Australia is a vast continent filled with incredible landscapes and wondrous sites. It is a patchwork of incredibly diverse biomes and regions which are connected by an intricate and reliable web of roads and highways. These factors lend themselves perfectly for an awe-inspiring road trip adventure. As a matter of fact, road trips play as integral a role in the Australian cultural heritage as they do in the American. With that in mind, if by any chance you have enough time on your hands to explore Australia’s east coast, here are the most memorable road trips.
Sydney to Brisbane
One of the most alluring parts of the Australian continent is its spectacular coastline, and Eastern Australia certainly proves this to be true. If you want to delight in the incredible tropical highlights of coastal Australia and enjoy some of the most popular sandy beaches its eastern coast offers, you should definitely opt for the iconic Sydney to Brisbane road trip.
Supposedly, you have arrived to Australia, like a hefty percentage of tourists, by landing onto the Sydney Airport and you are eager to begin your road trip. If you follow the coastline, the trip should take no longer than 11 hours of consistent driving over its 930 kilometers, but that is hardly the point. The entire point of the road trip is to “stop and smell the roses” whenever you feel a sight is worth taking in.
This iconic route from Sydney to Brisbane is also known as the Legendary Pacific Coast and it is just as renowned as the famous Great Ocean Road in Victoria. However, it is by far the most traveled of all the road trips this continent has to offer, not only because of all the obligatory business trips of the locals but also because the surrounding scenery has a bit of something for everyone.
If you are in the mood for a decadent wine tasting, head to the Hunter Valley. If you want to see some tranquil bucolic scenery, just take the left turn and go inland to marvel at the gentle hills of the New South Wales. Of course, if the coast is what you are after, pay a visit to Port Macquarie, stop by Coffs Coast and spend a day or two in the idyllic Byron Bay.
Queensland Outback
Still, if you keep your route limited to the coastline roads, you should know that you will surely miss out on some genuinely arresting sites and landscapes. This is why, if you decide to go on a lengthy trip across Queensland and end it in the gleaming city of Gold Coast, you should rethink your coastline route and detour into the Queensland wilderness.
The outback of this Australian state is positively amazing. However, be forewarned – this is a long trip so you have to be properly equipped for it. Purchase a portable fridge where you can keep the supply of potable water and search for tyres online for the best quality material that is guaranteed to last throughout the trip of any length.
The most scenic route you can take goes across Mount Isa and through Winton and Charleville via Longreach. The trip itself might not be as epically long as the one that will take you from the coast of Queensland to Broome, Western Australia, but it can take you quite a while if you truly want to savor all the highlights.
You will go through charming towns, pass by some staggering scenery and meet some incredibly pleasant people along the way. Some of the highlights of this adventure include a Mining tour at the aforementioned Mount Isa, a visit to the historical town of Winton, a Cosmos Centre in Charleville and the scenic Carnarvon Gorge.
Cairns to Cape Tribulation
Due to the high concentration of popular urban areas such as Sydney, Brisbane and Gold Coast, the southern portion of the Australia’s east coast is much more frequented by the eager tourists than its northern part. This is a shame because the northern part of Queensland has its fair share of marvels to boast with and you should give it a chance by embarking on Cairns to Cape Tribulation road trip.
Cairns to Cape Tribulation is a brief trip – it will take you around 3 hours of easygoing driving to cover the 150 kilometers of road and get to your destination. The starting point, the city of Cairns, is one of the biggest urban areas in this corner of the continent and you’ll be able to purchase and pack everything you need for the trip in its vicinity. The entire point of this trip is to get a chance to relish in one of the greatest natural wonders in the entire world – the Great Barrier Reef. Of course, Daintree Rainforest near Port Douglas is also a noteworthy highlight.
Explore Mossman Gorge along the way and have a relaxing afternoon on Port Douglas’ palm lined beach before you proceed further north. All along the way, the Great Barrier Reef stretches along the coastline, so you won’t be able to miss it even if you wanted to. Find the most reliable establishments and guides that will take you and your family on the deep diving journey through the surreal aquatic landscapes of the reef and cap your road trip off with an adventure of a lifetime.
If you are a globe-trotting traveler who finds Australian wilderness and vivacious urban charm enticing, you simply must embark on a road trip across the Land Down Under. Along with surfing, road trips are the most beloved pastime of Australian residents and newcomers alike. No matter which of many intriguing routes you choose, you will remember Australian road trip as one of the most exciting experiences of your life.