Australia’s best road trips ranked by you

Winner: Great Ocean Road , Vic

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

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.

Gibb River Road, WA

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

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.

Adventure and refined Luxury combine at the stunning Rangelands Outback Camp.

Iconic Australian red dirt, ancient rocky landscapes and bursts of greenery and wildflowers all make the small town of Winton, and its surrounds, a sight to behold. Escape the ordinary and unwind in the Queensland outback, where ancient landscapes and off-grid luxury await at Rangelands Outback Camp.

cosy seats in Rangelands Outback Camp — Unwind in the ancient outback.

About Rangelands Outback Camp

Unforgettable 360-degree views of this 95-million-year-old land await at Rangelands; bathed in style and positioned on top of a jump-up (or mesa), your tented camp seamlessly blends into its outback setting.

Set on the 53,935-square-kilometre Rangelands Station – a working cattle property – the abundant wildlife are your only neighbours; kangaroos, echidnas, eagles and other birdlife all call Rangelands home.

Bathed in style, your tented camp seamlessly blends into its outback setting. Indulge with carefully curated menus, personalised service and supersized luxury tents that guarantee a private experience. This exclusive camp only has a maximum of 12 guests at a time.

Here, the aim is pampering. From tasty menus to supersized tents with all the creature comforts, to a range of guided tours around the property and beyond.

Guests are transferred from Winton or Longreach by a dedicated Rangelands driver.

aerial shot of Rangelands Outback Camp tent — Soak in 360-degree views.

Rangelands Outback Camp tours

Join small-group tours and enjoy exclusive access to the ancient Rangelands Rifts with your Rangelands hosts. These incredible rock formations were formed by millions of years of erosion, leaving dramatic channels through the rock. Or explore the surrounds with Rangeland’s touring partner, Red Dirt Tours .

Get sunset birds-eye views over dramatic mesa country in a helicopter, from Queensland’s own Three Sisters to Corey’s Range, stopping at the best lookouts along the way.

Get up close and personal with this rugged land on four wheels, with expert drivers and guides leading guests through famous Bladensburg National Park, visiting Gondwana Stars Observatory and more.

The Winton area is famous for its boulder opals (the second-rarest opal in the world, after black opals), and a stop at the mining community of Opalton sheds a fascinating light on the unique fossicking method used to find them.

A trip to dinosaur country is a must, as this is the place that ramped up Australia’s dino contribution after a fossilised footprint was found in 1962; after more exploration, the discovery of 3300 footprints made it clear this was the world’s only evidence of a dinosaur stampede. Those same footprints are still on display today at Lark Quarry Conservation Park , a 90-minute drive from Winton. Also check out Australia’s largest collection of Australian Dinosaur fossils Australian Age of Dinosaurs, just 30 minutes from Winton. Here, join a tour through a working laboratory, dinosaur canyon and more.

A twice-daily transfer into downtown Winton is offered to guests, where they can explore the Royal Outdoor Theatre, opal shops, Waltzing Matilda Centre and more.

tour being led through Rangeland rifts — Have an exclusive adventure through the Rangeland Rifts. (Image: TEQ)

Sleeping in luxury

After a day of exploring, return to your tranquil tent for a blissful open shower and uninterrupted views from your private deck.

Designed to integrate guests into the surrounding nature, each tent feels like its own private haven. While being off-grid in the outback (in fact, each tent is powered by its own solar panels, with the added support of a backup generator), guests can also luxuriate in comfortable amenities like air conditioning, a supremely comfortable king-size bed and stylish designer touches.

Guests can stroll to the open-air Sunset Deck for breathtaking panoramic views, or to the main lounge and dining tent, where books, on-demand coffee and drinks make it the perfect place to relax after a day in the outback.

inside Rangelands Outback Camp bedroom — Enjoy plenty of space inside, and stunning views outside.

Rangelands Outback Camp dining

As the sun starts to dip below the horizon, gather for drinks and canapés on the expansive Sunset Deck, watching the sun drench the landscape in pinks and oranges as it sinks below the horizon.

Later, head to The Mahal lounge area and dining tent where mealtime magic happens. Savour a gourmet meal made fresh by Rangeland’s onsite chef. The meals use local produce to elevate classic outback dishes, and don’t worry, dietary requirements are happily accommodated.

Enjoy an open bar filled with an expansive hand-selected list of wines and premium beers, with wine pairings offered by Rangelands hosts come dinner time.

Discover more and book your luxurious stay at rangelandscamp.com.

Australia’s best road trips ranked by you

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