10 Road Trip Wonders To Entice You Around Australia

Set off into SA’s rugged red wilderness in search of adventure, swap bitumen for sand on the Sunshine Coast and toast to the freedom of the open road in Victoria’s High Country.

Australia is made for road trips, with endless open roads leading to breathtaking landscapes, quirky attractions and unforgettable experiences. From coastal drives to rugged outback adventures, these 10 road trip wonders showcase the best of the country and offer inspiration for your next journey on the open road.

1. Adelaide to Birdsville (and beyond)

Travelling with: Steve Madgwick

South Australia has some of the country’s most accessible outback but also some of its most fabled. This choose-your-own-adventure, 4WD-only journey begins in earnest in the southern Flinders Ranges. Your options are as wide as your time and budget.

Stop at Ikara/Wilpena Pound for big-payoff hikes. Check out fossils of earliest-known life at Nilpena Ediacara National Park. Side-trip to Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary for a ridgetop sleepout and yellow-footed rock-wallaby spotting. Appreciate the ancient and modern cultures of the Adnyamathanha on an Elder-led tour at Nepabunna .

If you’re truly prepped for the outback, you can explore either the Birdsville or Strzelecki (via Innamincka) tracks northwards, all the way to that mythical outback pub (and beyond).

an aerial view of a 4WD driving along Flinders Ranges — Journey through the Flinders Ranges in a 4WD. (Image: Emilie Ristevski)

2. Great Ocean Road, Vic

Travelling with: Megan Arkinstall

As far as road trips go, Victoria’s Great Ocean Road has earned its icon status. The 240-kilometre stretch that follows the windswept Southern Ocean was built as a utilitarian memorial to First World War servicemen.

the rock stacks at the 12 Apostles — Marvel at the 12 Apostles limestone stacks off the coast of Port Campbell National Park. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Start your road trip in world-renowned surfing mecca Bells Beach, so the ocean is to your left for the best views. Take your time with stops in quaint towns such as Lorne and Apollo Bay. Add in detours to see the lush rainforest and waterfalls of the Otways, before reaching the star attraction, the 12 Apostles.

But don’t stop there: the charming fishing village of Port Fairy and historic Warrnambool on the western Shipwreck Coast are worth the extra kilometres.

an aerial view of the beach by the Great Ocean Road — Wind down the Great Ocean Road for the best views. (Image: Salty Wings)

3. Waterfall Way, NSW

Travelling with: Carla Grossetti

Waterfall Way provides nature-lovers with a multitude of reasons to celebrate NSW’s Mid North Coast wilderness. The 185-kilometre-long road trip stretches from the New England highlands all the way to the Coffs Coast through rolling farmland and five national parks.

a bird's-eye view of Wollomombi Falls, NSW — Go chase the Wollomombi Falls. (Image: Destination NSW)

You’ll find nature doing her thing everywhere from the well-known Wollomombi Falls, the highest in NSW, to scenic Ebor Falls, which cascades over tiered columns of granite into a rugged gorge.

The more secluded Tristania Falls in Dorrigo National Park is another waterfall worth chasing.

the Wollomombi Falls in NSW — Wollomombi Falls is the highest waterfall in NSW. (Image: Destination NSW)

4. Silo Art Trail, Vic

Travelling with: Carla Grossetti

Australia’s largest outdoor gallery bounces between silo towers in Brim all the way to Horsham in the Grampians/Gariwerd (itself prime road trip country). The scale of the structures alone makes the Silo Art Trail one of Victoria’s iconic attractions.

The murals provide visitors with a window into the Wimmera Mallee region. Driving from Melbourne, the trail starts in Rupanyup where Russian mural artist Julia Volchkova depicts youth culture in rural Victoria in a stunning artwork that wraps around the curved walls of concrete.

the youth mural of Julia Volchkova in rural Victoria — Russian mural artist Julia Volchkova depicts youth culture in rural Victoria. (Image: Anne Preston)

5. Great Beach Drive, Qld

Travelling with: Steve Madgwick

The Great Beach Drive is the Promised Sand for 4WDers, from novices to know-it-alls. The 380-kilometre (off)road trip starts north of Noosa on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.

the burnt orange sand cliffs near Rainbow Beach — Count the hues of hyper-coloured sand cliffs near Rainbow Beach. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Deflate your tyres and hum along 60km/h sections of Teewah Beach’s hard sand. Count the hues of hyper-coloured sand cliffs near Rainbow Beach. Stay a day or two to drink in Rainbow’s small-town lack-of-attitude and check out Carlo Sandblow. Summon all your 4WDing aptitude to negotiate Inskip Point’s narrow finger of land while boarding the K’gari-bound ferry.

Then explore this extraordinary island for as long as your annual leave allows, before ferrying over to Hervey Bay (two hours tarmac drive back to Noosa). Check tides, ferry times and permits at the Great Sandy Information Centre in Tewantin.

a couple walking on Carlo Sandblow — Walk barefoot on the 15-hectare Carlo Sandblow. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

6. Prosecco Road, Vic

Travelling with: Jo Stewart

Fans of drinking Australian fizz would be familiar with the King Valley, the country’s home of prosecco.

two females wine tasting at Dal Zotto wines on Prosecco Road — Sample Dal Zotto wines on Prosecco Road. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Many of the nation’s most renowned and productive prosecco producers – including Brown Brothers , Dal Zotto and Pizzini Wines – are linked by a picturesque stretch known as ‘Prosecco Road’.

Use your car or hire an e-bike to experience tastings, pairing masterclasses, long lunches or even yoga in the vines in this welcoming corner of Victoria’s High Country, where you’ll be bowled over by cracking-good sparkling wines and old-fashioned Australian hospitality.

the winery exterior of Pizzini Wines — The family-owned Pizzini Wines specialises in Italian wines. (Image: Tourism Australia)

7. Cairns to Cape York, Qld

Travelling with: Katie Carlin

Bounce along red-dirt tracks to meet creek crossings guarded by waiting crocodiles. Spot termite mounds the size of trees. Swim under thundering waterfalls. Tuck into a meal at a roadhouse. Embrace a station stay. And experience the merging of two First Nations cultures on Country en route to the northernmost point of the Australian continent – Pajinka.

The route is more than 1400 kilometres from Cairns to Cape York via Cooktown, but the journey is unlike anything else in Australia.

a 4WD driving along Cape York Peninsula, Qld — Drive the red dirt tracks of the Cape York Peninsula. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

8. Tassie’s Tasting Trail

Travelling with: Carla Grossetti

The North East and North West regions of Tasmania are gearing up to be some of Australia’s top gourmet destinations. Tailor an itinerary to your taste using the interactive maps and itineraries for the area’s self-guided Tasting Trail, which starts outside Launceston and stops in Smithton.

a close-up of a hand full of green grains at Seven Sheds, Tasmania — Seven Sheds harvest fresh green grains for brewing. (Image: Ness Vanderburgh)

All up, there are more than 50 makers dotted along the trail producing everything from artisan cheeses to chocolate, olives, honey, beer, wine and cider.

the Truffle Farm in Tasmania — Go truffle hunting at The Truffle Farm Tasmania. (Image: Ness Vanderburgh)

9. Savannah Way

Travelling with: Kassia Byrnes

Scrubby trees give way to Australia’s iconic red soil, signalling a change from the dense bushland of coastal north Queensland to the rolling hills and dramatic gorges of the outback.

a bird's-eye view of the Burketown River — Burketown River snakes through the Savannah Way. (Image: Tourism Australia)

This is the Savannah Way , a 3700-kilometre stretch of road from Cairns to Broome. While not as well known as other iconic Aussie road trips, it boasts more stops of natural beauty and significance than most.

See the world’s longest lava tube system, paddle Cobbold Gorge, enjoy incredible views of Nitmiluk Gorge, stargaze in Burketown and end your trip watching the sky change colour at sunset over Broome’s Cable Beach.

an aerial view of Nitmiluk Gorge, NT — Enjoy incredible views of Nitmiluk Gorge. (Image: Sean Scott)

10. Gibb River Road, WA

Travelling with: Carla Grossetti

Far from the humdrum of the highway, the 660-kilometre Gibb River Road beckons as one of Australia’s great four-wheel-drive routes.

Start creating your #roadtripping playlist, as joining the dots between Derby and Kununurra through the captivating Kimberley wilderness can take up to three weeks to complete.

driving the Gibb River Road — Take your four-wheel drive to the next level on Gibb River Road. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

The ragged ribbon of mostly unsealed road is one small section of the Savannah Way, which crosses the country from the north of WA to Queensland.

Time your outback odyssey with wildflower season when bursts of colour are knitted to the earth.

the Gibb River Road in WA — Go road tripping on the iconic Gibb River Road. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Keep reading our 100 Australian Wonders series; from road trips, outback and cultural wonders to foodie wonders and many more.

Torquay’s Bells Beach is considered one of the best surf beaches in the world.

It’d be easy to think Australian surf culture was born around the right-hand point breaks of the Gold Coast and Byron Bay. These regions seem the epitome of how the world views Aussie surfers – bronzed (or burnt), languishing in warm water and sunshine. The reality is a lot different.

The rise of surf culture along Victoria’s coastline

surfers at Bells Beach in Australia — Surfers stand on the shore at Bells Beach, where the country’s biggest surfing competition is held each year. (Image: Getty/Filed Image)

True Aussie surf culture was born on the chilly waves of Victoria’s winters, when huge swells from the Great Southern Ocean hit cliff-lined beaches along the Great Ocean Road . These beaches were the ultimate proving ground – surfers from all over Australia arrived in panel vans and VWs to do battle with the biggest waves they could find.

Surfers take advantage of the huge swells from the Great Southern Ocean at Bells Beach. (Image: Tourism Australia/Cameron Murray)

There are surf breaks all along this very picturesque coast – but those around Torquay were most revered. The ultimate test of a surfer’s ability – and durability – however, was Bells Beach: Australia’s answer to Hawai‘i’s Pipeline. Just beyond, the breaks at Jan Juc and Winkipop beckoned.

an aerial view of surfers at Bells Beach — Hit the waves along the picturesque coast. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Torquay became surfing’s Silicon Valley: HQ for the entire Australian surf culture revolution. Four young locals worked out of their backyards in Torquay to create two of the world’s biggest surf labels – Rip Curl and Quiksilver , which soon became the region’s biggest employers.

surfers out at Bells Beach — Surfers out at Bells Beach, Victoria’s most famous beach. (Image: Tourism Australia/Cameron Murray)

Rip Curl started sponsoring the Bells Beach Pro in 1973 – and have done ever since. It’s been going since 1962 – making it the world’s longest continually run surfing contest. Held every Easter, it’s part of the world surfing tour. Spectators line its 30-metre-high cliffs to watch the world’s best take on enormous waves – it’s the ultimate coliseum for the sport and has inspired generations of Aussie surfers to join the list of heroes whose names are on its iconic bell.

Follow the waves through Victoria’s surfing heartland

Australian National Surfing Museum, Torquay — The Australian National Surfing Museum in Torquay. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Just behind Torquay’s main drag, you can see all that history on display at the world’s best surf museum – the Australian National Surfing Museum . Here you can take your time absorbing the 100-year-or-so history of Australian surfing and check out the 150-strong surfboard collection.

surfboards on display at Australian National Surfing Museum — The museum holds surfing memorabilia, including a room dedicated to the history of boards. (Image: Tourism Australia)

But classic Aussie surf culture can be observed in everyday life all over the Great Ocean Road and Torquay. Surfing dictates life here; no work is done until the big swells have come and gone. Just being here provides a window into 60-odd years of rebellion against convention; for no-one likes nine-to-five living on the Great Ocean Road.

surfing memorabilia at Australian National Surfing Museum — The varied displays celebrate the Bells Beach competition, surfing legends and Aussie surf culture. (Image: Tourism Australia)

There’s less panel vans and VW Beetles these days, but surf culture still rules life. Surfers run this coast; you’re better off keeping out of their way when they’re running down past you to face the biggest swells – then hear them swap stories at cafes, restaurants and bars all around you.

surfing at Bells Beach — The beach near Torquay is Australia’s answer to Hawai‘i’s Pipeline. (Image: Visit Victoria/William Watt)

10 road trip wonders to entice you around Australia

Set off into SA’s rugged red wilderness in search of adventure, swap bitumen for sand on the Sunshine Coast and toast to the freedom of the open road in Victoria’s High Country.

1. Adelaide to Birdsville (and beyond)

2. Great Ocean Road, Vic

3. Waterfall Way, NSW

4. Silo Art Trail, Vic

5. Great Beach Drive, Qld

6. Prosecco Road, Vic

7. Cairns to Cape York, Qld

8. Tassie’s Tasting Trail

9. Savannah Way

10. Gibb River Road, WA

Keep reading our 100 Australian Wonders series; from road trips, outback and cultural wonders to foodie wonders and many more.

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The iconic Victorian beach where true Aussie surf culture was born

Torquay’s Bells Beach is considered one of the best surf beaches in the world.

The rise of surf culture along Victoria’s coastline

Follow the waves through Victoria’s surfing heartland