' src=

Seriously, this itinerary for Australia is the best. It heads through every capital city and will take you by all the things Australia is famous for.

You’ll see national parks, gigantic red rocks, and specky coastline. You jump into crocodile territory and swim with clown fish. You’ll have plenty of time to admire the ocean while relaxing with a beer and will explore some of the most remote areas of the outback.

The ultimate itinerary for a trip around Australia

Itinerary features:

  • Visits every capital city and all 8 states and territories.
  • 4 road trips including the Great Ocean road from Melbourne to Adelaide, Alice Springs to Ayers Rock, Broome to Darwin via the Kimberly, and Sydney to Canberra.
  • 5 of the best national parks / natural wonders Australia has to offer.
  • 8 internal flights.

Places to visit in Australia:

  • Queensland:  Great Barrier Reef, Cairns, Brisbane , Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Fraser Island
  • New South Wales:  Byron Bay , Coffs Harbour , Port Macquarie, Sydney , Port Stephens, Blue Mountains , Hunter Valley, Jervis Bay
  • ACT:  Canberra
  • Victoria:  Melbourne , Geelong, Great Ocean Road
  • Tasmania:  Hobart , Tasman Peninsula , Freycinet National Park, Cradle Mountain
  • South Australia:  Adelaide, Kangaroo Island, Barossa Valley
  • Western Australia:  Broome, The Kimberly, Perth, Rottnest Island
  • Northern Territory:  Darwin, Kakadu National Park, Katherine, Litchfield National Park, Alice Springs, Ayers Rock (Uluru), Kings Canyon

Where to start?

You can start anywhere on the loop! Most international flights will head into Sydney or Melbourne, but you may also find flights into Cairns, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, and Darwin.

Sydney Opera House from Manly Ferry

How long will it take?

Australia is actually the world’s sixth largest country by area. Wowee! So as you can imagine, a trip around Australia can not be completed quickly. The distances are great, so you’ll have a lot of travel time.

To do this ultimate itinerary quickly, you could probably squeeze it into 6 weeks at an absolute minimum.

If you’ve got more time (lucky you!) then I would definitely suggest taking at least 7-10 weeks, depending on the pace you’d like to travel and whether you’d prefer to drive or fly between destinations. Many people take a year off work to do a comprehensive trip around Australia. Some love it so much that they decide to move to Australia permanently !

How to get around?

The whole itinerary can be done via road – but it would be a very, very long road trip. You could spend multiple days driving through desert without actually coming across any other form of civilisation, so flying is the best option between most places.

There are some parts that should be done by car, such as Broome to Darwin, Alice Springs to Ayers Rock, and Sydney to the Blue Mountains, and the Great Ocean Road. Hiring a car is an easy option from most airports and cities.

How much will it cost?

Australia is not a particularly cheap country to travel around, especially because internal flights are the preferred method of getting between destinations. It is possible to do most of Australia on a budget – see my post on backpacking Australia costs to get an indication of prices.

Month-long seasonal itineraries:

If you’ve only got a month and you’re struggling to put together an itinerary for Australia, here are some seasonal suggestions.

One important thing to note for you folks that reside in the northern hemisphere; the seasons in Australia are opposite to what you’re used to. Winter in North America/Europe will be Summer in Australia!

The ultimate itinerary for a trip around Australia - Summer

Summer itinerary

Unless you want to swelter in humidity and travel through the wet seasons in the north, then stick to the south during Summer. The southern states of Tasmania and Victoria will be at their absolute best at this time of year.

Flights are required between all locations except Melbourne to Adelaide.

  • 6 nights Sydney
  • 6 nights Hobart / Tasmania
  • 5 nights Great Ocean Road
  • 5 nights Adelaide
  • 6 nights Perth

The ultimate itinerary for a trip around Australia - Autumn

Autumn/Fall itinerary

Australia’s red centre is perfect in the shoulder seasons with warm days that won’t leave you scorched. It’s also the perfect time to visit the southern states of Tasmania and Victoria while the weather is still ok, as Winter and Spring are often rainy.

Flights are required between all locations except Melbourne to Adelaide, and Alice Springs to Ayers Rock.

  • 6 nights Alice Springs / Ayers Rock

The ultimate itinerary for a trip around Australia - Winter

Winter itinerary

Head North during winter to take full advantage of the year round pleasant weather. May-October is typically the dry season in Queensland, Northern Territory, and the north of Western Australia. You’ll be treated to many dry, sunny days.

Lonely Planet hails the drive between Broome and Darwin as ‘Australia’s Wildest Road Trip’. It will take you through huge expanses of untouched wilderness and mind-blowing landscapes.

Flights are required between all locations except Broome to Darwin.

  • 4 nights Sydney
  • 3 nights Broome
  • 7 nights Broome to Darwin
  • 4 nights Darwin
  • 6 nights Cairns / Great Barrier Reef
  • 4 nights Brisbane

The ultimate itinerary for a trip around Australia - Spring

Spring itinerary

Spring is the perfect time to visit Western Australia, as the wildflower season is in full swing! It’s also a great time to head to the Great Barrier reef, when it’s not overrun with tourists and the weather is balmy.

Flights are required between all locations except Alice Springs to Ayers Rock.

  • 6 nights Perth
  • 6 nights Darwin / Kakadu NP

Guided tour options:

If you want to see Australia but just don’t have the time to do these longer itineraries, here are a few multi-day tours that will allow you to see the best of Australia in a short amount of time:

  • Explore Australia : A whirlwind 12-day tour with G Adventures
  • Beaches and Reefs : A 16-day Contiki tour that follows the coast from Sydney to Cairns
  • Best of Eastern Australia: An epic 25-day G Adventures tour visiting 5 states

Related posts

Oxley Lookout in Tamworth, NSW

How to spend one day in Tamworth, NSW

The Brighton Bathing Boxes in Melbourne, Australia

The best Melbourne activities (plus some hidden gems!)

Is Taronga Zoo worth the admission price?

Is Taronga Zoo worth the crazy admission price?

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Notify me of new posts by email.

37 comments

Wow! This is really well-prepared. I hope to visit Australia one day 🙂

Thanks Susanne! You absolutely should, it’s one helluva country! 😀

All of these trips sound so amazing! I am applying for a Working Holiday Visa to live in Australia for a year, so I’ll definitely need to see as many places you mentioned as possible. I’m planning to live in Melbourne, and Great Ocean Road is at the top of my list of things I want to see!

Melbourne is a great base for travel around Australia, and one year will be plenty of time to hit up a few of the popular spots 😀 Great Ocean Road should definitely be top of your list, you will love it!

Great post! I drove around Australia for 11 months. It was fantastic and we still didn’t reach the Red Centre or Tassie! A good excuse to go again I reckon. I love how you have split the trip into seasons too! I met plenty of visitors that didn’t plan their driving trip very well and some ran into serious trouble. So thanks for sharing, hopefully more potential visitors will be better prepare by reading your posts!

11 months is a long time, you’re the perfect example that Australia is just too big to do in one go. I’ve lived here 27 years and still never visited Northern Territory or South Australia! It can definitely be a troublesome place for those who don’t plan properly – I also know of people who’ve managed to get stuck in the middle of nowhere when their car broke down, and it’s apparently common to run out of fuel on the long stretches of road that require a full tank just to get to the next fuel stop. Thanks for your comment Ruthie!

This was SUPER helpful. The seasonal tips were especially great, thanks!

https://itsjpei.wordpress.com

Thanks Jessica, I’m really glad you found it useful. I hope you get the chance to test out one of the itineraries sometime soon 😀

What a great itinerary! It sounds like an amazing trip, I’d love to find myself there for the Wildflower season one day!

Me too, I haven’t seen them for myself but I’ve heard wonderful things!

THIS LOOKS SO GOOD! I wish this post had come earlier 😛 I’m heading to Australia in 3 days time and I’m only going Brisbane, Gold Coast, Byron Bay, Sydney, Blue Mountains. Hopefully the weather’s good 🙂

http://www.youtopiantravels.com x

Sounds like you’ll still get a fabulous taster of the east coast, Jing! We’ve had a bit of wild weather lately but I think it’s settling down now. I’ve been posting some Blue Mountains pics on Instagram if you want to get inspired. I hope you have a fabulous time in Australia 😀

This is without a doubt the dream vacation/journey I am saving for right now. Australia just seems so so incredible, and I will be referencing back to this post when I finally do get around to visiting!

ExploresMore.com

That’s awesome Julia, I hope you make it over to Australia soon! I’m sure you will love it 😀

This is marvelous. I’m Aussie but have seen far more of Europe than I have of my own backyard. This is definitely the type of trip I want to tackle in the not-too-distant-future.

I know exactly what you mean – every time I look into travelling within Australia I’m turned off by how expensive it is… and how much longer I could travel in South East Asia for the same price! But still, Australia is wonderful and everyone should travel here 😛

Great suggestions! Ive visited Australia once and spent a few weeks in Brisbane, but I would love to go back and explore some more. Laura @ Laughter is Catching

One day! What I really need is to find myself a really well-paid job, save lots of money, and then take three months sabbatical. Oh, and hubby needs to do the same 🙂

Fab ideas Ashlea 🙂

Now that is a great idea! I usually do my long-term travels in between jobs so that I have time to save up, then am not worried about how long I’m taking off work 🙂 Thanks Emmalene!

Thank you for this article. Just stumbled upon it. I’m going to Australia for 2 weeks only over Christmas and New Year and I’ll try to squeeze in your Summer itinerary suggestion by cutting down on the days in each location. I have friends in Sydney, but want to see Melbourne, Perth and Tasmania very bad. Also to determine if I want to move there permanently.

Thanks, Marina! It’s so great that you have a trip to Australia planned 😀 2 weeks isn’t long, but if you plan to move there then you’ll have plenty of time to see more of the country later. I’d say it might be hard to fit in Perth on this trip, but it should be easy enough to do Sydney, Melbourne, and Tasmania. Be sure to let me know what you thought of it all after your trip!

I sure will, Ashlea! But I think I can not skip Perth at all because that’s where you have quokkas! I’m in love with those animals. And Tasmanian Devils. That’s why I want to go to those places. I don’t want to go to the mainstream zoo and see animals behind the glass or in cages, but I want to visit a special wildlife sanctuary or even better if I can find a place where someone will let me hold them, I’ll be in heaven! Any suggestions?

That’s fair enough, Perth and the areas around it (like Freemantle and Rottnest Island) are pretty lovely places 🙂 The quokkas are running about all over Rottnest Island so you’ll be able to see them everywhere. I’m not aware of any places in Tasmania that will let you hold Tasmanian Devils, but I have the perfect place for you to see them – go to Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary just outside of Hobart. This place rescues injured wildlife and has a breeding program for endangered animals. You can also hand-feed kangaroos! And it’s definitely not a zoo 🙂

OMG, thank you so much!!!! I’m definitely going to the Rottnest Island and that sanctuary. This is something I’ve been thinking about for a while – toying with the idea of abandoning career in yacht sales and dedicating my life to the animals. It’ll be great to see what it’s all about to help me make a decision. ???

The round Australia trip would ideally take three to four months…any less would be really rushed. If you have only two weeks I would suggest fly to Sydney and spend a few days there then fly to Melbourne and visit Wilson’s Promontory National Park and then go to Phillip Island to see the penguin parade. Return to Melbourne and try out some of the cafes in the city or in Lygon St Carlton. The drive out along the great ocean road stopping at Mait’s rest to do a rainforest walk, Kennet River to feed colourful cockatoos and see koalas in the trees and of course see the twelve apostles etc. Stay overnight at Warnambool then head north towards Grampians national park, stopping first at Tower Hill….an island park in the middle of an ancient volcano. At the Grampians stay for a night or two in Hall’s Gap and visit a number of waterfalls and lookouts. On your way back to Melbourne you could visit Daylesford which is an area famous for wineries and gourmet foods. After Melbourne fly to Perth and head south to the Margaret river region where you can visit Jewel cave, Yallingup beach, Canal Rocks, buy a pie at the Dunsborough bakery and eat it at Meelup beach before driving down to see Sugarloaf rock. Visit the longest jetty in the Southern Hemisphere at Busselton before returning to Perth, where you can explore Fremantle and the beaches for a few days before flying home. That will give you a taste of Australia in two weeks. Sydney…three days then fly to Melbourne Melbourne and Wison’s Promontory and the penguins at Phillip island …two days Great ocean road and Grampians …three days Melbourne city one day Fly to Perth….allow one day…..you need to get to the airport an hour before your flight, it takes three and a half to four hours to fly To Perth and because of time zone differences you lose another two or three hours, so you will only have time to eat and go to your accommodation once you get to Perth. Southwest trip three days then a day or two in Perth

Wow, that already seems like a lot! Lol Thank you, Jan, for your thorough suggestion. I’d love to see penguins as well! Do you know by any chance if there’s some kind of guided tours like that, with a group of people? I’m staying with my friends in Sydney but I’ll be pretty much on my own for the whole 2 weeks, so I wanted to find a group of other travelers to join to. I was going to search online for that in the next couple days….

This itinerary is PERFECT.

Heading down under in 2 years and have been saving saving but the planning had been a bit slow. This has been a gear help, especially that you split them into seasons, thanks for that.

I will be in Australia for a year on a s raking holiday visa, but dint know if I will even see all of this as I am also planning to visit nearby countries such as New Zealand, Fiji etc. Lets see how I go!

It’s so great that you’re planning a trip down under! And I’m very glad that you found my itineraries useful. There is a lot to see in Australia, so it would be totally understandable if you didn’t get to see it all. I lived there for 22 years and didn’t even get to see the states of Northern Territory or South Australia!

I enjoy reading your post, seems very different from other which you included the very important factors of touring which is the weather. We all know before we decide to go anywhere when touring, we check what kind of weather we expect. I like summer, less luggage. Great ocean road is one of my favorite to visit, been there once and wants to come back again and again with my camera of course.

-https://www.notmyfault.com.au/

This is a great help. We are planning to take a year out to travel Australia with our 3 year old. Would be starting our travels around November time and have been researching best times and places to visit each area. Also trying to work out the best way to travel, ie by campervan/Winnebago or flying. I’d be grateful for a little help with this and also with the itinerary if possible? Thanks

What a wonderful page….. We are planning 8-10 weeks, starting Feb 2019. I love the ultimate route, do you reckon its doable the time we have? What would you suggest… traveling by campervan/RV, car rental or flying. And can we do this on our own without taking any organized tour? Can you suggest an itinerary for us to follow? It would be very helpful to hear your suggestions.

Thanks for your help

Yes it’s possible, but there’s no way you could fit in the whole trip via campervan in 8-10 weeks – if you pick and choose some parts to do via road and other parts via flight, you’ll manage it. Also keep in mind that Feb/Mar is wet season in the north, so maybe try to fit that part in last 🙂

Thank you so much for you response. Yes I am aware that it’s impossible to fit the whole trip in 8-10 weeks on the road, whether with campervan or rental car. We are planning to fly to some places, as you suggested on your blog….8 flights! There is still a lot to research and come up with an itinerary. Thanks again!

Love this Ashlea. You’ve covered all the bucket list musts. We’re two Aussies who dream of doing an epic Aussie road trip some day. Will definitely be bookmarking this page for when that time comes!

I’d love to do the whole trip, too! It would take quite a lot of time to do it all, but it would be such an epic trip. Thanks Rhiannon!

You will see everything that everyone else has seen…..And you will miss so much!

Well of course – it’s impossible to visit any country and see all of it in one go! This is just a suggestion for anyone who wants to see the best of Australia. You can always come back to visit more places on future trips 🙂

  • Destinations
  • Travel Tips
  • Community Trips
  • TTIFridays (Community Events)
  • SG Travel Insider (Telegram Grp)

The Travel Intern

The Ultimate Australia Road Trippin’ Guide — 10 Itineraries For The Perfect Adventure of a Lifetime

around australia trip

From cities to coasts and national parks to natural beauties, an epic road trip is the best way to explore Australia!

Recently, I rented a Blue SG car with my best friend and had a wild time driving 17km from Yishun to Hougang. It barely qualifies as a road trip, but it reminded me of my last trip to Australia . If you didn’t know already, it’s one of the sweetest places for a truly epic road trip!

Driving in Australia - Australia ETA (Visa Application)

Across the country, there are tons of routes packed with scenery, action and adventure. And it’s friendly for beginners (a.k.a. driving noobs) too!

around australia trip

It’s a bummer we can’t travel right now, but I’ve found that an instant mood lifter is to get your ‘ revenge travel ‘ plans in order (i.e. a long post-COVID-19 trip that makes up for lost time) — so here are 10 of the best Australia road trips to go full throttle on once we get the green light! 🟢

Overall Map of Australia Road Trip Itinerary

1) Coastal drive from Sydney to Melbourne

Coastal Drive from Sydney to Melbourne Australia Road Trip Itinerary Map

Journey time: 4–8 days (~1,300km) Starting point: Sydney Airport (~8hr flight from Singapore)

Between two of Australia’s largest cities, the coastal drive from Sydney to Melbourne (or vice versa) is sensational. Every inch of the way from New South Wales to Victoria offers quirky seaside towns, golden beaches and wondrous ocean views.

Part of the route includes the Grand Pacific Drive , a 140km stretch along New South Wales’s South Coast . It covers gorgeous attractions like the Royal National Park and the stunning Sea Cliff Bridge .

The drive from Sydney to Melbourne is perfectly beginner-friendly. There are many stops along the route whenever you need to stretch your legs.

Read more: Sydney South Coast Road Trip — 7-Day Itinerary From Sydney to Eden

Skydiving over Woollongong - Australia Road Trip Itinerary

Now, onto the epic must-dos. First, sign up for some adrenaline-pumping skydiving over Wollongong . Above the magnificent coast, you’ll freefall at speeds over 200km/h, wayyy faster than you’ll ever go on your road trip!

Kiama Blowhole - Australia Road Trip Itinerary

Photo credit: @kattgao via Instagram

After Wollongong, drop by the Kiama Blowhole and be blown away. Well, not literally, but there’s a good chance of getting soaked.

Alternatively, if you’re road trippin’ during summer, spend a night or two in Jervis Bay . You might be lucky enough to catch the phenomenal sea sparkles , or bioluminescence.

Penguin Parade on Philip island - Sydney to Melbourne Drive

Once you’ve crossed the border into Victoria , get ready for even more wow’s (and aww’s ). For nature lovers, don’t miss the adorable Penguin Parade on Phillip Island . It’s a heart-melting treat watching these little fellas waddle out of the ocean and scuttle around the beach.

Check out other island activities like scenic walks and visiting the cuddly Koala Reserve too!

Cape Schanck Trail at Mornington Peninsula - Australia road trip itinerary

Photo credit: @helenabradbury via Instagram

Before you reach Melbourne , make one last stop at Mornington Peninsula . Here, you can drink deep at exquisite wineries and explore the stellar coastline at Cape Schanck (recommended by Chris Hemsworth 🤩).

Got another week to spare? Extend your road trip from Melbourne to Adelaide just next door! Alternatively, if you’re flying out from Sydney , make the return drive from Melbourne to Sydney via the inland route . After coasts and busy beaches, you can now enjoy the quiet countryside and historic gold-mining towns.

2) Ultimate Australian Outback road trip from Darwin to Adelaide

Outback Darwin to Adelaide Australia Road Trip Map Itinerary

Journey time: 10–14 days (~3,000km) Starting point: Darwin Airport (4.5hr flight from Singapore)

Cutting across the vast outback, the drive from Darwin to Adelaide takes you through a series of wonderful and unusual landscapes. You’ll pass miles of red earth in the Northern Territory before reaching South Australia’s world-renowned wineries.

This adventurous route is more suited for seasoned travellers as you might be driving long distances (depending on your itinerary). Petrol stations are also few and far between, so plan carefully and refuel at every stop.

To eager first-timers, don’t let the long drives stop you from diving into this road trip! Just add a few more days for exploration and extra rest.

Uluru Ayers Rock in Northern Territory - Australia Road Trip Itinerary

Photo credit: @exploreuluru via Instagram

Deep in the heart of the Red Centre , the hallmark of this outback road trip is the monumental Uluru . Get to know it your way — see it from above with a badass helicopter ride , or join a cultural tour and learn about the sacred land and Aboriginal culture.

Coober Pedy Underground Comfort Inn Motel Room - Australia Road Trip Itinerary

Photo credit: @nealjennings via Instagram

Eight hours away lies the strange town of Coober Pedy . It’s the opal mining capital of the world, but the show-stealer is that the locals live underground to avoid the scorching heat!

Staying a night here is a must. It’s not every day you get to live in a posh B&B carved out of natural sandstone, especially one located 25m below .

Aerial view of Wilpena Pound in Flinders Range National Park South Australia - Australia Road Trip Itinerary

Photo credit: @alan.timms1 via Instagram

If you thought Coober Pedy was mind-blowing, wait till you hit the Flinders Ranges .

The national park is home to incredibly dramatic landscapes like Wilpena Pound , a massive bowl-shaped crater made up of craggy mountains. The best way to see it is through an exciting scramble up to its rugged ridges or a relaxing scenic flight .

Barossa Valley - Australia Road Trip Itinerary

Photo credit: @ashhughesphotos via Instagram

After days of non-stop adventure, wine down in the Barossa Valley — reputed as one of the world’s greatest wine regions. There are over 150 wineries and 80 cellar doors, so take your time to swirl and sip Australia’s finest Cabernet Sauvignon or special Barossa Shiraz.

The excitement doesn’t have to end in Adelaide ! Not too far from the city, there are plenty of jaw-dropping coastlines that are ripe for exploring, which brings us to our next route…

3) Scenic South Australia road trip — Southern Ocean Drive from Adelaide to Kangaroo Island and Mount Gambier

South Australia Southern Ocean Drive Road Trip Map Itinerary

Journey time: 5–7 days (~500–1,200km) Starting point: Adelaide Airport (~7hr flight from Singapore)

With an abundance of coastal scenery, tasty wines and native wildlife, the Southern Ocean Drive is one of the loveliest, lesser-known road trips in Australia. In fact, some consider it a ‘sequel’ to Victoria’s Great Ocean Road drive (more on this later)!

The route is great for beginner road trippers as there are plenty of stops to pull over at. Plus, attractions are relatively nearby one another. It’s likely you won’t drive for longer than three to four hours each day.

Fleurieu Peninsula McLaren Wine Region - Places to visit in Adelaide

Photo credit: @officialfleurieupeninsula via Instagram

South Australia produces half of all the wine in the country, so there’s no excuse not to indulge! Make your first stop at McLaren Vale in Fleurieu Peninsula . It’s home to some of the world’s oldest grapevines, and serves the most delectable wines and local produce you might ever taste in your life.

Wild Kangaroos on Kangaroo Island - Places to Visit in South Australia

Photo credit: @promotemytown via Instagram

Nature and wildlife lovers would adore Kangaroo Island . A good part of it is protected in nature reserves, so it’s no surprise to meet wild ‘roos and see other wildlife roaming free!

Cape Willoughby Lighthouse Cottage - Australia Road Trip Itinerary

Photo credit: TripAdvisor

To make your Kangaroo Island experience more unique, stay the night in a quaint cottage by Cape Willoughby Lighthouse . You’ll enjoy a well-deserved package: Exclusive privacy, calming sounds of crashing waves, and a magnificent sunrise view.

If you only have a few days, keep the road trip short and explore Kangaroo Island fully. Otherwise, take a ferry back to the mainland and continue your coastal journey.

Blue Lake Mount Gambier - Australia Road Trip Itinerary

Photo credit: @discover_mount_gambier via Instagram

Situated along the Limestone Coast , Mount Gambier is a city built atop an extinct volcano. Its main attraction is the mysterious Blue Lake , a huge crater lake. From April to November, the water is a distinct greyish-blue colour. But once November rolls around, it transforms into a striking turquoise blue.

The Blue Lake is not permitted for swimming, but its smaller cousin is! Satisfy your urge to dip at the Little Blue Lake , a giant sinkhole filled with pleasantly cool waters. It’s free to enter, and makes an awesome photo spot too!

Little Blue Lake Mount Gambier - Australia Road Trip Itinerary

Photo credit: @sarahafindlay via Instagram

4) Northern Territory Top End Nature’s Way Drive from Darwin to Katherine

Northern Territory Nature's Way Drive Road Trip Itinerary Map

Journey time: 8 days (~900km) Starting point: Darwin Airport (4.5hr flight from Singapore)

Top End Nature’s Way features a fantastic mix of tropical wonders and the fascinating Australian outback. Peppered with spectacular national parks, timeless Aboriginal culture, and the charming town of Katherine — this triangular route is especially geared for outdoor lovers.

Adventurous as it may be, the drive from Darwin to Katherine is actually easy. Main attractions are about three hours from each other. Roads are also well-paved, so you don’t need four-wheel drives (4WD). What you do need, though, are your best hiking shoes!

Kakadu National Park - Australia Road Trip Itinerary

Photo credit: @_danieltran_ via Instagram

The first must-visit is Kakadu National Park , Australia’s largest. Take a walk through  Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) , an ancient rock art gallery that showcases Aboriginal traditions. Or, pack your bathers and dip in the beautiful Gunlom Plunge Pool .

Crocodile Spotted at Kakakdu National Park - Australia Road Trip Itinerary

Photo credit: @traveling_yorick via Instagram

The huge park is also home to boatloads of exotic wildlife, including 10,000 crocodiles ! Feed your curiosity and join a croc-spotting cruise — you might catch these prehistoric beasts basking lazily in the sun, or silently stalking their next meal.

Canoeing at Nitmiluk National Park - Australia Road Trip Itinerary

Photo credit: Tourism Australia

In Katherine, travellers usually make a beeline for Nitmiluk National Park , and it’s easy to see why. The highlight is the Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge , a deep sandstone gorge that transports you to another realm.

While cruises are available, enjoy a bigger thrill by hiring a canoe . During the dry season (May–Sep), you’ll get enchanting views while paddling through ancient landscapes.

Swimming at Litchfield National Park Waterhole - Lesser-known things to do in Australia

Photo credit: @fewdaysbetween via Instagram

Finally, after days of fast-paced action, cool off at Litchfield National Park on your drive back to Darwin. The park has plenty of lush swimming holes, great for refreshing soaks.

In need of more adventure? Fly down to Alice Springs from Darwin and explore the Red Centre Way ! The route snakes through mighty attractions like Uluru and Kings Canyon . Seasoned travellers can rent a 4WD and zip through Mereenie Loop , a dusty dirt road.

Read more: 40 Lesser-Known Things to Do in Australia Highly Recommended by Locals, Travellers and Celebrities  

5) Grand Tasmania road trip — Great Eastern Drive from Hobart to Bicheno and the Bay of Fires

Tasmania Great Eastern Drive Road Trip Itinerary Map

Journey time: 2–5 days (~300km) Starting point: Hobart Airport (~8.5hr flight from Singapore)

Whether you’ve got a week or a weekend, Tasmania’s Great Eastern Drive promises a road trip getaway that’ll clear your head. Expect breathtaking coastal drives, pristine beaches and some of the freshest seafood around.

The drive from Hobart to Bicheno is mainly on sealed roads and highways, making it suitable for both beginners and seasoned travellers. Plus, attractions are less than two hours from each other!

Tasmania Maria Island Hike to Painted Cliffs - Australia Road Trip Itinerary

Photo credit: Maria Island Walk / Great Walks of Australia

Start your trip by disconnecting from civilisation. Take a 30-minute ferry ride from Orford to Maria Island . Hike to the Painted Cliffs , made magical by its bold swirls of earthy colours. The best time to view it is at sunset when the colours truly pop — just be sure you make it back to the ferry on time!

Sunrise at Wineglass Bay - Places to Visit in Tasmania

Photo credit: @itsworthashot via Instagram

Back on mainland Tasmania , dedicate a full day for Freycinet National Park . Wake early (or try your best to) and follow the Mount Amos trail to see Wineglass Bay at sunrise. The famous azure bay looks completely different when it’s bathed in a warm orange glow.

For the rest of the day, treat yourself to juicy, succulent oysters from Freycinet Marine Farm . Or, you could always work a little harder and harvest oysters straight from the waters.

Bicheno Penguin Tour - Australia Road Trip Itinerary

Photo credit: @lady_siu_mei via Instagram

Wildlife lovers, stop by Bicheno for a cute penguin tour . Every evening, little penguins splash out of the waters and waddle around their burrows on the beach. The tour lets you get up close to watch them go about their adorably busy routines.

Couple relaxing at Bay of Fires - Places to visit in Tasmania

Photo credit: @_aswewander via Instagram

Finally, drive an hour from Bicheno to the legendary Bay of Fires . Clumped together on the white sand beach, the orange lichen-covered granite boulders are a great place to rest, swim, and take lots of lit photos .

Read more: 16 Picture-Perfect Places Every Australia Itinerary Needs

6) Best of Victoria road trip — Great Southern Touring Route from Bellarine Peninsula to Great Ocean Road and the Grampians

Victoria Great Southern Touring Road Trip Itinerary Map

Journey time: 5–8 days (~850km) Starting point: Melbourne Airport (~7.5hr flight from Singapore)

No Australia road trip is more iconic than the Great Southern Touring Route ! You’ll feast well at the gastronomical Bellarine Peninsula , before winding along the marvellous coastline of the Great Ocean Road , and end with adventures in the Grampians .

The weeklong, round-trip drive is great for beginners. Most attractions are within two to three hours from each other, and there are plenty of stops along the way for rest and photos. Add more days if possible — this is one brilliant journey you don’t want to rush.

Bellarine Peninsula Little Mussel Cafe - Places to visit in Melbourne

Photo credit: @littlemusselcafe via Instagram

If you’re travelling to the coasts first, make a quick detour to the Bellarine Peninsula . Bring an empty stomach — the up-and-coming region serves delicious local produce, from insanely fresh seafood to full-bodied wines and decadent desserts.

Recommended eateries include the Little Mussel Cafe , Scotchmans Hill , and the Scandinavian Ice Cream Company . Or, plan your own yummy Bellarine Taste Trail !

Great Ocean Road 12 Apostles - Australia Road Trip Itinerary

And now, the main event: The Great Ocean Road . Take your time for this leg of the journey! It’s totally normal to stop every few minutes and take photos of the unbelievable coastline. But, make sure you’ve allocated enough time to see all its classic sights — the 12 Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, the Arch and the Grotto.

Pinnacles Hike Grampians Victoria - Australia Road Trip Itinerary

As you drive back inland, stop at the Grampians , another must-visit attraction. The National Park is popular with outdoor lovers and travellers, who come to rock climb or conquer its adventurous treks.

If you only have time for one hike, make it the Pinnacle Lookout , one of the park’s highest peaks. The journey from Wonderland Car Park is moderately challenging, but filled with scenery that makes it a highly Instagrammable spot .

MacKenzie Falls Grampians Victoria - Australia Road Trip Itinerary

For a less gruelling hike, head to MacKenzie Falls . It’s one of the largest waterfalls in Victoria that flows all year round.

Read more: 8D Melbourne Road Trip Itinerary — The Ultimate Road Trip Around Victoria’s Best Adventures

If you’re craving more coastal scenery, extend your Victoria road trip from Melbourne to Adelaide . The route includes Port Fairy , a whimsical seaside town, and picturesque Mount Gambier .

7) Hidden gems in the Australian Capital Territory — Canberra and Coast road trip

Canberra and Coast Road Trip Itinerary Map

Journey time: 5–6 days (~650km) Starting point: Canberra Airport (8hr flight from Singapore)

For an unhurried escape, go on a picturesque road trip around Canberra and the South Coast . This round-trip route meanders from the city to the countryside and coast, topped with a mix of culture, adventure, and best of all — food!

As the road trip is relatively short, it’s great for beginners. Depending on your itinerary, you might be driving for a maximum of three hours a day. But there are many places to rest and take a breather along the way.

Hot Air Balloon over Canberra City - Places to Visit in Canberra

Photo credit: @balloonaloftcanberra via Instagram

Canberra is Australia’s capital, but not many travellers get to know the place! Rent a car and explore the city, teeming with friendly locals and cultural gems.

If you’re big on views, sign up for a fancy hot air balloon ride over the city. If not, tour around the impressive Australian Parliament House or the scenic National Arboretum .

Hunting for Truffles in the Truffle Farm - Things to do in Australian Capital Territory

Photo credit: @avenuehotelcbr via Instagram

After ticking off the city’s attractions, drive out to the peaceful countryside. There’s an abundance of fresh, farm-to-plate produce to savour, so bring your biggest appetite! During truffle season (Jun–Aug), many truffle farms offer hunting experiences, where you get to team up with a cute truffle dog that’ll sniff for this superb delicacy.

Other places to check out include traditional cider from Sully’s at the Old Cheese Factory , and Tilba Real Dairy for some rich, premium cheeses.

Breakfast in Tilba Lake Camp - Australia Road Trip Itinerary

Get some peace and quiet with some overnight glamping! There are many sites to choose from in the South Coast, but the one that holds a special place in our hearts is Tilba Lake Camp . Located in the middle of a sprawling green pasture, you get a cosy lotus bell tent, a comfy bed and a delicious homemade breakfast.

Bermagui Blue Rock Pool Sapphire Coast - Australia Road Trip Itinerary

Further down the coast, dip into the beautiful Bermagui Blue Pool . The good news is the natural rock pool offers some of the best views of the ocean, but be prepared — the waters can be quite chilly!

Once you’ve soaked up enough of the coast, end your road trip in Canberra.

8) Fun-filled Western Australia road trip — Indian Ocean Drive from Perth to Kalbarri

Western Australia Indian Ocean Drive Road Trip Itinerary Map

Journey time: 5 days (~1,800km) Starting point: Perth Airport (5hr flight from Singapore)

Few road trips are as vibrant as the Indian Ocean Drive . From Perth to Kalbarri , you’ll get a splash of colour driving past earthy landscapes, pink lakes and rich, red gorges. Arrive between Jul–Oct, and there’s also an explosion of multi-coloured wildflowers.

This route is part of Australia’s Coral Coast , and highlights some of the most exotic things you’ll ever see in the country. It’s also fairly easy for first-timers as there are many rest stops along the way. If you’re a seasoned traveller, don’t overlook this stretch — you might just discover something new!

Sandboarding at Lancelin Sand Dunes - Places to Visit in Perth

Photo credit: @szjanko via Instagram

Just two hours from Perth, kickstart your adventure with some rad sandboarding at Lancelin Sand Dunes ! It’s a great winter sport substitute if you’re not a fan of cold or frozen snow. Plus, the fine sand makes a soft landing too!

The Pinnacles Desert at Night - Australia Road Trip Itinerary

Like the ruins of an ancient city, the Pinnacles Desert at Nambung National Park is one of Western Australia’s definite must-sees. Each limestone structure stands perfectly unique, eroded by centuries of wind. You can stroll around in the daytime, but we’ve found that this place makes an exceptional stargazing site once night falls.

Pink Lake Hutt Lagoon in Western Australia - Places to Visit in Perth

Hutt Lagoon is a classic case of “you must see it to believe it”. The high salinity is what gives the lake its striking pink hue, which changes with the seasons and time of day. Naturally, it’s an Instagram hotspot — so dress your best and get snapping!

Nature's Window Kalbarri National Park - Australia Road Trip Itinerary

The final stop in the Indian Ocean Drive is Kalbarri National Park . It’s one of the most spectacular parks, with beautiful natural attractions around every corner.

Peek through Nature’s Window at the rocky gorge beyond, or check out the Kalbarri Skywalk . The park’s newest addition hovers more than 100m over the Murchison River, offering panoramic views of the arid landscape below.

If you’re here between Jul–Oct, wander around the Everlasting Wildflower Trail . The space comes alive with a burst of pretty, blooming wildflowers .

Kalbarri Wildflower Trail - Australia Road Trip Itinerary

Photo credit: @roadtrippersaus via Instagram

Afterwards, follow the road back to Perth on your final day. But, if you have more time, extend your road trip down the Coral Coast .

Read also: 11D Western Australia Itinerary — Coastal Road Trip From Perth To Ningaloo

9) Epic Queensland road trip — Great Beach Drive from Noosa Heads to Rainbow Beach and Fraser Island

Queensland Great Beach Drive Road Trip Map Itinerary

Journey time: 4–7 days (~420km) Starting point: Noosa Heads (~1.5hr drive from Brisbane Airport, 8hr flight from Singapore)

Here’s something for the young, wild and free! The Great Beach Drive to Fraser Island is as rugged as Aussie road trips get. In a comfy 4WD, you’ll cruise over 100km of beaches, sandwiched between wild bushland and the dazzling Coral Sea.

As the road trip requires a 4WD for off-road driving, it’s perfect for seasoned travellers. The backseat drivers can handle the road trip playlist and the vehicle access permit 😛

Wild Kangaroo Lazing at Noosa North Shore - Australia Road Trip Itinerary

Photo credit: @t.becs via Instagram

Starting from Noosa Heads, take a 5-minute ferry ride from Tewantin or make a 40-minute detour to Noosa North Shore . In this unspoilt paradise, enjoy some beachside activities, or play a game to see who can spot wild kangaroos the fastest.

Teewah Beach Great Beach Drive - Australia Road Trip Itinerary

Photo credit: @manuelo.pro via Instagram

Further up, bask in the endless white sands of Teewah Beach . It’s only accessible via a 4WD so this is where your beachy journey begins! It’s also largely undeveloped — check that you’ve packed enough water and supplies, especially if you’re camping overnight .

Rainbow Beach - Places to Visit in Brisbane Queensland

Photo credit: @tracks.we.travel via Instagram

Continue on to Rainbow Beach . The lovely coastal town is famous for its coloured sand cliffs, caused by minerals staining the sand over thousands of years. Take a slow stroll and observe the natural swirl of colours ranging from white to ochre and red.

Maheno Shipwreck at Fraser Island 75 Mile Beach - Australia Road Trip Itinerary

Photo credit: @alexxsadventures via Instagram

Finally, brace yourself for the grand event! From Inskip Point, take a short ferry ride across the ocean to Fraser Island . It’s the world’s largest sand island, and many come to conquer the glorious ‘highway’ that is 75 Mile Beach (that’s ~120km, FYI).

During your drive, swing by the Maheno shipwreck for photos and the Champagne Pools for a natural bubbling ‘jacuzzi’. Be sure to visit Fraser Island’s amazing rainforest too — it’s the only one on this planet that grows on sand!

10) Legendary Pacific Coast Touring Route from Sydney to Byron Bay

Legendary Pacific Coast Drive Road Trip Itinerary Map

Journey time: 9–14 days (~1,000km) Starting point: Sydney Airport (~8hr flight from Singapore)

The Legendary Pacific Coast is another iconic route. The drive from Sydney to Byron Bay up to Brisbane is full of quintessential Aussie experiences — bucket-list-worthy adventures, soft, sandy beaches, and countless places to surf.

The route itself is a 10-hour stretch, but it’s pretty manageable if you break the distance down over two weeks. Following this, beginners would drive for a maximum of two hours every day on smooth, sealed roads.

Bouddi National Park Putty Beach - Places to Visit in Sydney

If you’re not keen on exploring the famous Blue Mountains , opt for the quieter Bouddi National Park . Hop on the many scenic tracks , which feature sandstone cliffs, isolated beaches and vibrant native bush.

Group of People Quad Biking on Stockton Sand Dunes - Places to Visit in Sydney

Photo credit: @sand_dune_adventures via Instagram

Further up north, the adventures begin! Port Stephens is where you’ll find the Southern Hemisphere’s largest moving coastal dunes — and there’s no better way to explore this shifting desert than with quad bikes (your first step to a 4WD!).

Read also: 9-Day Australia Road Trip Itinerary Around The Best Of NSW — Sydney, Blue Mountains and Beyond

Byron Bay Main Beach - Australia Road Trip Itinerary

Warning: Once you’re in Byron Bay , you might find it terribly hard to leave. The sun-kissed seaside town is arguably the best-kept secret in New South Wales , and there’s absolutely no shortage of things to do.

Read also: Byron Bay Guide: 25 Things to Do in NSW’s Ultimate Hipster Paradise

Experiences we 100% recommend include surfing at Main Beach , dining on fresh seafood at Catch-A-Crab , and watching the sunrise at Cape Byron Lighthouse . Meanwhile, Chris Hemsworth recommends diving at Julian Rocks (no kidding!).

Wet N Wild Theme Park - Places to Visit in Gold Coast

Photo credit: @goldcoast_themeparks via Instagram

If you’re itching for more road trip adventures, drive a little further up to the Gold Coast or Brisbane in Queensland . Take your pick from hair-raising Gold Coast theme parks or the mellow Brisbane Brewing Co .

Read more: 2-Week Australia Road Trip from Sydney to Byron Bay — Discovering NSW’s Legendary Pacific Coast

Driving tips and planning for an unforgettable road trip in Australia

Long Road in Western Australia - Australia ETA (Visa Application)

In a land so vast and wondrous, not exploring Australia on a road trip is a real shame. Even then, whether you decide to stay in the cities or hit the road, this country won’t have any problems curing your wanderlust !

All you need to do is find underrated things to do , or seek out socially-distant natural wonders . Hey, safety is sexy, no?

Renald and Sherry Reviewing a Map

Speaking of safety, here are some useful driving tips for the long road ahead 👇 (1) Rent a GPS or download offline Google maps. Mobile reception isn’t available in remote places like National Parks. (2) Follow the speed limit — even in rural areas. Take it from us, the fines are hefty. (3) Watch out for wildlife on the roads. Drive at the recommended speeds, so that you can slow down or brake in time if an animal crosses in front of you. (4) Similarly, avoid driving in the dark as animals are more active then. If you do, use your high beam to see further ahead. Drop it when there are cars in the other direction (they’ll do the same too).

Need more ideas to plan your next Australia road trip? Find more guides and detailed maps for self-driving itineraries here !

Featured and Facebook image credit: @tracks.we.travel via Instagram

Which Australia road trip are you keen to go on? Share your plans in the comments!

This post is brought to you by Tourism Australia .

For more travel inspiration, follow us on Facebook , Instagram , YouTube , and Telegram !

View this post on Instagram A post shared by thetravelintern.com (@thetravelintern) on Jul 29, 2020 at 4:31am PDT

RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR

Featured - Melbourne Road Trip Itinerary

8D Melbourne Road Trip Itinerary — The Ultimate Road Trip Around Victoria’s Best Adventures

Featured - Victoria Melbourne Surrounds

Victoria’s Best Outdoor Experiences — 11 Fun Things to Do in Melbourne and Surrounds

Featured - Camper Van Road Trip Gold Coast Itinerary

8-Day Gold Coast Road Trip Itinerary — First-Timers’ Camper Van Guide for S$1.6k

Featured - Things to do in Australia

11 Boujee Things to do in Australia to Add to Your Next Road Trip Itinerary

Featured - New South Wales Itinerary

NSW Autumn and Winter Guide — 19 Fun Things to Do in Sydney and Surrounds During Cooler Months

around australia trip

Ultimate Tasmania Bucket List — 13 Things to Do for Nature and Wildlife Lovers

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Featured - Climbing Mount Kinabalu

Climbing Mount Kinabalu — A Beginner-Friendly Guide to Scaling One of...

Featured - Things to do in Taiwan

25 Unique Things to Do in Taiwan Besides Visiting Night Markets

Featured - Things to do in Shanghai

25 Exciting Things to Do in Shanghai — First Timer’s Guide...

First Class Ichigaya - Where to Stay in Tokyo

Top 11 Stunning Yet Budget-Friendly Tokyo Capsule Hotels (from ~S$40/night)

Featured Cover - Things to do in Batam

7 Exciting Things to Do in Batam Other Than Eating and...

The Travel Intern

  • Terms Of Use
  • Privacy Policy

Road trip Australia: 6 of the best routes

Book your individual trip , stress-free with local travel experts

  • roughguides.com
  • road-trip-australia

written by Ros Walford

updated 3.01.2019

facebook

Pack your stuff, throw it in a camper van along with a surfboard and don’t look back… This might be an old cliché but it’s one for good reason: Australia really is one of the best places on Earth for a road trip.

1. Coastal views on the Great Ocean Road

2. adventure along the way from perth to exmouth, 3. the home strait on the nullarbor plain, 4. the blissful beaches of fraser island.

  • 5. Wineries along Tasmania’s Great Eastern Drive

6. Exploring Victoria along the Great Alpine Road

Whether you’re living the dream in your camper van, or making do with a less romantic form of transport, Australia’s well-kept, open roads beckon and will lead you through astonishing landscapes. There are many great road trips in Australia, but here are our favourites.

Tailor-made travel itineraries for Australia, created by local experts

Explore Western Australia from Perth to Broome

12 days  / from 2900 USD

Explore Western Australia from Perth to Broome

Western Australia is the country's largest state, covering more than a third of Australia. This self drive itinerary allows you to explore sunny Perth, stunning national parks and waterfalls, the remote wild west outback, empty beaches and much more.

Explore South Australia and the Northern Territory

16 days  / from 3300 USD

Explore South Australia and the Northern Territory

Explore South Australia and the Northern Territory on this self-drive adventure. Start in Adelaide and make your way over the Ayers Rock, Kings Canyon, and Alice Springs to the Kakadu National Park and ultimately Darwin.

Cross Western Australia to Darwin

23 days  / from 4150 USD

Cross Western Australia to Darwin

Western Australia offers wonderfully remote outback experiences: from spectacular national parks to sandy deserts, pristine beaches to working cattle stations. This itinerary allows you to explore the way from Perth to Darwin in depth and at your own pace, in your own rental car.

Classic Australia - Sydney, Melbourne and Gold Coast

14 days  / from 10070 USD

Classic Australia - Sydney, Melbourne and Gold Coast

Explore the best of Australia's cities and nature! From Sydney and Melbourne's urban charm to the scenic wonders of the Great Ocean Road, Cairns' reef adventures, to the lush rainforests of Kuranda. End with nature's embrace at Burleigh Head and Lamington National Parks on the Gold Coast.

The Best of Australia

10 days  / from 6900 USD

The Best of Australia

Discover Australia's allure through this tour! You'll witness Sydney's iconic landmarks and explore the beauty of the Blue Mountains. Dive into Cairns' reef and rainforest wonders before marveling at the breathtaking beauty of the Great Ocean Road in Melbourne.

Staggering ocean views and easy access from Melbourne make this one of Australia’s best-loved road trips. Pack an overnight bag and follow the dramatic coastline, stopping to view a series of coastal rock formations, holding their ground in the surf.

The magnificent Twelve Apostles – eight giant sea stacks – appear otherworldly at sunset, guarding the limestone cliffs. Among the other rocky highlights include London Bridge arch, the Bay of Islands and Loch Ard Gorge.

At Bells Beach, grab a wetsuit and do your best Keanu Reeves’ impression. This was the famous surf setting for his film Point Break , but it was actually filmed in California.

If you’re not a surfer you can hike in Great Otway National Park, say hello to the koalas at Kennett River or kayak out into Apollo Bay to observe a seal colony. Otherwise, take it easy at a beach restaurant in the seaside town of Lorne.

Best for: Weekenders seeking surf and sea stacks.

How long: 2 days.

Need to know: Starts at Torquay, a 1.5-hour drive from Melbourne, and ends at Warrnambool.

twelve-apostles-great-ocean-road-beach-cliffs-australia-shutterstock_1171137358

© Photoholgic/Shutterstock

Driving north from Perth, you may expect nothing of the Outback landscape but scorched earth and straight roads all the way up the west coast. While these certainly exist, a road trip here is also punctuated with remarkable geological features, some of the best beaches in Australia and kangaroos hopping alongside your camper van.

First, a bit of fun at Lancelin where you can go sand boarding in the dunes or off-roading in a truck-sized 4x4. Then on to the Pinnacles Desert where bizarre pillars protrude from the desert like ancient monoliths.

In Kalbarri National Park, see Nature’s Window and the Z-Bend Lookout, abseil Murchison Gorge and ride on horseback around the scenic estuary at Big River Ranch.

A five-hour drive north brings you to Shark Bay, home of weird stromatolites – the oldest fossils on Earth – and the brilliant-white Shell Beach. Stop at Monkey Mia to meet the dolphins before heading on to Coral Bay, where another pristine white beach greets you. From here you can wade out 50m to the Ningaloo Reef – the second-largest reef in Australia – to snorkel with dazzling fish, turtles, reef sharks and whale sharks.

Best for: Desert adventurers.

How long: 5 days.

Need to know: To extend the trip, keep going all the way to Broome, via Karijini National Park.

pinnacles-desert-nambung-australia-shutterstock_529569826

© Cloudsrest Images/Shutterstock

The Nullabor is not for the faint-hearted. The mesmerising Eyre Highway runs through a vast, treeless plain, from Port Augusta in South Australia to Norseman in Western Australia .

With an almost 150km stretch that’s the world’s longest straight road, it’s no surprise that it’s known as “Nullaboring”. But many travellers love it for the beauty of the desert and the on-the-road camaraderie. There’s a strong sense of community at the roadhouses, which appear roughly every 200km – with nothing in between.

Venture away from the main road to see some of South Australia’s geological highlights, including Pildappa Rock – a 100m-long wave of red sandstone – or the peculiar rocks at Ucontitchie Hill and Murphy's Hay Stacks.

From Denial Bay, the Eyre Highway clings to the coast all the way to Western Australia. At the Head of Bight, you’ve a good chance of spotting Southern Right Whales between June and October. Then there are the empty beaches, towering cliffs, the magnificent blow-holes – and the oddities... Eucla features the ghostly remains of a telegraph station protruding from the encroaching dunes, while Balladonia (population: 9) commemorates the spot where the Skylab space station fell to Earth in 1979.

Best for: Adventurers up for trying anything, loners and Nullarbor addicts.

How long: 7–10 days.

Need to know: Be prepared with a serviced car, and enough food and water to last between roadhouses. Daytime temperatures can reach 50°C and nights can be freezing. Be careful of wildlife and passing road-trains.

around australia trip

Animal warning signs along the Nullarbor Plain © UnkbownLatitude Images/Shutterstock

If there’s one side trip on the east coast you mustn’t miss, it’s Fraser Island , a 123-km World-Heritage-listed sand island. Here, off-roaders may roam but the dingo is king.

The beach that runs the full length of the island functions as the main highway and an airstrip for small planes, so keep an eye on the air too while you bomb along the strand. Halfway down the beach, you can’t fail to notice the eerie remains of the shipwrecked SS Maheno appearing silhouetted against the raging surf.

Take a side road into the interior and suddenly you’re in another world – specifically, you’re in a subtropical rainforest growing on 200m-high sand dunes. Stop for a swim in the sparklingly clear Lake McKenzie, one of forty freshwater lakes perched high on the dunes. It’s like nowhere else on Earth.

You can pitch your tent at any of the 35 designated grounds – just you, the campfire, the rumble of surf and the sense of beady canine eyes watching from the darkness.

Best for: Beach bums who tidy up after themselves.

Need to know: Arrange your trip at Hervey Bay, where you can hire 4X4 and buy vehicle access permits.

Fraser Island, Australia

Related articles from the blog

Maui Island, Hawaii, seen from above

5. Wineries along Tasmania ’s Great Eastern Drive

Drive northeast from the capital Hobart to start the Great Eastern Drive at Orford. You can catch a ferry from Triabunna to Maria Island National Park and spend the day hiking, wildlife watching and visiting the World-Heritage-listed Darlington Probation Station, a kind of reform school for convicts in the nineteenth century.

Back on the coast road, the views over Great Oyster Bay are overwhelming. Recover in Swansea with a plate of seafood washed down with a glass of wine from the East Coast Wine Trail .

Don’t drink it all at once; you’ll be passing the vineyards on the next leg to the Freycinet Peninsula. This is one of Australia’s top beauty spots, not least Wineglass Bay, a perfect curve of sand around an azure bay, best seen from a lookout after a steep hike.

They say the devil is in the detail, but here it’s actually in Bicheno. If Tasmanian devils are on your must-see list, then plan a visit to the Natureworld Wildlife Sanctuary.

From Bicheno, the Surf Coast leads you to Scamander, beyond which lie Binalong Bay and the heavenly Bay of Fires . Despite the rusty orange glow from the lichen-coated boulders, there’s not a devil in sight on these pristine beaches.

Best for: Hikers who enjoy devilishly good scenery.

How long: 3 days.

Need to know: You can drive the whole route in a day, but you’ll want to take a few days. The Great Eastern Drive can easily be incorporated into a loop around the whole island state.

Wineglass Bay Freycinet, Tasmania @ Shutterstock

Wineglass Bay Freycinet, Tasmania @ Shutterstock

This mountain road crosses one of Australia’s main ski regions and some of the highest altitudes in the country, which just scrape above 2000m – so don’t expect anything too extreme.

Nonetheless, it’s a beautiful drive through a gentle region, a world away from Victoria’s lawless past. From Wangarratta, the road passes vineyards and farmland as far as the pretty town of Bright.

But take a short detour and you’ll reach Beechworth and Glenrowan, land of the nineteenth-century outlaw Ned Kelly, where you can learn about the life of this national folk hero.

Back on the Great Alpine Road, continue to Mount Buffalo National Park and climb its granite tors or explore on horseback, like Ned himself would have done. As you cross the Ovens River Valley, snowy peaks come into view.

Beyond Harrietville, the road gets tougher, as it winds steeply up through snow gum forests to Mount Hotham, Victoria's highest alpine resort. This is a starker landscape with deep valleys and panoramas across the Australian Alps. It’s well worth hiking the Razorback Trail to the summit of Mount Feathertop, Victoria’s second-highest mountain.

After this, the road descends to Dinner Plain and on to historic Omeo, a former gold-mining town. Then down through forests at Tambo to Metung, the Gippsland lakes and the ocean beyond.

Best for: Mountain-lovers, who don’t mind that Australia’s alps are somewhat vertically-challenged.

How long: 1 day.

Need to know: If you drive from Melbourne, take the M31 to Wangaratta, and on the coastal journey back, stop at Wilson’s Promontory and Phillip Island.

View of the coastline at Nobbies Centre in Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia © Javen/Shutterstock

View of the coastline at Nobbies Centre in Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia © Javen/Shutterstock

Explore more of Australia with the Rough Guide to Australia . Compare flights , find tours , book hostels and hotels for your trip, and don’t forget to buy travel insurance before you go.

Ros Walford

  • See & Do

Planning your own trip? Prepare for your trip

Use Rough Guides' trusted partners for great rates

Travel advice for Australia

From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Australia

  • Eating and drinking in Australia
  • Getting around Australia: Transportation Tips
  • Travel Health Australia
  • Sports and Outdoor activities in Australia
  • How to get to Australia
  • Travel Tips Australia for planning and on the go
  • Travelling with children in Australia
  • Best time to visit Australia

Find even more inspiration for 77 here

Ready to travel and discover australia, get support from our local experts for stress-free planning & worry-free travels.

  • Where to stay
  • Itineraries
  • Travel advice

The ultimate guide to getting around Australia

Tasmin Waby

Oct 24, 2023 • 9 min read

Cropped shot of girlfriends out on a road trip

A road trip is a highlight of a visit to Australia, but there are other great ways to travel too © pixdeluxe / Getty Images

Australia is the sixth-largest country in the world, with very different regions and climates. Deciding where to go – and how to get there – requires some major planning.

At first glance, flying and train fares in Australia look expensive (and a lack of competition does mean there are few bargains), but when you compare car rental, insurance, fuel and accommodation costs, a flight from Sydney to Perth suddenly looks a little more appealing.

If you don't have time to spare, you're likely to rely on internal flights to cover large distances – an alternative is to focus your trip on one region.

When deciding on the best way to get around Australia, weigh up how much time you have, what level of luxury you require and the carbon footprint you want to leave behind.

If you're short on time, you'll need to take internal flights

Flying is the only way to do more than one state on a shorter stay. Australia's main domestic airlines service major cities and key tourist sites – like Yulara for Uluru Kata-Tjuta National Park – with regular flights. Major players are Jetstar , Qantas  and Virgin Australia .

Traveling by long-distance bus is a great budget option

Australia's extensive bus network is a reliable way to get between towns and cities, but distances are often vast, so be prepared for long days or nights. Most Australian buses are equipped with air-conditioning (essential in summer), comfortable seats and toilets; all are smoke-free, and some have wi-fi and USB chargers. Ask about hop-on hop-off fares, which give you more flexibility. Some operators also offer discounted fares for seniors, students and children.

The main bus companies in Australia are Greyhound Australia , Firefly Express , Integrity Coach Lines (in Western Australia), Premier Motor Service (NSW) and V/Line in Victoria, which runs a mix of buses and trains.

Another way to get around by bus is on a tour. Some offer the whole package, including accommodation and meals; others are less formal options to get from A to B and see the sights on the way. Popular outfits running coach tours include AAT Kings , Adventure Tours Australia , Autopia Tours  and  Untamed Escapes .

The Ghan railway train speeding across Australia from Adelaide to Darwin.

Explore Australia on an epic train journey

Long-distance rail travel in Australia is something you do because you really want to − not because it's cheap, convenient or fast. That said, trains are more comfortable than buses, and there's a certain "romance of the rails" that's alive and well in Australia. The most notable long-distance rail journeys in Australia are the Indian Pacific between Sydney and Perth, the Overland between Melbourne and Adelaide, Great Southern between Brisbane and Adelaide, and The Ghan between Adelaide and Darwin via Alice Springs.

Intra- and inter-state trains operators include Queensland Rail , which runs the high-speed Spirit of Queensland service between Brisbane and Cairns; NSW TrainLink from Sydney to Brisbane, Melbourne and Canberra; and V/Line within Victoria, which links up with coach connections into NSW, SA and the ACT.

Road-tripping in Australia is an amazing experience

Whether you're focusing your visit on one state or several, exploring Australia by road is the ultimate way to discover this vast nation. For 4WD or motorcycle adventures, you'll also need specialist skills, guidebooks, maps and equipment. 

Choosing whether to hire a vehicle or buy one will depend on the length of your stay and how far you’re traveling. Here are the pros and cons to consider in the hire vs buy debate:

Hiring a car or camper means you've got a reliable vehicle

For a shorter trip, car rental is probably more cost-effective – you’ll get a newer, safer and more reliable vehicle. If you have any issues, you get roadside support, and your costs are fixed at the daily car hire rate. Large rental companies have offices in major cities and airports, and most require drivers to be over the age of 21 (sometimes 25). It’s slightly more expensive to do a one-way hire.

Campervans are also available for rent, which would cover some of your accommodation costs. You still need to pay to overnight at campsites or find designated spots where you can free camp. Australia-based companies that hire campervans include Apollo , Britz , Hippie Camper , Jucy , Maui , Mighty Campers , Spaceships  and Travelwheels . To compare car hire deals, go to CarHire.com .

All the usual advice applies for car and van hire. Read the contract. Understand the small print, including accident excess cover (you can buy your own separately, but you may need to put down a large "holding" deposit with the car hire firm). Make sure all your drivers have the appropriate driving licenses and travel insurance. Always thoroughly inspect the vehicle before leaving and note any pre-existing damage. Given the scale of Australia, you should ask for unlimited kilometers as you’re most likely going to travel big distances. Find out if you can take the vehicle on unsealed roads.

Uluru at sunset from back of the campervan

Buying a car or a van might be best for longer trips

Buying your own vehicle gives you the freedom to go where and when your mood takes you and may work out cheaper than renting in the long run. The downsides of DIYing are the admin costs and repairs.

When you buy a vehicle in Australia, you need to transfer the registration (Aussies call it "rego," of course) into your own name within 14 days. Each state has slightly different requirements. When selling a vehicle, you need to advise the state or territory road-transport authority of the sale and change of ownership name. If you just don’t change the registration or give the vehicle away, you’ll still be liable for subsequent fines and future rego certificates from the new owners.

Sellers are required to provide a roadworthy certificate when transferring registration in most states. If the vehicle you're considering doesn't have a roadworthy certificate, ask for one before you agree on the price. This can cost $100 but will save you money on unknown repair costs. Road transport authorities have lists of licensed vehicle testers. Note that registering a vehicle in a different state from the one it was previously registered in can be time-consuming and more expensive, something to be aware of when planning to sell at the end of your trip.

It's prudent to have a vehicle checked by an independent expert before you buy it, and state-based automobile clubs (for example, the Royal Automobile Club of Victoria) offer vehicle checks. Road transport authorities (RTAs) have lists of licensed garages you can book directly. 

a van driviing the isolated Pentecost River Crossing on Gibb River Road

Five common driving hazards you need to know

There are a lot of things to think about when hitting the road in Australia. Here are five risks you need to keep in mind.

1. There may be animals on the road, particularly at night

Many Australians avoid traveling once the sun goes down because of the risks posed by nocturnal animals on the roads. Kangaroos are common on country roads, as are cows and sheep in the unfenced outback. Kangaroos are most active around dawn and dusk and often travel in groups – if you see one hopping across the road, slow right down, as its friends may be just behind it. If you injure an animal while driving, you can call the local wildlife rescue line, which is sometimes signposted along the route. 

2. Drive slowly and carefully on dirt roads in the countryside 

Unsealed road conditions vary wildly depending on the road and the weather. Cars and vans perform very differently on dirt when braking and turning corners. Don't exceed 60kph (37mph) – if you go faster, you won't have time to respond to a sharp turn, animals on the road or an unexpected pothole. A wet dirt road means mud and can quickly become impassable – something to keep in mind if traveling in tropical northern Australia during the summer "wet season" (November to April).

3. Look out for "road trains" on the highways

A lack of rail infrastructure in Australia means you’re likely to cross paths with road trains (trucks with two or three trailers stretching for as long as 50m) on the highway. Overtaking is risky. On single-lane roads in more remote places, get off the road when a truck approaches; they don’t slow down for cars. Stones or debris can clip your car as it passes, so get as far out of the way as possible.

4. Fill up with fuel at every chance in remote areas

In cities and towns, service stations are plentiful, but distances between fill-ups can be huge in the countryside – pay attention to your fuel gauge and those yellow road signs announcing the next roadhouse. Filling your tank whenever you can is the best precaution, especially if you need to take a diversion thanks to a flooded road or some other weather-related event. Electric recharging spots are popping up all over Australia, making hybrid and electric road trips a viable alternative.

5. Do not ignore tiredness when driving  

Be wary of driver fatigue; driving long distances (particularly in hot weather) can be utterly exhausting, and falling asleep at the wheel is a very serious risk. Stop and rest regularly − do some exercise, change drivers and have a coffee. Do not drive if you’re feeling drowsy.

Adventure on Fraser Island

Drive responsibly and minimize your impact

If you’ve committed to buying a car or van and driving around Australia, there are some ways to minimize your environmental impact on your journey:

  • Ensure your vehicle is well-serviced and tuned.
  • Travel lightly and drive slower to reduce fuel consumption.
  • Stay on designated roads and vehicle off-road tracks (if you’re 4WDing).
  • Don't drive on walking tracks, and avoid driving on vegetation. Cross creeks at designated areas.
  • Always take all your rubbish if you’ve been camping overnight.
  • Consider ride-sharing with fellow travelers where possible.

Road trip around Australia on this 3-month-long itinerary 

You have a 90-day tourist visa and want to see all of Australia, right? It’s not possible to see everything , but you can conceivably do both coasts and the outback if you’re prepared to keep moving (ideally taking turns behind the wheel with travel companions if you're driving this route). 

We suggest you begin in Perth . Drive the west coast via Albany (to the south), then up to Broome via Ningaloo and the Pilbara and over to Darwin . Turn south through Alice Springs and detour via Uluru . Continue straight down the Stuart Highway to Adelaide , then make your way to Melbourne , either inland or via the more scenic coast. Now you’ve got about a month to six weeks to get to far north Queensland via the beaches of southern New South Wales, the waterfalls inland from Byron Bay and the Daintree rainforest north of Cairns . If you skip Sydney and Brisbane (you’ll be dusty by now, and finding places to park is a pain), you can always pop back via bus or plane after you’ve offloaded your vehicle – which has just had an extra 20,000km (12,400 miles) added to its mileage.

This article was first published June 2021 and updated October 2023

Explore related stories

around australia trip

Architecture

Mar 26, 2024 • 8 min read

All built within the last 150 years, these stunning buildings around the world are monuments that will stand the test of time.

Where-Locals-Go-Australia.png

Feb 27, 2024 • 6 min read

around australia trip

Feb 15, 2024 • 7 min read

around australia trip

Feb 9, 2024 • 12 min read

around australia trip

Jan 29, 2024 • 19 min read

1290933961

Jan 5, 2024 • 20 min read

around australia trip

Jan 2, 2024 • 11 min read

around australia trip

Dec 3, 2023 • 8 min read

948294490

Nov 29, 2023 • 10 min read

around australia trip

Nov 27, 2023 • 7 min read

Facebook

Driving the Big Lap of Australia - 12 things to know

11 January 2021

Time

Dreaming about driving off into the sunset and doing a big lap of Australia?

Travel writer and photographer Lee Atkinson has just returned from an epic 10-month, 40,000km road trip around the country, and written a book about it (see below). Here are her top 12 road trip travel hacks you need to know before you hit the road.

1. What to drive

You don’t need a 4WD to drive around Australia, but you do need low range gearing to reach some of the most beautiful bits, because the really wild, wondrous places are almost always in out of the way places. If you are towing a van or camper trailer opt for a turbodiesel, because this type of engine works more efficiently than a petrol for towing and diesel is more readily available in remote areas. And go for an automatic, because autos allow you to just stick it in drive and concentrate on other things.

lower tyre pressure

Deep sand means it’s time to lower tyre pressures (photo: Lee Atkinson).

2. To tow or not to tow?

The number one mistake most people make when choosing whether to buy a caravan, motorhome or camper trailer is to think in terms of what it will be like to live in, rather than where they can take it. If you’re planning to spend most of your time on main roads and want to stay in towns or caravan parks, a caravan or motorhome is a great option. But if your idea of a good time is taking the roads less travelled and getting out into national parks and wild places a camper trailer or a roof-top tent is a better choice. Bigger is not always better. There’s an exponential relationship between the size of your caravan or trailer and the extent to which you can get off the beaten track.

3. Before you go…

If you’ve never been outback or off-road before sign up for a 4WD training course. It will teach you how to use the vehicle to its full potential, how to get yourself out of tight spots and, most importantly, how to use recovery gear. Google ‘4WD driver training’. Same goes for towing: not only do you get plenty of time, and traffic-free space, to learn how to manoeuvre and reverse park your vehicle with a caravan or trailer in tow, you’ll also pick up lots of technical and safety information and handy tips. Tow-ed operates courses in most capital cities and regional centres and will lend you a van if you want to learn before you buy.

Colourful campsite Rainbow Cliffs Arnhem Land

Colourful campsite, Rainbow Cliffs, Arnhem Land (photo: Lee Atkinson).

4. What tools do you need?

A basic tool kit should include a jack, jacking plate and wheel replacement tools, spare tyre, fire extinguisher, emergency fuel supplies (if heading off the beaten track), engine oil, coolant, jumper leads and spare radiator hoses and fan belts and the tools you’ll need to replace them – check out YouTube for DIY tips and bush mechanic lessons. Don’t even think about leaving home without ultimate get-out-of-jail repair kit: cable ties, gaffa tape and fencing wire – with these you can fix just about anything.

5. Getting out of trouble

Getting stuck is inevitable when you’re travelling off the beaten track. You can spend a fortune on fancy recovery gear but there are five things you really can’t do without: we took a pair of Maxx Trax ramps, which you put under the wheels when you’re bogged in sand or mud. They give the tyres something to grip and, as a rule, will launch you out of trouble easily. We also had a long-handled shovel for digging and a snatch strap for those moments when all else failed – all we needed then was somebody else to come along to pull us out, but it was never used. The best way to not get bogged in the first place is to drop tyre pressures to 20psi or less, so we also carried a quality air compressor and an accurate pressure gauge.

6. Essential kit

Never travel without a first aid kit and always carry extra drinking water. Mobile phone coverage can be non-existent in the outback. Hire (or buy) a satellite phone so you can call for help if needed. Some tourist information centres in remote areas have sat phones you can hire, or visit Satellite Hire or   Rent a Sat Phone .

Lee Atkinson's Big Lap map.

Lee Atkinson’s Big Lap map.

7. Map it out

Fighting over which is the right way to go is a major cause of holiday (and marital) breakdown. Don’t rely on the mapping app on your phone – invest in a good GPS. We used Hema Navigator, which features off-road tracks as well as major highways.

8. Keep in touch

These days you can get most of your bills, banks statements etc electronically, which means you can keep the home fires burning relatively easily. Skype is the best thing ever for keeping in touch with friends and family for next to nix. We carried laptops and a 4G mobile wi-fi modem which connects up to 10 devices. Telstra’s the only network that consistently works outside of capital cities.

Troubridge Point Yorke Peninsula SA

Coast hugging, Troubridge Point, Yorke Peninsula, SA (photo: Lee Atkinson).

9. Where to go when

Clockwise or anti-clockwise, that’s the million-dollar question when you’re about to head off on the Big Lap. Whether you turn left or right out of your driveway depends on when you go – if it’s summer, head south, if it’s winter, head north or aim for the red centre. The wet season, which cuts roads and closes national parks anywhere north of the Tropic of Capricorn, can be anytime from November through to May, although it (usually) really only starts to rain in mid to late December and can be all over by April.

The back way, Gippsland, (photo: Lee Atkinson),

The back way, Gippsland, (photo: Lee Atkinson),

10. How long will it take?

How long have you got? Know that however long you go for, it won’t be enough – Australia’s a big place and you could spend a lifetime and still not see it all. On the other hand, you’d be amazed at how far you can go in just four weeks. We spent 42 weeks on the road, and didn’t go where most do go, but did go where many people don’t.

11. How much will it cost?

Everyone’s trip is different, depending on what you drive, where you go, where you stay and what you eat and drink. We were in a 4WD and towing an off-road camper trailer. In terms of day-to-day expenses we averaged just under $150 a day, including fuel, camping fees and the occasional night in a pub if the weather was foul, food and alcohol – we probably could have got that down a little if my partner was a better fisherman, and if I’d chosen cheaper wine, but hey, life’s too short!

12. Can I take my dog?

Many caravan parks will accept well-behaved pets on a leash, but always check before you book rather than on arrival. Pets are not allowed in national parks, even for day visits or picnics. If you want to bush camp with pets, choose state forests instead.

You can read all about Lee’s epic road trip in her book, The Big Lap .

The Big Lap by Lee Atkinson

The Big Lap by Lee Atkinson.

“We took the road less travelled whenever we could, camping in national parks and other wild places where few other travellers go,” says Atkinson. “We found some truly amazing places and saw some fantastic things, and this book is the result, a showcase of some of the most scenic spots in Australia.” Featuring hundreds of beautiful images, the book is the pictorial diary of her journey with detailed captions telling the stories behind the images. The Big Lap costs $35, (including postage), from ozyroadtripper.com.au

LEAVE YOUR COMMENT

Cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Comments (14)

Great tips, thanks for sharing.

No worries, Ian. Is there a Big Lap in your future?

Any tips for solo female travellers doing The Lap?

Hi Jill, Lee recommends: “sat phone no.1 thing for safety. Really use commonsense if camping alone in remote places. And know how to change a tyre. Best of luck on your Big Lap. Let us know how it goes. Cheers,

Kimberley ! Love it! Best holiday ever!!

Great write, Four of us planning a full lap trip, which in google maps i calculated roughly 20,000 kilometers. Where to hire the camper trailer and 4WD ? any reference will be helpful. and what time of the year is better for the round trip, which we plan to start at melbourne, canberra, sydney, brisbane, Seisa QLD, Darwin NT, perth, adelaide and end in melbourne. any suggestions will be great.

Big lapping it as we speak… 6 weeks into our 12 months. I totally agree that its common to make the mistake of picking a van for the inside rather than where you can go. Next time I’d love to have a off road option as we’ve already had to miss out on some amazing spots (but with a 7 month old baby size and comfort won this time around so we opted for a big family caravan).

To anyone thinking about it, just make it happen.

You definitely rock the road Lee. You are certified traveller touring around Australia for 10-months. For sure your books defintely has lots of amazing stories with your travel. Need to have one, I been planning for a road trip for a week self-driving. Never done that before and your blog post helps me a lots how to prepare for a long drive.

I’m 63 and have always been interested in walking around Australia’s perimeter for charity, I’m fairly fit and just trekked Everest Base Camp. How long approximately do you think it would take if I don’t have to stop to long because of possible blisters, then maybe u might say how long is a piece of string

Good advice. I am planning a 100-day big lap trip August-November, counter-clockwise from Sydney. I live in the US, so I won’t be able to bring too many things on the plane. Things like ramps to get my car unstuck will have to buy in Sydney before I head out. But I will be bringing my tent. What kind of car should I get for good clearance? I DO want a 4Wd because I plan to do off-the-track places like Cape York and Gibb River Road.

Well said and interesting reading

Enjoyed reading your comments on “The BIG Lap”, have been planning a BIG LAP trip for sometime now and due to the pandemic here in Victoria it’s on hold for now. My wife and I are semi retired and looking forward to getting on the road as we are keen Caravanner’s and rough it campers, do you recommend storing a caravan at a caravan park to venture off the track? A good example might be leaving the caravan in Alice Springs and go camping at one of the gorges.

Thank you !for inspiring me to’Just do it!

Thanks for sharing such an incredible post. Very well written and contain important information on driving big lap.

You might also like

CherryHill Orchards in the Yarra Valley, VIC

What’s on around Australia in September 2023

There’s no shortage of things to do in Australia. There are countless unique experiences to be had throughout Australia this month. Here’s what�...

a group of bikers traversing the Murray rail trail

15 unmissable things to do in Bright, Victoria

You’ll find epic cycling trails, a vibrant dining scene, clutch of boutique wineries and a microbrewery with mountain vistas just three-and-a-half h...

A run down of the Hilton Hotels, Australia

A run down of the Hilton Hotels, Australia

Everything you need to know about the Hilton in Australia, from the staff at Australian Traveller Magazine. There are 7 Hilton hotels located in Au...

subscriptions footer

© Australian Traveller Media 2024. All rights reserved.

This list of road trip essentials will help you on your trip around Australia

Road Trip Essentials for Travelling around Australia

Sharing is caring!

You need a good packing list for your road trip around Australia

Taking a long drive around Australia is the dream of many. Whether you are travelling solo or as a couple, an Australia road trip is the adventure of a lifetime. Having done many drives myself, both as a couple and on my own, I have put together a comprehensive list of road trip essentials for travelling around Australia. 

Table of Contents

This road trip checklist is designed for people driving in Australia or New Zealand and staying in accommodation. Packing camping gear is a lot more involved than this list and there are many road trips you can take without having a tent or a trailer.

If you are based in Australia, you can click on the highlighted links to see my recommendations.

Drive on good asphalt roads in Australia

Having road trip essentials and other travel items will enable you to have an organised and safe trip. Australia is incredibly big and diverse, and whilst I consider it an easy country to drive in, the sheer size and climate conditions require some important considerations.

Rent a car and drive around Australia

If you are wondering what to pack for a road trip, there are 5 areas to consider: driving items, personal items, how to manage your food and drinks on the road, what you need for packing and which travel apps will make your trip a breeze…

This ultimate travel packing list may seem like a lot of stuff but it also depends on how far you go and what your individual needs are…

My Tasmania road trip was a good experience in learning what I needed for an enjoyable journey.

Driving Essentials

Emergency roadside toolkit.

Whilst self-drive in Australia is generally good, a breakdown can always happen and you need to consider an emergency preparedness checklist. If you find yourself in an isolated area, you will need to be self-reliant and you need a fairly comprehensive road trip kit to solve any minor roadside issues.

A complete emergency roadside toolkit is a good idea for your Australia packing list. They’re not that expensive and could be a lifesaver in case of emergency. Typically, a car emergency kit contains a basic toolbox, jumper cables, a shovel, a tire repair kit, a flashlight, a reflective safety vest, a tow rope and gloves.

Jumper cables

You can also buy a few essentials separately. Booster cables are road trip car essentials in case of battery failure. On the road in Australia, it’s not too hard to flag another car down for help. You’ll need a functioning engine to recharge your battery with the jumper cables.

My Southwest road trip to Albany went without a hitch but due to the age of the car we had, booster cables would have been a good idea.

Foldable Reflective Sun Shade & Car Window Sun Shades

For long drives in the sun on your Australia itinerary, and especially if you have a passenger in your back seat, windscreen covers are a simple way to avoid the bite of the sun.

It's ok to drive on dirt roads in Australia

Sunlight is harsh in Australia. If you leave your car in the sun for a while, trying to hold on to the steering wheel will hurt!

A foldable reflective sunshade to leave in your windscreen will mean you don’t burn your hands when you’re ready to hit the road again. I remember it being very useful on my Perth itinerary !

First aid kit

For any driving holidays, you should have a first aid kit tucked away in the car. Without going overboard with a survival kit bag, it’s good for your peace of mind. Vehicle first aid kits are comprehensive and usually contain scissors, tweezers, adhesive tapes, a tourniquet, bandages, wound dressings, gloves and a first aid guide.

Australia is full of small dangers and it’s a good idea to be prepared.

Even if you don’t have an emergency roadside toolkit, it’s a good idea to have a flashlight.

From finding something you’ve dropped in a dark carpark to making your way back from the beach after watching the sunset, a flashlight is one of the things to take on a road trip.

Printed Road Maps

After all this technology talk, it’s time to take a step back in time! On a long road trip, an old-fashioned printed road map is not out of place. I like the spread of a road map, I find it easier to get a broad view of my journey. Some maps have useful indications on the terrain or a scenic route. 

I dropped my phone on a Melbourne road trip once, in the Grampians National Park , and it went totally dead… Getting to the airport without a map turned out to be quite stressful… I got there in the end but it’s now part of my road trip must-haves.

Melbourne , by the way, is one of the best cities to visit in Australia. Other road trips from Melbourne include the Great Ocean Road and Sovereign Hill .

Mobile Phone Holder

Unless you have a GPS in your car, it’s a good idea to use Google maps on your phone. In order to avoid blowing out your data usage, I recommend downloading them to your phone. They are pretty reliable in Australia but you don’t want to only rely on mobile coverage. 

Driving rules in Australia are very clear: using (or even holding) a mobile while driving is illegal, and it’s a focus area for the local police. Installing a mobile phone holder on your dashboard is a safe way to get access to your maps while driving.

Whether you need maps locally or for longer drives, a mobile phone holder is one of those must-have travel items…

Multiport USB Car Charger

With the technology used in the car while driving, you may as well recharge your device while driving. A USB car charger is a cheap yet very useful device to have around for a long drive.

Whether you take short road trips from Sydney such as Orange or Mudgee , or a longer West Coast trip with a partner, it is likely you will need to charge several devices at the same time. And those long driving stretches are ideal for refuelling whatever technology you are carrying… Make sure your chargers can accommodate have at least two ports.

Battery pack

As you may use your mobile maps on a walk or generally outdoor, I recommend keeping a small battery pack. It’s also part of your survival equipment “when all else fails” in order to never run out of juice when going on a road trip!

Spare car key

I once lost my car key in a shopping centre and it was a mess… I learned my lesson there and would add it to my list of things to bring on a road trip. A car key is never that big and could easily fall out of a pocket or a bag. Make sure you have one locked away in a safe pocket…

Car laptop charger

There are many things to pack for a road trip and a car laptop charger might be a bit of a stretch but if access to power is limited, this could be very useful. If you need to recharge a laptop during your travels, you will need more than a USB car charger.

These devices are designed to provide enough power to charge your laptop off the car battery and some of them can even jump-start an engine.

Personal hotspot

I try not to use it too often in order to manage my data but a personal hotspot can be very handy when you need to use another device and wifi is scarce. Be careful that it can put a strain on your battery. If you are going to use the hotspot function on a regular basis, make sure you have sufficient data available.

The East Coast of Tasmania has some nice rural roads

I didn’t have the need for a hotspot on my West Coast road trip itinerary but it got me thinking for longer trips…

Spare Change and Toll Tag

Most toll roads are now automated in Australia and it’s best to have a toll tag. If you have a rental vehicle, the vehicle will most likely have one and the funds will be charged to your account. In case you go through a toll without a tag, you have three days to call a number and arrange payment.

Drive along Ophir Road new Orange in New South Wales

On a long road trip around Australia, you are unlikely to go through too many toll roads but a Sydney road trip will certainly take you through many toll roads.

Playlists, Podcasts, Audiobooks

Driving around Australia will present you with some very long stretches of road… And even on a couples road trip, the conversation may dry up after a while. Quality playlists, podcasts are long road trip essentials to entertain you on the road…

Personal Travel Items

There are few essential travel items you will need more than sunglasses… The sun in Australia is incredibly bright, especially in Western Australia.

Make sure you pack at least one pair of dark, polarised sunglasses that you keep with you at all times.

Prescription glasses

If you need prescription glasses, make sure you have them nearby at all times. I would also recommend having a pair prescription sunglasses in order to drive comfortably.

Blanket and Pillow

Long drives can be tiring and as soon as you feel tired or sleepy, you must stop and get some rest. Having a light blanket and pillow in the car means you can stop by the roadside and get some meaningful rest.

Enjoy the scenery on your Australia road trip

One of my Australia travel tips is to choose a lightweight but quality blanket to add to your road trip items. Don’t skip basic comfort!

Comfortable Shoes

What to take on a road trip in terms of shoes? I always travel with sturdy but light hiking shoes but on my West Coast Australia road trip, I discovered they weren’t the best for driving.

For long drives, sneakers or slip-on shoes with good gripping soles are a much better idea.

Hat or baseball cap

When packing for a road trip, a head covering is just like sunscreen. A hat or a baseball cap is a very important item when travelling around Australia and you should always keep one in your car.

Take on the road when travelling around Australia

Hand sanitiser

Australia has many areas where access to water might be difficult. Aside from drinking water, keeping some hand sanitiser in your road trip necessities means you can keep your hands clean.

Even if you are sitting in a car for long periods of time, the sun will get you, as I found on my Western Australia road trip. The sun is fierce in Australia and a high spectrum sunscreen is essential to any summer packing list.

Driving in air conditioning means your eyes might get dry. I always keep some eye drops in my toiletries packing list.

Toilet Paper

Australian roads are well maintained and I’m always surprised at how common it is to find functioning toilets in remote areas. And a lot of these places will have toilet paper ! But not always… so come prepared…

Tissues & Cleaning Wipes

I always add tissues and cleaning wipes on my travel toiletries list. I’m not too much of a germaphobe but I like to be prepared for any spills.

When you go on a road trip, your car is like your home, you spend a lot of time in it and it’s important to keep it clean. 

Microfiber towel

Whether it’s for personal use or to keep the car clean, a quick-dry microfibre towel is lightweight and versatile.

Food & Drink

On long road trips around Australia, you will need more than a travel water bottle to put in your backpack…

Finding drinkable water can be quite difficult in some places and in remote areas, it is essential to have some autonomy. I recommend carrying a large water container and a portable water filter.

Driving across Australia doesn’t mean you have to forgo your beloved cup of coffee or tea, you only need to make it sustainable…

This travel mug will keep your drink hot while you ride in the sunset…

Refillable Water Bottle

The best travel water bottle should be insulated, otherwise the water won’t stay cool very long!

Road trip essentials include a lighthouse in Australia

Sitting in a car for long periods of time, you are bound to feel a little hungry at times. Or you may need something to nibble on while waiting to get to the next town. Resorting to fatty snacks and sugary drinks is an easy option but it’s worth getting some healthy road trip food.

I find that eating healthy on the road is not always easy. Fresh fruit is a good idea. The only thing to remember is that you can’t cross state borders with fresh fruit, there are bins at the border for you to toss whatever you have left.

Car Bin with Biodegradable Bin Bags

When you are used to driving in a casual fashion, rubbish is not too much of an issue but when you are driving long distance, it can become a nightmare if not managed properly.

A simple solution is to have a small car bin. I’ll make sure I have one on my next couple road trip! Add some biodegradable bin bags to your road trip essentials list and you’ll keep a clean car all the way around Australia!

Swiss Army Knife

A classic on every backpacking list, a Swiss army knife is a very handy tool to have. Depending on how many tools you choose, this could be part of your survival kit essentials.

Cool Bag or Car Cooler

Embarking on an Australia road trip itinerary, especially in summer, means that your road trip supplies may not stay cool for very long. Having a car cooler or even a cool bag will make the journey more enjoyable. 

Australia is full of places where you can take a break from your long drive and enjoy a picnic. Sheltered tables and even functioning barbecues are remarkably commonplace along the roads of Australia.

A small and portable picnic set means you won’t have to always eat sandwiches and you can diversify your travel meal ideas.

Utensil Set

The best way to travel Australia is to keep sustainability in mind. Single-use plastic is banned or at least frowned upon now.

Driving in the Northern Territory is a great adventure

If you don’t have the need for a picnic set on your road trip, having a basic utensil set is a good idea and should be on every backpacking travel list.

Packing Items

Travel daypack.

Thankfully, driving around Australia means a lot of excursions and day trips, you are not always in the car! Select a lightweight daypack for your daily adventures.

Small Overnight Bag

Depending on what type of luggage you choose for your road trip, keeping a small overnight bag is a great idea, as you won’t need to unpack and repack every time. 

Reusable Shopping Bag

I always carry a reusable calico bag, even when I’m not travelling. Single-use plastic is now banned by the major supermarket chains in Australia so you need a solid bag to carry your groceries.

There are some very lightweight grocery bag options to add to your road trip packing list.

Car Organiser

It’s funny how quickly you run out of pockets when you need to organise so many little bits and pieces.

The best road trips in Australia shouldn’t be spent looking for things or dealing with a messy car: a car organiser is a brilliant solution to keep everything you need in one place.

Packing Cubes

In my opinion, packing cubes are one of the best travel essentials for women and I can’t travel without them! They’re a great way to organise everything in your luggage. They can also be used as an alternative for an overnight bag.

The best packing cubes for travel should be lightweight with a quality zipper.

Australia has some great coastal drives

Camping Chairs

This may be for a road trip in a bigger car but having some camping chairs to relax in when taking a break in driving might feel like a small luxury.

Small Fold-out Table

If you are embarking on a longer trip and intend to camp or at least to have meals outdoors, consider a small fold-out table.

Travel Document Holder

Just like you organise your travel essentials, don’t forget to keep your travel documents safe: passport, copies of your bookings, car rental agreement, drivers’ licence will fit nicely in a travel wallet. 

Essential Travel Apps

Some online applications will make your life on the road a lot easier:

Use Wikicamps to find campgrounds, free camps, hostels and caravan parks. Even if you’re not camping on your road trip, you can use this to find walking tracks, swimming holes, power points, playgrounds, fishing spots and showers.

AirCamp is an alternative to WikiCamps and you can upload your photos to share with the community.

Fuel Map gives you the location and best prices for petrol and keeps a log of your petrol usage and costs.

Visit this colourful shower block in the Northern Territory

This app is useful if you are travelling with a gas bottle, this app will help you find places where to refill or swap your gas bottle.

This great app lets you borrow audiobooks and e-books from libraries around Australia for free.

Polar Steps

Polar Steps helps you track your travels, share your adventure with friends and you can even create a photo book at the end!

This is the Amazon audiobook app. It’s free for 30 days and you have access to Amazon’s library.

Take a drive in the Red Centre desert

Listen to the radio and podcasts with ABC Listen.

OurGroceries

OurGroceries is a shareable shopping list. 

Evernote is the best app for any notes, lists, ideas you need to jot down on the road.

With free offline maps, MAPS.ME is very useful when you are in remote areas.

Pocketbook helps you manage your travel budget and track expenses.

Google Maps

Google Maps offers comprehensive and functional maps all over Australia

You can add all your loyalty cards to Stocard and travel with a lighter wallet!

What to Pack for a Road Trip Checklist

Now that you know what to bring on a road trip around Australia, is such an adventure on your travel bucket list?

Related Posts

Australia road trip, best gifts for hikers, sydney getaway weekends.

Please tell me if I’ve missed anything in the comments below!

LesterLost is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Save these road trip essentials for Australian on Pinterest!

Road trip essentials for Mudgee in Australia

23 thoughts on “Road Trip Essentials for Travelling around Australia”

' src=

This is a very comprehensive Road Trip essentials list for travelling around Australia. We’ve got most things listed here and I definitely attest to WikiCamps being our bible. We use it not only for finding camps, but drinking water and points of interest in each town that we travel through.

' src=

It’s so great being able to rely on quality information when you travel, those apps are incredible in their detail!

' src=

Wow! If I ever head on an Australia road trip (which I hope to someday) I will definitely use this road trip essentials kit when planning. This is so concise and has everything I would ever need.

Hi Samantha, the list is pretty big but a lot of things you probably use in your car anyway, it’s just a matter of being organised. I hate a messy car!

' src=

This is one of the most comprehensive packing lists I’ve ever seen for a road trip. Good tip about bringing a spare car key, losing your keys in the Australian outdoors could be a huge bummer!

Hi Neha, losing car keys would completely ruin a holiday. I know my husband has a spare key hidden somewhere and I’m very careful with the one I use everyday!

' src=

Borrow Box sounds like a great app to have. Australia is so much bigger than you would think. Having a good supply of audio books make just make the difference between a dream road trip and a grump fest.

Yes, I think Borrow Box is a great idea! I wonder what type of books both my husband and I would want to listen to though…

' src=

There seems to be a lot more items required for road trips around Australia and can understand this. And I would defo have that Borrow Box app! That looks so useful. Have bookmarked this page for future reference, as I plan to do a massive road trip around the island one day.

If you do a round trip of Australia, you do need some preparation as it’s a lot of hours on the road… At least the apps don’t take any space! Don’t forget that these are options and you can choose what you take with you!

' src=

What a great and comprehensive list. Love Wikicamps tip. You can use this essentially for America, too!

I dream of a road trip across the US, I would definitely refer to this list in order to be prepared and properly packed!

' src=

Such a great post, I did drive from Melbourne to Sydney it was such an adventure. I wish I could read your post before that travel. Though i will use the tips for my next road trip

' src=

This is a great compilation for the perfect and hassle free road trip. A set of duplicate keys is an amazing addition, had never thought about it. You have some gorgeous photos of the trip!

Hi Ketki, I think the spare key could make or break the trip. Imagine losing your car keys in the middle of nowhere!

' src=

This is such a thorough and well thought-out list, Delphine! Many of these items would be useful for road trips across the world, but I totally see what you mean when you say the heat, sun, and sheer size of Australia need to be considered. I am not much of a driver when I travel, but seeing Australia beyond the cities is definitely something I aim to do eventually. I´ll be sure to come back to this list when the time comes! Thanks for sharing!

Hi Kevin, if you visit Australia, I think the best things to see are well beyond the cities. You do need to drive a lot though as the distances are so massive… Hopefully you’ll take a road trip in this beautiful country someday!

' src=

I’ve been meaning to do a road trip around Australia so this is great information to familiarize myself with. Preparing a booster cable is definitely a good tip as that’s not something I ever thought about bringing on a road trip. Blankets and pillows are also must haves for long trips. Awesome list!

Hi Jas, I think a serious road trip requires things you don’t actually want to use. Also, there has to be a degree of solidarity on the road. If you come across a fellow motorist with a broken down car, it’s good to be able to help!

' src=

This road trip essentials guide is not only useful for Australia but for any road-trip around the world. I will be using it as my packing list. Thanks.

Thank you, I find that taking a road trip is a great way to visit a country, wherever you are in the world.

' src=

Great post-Delphine. Everyone loves road trips but always trouble while packing for it. Whenever I have to go on a road trip, I always end up forgetting some of the important things. Your post is helpful to me. Thanks for sharing.

Packing light is always a challenge for me but I’m improving on every trip. Packing for a road trip requires some forward-thinking, you don’t want to get caught out in the middle of nowhere!

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Privacy policy

New Zealand

Solo travel

Couple travel

Travel resources

LesterLost a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

MY RIG Adventures Logo (vector)

120+ Road Trip Essentials Australia (with PDF Packing List)

There is no better way to explore Australia than jumping into your car and embarking on an epic road trip. Whether you decide to stop at motels along the way, or hitch up the caravan and camp your way around, road tripping is by far the best way to see this vast country.

However, being prepared for a road trip will not only make for a much more comfortable journey, it can sometimes even be a matter of safety.

The important categories to cover in a road trip essentials list include:

  • Personal items
  • Clothing & shoes
  • Kids & pet items
  • Entertainment
  • Communication & technology
  • Food & drink
  • Camping & cooking
  • Organisation
  • Vehicle & trailer preparation
  • Travel planning 

Checking all of the essential tasks and items off your road trip checklist will give you peace of mind and ensure that you’re organised ahead of your next adventure.

We are a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to ebay.com and other affiliated sites. We may earn a commission from your purchases at no extra cost to you. For more information, see our disclosures here .

Road Trip Essentials – PERSONAL

Road Trip Essentials - Personal Items

The easiest way to keep all of your daily road trip essentials together while travelling is in a handy backpack. That way, you can just pick it up and go at any time, knowing that everything you need is in one place.

Medications & Scripts

If you require regular medications, make sure you’ve got plenty packed for your trip. It can help to pack your spare script as well, just in case you need to fill it during the road trip.

Microfibre Towels

Whether you’ll be staying in accommodation or camping, packing 1 x microfibre towel person is a must as they will dry quickly on the road. From showering to swimming, getting clean and dry is essential. It doesn’t hurt to have 2 towels per person if you plan on doing a lot of swimming or using campsite amenities at night.

Check out our review of the Tesalate microfibre towels for caravanning and camping.

Eco Beach Towel

Notebook & Pen

It’s always handy to have a notebook and pen or even some pencils and a rubber in the glovebox.

Notebook & pen uses:

  • Accident/ incident – jot down necessary details
  • Planning – brainstorm travel plans while on the go
  • Shopping lists – for the next stop
  • Boredom – can doodle or play games

Plastic Bags & Ziplock Bags

You never know when you’ll need to throw an item or two into a plastic bag or seal it away in a ziplock bag. From wet clothes to toilet paper, snacks or even your toothbrush! Plastic bags are also handy to use as shopping bags along the way, plus of course, you’ll need something to store your garbage in.

Uses for plastic/ ziplock bags:

  • Keep small things stored together in a ziplock bag
  • Separate wet/ dry items
  • Storing garbage

Reusable Shopping Bag

Many supermarkets in Australia have now banned single-use plastic bags, which means you’ll need to have your own when ducking into the shops for supplies. A fabric bag is always handy and can roll down to a tiny size for storage.

Spare Money

The last thing you want to deal with on the road is not being able to pay for the goods and services that you require in that moment. Make sure you pack spare physical cash, as well as a spare debit card with back-up money on it. That way, if you’re in the outback with no WiFi reception and no ability to simply transfer money onto the other card, you will still be good to go.

Money to carry:

  • Everyday debit card
  • Spare debit card (with available funds in case of emergency)
  • $1 coins for laundromats

Sunglasses & Reading Glasses

Driving along the bright Australian roads can be harsh on your eyes. Sunglasses are recommended in order to reduce straining and squinting. Plus, for those who wear reading glasses, don’t forget to pack a pair of those as well.

Toilet Paper & Tissues

Unfortunately, you can’t always rely on public toilets and rest stops having a topped up supply of toilet paper. It always pays to have a few rolls of your own in the car. Plus, a box of tissues in the car if someone gets the sniffles will keep everyone comfortable.

A great new camping gadget for keeping your toilet paper clean and dry is with the Dunny Buddy Toilet Roll Holder. It’s definitely handy for grabbing and heading over to random toilet blocks on the go.

Dunny Buddy Toilet Roll Holder

  • Bug repellent
  • Floss & mouthwash
  • Hair brush/ comb
  • Hair ties & clips
  • Hand sanitiser
  • Moisturiser
  • Nail scissors
  • Shampoo & conditioner
  • Soap/ body wash

One or two small, compact umbrellas stashed away inside the car door pockets may end up being very welcome on your road trip. If the heavens decide to open up at the exact moment you need to run into a store or attraction, you can simply pop it open and wander on over without getting too wet (hopefully!)

Wallet or Purse

A slim wallet or purse is perfect for slipping into your pocket or bag when you’re travelling on the road. Bulky wallets can take up too much space and are heavier to carry around.

Sometimes, having a shower on the road becomes a luxury, rather than a given. But, if you’ve got a wet washer or some wet wipes, you can still stay hygienic easily enough. They’re also useful for dirty hands when there is no running water nearby.

Aus Line Break

Road Trip Packing Checklist

[ Digital & Printable ]

Road Trip Packing List

What you get:

  • Pre-filled with 600+ items
  • TICK off items as you pack
  • ADD in weights (to organise payload if applicable)
  • 17 categories
  • PRINTABLE format – fully customisable
  • DIGITAL format – completely interactive on your device
  • Download once, use it over-and-over

Road Trip Essentials – CLOTHING & SHOES

Road Trip Essentials Packing List - Clothing & Shoes

  • 7 x shirts – to wear during the day
  • 1 x dressy shirt – for going out at night

Shorts/ Skirts

  • 5 x bottoms – to rotate through during the days

Long Pants/ Jeans/ Leggings

  • 1 x pair – for going out at night
  • 2 – 5 pairs – if it’s cold and you’ll wear them during the day

Jumpers & Jackets

  • 1 x light jumper – for mild climates
  • 2 x warm jumpers – for colder climates
  • 1 x warm jacket – for colder climates
  • 1 x waterproof jacket/ poncho – for wet weather

Socks & Underwear

  • 7 x pairs socks – for your walking shoes & wearing in bed at night
  • 7 x pairs underwear
  • 2 x thermal underwear – for winter & cold climates
  • 2 x wool socks – for winter & cold climates
  • 1 x pair of walking shoes
  • 1 x pair of thongs/ slides – for wearing around the campsite & in the shower
  • 1 x pair of warm boots – for colder climates
  • Bikini/ swimmers
  • Board shorts

Road Trip Essentials – KIDS

Bingara Free Camping, NSW

  • Blankets & wraps
  • Bottles/ sippy cups
  • Nappy Bag (nappies, wipes, cream, change mat, nappy bags etc.)
  • A few favourite toys
  • Drink bottle
  • Educational material (if missing out on school)
  • Entertainment (tablet, books, blocks, ball, sand toys etc.)

Here’s more tips for travelling with kids .

Road Trip Essentials – PETS

Navigator Dog Seat Buddy

  • Collar & tag
  • Balls/ toys
  • Prescriptions & special needs
  • Ensure microchipping, vaccinations, registration, worming & vet checks are up-to-date

Check out the full guide to travelling with dogs .

Navigator Dog Travel Buddy

Road Trip Essentials – ENTERTAINMENT

Road Trip Essentials Packing List - Entertainment

Audio Entertainment

Pre-make some playlists of various audio entertainment for long days on the road. Here are 150+ songs for road-tripping to get you started!

Audio Entertainment:

Ball or Frisbee

A great way to help stretch the legs and bodies during rest stops and at the end of the day is by kicking around a ball or throwing a frisbee. If you’re travelling with kids or pets, they will especially love this.

Binoculars are great for spotting wildlife in the trees both during the day and at night. They also give an extra perspective when exploring new places and you want to be able to see various sites a bit closer.

Binoculars

Board Games & Playing Cards

One of the best parts of a road trip is switching off from our highly-stimulated lives and reconnecting with each other and/ or the world around us. Board games and playing cards provide hours of entertainment without a device or battery in sight! Plus, if the weather turns awful, you’ll be thankful to have some easy entertainment on hand.

Monopoly Australia

Books & Magazines

If you’re old school like me and prefer to physically turn the pages, then one or a few (depending on how fast you read!) good books or magazines will always offer plenty of entertainment. Head to the library before you go and grab some holiday reading. Or, look out for books swaps along the way (often found in campground amenity blocks)

Here are some great novels about travelling Australia , plus some fantastic Australian kids books , to read and help inspire you for your own travels.

Electronic Games

To help keep kids entertained during those long travel days, some pre-downloaded games on a device or a handheld gaming console can break up the hours.

If you want to be able to chill out and have your own downtime (either in the car, or at your accommodation), a set of headphones will be handy. Listen to podcasts, audiobooks, music, YouTube videos etc.

Portable Speaker

One of the best ways to chill after a day of road tripping is with some tunes going in the background while sitting around a campfire, reading a book, playing a game or chatting with your companions. Pack your portable speaker with charging cable and you’re good to go!

Bluetooth Speaker

Tablet or eReader

Another great way to chill out during your down time is to play some pre-downloaded games or make your way through a pile of eBooks. The best thing about a tablet is that you can fit a lot of entertainment into one small device, saving you lots of space and weight.

Road Trip Essentials – COMMUNICATION & TECHNOLOGY

These days our phones do a pretty damn good job of taking photos. But if you want something on top of that, such as a drone, GoPro or DSLR, then don’t forget to pack your kit, along with the charger and batteries.

GoPro

Camping App

If you’re camping during your road trip, make sure you download a camping app such as WikiCamps or Camps Australia Wide. These apps are invaluable tools for finding camps, drinking water, dump points, info centres and loads more.

Here are over 25 Apps for Travelling Australia , that will enhance your trip.

What would a modern-day road trip checklist even look like without chargers?!

Chargers to remember:

  • Laptop/ tablet
  • Bluetooth speaker

Map App/ GPS

If your vehicle doesn’t have a GPS system already installed, make sure you’ve got access to Google Maps or similar on your device. To ensure you’ve always got offline map availability around Australia, you can pre-download maps on apps such as WikiCamps , Maps.me or Hema Maps .

  • Pre-download maps
  • Use offline
  • Save on mobile data
  • Maps run off GPS when you don’t have reception

Portable WiFi Modem

You can quite easily use your mobile phone data while you’re travelling, if you have enough of it. However, another option is to take a portable WiFi modem with you for extra internet usage along the way.

A portable power bank that can be charged in your car as you’re driving is a great way to keep all of your devices topped up when you’re out and about.

Solar Power Bank

Satellite Phone

If you plan on heading off the beaten track for any length of time and know that you won’t have phone reception, carrying a satellite phone can become a matter of personal safety. They can be expensive, but with a second hand unit and a small plan, just to cover the time that you’ll be travelling, it means you’ll still have communication with friends, family and emergency services if need be.

A UHF Radio is an essential road trip item for travelling in Australia. This is the main form of communication between truck drivers, passenger vehicle drivers, oversized load pilots and station workers.

Reasons to have a UHF Radio:

  • Communicate with truck drivers
  • Hear if there are any oversized loads coming so that you can move off the road
  • Call for help in case of emergency

The main channel to use on the highways in Australia is Channel 40, which will allow other drivers to contact you and vice-versa if need be. Here’s the full guide for travelling with a UHF Radio in Australia .

Uniden 8060S (UHF Radio)

Road Trip Essentials – FOOD & DRINK

Insulated water bottles.

Rather than carrying cartons of bottled water, which are awful for our environment, make sure every traveller has their own insulated water bottle.

You can carry a 20L water jerry can in the back or the larger 10L containers of water and fill your bottles from there. Even though you may not be filing the bottles up with cold water, the insulation will keep the water from boiling in the car from the heat of the sun.

Travel Cups & Mugs

No road trip essentials list is complete without an array of snacks to keep you going!

Snack Ideas:

  • Cheese & dip
  • Fruit/ protein/ muesli bars
  • Treats (chocolate, lollies, chips etc.)

Plus, unless you plan on eating out or buying every meal on the go, you’ll need to pack ingredients for breakfast, lunch and dinner into your pantry box and portable fridge/ esky.

Water Containers

One of the main road trip essentials in Australia is water and packing a couple of bottles is simply not enough. You should always carry at least a 20L water container filled up, even if you don’t use it all. In case of break down or emergency, water is the number one resource that all passengers will require.

water Jerry Can

Road Trip Essentials – CAMPING & COOKING

Road Trip Essentials Packing List - Camping & Cooking

Many of these items are essentials for those who are camping during their road trip, however, if you’re travelling in a van, check out these van camping accessories .

Aluminium Foil

Alfoil is useful for covering up foods and dishes to pack into the fridge or esky. It’s also great for campfire cooking (especially baked potatoes in the fire!)

Camping Chairs

Camping chairs will always come in handy on a road trip, however they can be rather bulky. If you’re pressed for space, you may choose to go for a waterproof picnic blanket and make use of public picnic tables instead.

Camp Chair

Camping Stove/ BBQ

Something small and compact for cooking on will be essential. A camping stove with spare fuel canisters is a great, easy solution. Another option is to pack a small BBQ with a small 4kg gas bottle.

Camping Stove

Chopping Board

Essential for preparing meals and cutting up food.

Collapsible Table

You can’t always rely on finding a spare picnic table every time you need one. Having a small, collapsible table in the boot is handy for making lunch on the road, cooking at night and even playing a game of cards.

Alternatively, you could go for a swing-away BBQARM, which easily attaches to either a tow mount or rear bar. They make a great, compact little table, which quickly dismantles and takes up very little storage space in the car.

BBQARM

A small amount of both laundry powder and washing up liquid for cleaning your dishes and clothes along the way are both road trip essentials, whether you’re camping or staying in motels.

  • Laundry powder
  • Washing up liquid

Fire Lighters

Getting a fire going on the road can sometimes be a bit tricky, especially if you’re foraging well picked over campsites and can’t find much kindling. In case of difficulty, throw in a few fire lighters to help get the fire going at night.

Fridge/ Esky

If you’re camping while road tripping in Australia, you will definitely need some way of keeping your food and drinks cold. A 12v fridge is the best way to go, however a good old esky with ice will also do the trick. You’ll obviously need to keep topping up the ice at service stations along the way if you go for the esky option.

Evakool 12v Fridge/ Freezer

Hot Water Bottles

If you’re road tripping during winter or travelling through colder climates, one hot water bottle per person will be very welcome under the blanket at night.

Hot Water Bottles

Every camper needs a good lantern for cooking, cleaning and moving around at night. Don’t forget to pack spare batteries or the cable for charging if it’s a rechargeable one.

Camping Lantern

Lighters & Matches

Always carry multiple matches and lighters if you’re planning on having a fire every night. It’s less than fun to arrive at camp on a cold night, only to find you’ve got nothing to start a fire with.

Mattress or Roll Mat

If you’re staying in a tent, you’ll need to pack some type of mattress for sleeping on. The easiest option is a self-inflating mattress, however they can be quite bulky to store. Another option is the humble blow-up mattress with a 12v pump that runs from the car. Alternatively, you can go for a simple roll mat underneath your sleeping bag, which will help to insulate you against the cold of the ground, as well as provide some padding.

Camping Mattress

Mugs or Tumblers

One mug or insulated tumbler per person is all that you’ll need. They will work for both hot beverages in the morning to cold drinks at night. For avid tea and coffee drinkers, you may also want to pack a lidded travel mug for hot drinks in the car.

Alcoholder Mug with Handle

Throw a newspaper in the car to easily get your fire started each night.

Paper Towel

When it comes to cooking on the road, paper towel is really handy in wiping over semi-dirty dishes and reducing what needs to be washed. It’s also handy for wiping hands and soaking up grease from food.

Pegless Clothesline

If you’re going to be camping during your road trip, you’ll need some way of drying your wet towels from the shower. Plus, if you use a laundry along the way, being able to dry your washing at camp, instead of putting it through a dryer, will save time and money. Having one (or multiple) Pegless Clotheslines with your road trip essentials will take up very little space, yet very much come in handy.

Pegless Clothesline

Picnic Blanket

It’s always handy to add a picnic blanket onto your road trip essentials Australia checklist. They’re great for throwing over picnic tables for meals or using as a ground blanket if need be. A picnic blanket with a waterproof backing is even better for those situations where things are a little damp.

Pillows, Blankets & Sleeping Bags

Definite road trip essentials for campers are some pillows and blankets to help stay warm and comfortable at night. For colder climates, a thermal sleeping bag with an extra warm blanket will keep you much warmer.

Plastic Containers & Twisty Ties

You’ll need some way of storing leftover food once packages have been opened. A couple of reusable containers and some twisty ties (or rubber bands) are all handy solutions.

Plates & Bowls

Pack the essential plates and bowls that you’ll need for your road trip. Going for plastic or stainless steel makes them easier for throwing back into the car along the way, without having to worry about breakages. You could even pack some paper plates and throw them into the fire at night, to help reduce the dirty dishes.

Van Go Bamboo Plate Set

Pots & Pans

Ensure you pack at least one pot and one frying pan for cooking. You can also add in a whistling kettle for boiling water, although if you prefer to keep things light, a pot will also do the job.

Camping Pots

Tea Towels & Dishcloths

Road trip essentials for washing the dishes while travelling include a couple of tea towels and one or two dishcloths for cleaning. A scourer is also helpful to remove stuck food from plates and pots.

The easiest camping accommodation when you’re road tripping and moving every day is a simple tent or a roll-up swag. The benefit of the swag is that there’s a built-in mattress, which means less packing and less setting up.

Swag

A good quality thermos will keep soups and drinks hot for hours. You can make up a batch of coffee or soup in the morning, store it in your thermos and enjoy it all day on the road.

Thermos Flask

Torch or Headlamp

Along with having a lantern, it’s a good idea to pack a torch or headlamp as well (with spare batteries). A headlamp in particular is much easier for doing nighttime toilet trips, getting things in and out of the car, changing a tyre on the side of the road and even using inside the tent.

Headlamp

Utensils & Cutlery

Some essential utensils and cutlery to pack for your road trip in Australia include knives, forks, spoons, tongs, flipper, wooden spoon and a large serving spoon.

Utensil & Cutlery Items:

  • Can opener (or only buy cans with the ring pull)
  • Cutlery – butter knives, forks, teaspoons, dessert spoons
  • Egg flipper
  • Large serving spoon
  • Sharp knife
  • Vegetable peeler
  • Wooden spoon

3-in-1 Camping Cutlery

Washing Up Bucket

You’ll need a bucket or plastic camping sink for washing the dishes after each meal. You can also use it to store all of the cleaning stuff in.

Collapsible Sink Container Bucket

Whistling Kettle

Having some way of boiling water for tea, coffee and dishes is a must have item on your road trip essentials Australia list. However, if you prefer to pack less items, you could just use a pot.

Collapsible Kettle

12v to 240v Inverter

A small inverter, which is designed to plug into a car cigarette socket, will give you the ability to charge things like laptops and camera batteries if you don’t have access to mains power.

12v to 240v Inverter

Road Trip Essentials – PAPERWORK

Road Trip Essentials - Car Paperwork

Most people never even look at their car manual, but if you’re stuck on the side of the road with a car problem, you might just be thankful you have it.

Double check that your insurance is up-to-date before hitting the road and make sure you’re covered for everything that you intend to be covered for. Pack a copy of your insurance policy number and contact details into the glove box, in case of an accident.

Insurance Tips:

  • Ensure payments are up-to-date
  • Ensure you’re covered for everything
  • Pack policy number & contact phone number into the glove box

Here’s everything you need to know about Caravan Insurance in Australia .

Licence/ ID

Something we should never leave home without is our driver’s licence or some form of ID. This will become especially important when entering licensed venues along the way. For travelling kids who have a school ID card, it’s a good idea to pack that as well, just in case they need to show proof of age for various attractions.

Licences to include:

  • Licence for driver/s
  • Photo ID for 18+ travellers without a licence
  • School ID for kids (if applicable)

Registration

These days, most authorities can do a quick rego check with their system and see whether or not your vehicle and trailer are registered. However, it can help to carry registration papers in the glove box just in case you need proof (especially if you don’t have internet access at the time).

Registration Paperwork:

  • Ensure registration is up-to-date
  • Pack paperwork into the glove box

Here’s everything you need to know about Caravan Registration in Australia , with state-by-state costs and regulations.

Roadside Assistance

Make sure you’ve got a good roadside assistance policy to cover you for various break-down situations that may occur during a road trip in Australia. Pack the paperwork with membership number and the roadside assistance phone number into the glovebox.

Roadside Assistance Paperwork:

  • Ensure your car is covered
  • Ensure your caravan/ camper is also covered (under the same policy if possible)
  • Pack membership number & contact phone number into the glove box

Here’s everything you need to know about Caravan Roadside Assistance in Australia .

Road Trip Essentials – EMERGENCY

Road Trip Essentials

Emergency Roadside Kit

All travellers should include an emergency tool kit on their road trip checklist, whether you’re sticking to the highways, or going off the beaten track.

Emergency Kit Items:

  • Basic tools
  • Pocket knife
  • Tyre repair kit
  • Spare fuses
  • Electrical tape/ Duct Tape
  • Torch with spare batteries
  • Reflective safety vest
  • Reflective triangle
  • Window breaker

Roadside Emergency Kit

First Aid Kits

When travelling throughout Australia for any length of time, you should always have a well-stocked First Aid Kit in your car. I also recommend packing a Snake Bite Kit, which will have the specific snake bite bandages with the square indicators on them.

For a full list of over 40 items, see our First Aid Kit Checklist .

Below are some pre-made First Aid Kits by Survival, which contain absolutely everything you should need to aid you in an emergency situation.

Survival Home First Aid Kit

Survival First Aid Kits (eBay) →

Snake Bite First Aid Kit

Survival Snake Bite Kits (eBay) →

Jumper Leads or Battery Jump Pack

Another essential road trip checklist item is something to be able to jump start your car with, in the case of a flat battery.

Jumper leads are handy if you can hail down another car and jump off their battery. However, that’s not always possible. In which case, carrying a battery jump pack is a much better option, especially if you plan on travelling a little more remotely.

Portable Jump Starter

You should never fully rely on your phone maps when you’re travelling. Although it’s definitely recommended to pre-download offline maps using your GPS system of choice, what will you do if your phone charge dies? It’s always wise to have a good quality paper map of the area in which you’re travelling through as a back-up.

HEMA Central Australia Map

PLB (Personal Locator Beacon)

A Personal Locator Beacon is a device which will send out an alert to emergency services with your exact GPS location. They are generally carried by hikers, 4WDers and other people who engage in activities that isolate them from quickly being able to receive help in case of emergency.

It’s not essential to carry a PLB as a road tripper unless you plan on heading off the beaten track and will be unreachable if you need help.

Recovery Tracks

Recovery tracks are not just for 4WDers. Even if you are road tripping in a 2WD vehicle, it is still possible to find yourself stuck in damp ground at a campsite, national park or any other unsealed parking spots.

A set of plastic recovery tracks are a simple way to get out of a boggy situation if there’s no one around to pull you out.

Maxtrax Recovery Tracks

Spare Tyre/s & Jack

Check to make sure you’ve got at least one good spare tyre for your car and another for the trailer (if applicable), plus a jack.

  • Car spare tyre – inflated with plenty of tread
  • Trailer spare tyre – inflated with plenty of tread

4WD Recovery Kit

If you plan to head along some unsealed roads, bush tracks and off-grid camping areas, it’s essential to add a 4WD emergency kit to your road trip checklist.

4WD Recovery Kit Contents:

  • Snatch strap
  • Tree trunk protector
  • Extension strap
  • Snatch block
  • 2 x bow shackles
  • Winch dampener
  • Tyre deflator
  • Heavy duty gloves

4x4 4WD Recovery Kit

Road Trip Essentials – ORGANISATION

Car seat organiser.

The glove box can fill up pretty quickly with all of the bits and bobs you want to be able to grab in a hurry. Instead, use a car seat organiser. That way you can store all of the things you need to access quickly in organisational pockets. From tissues and wipes, to suncream, bug repellent, chargers and more.

If you’re travelling with kids in the back, over the seat organisers are the perfect place for them to stash their snacks, colouring books, devices and everything else that would otherwise end up on the floor.

Car Seat Organiser

Having a dedicated day pack is going to make life on the road so much easier. All of the items that you need with you at all times (even if you’re not in the car) should be stored in the day pack.

Day Pack Items:

  • Maps/ guide books
  • Water bottle

Overnight Bag

Rather than having to unpack half of you car every time to stop for the night, take an overnight bag to take into your accommodation with you. The main things that you’ll need are toiletries, towel, clothing and all of the valuables.

Packing Cubes

If you really want to maximise your storage space, roll your clothing up into packing cubes. You can easily organise clothing into either days or categories and even roll them back up once dirty and stack them back away for laundry day (or when you get home). If you want to go the extra mile, you could label each cube or colour-code for ease of use.

Packing Cubes

Roof Storage Box

A waterproof storage box on the roof provides a secondary place to store some of your road trip essentials. For items that don’t need to be accessed every day, the roof can be a good place to store them.

Rubbish Bin

A little zippered and collapsible rubbish bin for the car is the best way I’ve found to keep all of the trash locked away in one place, without fear of spillages. Here are 15 camping garbage bin ideas .

Navigator Wheel Bin Buddy

Storage Tubs

Depending on how you want to pack things, it can help to have lidded storage tubs stacked in the back of the car, labelled with what’s inside. That way, when you are making a beeline for a particular item, you can simply pull out that tub and find what you’re looking for.

Washing Bag

Have a dedicated collapsible bag for all dirty washing so that it doesn’t get mixed up with the clean clothing. Once it’s full or you can get to a laundry, just grab it and off you.

Expandable Washing Laundry Bag

Road Trip Essentials – VEHICLE PREPARATION

Nissan Patrol under the bonnet

Check Vehicle Fluids

Check and top up (if necessary) all of your car’s fluids.

  • Windscreen wiper water
  • Brake fluid
  • Transmission fluid
  • Radiator coolant

Check Vehicle Lights

Go around and check that all of your lights are working on the car.

  • Indicator & hazard lights
  • Brake lights
  • Additional spotlights & light bars

I recommend getting a good set of rubber floor mats for your car as a road trip essential item while travelling throughout Australia. From the outback dust, to the coastal sands and all of the mud, grass and dirt in between… it’s all going to end up embedded in your car floor carpet if you don’t cover it up!

Fuel Top Up

Fill up the car’s fuel tank/s and any jerry cans that you’re carrying for spare fuel.

  • Car fuel tank/s

Phone Mount

If you need to use your phone for maps or anything else while driving, make sure you’ve got your phone sitting in a mount or cradle. It’s illegal to have your phone in your hand while driving in Australia and the police will not hesitate to fine you for it.

Spare Car Key

Packing a spare car key can be helpful in case something should happen to your usual set. Trust me, it’s not unheard of to loose the car keys somewhere along a bush walk or god knows where else!

Of course, the second key needs to be accessible, which isn’t always going to be the case. So, think of a good place for the second key – maybe in your partner’s handbag or in the caravan.

If you’re travelling through the urban areas of Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, you’ll most likely find yourself travelling along some toll roads. To pay for the tolls, you’ll need a toll tag in your car (loaded up with credit), which will automatically beep and deduct the fee as you drive through the toll point.

To get a Toll Tag, which will cover you for all toll roads around Australia, head to Linkt .

Tyre Pressure

Make sure all of your tyres (including the spare) are pumped up to their recommended PSI.

Where to find correct tyre pressure for your car (if the tyres are standard size):

  • Owner’s manual
  • Chart attached to the inside of the car door

Ensure all tyres on the car have plenty of tread on them. If not, get your tyres changed before hitting the road. A tyre blow-out when travelling at 100km/ hr can be catastrophic.

  • Legal allowable tyre tread depth in Australia – 1.5mm
  • Recommended tyre tread depth in Australia – Over 3mm

Window Shades

Popping a sunshade up across the windscreen makes a massive difference with keeping the car cool during the day when you’re parked in the sun. It also keeps the steering wheel and front seats a lot cooler.

In addition, you can also get sunshades for some of the other windows to help keep the rest of the car cooler.

Window Sunshade

Vehicle Walk-around

Do a final walk around of your vehicle and trailer, just to make sure that everything is secure and looking good for travel.

Road Trip Essentials – TRAILER PREPARATION

Townsville House Sitting

Check Electric Brakes

Plug in the electric brake controller plug when hitching up and make sure that the light comes on (most units will light up when connected correctly).

Check Trailer Tail Lights

Get someone to stand at the back of the caravan or camper and check that the brake lights and indicators are all working as you go through them from the car.

Jerry Can Fuel

Make sure any spare fuel jerry cans that you carry on your caravan or camper are all filled up and that any old, stale fuel has been discarded. Here are all of the legalities for carrying fuel on a caravan , just so you’re aware.

  • Diesel for the diesel heater
  • Fuel for the car

Jerry Can

Pack Down Inside the Trailer

Make sure inside the caravan or camper is travel-ready. If you want to be even more organised, go and grab yourself our FREE Caravan Pack Down Checklist and Planning Kit .

  • Wind down TV aerial
  • Lock in/ remove TV from its bracket
  • Close all roof hatches
  • Close & lock all windows
  • Open all blinds & curtains
  • Secure all loose items
  • Remove bunk ladder & place onto the bottom bunk
  • Lock in the shower door
  • Lock in the room dividers/ doors
  • Lock in the fridge & freezer doors
  • Lock all cupboards & drawers

Pack Down Outside the Trailer

Make sure the exterior of the caravan or camper is travel-ready.

  • Lock all cabinet & hatch doors
  • Secure & lock bikes onto bike rack
  • Lock entry door
  • Fold entry step away
  • Ensure awning is rolled away, locked & secured
  • Hitch up to the tow vehicle
  • Wind up stabiliser legs
  • Wind up jockey wheel
  • Check tail lights
  • Check electric brake controller

Tyre Pressure & Tread

Make sure your caravan or camper tyres have plenty of tread on them and are at the recommended PSI. Don’t forget to also check the quality and PSI of the spare tyre as well.

Spare Caravan/ Camper Key

Sometimes, things just happen and we find ourselves in need of the spare key. Touch wood that you don’t need to use it, but having one in a secondary location may just get you out of an otherwise tricky situation.

Towing Weights

If you’re about to hit the road with a caravan or camper behind you, it’s imperative that you weigh your set-up and ensure that you’re within your legal towing weight limits.

Remember, every time you add, subtract or shift your load, your various towing weights will also change.

Helpful Information for Towing Weights: ◆  All Towing Weights Explained → ◆ 3 Ways to Work out Tow Ball Weight → ◆ Step-by-step Instructions for Weighing a Trailer →

Vehicle & Trailer Walk-around

Always do a final walk-around once you’re hitched up and ready to go. This is where you’ll often pick up if something has been forgotten to be locked, put away or secured.

Road Trip Essentials – PLANNING

Accommodation style.

The type of accommodation you will be using during your travels will largely affect what needs to be included on your road trip packing list. For example, if you will be utilising motels, then you won’t need to bother with camping gear. Alternatively, you may want to Free & Low Cost Camp, which means you may have to plan your stops around campsites that have toilets on site.

Accommodation Considerations:

  • Plan camps that have amenities
  • Call ahead for vacancies/ bookings with caravan parks & motels

Have an Itinerary

Whether you’re the type to have all plans laid out in a spreadsheet, or you just prefer to wing it, having at least a loose itinerary for your road trip is essential.

Road Trip Itinerary Considerations:

  • Travel time frame
  • Departure & return dates
  • Travel budget
  • Final destination (or at least direction of travel)
  • ‘Must Do’ stops along the way

Plan Rest Stops

Driving for long periods can tire you out. So, every two hours you may either want to switch drivers or make pit stops for a snack, drink some water, go to the toilet and stretch your bodies. This will help you to remain alert and enjoy your time.

Map of Australia Sticker

Check for Roadblocks & Restrictions

Roadblocks can put a damper on every road trip, which is why you need to carefully plan the route that you are going to take. Make sure that there are no road works, closures, or accidents on the way. You may want to keep yourself updated until the day you are going on the trip as well as during the trip.

In this regard, you might want to do some research on the traffic as well using Google Maps or Waze. Nothing can ruin your trip more than blockages caused by a traffic accident, which will just lead to tiredness and frustration.

Check the Weather & Road Conditions

If it’s necessary for you to leave on a less than ideal day for the weather (say, you already have your holiday leave and you can’t change it), then you may use current weather and road conditions information to make an update on your route. Not every area will have the same weather, so an alternative route may well save your trip.

If the weather has been unstable (or is expected to be), then you might expose yourself to muddy roads that are difficult to drive on, bushfires or floods. Needless to say, this can put a great question mark on your safety, which is why you may want to find out what the conditions of the road will be.

For an up-to-date look at where there are bushfires around the country, use an app such as Fires Near Me .

Download an Emergency App

We all hope that our trips will go smoothly, but one can never be too sure when disaster may strike. Inform your loved ones about where you are going, stay in contact, and just in case, download an emergency app, such as Emergency+ . While emergency numbers are excellent, apps can also work as a reliable alternative.

Pack up your Home

Your trip starts even before you leave your home. Therefore, before you begin conquering all the wonders of the Australian Outback, make sure that everything in your home is packed up and in order. 

House Packing Tips:

  • Clean the bathrooms for when you get back
  • Wash the bed linen for when you get back
  • Vacuum the floors
  • Empty all perishable food out of the fridge & pantry
  • Empty all rubbish bins
  • Switch off appliances
  • Lock all doors & windows
  • Let a neighbour know you’re going away (get them to clear mailbox & take garbage bins in & out)
  • Leave jewellery and valuables in a safe place
  • Leave the place looking like someone is still there
  • Set the alarm

If you’re packing up for long-term travel, here are 8 tips for packing up the house .

Avoid Driving at Night

Driving at dusk, dawn or at night in Australia is not a wise move unless you absolutely can’t avoid it. Much of our native wildlife are most active during those times, but are much harder to spot, which increases the risk of having an accident and/ or adding to the roadkill.

Now, it’s over to you. Time to start planning and packing for your epic Australian road trip!

Road Trip Packing List

Road Trip Packing List

No matter what your accommodation style is, the Road Trip Packing List will ensure that you don’t forget a thing.

  • PRINTABLE & DIGITAL

Travel Planning Tools

Travel Checklists

9 thoughts on “120+ Road Trip Essentials Australia (with PDF Packing List)”

We go road tripping alllll summer usually. These are really really good tips! I love your checklist, it’s something I’ve been meaning to make because we ALWAYS. FORGET STUFF. haha Thanks for all these resources.

Haha it seems as though forgetting stuff is a regular theme. Hopefully you can get out there for some road trips this summer.

We too love road trips as they give such an immersive experience of the places you visit and pass through. But of course one needs to plan so that things run smoothly. This is a very exhaustive and good checklist and has some really interesting points like checking for wildlife.

These are all great tips! I haven’t done a major road trip for a long time but I would really like to do one later this year. Checking for pests and snakes in a caravan that hasn’t been used in a while is a great tip, and so is not driving at night. Driving on a rural road that isn’t well lit (or lit at all) can be a very mentally intensive experience even if the chance of encountering wildlife is low. I wouldn’t have thought about dawn and dusk being active times for animals, either!

Night driving really can be more mentally intense, for sure. Definitely need to thoroughly check the caravan before loading it up for the next trip!

We are big list makers so always good to see another checklist and make sure ours is complete. We sure added a few things this year with more road trips. Good advice to check your route in advance. Especially in summer around here when most of the road construction is done! We often take the smaller roads to travel slower so we can stop when safe. Good planning tips.

I love a good list myself! I think it’s going to be a big year for road trips, as people can’t head abroad. It’s always nice to be able to travel slower if you’ve got the time.

I love love loveeeee road trips and have gone on several before yet I always seem to forget something still hahaa. What a perfect checklist and such a great lifesaver. I’ll definitely have to look into that Emergency+ app!

Road trips are so much fun. Haha there’s always something that gets forgotten!

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

around australia trip

Road trip itineraries around Australia

around australia trip

Our travels around australia in caravans & a Camper

After doing a full lap in 2011 for our honeymoon, we caught the travel bug and have been on a half lap in 2015 and 4 months in QLD in 2020, with plenty of local trips in between.  Below is our journey so far, we hope it helps you plan for your own travels around amazing Australia.

The big lap of Australia - Trip 1

119 days / 58 stops, from gold coast traveling north in july, east coast australia - trip 2, 231 days / 41 stops, from gold coast traveling south in march, queensland - trip 3, 54 days / 13 stops, from gold coast traveling north in july, queensland - trip 4, 56 days / 19 stops, from gold coast traveling north in september, dinosaur trail - queensland - trip 5, 54 days - 17 stops, from gold coast traveling west in october, lap of australia - trip 6, current 2022 trip, from gold coast traveling south in january, view by state/territory, latest post.

around australia trip

Create a digital affiliate income while traveling Australia

As far as online businesses go, Affiliate Marketing is one of the

Start your own journey

What can you do today to get your trip off the ground, travel gear, signup for updates, news, reviews, locations & deals..

Request a Journeys Catalog!

All Around Australia

Five-Star Wilderness and Wildlife

Bruny Island, Tasmania

Bruny Island, Tasmania

Ningaloo Reef snorkeler and sea turtle

Ningaloo Reef

Curious kangaroo in Ningaloo, Australia

Curious kangaroo in Ningaloo

Windjana Gorge

Windjana Gorge

Kimberley Aborigine art

Kimberley Aborigine art

Whitsunday Islands, Queensland

Whitsunday Islands, Queensland

  • Overview & Pricing

Trip Details

  • Related Trips

This home run of a high-end adventure covers off-the-beaten-path bases all the way around Australia. You can pick and choose or swing for the fences—begin in Tasmania then hopscotch Western Australia clockwise from Perth to Ningaloo Reef, Broome, and the Kimberley. Fly back to Perth, reset for a counterclockwise route, and catch the Indian Pacific train for a luxurious three-day ride to Adelaide. Fly from there to the Great Barrier Reef.

Your accommodations are unique and top notch, from luxury safari camps on the Ningaloo Coast and in the Kimberley, to a platinum-level cabin on the Indian Pacific train, to a secluded resort on a private island in the Great Barrier Reef.

Too long of a trip? Too short? Not enough wine? Want more wildlife? Remember, this is Off the Beaten Path Custom Travel, so tell us how you would like us to reshape this itinerary to better suit you!

Price From*

$27,850 USD

Custom-Made Travel

Best Months for Travel

April, May, June, July, August, September, October

32 days / 33 nights

Trip begins/ends

*Price per person based on sample itinerary detailed. Pricing will vary depending upon number of travelers, rooming configuration, and other planning details specific to your trip.

Call Toll-Free 800-445-2995

How can we customize this sample itinerary for you.

If this sample itinerary looks intriguing, let us know and we can begin the process of tailoring it for you and yours! Call or email us today: [email protected] .

  • Trip Highlights

What’s Included? Everything you need, plus everything you want.

  • Wildlife: Go on “Quoll Patrol” in Tasmania to see eastern quolls, wombats, and wallabies; swim with peaceful whale sharks off Ningaloo Reef; look for crocs in the Kimberley, and more.
  • Meals to Savor: Fresh and sublime seafood and wine are a running subtheme to the journey.
  • Way Out Back in the Kimberley: Take seven days to travel with a guide through the Kimberley, a wilderness of dramatic gorges and 41,000 years of Aboriginal history.
  • The Essentials

Trip Type: Custom-Made Travel

Region: Australia

Trip Price: $27,850

Duration: 32 days/33 nights

Trip Begins/Ends: Hobart / Cairns

National Parklands:

Select Terms & Conditions

All custom travel is tailored to the desires and interests of our traveling clients (see How Custom Travel Works tab). Trip pricing detailed is an estimate of the per person pricing for the sample itinerary detailed and includes all of the lodging, activities, and guided experiences described. Actual pricing for the trip designed expressly for you and others traveling with you will depend on the features and elements developed during the trip planning process. Travel with Off the Beaten Path requires agreement to our standard Terms & Conditions .

Energy Index

Energy Index Spectrum

No Sweat - 1-2 miles of walking or hiking per day, plus easy activities

Nice & Active – 3-6 miles of hiking or walking per day, plus physically active exploration

High Five! – 5-10 miles of hiking per day, plus possible peak bagging or other action-oriented fun

All Around Australia - Energy Index

The Energy Index detailed above relates to the level of exertion associated with the sample trip detailed. This would be modified to fit the style and ability of your group as a part of the custom trip planning process

Make It Private

How custom-made travel works at off the beaten path.

We’ve been tailoring custom journeys for clients since our very inception in the mid-1980s! The process is all about connecting the interests of the travelers with the best that a given destination has to offer. To achieve this, we rely upon good ol’ fashioned conversation! Our geographically focused travel designer love to meet new people and learn about their interests for travel. Understanding your goals informs the process immensely and serves as the foundation for the development of a bespoke travel experience for you and yours.

The trip detailed on this web page is a sample of something we’ve done for other clients over the years. In order to start the process of designing your own custom travel experience, just call us at (800) 445-2995 and ask to speak with one of our Travel Advisors. After a bit of time on the phone, you will then have the opportunity to connect with one of our travel designers.

The entire planning process is very personalized and works in an iterative fashion until a final, perfect trip has been created. We then secure all of the lodging, activities, and guided experiences associated with your trip and send along abundant trip materials capturing these details – and much more about your travels!

  • How Custom Travel Works

Days 1-6: Tasmania

Jump in with a full day cruise down the Derwent River and into the sheltered waters of the D'Entrecasteaux Channel that surround Bruny Island. Your guide dives for abalone and sea urchins and shucks fresh oysters to prepare a feast. Then it’s off to hike and look for wildlife in Freycinet National Park, Ben Lomond National Park, and Mount Victoria forest Reserve. You might see platypus, Tasmanian devils, wallabies, quolls, and more. 

Days 7-9: Margaret River

Fly to Perth and drive to Margaret River, world renowned wine region. The area is also known for its beaches, and there is much to see and do here. Your highlight will be visiting Voyager Estate for a long walk followed by a six-course “Discovery Meal” showcasing the region’s finest seasonal produce.

Days 10-12: Ningaloo Reef

Fly to Exmouth from Perth and transfer to Ningaloo Reef for three days of relaxing and exploring from your sumptuous beachside safari camp. If you’re here between April and July, you’ll be able to swim with the whale sharks, filter-feeding behemoths that migrate through during those months. Whenever you’re here, you can skiff out into the Indian Ocean with your guide to look for turtles, dugongs, dolphins, rays, and seabirds. 

Day 13: Broome

A quick night in Broome sets you up to fly out for the next leg of your adventure. 

Days 14-21: The Kimberley

Fly to Kununurra to meet your guide for an incredible adventure in the Kimberley, known for its vast wilderness regions, isolated coastline, dramatic gorges, and deep Aboriginal connection. During this 7-day expedition your guide will take you to iconic sites along the Gibb River Road, swimming in the Lake Argyle infinity pool, walking among the Bungle Bungles, touring through the Ord Valley, and more. Accommodations include comfortable safari-style tents and guest rooms. 

Day 22: Perth

Fly to Perth to catch tomorrow’s train.

Days 23-25: Ride the Rails

Catch the Indian Pacific for an amazing ride across Southern Australia, from Perth to Adelaide. Off-train excursions let you get out and explore some of the historic and fascinating stops along the way. All aboard!

Day 26: Cairns

Fly to Cairns today to launch the last, exquisite leg of this spectacular journey. 

Days 27-31: Great Barrier Reef

Catch a boat to the ultra-exceptional Bedarra Island Resort, set in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The ten private villas offer the ultimate in privacy, tranquility, and barefoot luxury. Take advantage of the resort’s sea kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, snorkel equipment, or trails, or let us arrange for some SCUBA diving or deep-sea fishing. 

Day 32: Cairns

It’s so hard to leave, but you’ll boat back to Cairns today for flights home tomorrow. 

The Henry Jones Art Hotel

The Henry Jones Art Hotel

Situated along Hobarts waterfront, this historic warehouse dates back to 1804 and has been transformed into a distinctive hotel. The Henry Jones Art Hotel was designed with the intent to merge the historic aspects with the modern amenities of a five-star hotel. The hotel partnered with a diverse range of Tasmanian artists to present a continuously changing exhibition of over 4,000 artworks; every space creates a singluar environment where the art is the focus. Each of the 56 guest rooms and suites reflect a fusion of art, heritage, tradition and nature found throughout Tasmania. 

Red Feather Inn

Red Feather Inn

The Red Feather Inn is a well appointed bed and breakfast just outside of Launceston's city center. This perfect luxury retreat is beautiful decorated in a Georgian and French provincial style and is surrounded by a secluded garden. 

Empire Retreat and Spa

Empire Retreat and Spa

Located in the heart of Margaret River in Western Australia, Empire Retreat is designed to provide guests with an escape from the complexities of life. Empire Retreat is a small, private property featuring only 10 suites that are decorated with subdued lighting, natural woods and stones to create the perfect ambiance for relaxation. If you are looking for a little more peace and solitude, the spa on property invites you to do just that. Their spa menu includes traditional therapies along with specialized rituals designed to appeal to those wanting something a little different. 

Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef

Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef

Located on a remote stretch of Western Australia's Indian Ocean coast, Sal Salis is a luxurious beach-side safari camp with 16 luxe wilderness tents in the heart of Cape Range National Park. With the rolling dunes in the National Park on one side and the crystal clear blue waters of the Indian Ocean on the other. The main lodge is the heart of the property and is where guests gather for meals, relaxation, stargazing and everything in between.

Pinctada McAlpine House

Pinctada McAlpine House

With only eight guest rooms, Pinctada McAlpine House is a charming retreat designed with serenity in mind. On site they have a variety of lush gardens, veranda's and a swimming pool for guests to enjoy after a day of exploring Broome and the surrounding Kimberly. 

Bedarra Island Resort

Bedarra Island Resort

Situated on a private island, Bedarra Island Resort is one of Australia's unique resorts. Each of the nine private villas are nestled amongst the tropical rainforest and offer sweeping views of the surrounding reef.

You May Also Be Interested In...

Waiheke Island, New Zealand

Fly Fishing New Zealand's North Island

hollyford track in the mountains in new zealand

Hiking Adventure on the South Island

Koala in a gum tree

Authentic Australia

Recent posts.

Katie and her husband in the Devils Garden

Utah Travel Tales - Journey to the Desert Southwest with Katie Arenas

An Interview with Katie Arenas, Avid Traveler & OBP Travel Planner Katie Arenas grew up with an appreciation for the outdoors through immersive travel with family, friends, and as a solo traveler. She let her passion for active outdoor adventure lead her all the way to her role at Off the Beaten Path, where she […]

Ryan Smith with fellow travelers in the Rocky Mountains

Ryan Smith Travel Tales - Traveling Solo & Sharing Trails

A Conversation with OBP Traveler Ryan Smith Ryan Smith is a frequent solo traveler with Off the Beaten Path. He has explored the country with OBP, from the unique deserts of California and Texas, to the coasts of the Pacific Northwest, the staggering, wild landscapes of the Rocky Mountains, and beyond. In this interview, Ryan […]

Phil and Marilyn in Gates of the Arctic National Park

Alaskan Travel Tales From Phil and Marilyn Nelson

Meet Phil and Marilyn, Intrepid DIY adventurers with a passion for exploration. Intrigued by Alaska’s stunning beauty, vast terrain, and unique culture, they’d set their sights on the challenging frontier of visiting the five national parks without road access. They turned to OBP to craft a customized journey tailored to their goals and interests – […]

Kurt Westenbarger, Retiring OBP Guide

Kurt Westenbarger: Connecting People and Nature Through Guiding

Celebrating a Lifetime of Inspiration, Adventure, and Stories As 2024 approaches, we celebrate the remarkable career of longtime Off the Beaten Path guide Kurt Westenbarger. From the rugged Northern Rockies to the mystical Desert Southwest, Kurt has emerged as a traveler’s favorite, bringing to life the landscapes with his in-depth knowledge and captivating narrative style. […]

Stay in the know and feed your spirit of adventure. Get travel inspiration sent straight to your inbox!

Proud Partner of National Parks Conservation Association

Get your OBP Journeys Catalog

Journeys Catalog

What's Included:

check mark

Detailed trip information Everything you need to know about our upcoming trips.

Adventure Collection Member Founding member of the Adventure Collection.

What makes OBP unique We believe travel is where the heart of the traveler meets the soul of the place.

Fill out the information below and we'll send you our current journeys catalog asap! This delightful portfolio is our annual effort to inspire travel – to remind our friends that getting out and connecting with the world enriches our lives and fills our heart and soul for a lifetime. Thanks for letting us share this with you!

An * denotes a required field

WELCOME TO OFF THE BEATEN PATH

around australia trip

Bring your curiosity and come exploring with us!

around australia trip

NORTH TO ALASKA

To receive our most complete detailing of this small group adventure, please provide your preferred contact information.

Australia Cruise Guide

Australia Circumnavigation Cruises

Want to go on a cruise around Australia? That's a "circumnavigation" cruise. Surprisingly, there aren't a lot of these "circle Australia" cruises available. It's a long voyage, and that limits the number of people who have the time to take it. All of the options are listed below.

Australia's major cities are on the coast, so a cruise round the continent is a natural way to explore. The cruises typically depart from Sydney and include stops at Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Darwin and more. Often they go to Tasmania and Bali too.

The map above is of a Holland America cruise round Australia.

February 14, 2024: 34-night cruise around Australia on Royal Caribbean . Round-trip from Sydney (Australia) to Brisbane (Australia), Gladstone (Australia), Cairns (Australia), Darwin (Australia), Exmouth (Australia), Perth (Australia), Esperance (Australia), Adelaide (Australia), Melbourne (Australia), Hobart (Australia), Picton (New Zealand), Lyttelton (New Zealand) and Dunedin (New Zealand).

February 29, 2024: 26-day cruise around Australia on Princess Cruises . Round-trip from Sydney (Australia) to Brisbane (Australia), Willis Island (Australia), Cairns (Australia), Darwin (Australia), Broome (Australia), Geraldton (Australia), Perth (Australia), Busselton (Australia), Albany (Australia), Adelaide (Australia), Melbourne (Australia), Burnie (Australia) and Hobart (Australia).

October 18, 2024: 30-night cruise round Australia on Cunard Line . Round-trip from Sydney (Australia) to Airlie Beach (Australia), Cairns (Australia), Darwin (Australia), Bali (Indonesia), Broome (Australia), Geraldton (Australia), Fremantle (Australia), Albany (Australia), Adelaide (Australia), Melbourne (Australia), Hobart (Australia) and Port Arthur (Australia).

October 26, 2024: 26-day cruise around Australia on Princess Cruises . Round-trip from Sydney (Australia) to Hobart (Australia), Melbourne (Australia), Adelaide (Australia), Albany (Australia), Busselton (Australia), Fremantle (Australia), Geraldton (Australia), Broome (Australia), Darwin (Australia), Cairns (Australia), Willis Island (Australia) and Brisbane (Australia).

November 17, 2024: 35-day Australia circumnavigation cruise on Holland America Line . Round-trip from Sydney (Australia) to Newcastle (Australia), Brisbane (Australia), Airlie Beach (Australia), Cairns (Australia), Darwin (Australia), Komodo Island (Indonesia), Broome (Australia), Exmouth (Australia), Geraldton (Australia), Fremantle (Australia), Albany (Australia), Port Lincoln (Australia), Adelaide (Australia), Kangaroo Island (Australia), Melbourne (Australia), Hobart (Australia) and Port Arthur (Australia).

December 22, 2024: 34-day Australia circumnavigation cruise on Oceania Cruises . Round-trip from Sydney (Australia) to Newcastle (Australia), Airlie Beach (Australia), Cairns (Australia), Cooktown (Australia), Darwin (Australia), Bali (Indonesia), Exmouth (Australia), Geraldton (Australia), Perth (Australia), Busselton (Australia), Albany (Australia), Adelaide (Australia), Kangaroo Island (Australia), Portland (Australia), Phillip Island (Australia), Melbourne (Australia), Burnie (Australia) and Eden (Australia).

Love Exploring

Love Exploring

These Are the Best Road Trips in Australia

Posted: June 4, 2023 | Last updated: August 3, 2023

Heading off into the horizon on a road trip is an Aussie rite of passage – from cruising along sun-splashed coastal roads to tracking across dead-straight desert highways. Nothing comes close to that sense of freedom and finding a new adventure around every bend. Here are some of the ultimate drives to experience Down Under.

Ultimate drives Down Under

The archetypal Aussie road trip has red dirt roads, ’roos and road trains. You can expect all this and so much more on the pleasingly circular route from lively desert town Alice Springs along the Red Centre Way to Tjoritja/West MacDonnell Ranges, Watarrka/Kings Canyon and onto the spiritual and geological wonders of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Ideally, allow a week to immerse yourself in the sights, experiences and spiritual moments on offer along the 705-mile (1,135km) route.

Alice Springs to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory

<p>After getting to know Alice’s many charms, head into the desert. Take a refreshing dip in Ellery Creek Big Hole in the MacDonnell Ranges before the long drive to Kings Canyon – stretch your legs exploring its steep sandstone cliffs and palm-filled crevices and drink in the blazing desert-scapes. Keep watch for thorny devils, magnificently spiky little lizards. Next up is the country’s most famous landmark, Uluru and the equally bewitching rock dome formation Kata Tjuta.</p>

After getting to know Alice’s many charms, head into the desert. Take a refreshing dip in Ellery Creek Big Hole in the MacDonnell Ranges before the long drive to Kings Canyon – stretch your legs exploring its steep sandstone cliffs and palm-filled crevices and drink in the blazing desert-scapes. Keep watch for thorny devils, magnificently spiky little lizards. Next up is the country’s most famous landmark, Uluru and the equally bewitching rock dome formation Kata Tjuta.

<p>Rainforests, whales, wines and beaches, glorious beaches, are the reason to put this coastal drive on top of your hit list. Circuit south from Sydney to Royal National Park where you can follow near-empty bush trails through rainforest to wild surf beaches, lagoons and rock pools. Then follow on along Princes Highway to Wollongong – crossing the spectacular Sea Cliff Bridge. Next up is Kiama with its famous blowholes, chilled seaside vibe and pleasing coastal trails, perfect for stretching limbs before you hit the road again.</p>

Sydney to Ulladulla, New South Wales

Rainforests, whales, wines and beaches, glorious beaches, are the reason to put this coastal drive on top of your hit list. Circuit south from Sydney to Royal National Park where you can follow near-empty bush trails through rainforest to wild surf beaches, lagoons and rock pools. Then follow on along Princes Highway to Wollongong – crossing the spectacular Sea Cliff Bridge. Next up is Kiama with its famous blowholes, chilled seaside vibe and pleasing coastal trails, perfect for stretching limbs before you hit the road again.

<p>Mainline for Nowra on the southern shore of the Shoalhaven River – factor in time to slip off to Greenwell Point, a gorgeous fishing village to slurp oysters then head for Huskisson, hub of Jervis Bay with its string of powdered-sugar-esque sands. Greenfields and Murrays in Booderee National Park are standouts. Get on the water to spot dolphins, fur seals and migrating humpback whales (May to November) then veer inland to explore vineyards and country towns or make a beeline for coastal villages Mollymook (home to chef Rick Stein’s Aussie outpost) and Ulladulla.</p>

Mainline for Nowra on the southern shore of the Shoalhaven River – factor in time to slip off to Greenwell Point, a gorgeous fishing village to slurp oysters then head for Huskisson, hub of Jervis Bay with its string of icing-sugar-esque sands. Greenfields and Murrays in Booderee National Park are standouts. Get on the water to spot dolphins, fur seals and migrating humpback whales (May to November) then veer inland to explore vineyards and country towns or make a beeline for coastal villages Mollymook (home to chef Rick Stein’s Aussie outpost) and Ulladulla.

<p>Visitors to South Australia are spoilt for road trips whether it’s coast, vines or outback scenery they’re looking for. The Explorer’s Way route takes you from Adelaide’s beaches past the cellar doors of Clare Valley (pick up some riesling to toast your progress later) and onto the rural townships of the Flinders – Melrose is the oldest town in the Flinders Ranges and well worth a wander to experience its archetypal outback charm. </p>  <p><a href="http://bit.ly/3roL4wv"><strong>Love this? Follow our Facebook page for more travel inspiration all over the world</strong></a></p>

Adelaide to Coober Pedy, South Australia

Visitors to South Australia are spoilt for road trips whether it’s coast, vines or outback scenery they’re looking for. The Explorer’s Way route takes you from Adelaide’s beaches past the cellar doors of Clare Valley (pick up some riesling to toast your progress later) and onto the rural townships of the Flinders – Melrose is the oldest town in the Flinders Ranges and well worth a wander to experience its archetypal outback charm. 

Love this? Follow our Facebook page for more travel inspiration all over the world

<p>Take a detour off the main highway to experience the incredible wilderness of the Ikara–Flinders Ranges National Park from its remote homesteads to age-old rock art and the remarkable rock basin Wilpena Pound. Then head back to Port Augusta for the long, and fairly sight-free (bar the dazzlingly white salt bed Lake Hart), stretch north up to opal mining town Coober Pedy. Up for more? Carry on north to follow the full-length of the 1,864-mile (3,000km) Explorer’s Way journey all the way to Darwin.</p>

Take a detour off the main highway to experience the incredible wilderness of the Ikara–Flinders Ranges National Park from its remote homesteads to age-old rock art and the remarkable rock basin Wilpena Pound. Then head back to Port Augusta for the long, and fairly sight-free (bar the dazzlingly white salt bed Lake Hart), stretch north up to opal mining town Coober Pedy. Up for more? Carry on north to follow the full-length of the 1,864-mile (3,000km) Explorer’s Way journey all the way to Darwin.

Head south of Adelaide instead and you’ll find the Fleurieu Peninsula – an enclave of exquisite beaches, pretty coastal towns and world-class vineyards. So all-in-all, a top spot for road trippin’. Begin in McLaren Vale to sip, swirl, scoff (and preferably cycle) your way around its cellar doors. Snooze it off, then hit the road for more wows: kayak to the caves of Port Willunga and snorkel to spy leafy sea dragons at Rapid Bay.

McLaren Vale to Kangaroo Island, South Australia

<p>You’re close to Cape Jervis now, the very tip of the peninsula and where car ferries cross to Kangaroo Island. Expect more belting beaches (Emu and Vivonne Bay among them) and wildlife galore. It’s a good idea to forget the car for a few days. Not just to enjoy the island’s wines and artisan spirits but to follow its many bushwalking trails – the vast Flinders Chase National Park has the famed Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch while Seal Bay is the place to see the adorable Australian sea lions at play. </p>  <p><a href="https://www.loveexploring.com/galleries/128483/30-of-australias-most-beautiful-sites?page=1"><strong>These are Australia's most beautiful sights</strong></a></p>

You’re close to Cape Jervis now, the very tip of the peninsula and where car ferries cross to Kangaroo Island. Expect more belting beaches (Emu and Vivonne Bay among them) and wildlife galore. It’s a good idea to forget the car for a few days. Not just to enjoy the island’s wines and artisan spirits but to follow its many bushwalking trails – the vast Flinders Chase National Park has the famed Remarkable Rocks and Admirals Arch while Seal Bay is the place to see the adorable Australian sea lions at play. 

These are Australia's most beautiful sights

If you’re on a mission to get to Byron Bay you could make this journey in eight hours. But this is a road trip to relax into, so aim to set aside five days or more to really get under the skin of New South Wales’ central and north coasts. When you’re ready to leave Sydney, head north past the northern beaches, across the Hawkesbury River and on to Newcastle. This coastal city is having a real moment so stop to enjoy its fab dining spots, boutique hotels and cool music scene.

Sydney to Byron Bay, New South Wales

<p>Prepare to be wowed only further by the glorious coastline as you edge upwards. Among the highlights are the wild dolphins and whopping great sand dunes in Port Stephens (the largest in the Southern Hemisphere), Blueys Beach in Pacific Palms and Coffs Harbour. Call in at Yamba, touted as the new Byron with its hipster credentials, before you wind through the hinterland to beautiful Byron – a little bit boho, a little bit bling and a whole lot of fun. </p>

Prepare to be wowed only further by the glorious coastline as you edge upwards. Among the highlights are the wild dolphins and whopping great sand dunes in Port Stephens (the largest in the Southern Hemisphere), Blueys Beach in Pacific Palms and Coffs Harbour. Call in at Yamba, touted as the new Byron with its hipster credentials, before you wind through the hinterland to beautiful Byron – a little bit boho, a little bit bling and a whole lot of fun. 

<p>If you were to pick one road trip in Tassie it would most likely be the Great Eastern Drive, which curves down along the island state’s impossibly gorgeous east coast. Start from either St Helens in the north or Orford in the south and buckle up for some soul-stirring scenery along its 109 miles (176km). You could easily manage it over a weekend, but take your time to enjoy longer bushwalks, lazy lunches at cellar doors and a trip across to Maria Island National Park to see convict ruins and walk with wombats.</p>

Orford to St Helens, Tasmania

If you were to pick one road trip in Tassie it would most likely be the Great Eastern Drive, which curves down along the island state’s impossibly gorgeous east coast. Start from either St Helens in the north or Orford in the south and buckle up for some soul-stirring scenery along its 109 miles (176km). You could easily manage it over a weekend, but take your time to enjoy longer bushwalks, lazy lunches at cellar doors and a trip across to Maria Island National Park to see convict ruins and walk with wombats.

<p>You’ll pass lovely laid-back towns like Swansea and Bicheno (with wineries and artisan producers aplenty to stock up for picnics) and the Freycinet Peninsula. This is where you’ll find Tasmania’s most famous beach, the curved Wineglass Bay. Follow trails around the Hazards and onto the park’s beaches and coves to swim, kayak or snorkel. The grand finale of the route is the Bay of Fires with its striking lichen-clad boulders and white sand beaches. Time to stretch those car-weary legs: follow the one-hour return walk from St Helens to the Peron Dunes and the vast ocean beach or set off on the Bay of Fires Walk, a four-day guided hike.</p>

You’ll pass lovely laid-back towns like Swansea and Bicheno (with wineries and artisan producers aplenty to stock up for picnics) and the Freycinet Peninsula. This is where you’ll find Tasmania’s most famous beach, the curved Wineglass Bay. Follow trails around the Hazards and onto the park’s beaches and coves to swim, kayak or snorkel. The grand finale of the route is the Bay of Fires with its striking lichen-clad boulders and white sand beaches. Time to stretch those car-weary legs: follow the one-hour return walk from St Helens to the Peron Dunes and the vast ocean beach or set off on the Bay of Fires Walk, a four-day guided hike.

<p>Rainforest, reef, waterfalls and islands: this classic east coast road trip teems with tropical treats. Start in Townsville and you’ll see fruit plantations, sugar cane farms and coastal towns flit past your window. Stop in Mission Beach to spy cassowaries in the rainforest or nip over to Dunk Island. From here head to Cairns for a fun few days then hit Captain Cook Highway to cruise along the palm-fringed Coral Sea coastline to pretty Palm Cove and Port Douglas – stay a while for boat trips out to the Great Barrier Reef.  </p>  <p><a href="https://www.loveexploring.com/galleries/91760/40-of-australias-most-stunning-natural-wonders?page=1"><strong>These are Australia's most stunning natural wonders</strong></a></p>

Townsville to Cooktown, Queensland

Rainforest, reef, waterfalls and islands: this classic east coast road trip teems with tropical treats. Start in Townsville and you’ll see fruit plantations, sugar cane farms and coastal towns flit past your window. Stop in Mission Beach to spy cassowaries in the rainforest or nip over to Dunk Island. From here head to Cairns for a fun few days then hit Captain Cook Highway to cruise along the palm-fringed Coral Sea coastline to pretty Palm Cove and Port Douglas – stay a while for boat trips out to the Great Barrier Reef.  

These are Australia's most stunning natural wonders

<p>Discover the wonders of the Daintree, an ancient home of the Kuku Yalanji people, on walking tours with traditional owners to uncover the rainforest’s many secrets. Cross over the Daintree River by car ferry (stopping to spot vast saltwater crocodiles among the mangroves) and make for Cape Tribulation, a ravishing peninsula where the rainforest tumbles right down to meet the reef. To reach the even more secluded Cooktown, you’ll need a four-wheel drive to bump your way along the Bloomfield Track. </p>

Discover the wonders of the Daintree, an ancient home of the Kuku Yalanji people, on walking tours with traditional owners to uncover the rainforest’s many secrets. Cross over the Daintree River by car ferry (stopping to spot vast saltwater crocodiles among the mangroves) and make for Cape Tribulation, a ravishing peninsula where the rainforest tumbles right down to meet the reef. To reach the even more secluded Cooktown, you’ll need a four-wheel drive to bump your way along the Bloomfield Track. 

<p>It's pretty obvious why this world-famous driving route is known as the Great Ocean Road – it is truly great. In fact, it’s glorious. Endless ocean vistas, surf-lashed wild beaches, towering cliffs and wildlife encounters aplenty. There are numerous beach towns with fab places to stay and eat too. While the coast hogs the limelight, be sure to follow meandering trails through forests of mountain ash and towering gum trees to find waterfalls and spy echidnas, koalas, wallabies and kangaroos. </p>

Torquay to Allansford, Victoria

It's pretty obvious why this world-famous driving route is known as the Great Ocean Road – it is truly great. In fact, it’s glorious. Endless ocean vistas, surf-lashed wild beaches, towering cliffs and wildlife encounters aplenty. There are numerous beach towns with fab places to stay and eat too. While the coast hogs the limelight, be sure to follow meandering trails through forests of mountain ash and towering gum trees to find waterfalls and spy echidnas, koalas, wallabies and kangaroos. 

<p>Torquay marks the start of the 116-mile (187km) route with Bells Beach (of<em> Point Break</em> fame) and pretty seaside town Lorne must-stops. Pick up fish and chips to eat on the beach or stroll along its pier. The approach to Apollo Bay is full of eye-popping oceanscapes so factor in plenty of stops at lookouts. From here the road leads into the lush Otway National Park <span>– </span>you can detour to Cape Otway light station to look over the point where the Bass Strait meets the Southern Ocean. The final leg leads to Port Campbell National Park and its famed rock formations: the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge and the Grotto. </p>  <p><a href="https://www.loveexploring.com/galleries/119660/breathtaking-rock-formations?page=1"><strong>Check these amazing rock formations across the world</strong></a></p>

Torquay marks the start of the 116-mile (187km) route with Bells Beach (of Point Break fame) and pretty seaside town Lorne must-stops. Pick up fish and chips to eat on the beach or stroll along its pier. The approach to Apollo Bay is full of eye-popping oceanscapes so factor in plenty of stops at lookouts. From here the road leads into the lush Otway National Park –  you can detour to Cape Otway light station to look over the point where the Bass Strait meets the Southern Ocean. The final leg leads to Port Campbell National Park and its famed rock formations: the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge and the Grotto. 

Check these amazing rock formations across the world

<p>In the far northwest corner, Kimberley is one of the last great wildernesses of Australia and ripe for a road trip adventure. Its famed four-wheel drive track, the Gibb River Road, strikes through some of its most dramatic landscapes across 410 miles (660km), offering rich rewards for intrepid drivers that have around 12 days to spare. First up after Derby are the cascades and gorges of Windjana Gorge National Park within the Napier Ranges followed by the Bell Gorge in the Wunaamin Miliwundi Ranges Conservation Park.</p>

Derby to Kununurra, Western Australia

In the far northwest corner, Kimberley is one of the last great wildernesses of Australia and ripe for a road trip adventure. Its famed four-wheel drive track, the Gibb River Road, strikes through some of its most dramatic landscapes across 410 miles (660km), offering rich rewards for intrepid drivers that have around 12 days to spare. First up after Derby are the cascades and gorges of Windjana Gorge National Park within the Napier Ranges followed by the Bell Gorge in the Wunaamin Miliwundi Ranges Conservation Park.

<p>After following trails to lofty lookouts and rock shelters etched with age-old art, drivers on the long-distance route, which was built in the 1960s to transport cattle from remote stations to Derby and Wyndham, tend to stay the night in designated campgrounds, cabins or homesteads on sprawling cattle station grounds. It’s not just the days that are full of thrills – the stars in this utterly remote part of the world are incredible. </p>  <p><a href="https://www.loveexploring.com/galleries/140929/australias-amazing-attractions-most-tourists-never-see?page=1"><strong>Check out Australia's amazing attractions most tourists never see</strong></a></p>

After following trails to lofty lookouts and rock shelters etched with age-old art, drivers on the long-distance route, which was built in the 1960s to transport cattle from remote stations to Derby and Wyndham, tend to stay the night in designated campgrounds, cabins or homesteads on sprawling cattle station grounds. It’s not just the days that are full of thrills – the stars in this utterly remote part of the world are incredible. 

Check out Australia's amazing attractions most tourists never see

<p>Up for big blue skies, rugged landscapes and a long and dusty drive? Four-wheel drive owners should opt for this far-flung foray from Brisbane into Queensland's parched plains and sand dunes. Get to know the charms of rural towns Toowoomba (known as the Garden City) and Goondiwindi before you call into the state’s oldest watering hole, the Nindigully Pub on the banks of the Moonie River. It dates back to 1864. Carry on west and the rolling grazing country turns to wild mulga scrub with the colors shifting gear from greens to sunburnt reds.  </p>

Brisbane to Birdsville, Queensland

Up for big blue skies, rugged landscapes and a long and dusty drive? Four-wheel drive owners should opt for this far-flung foray from Brisbane into Queensland's parched plains and sand dunes. Get to know the charms of rural towns Toowoomba (known as the Garden City) and Goondiwindi before you call into the state’s oldest watering hole, the Nindigully Pub on the banks of the Moonie River. It dates back to 1864. Carry on west and the rolling grazing country turns to wild mulga scrub with the colours shifting gear from greens to sunburnt reds.  

<p>After a scattering of fascinating far-flung towns like Charleville and Quilpie things really start to get intrepid. From Windorah, a gravel road takes you to the unfathomably remote Birdsville on the eastern edge of the Simpson Desert. After a well-deserved rest and cold drink or two at the Birdsville Hotel, head to the Big Red sand dune to watch the sunset. From here you could follow more dusty tracks through boundless gibber plains and past sprawling sheep and cattle stations scattered with the ruins of old woolsheds and homesteads. </p>

After a scattering of fascinating far-flung towns like Charleville and Quilpie things really start to get intrepid. From Windorah, a gravel road takes you to the unfathomably remote Birdsville on the eastern edge of the Simpson Desert. After a well-deserved rest and cold drink or two at the Birdsville Hotel, head to the Big Red sand dune to watch the sunset. From here you could follow more dusty tracks through boundless gibber plains and past sprawling sheep and cattle stations scattered with the ruins of old woolsheds and homesteads. 

<p>Start in steamy tropical city Darwin and follow the Arnhem Highway east towards Kakadu National Park. En route, spot crocs, jabiru, kingfishers and magpie geese on an airboat safari on the floodplains of the Mary River system, before arriving at Kakadu. Whether you camp or hole up in a luxury wilderness lodge, make sure you plan in a good few days to explore this vast wilderness with its wildlife-filled wetlands and hulking sandstone escarpments rich in ancient Aboriginal rock art galleries and thundering falls.</p>  <p><a href="https://www.loveexploring.com/galleries/92400/28-incredible-places-you-wont-believe-are-in-australia?page=1"><strong>You won't believe these incredible places are in Australia</strong></a></p>

Darwin-Kakadu-Katherine, Northern Territory

Start in steamy tropical city Darwin and follow the Arnhem Highway east towards Kakadu National Park. En route, spot crocs, jabiru, kingfishers and magpie geese on an airboat safari on the floodplains of the Mary River system, before arriving at Kakadu. Whether you camp or hole up in a luxury wilderness lodge, make sure you plan in a good few days to explore this vast wilderness with its wildlife-filled wetlands and hulking sandstone escarpments rich in ancient Aboriginal rock art galleries and thundering falls.

You won't believe these incredible places are in Australia

<p>Next up, steer south along the Kakadu Highway towards Katherine, a cool town with hot springs and the ravishing Nitmiluk Gorge on its doorstep. Spend the next few days following bushwalking trails around the park to uncover the stories and rock art of the Jawoyn people, and canoeing along the steep-sided gorge. If time allows, drive just south for a soak in the warm pools of Elsey National Park then wend your way back along the Stuart Highway – in just three hours you'll be enjoying an icy cold beer by Darwin’s waterfront.</p>

Next up, steer south along the Kakadu Highway towards Katherine, a cool town with hot springs and the ravishing Nitmiluk Gorge on its doorstep. Spend the next few days following bushwalking trails around the park to uncover the stories and rock art of the Jawoyn people, and canoeing along the steep-sided gorge. If time allows, drive just south for a soak in the warm pools of Elsey National Park then wend your way back along the Stuart Highway – in just three hours you'll be enjoying an icy cold beer by Darwin’s waterfront.

<p>Known as the Big Lap, the road-trip-to-end-all-road-trips circumnavigates the coast of Australia following Highway One as it connects Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Broome, Perth, Esperance, Adelaide and Melbourne. Covering a distance of 9,010 miles (14,500km) with endless things to see and do, most people take at least six months to complete the trip. But ideally set aside longer, especially if you plan to divert deeper into the country’s vast interior to explore the many must-see sights of the outback. </p>

Sydney to Melbourne, various

Known as the Big Lap, the road-trip-to-end-all-road-trips circumnavigates the coast of Australia following Highway One as it connects Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Broome, Perth, Esperance, Adelaide and Melbourne. Covering a distance of 9,010 miles (14,500km) with endless things to see and do, most people take at least six months to complete the trip. But ideally set aside longer, especially if you plan to divert deeper into the country’s vast interior to explore the many must-see sights of the outback. 

<p>If you start in Sydney follow the east coast all the way to Cairns from where you route onto the Savannah Way – this stretch alone is a staggering 2,299 miles (3,700km) that links the tropical Queensland city with the Northern Territory’s Top End and Broome in Western Australia’s Kimberley. Another remarkable portion is the road that strikes a poker-straight route across the Nullarbor Plain, past the towering Bunda Cliffs and onto South Australia’s endlessly epic Eyre Peninsula. With experiences like this, you’ll get a taste for life on the road. Next stop, Tasmania?</p>

If you start in Sydney follow the east coast all the way to Cairns from where you route onto the Savannah Way – this stretch alone is a staggering 2,299 miles (3,700km) that links the tropical Queensland city with the Northern Territory’s Top End and Broome in Western Australia’s Kimberley. Another remarkable portion is the road that strikes a poker-straight route across the Nullarbor Plain, past the towering Bunda Cliffs and onto South Australia’s endlessly epic Eyre Peninsula. With experiences like this, you’ll get a taste for life on the road. Next stop, Tasmania?

<p>Highs and lows are par for the course with any trip, but follow the road from Melbourne to Victoria’s High Country wine regions and the only ones you have to worry about are the pretty peaks and verdant valleys you encounter. From Melbourne, meander to Mansfield and King Valley, known as Little Italy as Italians established the vines here and the influence remains strong. From here more boutique wineries, along with bushranger history, await in Glenrowan, with its links to notorious Ned Kelly. </p>  <p><a href="https://www.loveexploring.com/gallerylist/90787/australias-eeriest-abandoned-towns-and-villages"><strong>Discover Australia's eeriest abandoned towns and villages</strong></a></p>

Melbourne to Bright, Victoria

Highs and lows are par for the course with any trip, but follow the road from Melbourne to Victoria’s High Country wine regions and the only ones you have to worry about are the pretty peaks and verdant valleys you encounter. From Melbourne, meander to Mansfield and King Valley, known as Little Italy as Italians established the vines here and the influence remains strong. From here more boutique wineries, along with bushranger history, await in Glenrowan, with its links to notorious Ned Kelly. 

Discover Australia's eeriest abandoned towns and villages

<p>Head north towards the Murray River and the Rutherglen wine region to wend your way around more cellar doors. A scenic climb up through Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park takes you to Beechworth, a beaut of a gold-rush era town with a rich offering of restaurants, shops and heritage buildings. Linger as long as you like then follow the gorgeous drive to the Alpine Valleys wine region, scattered with welcoming family-owned wineries, all with stunning views. Finally, it's on to Bright, perfectly positioned for bushwalks into Mount Buffalo National Park and Alpine National Park.</p>

Head north towards the Murray River and the Rutherglen wine region to wend your way around more cellar doors. A scenic climb up through Chiltern-Mt Pilot National Park takes you to Beechworth, a beaut of a gold-rush era town with a rich offering of restaurants, shops and heritage buildings. Linger as long as you like then follow the gorgeous drive to the Alpine Valleys wine region, scattered with welcoming family-owned wineries, all with stunning views. Finally, it's on to Bright, perfectly positioned for bushwalks into Mount Buffalo National Park and Alpine National Park.

<p>Towering waves, giant trees found nowhere else on Earth and kangaroos lounging on the whitest of white sands, the sprawling South West Edge road trip from Perth to Esperance on the state’s southern coast is as surreal as it is spectacular. The 746-mile (1,200km) route is best taken over 12 days to allow the adventures plenty of time to unfold. After Bunbury, the Margaret River is a delightful region to meander around from coastal tracks and surf beaches with mesmerizing Indian Ocean sunsets, to vineyards and farmers' markets.  </p>

Perth to Esperance, Western Australia

Towering waves, giant trees found nowhere else on Earth and kangaroos lounging on the whitest of white sands, the sprawling South West Edge road trip from Perth to Esperance on the state’s southern coast is as surreal as it is spectacular. The 746-mile (1,200km) route is best taken over 12 days to allow the adventures plenty of time to unfold. After Bunbury, the Margaret River is a delightful region to meander around from coastal tracks and surf beaches with mesmerising Indian Ocean sunsets, to vineyards and farmers' markets.  

<p>Edging further to the state’s southern coast, you can gaze up (or down) at giant tingle trees at Valley of the Giants, which has an elevated walkway, and the karri trees, only found in this region. The bizarre-shaped boulders and enticing waters of Elephant Rocks and Greens Pool in William Bay National Park are other must stops followed by Albany, Hopetoun and Fitzgerald River National Park. Esperance is a suitably incredible end with its lagoons and beaches – be sure to squeeze in the Great Ocean Drive loop and Lucky Bay in Cape Le Grand National Park to spot the sun-baking ’roos.</p>

Edging further to the state’s southern coast, you can gaze up (or down) at giant tingle trees at Valley of the Giants, which has an elevated walkway, and the karri trees, only found in this region. The bizarre-shaped boulders and enticing waters of Elephant Rocks and Greens Pool in William Bay National Park are other must stops followed by Albany, Hopetoun and Fitzgerald River National Park. Esperance is a suitably incredible end with its lagoons and beaches – be sure to squeeze in the Great Ocean Drive loop and Lucky Bay in Cape Le Grand National Park to spot the sun-baking ’roos.

A classic backpacker route, but no way near as well-traveled as the east coast equivalent, the stretch from Perth to Broome along the Coral Coast is a blockbuster of Aussie hits. After perusing the wineries of Swan Valley, carry on to the surreal Pinnacles Desert and Geraldton then drive alongside bubble-gum-pink Hutt Lagoon before looking through Kalbarri National Park’s iconic Nature's Window and braving its new-ish Skywalk.

Perth to Broome, Western Australia

<p>Back on National Route 1, make for Hamelin Bay (check out its stromatolites) and Monkey Mia in the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Shark Bay. Here catamaran cruises take you to meet its bottlenose dolphins and spot dugongs, sharks and turtles. Coral Bay and Exmouth are the places to linger awhile for lazy beach days and snorkeling and diving on the incredible Ningaloo Reef (where whale sharks gather en masse between March and June). Finish up in tropical beach town Broome with its striking red cliff-backed beaches, heritage buildings and chilled vibe.</p>  <p><a href="https://www.loveexploring.com/galleryextended/135993/abandoned-australia-101-spinetingling-places-you-wont-want-to-visit?page=1"><strong>Now discover 101 spine-tingling places in Australia you won't want to visit</strong></a></p>

Back on National Route 1, make for Hamelin Bay (check out its stromatolites) and Monkey Mia in the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Shark Bay. Here catamaran cruises take you to meet its bottlenose dolphins and spot dugongs, sharks and turtles. Coral Bay and Exmouth are the places to linger awhile for lazy beach days and snorkelling and diving on the incredible Ningaloo Reef (where whale sharks gather en masse between March and June). Finish up in tropical beach town Broome with its striking red cliff-backed beaches, heritage buildings and chilled vibe.

Now discover 101 spine-tingling places in Australia you won't want to visit

More for You

Fictional Characters You Might Not Know Are Based on Real People

Fictional Characters You Might Not Know Are Based on Real People

Kevin Seefried January 6

Supreme Court Gets Jan 6. Defendant Out of Jail

Know Your Strengths and Weaknesses

Kevin O’Leary Says Early Retirement Doesn’t Work — Here’s Why

Overall, people ages 20 to 40 who were on a medication for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) were 17% more likely to have cardiomyopathy at one year and 57% more likely to have cardiomyopathy at eight years, compared to their peers who weren't taking the drugs.

ADHD medications linked to weakening of heart muscle

20 facts you might not know about 'Fast Times at Ridgemont High'

20 facts you might not know about 'Fast Times at Ridgemont High'

'The View' co-host spars with author arguing for a 'colorblind America': 'Co-opted by the right'

'The View' co-host spars with author arguing for a 'colorblind America'

The media learned the true characteristics of Zircon (Photo: Russian media)

Major scam of Russian MoD: Media uncover real characteristics of Zircon missile

FILE - West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice delivers his State of the State address, Jan. 10, 2024, in Charleston, W.Va. Justice on Wednesday, March 27, broke with the GOP-majority Legislature to veto a bill that would have loosened one of the country's strictest school vaccination policies. (AP Photo/Chris Jackson, File)

West Virginia Gov. Justice vetoes bill that would have loosened school vaccine policies

united-airlines_3

United Airlines makes a baggage change passengers will like

A brown recluse spider on a pole

How To Identify And Get Rid Of Dangerous Brown Recluse Spiders

The Maitland Home from

20 Movie Homes That Were Practically a Lead Character

What to Know About Endo Belly

Here’s What You Need to Know About Endo Belly and How to Treat It

25 TV shows that broke racial barriers

The first interracial kiss aired on TV more than 50 years ago—and more shows that broke racial barriers

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - FEBRUARY 22: Republican presidential candidate, former U.S. President Donald Trump, speaks during the 2024 NRB International Christian Media Convention Presidential Forum at The Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center on February 22, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee. Trump's appearance comes shortly after judge Arthur Engoron, who is presiding over Trump's $355 million civil fraud case in New York, denied the former president's request to delay the judgment for a month. (Photo by Jon Cherry/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 776108662 ORIG FILE ID: 2023794851

Donald Trump is selling $60 Bibles as he seeks funds for campaign, legal bills

13 Frugal Habits You Have Never Heard of but You Should Know

13 Frugal Habits You Have Never Heard of but You Should Know

A passenger had to sit with an exposed bolt digging into his head for a 7-hour flight because his seat had no headrest

A passenger had to sit with an exposed bolt digging into his head for a 7-hour flight because his seat had no headrest

ER Star Lands New Medical Drama at Max

ER Star Lands New Medical Drama at Max

Voters cast ballots in Elliston, Mont., on Nov. 3, 2020.

Montana Supreme Court strikes down voting restrictions

Beta blockers

Beta blockers are becoming the new Prozac – but there are non-medical alternatives

TV actors who were recast within the first season

25 stars of major TV shows who were replaced within the first season

WA environment minister seeks to halt confusion around end to boat trips through Horizontal Falls

Horizontal Falls from above

Western Australia's environment minister has accused the state opposition of talking down the local tourism industry amid a growing dispute over the decision to cease boat trips through Horizontal Falls.

The Cook government announced earlier this month that boat journeys through the rock formation, 1,900 kilometres north of Perth, would be phased out by March 2028.

Currently, jet-boat trips through the falls are a major tourist drawcard, attracting thousands of visitors to the southern Kimberley region each year.

The government's decision came after years of calls for an end to the practice from Dambimangari traditional owners  for both safety and cultural heritage reasons, which escalated after tourists were injured in a serious accident in 2022.

They said the sacred site, Garaan-ngaddim, was home to ancestors, and traditional owners only travelled through the gaps for specific reasons.

A huge set of bush clad sandstone peninsula with a gap in the middle showing ocean rushing through

WA Liberal Party leader Libby Mettam has pledged to reverse the decision if she wins next year's state election, saying it is "a step too far".

But Environment Minister Reece Whitby said the change would not impact other tourism experiences at the falls, and new experiences would also be created.

Mr Whitby said Ms Mettam's claims were unfounded, as tourists would still be able to enjoy the park.

"I'm really concerned about some of the negative comments and some of the perceptions out there that tourism is closed," he said.

"Nothing could be further from the truth."

Opposition petitions against decision

A petition started by Ms Mettam against the decision to end boat trips through the falls has attracted more than 5,300 signatures.

The Liberal leader said her primary concern was the precedent the decision could set for other national parks.

A woman smiles on an airport runway.

She said the government's decision to phase out boat trips was a blow to the tourism industry and to West Australians who "want to enjoy their national park".

She said the closure should not be about "any one group" and the cultural and safety considerations could be appropriately addressed.

But she conceded she was yet to speak with traditional owners.

"Look, we will obviously talk to all stakeholders on the ground, but I believe that this situation can be managed," she said.

"The principle around national parks is that we shouldn't be locking them up."

Ms Mettam did not specify how her party would reverse the decision or work around exclusive native title rights the traditional owners held over the site.

Tourism to continue

Mr Whitby said the opposition was confusing the community and giving people the false impression that tourism at the falls would stop.

He said a meeting held in Broome last week showed dissent against the decision was not being felt on the ground.

The meeting, hosted by the Broome Chamber of Commerce and Industry, included major tourism operators, the Broome Shire, traditional owners, and other tourism bodies.

"I wish that people who are speaking out and being very negative about this issue would have been in the room at the time," Mr Whitby said.

"Everyone in the room accepted the position we're in … and got on very well."

He said mixed messaging meant tourism operators were receiving calls from customers, and had to explain that the full range of other tours were still operational.

A group of people smiling at the camera

Chamber chief executive Sharni Foulkes said people were not aware that the whole site was not being closed.

"I hope people read the full detail and understand the situation in full before making comments," she said.

A statement from Dambimangari Aboriginal Corporation said the decision "was not about stopping tourism or closure".

"We've had really positive, constructive conversations with local industry over the last week about the future of tourism at Talbot Bay, and along our coastline," the statement read.

"We're excited about the future and looking forward to working with industry and government on more culturally appropriate tourism experiences that continue to attract visitors to this iconic destination, and the region."

Mr Whitby said a working group involving all impacted parties was being set up to help create new tourism solutions at the site.

ABC Kimberley — local news in your inbox

  • X (formerly Twitter)

Related Stories

Traditional owners move to ban boats passing through gaps in falls at wa tourist mecca.

A boat speeds along the water under a blue sky towards the Horizontal Falls in the Kimberley, leaving behind a wake pattern.

Boating through Horizontal Falls to end in 2028 as West Australian government curbs tourism attraction

  • Indigenous Culture
  • Monument and Heritage Site
  • State and Territory Government
  • Tourism and Leisure Industry
  • Travel Advice

Virgin Australia’s huge win against airlines from around the world

Virgin Australia has just taken out a huge award for the sixth time in a row. It was up against airlines from around the world.

Shireen Khalil

Travellers brace for chaos at airports

Jetstar announces new ‘Aussie-first’ flight

Jetstar announces new ‘Aussie-first’ flight

I flew Emirates first class for just $600

I flew Emirates first class for just $600

Virgin Australia has won best cabin crew for the sixth year in a row.

The Aussie airline was up against more than 350 carriers from around the world to take out the prestigious title in the Airline Excellence Awards for 2024.

Presented annually by leading aviation ratings website, AirlineRatings.com, the awards are judged by editors with more than 200 years of combined aviation experience.

Virgin Australia CEO, Jayne Hrdlicka said she was thrilled to see the Virgin Australia cabin crew team recognised once again in the awards.

Virgin Australia has won best cabin crew for the sixth time in a row in the Airline Excellence Awards for 2024. Picture: iStock

“One of the joys of working for an airline is hearing the extraordinary stories right across our network of our crew going the extra mile in their service, and it is that signature flair that each individual brings that makes flying with Virgin Australia so special,” Ms Hrdlicka said.

“This award comes as no surprise as it is a true reflection of our incredible cabin crew who work hard every day to consistently deliver the service we are known and loved for, and winning this award for an incredible sixth time in a row is wonderful recognition of our team.”

The airline’s commitment to passengers was described as ‘quite outstanding’. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

AirlineRatings.com Editor-in-Chief Geoffrey Thomas said the Aussie airline’s commitment to passengers is “quite outstanding” and is a benchmark of what cabin service should be across the industry.

“This service extends to the ground staff, where the standards are just as high,” he added.

“Virgin Australia cabin crew are always being mentioned positively in passenger feedback.”

For rankings, the editors of AirlineRatings.com, combine international industry and government audits, with another 11 key criteria that include fleet age, passenger review ratings, investment rating, and key product offerings to arrive at a ranking.

More Coverage

around australia trip

Added to that, the editors monitor passenger feedback as well as personal experience.

It comes as Qatar Airways was named the winner of Best Catering, while Emirates took out the title for best in-flight entertainment.

On April 9, the Best Cabin Classes – First, Business, Premium Economy and Economy, will be named, while the overall Airline of the Year will drop on April 30.

Thousands of travellers are expected to move through the nation's busiest airport in the next 24 hours.

It’s the new flight path that will have wine lovers jumping for joy, especially because fares on this “Australian-first” route will start from just $135.

I like to refer to 2023 as the year of flying opulently. While flight prices were soaring, I found myself on the receiving end of some good fortune.

How to fast travel in Dragon's Dogma 2

Jump in the ox cart, because you’re too tele-poor to teleport

Dragon's Dogma 2 fast travel - Ox cart

  • Ferrystones and Portcrystals
  • Portable Portcrystals

In January, Dragon’s Dogma 2 director Hideaki Itsuno made his personal opinions about easy fast travel commutes very clear . Players familiar with the original Dragon’s Dogma remember shilling out thousands of gold for Ferrystones in an expensive effort to give their feet a rest. Unsurprisingly, tracking down these mythical items—or paying top dollar for them—is still very much a thing in the sequel.

Sure, traveling by foot opens up opportunities to stumble on quests, find treasure or useful materials, or get absolutely smoked by a Griffin with zero warning because of your underleveled pawns . But sometimes, you’ve only got an hour to play before your dinner plans or bedtime and you’d like to get that annoying quest turned in pronto. Thankfully, Dragon’s Dogma 2 introduces a second form of fast travel—though calling it ‘fast’ is a bit of a misnomer. 

Take a scenic ox cart ride

Using an ox cart is the cheapest and most common way to quickly travel from place to place in Dragon's Dogma 2. These bumbling vehicles connect all major settlements you’ve discovered. You first gain access to use a couple of ox carts freely upon your arrival in Vernworth, either to Melve via its north gate, or the Checkpoint Rest Town via the west gate. 

You’ll sometimes see an ox cart rambling past as you’re out exploring. Feel free to jump in for a quick escape back to a safe settlement. If you want to summon an ox cart, you can find a bell near the gates to most towns, and interacting with them will pass the time until a cart is ready to leave. 

Either chat with the driver or sit in the back to start your journey, which usually costs between one and three hundred gold, and then doze off at your leisure. You can’t choose where you go, either—this isn’t a fantastical Uber situation. The driver will let you know if you're lucky enough to reach your destination.

But not at night (and you might get attacked)

The inclusion of oxcarts as an added fast travel option is welcome, but they have their limitations. Ox carts don’t travel at night , and traveling via this new method isn’t instantaneous—it can take half a day or longer to reach your final destination. You can choose to take a snooze to pass some time, but if you’re trying to reach a timed quest, it’s possible that you won’t make it as quickly as you should. 

To make things worse, ox carts are frequently attacked by monsters out in the world, and no, you can’t just sleep through a battle. You’ll need to disembark and slaughter your foes before getting back on track. If the beast is big and bad enough, it can destroy your ox cart entirely, forcing you to hoof it the rest of the way.

Go Ferrystone shopping and attune to Portcrystals

Many settlements in Dragon’s Dogma 2 have shiny purple beacons called Portcrystals . These are permanent fast travel points and must be activated before they can be used—simply approach one in order to unlock it.

Attuning to these crystals doesn’t mean you can open your map and start teleporting around willy-nilly. A one-time-use item called a Ferrystone is required to fast travel, and these rare and expensive items aren’t found in any large quantity until later in the game. Ferrystones come in handy when aiming to complete time-sensitive quests. 

The easiest way to snag your first Ferrystone is at Philbert’s Sundries in Vernworth, though it’ll set you back a cool 10,000g. The good news, however, is that Philbert restocks his Ferrystone every three days , and this might be the case for other merchants with them, too. Finding a Seeker’s Token and turning it into the Vocation Guild in the city will also unlock one of these handy items. 

Track down portable Portcrystals for luxury fast travel

The Cadillac of Dragon’s Dogma 2 fast travel comes in the form of portable Portcrystals . These extremely rare reusable items allow you to place a fast travel marker anywhere on your map, and these can be moved at any time. You can only place 10 at once, but finding that many may prove a formidable challenge anyway. 

To help you begin your portable Portcrystal journey, chat with the elf, Glyndwr, hanging out near Roderick’s Smithy in Vernworth. Helping him will trigger a series of quests that leads you to a hidden elf village. Completing the lengthy chain earns you your very first Portcrystal. You can also get one via the main story for helping Captain Brant complete his quests.

Unfortunately, you’ll still need Ferrystones to make use of these beacons, but it’s something to aspire to if you’re after ease of movement, or have a quest that requires frequent revisits to the same location.

Given how much emphasis Itsuno and his team put on making the world alive and ever-evolving, using your own two legs the majority of the time seems like the best option for getting around. Convenience isn’t the name of this Capcom game.  

PC Gamer Newsletter

Sign up to get the best content of the week, and great gaming deals, as picked by the editors.

Carley Garcia

Carley has been a professional Japanese > English translator for over a decade, working largely in the pop culture sphere. In May 2020, she joined the team at OTAQUEST, specializing in lesser-known aspects of Japanese pop culture, rambling about retro games, forgotten anime series, and Tokyo’s indie musicians in her first official paid gig as a staff writer. She continues to share her love for gaming by contributing hundreds of articles to sites such as Siliconera and VGKAMI.

Carley spends her free time gaming with her husband, scoping out breweries and wineries, and writing self-indulgent fanfiction. She prefers lore-heavy RPGs and walking sims and has only played Dragon Age: Inquisition 13 times. Her favorite Final Fantasy game is all of them.

  • Sean Martin Guides Writer

Dragon's Dogma 2 isn't a soulslike, but it has a lot more in common with Elden Ring than I expected

Dragon's Dogma 2 A Beggar's Tale: How to uncover Albert's secret

We keep arguing about great games like Helldivers 2 and Baldur's Gate 3 because it's always possible to love a good thing to death

Most Popular

By Sean Martin 22 March 2024

By Carley Garcia 22 March 2024

By Fraser Brown 22 March 2024

By Tyler Colp 22 March 2024

  • 2 Best wireless gaming keyboard in 2024
  • 3 Best gaming laptops in 2024: I've had my pick of portable powerhouses and these are the best
  • 4 Best gaming chairs in 2024: the seats I'd suggest for any gamer
  • 5 Best graphics cards in 2024: the GPUs I recommend for every budget
  • 2 The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind review
  • 3 The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall review
  • 4 The Elder Scrolls: Arena review
  • 5 Asus ROG Swift OLED PG32UCDM review
  • International

The latest on the Baltimore Key Bridge collapse

By Kathleen Magramo , Antoinette Radford, Alisha Ebrahimji , Maureen Chowdhury , Elise Hammond , Tori B. Powell and Aditi Sangal , CNN

Investigation could hopefully take 12 to 24 months, NTSB chair says

From CNN's Tori B. Powell

The investigation into the cargo ship crash into Key Bridge could take up to two years, according to National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy.

"We have an amazing team of individuals who are focused on very specific areas of expertise and so I have no doubt that we will be able to pull this together in hopefully 12 to 24 months," she said Wednesday at a news conference.

She called the investigation "a massive undertaking" and said there are "many different components to the investigation."

"It's multimodal," Homendy said, noting that "this is not new for the NTSB."

"We've conducted other investigations of bridge strikes, bridge collapses," she said.

NTSB received 6 hours of voyage data from ship that crashed into bridge, investigator says

Approximately six hours of voyage data from the Dali cargo ship that hit the Key Bridge in Baltimore has been provided to the National Transportation Safety Board, according to Marcel Muise, NTSB investigator in charge.

The footage was recovered by the US Coast Guard on the morning of the accident and contains footage from midnight to 6 a.m. ET, Muise said at a Wednesday news conference.

"The NTSB is continuing to obtain more data," Muise said.

Hazmat investigator identified 56 containers of hazardous materials, NTSB chief says

From CNN's Aditi Sangal

A senior hazmat investigator from the National Transportation Safety Board looked at the cargo and cargo manifest today, identifying 56 containers of hazardous material, agency Chair Jennifer Homendy said Wednesday.

"He was able to identify 56 containers of hazardous materials. That's 764 tons of hazardous materials — mostly corrosives, flammables, and some miscellaneous hazardous materials, class nine hazardous materials, which would include lithium ion batteries," she said at a news briefing.

Some of the hazmat containers "were breached," she said, adding that sheen was seen on the waterway.

There were 23 individuals on the cargo ship at the time of the accident, NTSB chair says

In an aerial view, cargo ship Dali is seen after running into and collapsing the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, in Baltimore, Maryland.

There were 21 crew members and two pilots onboard the Dali cargo ship when it crashed into Baltimore's Key Bridge, according to the National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy.

The NTSB is leading the investigation, Homendy has said. The board will try to determine what occurred onboard Dali and also look at the structure of the bridge itself.

Read more about what investigators are working on here.

NTSB won't provide conclusions and analysis while on scene, agency chief says

The National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy speaks during a press conference on Wednesday, March 27.

The National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy emphasized the agency will not analyze information collected or provide conclusions while on the scene of the Key Bridge collapse.

"It's really important for folks to understand that we will not analyze any of the information we are collecting. We will not provide any sort of findings, conclusions or any safety recommendations while on scene," she said. "Our entire focus on scene is to collect the perishable evidence — that's documenting the scene, it's taking photographs, it's taking any sort of electronics or components, whatever goes away once the scene is cleaned up," she said.

NOW: NTSB is sharing updates on the Key Bridge collapse

The National Transportation Safety Board is holding a news conference to share updates about the Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore.

NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy is expected to speak.

Officials pause recovery efforts for 4 workers presumed dead after bridge collapse

From CNN's Aditi Sangal and Elise Hammond

Authorities are pausing search and recovery efforts for the four additional people who are presumed dead after the bridge collapse, Col. Roland L. Butler Jr., the superintendent of Maryland State Police said Wednesday evening.

“At this point, based upon the conditions, we are now moving from a recovery mode to a salvage operation," he said.

"Because of the superstructure surrounding what we believe were the vehicles and the amount of concrete and debris, divers are no longer able to safely navigate and operate around that," he said. "We have exhausted all search efforts."

The superintendent added that based on sonar scans, officials believe that the vehicles are "encased in the superstructure and concrete" of the bridge.

Butler Jr. added that there is "no definitive timeline" for how long the salvage phase will take, once it is complete, the divers will go back to the site.

“The sonar simply said they cannot get to that area because it was fully encased in the superstructure," he said. “Once that salvage effort takes place and that superstructure is removed, those same divers are going to go back out there and bring those people closure," he added.

The headline and post have been updated with additional comments from Butler Jr.

Brother of a missing person from bridge collapse describes him as "a man who dreamed big"

From CNN's Michael Rios 

The brother of a person presumed dead after the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed earlier this week described him as a "man who dreamed big."

He told CNNE in Honduras on Wednesday that his brother was an industrial mechanical technician and went to the United States to fulfill his dreams. However, after the pandemic, Maynor Suazo Sandoval had to look for an additional job to have more income and found work at a bridge supervision and maintenance company.

Martin Suazo Sandoval said his brother believed in helping people, and sponsored minor sports leagues because he believed that by "helping the children here in the town, they would have a better childhood".

Martin Suazo Sandoval said what they want most is for their brother's body to be found "so we can begin to take steps to repatriate him."

First responders worked quickly to get people off bridge after first mayday call, governor says

From CNN's Elise Hammond

After the Dali ship sent out its first mayday signal, first responders leapt into action to both move people off the bridge and prevent other cars from entering it, Maryland's governor said.

They were also notifying workers who were part of a construction crew on the bridge to leave, Gov. Wes Moore said Wednesday, as officials learn more about what happened in the moments before the collision and collapse.

"One of the survivors, who I had the opportunity to speak with, one of the things he mentioned to me was as he was moving off of the bridge — and literally saw the bridge fall right after he moved off — it was because it was a first responder who was telling him to move off the bridge," Moore said.

The governor said the ongoing investigation will reveal more of what happened and how those responders communicated with the workers. He said this particular worker who survived said he heard the warning "audibly," that the officer was telling him to move off.

Please enable JavaScript for a better experience.

Zebedee Springs, The Kimberley, Western Australia © Tourism Australia

Australia Recommends 2024

Sydney, NSW © Tourism Australia

Come and Say G'day

Uluru, NT

G'day, the short film

Twelve Apostles, Great Ocean Road, Victoria © Tourism Australia

Discover your Australia

Kangaroo Island, South Australia © Tourism Australia

Travel videos

Elysian Retreat, Whitsundays, QLD © Tourism Australia

Deals and offers

Jacarandas and Sydney Harbour at sunset, Sydney, NSW © Destination NSW

Australian Capital Territory

Bondi, Sydney, NSW © Georges Antoni and Ken Butti

New South Wales

West MacDonnell Ranges, NT © Tourism Australia

Northern Territory

Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef, QLD © Tourism Australia

South Australia

Cradle Mountain, Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park, TAS © Pierre Destribats

Western Australia

Aerial shot of Emily Bay on Norfolk Island © Rose Evans (Norfolk Island Tourism)

External Territories

Bondi Beach, Sydney, NSW ©  Daniel Tran

The Whitsundays

Kangaroo, Lucky Bay, Cape Le Grand National Park, WA © Tourism Western Australia

Mornington Peninsula

Paddleboarding, Noosa, QLD © Tourism and Events Queensland

Port Douglas

Cape Byron Lighthouse, Byron Bay, NSW © Destination NSW

Ningaloo Reef

Airlie Beach, Whitsunday Coast, QLD © Tourism Whitsundays

Airlie Beach

Remarkable Rocks, Kangaroo Island, South Australia. © South Australian Tourism Commission

Kangaroo Island

The Basin, Rottnest Island, Western Australia © Tourism Western Australia

Rottnest Island

Lake McKenzie, K’gari (Fraser Island), QLD © Tourism & Events Queensland

Hamilton Island

Lord Howe Island, NSW © Trevor King, Destination New South Wales

Lord Howe Island

Tiwi Design, Tiwi Islands © Tourism NT/Shaana McNaught

Tiwi Islands

Little penguins, Phillip Island Nature Park, VIC © Phillip Island Nature Park

Phillip Island

Bruny Island Paddle, Southern Sea Ventures, Bruny Island, Tasmania © Southern Sea Ventures

Bruny Island

Cape Naturaliste, near Dunsborough, WA © Tourism Western Australia

Margaret River

St Hugo Wines, Barossa Valley, SA © Tourism Australia

Barossa Valley

Grampians National Park, Victoria © Robert Blackburn, Visit Victoria

The Grampians

Audrey Wilkinson, Hunter Valley, NSW © Audrey Wilkinson

Hunter Valley

Dominique Portet Winery, Yarra Valley, VIC © Tourism Australia

Yarra Valley

Sea turtle, Lady Elliot Island, Great Barrier Reef, QLD © Tourism & Events Queensland

McLaren Vale

Glass House Mountains, Sunshine Coast, QLD © Tourism and Events Queensland

Glass House Mountains

Bubble Tents, Capertree, Mudgee Region, NSW © Australian Traveller

Alice Springs

Cable Beach, Broome, Western Australia © Tourism Australia

Uluru and Kata Tjuta

The Kimberley, WA © Tourism Australia

The Kimberley

The Arkaba Walk, Elder Camp, Flinders Ranges National Park, SA © Adam Bruzzone, South Australian Tourism Commission

Flinders Ranges

Jim Jim Falls, Kakadu National Park, NT © Jarrad Seng, all rights reserved

Kakadu National Park

Eyre Peninsula, SA © David Edgar

Eyre Peninsula

Hamersley Gorge , Karijini National Park, WA © Tourism Western Australia

Karijini National Park

Monkey Mia, Shark Bay World Heritage Area, WA © Tourism Western Australia

Great Barrier Reef

Blue Mountains, NSW © Destination NSW

Blue Mountains

Cassowary in Daintree Rainforest, Queensland © Tourism and Events Queensland

Daintree Rainforest

Twelve Apostles, Great Ocean Road, VIC © Greg Snell, Tourism Australia

Great Ocean Road

Spicers Peak, Scenic Rim, QLD © Tourism and Events Queensland

Purnululu National Park

Boat Shed, Lake Dove and Cradle Mountain, Cradle-Mountain Lake St Clare National Park, TAS © Adrian Cook

Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park

Wangi Falls, Litchfield National Park, NT © Tourism NT, Dan Moore

Litchfield National Park

Saffire Signature Experiences, Freycinet Marine Oyster Farm, Coles Bay, Freycinet National Park, TAS © Tourism Tasmania

Aboriginal experiences

National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, VIC © Robert Blackburn, Visit Victoria

Arts and culture

WOMADelaide 2019, Adelaide, SA Ⓒ Grant Hancock

Festivals and events

Detour Restaurant, Brisbane, QLD © @detourrestaurant and @dine.agency

Food and drink

Raging Thunder, Tully, QLD © Tourism Australia

Adventure and sports

Three Capes Track, Tasman National Park, TAS © Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service

Walks and hikes

Great Ocean Road, VIC © Tourism Australia

Road trips and drives

Waterline Charters, Wessel Islands, NT © Aussie Fly Fisher

Beaches and islands

Nature's Window, Kalbarri National Park, WA © Tourism Australia

Nature and national parks

Wombat, Symbio Wildlife Park, Helensburgh, NSW © Destination NSW

Eco-friendly travel

Group of friends participate in a body clay ritual at Peninsula Hot Springs © Peninsula Hot Springs

Health and wellness

The Dune Pavilion Deck with views of Uluru at Longitude 131 in the Northern Territory © Baillies Longitude 131

Family travel

Table Cape Tulip Farm, Wynyard, Tasmania © Tourism Australia

Family destinations

Hellfire Bay, Esperance, Western Australia © Tourism Australia

Family road trips

Merewether Baths, Newcastle, NSW © Destination NSW

Backpacking

Ellery Creek Big Hole, West MacDonnell Ranges, Northern Territory © Tourism NT/Salty Aura

Work and holiday

Sand Dune Adventures at Stockton Beach, Port Stephens, NSW © Tourism Australia

Beginner's guide

Man in a wheelchair looking up at the canopy of the Daintree Rainforest in Queensland © Tourism and Events Queensland

Accessible travel

 Mrs Macquarie's Chair, Sydney, NSW © Destination NSW

Planning tips

around australia trip

Trip planner

Cape Tribulation, Tropical North Queensland, QLD © Tourism Australia

Australian budget guide

 Aerial of car driving through palm trees in Tropical North Queensland © Tourism and Events Queensland / Sean Scott.

Itinerary planner

Kangaroo, Lucky Bay, Esperance, WA © Australia’s Golden Outback

Find a travel agent

Beach House on Wategos Beach, Byron Bay, NSW © Tourism Australia

Find accommodation

Indian Pacific, Lake Hart, SA © Andrew Gregory

Find transport

Snowy region, Jindabyne, NSW © DPIE-Murray Van Der Veer

Visitor information centres

Deals and travel packages

Sydney Airport, New South Wales © Sydney Airport

Visa and entry requirements FAQ

Passengers using SmartGate © Australian Border Force

Customs and biosecurity

Uluru, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, NT © Tourism NT/Matt Cherubino

Working Holiday Maker visas

Bronte Baths, Bronte Beach, Sydney, NSW © Tourism Australia

Facts about Australia

Prairie Hotel, Parachilna, SA © South Australian Tourism Commission

Experiences that will make you feel like an Aussie

Great Barrier Reef, QLD © Georges Antoni / Tourism Australia

People and culture

Castle Hill, Townsville, QLD © Tourism and Events Queensland

Health and safety FAQ

Sorrento Pier, VIC © Visit Victoria, Ewen Bell

Cities, states & territories

Mount Lidgbird and Mount Gower, Lord Howe Island © Tom Archer

Iconic places and attractions

  Wildflowers, near Hamelin Pool, WA © Tourism Western Australia

When is the best time to visit Australia?

Ringer Reef Winery, Bright, VIC © Visit Victoria

Seasonal travel

Human Progress Pride flag, Sydney, NSW © Daniel Boud

Events and festivals

Silverdale Olive Orchard, Coral Coast, WA © Australia's Coral Coast

School holidays

Sydney New Year's Eve, Sydney Harbour, NSW © Destination NSW

Public holidays

Sydney Harbour, Sydney, NSW © Destination NSW

How to get to Australia's most iconic cities

Gantheaume Point, Broome, WA © Tourism Australia

How long do I need for my trip to Australia?

Self-drive, Marrawah, TAS © Tourism Tasmania

How to travel around Australia

Car driving on road next to the ocean in Lagoons Beach Conservation Area © Pete Harmsen/Tourism Tasmania

Guide to driving in Australia

Maui Motorhome parked on the coastline in Tasmania © Tourism Australia

How to hire a car or campervan

Family strolling alongside Tilligerry Creek © Destination NSW

How to plan a family road trip

 Car drives along the Matilda Way in Outback Queensland © Tourism and Events Queensland

How to plan an outback road trip

wishlist

Acknowledgement of Country

Indigenous symbol - Natural Beauty

We acknowledge the Traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Owners of the land, sea and waters of the Australian continent, and recognise their custodianship of culture and Country for over 60,000 years.

  • International (English)
  • New Zealand (English)
  • Canada (English)
  • United Kingdom (English)
  • India (English)
  • Malaysia (English)
  • Singapore (English)
  • Indonesia (Bahasa Indonesia)
  • Deutschland (Deutsch)
  • France (Français)
  • Italia (Italiano)
  • 中国大陆 (简体中文)

*Product Disclaimer:  Tourism Australia is not the owner, operator, advertiser or promoter of the listed products and services. Information on listed products and services, including Covid-safe accreditations, are provided by the third-party operator on their website or as published on Australian Tourism Data Warehouse where applicable. Rates are indicative based on the minimum and maximum available prices of products and services. Please visit the operator’s website for further information. All prices quoted are in Australian dollars (AUD). Tourism Australia makes no representations whatsoever about any other websites which you may access through its websites such as australia.com. Some websites which are linked to the Tourism Australia website are independent from Tourism Australia and are not under the control of Tourism Australia. Tourism Australia does not endorse or accept any responsibility for the use of websites which are owned or operated by third parties and makes no representation or warranty in relation to the standard, class or fitness for purpose of any services, nor does it endorse or in any respect warrant any products or services by virtue of any information, material or content linked from or to this site.

IMAGES

  1. The Great Australian Road Trip: An itinerary for travelling all the way

    around australia trip

  2. 7 Adventurous Australia Road Trip Itineraries

    around australia trip

  3. 12 Things You Need to Know for Driving Around Australia

    around australia trip

  4. Sydney Scenic Private Tours

    around australia trip

  5. 10 Landscapes of Australia

    around australia trip

  6. Detailed Australia Touring Map

    around australia trip

VIDEO

  1. Around Australia by Motorbike

  2. All Around Australia PART 1 (Cairns

  3. AROUND AUSTRALIA ROAD TRIP :Savannah Way

  4. Triumph Tiger 955i does a few laps around Broadford Racetrack

  5. Ultimate Off-Road Around Australia Adventure Tinny!

  6. Australia's Most Epic Road Trip

COMMENTS

  1. The PERFECT 1, 2 or 3 Week Australia Itinerary [2024]

    The Ultimate Australia Itinerary Travel Guide. Having travelled all around the country, we're excited to share these epic 1, 2 and 3 week Australian itineraries that'll cover the best places around. But first, a tip… How to Get Around Australia. It's also important to consider how you'll get around Australia during your visit.

  2. Road Trip Around Australia

    Three Routes Around Australia 1. The Circumnavigation Around Australia. 17,100 km | 244 hr drive time | 3 months or more. This road trip can be started and finished from any point you choose, but it misses the central desert region of Australia with Uluru, the Olgas, and Coober Pedy. The circumnavigation around Australia. Itinerary from Cairns ...

  3. Road Trip in Australia: An Itinerary for the Whole Country!

    Melbourne to Sydney: 1 week. The Melbourne to Sydney road trip is one that's well-trodden with travelers, but it still isn't hard to find somewhere that's a little off the beaten path. Highlights include Wilson's Promontory National Park, Lakes Entrance, Eden, camping in a NSW state forest and Jervis Bay.

  4. The best Australian road trips

    Where: New South Wales. Coastal drives fit into a road trip category of their own, with the endless ocean on one side and sweeping landscapes on the other. One of Australia's most spectacular coastal drives is New South Wales' Grand Pacific Drive. Beginning just south of Sydney, the road clutches the coastline, unfurling onto the Sea Cliff ...

  5. Road Trip Around Australia

    1. The benefits of a road trip around Australia. The very fact that you're reading this post tells me that you don't need to be convinced that taking an extended road trip around Australia is a great idea. You already know why you want to do this.

  6. The ultimate itinerary for a trip around Australia

    Australia is actually the world's sixth largest country by area. Wowee! So as you can imagine, a trip around Australia can not be completed quickly. The distances are great, so you'll have a lot of travel time. To do this ultimate itinerary quickly, you could probably squeeze it into 6 weeks at an absolute minimum.

  7. Road trips and self-drive journeys Australia

    Road trips and self-drive journeys. Dreaming of the open road? From expansive outback adventures to dramatic coastline routes and lush green landscapes, there's no better place to traverse on wheels than Australia. Choose a type of road trip, location and duration that suits you; your journey begins here. Explore interactive map.

  8. Road trip planner

    Trips and itineraries. Road trip planner. Find local inspiration and start planning your next road trip with our simple interactive journey planner. Explore the best of Australia and find your perfect getaway.

  9. The Ultimate Australia Road Trippin' Guide

    For an unhurried escape, go on a picturesque road trip around Canberra and the South Coast. This round-trip route meanders from the city to the countryside and coast, topped with a mix of culture, adventure, and best of all — food! ... Read also: 9-Day Australia Road Trip Itinerary Around The Best Of NSW — Sydney, Blue Mountains and Beyond ...

  10. Road Trip Australia: The Best Routes To Drive

    1. Coastal views on the Great Ocean Road. Staggering ocean views and easy access from Melbourne make this one of Australia's best-loved road trips. Pack an overnight bag and follow the dramatic coastline, stopping to view a series of coastal rock formations, holding their ground in the surf.

  11. Getting around in Australia

    Here are five risks you need to keep in mind. 1. There may be animals on the road, particularly at night. Many Australians avoid traveling once the sun goes down because of the risks posed by nocturnal animals on the roads. Kangaroos are common on country roads, as are cows and sheep in the unfenced outback.

  12. The Perfect 4-Week Australia Road Trip Itinerary

    You can follow this itinerary and start with an exploration of Sydney as we did, or you can start right from Melbourne and follow this itinerary from day number 6. You can also drive vice-versa from Darwin. Enjoy your trip! DAY 1-4: SYDNEY. We spent four perfect days in lively Sydney.

  13. 12 Things You Need to Know for Driving Around Australia

    Dreaming about driving off into the sunset and doing a big lap of Australia? Travel writer and photographer Lee Atkinson has just returned from an epic 10-month, 40,000km road trip around the country, and written a book about it (see below). Here are her top 12 road trip travel hacks you need to know before you hit the road. 1. What to drive

  14. The Ultimate Guide to Getting Around Australia

    2. Getting Around Australia by Rideshare. Rideshares or carpooling is a very economical way to travel and a great way to meet new people and share your experiences with other travelers. Many travelers who opt to drive a vehicle around Australia look for people to help share the cost, which makes rideshares in Australia very easy.

  15. Road Trip Essentials for Travelling around Australia

    On a long road trip around Australia, you are unlikely to go through too many toll roads but a Sydney road trip will certainly take you through many toll roads. Playlists, Podcasts, Audiobooks. Driving around Australia will present you with some very long stretches of road… And even on a couples road trip, the conversation may dry up after a ...

  16. 120+ Road Trip Essentials Australia (with PDF Packing List)

    One of the main road trip essentials in Australia is water and packing a couple of bottles is simply not enough. You should always carry at least a 20L water container filled up, even if you don't use it all. In case of break down or emergency, water is the number one resource that all passengers will require.

  17. Road trip itineraries around Australia

    Our travels around australia in caravans & a Camper. After doing a full lap in 2011 for our honeymoon, we caught the travel bug and have been on a half lap in 2015 and 4 months in QLD in 2020, with plenty of local trips in between. Below is our journey so far, we hope it helps you plan for your own travels around amazing Australia.

  18. Australian trips and itineraries

    How to travel around Australia. Guide to driving in Australia. How to hire a car or campervan. How to plan a family road trip. How to plan an outback road trip. ... *Product Disclaimer: Tourism Australia is not the owner, operator, advertiser or promoter of the listed products and services. Information on listed products and services, including ...

  19. All Around Australia

    All Around Australia. Trip Type: Custom-Made Travel. Territory: Region: Australia. Trip Price: $27,850. Duration: 32 days/33 nights. Trip Begins/Ends: Hobart / Cairns. National Parklands: Select Terms & Conditions. All custom travel is tailored to the desires and interests of our traveling clients (see How Custom Travel Works tab). Trip pricing ...

  20. Our Australia Trip

    OUR AUSTRALIA TRIP . G'Day! We're Hayley and Brad; we are travelling around Australia full-time in our caravan. We left our home on the Gold Coast in 2022 with the plan of travelling Australia for the next few years. We love documenting our travels along the way, so if you're interested in following along this wild ride, you can watch our ...

  21. Australia Circumnavigation Cruises

    February 14, 2024: 34-night cruise around Australia on Royal Caribbean.Round-trip from Sydney (Australia) to Brisbane (Australia), Gladstone (Australia), Cairns ...

  22. These Are the Best Road Trips in Australia

    Known as the Big Lap, the road-trip-to-end-all-road-trips circumnavigates the coast of Australia following Highway One as it connects Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Broome, Perth, Esperance ...

  23. Travel around Australia

    Australia has a vast network of well-maintained roads and some of the most beautiful road trips in the world. When travelling long distances, you'll find rest stops and service stations at regular intervals. You'll find car rental companies at major airports and central city locations; so hire a car, 4WD or caravan and hit the highway.

  24. WA environment minister seeks to halt confusion around end to boat

    Western Australia's environment minister has accused the state opposition of talking down the local tourism industry amid a growing dispute over the decision to cease boat trips through Horizontal ...

  25. Virgin Australia's huge win against airlines from around the world

    Virgin Australia has won best cabin crew for the sixth year in a row. The Aussie airline was up against more than 350 carriers from around the world to take out the prestigious title in the ...

  26. How to fast travel in Dragon's Dogma 2

    Using an ox cart is the cheapest and most common way to quickly travel from place to place in Dragon's Dogma 2. These bumbling vehicles connect all major settlements you've discovered. You first ...

  27. Live updates: Baltimore Key Bridge collapse news and rescue efforts

    The National Transportation Safety Board chair told CNN that investigators were able to board the ship overnight and obtain the data recorder, or black box. Follow for live updates.

  28. Trip planner: Plan your dream Australia holiday

    Plan your dream holiday. From ancient rainforests and famous reefs to outback deserts and mountain peaks, there's a whole world of experiences to discover Down Under. Use our trip builder to plan your perfect adventure in just a few taps. Get started. Use our trip planner to find your dream Australian holiday.