5 Australian Road Trips

Australia is the sixth largest country worldwide, which means that the travel distances between cities, attractions and landmarks can be considerable. Combined with the remarkably beautiful, and ever-changing landscape, this makes Australia the ideal place for your road trip adventure.

The added bonus of a road trip vacation, as opposed to a tour or a city stay, is the opportunity to see and do far more during your visit to this incredible country. One of the most popular and convenient methods of travel for an Australian road trip, is a campervan rental. Combining your transport and accommodation allows you freedom to spend extra time in a favourite location, without the worry or hassle of booking a hotel room.  But in case, you want to sleep in the comfort of a bed, you may always check the accommodation in Rutherglen area.

Here are five suggested road trip journeys, to inspire your next Australian self-drive holiday.

Sydney to Melbourne via Canberra

Sydney and Melbourne are the most visited cities in Australia, and are situated 900km (560 miles) apart from one another along the East Coast.  

In between these two major cities, lays the countries capital city, Canberra. Often overlooked by tourists, this carefully planned out municipal not only possesses Parliament House, but many other sights worth stopping for.

What are the must see and do sights, attractions, activities?

• Sydney Opera House – The iconic building overlooking Sydney Harbour.

• Queen Victoria Building – Go shopping in this nineteenth century, heritage-listed building.

• Australian War Memorial – Commemorating the sacrifice of Australians who lost their lives at war.

• Canberra Parliament House – Tour the portraits gallery, take a guided tour or enjoy high tea.

• Questacon – Explore over 200 of the interactive exhibits at this Science and Technology Museum.

• Royal Australian Mint – Discover and tour the place that produces all of Australia’s coins.

• Brighton Bathing Boxes – Photograph this picture-perfect Melbourne beachscape.

• Australian Sports Centre – This museum houses the largest collection of Sports related memorabilia in Australia.

Tasmania – East Coast

The island state of Australia, Tasmania, is jam-packed with natural beauty and much of it can be found on the East Coast.

Here you will find Freycinet National Park, home to the much-admired and photographed Wine Glass Bay. You can visit a wild penguin colony or go whale watching. Dine on first-class fresh food at one of the many restaurants enroute or visit a vineyard and try some locally made wine.

What are the must see and do sights, attractions, activities?

• Maria Island – This entire island is a national park, accessible by Ferry from Triabunna and home to abundant native wildlife.

• Penguin Tour – Book a guided tour of a local penguin colony in Bicheno.

• Bicheno Blowhole – An erupting geyser that propels with enormous force even in calmer weather.

• Bay of Fires – Renowned for the spectacularly coloured rock formations against its gleaming beaches.

• Port Arthur Historic Site – Tour the convict era at this world heritage listed penal colony site from the 1800’s.

Also Read: TRAVEL GUIDE: Tips to keep your group trip peaceful and fun

Adelaide to Alice Springs

The colossal differences between your starting point in Adelaide and your final destination in Alice Springs, will astonish you. 

Start your journey in the “City of Churches”, Adelaide, which is the quaint capital city of South Australia; and the only Australian capital that was not a convict settlement. Well-known for its German influence, incredible wine region, and heritage architecture, you will not be short on things to keep you captivated.

Alice Springs, located in the Northern Territory, is the gateway to Uluru and the Red Centre of Australia. Its desert landscapes are a world away from the metropolitan streets of South Australia. 

What are the must see and do sights, attractions, activities?

• Hanhdorf – This picturesque town, proud of its German heritage, offers charming traditional shops, eateries and breweries.
• Granite Island – Stroll over the wooden causeway connecting the island to Victor Harbour, view the incredible granite boulders and meet the resident little penguins.

• Glenelg – Home to Jetty Road and the only official beach bar in Australia.

• Yourambulla Caves – View Indigenous Australian rock art
• Coober Pedy – Opal mining capital of Australia, where there are many underground attractions, including a museum and a church.

• Uluru – A huge natural monument made of red sandstone, sacred to Indigenous Australians.

• Kings Canyon – Panoramic landscape of gorges, rocky ranges, plateaus and archaic sandstone structures in the Watarrka National Park.

Queensland’s Scenic Rim 

This stunning hinterland, located south-west of Brisbane city in Queensland, is filled with world heritage rainforests, picturesque national parks, local markets and adventure activities. This rural wonderland travels over mountains and through wine country where the activities are numerous; visit a glow worm cave, take a hot air balloon ride or bushwalk to one of the areas many waterfalls.

What are the must see and do sights, attractions, activities?

• Mountview Alpaca Farm – Bring a picnic or buy something delicious from the on-site café while you sit amongst the alpaca residents. 

• Tamborine National Park – Bushwalk your way to a stunning waterfall.
• Glow Worm Caves –  At Tamborine Mountain, you can visit this dazzling glow worm cave and learn about their life-cycle.

• Moogerah Dam – See the cascading water and then explore the hiking trail nearby.

• Karoomba Vineyards and Lavendar Farm

• Boonah Markets – Held the 2^nd and 4^th Saturday of each month, find homemade crafts, jams, fresh produce, gifts and more.

Blue Mountains National Park

The expansive Blue Mountains National Park in NSW, is a region of Australia’s Great Dividing Range. Easily accessible from Sydney city, this panoramic region contains rainforests, sacred Indigenous Australian sites, walking trails, cascading waterfalls, remarkable caves and an abundance of native wildlife. 

What are the must see and do sights, attractions, activities?

• The Three Sisters – A trio of sandstone pillars that stand over 900 metres above Jamison Valley.

• Secret Creek Sanctuary – The Blue Mountains one and only native wildlife sanctuary.

• Scenic World – View the Blue Mountains from a Scenic Railway, Skyway, Walkway or Cableway.

• Jenolan Caves – Amongst some of the oldest caves on Earth, explore a labyrinth of limestone formations, underground rivers and fossil relics.
• Glow Worm Tunnels – A 2km walking track leads you to this natural attraction, glowing with light from thousands of these incredible creatures.

• Katoomba Falls – You can see these falls day or night via the 1.3km walkway, the boardwalk is lit up until 10.30pm.

Australia has such a massive variety of natural, historic and entertaining attractions, which means deciding on your next road trip itinerary can be a little tricky. With any luck, this guide has assisted or inspired your self-drive planning, and has you headed towards your next perfect adventure.