Australia Road Trip – Complete Guide

Embarking on a road trip across Australia is like setting off on a grand adventure through one of the world’s most diverse and stunning landscapes. From the rugged coastlines to the vast outback, a road trip in Australia offers an unparalleled opportunity to explore the natural beauty, vibrant cities, and unique wildlife of this vast continent. To make the most of your trip, it is important to prepare before leaving: plan your route, estimate your budget, plan the equipment you will need for traveling, camping, etc.

Best Road Trip itineraries in Australia

A successful road trip starts long before you set off. First, map out your must-see highlights—Uluru, the Great Ocean Road, Kakadu, the Red Centre—then cluster them into logical loops (East Coast, Top End, Outback, etc.). Check whether sections require 4WD permits (e.g. Purnululu/Bungle Bungle, parts of Karijini) or National Park passes. Always build in buffer days for weather delays, rest and unexpected discoveries. Here are the different possible itineraries for a road trip in Australia:

East Coast Adventure – Sydney to Cairns

Australia’s most popular route! An East Coast road trip is lined with numerous beaches (many of which are patrolled), enjoys a pleasant climate, and boasts a great diversity of landscapes. The main cities on the East Coast are Sydney, Brisbane, and Cairns.

For those of you who are not very experienced with road trips, who love the ocean, and who do not want to feel too isolated from cities, this is the perfect itinerary! Besides the large metropolises with their vast expanses and skyscrapers stretching as far as the eye can see, travelers particularly enjoy visiting the Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier Reef. The lush, verdant rainforests of the country’s north are also not to be missed.

The shoulder seasons, which fall between February and April or between September and October, are the ideal times to visit this region. During the winter period, it tends to be quite cold.

Please note that near the Gold Coast, Mackay, and Byron Bay, free camps are relatively rare. You will need to budget for paid caravan parks.

🕑 Allow minimum 3 weeks to do Sydney – Cairns.

Download the complete Guide for a Road Trip on the East Coast

Our FREE 52-page guide brings together all the info you need for your East Coast Road Trip in Australia:

• Preparations (seasons, budget)
• All the best spots to visit on the coast
• The best tours & activities
• Spots to park and sleep in a campervan

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West Coast Wilderness – Perth to Darwin

The uniqueness of the West Coast lies in its wild nature. Apart from the southern metropolis of Perth, you will not find any large cities but rather many small towns. On this coast, the distances from one town to another are long (sometimes very long) and here nature dominates civilization. The beaches, as beautiful as they are wild, stretch on and are sometimes completely deserted.

For adventurers in search of nature and looking to escape the tourists, a road trip on the West Coast is highly recommended! You will discover wild canyons, vast deserted beaches, the lesser-known Barrier Reef, and more. You can also feed the dolphins at Monkey Mia and discover many other wonders. Marine life enthusiasts will also be delighted to explore the West Coast as it is the perfect place to swim with whale sharks from May to July.

If you are considering a road trip on the West Coast, you have the option to choose between two itineraries. If you have a good month ahead of you, consider starting your journey from Perth to Darwin. Conversely, if you are limited on time, a road trip itinerary from Perth to Broome (passing through the famous Karijini Park) would be more appropriate.

🕑 Allow 3-4 weeks from Perth to Darwin

Download the complete West Coast Guide

Our FREE 40-page guide brings together all the info you need for your West Coast Road Trip in Australia:

• Prepare your trip (seasons, budget)
• All the best spots to do on the Coast
• Tours & activities recommendations
• Spots to park and sleep in a campervan

Download

Australia’s South Coast – Melbourne to Perth

An itinerary to reach Perth (WA) from Melbourne (VIC), through Adelaide (SA). Between Melbourne and Adelaide, the landscapes are extremely rich. You will leave Australia’s most cultural city to discover the famous Great Ocean Road and the iconic Twelve Apostles. If you can, make a small detour to Kangaroo Island, a little paradise that remains preserved. Pass through Adelaide, the city of churches, before facing the desert plains of the Nullarbor and its 146 km straight stretch to reach Perth.

Finally, you can cool off by hiking in the shade of immense forests or in the heart of one of the many national parks, but also discover the superb wild beaches of the Southwest region of Australia.

🕑 Allow 2-3 weeks from Melbourne to Perth

The Outback Odyssey – Darwin to Adelaide

Starting from Darwin, you can take a road trip to Alice Springs, or even extend your journey to Adelaide. This route literally crosses Australia from north to south through the land. Predominantly desert, lovers of nature and vast open spaces will feel at home, although there are not many points of interest to see.

The Northern Territory is the state where you will encounter the most Aboriginal people and have the chance to get close to this ancient Australian culture. This itinerary will allow you to discover exceptional sites. Among them are Kakadu National Park and Nitmiluk National Park, Mataranka with its thermal pools, the quirky Daly Waters pub, and Uluru (Ayers Rock), the renowned behemoth. You can also explore the underground town of Coober Pedy.

You will encounter few towns but rather roadhouses, so remember to stock up on water, food, and fuel.

🕑 Allow 2-4 weeks from Adelaide to Darwin.

Tasmania

Tasmania, Australia’s smallest state, is composed of 21% national parks. The landscapes of the island are very different from the Australian outback. You’ll find rolling hills and plateaus as far as the eye can see, immense forests of verdant ferns, countless lakes and waterfalls, as well as dreamy beaches with white sand and crystal-clear waters (especially on the East Coast). Lovers of wild nature are truly in paradise here! A Tasmanian road trip is the perfect time to completely disconnect from your daily routine and immerse yourself in nature! Let yourself be guided by the diversity of landscapes, the sounds of nature, and encounters with wildlife and flora. Moreover, Tasmania is the only place in the world where you can observe the legendary Tasmanian devil in its natural habitat.

During your road trip in this small insular state, do not miss the East Coast and the Bay of Fires, Freycinet and Cradle Mountain National Park, Port Arthur, Bruny Island, Hobart, Cockle Creek, and the quaint mining towns or those with a Wild West flair in the West… And much more! Tasmania is a treasure trove of natural beauty to be explored without moderation!

You can get there by ferry from Melbourne (with or without your vehicle). You also have the option of taking an internal flight to Hobart or Launceston.

🕑 Allow 1 week for part of the island, up to 3 weeks to cover the whole island.

When to go on a Road Trip in Australia?

Choose the best season to travel

The climate in Australia is predominantly warm, which is partly why it’s such a popular spot for travellers. However, it’s not nice and sunny everywhere, all the time! Australia is such a huge country that it is impossible to generalise about the seasons, temperatures, precipitation, etc.

Also take into account the tourist season. If you travel during the summer, you will most likely enjoy great weather but tourist destinations will be more crowded and prices will be higher (rental, accommodation, excursions, etc.).

☀️ SUMMER	🍂 AUTUMN	❄️ WINTER	🌸 SPRING
Dec / Jan / Feb	Mar / Apr / May	Jun / Jul / Aug	Sep / Oct / Nov

In the North of Australia (Northern Territory, North Queensland and Western Australia), rainy season is between November and March. It gets very hot and humid. Temperatures range between 30°C and 50°C, with lots of rain. It is not recommended to explore Northern Australia during the wet season, as there’s a risk of cyclones, floods and lots of mosquitos.

In the South of Australia, don’t forget that winter can be very cool. Temperatures can fall between 5 and 15 degrees. In some areas there is even snow, with minus temperatures at night (around Canberra, Australian Alps etc.)

If you plan to work in farms in Australia

Be aware of the seasons if you plan to work in Australia. If you want to find a fruit picking job to finance your road trip, you’ll need to know about the harvest seasons. Check out our harvest calendar to get a good overview of fruit picking seasons in Australia. It shows you what fruit and vegetables are in season and where to go – state by state.

Note: he harvests depend heavily on weather and climate, and can therefore vary from year to year.

Check out our fruit picking map to get access to over 500 farm contacts across Australia.

If you plan to work in cities

Australia’s diverse climate and bustling urban centers offer unique opportunities for those seeking work in hospitality, with the best destinations often depending on the season. During the summer months (December to February), cities like Sydney and Melbourne are bustling with tourists, making them ideal for finding jobs in cafes, bars, and restaurants. The warm weather and numerous outdoor events increase the demand for hospitality staff. In contrast, during the Australian winter (June to August), consider heading to warmer regions like Brisbane or the Gold Coast, where the milder climate attracts visitors escaping the cold from the southern states, keeping the hospitality sector active. For those looking to experience Australia’s unique landscapes while working, the spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May) months are perfect for exploring regional areas like Tasmania or the Margaret River region in Western Australia, where seasonal tourism boosts the need for hospitality workers in local cafes and wineries.

Prepare your Road Trip

Choosing & Preparing Your Vehicle

• If you only want to visit the East Coast (for example do Sydney -> Cairns) or even discover the South (Great Ocean Road, Nullarbor, Tasmania, etc.) while staying on the main roads then a van (or a car/station wagon) will be ideal for your road trip.
• If you want to do Western Australia, Central, Northern Queensland or even the Northern Territory, and the Outback then a 4WD is probably better. This will give you much more freedom and will allow you access to more sites.

The main tourist sites across the country are accessible via car, but some more isolated places can only be explored with 4WD. Keep in mind that you can usually join a tour to explore more inaccessible regions in Australia.

Whether renting or buying, equip your ride with:

• Dual-battery system or solar panel for fridge/charging
• Recovery kit: shovel, snatch strap, traction boards
• Spare tyre + full jack + basic toolkit
• Extra fuel jerry can(s) if venturing off sealed roads
• High-visibility vest & warning triangles (legal requirement in some states)
• Comprehensive insurance plus CTP (Compulsory Third Party) cover

Choose your city of arrival and your destination

Your itinerary will depend on your city of arrival. Check out our article “Choose your city of Arrival in Australia” if you have not yet made your choice.

Once you have decided where to start your adventure in Australia and how long you want to travel, you can then choose your itinerary, keeping the seasons in mind. On the other hand, if you already know which places you want to see it makes more sense to check the seasons and then book your flights.

Figure out your route

Australia is a very large country… it is 32 times the size of the UK in terms of area. It is very important that you set a fairly accurate route to determine the length of your road trip, but also for organisational reasons. This will allow you have a clear plan, and help to make sure you don’t miss any highlights on the road.

If, by contrast, you only have a set amount of time for your road trip, plan around that instead. For example, if you have 3 weeks ahead of you, then you have enough time to discover the East coast or the West coast from Perth to Broome. If you only have 2 or 3 days and are based in Melbourne, head to the Great Ocean Road or the Grampians. Leaving from Sydney, you can explore the Blue Mountains or the south towards Jervis Bay.

Figure out the stages of your road trip

Check the seasons and the harvests if you will need to find work fairly quickly. Depending on your budget, you will also need to figure out how long you can travel without working.

One of the other points to take into account when it comes to planning your itinerary is the places you absolutely want to see. For example, if you want to go to the Red Centre, you should visit outside of the summer months (November – February), when it is stiflingly hot. If you want to explore the Great Barrier Reef, the best time to go is in September.

How to do a Road Trip in Australia?

With your own vehicle

If you are staying in the country for several months or more, it’s a good idea to buy your own vehicle. You’ll have more freedom and will make money back when you sell it on at the end of your trip. Depending on your plans and your budget, you can opt for a car, a station wagon or a van. Check the registration rules that vary between states / territories.

Choosing the right vehicle is essential for a successful road trip. Who wants to drive for hours in an uncomfortable car in the scorching sun without air conditioning? Ask yourself the right questions about what type of vehicle is right for you:

• a car with a roof tent for the more adventurous
• a motorhome with all the utilities for those who want comfort (toilets, showers)
• a van, smaller but well organised
• a campervan for a little more space and equipment

More information: Buying a vehicle in Australia

Buying a vehicle

If you’re planning to go on a road trip as soon as you arrive in Australia, a great option is to go through backpackercars.com. They offer all types of vehicles for sale (cars, vans, and 4WDs) and can customize them according to your needs. The advantage is that all the mechanics are checked, the paperwork is in order, and you can pick up your vehicle as soon as you arrive in Australia.

📍 Vehicles available in Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth
📝 Avoid all the paperwork
👨‍🔧 Avoid mechanical surprises with a reliable vehicle
🚗 Pick up your vehicle as soon as you arrive in Australia

🚨 BONUS: 1 year of free roadside assistance with our PROMO CODE: BACKPACKERS

Renting a vehicle

For a road trip lasting a few weeks or less, renting a car or campervan is a good option. Likewise if you plan to explore part of the country and then settle in a city or vice versa. We advise you to use a comparison tool to find the best available rates. Motorhome Republic offers many models for a good price.

Book in advance to choose and find your ideal vehicle because rentals go quickly, especially in high season.

Join a Tour

If you are travelling in Australia for a short period of time, given the vastness of the island, you might want to opt for an organised tour. This could be to discover one part of the country – for example, Melbourne and the surrounding areas with the Great Ocean Road. An organised tour can also be a great way to explore several areas of the country more quickly.

You can explore Australia’s Red Centre in just a few days with a tour rather than crossing all over the country to get there by car. For excursions and tours by boat or plane, you can find agencies on-site.

Use public transport

✈️ Travelling by plane is a quick and efficient way to travel Australia. The major cities of the country are very well served and offer cheap flights. Many companies offer domestic flights, including Jetstar, Virgin and Qantas.

🚌 Several companies such as Greyhound and Premier Motor Service connect the major cities by coaches. For instance, you can go from Melbourne to Sydney for $50 with Premier. It’s a good way to get around if you’re not short on time – the bus journeys are long. The coaches are comfortable and you will have access to free Wi-Fi during the trip. You can opt for a single route ticket or buy a package which allows unlimited travel on the East Coast for 3 weeks or a month.

🚂 There are several famous train lines which connect the main points of interest on the coasts, as well as the centre of the country, with a connection between Adelaide and Darwin. Some lines have specific names, such as The Indian-Pacific (Sydney to Perth), The Ghan (Adelaide to Darwin via Alice Springs), The Queenslander (Brisbane to Cairns), and The Overlander (Adelaide to Melbourne). You can buy a single ticket or opt for a pass that will allow you to travel with stops on the way.

Carpooling

Carpooling is very common in Australia. It’s an economical way to travel while sharing with other travellers. You can find a “lift” on different specialised sites or on Facebook groups where many travellers offer places in their car or others who seek it. You will have to share the costs (gas, food as the case may be) and the fun!

Budgeting & Money-Saving Tips

Expenditure items

The budget for a road trip in Australia can be substantial. It is therefore very important to assess the costs involved. The cost of living is relatively high in Australia and fuel will make up a big part of your budget. You must then take into account the cost of your vehicle (purchase or rental), food, campsites, activities and miscellaneous costs …

With a few tips, it is possible to travel with very little money (especially if you work during your road trip). For more information and tips for saving money on road trips, do not hesitate to download our free guide – Australia Backpackers Guide.

💰 Road Trip budget Calculator

Wondering how much it will cost you to travel Australia? Check out our budget calculator.

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What affects a road trip budget?

Seasons

Travelling with the seasons will affect your expenses. Be aware that everything is more expensive during school holidays – accommodation, vehicle rental prices, excursions, transport, etc. You will need to set your budget based on when you travel. Note that the high season in Australia runs from November to February.

Duration

One of the first criteria that will determine your road trip budget will be its duration. It goes without saying that the more time you spend on the road, the higher your budget will be. This is especially true if you hire a vehicle to get around. So remember to estimate your expenses based on how long you will spend travelling.

Number of travellers

This is another big factor, as your expenses will vary depending on the size of your group and the ages and needs of the group members. If you are travelling with your own vehicle, consider carpooling. This will lower your costs, allow you to meet new people and reduce your carbon footprint in the process!

Activities

Depending on the activities you have planned, your budget will be larger or smaller. You can choose to go on some short excursions or join organised tours. For excursions to tourist sites, budget at least $200 per person (or more) depending on the type of activity. For other activities, budget about $20 for a cinema ticket, $40 for entry to an animal park, $25 for paddleboard rental, etc. You can also plan free activities such as beaches, museums, bbq, free events in cities etc.

Examples of budgets

With your own vehicle

First, note the cost of buying your vehicle. The price will be different depending on the type of vehicle (4WD; van; car), its age and condition and the location and season of purchase.

• A converted car / station wagon costs between $4000 and $7000
• A campervan costs between $8000 and $10.000
• For a converted 4WD, budget between $9,000 and $12,000.

More info: Buying a vehicle in Australia

Add the cost of fuel and vehicle maintenance (approx. $600 per month). Travelling by vehicle, whether by van or car, will save you on accommodation costs. Add a food budget ($130 per week) and you can budget around $1,600 per month for two people.

Renting a vehicle

The price of renting a campervan or motorhome in Australia varies according to many criteria (season, length of your stay, reservation in advance). Insurance is a significant cost in the rental budget (add around $30 / day). For a “classic” campervan for 2 people (without insurance), budget:

• In low season: budget between $60 and $80 per day
• In high season: between $90 – $120 per day

Add fuel ($600 on average) and food costs ($130 per week for two people).

With an organised tour

Organised tours are generally expensive as they include airfare, hotels, excursions and agency services. For example, for a tour in the red centre, budget around $700 per person for 4 days and 3 nights. You also need to add the costs of your plane tickets.

Self-organised tours

Sights in Australia are accessible by road. You can go to the vast majority of national parks via paved roads or even reach the Red Centre of the country with a conventional vehicle. Some places, or parts of national parks are however only accessible with a 4WD (Purnululu, parts of Karijini NP…).

For excursions and tours by boat or plane, you can find agencies on-site. The prices of the excursions vary according to the locations and period of the year etc. For the Whitsunday Islands, allow at least $250 for a day trip.

Fuel, food and accommodation dominate costs, but you can trim:

• Fill up in major centres (use Fuel Map) to avoid +20–40 cpl uplifts in remote roadhouses.
• Buy groceries weekly (A$100–140) and cook bulk meals; roadside stalls are pricier.
• Use Discount coupon apps (Groupon/Airtasker) for gear and tours.
• Share costs by car-pooling with fellow travellers and splitting campsite fees.

What equipment do you need for a road trip?

Connectivity & Navigation

Choosing a good plan for your mobile phone is important! Outside major cities, coverage drops fast—Telstra offers the best reach, especially in the Outback. Consider an eSIM plan (e.g. Airalo) to top up data cheaply. Download these free or low-cost apps before you leave:

• Road maps / GPS
• WikiCamps/CamperMate for campsites, dump points, amenities
• Fuel Map Australia to track and compare petrol prices (national average A$1.79/L)
• Emergency+ (GPS-enabled 000 calls)
• Weatherzone or BOM Weather for local forecasts and road-closure alerts.

Must-Have Gear & Equipment

Pack smart to save space and weight. Your essentials include:

• Navigation: smartphone (download offline maps via Maps.Me or OSMAnd), a paper road atlas, and a satellite communicator (Garmin inReach or Spot X) for remote areas.
• Camping kit: lightweight tent (if not sleeping in the van), inflatable mattress, +5 cm sleeping bag rated to at least 0 °C.
• Cooking & storage: portable gas stove, 3–5 kg gas bottle, stackable cookware, airtight food containers and a reliable cooler or 12 V fridge.
• Water: at least 4 L per person per day in bottles + 20 L jerry can.
• First-aid kit: bandages, antiseptic, snakebite bandage, over-the-counter meds for pain, allergy, gastro issues.
• Tools & spares: engine oil, coolant, tyre repair kit, jumper cables, a sturdy multi-tool.
• Games or sports equipment to entertain you on the road, like a surfboard, a ball, a frisbee, cards or a board game.

Van life in Australia

During a road trip, all our daily habits are different. When traveling in isolated area, finding showers or toilets can be a challenge.

To make your road trip more enjoyable, it is important to equip yourself with everything mentioned above. This is the minimum to meet your needs. Remember that if you have access to the internet, you will not be totally on your own. You can ask for advice or contact other backpackers and travellers on Facebook groups.

At popular destinations, you will have fewer difficulties. Tourist information centres, campsites, caravan parks and even shops will provide showers and toilets. Compared to Europe, these services are of high quality and the equipment is well maintained.

Your daily life will be hectic and full of new challenges. Your major enemies will be insects (especially in the West and Red Centre), mice and extreme weather (burning sun and cold rain).

The more you progress in your road trip, the more you will encounter new challenges, but you will also find new techniques to avoid and resolve them. You’re sure to learn a lot, become more resourceful and make memories for life.

Accommodation & Camping

Australia’s “no worries” camping culture offers options from free rest areas to powered caravan parks:

• Free & low-cost bush camps: flagged on WikiCamps (A$0–10/night).
• Caravan parks: unpowered sites A$20–40, powered A$30–60, cabins A$80–120.
• Hostels & work-for-stay: save by volunteering 3–5 hrs/day via Workaway or HelpX in exchange for bed + breakfast.

You will not be able to sleep anywhere you want in Australia, even with your van. Car parks will have signs prohibiting staying overnight, and in large cities and busy areas you risk getting slapped with a fine.

Eco-& Community-Friendly Travel

Hygiene: simple, effective, and organic

#1 Prepare your toiletry bag

• Bamboo toothbrush (let’s avoid plastic)
• Natural toothpaste such as licorice stick (very practical for brushing teeth) or lozenge (available from Lush)
• Limit makeup and choose the most natural (obviously, we let you choose the most suitable brand)
• Natural soap (to replace shower gel)
• Solid shampoo (easy to store, you can use it for months without worry)

#2 Doing your laundry on a road trip

Favour herbal soap. Soapberries, or Ecostore, there are many products on the market. You will save money and make a good gesture for the environment by consuming less water, electricity and harmful products.

If you are travelling in a group, consider doing your laundry together. And in general, let’s limit our laundry. Cleaning only the clothes that need it is a good start on the path to ecology.

#3 The menstrual period on a road trip

A simple and ecological solution is currently a hit: the menstrual cup. It avoids the purchase of tampons or sanitary napkins. Another solution is menstrual pants. It protects you for approximately 12 hours (being all different, the duration of protection may vary). You just need to wash it, preferably with cold water, and you can use it again!

Eat in joy and ecology

#1 Buy local

You will have the chance to enjoy many fresh products available by the road sides. Here, trust is essential. Vegetables and fruit crowded outside and a simple cashier to pay. A great way to support local communities and reduce the carbon footprint. In stores, we invite you to look at the local items offered.

#2 Eat more vegetables

Eating healthy and responsibly also involves reducing your consumption of meat in favour of plant-based dishes. In front of the veggie burgers, the Greek cheese muesli, the tomato omelettes and the leek fondues. In short, it is not the ideas that are missing.

Obviously, no need to become vegan overnight. For example, it is enough to limit yourself to one meat dish per day (and for the more daring, once every two days) to gain “energy points”. In any case, congratulations to those who try the experience!

#3 Shopping in a sustainable way

Before you get into the big bath of Coles and Woolworths, we give you an easy and effective technique to set up to avoid mess.

Professional backpackers already practice it: plan their meals for the next few days and make a shopping list. So you will be sure to know what you really need. Also, don’t forget to bring reusable bags.

On-Road Safety & Regulations

Australia’s open roads hide hazards:

• Wildlife: kangaroos, camels and wombats are most active at dawn/dusk—avoid night-time driving.
• Livestock: cattle and sheep crossings on remote highways require vigilance.
• Floods & closures: check roadreport.au for current conditions, especially in the Wet Season (Nov–Apr).
• Speed limits: typically 100 km/h on highways, 110 km/h on sealed Outback roads; certain tolled sections (e.g. EastLink, M2) bill via plate recognition.

Always wear seat belts, carry a high-visibility vest, and comply with local alcohol limits (0.05 % BAC).

Practical information for your road trip

Updated on 24.04.2025