Take the scenic route on your next road trip with this guide to the best scenic drives in Australia!
Are you ready for an adventure?
Nothing beats the feeling of a road trip. Windows down, breeze running through your hair, music pumping and the car snacks are plenty. But, the hardest decision is knowing where to go. With so much to see and do in Australia, it’s hard to narrow down a list.
What if we told you that we’ve found all of the best Australian road trips? From the city to the coast and the country, we’ve curated a guide to the best scenic drives around Australia. What are you waiting for? The road is calling your name!
The Best Scenic Drives in New South Wales:
Photographed by Jeremy Shaw. Image via Destination NSW.
Grand Pacific Drive
Kickstart your adventure fromSydney and venture southward along the Grand Pacific Drive, where the road winds along coastal cliffs and sweeps through quaint seaside villages. As you traverse the Sea Cliff Bridge, be prepared to have your breath stolen by the panoramic views of the Tasman Sea stretching out before you. Continue your odyssey to Jervis Bay and be sure to stop by the Booderee National Park, where native wildlife roams amidst towering eucalyptus forests, and marvel at the dazzling sands of Hyams Beach, boasting some of the whitest sand in the world.
Photographed by Kate Nutt. Image via Destination NSW.
Waterfall Way
Immerse yourself in the verdant splendour of the New England Tablelands as you embark on the Waterfall Way, a scenic route that winds its way through lush rainforests and cascading waterfalls. Begin your journey in Armidale where heritage architecture and sprawling gardens beckon exploration. As you venture towards the coast, be prepared to be enchanted by the tumbling torrents of Ebor Falls and the mist-shrouded majesty of Dorrigo National Park.
Finally take that road trip that you’ve been craving with this travellers guide to the Greatest Scenic Drives in New South Wales!
The Best Scenic Drives in Tasmania:
Photographed by Ain Raadik. Image via Tourism Tasmania.
Great Eastern Drive
Starting in Hobart, the Great Eastern Drive will wind you along 176 kilometres of coastal beauty. Think rugged cliffs, pristine beaches and quaint seaside towns. Following the Great Eastern Drive travellers will have front-row views of the Tasman Sea as they make their way through the rocky shores of the Freycinet Peninsula that’s home to Wineglass Bay. Stop and snack on some seafood in St Helens before making your way to Swansea for a touch-up on some maritime history. Combining adventure with food, history and culture, it’s no wonder why the Great Eastern Drive is one of the best scenic drives in Australia!
Photographed by Matty Eaton. Image via Tourism Tasmania.
Hobart to Cradle Mountain
If you’re a photographer, hiker, nature enthusiast or a seasoned traveller, you’ll love the scenic drive from Hobart to Cradle Mountain. Without stopping the drive will take over four-hours. But we recommend extending this drive into a weekend getaway so you can explore some of Tasmania’s most famed towns and cities. Think historic villages, stunning natural wonders and, of course, the charismatic charm that Tasmania is known for. Better yet, for all of the best things to do and see, take the scenic route with our Ultimate Road Trip Itinerary from Hobart to Cradle Mountain.
Pack the car and get ready to head out on an adventure as we explore The Top 5 Day Trip Destinations from Hobart.
The Best Scenic Drives in Victoria:
Photographed by Ain Raadik Photography. Image via Visit Victoria.
The Grampains Way
For a taste of rugged beauty, head northwest to The Grampians. A three-hour drive from Melbourne, The Grampians Way will take you through this ancient mountain range, offering panoramic views, colourful wildflowers, and opportunities for bushwalking along this rich part of Australia’s countryside. Running the perimeter of the Grampian Mountains and taking you through Ararat and Halls Gap townships, this is a great weekend drive through country Victoria!
Photographed by Victory Snaps. Image via Shutterstock.
Wilsons Promontory Circuit
For a coastal wilderness adventure, explore Wilsons Promontory National Park. The circuit drive takes you through eucalypt forests, past pristine beaches, and offers glimpses of abundant wildlife. The joy of this route is also getting out of the car and making a small trek on foot to reach scenic lookouts for sweeping views of the park. Regardless if you explore on foot or in the car, Wilsons Promontory Circuit promises to be one of the best road trips and scenic drives in Victoria!
Craving a road trip? Explore the 6 Most Scenic Drives around Victoria here.
The Best Scenic Drives in South Australia:
Described as ‘Australia’s Great Food and Wine Road Trip’, feast through the best that South Australia has to offer. The Epicurenan Way will take you to through four of Australia’s premier wine regions: Adelaide Hills, McLaren Vale, Clare Valley and, of course, Barossa Valley. Across almost 400 kilometres of picturesque Adelaide countryside you’ll wine and dine at the many cellar doors and restaurants that make a delicious drive through South Australia.
Image via Tourism Australia South Australian Tourism Commission.Epicurean Way
This 450 kilometre drive from Adelaide to Mount Gambier along the coast is simply magical. Running along the Great Australian Bight, the Southern Ocean Drive features stunning coastal views, rugged cliffs, and plenty of whimsical seaside towns. One of the best road trips to be had in South Australia, the Southern Ocean Drive is an epic road trip essential to seeing the beauty of this great state. 
Photographed by George Apostolidis.
Image via South Australian Tourism Commission.Southern Ocean Drive
Thirsty for more? Be sure to add these Scenic Drives in South Australia to your bucket list!
The Best Scenic Drives in Western Australia:
Image via Tourism Western Australia.
Indian Ocean Drive
Starting just north of Perth, the Indian Ocean Drive unfolds as a captivating ribbon of asphalt, hugging the pristine coastline of the Coral Coast. This scenic drive will take you past Julien Bay, Cervantes and plenty of other peaceful coastal towns to pop-in and splash around. Pair this with sweeping ocean views, golden beaches, and limestone formations like the Pinnacles Desert, the Indian Ocean Drive in Western Australia is a visual feast for nature enthusiasts and beach lovers alike!
Image via Tourism Western Australia.
Margaret River to Augusta
Winding through the world-renowned Margaret River wine region, this drive offers a perfect blend of vineyard vistas, ancient forests, and breathtaking coastal scenery. As you journey from Margaret River to Augusta indulge in wine tastings, explore limestone caves, and witness the rugged beauty of the Cape Leeuwin coastline where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet. Spanning just 40 kilometres, driving from Margaret River to Augusta is a brisk 30-minute drive is the perfect chance to experience a stunning and short scenic road trip in Western Australia!
Fasten your seatbelt for more of the Top Scenic Drives around Western Australia.
The Best Scenic Drives in the Northern Territory:
Driving through Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Photography by @75vibes_. Image via Tourism NT
Red Centre Way
Wanting something more than just a day trip? Enter the Red Centre Way. This 690 kilometre drive takes on a scenic journey through many of Northern Territory’s iconic landmarks. Starting in Alice Springs travellers will be venturing westward making their way to Glen Helen. Then, continuing on to Kings Canyon, we recommend staying a few nights to embrace the true beauty of this region. Finally, for the last leg of this scenic drive you’ll make your way to Uluru where you can decide whether you want to circle back to where you started. Rugged and not for the faint hearted, this is still an experience not to be missed!
Pitch a tent somewhere picture perfect with this list of the 10 Best Camping Spots in the Northern Territory!
The Best Scenic Drives in Queensland:
Image via Tourism and Events Queensland.
Great Barrier Reef Drive
Arguably the crown jewel of Queensland, embark on a sensational journey that’ll let you experience the breathtaking Great Barrier Reef. Spanning over 140 kilometres, the Great Barrier Reef Drive is a coastal road journey in North Queensland that’ll take you from Cairns to Port Douglas. As you wind along the Captain Cook Highway, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of the Coral Sea on one side and lush rainforest-clad mountains on the other. Make sure to stop at Rex Lookout for panoramic views and explore the beaches and attractions in Port Douglas!
Image via Tourism and Events Queensland.
Warrego Way
For those in Brisbane wanting a taste of the outback, you’re never too far with a drive down Warrego Way. This road trip from Brisbane to Charleville offers diverse landscape, plenty of small country towns, as well as stunning vistas along the way. Warrego Way offers all the sights and sounds you’d hope for from a Queensland road trip, so grab some friends and experience the unique culture of rural and Outback Queensland.
From the outback to the ocean, discover the full guide to the 5 Most Beautiful Scenic Drives in Queensland.
Needing some picture-perfect pit-stop destinations? Get ready to chase your way through this list of the 14 Most Breathtaking Waterfalls around Australia. Or, lay a blanket down at one of the 16 Best Picnic Spots around Australia.
We acknowledge the traditional owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their elders past, present and emerging.
