The nation’s best road trips are in; it’s time to decide which to do first.

Roll down the windows. Crank up the tunes. This spring, we’re inviting you to rediscover Australia, one unforgettable drive at a time. We’ve rounded up the top three best road trips in each state, from a seafood trail that offers a taste of SA’s merroir to a 4WD track that runs the length of the NT.

Grand Pacific Drive, NSW

This scenic route extends for 140 kilometres from Sydney to Jervis Bay, exiting the city before snaking along the iconic Sea Cliff Bridge. While the South Coast is best known for its beautiful beaches, a perfect weekend away should also include its burgeoning foodie scene.

Don’t miss: A taste of the region’s terroir at restaurants such as Bangalay Dining, Cupitt’s Estate and Milk HAUS. Also, be sure to stop at the rugged headland near Kiama Blowhole during whale season – it’s the perfect vantage point to spot the majestic marine animals.

Northern Rivers Hinterland Way, NSW

The countryside along the Northern Rivers Hinterland Way is reminiscent of a green patchwork quilt. Covering a lot of the same ground as the Rainforest Way, this journey starts in Tweed Heads, tumbles through the Tweed Valley and loops into Lismore before taking in the coastal locales of Ballina and Byron Bay, with the option to extend into Casino.

Don’t miss: The historic villages, artist studios and hinterland cafes filled with hippie local characters. Find your tribe at the Saturday farmers’ markets in Bangalow then spend the afternoon at leisure in lovely Lismore, and be sure to check out the town’s regional gallery.

Mountains & Gold Rush Road Trip, NSW

Starting in the majestic Blue Mountains, make your way inland into NSW’s Central West. Learn about the region’s colourful gold rush history on a self-guided itinerary that triangulates between Bathurst and Orange before exploring the spoils of the Mudgee wine region.

Don’t miss: The heritage towns of Hill End and Sofala, a bottle from Lowe Family Wine Co in Mudgee and a nature-based boutique farm stay at Glenayr Farm.

Grampians Road Trip, Vic

Written by: Elizabeth Whitehead

A Grampians road trip is a romantic drive that carries passengers from the buzzy streets of Melbourne to laid-back life in the country. Allow plenty of time to meander west of the big smoke, stopping at Ballarat to peruse the art galleries, before making a beeline for the dramatic sandstone peaks of the Grampians. Loop back via the gold rush town of Ararat to soak up more of the Central Highlands’ country charm.

Don’t miss: A taste of pastoral life in a dinky DULC (Down Under Log Cabins). The timber structures are in the heart of beautiful Grampians bushland.

Great Alpine Road, Vic

Written by: Elizabeth Whitehead

Australia’s highest year-round accessible sealed road, the 300-kilometre Great Alpine Road weaves through the Victorian Alps, taking in mountains, country wineries and quaint alpine towns such as Bright.

Don’t miss: Be sure to drive to the top of Mt Hotham for those panoramic alpine views. You’ll want to pack your hiking boots to wander along the walking trails. End your trip in Beechworth, a gold rush-era town brimming with heritage buildings, bushranger tales and excellent local food and wine.

Great Victorian Bathing Trail, Vic

Swimmers and a floppy hat are essential items when packing for the Great Victorian Bathing Trail. The 900-kilometre-long route connects the dots between hot springs, mineral pools and sea baths, so you can literally immerse yourself in the landscape.

Don’t miss: Wellness is the focus here, but it’s worth carving out time for indulgent detours. Stop in Daylesford for a scenic lunch at the iconic Lake House. Stay onsite at The Sanctuary at Alba Thermal Springs & Spa, a brand-new retreat built in the dunes above the hot springs.

Gibb River Road, WA

This mostly 4WD track snakes for about 660 kilometres through the heart of Western Australia between Derby, the western gateway to the Kimberley, and Kununurra, in the east.

Don’t miss: Dimalurru (Tunnel Creek). The subterranean waterway formed about 350 million years ago, making it WA’s oldest-known cave system. Adding to the drama of Dimalurru are the large stalactites dripping down from the ceiling like whimsical chandeliers, as well as chance encounters with freshwater crocodiles and ghost bats. Roads accessible between May and October.

Perth to Broome Coastal Drive, WA

The coastal drive from Perth to Broome takes a whopping 24 hours (at least). We would recommend pacing yourself, so you can enjoy some side trips to explore Exmouth, Ningaloo and Karijini National Park.

Don’t miss: Swimming with whale sharks off the coast of Ningaloo, hiking around the ancient limestone structures at Lake Thetis and getting your claws into some fresh seafood at the legendary Lobster Shack in the fishing village of Cervantes.

The Southwest Edge Loop, WA

Pack your bathers: this epic loop of south-west Australia traverses some 1200 kilometres between Perth and Esperance, tracing the curves of the coast before cutting a swathe through the outback.

Don’t miss: A visit to the quirky village of Gnomesville in the Ferguson Valley should be on your radar. As should a stop at Wellington Dam to see Reflections, the large-scale mural painted by artist Guido van Helten splashed across its 8000-square-metre surface.

Nature’s Way Loop, NT

The Nature’s Way Loop is a road trip made memorable thanks to the Northern Territory’s wild landscapes. From the ritual of watching the sun set over the Timor Sea at Mindil Beach Markets in Darwin to observing the shifting colours of Kakadu, wild swimming at Litchfield National Park and appreciating the untamed beauty of Nitmiluk, this Top End trail is unlike any other.

Don’t miss: The Aboriginal rock art galleries at Ubirr and Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) in Kakadu and a soak in Katherine Hot Springs.

Binns Track, NT

Crank up the car karaoke as you bounce along the 2230-kilometre Binns Track in Central Australia – named after Bill Binns, a former NT Parks and Wildlife ranger who created the 10-day 4WD trip. The epic track, which runs almost the entire length of the state, covers some of the lesser-known attractions of the NT between Mt Dare and Alice Springs.

Don’t miss: Mac Clark (Acacia Peuce) Conservation Reserve, home to one of the world’s rarest trees.

Red Centre Way & East Macdonnell Ranges Loop, NT

Red Centre Way and the East Macdonnell Ranges loop offers road-trippers the quintessential outback experience. The drive combines two road trips: it circles around the navel of Australia between Uluru and Alice Springs, taking in iconic attractions such as Kings Canyon and the Macdonnell Ranges.

Don’t miss: Watching Uluru change colours like a mood ring at different times of the day. And, if your budget allows, taking a scenic flight over Kings Canyon from Discovery Resorts – Kings Canyon.

Great Eastern Drive, Tas

This drive between Hobart and St Helens along Tassie’s east coast is known for its stunning capes, beautiful bays, great seafood and cellar doors.

Don’t Miss: The pristine Freycinet Peninsula for both its scenery and seafood. Trace the white sands of Wineglass Bay on foot and call in at Freycinet Marine Farm for fresh oysters. Spotting penguins in Bicheno is also a must.

Northern Forage Trail, Tas

The food and wine scene is booming on the Apple Isle. This foodie-focused road trip in northern Tasmania starts in Launceston before weaving through the Tamar Valley and onto Devonport, Sheffield and Stanley.

Don’t miss: Grazing your way along the Northern Forage Trail to gain a sense of place. Unearth black truffles at the Truffle Farm in Deloraine. Sip your way through the cool-climate wines of the Tamar Valley. Pick up provisions at farm gates, breweries, distilleries and cellar doors that showcase the best of the region’s bounty. Be sure to factor in a visit to the Floating Sauna, Lake Derby, Australia’s only floating woodfired sauna.

Cradle to Coast, Tas

Written by: Elizabeth Whitehead

It’s one of Tasmania’s most rewarding road trips. The drive circles the breathtaking Cradle Mountain –Lake St Clair National Park, taking in both of the region’s headline acts – iconic Cradle Mountain in the north and serenely beautiful Lake St Clair in the south. You can’t simply cut through the national park, and it’s just as well – there’s plenty more to see driving the long way around.

Don’t miss: The wild west coast town of Strahan, the starting point for cruises along the Gordon River. Also, the dramatic, lunar-like landscapes of Queenstown, the gateway to Tasmania’s rugged west coast.

Scenic Rim Road Trip, Qld

Queensland’s Scenic Rim, on the Traditional Lands of the Yugambeh People, is all about taking your foot off the pedal for an extended epicurean adventure. The region, which extends more than 4000 square kilometres, is jam-packed with everything from paddock-to-plate eateries to cafes that turn up the country charm.

Don’t miss: There are plenty of foodie-focused pit stops to be made along the way, but The Kooroomba Vineyard and Lavender Farm is a must in August when it’s in bloom.

Pacific Coast Way, Qld

The Pacific Coast Way is like a string of pearls that loops from the Gold Coast all the way to Cairns. Succumb to its charms, from sunsets airbrushed pink on the Fraser Coast to the blue-green waters of the Capricorn Coast and swaying palms of Tropical North Queensland.

Don’t miss: A side trip to the Whitsundays, where you can swing in a hammock over the milky-white sands of Hayman Island.

Mt Isa Discovery Drive, Qld

The Mt Isa Discovery Drive is a compelling route that cuts right through the guts of Australia.

Set off from Townsville under a painted-on blue sky bound for Mt Isa on this 12-day adventure that links the Overlander’s Way with Australia’s Dinosaur Trail, where you can witness incredible 130-million-year-old dinosaur footprints.

Don’t miss: Having a coldie and a yarn with some of the colourful locals at the Middleton Hotel, one of the most isolated outback pubs in Queensland.

Namadgi National Park Scenic Drive, ACT

Namadgi National Park is one of the vast tracts of pristine wilderness highlighted in Australian Geographic’s Escape to Nature. It’s the ACT’s only true national park, a mix of meadows carpeted with wildflowers and alpine, inland, tableland and coastal environments.

Don’t miss: Pack your hiking boots so you can take advantage of the multitude of tracks that crisscross throughout the park. The paths take in cascading waterfalls and sweeping alpine vistas.

Canberra’s Snowies Alpine Way, ACT

Written by: Elizabeth Whitehead

Who says the Snowy Mountains are best visited over winter? Leave your skis behind and head south from Canberra where the terrain rises up as you enter Alpine Country on your way to the so-called roof of Australia in Kosciuszko National Park.

Don’t miss: Throwing a line into one of the Snowy’s trout-rich rivers, or taking a refreshing dip in an icy alpine stream and doing your best Wim Hof impression. Take advantage of the abundance of alpine trails, including the summit of Kosciuszko, and treat yourself to a post-hike brew with a view at the Dalgety Brewing Company.

Canberra Wine Region, ACT

Most of the vineyards that make up the Canberra Wine Region are, in fact, outside the city limits. All up, there are 140 vineyards with more than 40 wineries within 35 minutes of the nation’s capital, from Murrumbateman to Gundaroo, Bungendore and Collector.

Don’t miss: Lunch at the paddock-to-plate Pavilion Restaurant at Pialligo Estate on the banks of the Molonglo River. You can also enjoy refined country fare at Grazing Restaurant, housed in the 1865 Royal Hotel in the charming township of Gundaroo.

SA Seafood Frontier, SA

You could spend weeks sampling the very best of South Australia’s so-called Seafood Frontier. The self-drive trail stretches for about 1000 kilometres around the Eyre Peninsula, taking in Port Lincoln and Coffin Bay before finishing up at the Head of Bight.

Don’t miss: The seafood, of course! The ultimate Eyre Peninsula itinerary should include swimming with giant cuttlefish in Whyalla, sampling kingfish in situ in the Spencer Gulf and embarking on an oyster farm tour of Coffin Bay.

Explorers Way Loop, SA

The iconic Explorers Way that journeys into South Australia’s outback starts in Adelaide and meanders around the Clare Valley, Coober Pedy and up to Oodnadatta. The return route is via unsealed 4WD roads, taking in Flinders Ranges National Park and Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary.

Don’t miss: The majestic amphitheatre of Wilpena Pound is a sight to behold.

Mighty Murray Way, SA

The Mighty Murray Way follows one of the world’s longest rivers, tracing it all the way through SA’s Riverland region to the Victorian border. There are plenty of opportunities to visit distilleries, pubs and breweries, such as the Wilkadene Woolshed Brewery, as you drive through the changing pastoral landscape.

Don’t miss: Lunch at the historic Overland Corner Hotel, on the section between Morgan and Barmera. If you have time, continue via ferry from Cape Jervis for a victory lap around Kangaroo Island.