Aussie road trips

Hit the highway and enjoy a wheely great getaway!

1 FOODIE FAVE

Grampians Way, Vic Cruise the Grampians Way through Victoria’s lush Grampians National Park – this is one of Australia’s best (and most beautiful) under-the-radar road trips. The 285km ring route circling the national park is also a paradise for foodies and wine lovers – overnight stop-offs are highly recommended. You can visit Seppelt Great Western winery, grab a bite to eat in historic Stawell, enjoy fine dining at Dunkeld’s Royal Mail Hotel) and check out Halls Gap Zoo or sensational Mackenzie Falls. visitgrampians.com.au

ROAD TRIP 2 REBOOT

Sydney-melbourne S Coastal Drive, NSW & Vic Take your time to do this 1100km trip and enjoy stop-offs in Kiama, Jervis Bay, Narooma, Pambula, Eden and more. Swing by Croajinolong National Park before reaching Melbourne via Wilsons Promontory, the southernmost tip of Australia’s mainland. Rolling hills, rugged coastline, cute beachside towns... it’s not called the scenic route for nothing! sydneytomelbourne touring.com

4 CROSSING THE COUNTRY

Outback Way, Qld, NT & WA This epic overland route goes all the way from Cairns in tropical Queensland to the WA capital Perth via Winton, Alice Springs, Uluru and Laverton, but shorter stints are possible on what’s known as “Australia’s Longest Shortcut” (and also our “Route 66”). Made up of various connecting roads and covering 4615km of gravel and sealed roads, the Outback Way journey is the bucket-list road trip – and the perfect way to explore the very heart of Australia. outbackway.org.au

3 TASSIE TASTER

Hobart To Gordon Dam, Tas Ddo-ablebl iin a dday, thithis 168km journey west from Hobart meanders through snow-capped mountains, via Lake Pedder and Strathgordon in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. At the dam, check out incredible views from the lookout. Adrenaline junkies can abseil the 140m Gordon Dam wall. discovertasmania.com.au

5 TROPIC TREAT

Great Tropical Drive, Qld Cooktown to tt Townsville ill via i palm-fringed l fi d Mission Mi i Beach... B simply stunning. This 1545km route offers rainforest, tropi-casual Cairns, 13 shorter Tropical Discovery Trails and Great Barrier Reef sidetrips. Explore Indigenous culture, see wildlife (the Turtle Hospital at Townsville’s Reef HQ is a must) and enjoy fab food (brekkie BBQS on Bramston Beach, sunset dining at Nautilus in Port Douglas). The Drive North Queensland app has more info. drivenorthqueensland.com.au