5 Great Road Trips for Aussie Families

Australia offers so much variety that we’re almost spoilt for choice. From remote desert to gorgeous golden beaches, stunning rainforest and everything in between, where you take your family is totally up to you.

So while visiting one destination on a holiday has lots of benefits, there’s also a whole lot to be said for throwing caution to the wind and enjoying a family road trip that showcases the best Australia has to offer. Yes, I promise, a road trip and kids can work together, it just takes a little bit of road trip pre planning to make it all work.

Here’s 5 great Australian road trips that are sure to delight from the beach to the bush and beyond:

1. Great Ocean Road Victoria

Starting at Torquay in Victoria, the Great Ocean Road winds down the Victorian coast taking in magnificent aqua oceans and stunning cliffs. Stop off to visit the lush rainforest along the way, and end your journey with a trip to the 12 Apostles, definitely unforgettable.

2. Nature’s Way Northern Territory

This special road trip is unique and amazing. Starting at the gorgeous harbour city of Darwin in the NT, follow Nature’s Way out of the city, on to the Mary River Wetlands, further still onto Kakadu National Park, before swinging back up to Litchfield National Park. This road trip deserves at least a few days, and will leave you speechless as you discover the unique wildlife, natural waterholes and waterfalls, and superb ancient rock art that Australia has to offer.

3. Waterfall Way New South Wales

This stunning stretch of Paradise in NSW winds its way from Coffs Harbour, through the amazing Dorrigo ranges and right through to Armidale. Taking you around 200kms you’ll travel through spectacular tropical growth and the gorgeous New England Tablelands. Armidale is a lovely inland city that has much to offer.

4. Corner Country

When it comes to icons, then this trip is definitely one of those. For the adventurous family, Cameron Corner is the spot where the borders of New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia meet. You’ll need to be prepared for a little bit of outback travel and unsealed, corrugated roads, on this one, but it’s worth it. Follow Cobb & Co or Charles Sturt routes North from Broken Hill.

5. Red Centre – Adelaide to Uluru

This is another iconic road trip that will take you places you can only imagine. Starting at Adelaide, depart into the desert regions of South Australia. Stay underground in Coober Pedy, visit the iconic Alice Springs, see the Devils Marbles, Uluru, Kings Canyon… The list goes on. This road trip deserves time to enjoy, and is accessible to anyone via sealed roads, although there are some off road options.

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99 Comments

- - mom443421 said
  - 31 Dec 2023
    9:07 am
Some beautiful road trip suggestions!

- - meedee said
  - 10 May 2022
    10:32 am
Sadly i am on my own now so dont have anyone to do raod trips with

- - mom268263 said
  - 30 Nov 2020
    10:19 pm
Never heard of Corner Country, sounds intriguing.

- - mom81879 said
  - 25 Apr 2017
    6:14 pm
Definitely top of my bucket list when we both retire. I would love to buy a caravan and just tour around this great country for a while.

- - june11 said
  - 01 May 2016
    7:41 pm
We have been along the Great Ocean Road twice. Parts of it are narrow and windy. At some very well known scenery spots they have good parking right of the road on the sea side of it. Scenery is fantastic, a bit less so in cold misty or wet weather if visibility is poor. On one occasion we didn’t bother to stop as we could see the sea was clouded my sea fog. Part of the road heads inland then back to the coast. We stayed at a small motel at Port Fairy on one occasion. Nothing terribly flash. It was comfortable, clean with the normal tea & coffee making facilities, fridge and heating in Winter was very good. We had a good night’s sleep, which is realy saying something as I am a very light sleeper. The Dining Room was being renovated at the time so they brought our delicious Dinner to our room. It wasn’t tourist season when we went so they were taking the opportunity to re-decorate.

- - mom94125 said
  - 19 Oct 2015
    1:12 pm
another great article from you loreena

- - dannsbuild said
  - 16 Sep 2015
    8:51 pm
Cool! This is interesting! Thank you for sharing this!

- - mom93972 said
  - 19 Jun 2015
    7:32 am
We did the Great Ocean Road as the baby moon trip. The pictures do not do it justice. Can wait to check the other suggestions out.

- - mom136280y said
  - 18 Jun 2015
    11:44 am
I did all these trips as a backpacker about 10 years ago. I can’t wait to do them with my new little family in the next few years.

- - rovermum said
  - 17 Jun 2015
    12:26 pm
We often talk about touring Australia more, but never get to do it. As a Victorian, we’ve travelled the Great Ocean Road (with serious motion sickness!), but look forward to exploring other states as a family.

- - Lov'n'Life said
  - 17 Jun 2015
    11:35 am
great advise thanks I would love to take the kids adventuring as I did as a kid

- - Beryle said
  - 17 Jun 2015
    10:56 am
This is a beautiful holiday. There is so much to see on the Great Ocean Road. lots of little places to visit

- - TwinniesMum said
  - 16 Jun 2015
    11:27 pm
Great Ocean Road is definitely a must see, but you can venture on past the 12 Apostles a short way and see some more great coastal sights.

- - mom61137 said
  - 16 Jun 2015
    11:13 pm
It would be nice to win this and show my partner what he is miss with our kids

- - deb_gs said
  - 16 Jun 2015
    8:35 pm
The Great Ocean road can be done in a day or overnight. I remember going on a school trip here in the 90s, many of the rocks have notably eroded since then. But the breath taking beauty remains.

- - aliceou said
  - 16 Jun 2015
    4:26 pm
I will try one this holiday.

- - ella12 said
  - 16 Jun 2015
    12:36 pm
Some great ideas here. Thanks.

- - mom110650 said
  - 21 May 2015
    9:05 pm
I didn’t know about some of these! And we’re in NSW! We’ve done the nullabor. Long but such an adventure, (not with a baby though)

- - grayza said
  - 20 May 2015
    11:24 pm
Some great road trips there some I’ve done some still to do.

- - sandra01 said
  - 09 May 2015
    7:56 pm
We done the Adelaide to Uluru road trip last year in the July school holidays … stopped at Port Augusta, Coober Pedy, Erldunda then on to Ayres Rock resort caravan park.

Was a fantastic trip and a great experience for our 7yo son… we loved it, trying out our new caravan.

These next July holidays we are talking about heading to Mount Gambier, Warrnambool, great ocean road … not sure after that on which way we are heading home (still planning :D)

Cant wait …. love these long trips
- cherz replied
  
  17 Jun 2015 , 4:48 pm
  Hi Sandra, may I just recommend that if you are going to Warrnambool a visit to Flagstaff Hill is a must (we absolutely loved it, did the village through the day, then did the dinner then laser show at night) SPECTACULARLY AMAZING!
  Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village
  Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village is located in Warrnambool, a regional city on the south-western coast of Victoria, Australia. The museum is built on Flagstaff Hill that also holds the original lighthouses and Warrnambool Garrison. Wikipedia

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