Big Lap

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The Big Lap of Australia
Our country's most incredible road trip
Welcome to
The Big Lap
Dreaming about driving off into the sunset and doing the Big Lap of Australia? Whether you have a month or a year to navigate our great nation, it helps to do a little pre-planning depending on which direction you intend to travel, the seasons and your budget. It wouldn’t be an Australian road trip without sighting some of Australia’s iconic big things so be sure to include these nostalgic gems in your itinerary.
If you’re attempting the ultimate road trip here’s 12 things you need to know before you embark on the Big Lap of Australia. If time is not on your side, we’ve broken down The Big Lap into manageable mini road trips. From the arid expanses of the outback to our stunning coastline and the rainforests of the Daintree, you’ll love every piece of Australia.
Tips for the Trip
Essentials to know before embarking on this amazing journey.
Driving the Big Lap of Australia – 12 things you need to know
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Read more >Essential van life tips to know before you hit the road
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The Big Lap in...
QLD
Queensland is a vast and diverse state, just waiting to be explored. Stay awhile in the riverside capital to explore its cultural side, or dine in style at the best cafes in Brisbane. Head north and discover an abundance of beautiful beaches with the Sunshine Coast’s best-kept secrets.
While everyone knows about the charms of Noosa, have you considered the Great Beach Drive? Spanning 380 kilometres, The Great Beach Drive is one of the longest beach drives on Earth encompassing some of the most pristine and deserted beaches in Australia.
The drive between Boulia and Winton in Queensland’s west covers some of the most spectacular land in our country, but few are lucky enough to see it. While exploring Queensland’s outback, plan your itinerary to take in these gorgeous gorges that are just as compelling and stunning as the famous Cobbold Gorge.
Head to North Queensland and enjoy the tropical playground of Townsville with plenty of surprising spots to stay and play. Venture to Australia’s northernmost tip and escape the tourists. Cape York Peninsula doesn’t get its fair share of the limelight, but it’s a must-do for any wandering Aussie. Here are our top 10 musts for a road trip to the tip.
View all articles >The Big Lap in...
The NT
Soul-stirring and steeped in spirituality, the Northern Territory is an achingly beautiful part of Australia to discover on The Big Lap. Road trip to the Top End, taking in the dreamy capital Darwin as well as Katherine and the spectacular Tiwi Islands for a memorable journey.
The Red Centre Way connects Alice Springs and Uluru via the most spectacular outback dirt-road trip. The Red Centre Way is saturated with both legendary and less renowned Australian icons. Starting and finishing in Alice Springs, the route covers around 1140 kilometres and runs through the heart of the Australian outback.
Continue your essential outback road trip from Alice Springs to the Devils Marbles – a drive through our country’s heart is one every Australian should make.
While there is no shortage of great tours on offer in Kakadu, a self-drive itinerary is pretty hard to beat, with highlights such as the jaw-dropping cliff-top plunge pool at the top of Gunlom Falls.
View all articles >The Top End Lap
You don’t need a Top End wedding to fall in love with the Northern Territory.
Read moreThe Red Centre Way
Alice Springs to Uluru and back on one of Australia’s greatest outback journeys.
Read moreAlice Springs to the Devil's Marbles
A drive through our country’s heart is one every Australian should make.
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WA
You’ll discover more than just another day in WA while road tripping through Western Australia. Making your way from Perth to Ningaloo Reef is a bucket-list item all on its own. At just under 1200 kilometres, this west-coast drive takes you from Perth to Exmouth along our western state’s stunning Coral Coast via Cervantes, Geraldton, Monkey Mia and Carnarvon.
Plan your journey with our ultimate guide to road-tripping the Kimberley including must-see hotspots such as El Questro. Not for the faint-hearted or ill-prepared, a drive along the 660-kilometre Gibb River Road is a rite of passage.
From desert plains to breathtaking coastline, a road trip into WA’s Golden Outback really does have it all.
Feeling adventurous? Following the Warlu Way from Broome to Exmouth takes you on an adventurous 10-day, 2500-kilometre road trip with some luxury along the way.
Take the road less travelled along the back roads of Margaret River with a tasty tour of Western Australia’s famous wine region.
View all articles >Perth to Ningaloo Reef road trip
Road tripping your way from Perth to Ningaloo Reef is a bucket-list item all on its own.
Read moreHow to road trip the Kimberley
Welcome to the Kimberley, the ultimate road trip destination.
Read moreWA’s Golden Outback road trip
A road trip into WA’s Golden Outback really does have it all.
Read moreBroome to Exmouth through Warlu Way
An adventurous 10-day, 2500-kilometre road trip following the Warlu Way.
Read moreThe Back Roads of Margaret River
Discover a dirtier side to Western Australia’s glamorous Margaret River wine region.
Read moreThe Big Lap in...
SA
From beautiful beaches, world-renowned wine regions and a vibrant cultural capital, South Australia is an essential element of your Big Lap itinerary.
If the way to a traveller’s heart is through their stomach, then The Epicurean Way must be the most beloved of South Australia’s fabulous drives. Likewise, the Seafood Frontier around the Eyre Peninsula has plenty of foodie finds.
From coast to coast, South Australia has it all. From oceanside wilderness to fine dining, the windswept beauty of the Yorke Peninsula provides an epic drive to remember.
Cruising the Mighty Murray Way, from the mouth of Australia’s longest river at Goolwa on the Fleurieu Peninsula all the way to Renmark, is an incredible way to explore the Riverland region.
View all articles >The Seafood Frontier
The prodigious Seafood Frontier drive proves both fascinating and delicious.
Read moreThe Winswept Yorke Peninsula
The windswept beauty of the Yorke Peninsula provides an epic drive to remember.
Read moreThe Mighty Murray
The South Australian stretch of the Murray is looking, feeling and tasting mighty fine.
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VIC
Victoria’s Great Ocean Road is not just great; it’s one of the country’s most spectacular road trips. Frequent winner of Australian Traveller’s People’s Choice award for best road trip, here’s our ultimate three-day road trip itinerary.
For a bite-sized road trip just 1.5 hours from Melbourne, head to the Mornington Peninsula and enjoy Victoria’s glorious wineries, beaches and foodie finds with our guide where to eat, stay and play on the Peninsula. If you want to discover more beautiful beaches, we reveal Victoria’s ten secret beaches worth the detour. Plus, we share six reasons you need to plan a trip to Warrnambool one of the most quaint, family-friendly seaside towns you’ll have the good fortune to visit.
If you’re not packing your own camping gear, we’ve discovered the top nine glamping spots in Victoria for fuss-free luxurious camping experiences.
View all articles >The Great Ocean Road in three days
Click here for the best Great Ocean Road trip itinerary.
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TAS
Tasmania is such a compact state, filled with natural beauty and so easy to navigate; it’s the ideal state for road tripping.
With blindingly beautiful coastline, an internationally lauded food culture and literally the world’s best boutique hotel, how is that Tassie’s East Coast is still largely crowd free? From Hobart to Swansea, Bicheno and St Helens, we bring you a discerning road-tripping guide to Tasmania’s heavenly East Coast.
In Tasmania’s historic heartland between Hobart and Launceston, there are three bridges that span more than rivers that are worth checking out. Our three bridges road-trip itinerary takes you through some of the most historic sites in Tasmania.
If you’re ready for adventure, buckle up for the scenic, gourmet drive of your life with the Tasmanian road trip you didn’t even know existed. We’ve mapped out the perfect North East Tasmania road trip to start from the moment you dock at Devonport and return to board the Spirit of Tasmania back to the mainland.
View all articles >A road trip guide to Tassie’s east coast
How is it that Tasmania’s east coast is still crowd-free?
Read moreTasmania's 3 Bridge Road Trip
A trio of historic Tassie bridges are the destination as well as part of the journey.
Read moreThe Unknown Tasmaian Road trip
If you’re ready for adventure, buckle up for the scenic, gourmet drive of your life…
Read moreThe Big Lap in...
NSW
A Sydney stay is an integral part of the Big Lap of Australia and if you’re on a tight budget, here are some of the best experiences in Sydney that won’t break the budget.
Leave the tangle of suburbia behind and hit the road west of Sydney to the magnificent Blue Mountains with so much to see and do, it all warrants more than a day trip.
As the second biggest city in NSW, don’t overlook a sojourn to Newcastle. Discover why its fast becoming Sydneysiders’ choice for a sea-change location.
Whatever the season, a journey down the Snowy Valleys Way to discover its hidden villages and fantastic local produce makes for the perfect road trip.
Driving from Sydney to Byron Bay is one of the most iconic drives in Australia with relaxed vibes and the picture-perfect surrounds of Byron Bay as welcome respite at the end of your journey.
The coast road from Sydney to Brisbane is perfect if you want to put your foot down and take the direct route north, with pit stops in Port Macquarie or Coffs Harbour. However, if you like driving through country towns rather than past them, then an inland journey through New England High Country might just be for you.
Road-tripping through the New South Wales outback is an opportunity to connect with both an ancient landscape and yourself. Discover the Darling River Run with a seven-day itinerary starting from the town of Wentworth.
Snowy Mountains Road Trip Itinerary
The hidden villages and fantastic produce make for the perfect Snowy Valleys Way road trip.
Read moreSydney to Byron Bay Itinerary
Driving from Sydney to Byron Bay is one of the most iconic drives in Australia.
Read moreInland Sydney to Brisbane Road Trip
The coast road from Sydney to Brisbane is perfect if you want to put your foot down & take the direct route.
Read moreThe Big Lap in...
The ACT
Journeying to our nation’s capital is an important route to undertake in the Big Lap of Australia.
There are plenty of things to see and do during the three-hour drive from Sydney to Canberra and plenty of bucket-list ideas once you reach Canberra. Stretch your legs with these 10 best walks to lift your spirits and your heart rate for the most wondrous wanderings.
Discover the delights of Canberra’s wine region with a journey from the city limits to the countryside and appreciate a world of wine.
View all articles >Sydney to Canberra Road trip
The things to see and do during the three-hour drive from Sydney to Canberra.
Read moreHighlights of Canberra's Wine Country
Canberra’s wine country is quietly making waves in the world of wine.
Read moreThe Big Lap
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