6 Of The Best Road Trips You Can Do Around Australia
Captain Morgan is Junkee's new Captain of Culture and he's about to make some captain's calls about everything you love.
While asphalt is no match for my beguiling matron, the Sea, I can admit there are some nice things about highways, freeways, and Old Town Roads.
Country pubs, with their reserves of rum and fellow buccaneers. Maps. Swathes of space that stretch as far as the eye can see. A wheel to steer to and fro. You get the picture.
And I must say, in my years of being marooned on land, my sea legs and I have become quite accustomed to Australia’s magnificent beauty. Simply nowhere else I’ve travelled has come close to the distinctive landscapes and alluring townspeople you’ll find here.
I’ve realised the best way to truly discover Australia’s land-based treasure is by docking your ship, jumping in your van, and hitting the open road. From the Sea Cliff Bridge to the Nullabor to the Ningaloo Reef and all the swings and roundabouts in between, check out six of my favourite great Australian road trips.
Great Ocean Road
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Or as I like to call it: The Great Ocean… Road. Obviously, I love this drive for its proximity to the sea – you can smell the fresh, salty air and gaze upon that cruel and charismatic body of water basically the entire time. Plus, it’s relatively easy to do in chunks, so Melbourne-based nine-to-fivers can experience its grandeur on any old weekend.
The Twelve Apostles, especially, are a highlight. Nice to be reminded of what a harsh and ceaseless toll the ocean can have on us all. Well, that and the chocolate and cheese shops to be conquered nearby.
Launceston To Hobart
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An island unto itself is a dream for a mischievous pirate like me. Tasmania’s East Coast is a wonderland of lush greenery, unique landscapes, and rugged shorelines ripe for the exploring.
Starting in Launceston, head south, stopping at places like St. Helens, the Bay of Fires, the Freycinet Peninsula, and Bruny Island. Along the way, be sure to sample as many fish and chip places as possible before hitting Hobart, where you can get the best in the country.
Cairns To Cape York
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Hold onto your hats for this one, seadogs. The Cairns to Cape York journey isn’t just a road trip – it’s a pilgrimage, taking you through some of Australia’s – and the world’s – greatest natural wonders. The Daintree! The Great Barrier Reef! Crocodiles! Arr!
I’d recommend setting aside at least 10 days to complete this behemoth, making sure you take ample time to stop and explore along the way. Expect to find red dirt in the folds of your buttons and belt buckles for weeks after.
The Nullarbor
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Bet you thought an ocean-dwelling pirate would hate the Nullabor. What with the long stretches of nothingness and dry, dry land. Wrong. Nullabor is Latin for “no trees”, and do you think the sea has any of those?
The trip is as much like a land voyage I’ve ever experienced. It’s unique and challenging, with verified legend status, and peppered with more hopping ground fish (“kangaroos”) than you can count. Plus, a quick sojourn from the road takes you to the Eyre Peninsula, which was enough to shiver me timbers in a good way.
Grand Pacific Drive
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As the name suggests, the Pacific Ocean truly is grand. So is the Sea Cliff Bridge – a snake-like bridge jutting off the edge of the coast and over the water. I fully endorse all to hoot and ho and holler while you drive over it. Or shut up and listen to some pensive guitar. Either, or.
Grand Pacific Drive is shorter than the rest of the road trips mentioned here but it’s a perfect weekend escape for Sydneysiders and visitors alike. Make sure you head past Wollongong and keep going all the way to Batemans Bay – stopping in at Bowral, the Kiama Blowhole, and Culburra Beach. I think I got scurvy from the Berry Donut Van. (Worth it.)
Perth To Ningaloo
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Once I ticked off the East Coast, I thought it was only fair to venture west and see what the other side of the country was up to. And thank Davy Jones I did, because the west doesn’t rhyme with “best” for nothing.
Starting in Perth, you’ll get to stop through Geraldton and Exmouth before finally landing at jaw-dropping Ningaloo, where the whale sharks will be waiting to say, “Arr, me hearty”.
This article originally appeared on Junkee.
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Be sure to keep up with my van life adventure on Instagram @captainmorganau.
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(Lead image: Weyne Yew / Unsplash)