Top 5 Greatest Drives in Australia
Maybe even more so than the United States, Australia is a road trip country. With its vast landscapes, long stretches of nothingness, gorgeous scenery, abundance of wildlife and a few iconic cities, the Land Down Under seems made for long drives into the sunset. A motorhome rental or campervan hire is simply ideal to see much of this enormous country and to explore the top 5 greatest drives in Australia. Driving in Australia, however, can also be utterly joyful, especially when you do the following awesome scenic drives in Australia.
Top 5 Greatest Drives in Australia
You can find scenic drives in Australia in every corner of the country. From the heart of the Red Centre to the deserted West Coast and Tasmania, glorious landscapes abound in Oz. Pick up your campervan hire or motorhome rental in a major city like Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide or Perth and go for a good old Australia road trip.
5. West Coast
The endless and empty Australian west coast makes for a sensational road trip. Especially if you’re looking for solitude, an Australian Wild West experience along with great beaches and water sports, this is where you should go. Start in Perth and head north. Plenty of attractions awaits you on the way, from the Pinnacles Desert in Nambung National Park and the red landscapes of Kalbarri National Park to the dolphins of Monkey Mia and the whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef.
4. Nullarbor Plain
One of the remotest scenic drives in Australia is the one across the vast Nullarbor Plain. Stretching for about 1,250 kilometers from South Australia to Western Australia, this enormous plain is the largest piece of limestone bedrock in the world. The road across is Australia’s longest, flattest and straightest. You will literally drive for hundreds of kilometers without taking any turns and without even the slightest change of scenery. There are some attractions along the way, though. These include the imposing Bunda Cliffs, a few iconic road signs and the Eucla Sand Dunes. Fuel, water and food is scarce and only available at roadhouses, located at various distances from one another.
3. Red Centre Way
Formerly known as the Mereenie Loop Road, the Red Centre Way is arguably the greatest Outback drive you can do in Australia. It’s an unpaved road and it’s recommended to drive it with a 4WD vehicle. The drive begins and ends in Alice Springs, the very heart of the Red Centre. It takes adventurers to nearly all major attractions in this vast region, including Uluru, Kings Canyon, Kata Tjuta and the West MacDonnell Ranges. Note that this is a long drive and will take you at least five days. Additionally, the Red Centre Way passes through Aboriginal country and you are, therefore, required to buy a (very cheap) permit.
2. Tasmania Circle Drive
Although this isn’t an officially designated scenic drive, the Tasmania Circle Drive is essentially a combination of the A3 and A10 highways on the island, along with a few other roads. Together, they form a glorious loop around Tasmania. It is a truly phenomenal drive that takes you to Launceston and Hobart, through stunning mountain landscapes and along gorgeous coasts. It also takes in several Tasmania national parks, such as Freycinet, Mount Field and Cradle Mountain – Lake St. Clair. Set aside two full weeks for this epic drive.
1. Great Ocean Road
Australia’s most famous road has to be the Great Ocean Road. Running for 243 kilometers along the breathtaking coast of Victoria, it’s the most popular of all scenic drives in Australia. It was constructed as an employment project for World War I veterans and dedicated to those who lost their lives during the war. It’s the largest war memorial in the world. The Great Ocean Road winds its way from Torquay to Allansford, passing through Great Otway National Park and along the Twelve Apostles and other striking coastal formations.