It may be known as a land of glorious beaches, lush rainforests, and outback landscapes to die for, but it’s also home to some epic coastal and inland drives. So, what are the best driving roads in Australia?
As motoring enthusiasts, we’re always hunting for the ideal spots to take our beloved vehicles, where we can enjoy exciting driving while basking in the jaw-dropping scenery and golden sun that Australia is known for.
In case you missed it, we already covered the best driving roads in Europe, so in this article, our attention turns to the land down under to unearth some essential additions to your next Australian road trip.
The best driving roads in Melbourne and Victoria
The state of Victoria is one of Australia’s most diverse, with everything from sparkling beaches to mountain skiing, while the world-famous Australian Grand Prix takes place in the capital city of Melbourne each year. Yet there are more roads to drive than just those around Albert Park…
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Great Ocean Road
Is there a more appropriate journey to start this list than one of the best roads to drive in Australia, if not the entire world? Running 240 km (150 miles) along the south-eastern coast of Victoria, the Great Ocean Road is a bucket-list drive that winds through the dramatic cliff tops and verdant rainforest in this magnificent part of the country. Interesting attractions and gorgeous landmarks pepper the route, including one of Australia’s most iconic sights: the jutting limestone stacks known as The Twelve Apostles.
Great Alpine Road
Victoria’s Great Alpine Road is another delightful tourist route that highlights the diversity of this spectacular state. Running 308 km (191 miles) from Wangaratta coastwards to Bairnsdale, this scenic road takes drivers through picturesque countryside and vineyards, before climbing into the snow-capped Australian alps. Here, the driving is demanding, with tight and twisty roads edged by steep drop-offs. Catch your breath at one of the many wineries along the route, or enjoy a spot of quality skiing at Mount Hotham.
Black Spur Drive
Just when you think you’ve seen it all, Victoria throws another of the best Australian roads at you with Black Spur Drive. The route takes you on winding roads through what can only be described as an enchanted prehistoric forest, with blue skies peeking through the towering Eucalyptus trees and giant ferns. This 30 km (18 mile) section of the Maroondah Highway may be one of the shorter drives on this list, but it is certain to leave a lasting impression.
The best driving roads in Sydney and NSW
New South Wales (NSW) is Australia’s most-visited state with endless beaches, the famous Blue Mountains, and the iconic city of Sydney. But the vibrant state also happens to be home to some of the best roads to drive in Australia. Here are our top picks.
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Grand Pacific Drive
Starting from the historic Royal National Park, Grand Pacific Drive takes you 140 km (87 miles) south on a true Pacific adventure. The coastal scenery is simply amazing, giving you plenty of eye-candy as you head towards Jervis Bay. In terms of driving, the highlight is cruising along the dramatic Sea Cliff Bridge, while there is plenty to see and do along this route. Take in the sandy beaches of Wollongong, the award-winning wineries of the area, and natural wonders such as the dramatic Kiama blowhole.
Putty Road
Running approximately 170 km (106 miles) along the western edge of the Sydney Basin, the gum tree-lined Putty Road is a must-drive NSW route for the motoring enthusiast. Perfect for supercars, this high-speed sealed road provides a solid blend of sweeping bends, tight turns and smooth straights to test your driving chops and the handling of your car – especially if it’s been raining.
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Greater Blue Mountains Drive
The Greater Blue Mountains area sprawls across more than one million hectares of protected bushland, dominated by a temperate eucalypt forest. There is no better way to explore this mighty Australian wilderness than by traversing various branches of the 1,200 km (745 mile) road network that runs through it. The Greater Blue Mountains Drive takes in the best of this World Heritage Area, while offering plenty of ridgetop strolls, historic attractions, and cosy accommodation in which to relax after a day of driving.
The best driving roads in Perth and Western Australia
Western Australia and its laidback capital Perth boast more hours of sunshine than any other area of the country, giving you the perfect weather for some exciting detours on your Australian road trip.
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Caves Road
The best Australian roads don’t come more iconic than Caves Road, which runs 111 kms (69 miles) between western Busselton and Augusta in the Margaret River region. This narrow, winding, and oh-so-scenic stretch of road is one to enjoy at a leisurely pace as you pass through pristine forests of towering karri trees, with a plethora of wineries and breweries in which to indulge along the way.
Eyre Highway
The famous ‘90 Mile Straight’ section of Eyre Highway between Balladonia and Caiguna is a bit of a wildcard on this list, yet one that we believe warrants its place for its hypnotic beauty. This 146 km (91 mile) stretch is one of the longest straight stretches of road in the world, and certainly the longest in Australia. With no corners, it offers plenty of room to test your acceleration, with a few hills to keep things interesting.
The best driving roads in Brisbane and Queensland
The most tropical part of the continent, Queensland is not short of outstanding natural history. It boasts five of Australia’s World Natural Heritage areas, as well as the charming and energetic capital city of Brisbane.
Great Barrier Reef Drive
One of Queensland’s UNESCO World Heritage sites is the Great Barrier Reef and it makes sense to have an epic driving route that celebrates this outstanding area. The Great Barrier Reef Drive begins in the tropical city of Cairns before hugging the coast for around 140 kms (87 miles) to Cape Tribulation, where reef meets rainforest. This easy-going run allows you to absorb the remarkable vistas on what is often described as one of the most beautiful drives in Australia.
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Mount Glorious
If ever there was an aptly named mountain, Mount Glorious is it. Just 45 minutes from Brisbane, these roads transport you from suburbia to lush rainforest, where the driving is largely smooth and fun with its share of sweeping corners, and a handful of tight and technical switchbacks on which to test your skill. At the top, enjoy the views and dining of the rural locality, then enjoy the back side of the mountain which opens up out of the forest for a faster ride.
The best driving roads in Adelaide and South Australia
South Australia is one of the most relaxed regions in the country, with great weather, stunning national parks, an abundance of natural wonders — and a few interesting roads worth a visit.
Adelaide Hills (and surrounding areas)
Many excellent driving roads wind their way through the Adelaide Hills, part of the rolling hills of the Mount Lofty Range. These include North East Road, Gorge Road, Norton Summit Road, and Greenhill Road. These roads pass through a wonderful area of South Australia, packed with small towns, quaint attractions, and marvellous scenery. Driving varies between laidback and testing, while many lookout spots offer stunning panoramic views of the bustling capital city of Adelaide.
Bunyeroo Valley Road
Stretching across land that was once at the bottom of the ocean, Bunyeroo Valley Road is as close as you will come to driving on Mars! This is because Flinders Ranges – the largest mountain range in South Australia – is dominated by immense red cliffs and vast ravines. This unsealed road is great fun to drive, but it’s also quite rocky in places, so 4WD is recommended for the best experience.
The best driving roads in Tasmania
Finally, we come to the island state that lies off the south coast of Australia. Tasmania may be famous for its World Heritage Areas, carnivorous marsupials, and the cleanest air in the world, but it is also seen as Australia’s premier driving destination – and for good reason.
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99 Bends
Undoubtedly one of the best driving roads in Tasmania, 99 Bends is a short silky-smooth section of the Lyell Highway that’s just a stone’s throw from Queenstown. What makes it so desirable to drive is its constant curves that snake over the mountainous land. Spoiler alert: there are not 99 bends, just 44 – yet this is more than enough twists packed into a 4 km (2.5 mile) stretch, providing an equal amount of challenge and hair-raising fun. Reach the 100 km/h speed limit at your peril…
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Great Eastern Drive
Have we saved the best road until last? Some may say so, as the Great Eastern Drive is often seen as a better trip than Victoria’s legendary Great Ocean Road and one of the most scenic drives in Australia. The route runs at around 176 kms (109 miles) between Orford and St Helens on Tasmania’s east coast, taking you through sweeping ocean views, beach towns, forests, and countryside. With world-class wineries and an exceptional seafood dining scene, the Great Eastern Drive is certainly one to stretch out over a few days.
Join us to discover these fantastic drives and many more
If you are planning an Australia road trip, you would be wise to include a handful of the roads in this article. That way you can guarantee epic scenery, fun driving, and plenty to do along the way.
An even better way to guarantee all this and more is to join us on one of our five-star driving tours of Australia, such as our Luxury Driving Holiday in Tasmania.
Whether it’s in Tasmania, Victoria or another beautiful part of this amazing country, we take you on a perfectly curated trip through the best roads to drive in Australia, paired with luxury and experiential hotels, and the finest wining and dining on route. Get in touch with our friendly team today to learn more.
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