Australia is huge, and that's the problem when you're planning a road trip. Sydney to Perth is further than London to Moscow, so trying to see everything in one go usually means a lot of time behind the wheel and not much time at the beach.
The good news is that the best road trips in Australia are each pretty manageable on their own. Pick one or two that suit your time, the season and the kind of trip you want, and you'll see far more than if you try to drive the whole map. Here are the routes we'd put at the top of the list, with how long to allow and where to pick up your campervan.
How to choose your Australian road trip
Three things decide which route works best for you: how much time you have, when you're travelling and whether you want a loop or a one way trip.
- Time: a week is enough for one region, like Tasmania or the Great Ocean Road. Two to three weeks opens up the long coastal drives.
- Season: the south is best from roughly November to April, while the tropical north is at its best in the dry season, from about May to October.
- Loop or one way: one way hire lets you cover a long coast without driving back, though some routes carry a one way fee.
Our month-by-month guide goes into more detail on timing.
Best time to hire a campervan in Australia→1. Sydney to Cairns: the east coast classic
This is the road trip most backpackers picture: surf towns, the Whitsundays and the Great Barrier Reef, with plenty of campsites and other travellers along the way. It's roughly 2,400 km if you follow the coast, so two to three weeks is comfortable.
- Pick up: Sydney. Drop off: Cairns, or do it in reverse
- Highlights: Port Macquarie, Byron Bay, Noosa, K'gari (Fraser Island) by tour, Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays, Mission Beach
- Best for: first-timers, groups of friends, anyone with a few weeks
2. Brisbane to Sydney: the Pacific coast
If you've only got a week, the stretch between Brisbane and Sydney packs a lot in. Byron Bay, Yamba, Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie are all on the way, and it's an easy one way trip in either direction.
Brisbane to Sydney campervan itinerary→3. Sydney to Melbourne along the coast
The inland Hume Highway is the fast way. The coast road is the good way. It takes you past Jervis Bay's white beaches, the South Coast towns and Wilsons Promontory, with seals, lakes and quiet campsites along the way. Allow five to seven days.
4. The Great Ocean Road
The Great Ocean Road runs 243 km along Victoria's southwest coast, past surf beaches, rainforest and the Twelve Apostles. You can drive it in a long weekend from Melbourne, or continue to Adelaide for a five to seven day one way trip.
Great Ocean Road campervan itinerary→5. A Tasmania loop
Tasmania is small enough to loop in seven to ten days, and it squeezes in a huge amount: Wineglass Bay, the Bay of Fires, Cradle Mountain and some of Australia's best food. Distances are short, so you spend more time out of the van.
6. The Red Centre
Alice Springs to Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon is the outback trip most people dream about. Four to seven days is enough. It's best from about April to September, when days are warm and nights are cold.
Red Centre campervan itinerary→7. The Top End
Darwin, Litchfield and Kakadu are all about waterfalls, wetlands and wildlife. Go in the dry season, roughly May to October, when roads and swimming spots are open. Five to seven days covers the main loop.
Top End campervan itinerary→8. Western Australia: South West and Coral Coast
WA has two very different road trips. Head south from Perth for Margaret River's wineries, surf beaches and tall forests, or north to Shark Bay, Ningaloo Reef and eventually Broome. The northern run is long, so allow 10 to 14 days.
Quick comparison
| Road trip | Time to allow | Best months | Start |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney to Cairns | 2–3 weeks | Apr–Oct (north), Sep–May (south) | Sydney or Cairns |
| Brisbane to Sydney | 5–8 days | Most of the year | Brisbane or Sydney |
| Sydney to Melbourne (coast) | 5–7 days | Oct–Apr | Sydney or Melbourne |
| Great Ocean Road | 3–7 days | Dec–Mar | Melbourne |
| Tasmania loop | 7–10 days | Nov–Apr | Hobart or Launceston |
| Red Centre | 4–7 days | Apr–Sep | Alice Springs |
| Top End | 5–7 days | May–Oct | Darwin |
| Perth to Broome | 10–14 days | May–Sep | Perth or Broome |
Seasons are a guide only. Check the Bureau of Meteorology and road conditions before you set off, especially in the north during the wet season.
Bureau of Meteorology weather and warnings→Tips for any Australian road trip
- Plan shorter driving days than you think. Two to four hours a day leaves time to actually stop.
- Avoid driving at dawn, dusk and night in country areas, when wildlife is most active.
- Fill up whenever you can in remote areas. Fuel stops can be hundreds of kilometres apart.
- Book popular campsites and holiday parks ahead in school holidays.
- Download offline maps, as mobile reception drops out in many regional areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best road trip in Australia?
For a first trip, Sydney to Cairns is the most popular. For a shorter trip, the Great Ocean Road or a Tasmania loop are hard to beat.
How long do you need for an Australian road trip?
A week is enough for one region. Two to three weeks lets you do a long coastal route like Sydney to Cairns.
Can I do a one way campervan hire in Australia?
Yes. One way hire is common between major cities, though some routes have a one way fee.
When is the best time for a road trip in Australia?
It depends on where you go. The south is best from about November to April, and the tropical north from about May to October.
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