On a self-drive holiday, travel by road at your own pace, stopping at your leisure. Australia has a vast network of well-maintained roads and highways with some of the most beautiful road touring in the world and vehicle hire is simple.
There are plenty of opportunities to leave the main road and discover Australia’s natural wonders. From the central deserts to the Top End, Australia’s adventure routes are a paradise for explorers. Many of our outback roads are rough, unsealed dirt tracks unsuitable for anything but 4WDs.
Not all road journeys are remote or dramatic however. Our picturesque coastal roads lead past spectacular beaches and coastal scenery through sleepy towns. You’ll discover a variety of landscapes as you drive south through wineries and tall forests, head north to coral reefs and canyons, or journey inland on an Outback odyssey.
You can take a road journey that takes a day or a month – it’s up to you. A holiday on the open road is the best way to meet Australians and get to know our country. Open and friendly, we are particularly proud of showing off our country’s natural wonders to visitors. And remember, we’re happiest if we can do this while having a chat.
Key drive facts
The Eyre Highway at Caiguna in Western Australia has the longest stretch of straight road in Australia – 146.6km 1. Crossing the southern edge of the Nullarbor Plain, it is the only sealed road from Perth to Adelaide, a 2700km drive.
There are over 800,000km of road crisscrossing Australia, of which less than 50 per cent are sealed.
Every working day, Australian governments spend $27 million maintaining and reconstructing our transport network. This is among the highest levels of road expenditure per capita in the world.
Inter-state distances between our capital cities are large. A road trip from Sydney to Melbourne or Sydney to Brisbane is around 1000km and takes at least two days, while from Sydney to Perth is around 4000km.
The Canning Stock Route is the world’s longest most isolated stock route, traversing the Great Sandy Desert far north Western Australia. Our most challenging and remote drive, it stretches 1800km between Halls Creek and Kalgoorlie, takes a recommended 14 days to drive by 4WD between water wells, and travel is only advised between May and September.
It’s unwise to set out on remote Outback roads without a large supply of water and petrol, mobile phone and other communications, in case you’re stranded.
The Birdsville Track is a four-wheel drive outback odyssey. The quintessential Outback journey, and once an important cattle droving route, the Birdsville Track and its famous pub has become an Australian icon that draws 25,000 vehicles annually.
Australia's vast road network measures over 800,000km
Uniquely Australian
Step back in time on Tasmania’s Heritage Highway between Hobart and Launceston, a journey into our colonial past, full of historic sandstone buildings and stunning scenery.
Be postman for a day on the one day Oodnadatta Mail Run out of Coober Pedy. You’ll travel more than 600km with the postman in his 4WD delivering post to Outback towns and remote cattle stations.
Cross The Nullarbor Plain. The 1200 kilometre Eyre Highway is one of the great Australian road trips and a key outback experience. Once riddled with potholes, this tree-less road is now completely sealed from Norseman in Western Australia to Ceduna in South Australia.
The Pacific Coast Touring Route stretches from Sydney to Cairns, following the beautiful coastline of the Pacific Ocean. Along the way discover an endless array of beautiful beaches, pretty bays and relaxing coastal towns, with excellent surf, fantastic views, great camping sites and friendly communities.
Travel the Grand Pacific Drive, a scenic road that stretches 140km south of Sydney, from the Royal National Park – the world’s second oldest national park – to the coastal city of Wollongong. The route takes you through coastal rainforests, over the dramatic Sea Cliff Bridge, past secluded beaches and pretty coastal towns such as Austinmer and Kiama.
Recognised as one of the world’s most scenic drives, the Great Ocean Road follows the stunning coastline of Victoria’s south-west stretching 300km past the breathtaking Twelve Apostles. The road winds along cliff tops, up breathtaking headlands, down to the edge of beaches, across river estuaries and through lush rainforests offering panoramic views at every turn. Discover small seaside villages along the way.
The Great Southern Touring Route is a 777km journey that you can drive in as little as 12 hours or take five days. Starting with the spectacular Great Ocean Road, it crosses to the majestic Grampians National Park with its woodland walks, Aboriginal art, waterfalls and rock formations, then on to Victoria’s rich Goldfields region.
Drive from Melbourne to Sydney, the best way to take in the beauty of the coastline. See national parks, wildlife, beautiful surf beaches, the amazing stretch of Ninety Mile Beach, and the whales at Eden.
Another way to travel from Sydney to Melbourne is via the Great Alpine Road after first passing through the nation’s capital, Canberra. Australia’s highest year-round accessible sealed road, it winds past lofty mountains, valleys, forests, rivers, vineyards and farms. Sample local food and wine and you can fish, cycle, climb or ride along the way. See the stunning mountains, valleys, lakes and waterways of this region, the land of high country cattlemen of The Man from Snowy River fame. Hear about the bushrangers who roamed the historic gold villages of the area during the gold-rush years.
Take your time exploring Queensland’s beautiful coastline between Brisbane and Cairns on the Pacific Touring Route. Stop for a swim on a deserted beach, go scuba diving among brilliant corals and marine life or stop off to experience the action of a rodeo.
Cruise past rainforest-lined roads on the Great Tropical Drive from Townsville to Cairns. Stop at charming hinterland villages, pick up some local artwork or take a walk in ancient forests.
On a Cairns to Cooktown rugged driving adventure, you’ll cross the Daintree River and discover the world’s oldest rainforest, ancient Aboriginal rock art sites and the historic village of Cooktown. Experience the adventure of driving yourself through one of the last great wilderness areas of Australia, right to the most northerly point on the Cape York Peninsula. Along the way, swim in water-lily lined lagoons, fish for barramundi and discover ancient indigenous rock art.
Follow the triangle of Australia’s most fascinating dinosaur sites known as the Dinosaur Way. Journey back over 100 million years and discover Australia’s largest and most unusual prehistoric locals. You’ll see ancient remains of dinosaurs, dig with a palaeontologist and hear about our ancient inland seas.
Explore the Gold Coast Hinterland. Slow down and enjoy winding roads, stop at charming mountain villages to enjoy the local art and cuisine, see ancient rainforests, dramatic waterfalls and cosy retreats just waiting to be discovered.
On an Outback driving adventure along the Matilda Highway, you’ll start to notice fewer vehicles, friendlier people and colder beer. Every day brings genuine Outback characters, new attractions and natural beauty that will take your breath away. The Matilda Highway links Outback towns, each with their own fascinating heritage and characters. From dinosaur digs and historic homesteads to bush poetry under millions of stars, this is the essence of Outback Queensland.
Awaken your adventurous spirit on the Savannah Way, an epic drive across northern Australia. Feel the heartbeat of an ancient land when an Aboriginal guide shows you hidden rock art, and experience an Outback sunset over a cold beer at a country pub. The Savannah Way spans a 3700-kilometre arc across the top of the country. Starting from tropical Cairns, you’ll see the Gulf Savannah grasslands, the fishing town of Borroloola, the natural splendour of the Katherine region and the great wilderness of Western Australia’s Kimberley, ending in Broome.
The Gibb River Road is one of Australia’s classic outback drives. Originally constructed in the late 1800s as a beef road to transport cattle from surrounding stations to Derby and Wyndham, this old stock route spans over 660km. “The Gibb� has spectacular scenery with many gorges, waterfalls and rivers along its length; including Windjana Gorge, Tunnel Creek and the mighty Fitzroy River. Stop to hike or swim in cool pools beneath plunging waterfalls.
Drive the Wildlife Coast. The Coral Coast, a coastal strip from Perth to Ningaloo Reef, is home to some of the most amazing marine life on earth. Experience friendly dolphins, dugongs, manta rays and turtles and swim with giant whale sharks. In the Shark Bay World Heritage Area, you can meet dolphins at Monkey Mia, see rare dugong, and explore the rugged gorges of surrounding countryside. Then journey north by four wheel drive to Coral Bay and Exmouth, where you can swim with whale sharks.
Explore South Australia’s Barossa and Clare valleys – premier wine regions – by car on a gourmet journey that will take you to some of the country’s top wineries and eateries.
Discover Kangaroo island, the food and wine, native wildlife and scenery on a driving tour of our third largest island. Feast on a culinary and wildlife smorgasbord as you weave your way around the island.
The Margaret River region is a superb blend of good living and stunning nature just three and a half hours’ drive south of Perth. Gourmet food producers, excellent restaurants and wines make this the perfect destination for a weekend self drive getaway.
Seek out seasonal wildflower blooms on the Wildflower Way. Extensive tracts of Western Australia erupt each year with wildflowers in the spring. Throughout the state you can follow one of 10 wildflower trails by car, stopping along the way.
Go four wheel driving on Fraser island. Cruise along a 100km stretch of pristine sand highway or head inland past coastal sand blows, and lush rainforests to crystal clear lakes.
Tourism Australia – www.australia.com
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