The 12 best Australian road trips to do before you die

Foodies, this one’s for you. Just 40 minutes out of Adelaide sits the stunning Fleurieu Peninsula region, where you’ll find some of South Australia’s most exceptional coastal and culinary experiences. Pack your picnic basket and take a few days to cruise along the Epicurean Way, where you’ll pass through four major wine regions and more than 100 cellar doors. Stock up on seasonal produce at Willunga Farmers Market before letting your tastebuds lead the way through the renowned McLaren Vale, Adelaide Hills, Barossa and Clare Valley. It’s not all about wining and dining though with plenty of charming, old-world towns worth stopping at along the way, including the picture-perfect Mintaro and Greenock – also known as a ‘little Scotland’.

How far: 223 kilometres

How long: Four to five days

For a true blue Aussie outback odyssey, Gibb River Road is calling. Get yourself a 4WD and take the long road through the Kimberley where you’ll journey across vast wilderness that was originally used to transport cattle. Along the way, stop off at ancient gorges with cascading waterfalls and freshwater swimming holes. Then, set up camp under the stars where you’ll witness the cosmos without light interruption from a nearby city. To fit everything in, we recommend devoting two weeks to this epic adventure during the dry season from April to October.

How far: 660 kilometres

How long: Allow ten to 14 days

Widely lauded as having the best consistent road trip views in the country, the Great Ocean Road is one of the best things you can get up to if you're in Victoria. Snaking all along the southwest coast of the state, starting in Torquay (1.5 hours from the Melbourne CBD) and finishing up just before Warrnambool,  this winding stretch of road offers up multiple bushwalks, wildly beautiful beaches and, as a final prize, the towering wonders of the Twelve Apostles. You won't forget it in a hurry. 

How far: 243 kilometres 

How long: Allow two to three days for maximum enjoyment

There are few places on Earth as beautiful as the Western Australia's untouched southern coastline. If you've got time to spare, this rugged roadtrip from Perth to Esperance will likely blow your mind. If you don't mind traversing long distances and being exposed to a vast wilderness of space, light and ocean, this one's for you. You'll drive through wine country, historic towns and crystal clear beaches where wild dolphins will literally swim around your knees. After you pass the wonderful Margaret River, you'll be able to walk through the mammoth old trees in the Valley of the Giants, see wild orcas at Bremer Bay, swim at the world's best beach and then end with a perfect, celebatory dip in the azure waters of Esperance. 

How far: 1,200 kilometres

How long: 14 days

The East Coast is Tassie's sunniest side, and therefore (in our humble opinion), the best side for a road trip. Starting in Hobart, you'll drive north through long lines of coast and leafy forests. Well signposted and fitted out with countless delicious food and rest stops along the way, this road trip is perfect for those who like a side of oysters and fresh savvy B with their highways. With countless wineries, untouched wild beaches and national parks packed with ancient, old-growth trees along the way, the Eastern Drive will not disappoint. End with a bang at the pristine waters and red rocks of Bay of Fires – and then pop over to Wineglass Bay for a swim. 

How far: 300 kilometres

How long: Allow five days 

Heads up – you're better off doing this one with a 4WD. In the centre, the road gets rocky. Starting in Alice Springs, you'll drive down long, stretching roads through the rolling red dunes of the outback. This loop will take you past incredible ridgelines and permanent waterholes to cool off in – one of the best being at Ormiston Gorge in the immense hills of Tjoritja (also known as the West MacDonnell Ranges). The aim of your trip is probably to get to Uluru though – which we definitely recommend you do. Don't forget to head 40 minutes away to Kata Tjuta to watch the sunset over the glowing red domes. 

How far: 700 kilometres 

How long: Six days

If you're in Sydney and want to follow in the gold-hued footsteps of sunseekers before you – you're going to want to hop on this classic road trip up north. Let it be known you can smash this trip in one go, or (the better option) take your time and see more world-famous NSW landmarks than we have time to tell you about. This neat roadie will take you through beach and wine country in Newcastle and the Hunter Valley to Coffs Harbour, up through the verdant hills of Bellingen and the Dorrigo Rainforest, and then to former hippie paradise, Byron Bay. Keep on the highway from Byron and pass through the lush Gold Coast hinterland, into the carnival centre of the Gold Coast itself, and then end in Brisbane. 

How far: 1000 kilometres 

How long: Allow nine days for max good times 

If submerging yourself in some of the most lush, verdant and powerful nature on Earth is your idea of a good time, you're going to want to pop this very short – but very sweet, road trip on your list. Starting in Cairns, you'll coast north to Port Douglas – and then hop over to the Great Barrier Reef for a rainbow-hued snorkel. After that, you can dip in the croc-safe swimming oasis of Mossman Gorge nestled within the ancient Daintree Rainforest. Finish up with a drive to Cape Tribulation to see where two, immense World Heritage listed pieces of wilderness meet together in perfect harmony – the reef and the rainforest. 

How far: 140 kilometres

How long: Two days

If surfing with dolphins, seeing frolicking whales and swimming with the Earth's largest (and gentlest) shark in the wild appeals to you, you're going to want to hop on the Coral Coast Highway in Perth and head straight for Exmouth. If you've got two weeks to devote to this trip, you'll have ample time to explore the countless wonders along the way. From the staggering, moon-like limestone formations of the Pinnacles Desert, to the dolphins at Monkey Mia in Shark Bay – end with a swim with whale sharks on the Ningaloo Reef. 

How far: 1250 kilometres 

How long: Allow two weeks

If driving down coastal roads with cliff-top views, thermal springs, forest walks and rare wildlife sounds like your kind of thing, then the Southern Edge drive in Tasmania is for you. Start your trip with a cider trail through cascading hilltops in the Huon Valley before taking a detour by ferry to Bruny Island where you’ll find farm-fresh cheese and freshly shucked oysters, not to mention the infamous albino wallabies. After returning to the mainland, head to Newdegate Cave – the largest dolomite cave in Australia – where you’ll gaze up at a labyrinth of mineral chandeliers. Venture further down to Australia’s southernmost edge in Cockle Creek where a serene beach awaits and the only thing separating you from Antarctica is the Southern Ocean. Talk about bucket-list worthy.

How far: 500-600 kilometres

How long: Allow five to seven days

If you like long drives and epic views, this appropriately named roadie from South Australia to the Northern Territory is one for you. Intrepid, rugged and full of Crocodile Dundee-esque outback characters and moments, this adventurous trip starts in Adelaide's wine country and winds past incredible formations like the pink waters of Lake Bumbunga, and then into the desert. Sleep underground in the opal town of Coober Pedy, then head to Uluru and Kings Canyon. If you have the time and energy to keep going, keep on going on the Stuarts Highway up to Darwin and check out the sizzling wonders of the Top End.

How far: 1500 kilometres

How long: Six days

If driving down long coastal roads with epic, stretching views of the ocean, plentiful whales and more than one pristine and secluded beach to dip into is your kinda thing, this road trip is  for you. Starting in Sydney, you'll head south towards the Royal National Park (which you should totally stop in, by the way), and then get to what is arguably the most good looking stretch of road in Australia – the legendary Seacliff Bridge past Coalcliff. You'll feel like you're in a car commercial on this wild, elevated bridge that cuts through the water. After that bit of drama is over, you'll cut through countless quaint towns, pristine beaches, oyster farms and jaw-dropping coastal views along NSW's southeast coast, ending up in the oceanic oasis of Eden. Pro tip: Keep your eyes open for whales. 

How far: 473.2 kilometres

How long: Allow six days to one week (or, if you want a short day trip from Sydney, you can just drive to Seacliff Bridge and back)