Los mejores 7 road trips by Australia depending on the time
If you're starting to dream and plancar A trip to the land of kangaroos, and you wonder What's the best road trip in Australia? You've come to the right place! After spend almost a year traveling the Big LapThe route that goes around Australia, we bring you what for us are the 7 best road trips in Australia, perfect routes in Australia to do by car or camper.
If there's one thing we've learned from traveling over 30.000 km through their carreteras is that Australia can only truly be known by traveling.It's a shame to travel to the other side of the world to hop from city to city, when the best of this country, what's truly impressive, lies beyond them: the campsites under the stars, the carendless backroads, unreal landscapes and kilometer-long beaches.
- Australia's most epic campervan (or car) routes
- 1. West Coast: Perth to (Exmouth) or Broome
- 2. The East Queensland Coast: From Cairns to Brisbane (or Sydney)
- 3. Beach Route: From Perth to Esperance
- 4. Remote Australia: From Darwin to Adelaide (Exploring the Red Centre)
- 5. The Southeast: From Sydney to Melbourne
- 6. South Australia: From Melbourne to Adelaide and its Peninsulas
- 7. Circular route through Tasmania
- Tips for preparing your road trip through Australia
Also, if you're looking for inspiration but still don't know if your vacation coincides with the best time to travel to Australia, I have good news!It's always a good timeYou just need to know which area is best and adjust your itinerary a little to suit your needs.carGet the most out of it. In the route ideas carretera This guide will tell you the best months to visit them. Let's get started!
Australia's most epic routes in a camper (or car)
Open road, good music, and many beautiful landscapes aheadLet's explore the best road trips in Australia. Be warned, they're all spectacular; you'll have a hard time choosing which route to take. carchallenge to do on your trip to Australia.
Next you have 7 routes through Australia by carretera, with the best time, recommended duration and what type of traveler each one is for.
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1. West Coast: Perth to (Exmouth) or Broome
The road trip through Western Australia was the route we took to begin our return to Australia, and to this day, it remains our favorite. We started in Perth, the most isolated major city in the world, and where getting there is cheaper than to other parts of the country. Don't miss... Rot's nest Iceland to meet the quokkas and see their beaches before starting the road trip through Australia.
We put heading north along the West Coast, passing through places like the Lancelin Dunes, Hutt Lagoon, Shark Bay and Coral Coast until reaching Exmouth, the base for exploring the Ningaloo ReefUnlike the Great Barrier Reef, this reef can be reached right from the beaches, which are absolutely stunning! So don't forget your snorkeling gear.
As if that weren't enough, Exmouth is one of the few places in the world where you can swim with humpback whales respectfullyWe took the tour and were lucky enough to see three of them underwater and dozens jumping from the boat.
We continue our journey towards the Australian outback, red sand and carendless obstacles to reach the Karinjini National Park, An oasis in the middle of the desert, full of red gorges and natural pools. Finally, upon arriving in Broome, you'll find surreal landscapes like James Price Point, Coconut Wells, and Simpson Beach. If you're looking for A road trip through Australia with adventure and mind-blowing landscapes, this is your route.

What's the best time to travel through Western Australia?
For the west coast itinerary we recommend at least 15 days to Exmouth, assuming that at least one of them dedicated itcaras to Perth, or 21 if you want to do the full route to Broome.
☀️ The The best time is from April to OctoberDuring the Australian winter. It will be a bit chilly in Perth, but the weather as you head north is perfect, with no extreme heat, pleasant nights, and clear skies. Oh, and it's a 🐋 whale season from July to October.

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2. The East Queensland Coast: From Cairns to Brisbane (or Sydney)
The route along the east coast of Australia is known as the Big Pacific Coast And it's probably the most popular in the country. It's a paradise for... palm trees, tropical climate, snorkeling, surfing, wildlife, coastal towns… Starting in Cairns, where you not only have the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and spectacular islands like Fitzroybut also the ancient rainforest of daintree where you can see cassowaries in the wild. There are also many waterfalls around Cairns, and it's possible to see platypuses.
Another place you can't miss is Magnetic Island...a paradise for koalas in the wild! Continuing south, we arrive at Airlie Beach, from where we can... excursion to Whitsunday Islands to visit Whitehaven, a breathtaking beach, and snorkel on its reefs. Although for us, the best thing about Airlie was being able to do the Scenic flight over the Great Barrier ReefIt is one of the most beautiful landscapes I have ever seen.
This road trip through Australia continues with Surfing areas with a great vibe and atmosphere like Noosa, Gold Coast, and Byron BayAlthough if you have time you can also go to Fraser Island, which is the largest sand island in the world and a true natural paradise.
You can finish the route by carretera in Brisbane, or continue a couple of days' drive towards Sydney You can stop at places like the Port Stephens dunes. As you can see, the east coast is incredibly well-rounded, definitely one of the best road trips to take in Australia.

Best time to visit Australia's East Coast?
To explore Queensland, we recommend between 12 and 18 daysDepending on how leisurely you want to explore the coastal villages and how many snorkeling, diving, or island tours you plan to take. Plus, at least a couple of days for... See the best of Sydney.
☀️ The The best time is from May to November because you avoid the rainy season, the sweltering summer heat (in the northern part) and you also avoid jellyfish season in the north.
Although It's an itinerary you can do all year round.Just be aware that if you travel to Cairns and the surrounding area between November and April, you'll sweat a lot, and on tours you'll wear a thin wetsuit to avoid bites. However, as you get closer to the south (Sydney area), the weather will be perfect.

3. Beach Route: From Perth to Esperance
If you ask us about the best beaches in AustraliaWe're sure of it: they're on the road through Southwest Australia. This road trip is a gem. Starting in Perth, You travel along the entire coast, passing through the Margaret River region.Famous for its vineyards, culinary culture, caves, and forests of giant trees. You can also visit Bremer Bay, one of the few places in the world where se come orcas almost certainly (from December to April). But the best is in Albany and Esperance. The beaches are an unreal turquoise blue. And in many of them you'll be almost alone. Especially the Cape Le Grand National Park It's picture-perfect. To get back to Perth, you can take the inland route, passing by the curious Wave Rock formation.
If you have a few extra days, don't miss Rottnest Island and/or head a few kilometers west to explore The Pinnacles Desert and Lancelin Sand Dunes. This is definitely a must-see. one of the best road trips in Australia to do in the Australian summerYou can also combine it with a city like Sydney or Melbourne to make it a truly comprehensive itinerary.

Best time to travel from Perth to Esperance?
Ideally have at least 10 days To explore the area at a leisurely pace, the distances are long and all the places invite you to take your time. You'll really want to stop at as many beaches as possible and watch lots of sunsets.
☀️ This itinerary It's very summery (December to March) Because during the winter the temperatures are cold and it is usually windy, so it is difficult to enjoy the beach.

4. Remote Australia: From Darwin to Adelaide (Exploring the Red Centre)
This route through the Red Center is ideal for those looking for Australia of the movies, the one of the endless OutbackAlthough I would recommend it more for a second or third trip through the country than for a first visit, I think it's one of the best road trips in Australia because It's a very special itinerary, unlike anywhere else in the world..
Crossing the country is to confront the immensity of the red earth. kilometers and kilometers surrounded by absolute nothingnessStarting in Darwin, known as the route of Top end You can visit Kakadu National Park, home to Aboriginal paintings and countless crocodiles (the North is crocodile country!). The region also boasts crystal-clear natural hot springs, waterfalls, and pools, such as Katherine Hot Springs.
As you drive down the Stuart Highway towards the city center, the landscape turns red and wild. We've seen... dingoes, lots of kangaroos, and sunrises that give you goosebumps, especially in UluruThe absolute must-see at the Australian Red Centre, a true icon of the country and of Aboriginal culture. It's amazing to be there surrounded by an endless plain and see it emerge. a stone taller than the Eiffel Tower.
The journey ends by descending towards Adelaide, passing through crazy places like Coober Pedy, where people live underground to escape the heat.

When to take the best road trip in remote Australia?
It's a long route in terms of point-to-point distances, so it will depend on how much you're willing to drive in a day. At a minimum, dedicatecar15 days.
☀️ The The best and almost only viable time is from May to AugustIn the Southern Hemisphere winter, you'll avoid the 45°C desert heat and the northern flood season.

5. The Southeast: From Sydney to Melbourne
This is the ideal route if you want to "see a lot in a short time" and enjoy two of Australia's coolest cities. Heading south from Sydney, you'll find gems like Royal National Park or Jervis Bay...which holds the record for the whitest sand in the world! Also, lots of charming coastal towns like Kiama or Narooma (where there's a colony of sea lions 🦭)
One place that stole our hearts was Wilsons PromontoryIt's a spectacular national park where we saw our first wombat in the wild and lots of kangaroos. It has mountain trails, dunes, and white sand beaches. We have an article about it. Day-by-day account of this road trip from Sydney to Melbourne in case you're interested.
You can extend the itinerary by a few days by doing the Great Ocean Roadto reach the famous cliffs of the Twelve Apostles and the Great Otway National Parkwhich is full of eucalyptus trees, which means…koalasWe even saw seven in a single day!

What's the best time to travel from Sydney to Melbourne?
The route from Sydney to Melbourne is One of the best road trips in Australia to do at any time of yearFrom October to March, the temperatures are more pleasant and the days are long, perfect for enjoying the beaches and the summery pace of the cities. But it's also a good option at other times of the year. The 🐋whale season It runs from the beginning of June to the end of October.
I would recommend 8 days on the road, plus as many as you want to dedicatecar Sydney and Melbourne are must-sees, as they are cities with plenty to see. Also, set aside two extra days if you plan to drive the Great Ocean Road.

6. South Australia: From Melbourne to Adelaide and its Peninsulas
South Australia is completely overlooked by tourists, and we honestly don't understand why. For me, it's definitely one of the best road trips in Australia. Abundant wildlife, beautiful landscapes, turquoise beaches, pink lakes, remote areas, spectacular campsites… You couldn't ask for more! But if you also start your trip in Melbourne, you can also explore the famous carThe coastal road "The Great Ocean Road" and of course enjoy visiting Melbourne, our favorite city in Australia.
Depending on how much time you have, you can make different variations to lengthen or shorten it. The most complete option is the one I've included on the map below. travel the entire coast from Melbourne to AdelaideBut then get to know the three peninsulas that make up the state of South Australia: Fleurieu, Yorke and our favorite, the Eyre Peninsula.
This Australian road trip is best enjoyed in a campervan, at a leisurely pace, stopping wherever you like. Here you go. Some of the best places for you to check out and start falling in love with the areaUmpherston Sinkhole, Kangaroo Island, the Barossa Valley vineyards, Sellicks Beach, Berry Bay, Flaherty Beach, Macdonnell's pink lake, and Perlubie Beach. And of course, the entire Twelve Apostles area along the Great Ocean Road.

When to take a road trip through South Australia?
☀️ The The best time is from October to MarchDuring the Southern Hemisphere spring and summer, the temperatures are perfect for enjoying the sea, and the days are very long. During the winter, it's quite cold, especially at night.
To complete the entire route you will need have at least three weeksbut you can shorten it to the 10 days to travel from Melbourne to Adelaide and explore the surroundings of both cities.

7. Circular route through Tasmania
Tasmania is Australia's best-kept secret. We couldn't go during our Big Lap trip (it's still on our list!), but many others have. They told us it's one of the best things in Australia. And it looks very much like New Zealand. And if that's the case, we have no doubt that it's spectacular, because New Zealand It's one of the countries we've most enjoyed exploring. So we couldn't leave it out of our list of the best road trips in Australia.
Being a circular route, it's super easy to plan, starting and ending in Hobart, the state capital. Some must-sees include Cradle Mountain, the orange sand beaches of Bay of Fires, and Wineglass Bay. It's a paradise for lovers of trekking and wild animals.because the famous Tasmanian Devil lives here and it's very easy to come across wombats.
It's a very different Australia. greener and wilder, full of mountains and trails.

When should you take a road trip to Tasmania?
To explore the island, the ideal thing to do is to dedicatecarle minimum 10 days, preferably about 15 if you want to do several hiking routes.
☀️ The The best time is from December to MarchIt's when the weather is most pleasant and the days are longest. Even in summer, the temperature is quite cool. Oh! And you can see the Southern Lights.

Tips to prepare your road trip by Australia
After several months living in the carRetera, here are some tips that will surely help you:
- Be mindful of the weather (even in summer): Don't be fooled. In the south, especially around Melbourne, the Great Ocean Road, or Tasmania, an icy wind can blow straight from Antarctica and leave you frozen, even in the middle of January. Always keep a warm layer handy!
- Apps that save your life: Download Spy Gas To compare gasoline prices; in remote areas the price literally doubles. For accommodation, CamperMate It's the bible: it tells you where there are free and paid campsites, showers, and even where to refill your water.
- Real disconnection: As soon as you leave major cities, coverage disappears or is very weak. There are stretches of the West Coast or the Outback where you'll have no signal all day. Download offline maps from Google Maps or use Maps.me.
- The luggage drama: If you rent a van, Don't bring hard-sided suitcasesWe've seen so many people renting campervans and not knowing where to put their suitcases. Use backpacks or soft-sided suitcases that you can fold and store in any corner. Space in a van is precious.
Car or Van?
This is the eternal question. My advice after traveling around the country is that It depends a lot on the area And as much comfort as you need, they are undoubtedly different experiences.
- To do in car + hotels: I recommend Tasmania, the East Coast and the Sydney to Melbourne routeThere are plenty of towns, cities, and accommodation options, making it convenient and easy. Plus, there are very few free campsites along the east coast.
- Things to do in a campervan: Undoubtedly, the West Coast, the route from Perth to Esperance, South Australia, and the Red Centre towards DarwinThis is where you experience the true essence of remote Australia and enjoy camper life: waking up to the sea or under the stars in remote places where there are hardly any hotels.
Of course, all of these can be done by van or carcarvan or car, those are just some general recommendations.
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Thank you for reading! We hope you enjoyed this article. helped and inspired to take a road trip through AustraliaThis blog has more articles with practical information for traveling Australia on its ownFrom the best beaches, diving, activities and 4x4 routes, to guides on how to do it cheaply and of course more information on the best road trips in Australia.
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