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Discover Australia’s top 100 Amazing Road Trips in one quick reference guide.

Start planning your next road trip by reading our 100 Amazing Road Trips by experience below.

Coastal road trips

Even a road trip well-travelled can reveal plenty of surprises if you take the time to slow down. Here are 11 of Australia’s best coastal road trips to inspire you.

  • Sydney to the Gold Coast
  • Sydney to Ulladulla, NSW
  • Broome to Cape Leveque, WA
  • The Capricorn Coast, Qld
  • The Great Green Way, Qld
  • East Coast Tasmania
  • Fleurieu Peninsula, SA
  • Sydney to Port Macquarie, NSW
  • Eyre Peninsula, SA
  • Central Coast, NSW
  • Yorke Peninsula, SA

Iconic road trips

Journeys of epic proportions through wilderness that will shift your perceptions and stay with you forever. Here are 11 of Australia’s iconic road trips to inspire you.

  • Gibb River Road, WA
  • Sydney to Melbourne
  • Darwin to Kakadu, NT
  • Kosciuszko Alpine Way, NSW
  • Hobart to Cradle Mountain, Tas
  • The Nullarbor
  • Murray River Drive
  • Great Barrier Reef Drive, Qld
  • Adelaide to Ikara/Flinders Ranges National Park, SA
  • Great Ocean Road, Vic
  • The Big Lap

Don’t miss our beautifully illustrated wall map of the Great Ocean Road and Geelong in our 100 Amazing Road Trips edition or you can download the PDF version.

Great Ocean Road Illustrated Map

Illustration: Mike Rossi @micro.grafik

Outback road trips

Take a journey into the vast, red heart of Australia and discover the magic of the outback. Here are seven of Australia’s best outback road trips to inspire you.

  • Golden Quest Discovery Trail, WA
  • Broken Hill via White Cliffs, NSW
  • Kings Canyon to Uluru, NT
  • The Warlu Way, WA
  • The Savannah Way
  • The Canning Stock Route, WA
  • The Golden Pipeline Heritage Trail, WA

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

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Regional road trips

It’s not just good things that come in small packages, but road trips too. Here are 13 of Australia’s best regional road trips to inspire you.

  • Huon Valley, Tas
  • Victoria’s Silo Art Trail
  • Dubbo, NSW
  • Mudgee, NSW
  • Brisbane to Charleville, Qld
  • Bushranger Country, Vic
  • Hobart to Launceston, Tas
  • Scenic Rim, Qld
  • Northern Rivers, NSW
  • Great Alpine Road, Vic
  • Limestone Coast, SA
  • Bathurst, NSW
  • Albany to Margaret River, WA

Weekend road trips

Even a short weekend road trip can leave you feeling refreshed for the months ahead. Here are 12 of Australia’s best weekend road trip destinations to inspire you.

  • Sydney to Wolgan Valley, NSW
  • The Grampians, Vic
  • Kangaroo Island, SA
  • Phillip Island, Vic
  • Darwin to Katherine, NT
  • Sunshine Coast, Qld
  • West Coast, Tas
  • Daylesford & Macedon Ranges, Vic
  • Southern Highlands, NSW
  • Canberra museum road trip, ACT
  • Lithgow round trip, NSW
  • Canberra to Sapphire Coast

Day trip drives

While the next long weekend is still months away, one can still explore by taking easy day trips from the city. Here, find the best day trip drives to inspire you.

  • Wildflowers road trip, WA
  • Litchfield Loop, NT
  • Swan Valley, WA
  • Great Beach Drive, Qld
  • Mary River Valley, Qld
  • Kenilworth, Qld
  • Adelaide Hills, SA
  • Tasman Peninsula, Tas
  • Melbourne to Marysville, Vic
  • Sydney’s Northern Beaches, NSW
  • Royal National Park, NSW
  • Mornington Peninsula, Vic

No drive road trips

Kick back, relax, and let someone else take the wheel. Here are 8 of Australia’s best no drive road trips to inspire you.

  • That Pink Merc, NSW
  • Globus Gems of the Red Centre, NT
  • Outback Spirit Binns Track, NT
  • Melbourne urban tram trip, Vic
  • Kiff & Culture Brisbane to Byron food trail
  • AAT Kings Outback Adventure
  • Overland Adventure Aboard the Ghan
  • Inspiring Journeys Dark Mofo, Tas

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Off-the-beaten-track road trips

Give way to spontaneity and discover some hidden gems along the road less-travelled. Here are 9 of Australia’s best off-the-beaten-track road trips to inspire you.

  • Atherton Tablelands, Qld
  • Darling River Run, NSW
  • Oodnadatta Track, SA
  • Tassie’s interior
  • Arnhem Way, NT
  • Launceston to Penguin/Stanley/Tarkine, Tas
  • Sydney to Birdsville (and back)
  • Cocos Keeling West Island Tour
  • Port Douglas to Coolangatta, Qld

Food and wine road trips

Some road trips lead to the most memorable food and wine experiences in Australia. Foodies, take note: here are 11 of Australia’s best food-and-wine-focused road trips to inspire you.

  • Hunter Valley winery trail, NSW
  • Noosa Country Drive, Qld
  • The Tasmanian Whisky & Spirits Trail
  • Melbourne to Macedon Ranges, Vic
  • Melbourne to Gippsland, Vic
  • Adelaide to Barossa Valley, SA
  • Orange winery trail, NSW
  • Adelaide to McLaren Vale, SA
  • Melbourne to the Sunshine Coast
  • Sydney to Canberra via Yass
  • Margaret River region, WA

Two-wheel drives

Not all road trips require four wheels. Sometimes riding freely atop your two-wheeler can be just as exhilarating, especially in Australia. Here are six of Australia’s best cycling and motorcycle trips to inspire you.

  • New England High Country, NSW
  • Cairns to Cape York by motorbike, Qld
  • Great Southern Rail Trail, Vic
  • Lakes Highway, Tas
  • Cycling the Clare Valley, SA
  • Canberra’s cold climate wine region, ACT

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The ultimate 8-day Brisbane to Port Douglas road trip itinerary

    Lucy Cousins Lucy Cousins
    Continue
    Explore some of Australia’s most stunning coastlines on this epic route.

    This scenic, 1800-kilometre Brisbane to Port Douglas road trip takes in some of Australia’s most beautiful landscapes, from the wildlife on Bribie Island to the rainforests of Far North Queensland. Our advice? Slow it down, take your time and really get to know this part of Australia.

    Day 1: Brisbane to Noosa

    Wake up in the luxurious Sofitel Brisbane Central, enjoy a hot buffet breakfast and a swim in the outdoor pool before hitting the road to travel north. Take the exit to Bribie Island to view the abundant wildlife.

    aerial view of bribie island
    Enjoy the beauty and animals of Bribie Island. (Image: TEQ)

    In the afternoon, check into Peppers Noosa Resort & Villas hidden near Noosa National Park and spend the afternoon relaxing at the luxury Aqua Day Spa. Daredevils can book a seat on an Ocean View Helicopters tour and experience the adrenaline of exploring the Glasshouse Mountains from the air.

    Before dinner, head to the Original Eumundi Markets just 25 minutes away or explore the nearby trails in the national park. For dinner, book a table at Park & Cove located just near your hotel and feast on a locally-sourced menu that changes with the seasons.

    table spread at Park & Cove Novotel Sunshine Coast
    Refuel at Park & Cove.

    Day 2: Noosa to Bundaberg

    Wake up to sounds of the rainforest outside your window and take the opportunity for a quick swim before you dive into a freshly cooked buffet breakfast at Park & Cove. After breakfast and an expertly brewed coffee, stroll down the hill and spend the morning shopping along Hastings Street in the various boutiques, or hire a kayak or surfboard and conquer the waves.

    After lunch, head north for the three-hour drive to historic Bundaberg. If you feel like feeding a kangaroo or wallaby, visit the Fraser Coast Wildlife Sanctuary. Once in Bundy, head to Spitter’s Farm just outside of town. This 160-acre property offers a unique experience in their deluxe glamping safari tents, where you can listen to the cows mooing as the sun sets.

    baby kangaroo at australian wildlife Sanctuary
    Say hello to the adorable creatures of Fraser Coast Wildlife Sanctuary. (Image: Jewels Lynch)

    Day 3: Bundaberg to Rockhampton

    Before getting back on the road, take time to visit the many museums, and, of course, the famous Bundaberg Rum Distillery for a tour. Then head to the Beef Capital of Australia, Rockhampton.

    Although, ‘Rocky’ is surrounded by beef cattle farms, your first stop should be to the impressive Rockhampton Museum of Art, which features an art collection valued at over $16 million. Rest your head at the centrally-located Mercure Rockhampton overlooking the mighty Fitzroy River. Grab a quick swim in their outdoor pool before enjoying a steak at their in-house restaurant.

    Rockhampton Museum of Art
    Take it all in at Rockhampton Museum of Art. (Image: TEQ)

    Day 4: Rockhampton to Mackay

    Grab a strong coffee at your hotel and drive the short distance to the nearby Capricorn Caves for a morning tour of these natural limestone beauties. Then hit the road for the four-hour drive to Mackay.

    Reward yourself with a swim in the large, resort-style pool at the Mantra Mackay. Overlooking the marina, it’s the perfect location from which to explore the city, before enjoying a sundowner and dinner at the popular Latitude 21 on the hotel terrace.

    woman exploring the Capricorn Caves in queensland
    Explore the Capricorn Caves. (Image: TEQ)

    Day 6: Mackay to Townsville

    Grab your breakfast to go, then head just out of town to Finch Hatton Gorge. Here, spend the morning ziplining 25 metres above the rainforest floor with Forest Flying. Head to Airlie Beach for lunch and a swim in the famous Airlie Beach Lagoon, before heading north to Townsville.

    Hop on a 20-minute ferry – they leave regularly – and check into the stunning Peppers Blue on Blue Resort. Spend the evening swimming in their two pools with views across the private marina to Mount Cook National Park, before feasting on fresh seafood at their on-site restaurant, Boardwalk Restaurant and Bar.

    aerial view of beach at Airlie Beach queensland
    Dive into the crystal clear waters around Airlie Beach. (Image: TEQ)

    Day 7: Townsville to Cairns

    After a morning swim on one of Magnetic Island’s beautiful beaches, hop back on the ferry and travel north to the sleepy Mission Beach for lunch. You’ll be sandwiched by rainforest on one side, and the beach on the other.

    Continue on to Cairns and check in at the centrally-located Novotel Cairns Oasis, where the lagoon-style pool and swim-up bar alone is worth the visit. Or continue north for 25 minutes to the coastal village of Palm Cove.

    Once there it’s a tough choice between the luxurious, five-star Pullman Palm Cove Sea Temple, or the beautifully designed Peppers Beach Club and Spa Palm Cove, where the pool has its very own beach.

    two people in deck chairs by Novotel Cairns Oasis' lagoon-style pool
    Relax by Novotel Cairns Oasis’ lagoon-style pool.

    Day 8: To Port Douglas

    No matter where you spent the night, your journey to Port Douglas will be one of the most scenic road trips you’ll ever experience. Following the coastline, travel past champagne-coloured beaches, offshore islands and submerged reefs, before rolling into town at Port Douglas.

    Although you’ll be spoilt for choice with hotels, two of the best are Peppers Beach Club Port Douglas, which is closer to town (think stunning pool and walking distance to Macrossan Street) and the famous, five-star Pullman Port Douglas Sea Temple Resort & Spa, located a little further down the beach. If the 3000-metre-squared lagoon-style pool isn’t enough at this hotel, you’ll also find the exclusive Vie Spa and popular restaurant, Aluco Restaurant & Bar, widely known as being one of the finest restaurants in Port Douglas.

    aerial view of pool at Pullman Port Douglas Sea Temple
    Revive from road-tripping in one of the best pools in Port Douglas.

     Start planning your Queensland adventure at all.com.