A Guide To The Best Road Trips In Australia

By Bec Milligan and Tara McBarron. 

There’s nothing quite like a good road trip in Australia. From rugged coastlines to lush rainforests, the open road has a way of delivering family memories that last a lifetime. 

Of course, between planning the route, keeping the kids entertained and surviving long hours in the car, sometimes road trips can feel more stressful than they’re worth. But it doesn't have to be that way. 

A little preparation goes a long way, and we’re here to help! Read on to make sure your next road trip in Australia is a good one.

Which part of Australia is best for a road trip?

Australia is vast, and almost every corner of the country has something special to offer on the open road. The answer really comes down to what you’re looking for.

New South Wales is a great starting point, especially for families on the east coast. The coastline south of Sydney is particularly rewarding, combining dramatic sea cliffs, lush national parks and charming coastal towns within easy reach of the city.

Victoria is home to what many consider the crown jewel of Australian road trips: the Great Ocean Road. The stretch between Melbourne and Port Campbell alone packs in world-class surf beaches, beautiful rainforests and the iconic 12 Apostles, all within a manageable drive.

Queensland offers an incredible mix of tropical countrysides, national parks and beachside towns. The drive between Brisbane and Byron Bay – particularly via the inland route through the Mt Lindsay Highway – is a favourite for good reason.

Western Australia is the destination for those who love wide open spaces. The Coral Coast route from Perth to Exmouth takes you through some of the most extraordinary and remote scenery in the country, though it’s better suited to older kids and families comfortable with longer drives between stops.

For most families, the east coast offers the best combination of accessibility, variety and family-friendly facilities, making it the ideal place to start your road trip journey.

What is the most beautiful road trip in Australia?​​​

Australia has no shortage of breathtaking drives, so choosing which one will be the right one for your family can feel overwhelming. 

Never fear, we’ve rounded up our favourite road trips in Australia to help you hit the road with confidence.

1 The Grand Pacific Drive: Sydney to Kiama

At under 150 kilometres, this is a great first road trip option for any young family. The Grand Pacific Drives takes you through the beautiful Royal National Park on the outskirts of southern Sydney, through NSWs third-largest city, Wollongong, and down the rolling hills of the South Coast to Kiama. There are plenty of great places to stop and grab some fresh air along the way, but the iconic Sea Cliff Bridge is amazing, jutting out of a cliff some 665 metres above the ocean at Stanwell Park. A walking track runs the length of the bridge. If you head down during June and July, you might even be lucky enough to spot whales from the viewing platform.

2 The Rainforest Way: Brisbane to Byron Bay

The Coast Road can get you from Brisbane to Byron in under two hours, but if you travel inland onto the Mt Lindsay Highway you'll come across some of the most pristine national parks the North Coast has to offer. Head towards Nimbin and turn off at Stoney Creek Road to visit the beautiful Hanging Rock Falls. This is a great place for a swim, but make sure to pack a picnic as the nearest facilities are in Nimbin. Heading back down the mountain towards Byron Bay you'll be greeted with an amazing aerial view of the coastline that is not to be missed.

3 The Great Ocean Road (abridged): Melbourne to Port Campbell

The Great Ocean Road is regarded by many as the best stretch of road in Australia. But at over 650km and more than 10 hours driving time, it can be a little daunting, especially if you're bringing the troops. Instead of doing the full trip from Melbourne to Adelaide, try driving from Melbourne to Port Campbell instead. With a total driving time of 4.5 hours it's much more manageable, and you'll still see most of the highlights of the Great Ocean Road. If you're into surfing, check in at Torquay, which is an hour outside Melbourne and home to Bells Beach, one of the most revered surf breaks in the world. Continue on through scenic Lorne, past Apollo Bay, before stopping 10 minutes outside of Port Campbell to visit the 12 Apostles, the famous rock stacks that rise up out of the Southern Ocean. Erosion has made its mark on these renowned formations, meaning there are only eight apostles currently standing. Be sure to take your time on this trip, there is so much to see and do along the road.

What’s the best way to rent a vehicle for a road trip in Australia?

If you don’t own a car and/or caravan, renting one can be a little daunting. For starters, it's imperative to choose a reputable provider to ensure peace of mind for you and your family while on your trip. But that doesn’t mean you can’t save cash when hiring a car! 

If you’re flying to a specific destination before starting your road trip, if possible, pick up your rental from the city rather than from the airport. What you lose in convenience, you’ll make up for in savings in the long run. 

Secondly, no provider will let you drive one of their cars uninsured, but the excess on this insurance can be as much as $5,000, and most will try and coerce you into purchasing exorbitantly expensive rental excess insurance. Don’t fall for their tricks! 1Cover offers domestic travel insurance policies which includes rental vehicle excess cover for up to $5,000 including the cost of returning the vehicle if you are unfit to do so. 

And finally, before you return the vehicle, make sure that you’ve filled it with petrol and that any outstanding road tolls have been paid, as rental companies charge an administration fee on top of the cost of the road toll.

What should I pack for a road trip?

You should obviously pack whatever you would for any holiday – clothes, underwear, toothbrush and so on. But for road trips specifically, make sure you’ve also got the following:

1. Plenty of food, snacks and water that everyone in the family can easily access during the drive. 

2. For little ones, toys as well as pencils and colouring books. 

3. Car games that everyone can play. Some favourites include 20 Questions, Eye Spy, and Name That Tune (one person hums a song and everyone else has to guess what it is).

4. Garbage bags and a small bucket, just in case someone gets car sick.

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