Australia boasts 7.69 million square kilometers of land and over 36,000 kilometers of coastline. It features a number of spectacular road trips, ranging from drives that last a few hours to routes that take days to complete. Before you head out there are a few things to take care of to ensure you are ready for your journey.
Photo Credit: Unsplash
Get Insurance
If you’re Australian, check your car Insurance. Make sure you have the right coverage for all of your needs. Make sure any friends or family that will be sharing driving duties are insured to drive your vehicle. International visitors will need to present the required documentation to buy car insurance. Before you go, find international travel insurance with iSelect.
Research Your Routes
There are some desolate stretches of road with limited facilities. It is important to know when you will be entering a prolonged stretch of isolated road so that you fill-up with gas, drinking water, and any other supplies you need. It’s also a good idea to know what sites are near or on your route so that you don’t miss seeing places of interest.
Invest In Photo Storage
Pictures and videos are a great way to preserve your memories but they can consume a lot of storage space on your phone. Buy a device with one Terabyte of private photo storage before you leave so you can automatically secure all your photos. You will not need to spend time emailing or uploading photos between sites so that you have enough room to take more pictures.
Seven Australian Road Trips Worth Taking
1. The Red Center
Traveling from Alice Springs gives you a chance to see the center of the country. The journey from Alice Springs to Uluru takes 4.5 hours. You can also plan your route to include a stop at Kings Canyon in Watarkka National Park. Whether you opt to watch the sunrise from Kings Canyon or dine beneath the stars, it’s worth taking the time to visit.
2. Coast to Coast
You will get a chance to travel the 3700 kilometers from east to west coast on a road trip from Cairns to Broome. This is an excellent trip for those looking for a long journey and will give you a chance to visit several sites, including World Heritage areas, National Parks, and several beaches. Visitors to Cairns will also want to check out the Great Barrier Reef.
3. Undara Lava Tubes
It takes four hours to drive to the Undara Lava Tubes from Cairns. This is an excellent day or weekend trip for those who are looking for a shorter road trip. The tubes are the remains of a lava flow from one volcano and are one of the longest lava tube networks on earth. Local tours give you a chance to see the tubes up close. You can also see wildlife at Undara National Park.
4. Sydney To Brisbane
Photo Credit: Unsplash
The drive from Sydney to Brisbane takes approximately 10 hours. It’s a well-populated route with plenty of towns and beaches to see along the way. Newcastle has a lighthouse, museum, and several beaches. With 26 beaches, Port Stephens offers whale and dolphin watching tours. You can also explore the local sand dunes.
5. Victoria’s Southern Coast
Melbourne is the capital of the southern state of Victoria and the center point in the 250-kilometer road trip from Torquay to Warrnambool. This is a trip that can easily be done in a day but offers much to see and do. Famous landmarks include the 12 Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge. Port Campbell National Park boasts a stunning coastline.
6. The Center Line
The trip from Adelaide to Alice Springs takes 16 hours and takes travelers from the southern coast to the center of the continent. North from Glendambo, there are no gas stations until you reach Coober Pedy. It is common to see kangaroos and emus on this drive. Visit the opal mines in Coober Pedy and Uluru, the sacred sandstone monolith in the Red Center.
7. The West Coast
Photo Credit: Unsplash
Perth is the most remote city in the world. Adventures can travel the 2241 kilometers from Perth to Broome and take in some of the most breathtaking scenery Australia has to offer. Those who want to see koalas and kangaroos can head to Yanchep National Park, which is a short drive from Perth. The Pinnacles and Juerin Bay are notable landmarks to visit on this journey.
