Hitting the road is as Aussie as Vegemite on toast. 

And as big as Australia is, once you break it down into manageable chunks of road, coast, desert, forest or reef, it won’t be long before you’re ticking off the best adventures you’ve ever had.

Here are 5 Australian Road Trips everyone should take!

^{Credit: Visit Victoria}

^{Apollo Bay Holiday Park is right on the water.}

Officially only 224 km from Torquay to Allansford, everyone knows it’s longer than that, with most starting their journey from Melbourne or from over the border in South Australia.

^{Check out these glamping pods at Torquay Foreshore Caravan Park}

Several national parks run the length of the Great Ocean Road, particularly the Great Otway National Park, where rainforest walks will leave you breathless.

There’s also a long history of shipwrecks, whales to spot between May and September, and an emerging number of pubs, cafes and restaurants for every member of your family.

^{Every Aussie should explore Watarrka National Park. Credit: Tourism NT}

^{Kata Tjuta is a must-do in the Red Centre. Credit: Tourism NT}

Full of ancient ochre landscapes carved out of wind, water, fire and ice, the history of the Red Centre’s awe-inspiring natural features is the real history of Australia.

Containing a Dreamtime that our Indigenous elders have passed on for 40,000 years, any journey here will immerse you in the soul of the Australian outback, and in the spirit of the world’s oldest living culture.  

 ^{Tjoritja (West MacDonnell Ranges).} 

Driving the Red Centre Way puts you on the road to meeting Australian icons at every turn.

Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Watarrka National Park (home to Kings Canyon) are the headliners, but don’t overlook the dramatic gorges and swimming holes of Tjoritja (the West MacDonnell Ranges) along the Larapinta Trail.

By letting an Aboriginal guide lead you through any of the above attractions, a whole new perspective will be yours. 

^{Your reward for taking on the Gibb River Road is waiting at Lake Argyle Resort and Holiday Park}

^{Broome is a mecca for sunset chasers. Credit @4boysandacaravan}

Much of the road is corrugated and full of potholes, so be sure to have a well-equipped vehicle, but any discomfort will be forgotten once you're immersed in some of the most spectacular wilderness Australia has to offer. 

^{You won't forget your first sighting of the iconic Boab tree. Credit: Tourism WA}

This includes vast outback cattle stations, thundering waterfalls, sacred Aboriginal sites and rock art, the unique pioneering story and fascinating outback characters at every stop. 

Take the time to stop and soak in a glassy waterhole, immerse yourself in Indigenous culture and float in Lake Argyle’s famous infinity pool. We can’t recommend this enough.

^{Lake Argyle is truly a sight to behold.}

At the end of the Gibb River Road, one of Australia’s most unique camping, glamping and boutique luxury resorts, El Questro, sits on the edge of its own station, El Questro Wilderness Park, a 700,000 acre swathe of untamed natural beauty in the heart of the Kimberley.

^{Yes, this is Tasmania! Credit: Tourism Australia}

^{Bicheno is an idyllic seaside town.}

Along the way, Freycinet National Park is an absolute must-do, with its secluded coves, azure waters and prolific birdlife.

Be sure to allow time for the Freycinet Experience Walk and enjoy stunning views of Wineglass Bay. Spend a day taking in the coastal vistas, then dine on freshly prepared Tasmanian produce. 

^{Wineglass Bay is one of Tasmania's most stunning views.} 

While you’re driving north, don’t be afraid to segway east and visit the beautiful towns and villages of Longford, Evandale, Cressy and Perth, where more gourmet food experiences and atmospheric cottages await.

^{Scenes like this surround you on the drive from Sydney to Byron. Credit: John Montesi}

^{Discovery Parks - Forster is on the banks of the Wallamba River.}

Myall Lakes National Park is another must-do, with the sprawling nature reserve taking in Mungo Brush, Seal Rocks and Sugarloaf Bay, not far from the tranquil shores of the Wallamba River, where Australian surf culture begins to peak around Forster. 

Continuing north toward Port Macquarie via South West Rocks, the level of natural beauty turns up a notch again. A lively coastal hamlet at the beginning of Waterfall Way, the drive that links Coffs Harbour to Armidale is widely regarded as one of the state’s most picturesque. 

^{There are plenty of ways to unwind at a G'day Park!}

After Coffs you’ll hit Yamba via more off-the-charts beaches that back on to wild forest and stunning cliffs. 

Just before you hit Byron Bay, why not make a final detour to Bangalow and Nimbin, two of Australia’s most arty and alternative towns.