Australia’s Best Road Trips

Trying to get the most out of visiting any country requires some serious planning, let alone if your destination is an entire continent, and your goal is to take a big chunk out of Australia. From the unforgiving landscape of the Outback, to the lush beauty of its Coasts, this spectacular country is the ultimate blend of unique natural wonders set in lush, untacked wildlife, and the most daring adventures. And to taking in the length, and breadth of the Land Down Under, you will want to take advantage of its miles upon miles of long, and winding roads.

So, strap yourself into some four-wheel drive, and journey into incredible discovery… It’s time for an Australian Road Trip!

1. A Mythical Journey – Red Center Way, Northern Territory

Embark on your journey to the heart of the Outback by taking the scenic long way round, from the town of Alice Springs to the spiritual Uluru and Kata Tjuta National Park. Allowing you to experience the untamed beauty of the red desert, this meandering stretch of road guides you through brilliant landscapes, canyons, and gorges. This is a camping adventure, so take your time crossing these roads, making your first stop among the hiking trails of West MacDonnell Ranges. After a couple of days, rising from the sands of time, you will stand in awe of the bloody red sides of Uluru (Ayer’s Rock). Explore the creation myths embedded in the collective past of the nation at the foot of the Rock, and bask in the glorious sunsets. Continue your trip to the towering domes of Kata Tjuta, making it the final leg of your trip. The nearby town of Yulara was created to accommodate travelers, and had everything to re-supply, before heading back.

2. East to West Experience – Savannah Way, Queensland

Australia’s ultimate coast-to-coast road trip adventure, takes you on a 3700 km long exploration of the lush North. Start your journey in Cairns (Queensland), making your first stop a dip in the sensational, and refreshing Milla Milla Waterfalls. Once you connect to the Gulf Development Road, make a quick detour to Undara Lava Tubes, before heading to the first of three national parks – Boodjamulla National Park. On the border with Northern Territory, the best way to experience the full beauty of the park is by canoeing the calm waters of Masslebrook Creek. Continue to the World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park, and immerse yourself in 50,000 year-old Aboriginal culture. Spend a couple of days there, exploring the teeming wildlife in its lush rainforests, and make some amazing landscape photography on the surrounding hills. The final leg of the journey takes you to the gem of the Kimberley, and another World Heritage Site, Purnululu National Park, where you cannot miss hiking through the sandstone domes of Bungle Bungle Range. Your Savannah Way road trip ends on the sandy beaches of Broome, where you can finally bask in the sun, and the knowledge you crossed the length of an entire continent.

3. East Coast Summer Adventure – The Legendary Pacific Coast, Queensland

There is no better way to spend the summer in Australia (December to February), than by embarking on the Legendary Pacific Coast road trip. Sun, surf, and sand will be with you all the way, once you set out from Cairns, making your way south to Brisbane. Make your first stop Mackay, and dive into the ultimate underwater adventure by exploring the Great Barrier Reef. Continue going down the coast, until you reach Harvey Bay, where you can book a ferry to the largest sand island in the world – Fraser Island. The 75 Mile Beach Highway is the best off-road experience, and a place to relax, unwind, but also explore awesome shipwrecks, and amazing lagoons in the interior. Your next stop should be Kin Kin Valley. Completely off the grid, and any tourist guide-book, take advantage of its amazing nearby wellness retreats, to rest, and recuperate, while spending your days exploring the landscape on horseback. Make the final leg of your journey count by going all out, and partying on the Sunshine Coast. With pearly white beaches, and some of the best waves in the world, it’s the ideal location to try your luck with surfing. End your road trip mingling with Aussies, enjoying a real Australian BBQ among the big city lights of Brisbane at the end of summer. There are amazing towns, and beaches the entire length of the road, so if you have time be sure to explore each, and every one of them, you won’t regret it.

So there you have it, three spectacular road trips the Land Down Under has to offer. Each one has its own charm, and with a reliable 4WD vehicle, exploring this amazing landscape will be a breeze, and an experience of a lifetime.

By Marie Nieves – High Style Life