Australia’s most loved winter road trips revealed

The data is in, and the most loved drives this winter are…

Winter is fast approaching in Australia, but for road trippers, the cooler season is no reason to stay parked. In fact, it’s the perfect time to hit the open road, with misty mornings, star-filled nights and epic scenery in every direction. But which routes are worth the drive when the temps drop?

A new report by the car insurance experts at ROLLiN’ has crunched the numbers to reveal the most loved winter road trips in Australia. By analysing 22 of the country’s most iconic routes across key data points – including search volume, social media buzz, Google reviews and distance – they’ve ranked the ultimate cold-weather drives that travellers can’t get enough of.

The Great Ocean Road is the most popular winter road trip.

And topping the list? No surprises here: the Great Ocean Road reigns supreme. This Victorian icon racks up 196,600 winter monthly searches, which accounts for nearly 20 per cent of all searches on the route. Its fame extends well beyond Google, with over 33 million TikTok posts and 1.8 million Instagram posts capturing its winding clifftops, seaside towns and the iconic Twelve Apostles. Whether it’s misty mornings or golden hour glow, the Great Ocean Road is a year-round crowd-pleaser – but winter, it seems, is peak time for those in the know.

Drive along the beach on the Great Beach Drive. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

In second place is Queensland’s Great Beach Drive – a unique stretch where you can literally drive along the sand. 26 per cent of all interest in this route spikes in the cooler months, proving the novelty of cruising the coastline, dodging the tides and soaking up some sunshine is an all-season thrill. The route also boasts over 622,000 Instagram posts and a strong 4.74-star Google rating.

Head to the outback on Gibb River Road. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

Rounding out the top three is Western Australia’s Gibb River Road. It racks up a solid 95,400 winter searches, and with 38 per cent of all interest landing in the cooler season, it’s clear the dry, dust-free conditions of winter make this remote red-dirt adventure a bucket-list favourite. Add in a 4.77-star Google rating, and you’ve got a road trip that’s as rugged as it is rewarding.

Drive along the Sea Cliff Bridge on the Grand Pacific Drive. (Image: Destination NSW)

Other standouts on the list include the Red Centre Way in the NT (think starry skies and ochre landscapes), Grand Pacific Drive in NSW (with its iconic Sea Cliff Bridge), the Great Barrier Reef Drive (tropical vibes and ocean views) and Tasmania’s Great Eastern Drive, which, while clocking fewer searches, punches above its weight with a near-perfect 4.79-star Google rating.

Take the scenic route on the Great Barrier Reef Drive. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Tasmania’s Western Wilds also deserves a shoutout – while it didn’t crack the top 10 for winter road trips, it holds the crown for the highest-rated road trip in Australia, with an impressive 4.80-star average.

What does it all mean? That winter road tripping in Australia is alive and well. Whether you’re chasing rugged coastlines, remote outback adventures or misty rainforest vibes, there’s a road trip calling your name. And with fewer crowds, crisper air and the chance to spot wildlife like migrating whales or desert wildflowers, winter could just be the best time to pack the car and hit the road.