Australia's 7 Best Road Trips To Travel in 2017

Adventure awaits on the open roads of Australia with gorgeous scenery to impress you, from stunning coastlines to open plains. Whether you have a weekend or a year, you can experience the beauty of Australia with the freedom of a car. When planning a road trip around Australia, here are some of the best options to consider.

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1. The Great Ocean Road

Built by World War I veterans, this iconic road is one of the world’s largest war memorials. It is a perfect way to experience the unique landscape of Australia, and includes coastline, caves, wineries, rainforest, and waterfalls. The drive from Melbourne to Allansford is ideal for a three-day trip, but for a longer trip consider the route between Melbourne and Adelaide.

2. The Pacific Coast

Cruising from Sydney to Brisbane is ideal during the summer. The route offers beautiful, ocean side driving as the road hugs the coastline of New South Wales and Queensland. Pass through a number of small towns, each of which has its own lovable charm and unique character. The drive takes just over 10 hours, so it is best over 3-5 days.

3. The Great Tropical Drive

An excellent choice for exploring Queensland’s diverse tropical area, this drive takes you from Cairns/The Daintree to Townsville. Along the way, you can make side trips to explore the Great Barrier Reef, Cape Tribulation, Hinchinbrook Island, and Daintree Rainforest. Unique and impressive National Parks are scattered along the drive, giving you additional opportunities to explore the stunning natural beauty of the region. Plan to take 5-7 days along the Great Tropical Drive.

4. The Coral Coast Drive

If you are looking for an outback adventure, then prepare your camper and head for the Coral Coast Drive. The road from Perth to Broome takes you through gorgeous red desert landscape next to the stunning turquoise ocean. The colors and scenery are brilliant and make for impressive photos. An ideal five-day trip, you can enjoy highlights including Cape Range National Park, Ningaloo Reef, and Carnarvon along the road.

5. Tasmania Round Trip

A top scenic destination in Australia, Tasmania is a wonderful place to drive. It is small enough to travel top to bottom in just a couple of hours, but loaded with beautiful, changing scenery. Take the scenic route and stay close to the coast; begin by heading north from Hobart and follow the coast all the way around. Stopping in Freycinet to hike to Wineglass Bay is highly recommended. A round trip is wonderful in 4-5 days, and a great choice for families.

6. The Wine Tour

Spend a weekend enjoying the South Australian wine country with this road trip for food and wine lovers. From Adelaide to the Barossa Valley, the countryside is filled with fine wineries and historic buildings. The biggest difficulty is deciding which of the many tempting places to stop. With so many treasures to discover, this is a great road trip to repeat.

7. The Stuart Highway Drive

A rich, cultural experience from the Northern Territory’s capital to Uluru, its sacred rock. Hiking boots and a 4WD vehicle help you make the most of this nine-day road trip. A main highway in Australia, the Stuart Highway takes you from the top of the country to its tail while offering spectacular landscape to explore as you pass through Kakadu National Park, Alice Springs, and the Red Centre. Be sure to hike to the rim of King’s Canyon to enjoy a swim in the Garden of Eden, a beautiful green oasis nestled in the barren landscape.

Safety on the Road

Use safe driving practices while enjoying your road trip. Carefully observe the safety tips on driving and local laws to make sure you have a smooth, enjoyable trip. Good tips to follow include wear a seatbelt, avoid driving under the influence, be alert while driving, stop frequently to rest, and observe speed limits and other traffic laws. It is also a good idea to carry an emergency kit with you.

Experience Adventure

Begin your adventure and start exploring the best road trips in Australia. With a little planning and safe driving, you can experience the brilliant landscapes and scenic countryside of this awesome land.

Author bio: Riya is a content writer. She loves meeting new people, sipping a good coffee and traveling. Her twitter, @sanderriya.