9 epic photos to fuel your road trip wanderlust
Nothing spells freedom like the open road. Let these epic photos inspire your next adventure and ignite your travel dreaming.
The Pinnacles, an awe-inspiring natural collection of limestone stacks, is just one of the many stops along the more than 1,000km (645mi) road trip from Perth to Esperance. The drive, also called the Great South West Edge, offers everything from urban exploring and winery touring to coastal cruising and forest escapes. The beach paradise of Esperance, close to the sunbathing kangaroos of Lucky Bay, belongs on your bucket list.
When it comes to picture-perfect roads, it’s hard to compete with the one bordering Lake MacDonnell on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula. Sometimes called Watermelon Avenue, this narrow track divides the pink waters of Lake MacDonnell with the neighbouring blue-green waterscape. You can make Lake MacDonnell your final destination from Adelaide, or continue cross-country along the Nullarbor.
Tropical adventures don’t come more picturesque than the 300km (186mi) Great Barrier Reef Drive. Following the Queensland coast, you’ll have the world’s largest reef system on one side and the Daintree Rainforest on the other. Stop along the way to snorkel in Port Douglas and learn about Aboriginal culture in the ancient rainforest. The drive only takes a day or two at a leisurely pace, but you’re sure to want to stay longer.
As our largest state, Western Australia has countless destinations to explore. Be amazed by the wide-open spaces on the 9-day Road to the Rock road trip, which leads from Perth to the massive Mount Augustus and back again. Stop by charming roadside restaurants, explore ancient Aboriginal rock art and venture into Australia’s Golden Outback. Plan your adventure during spring to add colourful fields of wildflowers to your agenda.
There are no wrong turns on our island state of Tasmania, but the treasures to be found on the 176km (109mi) Great Eastern Drive are especially spectacular. Tracing Tassie’s East Coast from Hobart to the Bay of Fires, taste your way through immersive seafood experiences and unique cellar doors in towns bordering pristine beaches. Be sure to leave extra time to wander off the main road and enjoy the region’s hidden gems.
Queensland’s Whitsundays region is brimming with tiny towns and coastal hubs. Head north from Airlie Beach to find Cape Gloucester, a beautiful spot with tall palm trees, secret coves and sweeping views of the Coral Sea. Clocking in at just under a one-hour drive, this route can be made into a day trip, or continue on to Townsville and Cairns for a reef and rainforest getaway.
In need of some coastal bliss? There’s no better place to find it than along the Great Ocean Road, a seaside road trip full of sweeping views, free-roaming wildlife and laidback Aussie towns. Begin in Melbourne to find the start of the road in the surfing capital of Torquay, then drive all the way to its end in Port Fairy. You don't have to stop here; you can extend your trip to South Australia's festival city of Adelaide.
There’s something uniquely special about the red earth and vast plains of Australia's outback. Coasting down the Stuart Highway in the Northern Territory, it’s just you, the open road and the quiet beauty of the desert. For an epic journey, take the route all the way from Darwin to Adelaide, stopping at iconic destinations like Kakadu, Uluru, and Alice Springs.
Nestled halfway between Sydney and Melbourne, Canberra is a worthy addition to anyone’s road trip itinerary. Take the scenic coastal route from Sydney to Canberra – a drive of about five hours – to discover urban breweries, cool-climate wines, world-renowned museums and amazing mountain biking opportunities.
