Find all 100 Amazing Road Trips here

Discover Australia’s top 100 Amazing Road Trips in one quick reference guide.

Start planning your next road trip by reading our 100 Amazing Road Trips by experience below.

Coastal road trips

Even a road trip well-travelled can reveal plenty of surprises if you take the time to slow down. Here are 11 of Australia’s best coastal road trips to inspire you.

Sydney to the Gold Coast
Sydney to Ulladulla, NSW
Broome to Cape Leveque, WA
The Capricorn Coast, Qld
The Great Green Way, Qld
East Coast Tasmania
Fleurieu Peninsula, SA
Sydney to Port Macquarie, NSW
Eyre Peninsula, SA
Central Coast, NSW
Yorke Peninsula, SA

Iconic road trips

Journeys of epic proportions through wilderness that will shift your perceptions and stay with you forever. Here are 11 of Australia’s iconic road trips to inspire you.

Gibb River Road, WA
Sydney to Melbourne
Darwin to Kakadu, NT
Kosciuszko Alpine Way, NSW
Hobart to Cradle Mountain, Tas
The Nullarbor
Murray River Drive
Great Barrier Reef Drive, Qld
Adelaide to Ikara/Flinders Ranges National Park, SA
Great Ocean Road, Vic
The Big Lap

Don’t miss our beautifully illustrated wall map of the Great Ocean Road and Geelong in our 100 Amazing Road Trips edition or you can download the PDF version.

Illustration: Mike Rossi @micro.grafik

Outback road trips

Take a journey into the vast, red heart of Australia and discover the magic of the outback. Here are seven of Australia’s best outback road trips to inspire you.

Golden Quest Discovery Trail, WA
Broken Hill via White Cliffs, NSW
Kings Canyon to Uluru, NT
The Warlu Way, WA
The Savannah Way
The Canning Stock Route, WA
The Golden Pipeline Heritage Trail, WA

Regional road trips

It’s not just good things that come in small packages, but road trips too. Here are 13 of Australia’s best regional road trips to inspire you.

Huon Valley, Tas
Victoria’s Silo Art Trail
Dubbo, NSW
Mudgee, NSW
Brisbane to Charleville, Qld
Bushranger Country, Vic
Hobart to Launceston, Tas
Scenic Rim, Qld
Northern Rivers, NSW
Great Alpine Road, Vic
Limestone Coast, SA
Bathurst, NSW
Albany to Margaret River, WA

Weekend road trips

Even a short weekend road trip can leave you feeling refreshed for the months ahead. Here are 12 of Australia’s best weekend road trip destinations to inspire you.

Sydney to Wolgan Valley, NSW
The Grampians, Vic
Kangaroo Island, SA
Phillip Island, Vic
Darwin to Katherine, NT
Sunshine Coast, Qld
West Coast, Tas
Daylesford & Macedon Ranges, Vic
Southern Highlands, NSW
Canberra museum road trip, ACT
Lithgow round trip, NSW
Canberra to Sapphire Coast

Day trip drives

While the next long weekend is still months away, one can still explore by taking easy day trips from the city. Here, find the best day trip drives to inspire you.

Wildflowers road trip, WA
Litchfield Loop, NT
Swan Valley, WA
Great Beach Drive, Qld
Mary River Valley, Qld
Kenilworth, Qld
Adelaide Hills, SA
Tasman Peninsula, Tas
Melbourne to Marysville, Vic
Sydney’s Northern Beaches, NSW
Royal National Park, NSW
Mornington Peninsula, Vic

No drive road trips

Kick back, relax, and let someone else take the wheel. Here are 8 of Australia’s best no drive road trips to inspire you.

That Pink Merc, NSW
Globus Gems of the Red Centre, NT
Outback Spirit Binns Track, NT
Melbourne urban tram trip, Vic
Kiff & Culture Brisbane to Byron food trail
AAT Kings Outback Adventure
Overland Adventure Aboard the Ghan
Inspiring Journeys Dark Mofo, Tas

Off-the-beaten-track road trips

Give way to spontaneity and discover some hidden gems along the road less-travelled. Here are 9 of Australia’s best off-the-beaten-track road trips to inspire you.

Atherton Tablelands, Qld
Darling River Run, NSW
Oodnadatta Track, SA
Tassie’s interior
Arnhem Way, NT
Launceston to Penguin/Stanley/Tarkine, Tas
Sydney to Birdsville (and back)
Cocos Keeling West Island Tour
Port Douglas to Coolangatta, Qld

Food and wine road trips

Some road trips lead to the most memorable food and wine experiences in Australia. Foodies, take note: here are 11 of Australia’s best food-and-wine-focused road trips to inspire you.

Hunter Valley winery trail, NSW
Noosa Country Drive, Qld
The Tasmanian Whisky & Spirits Trail
Melbourne to Macedon Ranges, Vic
Melbourne to Gippsland, Vic
Adelaide to Barossa Valley, SA
Orange winery trail, NSW
Adelaide to McLaren Vale, SA
Melbourne to the Sunshine Coast
Sydney to Canberra via Yass
Margaret River region, WA

Two-wheel drives

Not all road trips require four wheels. Sometimes riding freely atop your two-wheeler can be just as exhilarating, especially in Australia. Here are six of Australia’s best cycling and motorcycle trips to inspire you.

New England High Country, NSW
Cairns to Cape York by motorbike, Qld
Great Southern Rail Trail, Vic
Lakes Highway, Tas
Cycling the Clare Valley, SA
Canberra’s cold climate wine region, ACT

Discover vibrant culture and creativity, gorgeous nature spots and more in lively Newcastle.

Newcastle/Muloobinba has a lot going for it beyond its big skies and beautiful beaches. The city’s creative types are now heading downtown, taking over and transforming warehouses and terraces to offer a more alternative vibe. From its nightlife to secret swimming spots, art to architecture, here’s our insider’s guide to Newcastle in New South Wales.

1. Learn to sail on Newcastle Harbour

The harbour has always shaped Newcastle, so it seems like the most obvious place to start your weekend. Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club offers a range of programs that provide instruction for both novice and experienced sailors. This is an inspired classroom that sets off past the Honeysuckle Foreshore up the Hunter River, with views towards a seemingly infinite vista of blue stretching to the horizon. It’s the perfect way to savour your time by the sea. Other water activities include surfing, swimming in one of the secret ocean baths or whale-watching with CoastXP .

Aerial view of Newcastle Harbour. — Join Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club’s programs. (Image: City of Newcastle)

2. Underground jazz scene

Follow the lively sound of the saxophone bubbling up to find The Underground . The popular basement-level bar, with its dim lighting and speakeasy aesthetic, schedules live jazz performances every Tuesday and Thursday. Newcastle is known around the country for supporting live music and this late-night New York-style jazz bar is, like the city itself, both approachable and sophisticated. For fans of live music, Queen’s Wharf Hotel , King Street Newcastle , Mad Poet and The Lucky Hotel are all popular pubs for their roster of live music.

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3. The city as a canvas

The streets of Newcastle present like an outdoor art gallery , adding beauty to the everyday with large-scale works by artists such as Fintan Magee, Inari Meyers, Tom Henderson and Sophia Flegg. Hire a Flash E-bike and pedal around the streets to find treasures such as Bronte Naylor’s Mirror Ocean in Civic Square or Sky & Ocean at South Newcastle Beach Skate Park. You can also join Newy Tour Co.’s Discover Newcastle tour to explore city highlights, architectural gems and street art with an expert guide.

Friends take in Newcastle Street Art. — Admire stunning works of art displayed all around you. (Image: Destination NSW)

4. An artist’s view of Newcastle

There’s a real sense of optimism around Newcastle, stemming from its many grassroots art galleries and organisations. The city is home to an eclectic array of artists who gravitate toward different mediums; see their works on show at independent galleries such as The Lock-Up , which operated as a police station from 1861 until 1982, and Lighthouse Arts Newcastle in the light-filled cottages on Nobbys Head/Whibayganba. Stop by The Creator Incubator to see the Little and Big gallery spaces. Newcastle Art Gallery will soon reopen after a recent expansion, so keep an eye out.

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5. Newcastle after dark

The small bars confetti’d around Newcastle are a sign of the times. Visitors to the compact city will find a concentration of bars within a small radius, all of which are within easy walking distance or accessible via the light rail. The after-dark experience, which includes theatre and live music, is designed for visitors who are in search of the offbeat and want to celebrate the city’s creativity. Whether you’re visiting for business or pleasure, the bars that dot most neighbourhoods will tempt you with everything from happy hour to their alt attitude.

A bartender expertly crafting a drink, with a stunning library of spirits in the background. — Enjoy a night out at a lively bar. (Image: City of Newcastle)

6. Indulge in great gastronomy

Newcastle’s proximity to the Hunter Valley has helped establish it as a sophisticated getaway for gourmands with a passion for provenance. Dining options in the city are diverse, with everything from casual cafes to cantina-style Mexican eateries such as Antojitos , through to fine diners such as Flotilla and Jana Restaurant & Bar at QT Newcastle . Visit during Newcastle Food Month to get a snapshot of the local culinary scene – you can take note of the many world-class restaurants and cafes that warrant a return visit. Humbug , Peregrin and Bistro Penny should also be on your radar.

The dining area at Flotilla in Newcastle NSW. — Savour a world-class dining experience at Flotilla. (Image: Flotilla)

7. Crystalbrook Kingsley

Crystalbrook Kingsley is another great example of Newcastle’s new wow factor. Staying at the hotel – in the heart of the cultural centre – makes exploring a breeze, with vintage bikes for guests who want to check out the city streets on two wheels. The design-savvy Crystalbrook Collection reimagined the Roundhouse building while adhering to its ethos of sustainable luxury. The hotel is also a magnet for foodies, with the rooftop Roundhouse restaurant and cocktail bar, Romberg’s, two of the best spots in the city for wining and dining.

The Roundhouse by Crystalbrook Collection. — Step into the reworked Roundhouse by Crystalbrook. (Image: Crystalbrook Kingsley)

8. Newcastle’s creative side on show

Save the date for New Annual , a festival of art, music and ideas from 26 September – 5 October. The program is jam-packed with 10 days of art, culture and creativity. This year’s festival will celebrate the power art has to connect people. Expect to see a diverse program including music, theatre, workshops, and performances in iconic Newcastle locations. Visitors will find a concentration of events within a small radius, all of which are within easy walking distance or accessible via the light rail.

Dancers performing gracefully, accompanied by a live orchestra. — Celebrate migration, community and belonging at New Annual.

Plan your next trip to offbeat Newcastle.