3 Australian Road Trips For Summer

Sun-soaked days and star-filled nights, punctuated by pastel sunsets… Australian summers are spectacular, and there’s no better way to celebrate them than with a road trip.

Here are three of the finest drives across our island home.

Cairns to Cape York

Tempting as it is to stay in tropical Cairns forever, 1000 kilometres further north lies unmissable Cape York – and the drive is as rewarding as the destination.

Stop first in picture-perfect Port Douglas, an hour up the coast. Here, The Daintree Rainforest kisses the Great Barrier Reef, enveloping visitors in butterfly-filled tree canopies and azure, fish-filled seas.

Travel through to Bramwell station via Lockhart River, where indigenous art reflects the magnificent rainforest and pristine beaches.

After Bramwell, it’s six hours to Bamaga, where you can camp in complete serenity before tackling the tip.

Finally, you’ll reach the sign that tells you you’re at the Northernmost point of Australia, which boasts unmatched fishing, fascinating crocodile encounters, ancient culture and an awe-inspiring sense of remoteness.

Good to know: This epic journey’s for adventurous four-wheel drivers only. Allow 10 days each way!

Grand Pacific Drive

Short but sweet, this three-hour trip from Sydney to the Southern Highlands begins with escaping the city for the Royal National Park, setting you on a winding path through cliff-hemmed bushland overlooking the sparkling sea.

Stop at Bald Hill Lookout and walk the Sea Cliff Bridge to spot manta rays in the crystal-clear Pacific Ocean below; pause for a dip in the Austinmer Beach tidal pool, then unwind in the relaxed seaside town of Wollongong.

One unmissable highlight of this trip is ‘The Farm’ in Shellharbour, where 260 hectares of incredible coast and rainforest play host to seabirds, fish and protected marine life.

Continue on and you’ll arrive in gorgeous Kiama, home to a gourmet foodie scene and the powerful Kiama blowhole.

Good to know: The Farm is more than a pretty spot to stop, it also welcomes campers if you want to extend your stay.

Perth to Esperance

If you’ve got a week up your sleeve, this scenic sojourn along the South West is how to spend it.

Visit the impossibly magnificent town of Dunsborough, where you can swim in the luminous ocean, laze on squeaky clean beaches and sip sav blanc in the Margaret River wine region, followed by a spot of whale watching.

Swim in Greens Pool – an oasis sheltered from the waves by giant boulders and play on Anvil beach – a secluded spot in Nullaki Wilderness Estate.

Don’t miss Lucky Bay, presumably named for those who get to see it. It’s got Australia’s whitest sand and clearest sea – with the quirky addition of resident kangaroos, lounging on the shore!

Good to know: The plethora of national parks along this route makes a WA 14-day Holiday Pass a great investment, saving you loads on entrance fees.

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Australia is stunning – and there’s no time like summer to explore it by car, so, fill up the tank, pump up your playlist, and hit the open road!

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