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Australia’s best road trips ranked by you

Eleanor Edström Eleanor Edström
From knotted forests and windswept coastlines to postcard-plucked gorges, our 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards have revealed Australia’s most revered road trips.

You’ve got the playlist, the snacks and the company. The tank is full and your out-of-office is on. There’s just one problem: in a country where every road seems to end in a jaw-drop moment – rainforest, reef or red dirt horizon – how do you choose just one?

The answer: take it from those who’ve done it before. We asked you (our readers) to vote for your favourite Aussie road trips in our 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards. From winding coastal icons to wild outback adventures, these are Australia’s most well-loved journeys on four wheels.

Winner: Great Ocean Road , Vic

the Twelve Apostles
Explore the Twelve Apostles along the Great Ocean Road. (Image: Visit Victoria / Kirk Richards)

A stranger to few but a favourite of many, Victoria’s Great Ocean Road came out as the top road trip in Australia – and for good reason. This dreamy stretch of coastline snakes 243 kilometres from the surfing hotspot of Torquay to the quaint town of Allansford. In between, you’ll pass the spectacular limestone stacks known as the Twelve Apostles, the fascinating shipwreck site of Loch Ard Gorge and Apollo Bay, sandwiched between the Southern Ocean and the foothills of the Otways.

Runners-up: Australia’s best road trips

Tasmania/Lutruwita

Cradle mountain
Add Cradle Mountain to your Tassie road trip itinerary. (Image: Tourism Tasmania / Luke O’Brien)

Tasmania/Lutruwita is another driving destination worth filling the tank for. Whether you’re steering from Hobart to Bruny Island or Launceston to Cradle Mountain, the Apple Isle has a slew of gorgeous road trips waiting to embrace you in a warm southerly hug. Unsure where to start? This seven-day Tasmania road itinerary promises plenty of magical moments, blending foodie delights, historic intrigue and breathtaking national parks in one wondrous week.

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

AI Prompt

Gibb River Road, WA

Bell Gorge western australia
Make a pit stop at Bell Gorge. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

If striking water holes, vast dirt roads and working cattle stations sound like your idea of an adventure, Gibb River Road is worth adding to your radar. One of Australia’s best road trips, the 660-kilometre drive in Western Australia’s Kimberley traverses the traditional lands of many Aboriginal people, providing travellers with an opportunity to better appreciate the region’s ancestral heritage. This 11-day itinerary dives into all the highlights – crocodiles included.

Cairns to Port Douglas, Qld

Great Barrier Reef Drive is one of Australia's best road trips
The Great Barrier Reef Drive is worthy of a postcard. (Image: Reuben Nutt)

Part of the longer 140-kilometre Great Barrier Reef Drive, this bite-sized tropical journey clocks in at just over an hour – if you manage to resist all the scenic stops (good luck with that). Few coastal drives rival its beauty; think gin-clear waters and palm-fringed beaches opening out to the Coral Sea. Throw your swimmers and walking shoes in the boot (spontaneity is the dress code here) and pull over at the Rex Lookout for knockout views back towards Cairns.  And if you’re in no rush to head back, keep cruising to Cape Tribulation (approximately two more hours north of Port Douglas), where you can explore the oldest living rainforest in the world and cool off in the myriad creeks and swimming holes.

East Coast of Australia

Yeppoon, Queensland road trip
Hit the road in Yeppoon, Queensland. (Image: Reuben Nutt)

If ambition and time are no issue, why not tackle a larger stretch of road? Spanning the length of Queensland down to New South Wales, the East Coast appears on many a bucket list and has been recognised by our readers as one of Australia’s best road trips. Start at Airlie Beach or Cape Tribulation and spend some time snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef, then make a city stop in Brisbane, cruise through the breezy beach town of Byron Bay and roam the Tweed hinterland. Before making it down to Sydney (or continuing further to the gorgeous NSW South Coast), tick off a coastal walk in Coffs Harbour and spot dolphins in Port Stephens.

Depending on where you choose to start and finish, the drive will take between four to six weeks at a relaxed paced, or can be squeezed into two if you’re keen to hit the highlights. Of course, there’s always the option to complete smaller sections to fit your time frame.

 

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Eleanor Edström
Eleanor Edström is Australian Traveller’s Associate Editor. Previously a staff writer at Signature Luxury Travel & Style and Vacations & Travel magazines, she's a curious wordsmith with a penchant for conservation, adventure, the arts and design. She discovered her knack for storytelling much earlier, however – penning mermaid sagas in glitter ink at age seven. Proof that her spelling has since improved, she holds an honours degree in English and philosophy, and a French diploma from the University of Sydney. Off duty, you’ll find her pirouetting between Pilates and ballet classes, or testing her friends’ patience with increasingly obscure vocabulary.
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9 of the best Sydney hotel bars for a local adventure

(Credit: Nikki To)

    Lucy Cousins Lucy Cousins
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    A great night out doesn’t need a road trip, just the right bar. Swap the long drive for an evening at these standout Sydney venues.

    If you’re thinking of a staycation or a long weekend (with foodie benefits), you can’t get much better than the bright lights and beautiful vistas of Sydney. From tucked-away bars to late-night hidden hangs, Australia’s (unofficial) favourite city is packed full of venues that make staying local feel like an adventure.

    1. El Vista, Circular Quay

    bar tender at El Vista, Circular Quay sydney hotel bars
    Enjoy tasty cocktails and gorgeous Sydney views. (Credit: Mario Francisco)

    This welcoming bar by the Maybe Sammy team offers a fun buzz and jaw-dropping harbour views. Part of the Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour, this lounge bar sits above Circular Quay with the harbour on one side and the Botanical Gardens on the other. You may start here for pre-dinner drinks, but you won’t want to leave before the early hours. If the 1960s Acapulco vibe isn’t enough, the views will be – the Sydney Harbour Bridge is so close it hardly fits in the window, while ferries glide by all night.

    2. Bar Allora, CBD

    Bar Allora, CBD Sydney hotel bars
    Settle in for a taste of Italy.

    Inspired by Milan in the 1980s, Bar Allora brings Italian style and culture to the CBD. Although it’s officially part of the Mantra 2 Bond Street hotel, it’s designed to look and feel like you’ve travelled to Italy for all-day dining. Think espresso in the morning, aperitivo in the afternoon and Negronis late into the night. Accompany your liquid diet with Italian-style small plates and pastas with a modern twist.

    3. Percy, Pyrmont

    Percy Sydney hotel bars
    Spanish-style tapas and wine is the name of the game. (Credit: Steven Woodburn)

    Taking centre stage in the luxe foyer of the Woolstore 1888 Hotel in Pyrmont, Percy is a popular Spanish-style tapas and wine bar serving food that makes you want to linger. The restored 138-year-old wool store creates an atmospheric backdrop to your glass of merlot with exposed timber beams, brick and the echoes of Sydney’s past. With an air of Barcelona, expect low conversations, creative dining and the city moments away.

    4. The Crudo Bar at Flaminia, CBD

    The Crudo Bar at Flaminia, CBD Sydney hotel bars
    Seafood lovers should head to The Crudo Bar. (Credit: Nikki To)

    Grab a seat at the beautifully designed crudo bar, taking centre stage in Giovanni Pilu’s latest CBD restaurant, Flaminia. Enjoy a glass of chilled Vermentino from Sardinia or prosecco from the hills of Treviso, matched with freshly shucked oysters. Complement your seafood with a range of special dressings, influenced by iconic Italian port cities. It’s the perfect spot for a pre- or post- glass of wine before visiting the Sydney Opera House.

    5. Mee So, Sydney Central

    Mee So sydney
    Enjoy Japanese-influenced food and drinks.

    For something a little different, Mee So is a modern, neon-lit Japanese-influenced bar in the Ibis Sydney Central. Serving bold flavours and umami-heavy dishes alongside sake and yuzu-infused cocktails, this Tokyo-esque venue offers an escape from the busy streets outside. Order steaming ramen, a Japanese whisky, and make a corner of Mee So yours for the night.

    6. Bar Morris, Haymarket

    Bar Morris sydney
    Settle into old-world European glamour.

    Housed in a 1929 heritage-listed building, Bar Morris brings old-world European glamour to the Hotel Morris Sydney, part of Accor’s Handwritten Collection. More of a destination than a pitstop, this bar leans into its Art Deco past with velvet features, intimate lighting and bold brass finishes. Here you can order smaller plates like burrata, cured meats, and seasonal seafood to match your martini.

    7. Pumphouse, Darling Harbour

    Pumphouse sydney
    Enjoy a tipple inside a building from the 1880s.

    When you first walk into Pumphouse, you’ll quickly notice the high ceilings, exposed brick and industrial-style decor. Officially part of the busy Novotel Darling Square, this busy local hang doesn’t feel like it; it’s housed inside a former hydraulic pumping station from the 1880s – hence the name – and is a local institution. Grab a seat if you can and order off the classic modern Australian menu, before trying one of the many craft beers on tap to wash it down.

    8. Wentworth Bar, CBD

    Wentworth Bar sydney hotel bars
    Drink where the celebrities once did.

    Designed for big groups and late-night cocktails, this open-air terrace bar is part of the Sydney Sofitel Wentworth – one of Sydney’s most iconic hotels. Once the watering hole of royals and celebrities, this mid-century building has recently been refurbished to be sleek, modern and inviting. The stunning rooftop bar attracts Sydneysiders who love to watch the sunset with a table full of Vietnamese and French-inspired dishes.

    9. Monica Rooftop Bar, Paddington

    Monica Rooftop Bar, Paddington sydney
    See the city skyline, drink in hand.

    Sitting pretty on top of a restored 110-year-old theatre, Monica is a Hollywood-style rooftop bar with views across Paddington and the city skyline. Part of the 25hrs The Olympia hotel, this isn’t a quick drink kind of place; it’s a ‘let’s stay all night’ kind of venue. Weekend DJs will take you from sunset to late-night conversations, while you graze on ceviche, grilled meats or sharing plates.

    For more information on how to enjoy Sydney for a long weekend, visit ALL.com.

    Australia’s best road trips ranked by you - Australian Traveller