Planning Your Australian Road Trip
Australia is one of the world’s great road trip destinations. Vast distances, dramatic landscape changes, almost no traffic outside cities, and a road network that connects everything from tropical rainforest to red desert make every journey an adventure.
Essential Planning Tips
- Allow significantly more time than you think – the best experiences happen when you’re not rushing
- Download offline maps – GPS is unreliable in remote areas
- Book popular caravan parks months ahead for school holidays
- Check road conditions before heading into remote areas
- Carry emergency supplies including extra water, food and fuel
Best Road Trip Routes
The Great Ocean Road in Victoria (243km) is Australia’s most famous coastal drive. The Gibb River Road through Western Australia’s Kimberley (660km) is the ultimate outback adventure. The Savannah Way from Cairns to Broome (3,700km) crosses northern Australia’s remote landscapes. The Eyre Peninsula Loop in South Australia (1,200km) offers spectacular coastal scenery.
Road Trip Seasons
Timing matters enormously in Australia. Northern routes (Gibb River Road, Cape York, Savannah Way) are dry season only – May to October. Southern routes are generally accessible year-round but summer heat in the outback can be dangerous. Coastal routes in Queensland and NSW are best avoided during school holiday peaks.