Taking a Road Trip in Australia
There are few things more exciting than a road trip. Australia has more adventure packed inside its borders than you can shake a stick at and the best way to see as much as you can is to pack several destinations into one holiday, right?
Australia has several ‘set’ road trip routes, so to find the best ones for you, you need to know first how much time you have, and what’s best suited to your vehicle – that campervan might squeeze in a lot of friends, but it won’t do you any good going off road in the Outback.
A good all-rounder like the affordable Subaru Impreza might be your best option – something with all-wheel drive and a good ANCAP safety rating. Automatic stop-start is a plus too, and will save you a bit of petrol – something you’ll be glad of if you’re going a long way. iPod connectivity will provide the entertainment on the long, boring stretches.
Here are some great routes to get you thinking about where you want to go:
Short: The Great Alpine Road (308km)
This one starts in Wangaratta and takes you all the way to Bairnsdale, Gippsland. It takes in some beautiful mountain scenery and offers plenty to do along the way. Whether you’re after high-octane action like skydiving or something a bit more sedate such as wine tasting, this is one to consider.
Medium: The Sydney Melbourne Coastal Drive (1270km)
If the ocean is more your thing and you’re after something a bit longer than the Alpine Road, have a look at this one. It takes in Melbourne, Jervis Bay and Montague Island with plenty of opportunity along the way for snorkelling, diving, and sampling the famous seafood.
Insane: Highway 1 (24,000km!)
Highway 1 is the longest highway in the world and will take you right round the edge of Australia. At 24,000km, this one is for the serious road-tripper only. Many people do one leg at a time, but if you want to do the whole thing at once you’d better set aside nine months or so!
