Recommended Routes

We've driven every one of these ourselves. Here's our honest guide to Australia's best road trips — the highlights, the campsites, the cheap fuel stops, and how long you'll need.

🌊 East Coast

⏱ 3–5 Weeks 📏 ~2,500 km

The classic Australian road trip. From Sydney's harbour to the tropical reefs of Cairns, the East Coast is packed with beaches, rainforests, surf towns, and island hopping.

🏖️ Key Stops

  • Sydney & Blue Mountains
  • Byron Bay
  • Gold Coast & Surfers Paradise
  • Noosa & Fraser Island
  • Whitsunday Islands
  • Townsville & Magnetic Island
  • Cairns & Daintree Rainforest

⛺ Recommended Campsites

  • Lane Cove River Tourist Park (Sydney)
  • Suffolk Park, Byron Bay
  • Noosa River Holiday Park
  • Airlie Beach BIG4
  • Cape Hillsborough Nature Park
  • Ellis Beach (near Cairns)

⛽ Cheap Fuel Tips

  • Fill up in larger towns — Coffs Harbour, Mackay
  • Use the GasBuddy or Petrol Spy apps
  • Costco fuel in Gold Coast / Brisbane
  • Avoid highway service stations

🏜️ Central Australia

⏱ 1–2 Weeks 📏 ~1,500 km loop

The red heart of Australia. Alice Springs and Uluru are bucket-list destinations — the colours, the silence, and the sheer scale of the outback are something you'll never forget.

🪨 Key Stops

  • Alice Springs
  • West MacDonnell Ranges
  • Kings Canyon (Watarrka NP)
  • Uluru & Kata Tjuta
  • Coober Pedy (optional extension)

⛺ Recommended Campsites

  • Alice Springs Tourist Park
  • Ormiston Gorge (free, basic)
  • Kings Canyon Resort campground
  • Ayers Rock Campground

⛽ Cheap Fuel Tips

  • Fill up completely in Alice Springs
  • Fuel at Erldunda Junction before Uluru
  • Outback prices are high — budget $2.20+/L
  • Carry at least 20L extra water

🌊 Great Ocean Road

⏱ 3–5 Days 📏 ~400 km

One of the world's most scenic coastal drives. Winding along Victoria's southwest coast, this route delivers dramatic cliffs, the iconic Twelve Apostles, lush rainforest, and charming surf towns.

🏔️ Key Stops

  • Torquay & Bells Beach
  • Lorne
  • Apollo Bay
  • Otway Rainforest & Treetop Walk
  • Twelve Apostles
  • London Arch & The Grotto
  • Port Campbell

⛺ Recommended Campsites

  • Torquay Foreshore Caravan Park
  • BIG4 Lorne
  • Bimbi Park (Cape Otway)
  • Port Campbell Holiday Park

⛽ Cheap Fuel Tips

  • Fill up in Geelong before starting
  • Apollo Bay has fair prices mid-route
  • Colac (inland) is cheaper than coastal towns

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