Here’s the thing about planning a road trip: the hardest part is actually deciding where to go. Coastal cliffs or red desert? Wine country or rainforest? Australia has so many brilliant multi-day drives and we’re spoiled for choice.
So instead of trying to talk you into one specific route, we’ve broken down the best Australian road trips for every state and territory; each with its own distinct vibe, so you can pick the one that actually matches the trip you’re yearning for, not the one everyone raves about.
First, How to Actually Plan One
Before you pick a route, a few basics make any multi-day road trip run smoother:
- Match the car to the country. Coastal cruising calls for something comfortable; red dirt and gravel call for a 4WD or SUV with real ground clearance.
- Don’t over-plan every hour. Build in buffer time, make sure you have time to actually enjoy the drive. The best stops on a road trip are usually the ones you stumble upon.
- Fuel and phone reception aren’t guaranteed everywhere. In more remote regions, plan your fuel stops in advance and don’t assume you’ll have a signal.
- Break up long stretches. SIXT has the option for a driver add on, split big driving days into manageable chunks with regular stops. It’s better for concentration and for enjoying the scenery.
- Book accommodation ahead in peak season, especially along popular coastal routes where small towns fill up fast.
With that sorted, here’s our guide to find your perfect road trip.
New South Wales: The “Coastal Galore” Road Trip
Sydney to Byron Bay via the Pacific Coast
The vibe: Beaches, small towns, and just enough variety to keep things interesting without ever straying too far from the coast.
Head north out of Sydney and take your time, this is a drive built for stopping often. Break up the drive with a coastal walk at Port Macquarie, then continue up to Byron Bay for its famous lighthouse walk, laid-back cafés and beach culture. Along the way, don’t miss Nambucca Heads and its colourful V-Wall.
Unmissable stop: Cape Byron Lighthouse at sunrise, it’s the most easterly point of mainland Australia, and 100% worth the early alarm.
Duration: 8 hours non-stop. Although we recommend starting early and taking the whole day or stopping in Coffs Harbour to spend the night.
Victoria: The “Pull Over I Need to Take a Pic” Road Trip
The Great Ocean Road
The vibe: Dramatic coastal scenery that somehow gets more impressive with every bend.
It’s Australia’s most famous coastal drive for a reason. Starting from Torquay, wind your way past Bells Beach, Lorne and Apollo Bay before reaching the Twelve Apostles, the limestone stacks rising out of the Southern Ocean that define the whole route.
Unmissable stop: The Twelve Apostles at golden hour, when the light turns the cliffs a deep orange.
Duration: Although The Great Ocean Road takes less than 4 hours, give yourself at least two to three days to do it justice. Rushing the Great Ocean Road rather defeats the purpose.
Queensland: The “Does Winter Even Exist Up Here” Road Trip
Cairns to Port Douglas and the Daintree
The vibe: Tropical, lush, and about as far from a typical road trip as it gets. Get the best of both worlds, rainforest on one side, reef on the other.
This shorter but spectacular drive takes you along the Captain Cook Highway, hugging the coastline with the Coral Sea on one side and rainforest-covered mountains on the other. Stop in Port Douglas for a slower pace, then continue into the Daintree Rainforest, the oldest tropical rainforest on Earth.
Unmissable stop: Cape Tribulation, where the rainforest meets the reef. One of the only places on the planet where two World Heritage sites touch.
Duration: From Cairns to the Daintree, it takes a little under 2 hours to drive, making it the perfect single day road trip. With limited driving, but unlimited sights, this trip is good for the soul.
South Australia: The “Wine First, Everything Else Second” Road Trip
Adelaide to the Barossa Valley and Clare Valley
The vibe: Rolling vineyards, long lunches, and a drive that’s as much about what you’re indulging in as where you’re going.
A short trip out of Adelaide gets you into the Barossa Valley, one of Australia’s most celebrated wine regions, packed with cellar doors, gourmet food stops and historic townships. Extend the loop north to the Clare Valley for a quieter, equally impressive alternative, known for its Rieslings, scenic Riesling Trail cycling and walking path.
Unmissable stop: A cellar door lunch overlooking the vines, ideally somewhere in the Barossa with a view back over the valley.
Duration: From Adelaide to Clare Valley the journey is a little under 2 hours, but be sure to extend this through long lunches, scenic routes, and local town stops.
Western Australia: The “Go Big or Go Home” Road Trip
Perth to Margaret River and the South West
The vibe: Beaches, forests and wine country rolled into one seriously underrated stretch of coastline.
Head south from Perth into the Margaret River region, where towering karri forests meet world-class surf beaches and yet another outstanding wine region. Explore the Ngilgi Cave, catch a wave (or watch someone else try) at Surfers Point, and don’t skip the region’s renowned cellar doors and artisan producers.
Unmissable stop: Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet, two treasures at one sight.
Duration: Perth to the famous Margaret River is a little over 3 hours. Just enough time for you to start thinking about what to eat and drink.
Tasmania: The “Wild and Untouched” Road Trip
Hobart to the East Coast and Freycinet
The vibe: Rugged, quiet, and about as close to untouched wilderness as a road trip gets.
Tasmania’s East Coast drive is compact but packed with scenery. From Hobart, head up through Richmond before reaching Freycinet National Park, home to the postcard-famous Wineglass Bay. The drive continues through small coastal towns with a fraction of the crowds you’d find on the mainland’s equivalent routes.
Unmissable stop: The Wineglass Bay Lookout walk, the view over that perfect curve of white sand and turquoise water is unmatched. Feeling adventurous? Do the hazards Beach return and hike through a multitude of terrain.
Duration: From Hobart to Freycinet takes about 3 hours. Make sure to swing by local road markets, wineries and berry farms to take in the authentic Tassie experience.
Northern Territory: The “Red Centre, Big Sky” Road Trip
Alice Springs to Uluru via the Red Centre Way
The vibe: Vast, remote, and completely unlike anywhere else in the country. Definitely one of Australia’s most iconic road trips.
The Red Centre Way connects Alice Springs to Uluru via Kings Canyon, taking in some of Australia’s most striking desert landscapes along the way. Distances between stops are long, so a 4WD, good planning and extra water and fuel are non-negotiable. The payoff is unmatched: watching Uluru change colour at sunset is something photos never quite do justice.
Unmissable stop: Uluru at sunset, when the rock shifts through shades of orange and red as the light fades.
Duration: One of the longer road trips, through the Red Centre Way takes about 11-12 hours of driving. Make sure to plan accordingly for this trip and download an offline map in case your signal gets buggered.
Australian Capital Territory: The “Mountains are Calling” Road Trip
Canberra to the Snowy Mountains
The vibe: A quick escape into alpine scenery, with none of the long-haul commitment.
Perfect for those looking for a quick day trip. From Canberra, it’s a short run into the Snowy Mountains region, where alpine villages, mountain scenery and (in season) snow-covered peaks feel a world away from the capital. It’s an easy add-on to a longer NSW trip, or a satisfying short break in its own right.
Unmissable stop: Corin Forest or the drive toward Thredbo for sweeping alpine views, especially striking with a dusting of snow.
Duration: taking around 2 – 2.5 hours this quick drive is perfect to max out your day.
So, Which One’s Calling You?
Still torn? A rough guide: if you want postcard coastal scenery, Victoria or Western Australia won’t let you down. If you’re chasing something completely different from everyday life, the Northern Territory delivers in spades. And if food and wine are non-negotiable, South Australia and New South Wales’ Hunter region are hard to beat.
Whichever route you choose, the golden rule of any multi-day road trip stays the same, leave early and leave room for the stops you didn’t plan for. They’re usually the ones you remember most.
Book a vehicle that suits the trip and upgrade your holiday with SIXT. Add extras like a GPS or child seat before you go, so there’s nothing to sort out at the counter, and take advantage of flexible pick-up and drop-off locations if your route doesn’t loop back to where it started. The right car doesn’t just get you there, it changes how the whole trip feels.
