10 Of Australia’s All-Time Greatest Road Trips That You Haven’t Done Yet
Road trips will be the buzz word of 2020 travel, so it was a good thing it was already basically a National past-time. We Aussies love the highs and lows of a good road trip, and we have plenty of amazing ones to check out in our country.
If you’ve already given the Great Ocean Road a go and you’ve visited every wine region around, we’ve got 10 options that are a bit more ‘off the beaten path’ for you to give a go.
#1 Savannah Way
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Road Trip: Cairns to Hell’s Gate, QLD
Distance & Drive Time: Two to six days
Depending on how many stops you want to make, and to be fair there are plenty of awesome ones, you could really stretch this 10-hour trip. You’ll need a 4WD or Camper, and it’s best to go between June and November.
Stops along the way: Burketown, Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park, Karumba, Cobbold Gorge and Undara Volcanic National Park.
#2 The Heritage Highway
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Road Trip: Launceston to Hobart, TAS
Distance & Drive Time: One to two days
It’s not an efficient two-and-a-half-hour drive like the direct route, but sometimes it pays to take your time. This scenic route carves a path through some of Tasmania’s most stunning scenery and cutest historic towns.
Stops along the way: Pontville, Kempton, Oatlands and Chauncy Vale Wildlife Sanctuary.
#3 Great Alpine Road
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Road Trip: Melbourne to Wangaratta, VIC
Distance & Drive Time: Just under four hours
The Great Alpine Road is often over-looked for the more famous Great Ocean Road, but it’s a must-do with a whole different set of scenery. As the highest altitude road in the state, it gives you sweeping panoramic views as it passes right through the heart of the Victorian Alps.
Stops along the way: Bright, Mount Buffalo National Park, Mount Hotham and Omeo.
#4 The Gibb River Road
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Road Trip: Derby to Kununurra, WA
Distance & Drive Time: 660km / 14 days (to see it all)
You’ll need a 4WD, but it’ll be worth the effort of getting one for this off-road adventure. You’ll get 660 kilometres of rough road that will take you right passed the famous gorges and cattle stations of The Kimberlies region.
Stops along the way: Windjana Gorge, Tunnel Creek, Galvans Gorge, Drysdale River Station, Home Valley Station and El Questro Wilderness Park.
#5 Red Centre Way
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Road Trip: Alice Springs to Uluru, NT
Distance & Drive Time: 690 km / five days
There’s no better way to take in the heart of Australia than a road trip along Red Centre Way. Take your time to marvel at dusty red plains, spectacular gorges and important Indigenous cultural sights.
Stops along the way: Simpsons Gap, Ellery Creek Big Hole, Serpentine Gorge, Ochre Pits, Tylers Pass Lookout, The Mereenie Valley, the The Famous ‘Lift ‘Um Foot’ Bend and King’s Canyon.
#6 The Outback Way
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Road Trip: Laverton, WA to Winton, QLD
Distance & Drive Time: 2700 km / eight days
If you want to add more to your Red Centre trip, take “Australia’s longest shortcut” across the top of the country. You’ll get all the best landscapes Australia has to offer, from canyons to weathered ranges to Uluru. And yes, you’ll still need a 4WD.
Stops along the way: Boulia, Jervois Station, Alice Springs, Uluru, Kata Tjuta, and Warburton
#7 Old Grafton Way
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Road Trip: Glen Innes to Grafton, NSW
Distance & Drive Time: 130 km / four hours
If you love a little history with your exploration, give this road through gold rush-era homesteads and deserted towns a go. You won’t need a 4WD, but do be aware about 85 km of your journey will be gravel road.
Stops along the way: Mann River, Newton Boyd and Dalmorton Bluff Tunnel/ Town,.
#8 Circle Tasmania
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Road Trip: Hobart to Hobart, TAS
Distance & Drive Time: 6 days
As the name suggests, this is your round trip of the best Tasmania has to offer. It’s recommended to take a full six days so you can enjoy all the sights of the state along the way.
Stops along the way: Freycinet National Park, Launceston, Stanley, Cradle Mountain and Strahan.
#9 Darwin to Litchfield
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Road Trip: Darwin to Litchfield National Park, NT
Distance & Drive Time: one day
Get acquainted with the Top End of Australia with this easy day trip through Litchfield National Park. Leave the city and wind your way through Katherine and Kakadu before you hit the waterfalls, swimming holes, and incredible rock formations of the national park.
Stops along the way: Katherine, Kakadu, Florence Falls, Wangi Falls and Magnetic Termite Mounds.
#10 The Big Lap
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Road Trip: Australia-wide
Distance & Drive Time: 15,000 km
Of course, there is the ultimate Australian road trip, if you can’t decide which state to explore. Follow all 15,000 kilometres of Highway One through seven capital cities and everything in between.
Stops along the way: Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Broome, Perth, Esperance, Adelaide, Melbourne and Hobart.
(Lead Image: Provided / Visit Victoria & Robert Blackburn)
