The 5 Most Scenic Road Trip Routes in Australia

There’s no doubt about it, Australia’s wide open spaces lend themselves perfectly to the road trip. In some places you can travel for miles without even seeing another car. There are some vastly different scenic delights to take in across our great continent. Here are a few to whet your appetite.

My husband in Fremantle Australia back in 2004

Take a Lap of Tasmania

Tasmania boasts some of the country’s best roads and the island State has lots to offer. The coastlines are exquisite; you will drive through unspoiled wilderness areas and also see historical remnants of our convict past; as well as lots of pretty towns and villages. A lap around Tassie is a wonderful road trip to take. Car carrying ferries dock at Devonport and Launceston. You will need at least three days to complete the trip but six days will see you exploring at a relaxed pace.

Victoria’s Great Ocean Road

The scenery along this two hundred kilometre stretch from Geelong to Portland is truly spectacular. There are many scenic spots where you can stop and take in the breathtaking views. At Geelong you can learn about the fascinating Aboriginal culture, further along at Torquay you may like to take a swim in the ocean. There are hidden beaches waiting to be discovered in the Great Otway National Park. The Twelve Apostles, an amazing display of rock stacks, will also demand a pit stop.

The Beautiful Barossa

The Barossa Valley is the perfect road trip for wine lovers. Just an hour’s drive north from Adelaide and you will discover the scenic wine regions. There are plenty of charming hotels and bed and breakfasts if you overdo the wine tasting. The roads are good and will take you through a lovely network of towns and vineyards.

Indian Ocean Road

Western Australia has a rugged and wild scenic appeal all of its own. The Indian Ocean Road is in great condition as it was only completed in 2010. Your road trip will begin at the small fishing town of Lancelin. From there you will motor along to Cervantes where you will see an amazing array of wildflowers and unspoilt beaches. Cervantes is also home to The Pinnacles, dazzling limestone structures set amidst the desert. Lake Thetis is close by and is home to the oldest living fossils. Your trip will finish at Geraldton, where you can enjoy fresh lobsters.

King Gorge

This is a serious road trip. Although it is only seven hundred kilometres long it takes in the magnificent Kimberley. This is one of the most remote areas in Australia, so you will need to be prepared. You can camp anywhere along the way.

Just a word of caution: road trips will take you to remote areas with hundreds of kms between towns, so make sure you get your vehicle checked thoroughly before you take off. If your current car isn’t up to the task, it is strongly advisable that you upgrade your vehicle in order to ensure that you make it there and back safely. Check out Dreamloans for a range of great auto-finance options to help you get behind the wheel of a machine that is up to the task.

This post was written by Steven Haines, a travel enthusiast from Melbourne, Australia.