Australia is huge. It’s the sixth largest country in the world in terms of land mass and is the only country that is a continent in and of itself. Despite being the lowest, flattest, and driest continent on the planet, the overall geography encompasses a diverse landscape that includes white sand beaches, astonishing mountain ranges, and tropical rainforests. With an unending list of places to see and things to do, road tripping is the best way to experience the country. Keep reading for three routes that take you through National Parks, friendly beach towns, and deep into the deserted outback.
Route #1: Melbourne to Adelaide, The Great Ocean Road
Distance: 1,000 km – approximately 622 miles
Time Frame: 7-14 days
Points of Interest:
Cape Otway National Park: Well known for its stunning waterfalls, this temperate rainforest boasts one of the highest rainfalls in the state. So don’t forget to pack your rain jacket! There’s a little bit of everything here – from rugged coastlines to tall forests, sandy beaches to waterfalls and lakes. Great Otway National Park and Otway Forest Park offer excellent camping opportunities where you can park your campervan, or pitch a tent.
The Twelve Apostles: Driving west from the city of Melbourne leads to storm carved coastline and the world famous Twelve Apostles. Once connected to the mainland cliffs, these limestone formations were carved into 100-foot tall pillars by wind, waves, and time. Stretch your legs and walk down the water to Loch Ard Gorge. Sunrise and sunset are the best times to visit to take advantage of the best photo opportunities.
McLaren Vale Wine Region: For the wine lovers and foodies! Just 40 km south of Adelaide, McLaren Vale is the birthplace of the South Australian wine industry and home to some of the world’s oldest grape vines. The Shiraz is the star of the show here, but with over 80 cellar doors and vineyards to visit, you’re sure to find a wine you like. For an overnight stay, check out BIG4 Hahndorf Resort, which rests on 32 acres of rolling hills with views of the magnificent Adelaide Hills.
Route #2: Brisbane to Cairns
Distance: 1,700km – approximately 1056 miles
Time Frame: 14 – 21 days
Points of Interest:
Fraser Island: This requires a short, but worthwhile, detour. This World Heritage Site was created over 800,000 years ago by the combination of wind, waves, and ocean currents. The constantly shifting sand continues to create the world’s largest sand island. Spend a few hours touring the boardwalk about Wanggoolba Creek and through the island’s beautiful rainforest before resting in the sun at Lake McKenzie – one of the clearest lakes in Australia.
Townsville: This quaint town is the gateway to Queensland’s northern region and has an excellent reputation for its pleasant year-round weather. Home to beautiful beaches, bushwalking tracks and tons of wildlife, it’s a paradise for the outdoorsy traveler. Wallaman Falls, Australia’s tallest waterfall, is located at the nearby Girringun National Park and is an absolute must see.
Mission Beach: Mission Beach is the halfway point between Townsville and Cairns, and nestled between two World Heritage sites (The Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics Rainforest). The area is made up of four villages connected by beaches lined with palm trees. The lack of chain stores and traffic lights make this a great town to stop at for the sake of slowing down and savoring the road trip.
Route #3: Cairns to Darwin
Distance: 3,000kms or 1864 miles
Time Frame: minimum of 14 days
Points of Interest:
Atherton Tablelands: Behind Cairns amongst beautiful rolling hills lies the Atherton Tablelands, a budget-friendly area full of bike tracks, hikes, and heritage. The town of Mareeba has a fascinating Heritage Museum that is free to enter and provides aboriginal and colonial history. If you’re looking for a more active day, enjoy a bike ride on the Rail Trails, which provide 6km of track between Atherton and Tolga. The Atherton Forest Mountain Bike Park offers more of a challenge on a forest trail.
Caranbirini Conservation Reserve: Caranbirini Conservation Reserve protects wildlife like wallaroos, wallabies water goannas, and birds. Entry to this reserve is free, and the most popular attraction is the sandstone spires known as ‘Lost City’ rock formations. Several hiking loops will take you into the center of the pinnacles and rocky outcrops with spectacular views.
Kakadu National Park: A few hours drive from Darwin, this is the largest national park in Australia with 20,000 sq km of outdoor adventure and Indigenous history. This is a great place to (safely) spot crocodiles by viewing platforms or a river cruise. If the croc idea doesn’t sit well with you, turn to one of the park’s picturesque waterfalls. Gunlom Falls is one of the most popular and offers a large clear pool at the base for swimming or a great photo.
