5 Australian road trips you’ve never heard of

Jessica Humphries Jessica Humphries
hero media
Beyond the caravan convoys lies a world of rustic road trip routes just waiting to be explored.

Head off the beaten path, and outside the typical tourist routes and you might just find something reminiscent of a long-forgotten authentic Australia.

 

Here, road trips you’ve never heard of but definitely need to explore.

1. New England Highway (NSW)

878km/approx. 10 hours drive

Why you should do it

The New England Highway is an alternative route to the Pacific Highway that links Sydney and Brisbane. Beginning in Hexham, Newcastle in the south, the highway ends in Yarraman, north of Toowoomba in Queensland.

 

The route stretches a little longer than its coastal cousin, but is worth it for the peace and quiet that takes you through quintessential Australian towns, reminding you of simpler times passed.

 

Swap your city-style latte for a meat pie at the servo and enjoy lazy landscapes intercepted by nostalgically charming architecture. Pack your winter woollies if you’re travelling in the cooler seasons and drink in the fresh, crisp air.

Must-see

Check out the beautiful cathedrals of the late 1800s in Armidale, indulge in the great grub (especially for meat eaters) and Celtic culture of Glen Innes, soak up the country music scene in Tamworth and explore the beautiful national parks surrounding Tenterfield.

Wind your way along the The New England Highway

2. Gold Coast to Seventeen Seventy (QLD)

568km/approx. 7 hours drive

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

AI Prompt

Why you should do it

Travelling along Queensland’s Pacific Coast Way isn’t exactly unheard of with tourists flocking to explore the enchanted forests of the far north. However, what most people don’t realise is that Seventeen Seventy is the perfect destination, and it’s hours before you hit the tropics. Slowly savour the scenery as you embrace your inner Queenslander – chill out, slow down and enjoy the ride.

Must-see

Slow city-lovers can stop off in Brisbane while coastal cruisers continue north to explore the Sunshine Coast (embrace the glitz and glamour of Noosa or stay slightly south if you’re into more chilled vibes), stop off in Bundaberg if you’re a fan of old Aussie towns and rum, and explore the secret beaches and magnificent nature at Seventeen Seventy – where you can easily while away a few days cracking coconuts and exploring untouched nature.

Seventeen Seventy is the perfect destination

3. Sydney to Adelaide (via Blue Mountains and Broken Hill) (NSW + SA)

1700km/approx. 19 hours drive

Why you should do it

Experience the raw and rugged beauty of this sunburnt country. Think outback, red landscapes, quirky country treasures, and wide open spaces that will undoubtedly invite a deeper connection to the earth and appreciation for Australian culture.

Must-see

Bush walk in the Blue Mountains, experience the old country charm of Bathurst, enjoy wine-tasting in sophisticated Orange, check out the famous Dubbo Zoo, discover The Dish in Parkes, enjoy spectacular sunsets and red earth in Broken Hill, soak up the water-soaked scenery at dawn or dusk at Menindee Lake (also a breeding ground for a variety of waterbirds, including herons, ibises, spoonbills and black swan), explore Aboriginal artefacts at Mungo National Park, indulge in the impressive culture of Mildura and the Murray River and enjoy wine tasting in the peaceful Barossa Valley near Adelaide.

A straight Broken Hill road

4. The Munja Track (WA)

220km/approx. 18 + hours drive

Why you should do it

Not for the faint hearted, this 4WD-only track allows respite from the crowds conga-lining through the Gibb River Road across the Kimberley, and access to some of Australia’s most rugged, remote land.

 

The three-day trip takes you from Mt Elizabeth station to Walcott Inlet on the coast, and is the only access point to Walcott Inlett – a pristine stretch of Kimberley coastline. For those with the resources and stamina, this track offers some of Australia’s most awe-inspiring scenery, epic swimming holes and incredible, ancient Aboriginal art.

Weekly travel news, experiences
insider tips, offers, and more.

Must-see

You’ll pass through the Drysdale River, Bachsten Bush Camp and discover sacred Aboriginal rock art sites (keep your eyes peeled for the stack of rocks to the right of the track at Wren Gorge which indicates a track that leads to the gorge and some majestic art).

 

The magnificence of the natural delights cannot be over stated –it is truly worth the effort. Set up on the mud banks at Walcott Inlet to watch the impressive light show at sunrise and sunset (don’t forget your camera!).

Access some of Australia’s most rugged, remote land

5. Seafood Frontier (SA)

Approx. 11 hours drive

Why you should do it

While it’s not exactly unheard of (you may meet a few grey nomads along the way), with so many road trippers heading north or for the Great Ocean Road, South Australia’s Seafood Frontier remains one of the less appreciated coastal road trips.

 

Not for good reason though, as it boasts some seriously serene nature as well as, you guessed it, a sumptuous seafood safari. Taking in the best of the Eyre Peninsula, this track goes from Adelaide to Ceduna via Port Lincoln.

Must-see

Give yourself plenty of time (5 days minimum) to meet the giant cuttlefish in Whyalla (one of the world’s most incredible aquatic experiences, according to marine biologists), take a stroll along the picturesque beach at Port Neil, swim with the sea lions and take a seafood cooking class at Port Lincoln, discover the white sand beach at Fishery Bay, indulge in an oyster feast at Coffin Bay, explore the Great Ocean Drive, cliff sculptures and stunning sunsets at Elliston and enjoy some serious seafood indulgence at Streaky Bay.

the seafood frontier south australian road trips
On the hunt for the fresh oysters, on the oyster farm tour in Coffin Bay (photo: Michael Wee).

Want to see more stories from Australian Traveller in your Google search results?

  1. Click here to set Australian Traveller as a preferred source.
  2. Tick the box next to "Australian Traveller". That's it.
Jessica Humphries
Jessica Humphries is a travel and wellbeing writer, with a passion for slow travel, nature, and exploring the world mindfully. Formerly the editor of Australian Yoga Journal and a current contributor to a number of well-being publications, Jessica's writing is inspired by her love for yoga, wellness and sustainable living. Her work is a celebration of the beauty of the world and the joys of gentle travel. She is based in the Northern Rivers of NSW and loves to explore her local area too!
View profile and articles
Longitude 131, NT
Australia

The Aussie hotels missing from Condé Nast’s Triple Crown Hotels list

Condé Nast has released a new Triple Crown Hotels list, but there are some gaping omissions.

Read more
The Pickers Hut in Adelaide Hills, SA
Australia

13 weekends worth of winter breaks around Australia

Here’s how you can beat (or embrace) the winter blues this season.

Read more
Still got your COVID Virgin travel credit? It’s about to expire
Australia

Still holding onto your COVID Virgin travel credit? It’s about to expire

Here's how to check, redeem and make the most of your Virgin travel credits before they’re gone for good.

Read more
Winter Wonderlights in Ballarat, Vic
Australia

The most exciting winter festivals around Australia

Combat the cold with the coolest winter festivals in Australia.

Read more
hero media

Taking the route less travelled along the Great Ocean Road

    Megan Arkinstall Megan Arkinstall
    Continue
    The Great Ocean Road has captured the hearts of Australians with its astounding scenery since 1932, but going off-course can enrich your experience with untouched nature, foodie delights and charming towns. 

    It’s a chilly 16 degrees. My husband pulls on a steamer and jogs – as all seasoned surfers do – into the water. We’re at Bells Beach, the legendary break on Victoria’s Surf Coast that’s home to the Rip Curl Pro, the world’s longest-running event in competitive surfing. Each year, over the Easter long weekend, up to 40,000 people descend on the region for the event. Today, though, we have the beach almost to ourselves, and the less-than-favourable temperature doesn’t deter my husband from surfing this famous break.  

    Bells Beach
    Bells Beach is known for its epic surf break and is at the start of the Great Ocean Road. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    Torquay to Anglesea and Aireys Inlet 

    Split Point Lighthouse
    The red dome of Split Point Lighthouse in Aireys Inlet. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    The nearby surf town of Torquay marks the starting point for the Great Ocean Road. Unfolding our map, which we have marked out with a highlighted route for our children to follow, we set off for lesser-known Anglesea, a chilled-out town 20 minutes south of here. Its wide, sandy beach is a gentler swimming option for our young family. Groms can learn to surf here with Go Ride a Wave, which also runs stand-up paddle boarding on the Anglesea River.  

    Split point lookout
    The lighthouse overlooks the Shipwreck Coast. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    After a couple of nights in Anglesea, we hit the road again, first stopping at Aireys Inlet. Here we stretch our legs at Split Point Lighthouse, which was made famous by the 1990s television series Round the Twist, before driving under the Memorial Arch that welcomes us, officially, to the Great Ocean Road.  

    This 243-kilometre coastal road was built by returned First World War servicemen and serves as a permanent memorial to those who fought and died during the war. Carved into rock using hand tools and horse-drawn carts, it was a huge engineering feat and provided much-needed access to isolated coastal communities. 

    Lorne to Birregurra 

    Lorne is a delightful beachside stop for lunch and browsing boutique stores. It’s also the gateway to Great Otway National Park, which comprises a varied landscape of old-growth forests, cool-temperate rainforests, heathy woodlands and rugged coast. With the highest rainfall in Victoria, the region is home to many waterfalls – 10 of which are within 10 kilometres of Lorne.  

    Turning slightly off the main drag, we wind along a gum-shaded road to Erskine Falls. Here, our son leads the way through the hyper-green rainforest and down 200-plus stairs to the cascade that drops 30 metres into a lush fern gully. We hop over large boulders to get closer to the falls, enjoying the entire place to ourselves; it’s worth the return climb.  

    From Sheoak Falls Picnic Area, there are walking trails to Henderson Falls, Phantom Falls, Won Wondah Falls and Kalimna Falls, some of which follow an old timber tramway from forest-logging days, which only came to an end in 2008.  

    Erskine Falls
    Erskine Falls is one of many falls within a day trip of Lorne. (Image: Visit Victoria)

    You can follow your appetite north to the town of Birregurra, which is part of the Otway Harvest Trail that connects farm gates, markets, wineries, breweries and distilleries. It’s home to three-hatted modern Australian restaurant Brae, helmed by celebrated chef Dan Hunter, set among native gardens and an organic farm, and Otways Distillery, which produces small-batch spirits using local produce and botanicals.  

    Brae restaurant
    Brae is a three-hatted restaurant in Birregurra. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    Apollo Bay to The Otways 

    Back on track, the cliff-hugging stretch between Lorne and Apollo Bay is breathtaking. At Teddys Lookout, we overlook the winding road ahead and St George River spilling into the ocean. We spend languid days in Apollo Bay, a buzzy seaside town that boasts a three-kilometre-long, crescent-shaped beach with a backdrop of rolling green hills. One evening, as the sun sets, we take the steep 10-minute walk to Marriners Lookout, which affords panoramic views of the ocean, hinterland and town.  

    A 15-minute drive along the road, Maits Rest is a lush rainforest gully that has been protected since the early 20th century. Wandering along the 800-metre boardwalk, we inspect the delicate moss-covered forest floor and the gnarled roots of 300-year-old myrtle beech trees, then crane our necks to see their canopies, some 50 metres above us. It’s therapy in nature.  

    Cape Otway to the Twelve Apostles 

    Twelve Apostles
    One of the famous Twelve Apostles, limestone sea stacks that rise from the Southern Ocean. (Image: Ben Savage)

    The southernmost tip of Cape Otway is a delightful detour, home to the 1848-built Cape Otway Lightstation, the oldest surviving lighthouse on mainland Australia. We climb the narrow winding staircase to the gallery deck, explore the keepers’ quarters and telegraph station, and enjoy a coffee and some ‘famous’ scones at the charming onsite cafe.    

    It’s a pinch-me moment to finally see the Twelve Apostles in person. This unmistakable cluster of limestone stacks rising abruptly from the sea were never 12, however. When coined this in the 1890s as a marketing ploy, there were only nine; today, only seven remain after two collapsed in 2005 and 2009. We admire these Aussie icons from the viewing platform, in awe of Mother Nature’s ever-evolving artwork.  

    The Grotto
    The Grotto is another natural attraction within Port Campbell National Park. (Image: Carmen Zammit)

    Edging the wild Southern Ocean, this part of the coast – dubbed Shipwreck Coast – is made up of many sea-carved natural wonders including London Bridge, The Grotto and Gibson Steps. After exploring the lookout trails of Loch Ard Gorge/Poombeeyt Kontapool – its English name taken from the site of the 1878 shipwreck – we nestle into the sandy beach encircled by towering sandstone cliffs, as our children splash about on the water’s edge, and soak it all in.  

    Port Campbell to Timboon 

    Timboon Fine Ice Cream
    Timboon Fine Ice Cream is part of a regional foodie trail. (Image: C McConville)

    Just north of Port Campbell National Park, the region of Timboon is part of the 12 Apostles Food Artisans Trail, filled with purveyors of delicious foodstuffs such as Timboon Fine Ice Cream, Timboon Railway Shed Distillery and Apostle Whey Cheese. As an antidote to the indulgence, the 20-kilometre Poorpa Yanyeen Meerreeng Trail is a self-guided ride or walk between Port Campbell and Timboon through tall forests, over historic bridges and past sparkling lakes and farmland with grazing cattle.  

    Warrnambool to Port Fairy 

    Warrnambool building
    A 19th-century building in Warrnambool. (Image: Peter Foster)

    In Warrnambool, a town rich in maritime history, we take the four-kilometre Thunder Point Walk that traces the coast. The kids squeal when an echidna shuffles out from beneath the wooden boardwalk, and we stop to admire a seal lazing on a rock at the port.  

    Further along, the streets of quaint fishing village Port Fairy are lined with 19th-century cottages, old stone churches and Norfolk pines. Follow the historic walking trail to see some of the 60-plus National Trust buildings. Port Fairy is also home to Port Fairy Folk Festival (6-9 March), one of the country’s longest-running music and cultural festivals. You could time your road trip with the event for a fittingly celebratory end to any journey.  

    The Great Ocean Road can easily be done in three days, but we’ve spent a week on the road. The highlighted line on our now creased and well-worn map doesn’t follow the famous route precisely. It has sprouted branches in many directions, leading us to untouched rainforest and charming rural towns filled with culinary delights, and where we experienced some of our most memorable moments on the Great Ocean Road.    

    A traveller’s checklist 

    Staying there

    Oak & Anchor
    The Oak & Anchor in Port Fairy.

    The Monty is a highly anticipated, newly refurbished motel with a chic Palm Springs-inspired aesthetic set across the road from the Anglesea River. Basalt Winery in Port Fairy grows cool-climate wines such as pinot noir and Riesling in rich volcanic soil. Stay among the vines in its tiny home, complete with a kitchen, lounge area and outdoor firepit. 

    The Oak & Anchor Hotel has been a Port Fairy institution since 1857. Cosy up by the bar in winter or bask in the sunshine of the Lawn Bar in summer. The rooms are beautifully boutique with considered details, such as luxe baths for sinking into post-road trip. 

    Eating there

    The Coast in Anglesea is a modern Australian restaurant focused on local ingredients. Grand Pacific Hotel has been a local landmark in Lorne since 1879 and recently underwent a restoration. It serves a mix of traditional pub and Italian fare alongside ocean views.  

    Graze is a cosy 40-seat dining room in Apollo Bay with a modern Australian menu complemented by regional wines. Apollo Bay Distillery offers tasting flights, a gin blending masterclass and serves woodfired pizzas.