Who really needs to go overseas, when Australia is literally teeming with spectacular sights? Road trips let you take your time, discover hidden corners and relax into the vibe of a well-earned holiday. Best of all, they’re perfect for couples, families and your finances too!
The Great Ocean Road
Great Ocean Road, Victoria
The Great Ocean Road is not so much ‘off the beaten path’ anymore. Actually, it’s famous across the globe for the 12 Apostles, dramatic coastline and National Parks. All the more reason to go, if you haven’t had the pleasure yet, to discover one of the country’s top tourist attractions.
Along the way, you’ll see The Port Campbell National Park, with coastal lookouts boasting the rock formations of London Bridge and The Arch and Grotto. Volcanic Plains offer dormant craters and lakes, the Southern Ocean is rich with abundant marine life and pristine beaches act as the backdrop to charming local towns. If you love to surf, don’t forget to stop in at Bells Beach.
The Nullarbor Plain
The Nullarbor Plain’s expansive, treeless horizons enchant travellers, on the Eyre Highway.
The Nullarbor Plain, Western Australia
Here’s one for those with a true sense of adventure and a hankering to experience the Aussie outback. The Nullarbor Plain’s expansive, treeless horizons enchant travellers, on the Eyre Highway. It’s dry, it’s harsh and it’s remote, but there’s much to see along the way.
Mobs of kangaroos line the empty roads and historic homesteads and cattle stations play host to weary drivers. You can stop off at fascinating areas, including The Eyre Bird Observatory and Bunda Cliffs. You’ll also traverse the 90 Mile Straight, Australia’s longest straight road, and get to tick it off your bucket list.
Kangaroo Island
Kangaroo Island, South Australia
Kangaroo Island is a road-trippers dream, with 1,600 kilometres of roads to explore. You can fly in from Adelaide and hire a car, or take your own and catch the ferry over. Most of the main roads are sealed, including those linking the areas of Penneshaw, American River, Parndana and Flinders Chase National Park.
See koalas, kangaroos and seals in the wild, plunge off the coast for a shipwreck dive and stop at ocean lookouts for postcard happy snaps. For food and wine lovers, Kangaroo Island’s produce is legendary, as are the wineries in draw-dropping locations. In terms of accommodation, choose from seaside holiday homes, bushland cottages and quaint B&Bs.
Ready to pack your bags? Fuel up and hit one of Australia’s best road trips, to see nature dressed in her finest attire.
The Author
Nicole Leigh West
Nicole Leigh West is the author of fiction novel, 'The Gypsy Trail' and an internationally recognised travel and lifestyle writer.
Photo Credit: "The Nullarbor. Indian Pacific Railway. Kalgoorlie - Adelaide. WA - SA. Loongana WA" by Amanda Slater is copyright ©2009 and made available under this license.
