Start the engine on your Winnebago motorhome, or hitch your caravan to your Toyota Landcruiser, because it’s time for a road trip. But, where are we going? Indeed, Australia offers some of the best road trips and destinations of the world. Today, we would like to highlight some of the best RV and caravan routes Australia has to offer.
Before setting out on any long road trips, make sure you’re adequately supplied. Camp grounds and rest stops may be few and far between, especially in the Outback. So, pack plenty of extra food and water, prescription medicine, clothing and a few jerry cans of fuel, just in case there are no petrol stations nearby.
1. Adelaide to Darwin via Uluru
Length: ± 3800 km
Minimum Recommended Time: 14-21 days
Drive the Stuart Highway, straight through the red centre of Australia for the ultimate dessert tour, dotted with many famous natural landmarks and curious townships and rest stops. When you arrive at Uluru, allocate a few days to enjoy the nearby sights, such as Kings Canyon and Kata Tjuta. At Alice Springs, take the opportunity to rest up and restock on supplies. But, before you leave, the MacDonnell Ranges are a must see. The road to Darwin offers lots of campgrounds and small townships that let you experience local and Aboriginal culture. When you’re close to reaching Darwin, take one last detour to Kakadu National Park.
Alternative routes: The desert roads of the outback offer little to no alternative routes. However, in and around Alice Springs and Uluru you have some flexibility to plan out an alternative route depending on the sights you want to visit.
2. Cairns to Broome via the Savannah Way
Length: ± 4000 km
Minimum Recommended Time: 14-21 days
Travel across three States on the famous Savannah Way. Start by making your way across northern Queensland to Normanton. Along the way, you’ll encounter the Undara Volcanic National Park and many small townships in close proximity. Between Normanton and Katherine are a plethora of national parks and small townships, such as Daly Waters and its famous outback pub. From Katherine to Broome, you’ll witness the exquisite Kimberly region and at Broome, your final destination, many attractions await you, such as the oldest functioning open-air cinema in the world.
Alternative routes: Northern Queensland has lots flood plains and should only be traversed during the dry season (May to September). During the wet season, start by driving south towards Townsville, then making your way westwards through outback Queensland towards Cloncurry (this will add approx. 80 kms).
NB: Burke Development Road, Roper Highway and Gibb River Road should be avoided. These roads are prone to flooding and are largely unsealed.
3. Adelaide to Melbourne via Great Ocean Road
Length: ± 1000 km
Minimum Recommended Time: 7-14 days
Drive along Victoria’s south coast on Australia’s National Heritage listed highway: The Great Ocean Road. Start by visiting Hahndorf, a small township with rooted with German heritage, and the surrounding regions renowned for their wineries such as McLaren Vale and Eden Valley. Just after you cross the border into Victoria is Cape Bridgewater, with sights of blowholes, and the township of Portland. Further down the road is Warrnambool, marking the start of the Great Ocean Road, with its breathtaking views of the coast, including the iconic 12 Apostles, just off Port Campbell National Park. Torquay marks the end of the Great Ocean Road and a little farther north is Geelong. Only a few kilometres north-east and you will arrive in Melbourne.
Alternative Routes: Many choose to do this trip in reverse, so that the coast is on the driver’s side. If you’re planning to take things slowly, there’s the 12 Apostle’s Gourmet Trail between Port Campbell and Princeton. Indulge in some of Australia’s finest cheese, wine, chocolate, whiskey and ice-cream. Just make sure you have a designated driver.
4. Melbourne to Canberra to Sydney
Length: ± 1200 km
Minimum Recommended Time: 7-14 days
Journey between two iconic Australian cities whilst making a stop at the nation’s capital, along with small, local townships and national parks. Before setting off, start by exploring the attractions on the outskirts of Melbourne, such as the Yarra Valley and Phillip island. A little farther out is Wilson’s Promontory, the southern-most tip of the Australian continent. Paynesville, the boating capital of Victoria, is a worthwhile stop as well as Lakes Entrance. From there, you can either head north through the Snowy Mountains towards Jindabyne, or go further east, to Orbost or Cann River before heading north. Whichever route you take, you’ll end up in Cooma before arriving in Canberra. From Canberra, travel north-east and stop by Goulbourn before heading towards Wollongong. On the final stretch towards Sydney, the iconic Sea Cliff Bridge is a must see.
Alternative routes: At Goulbourn, instead of driving to Wollongong, you can take the backroads towards Lithgow and Katoomba to visit the Blue Mountains National Park and see the Three Sisters (this will add, approx. 150km). You can also forgo visiting the nation's capitol and drive along the coast instead to visit the townships of Tathra and Bega with Jarvis Bay further up the coast, famous for its white sandy beaches (the distance is more or less the same).