Road trips are great for spontaneous holidays, but it’s important to budget for fuel costs. Here are the best fuel saving tips for road trips and long drives.
Road Trip
The best Australian road trips to tick off your bucket list
With its sweeping highways, rugged coastlines, outback landscapes and vibrant regional towns, travelling by car unlocks a freedom that no other mode of transport can quite match.
Australia is a country built for road trips. Whether you're hugging the shoreline of the Great Ocean Road, weaving through rainforests in Far North Queensland or tackling the vast open stretches of the Nullarbor Plain, Aussie road trips prove that the journey is just as memorable as the destination.
Whether you're driving an electric car, SUV, or ute or towing a caravan, ensure that your car is prepared and safe, pack an emergency car safety kit, and update your emergency roadside assistance plan. Download the VicEmergency app to your phone to check for official bushfire and extreme weather warnings. RACV Members can access information about fuel prices and EV charging stations via the RACV App.
RACV Members save on a range of activities and experiences across Australia
The most iconic Australian road trips
Great Ocean Road, Victoria
Is there a more iconic road trip in Victoria than the one along the Great Ocean Road? No matter how many times you do it, that rugged coastline never gets old. Winding for more than 240 kilometres from Torquay to Allansford, this stretch of Victoria’s south-west coast is world-renowned for its dramatic scenery.
From Melbourne, make your way to the coastal town of Torquay, Victoria's surfing capital, where you can surf at famous Bells Beach, hike the Surf Coast Walk, hit the surf outlets and catch some shut-eye at the RACV Torquay Resort.
Continue along the Great Ocean Road to Lorne and Apollo Bay: this section of the drive hugs cliffs and curves above crashing surf, offering some of the most exhilarating motoring in the country. Don't miss the Twelve Apostles. These towering limestone stacks rising from the Southern Ocean that are one of Australia's most photographed landmarks. There are seven not 12, the name being a quirky way to attract tourists. Six of them are visible from the main viewing platform, near Princetown, while the seventh is located several metres away from the corner of the main viewing platform, towards Port Campbell.
Explore waterfalls, rainforests and glow worm colonies in the Great Otway National Park before finishing in the historic town of Warrnambool, where you can spot whales from June to September and go for a dip at the Deep Blue Hot Springs.
Great Ocean Road travel tips
Allow at least two to three days to do the trip justice. While it can technically be driven in a day, the real joy lies in slowing down, exploring the towns and walking some of the coastal tracks. Spring and autumn offer milder weather and less crowds than peak summer.
The Great Ocean Road is arguably Australia's most famous road trip. Image: Visit Victoria
Red Centre Way, NT
The Red Centre Way is the ultimate road trip for those who want to immerse themselves in Australia's desert heart. Starting from Alice Springs, this loop covers Uluru, Kata Tjuta, Kings Canyon and the West MacDonnell Ranges.
In Alice Springs, you can explore Aboriginal art at the many galleries, meet lizards at the Alice Springs Reptile Centre, see baby kangaroos at The Kangaroo Sanctuary, go for a camel ride and much more.
From Alice Springs, head towards Simpsons Gap to spot native wildlife from the cliff tops above. Further along, the West MacDonnell Ranges National Park offers swimming holes like Ormiston Gorge and Ellery Creek Big Hole for some welcome relief from the desert heat.
Swing down to Kings Canyon for a stunning rim walk offering jaw-dropping views over sandstone cliffs and desert landscapes. Explore Kings Creek Station before continuing on to Uluru: the heart of the Red Centre. This cultural and spiritual icon of Australia is best experienced at sunrise and sunset. Make sure to drive out to Kata Tjuta (The Olgas), massive domed rock formations with challenging walks like the Valley of the Winds, before you head home.
Red Centre Way travel tips
Many sections of the Red Centre Way require a 4WD, especially if you want to take the Mereenie Loop. Respect Indigenous culture and always stick to marked tracks and visitor guidelines.
If you're up for it, you can even drive all the way from Melbourne to Darwin, tackling the Red Centre Way in the middle.
You'll need a 4WD to tackle the Red Centre Way's Mereenie Loop. Image: Destination NT
Great Eastern Drive, Tasmania
Tasmania's Great Eastern Drive captures the island state's pristine coastlines and gourmet culture. Starting from Hobart, the route follows the east coast for around 300 kilometres to Bay of Fires.
Along the way, travellers can pause in the Georgian village of Richmond, admire the historic site of Port Arthur and then trace the Tasman Peninsula with its towering sea cliffs. Further north, the Freycinet Peninsula reveals Wineglass Bay, a beach often ranked among the world's most beautiful. Its crystal-clear water, pink granite peaks and white sand justifies the small detour. Small towns such as Swansea and Bicheno invite travellers to linger, with seafood shacks, local vineyards and wildlife encounters ranging from fairy penguins to wombats.
Because Tasmania is compact, it is possible to drive the route in a day, but the real pleasure lies in stretching it over several and allowing time for walks, tastings and quiet coastal moments. Cap off your trip with a stay at the RACV Hobart Hotel.
Great Eastern Drive travel tips
You can hire a car in Hobart or bring your own aboard the Spirit of Tasmania ferry. Tasmania's roads are often narrow and winding, so allow more time than GPS might suggest. Pack warm layers even in summer - the weather is unpredictable.
Bay of Fires has to be seen to be believed. Image: Tourism Australia
Grand Pacific Drive, NSW
Just south of Sydney, the Grand Pacific Drive is proof that not every great Australian road trip requires weeks of planning. This road trip combines natural spectacle with ease, making it an ideal weekend escape for Sydneysiders or visitors short on time.
This 140-kilometre route begins in the Royal National Park, one of the world's oldest, before unfolding onto the famous Sea Cliff Bridge. Suspended above the waves, the bridge offers the thrill of driving seemingly over open ocean.
The road then threads through coastal towns such as Kiama, where the blowhole spouts seawater high into the air, and Shellharbour, which is home to safe swimming beaches and relaxed cafés.
The drive continues through rolling hills and farmland to the Shoalhaven region, known for its vineyards and white-sand beaches.
The Sea Cliff Bridge is famous for its thrilling beauty. Image: Getty
The Nullarbor Plain, SA & WA
The drive across the Nullarbor Plain is one of Australia's great continental crossings. Running more than 1,200 kilometres between Ceduna in South Australia and Norseman in Western Australia, the route follows the Eyre Highway across treeless plains that stretch to the horizon.
Travellers on the Nullarbor Plain encounter the country's longest straight stretch of road: 146 kilometres without a single bend! Yet monotony never quite sets in, because the landscape carries its own stark beauty.
Whale watchers can stop at the Head of Bight between May and October to see southern right whales close to shore, while others might detour to coastal cliffs that plunge dramatically into the Southern Ocean.
Nullarbor Plain travel tips
This adventure is best enjoyed in winter to avoid the worst of the desert heat. Preparation is essential, with spare tyres, water and fuel supplies a must. Roadhouses will provide essential fuel, food and accommodation.
Rather take a train than drive? The Indian Pacific spans from Sydney to Perth, crossing the vast Nullarbor Plain along the way.
The Nullarbor Plain's 90 Mile Straight is the longest straight road in Australia. Image: Getty
Gibb River Road, WA
Those seeking a more rugged adventure should look to the Gibb River Road, a 660-kilometre track through the Kimberley in Western Australia. Originally built for cattle transport, the road now serves as a legendary four-wheel drive experience.
The trip starts at the famed Cable Beach in Broome, where you can go hiking through the Winjana Gorge National Park - keep an eye out for crocodiles!
Along the length of the Gibb River Road are red rock ranges, hidden gorges and waterholes that invite weary drivers for a swim. Stops such as Bell Gorge, Windjana Gorge, Manning Gorge and Emma Gorge reveal the Kimberley at its most dramatic.
Make sure to go for a swim at Isdell River and see the 50,000-year-old Indigenous rock art near the Yallamia Pool of Upper Manning Gorge. Go fishing in Pentecost River, relax in the thermal Zebedee Springs, explore Lake Argyle and explore the World-Heritage-listed Purnululu National Park.
Gibb River Road travel tips
Travelling the Gibb requires a sturdy 4WD vehicle and plenty of supplies: fuel stops are few and far between. The road is only open during the dry season from May to October, as heavy rains in the wet can render it impassable.
You need a 4WD vehicle and plenty of supplies to tackle Gibb River Road. Image: Getty
Great Alpine Road, Victoria
In contrast to the outback, Victoria's Great Alpine Road brings motorists into mountain country. Stretching 339 kilometres from Wangaratta to Bairnsdale, it's Australia's highest sealed road and takes in everything from alpine resorts to vineyard-dotted valleys.
Bright is a highlight, particularly in autumn when its avenues blaze with colour, while Mount Hotham provides winter skiing and summer hiking. As the Great Alpine Road descends towards Gippsland, it passes through farmland and reaches the Gippsland Lakes, a vast inland waterway system ideal for boating and fishing.
Great Alpine Road travel tips
Check conditions before you depart, as snow can make alpine driving treacherous in winter. Spring and autumn are best for travelling the Great Alpine Road and enjoying vivid scenery.
Victoria's Great Alpine Road is especially pretty in spring and autumn. Image: Visit Victoria
The Savannah Way, QLD & WA
For those with serious time and stamina, the Savannah Way offers one of Australia's most ambitious drives. Running 3,700 kilometres from Cairns in Queensland to Broome in Western Australia, it traverses tropical rainforest, outback savannah and the rugged ranges of the Kimberley.
Highlights include the Undara Lava Tubes, ancient volcanic tunnels in Queensland; the Katherine Gorge in the Northern Territory, with its sheer sandstone walls and river cruises; and Lake Argyle in Western Australia, a massive man-made lake surrounded by ranges.
This is a journey that demands preparation and patience, but it rewards travellers with the unparalleled achievement of crossing an entire continent.
Savannah Way travel tips
A reliable 4WD is essential for large sections of the Savannah Way. Many parts of the route close in the wet season, so plan for the dry season (May to October). This trip is remote: you must carry spare tyres, plenty of water and reliable communication devices.
Savannah Way connects Cairns in Queensland to Broome in Western Australia. Image: Getty
Melbourne to Adelaide, VIC & SA
For an inland journey linking two state capitals, the inland route from Melbourne to Adelaide offers a rich blend of natural and cultural attractions.
Instead of taking the coastal Great Ocean Road, this trip moves west through the historic gold field town Ballarat, where you can explore theme parks like Sovereign Hill, Kryal Castle and the Ballarat Wildlife Park. You'll then stop off at Lake Bolac for a spot of fishing or swimming, before crossing to Dunkeld at the base of the Grampians.
Crossing into South Australia, travellers encounter the Coonawarra wine region, renowned for its red wines (particularly Cabernet Sauvignon). Further south lies Mount Gambier, where the Blue Lake fills a volcanic crater and changes colour with the seasons. By the time the road reaches Adelaide, the journey has stitched together mountains, wine country and geological wonders.
Melbourne to Adelaide travel tips
This is a flexible route that can be done in three days, or stretched longer with winery visits and national park hikes.
Stretch your legs with a walk around Dunkeld Arboretum in the Grampians. Image: Visit Victoria
Melbourne to Sydney, VIC & NSW
The coastal route from Melbourne to Sydney is one of the most varied drives in the country, stretching for about 1,050 kilometres and combining surf beaches, forests and fishing villages.
From Melbourne, the Princes Highway leads through Gippsland before reaching Lakes Entrance, where the Gippsland Lakes form the largest inland waterway system in the Southern Hemisphere. Further east, the Sapphire Coast of New South Wales offers towns such as Merimbula and Eden, where seafood is fresh and whale watching is a seasonal attraction.
The road winds on to Batemans Bay and Jervis Bay, where Hyams Beach lays claim to some of the whitest sand in the world. Finish up in Sydney, where you can explore cultural icons like the Sydney Opera House, Luna Park and the Museum of Contemporary Art.
If you prefer an inland route, opt for the Hume Highway from Melbourne to Sydney instead.
More: Best Australian 'Big Things' for ultimate East Coast road trip
Melbourne to Sydney travel tips
This trip can be driven in two or three days, but is best enjoyed over a week to allow time for detours into national parks and lazy afternoons by the water.
See Jervis Bay's beautiful beaches and national parks on a Melbourne to Sydney road trip. Image: Getty
Sydney to Byron Bay, NSW
Another classic Australian east coast road trip is the journey from Sydney to Byron Bay. Covering about 770 kilometres, the drive combines city escapes, beach holidays and hinterland exploration.
Leaving Sydney, travellers can detour into the Hunter Valley to sample one of Australia's premier wine regions before continuing to Port Stephens, known for its dolphins and dunes. Further north, Coffs Harbour combines family attractions with coastal scenery.
Byron Bay itself has become a cultural icon. Its beaches, markets and lighthouse walks draw visitors year-round, and the surrounding hinterland offers waterfalls and alternative communities that complete the picture.
Sydney to Byron Bay travel tips
Plan the trip over four to five days for a relaxed pace. Summer brings crowds to Byron, so consider shoulder seasons for a quieter experience. You can also drive from Melbourne to Byron Bay for a longer road trip.
Catch a sunrise at Byron Bay's lighthouse and enjoy the view. Image: Tourism Australia
Perth to Exmouth, WA
The journey from Perth to Exmouth along the Coral Coast is a road trip that rivals anything on Australia's east coast.
The route stretches more than 1,200 kilometres and brings travellers to marine parks, national wonders and some of the clearest water in the country. North of Perth, the Pinnacles Desert reveals limestone spires rising from golden sands, while Kalbarri National Park offers dramatic gorges and cliffs.
Further on, Monkey Mia has become famous for the wild dolphins that approach the shore, while Shark Bay and Coral Bay present pristine marine ecosystems. The ultimate highlight is Ningaloo Reef, a World Heritage site where visitors can swim with whale sharks, manta rays and turtles.
Perth to Exmouth travel tips
Take 10 days or more to enjoy this trip properly. Summer can be extremely hot, so the best travel time is between April and October.
