Date published: 26/10/23 All content in this article is intended to be general in nature and does not constitute and is not intended to be financial or professional advice.

Here are some of our favourite road trips around the country.

Sydney to Gold Coast

The drive from Sydney to the Gold Coast will take you along a spectacular coastline to some of the country’s best surf spots. Driving roughly nine hours in total, you can travel through Newcastle, Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour and Byron Bay, with plenty of places to eat, drink and sleep along the way.

Sydney to Perth

Crossing through three states as well as the famous Nullarbor, the journey from Sydney to Perth is jam-packed with action and adventure. From old mining towns to sandy beaches, there’s nothing quite like the drive between the east and west coast.

Sydney to Orange

Picture-perfect vineyards, abundant artisanal produce (truffles anyone?) and a bunch of emerging artists and designers, Orange is high on our hit list of road trips from Sydney. Whether you’ve got a weekend or a week, there’s plenty to keep you busy in this bustling country town.

Sydney to Ballina

Byron calling? The drive from Sydney to Ballina offers an aquatic playground of ocean pools, surf spots and charming seaside hamlets. Make a detour to explore World Heritage-listed rainforest and chase waterfalls in Bellingen or take a dip in the pristine waters around Yamba.

Melbourne to Adelaide

Allow plenty of time on a road trip from Melbourne to Adelaide, along the world-famous Great Ocean Road. Hit the surf at Bells Beach, snap a pic of the breathtaking 12 Apostles and visit one of Australia’s great wine regions at Coonawarra.

Melbourne to Adelaide driving guide

Melbourne to Canberra

Tuck into fabulous food, drop into contemporary art galleries and stroll through historic tree-lined streets on a road trip from Melbourne to Canberra. You’ll find trendy cafes, markets and a thriving arts community in the nation’s capital.

Melbourne to Canberra driving guide

Melbourne to Uluru

An epic road trip through the centre of Australia, the drive from Melbourne to Uluru will take roughly 25 hours. Think lush forest, red dirt outback and the Insta-worthy Pink Lake, just out of Dimboola. The journey will allow plenty of opportunities for hiking, swimming in rock pools and filling the feed with jaw-dropping vistas. Yes please.

Melbourne to Byron Bay

Blessed with incredible surf breaks, a thriving food scene and endless opportunities to immerse yourself in nature, it’s no wonder Byron Bay is one of Australia’s trendiest holiday spots. Yes, you could hop on a plane from Melbourne and arrive here within a few short hours, but take the scenic route on road and discover there’s plenty of stops along the way.

Melbourne to Byron Bay driving guide

Darwin to Uluru

A classic outback experience, the drive from Darwin to Uluru covers a mega 2,000 km. Visit Litchfield National Park for its waterfalls, try kayaking at Katherine Gorge and take a dip in the thermal blue waters of Bitter Springs.

Darwin to Perth

One of the longest road trips in Australia, the drive from Darwin to Perth is a whopping 4,000 km and a serious endeavour. You can visit the beach town of Broome, scenic gorges at Karijini National Park and the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef.

Darwin to Broome

Following the western half of the Savannah Way, you’ll travel from Australia’s Top End to Broome, at the gateway to the Kimberley. Discover Litchfield National Park, take a scenic detour to Lake Argyle and continue on to the orange and black-striped Bungle Bungle Range in Purnululu National Park.

Darwin to Kakadu

Driving from Darwin to Kakadu National Park packs plenty of adventure. Jumping crocodile cruises, mangroves teeming with Aussie wildlife, blissful waterfalls and rock art galleries, you’re in for one epic ride.

Cairns to Cape York

Spanning about 1,000 km, the drive from Cairns to Cape York will take you right to the top of Australia. Check out the iconic markets at Kuranda on your way up to Cooktown, cool off at Isabella Falls and get your thrills sandboarding at Elim Beach.

Cairns to Darwin

Another long drive, the road trip from Cairns to Darwin will take abouty 40 hours, along the eastern half of the Savannah Way. Relax in hot springs, trek through stunning national parks and spend the night in an outback retreat.

Plan early

If you’re travelling long distances, it’s worth planning some pit stops ahead of time. Find accommodation, petrol stations and food options before you set out. Remember, it’s recommended that drivers take a break for at least 15 minutes every two hours to avoid tiredness.

Get your tools together

Most importantly: your ultimate road trip playlist! You’ll want your music to be accessible offline in case you drop out of reception. It’s also worth downloading maps to use offline, while those road trippin’ in an EV can check out apps such as PlugShare to locate charging stations.

Pack efficiently

Write a packing list before you hit the road. Australia’s climate can vary drastically, so check the weather before you go and pack accordingly. Make sure you’ve got water, an emergency and safety kit, and a spare tire in tow.

Why ROLLiN’

Road trippin’ with your mates? Have as many as 10 cars and 10 drivers listed under one policy, as long as they fit our underwriting criteria. One account. One log-in. One less thing to worry about.

What we cover

On a road trip, you never know which way the wind blows.. Best be prepared. At ROLLiN’, we can cover loss and damages caused by*:

• Accidental collision
• Fire or explosion
• Theft/attempted theft
• Vandalism
• Storm, Flood, water
• Lightning or hail (see!)
• Accident

Terms, conditions, limits and exclusions apply.

We also offer cover for stolen car keys up to $1,000 (but nope – unfortunately, not the name tag keychain you picked up at the servo).

We could keep yarnin’ about what else we cover. But we get it, you’re busy! Instead, check out our PDS to see what else we offer.

We roll with IAG, Australia’s largest general insurer with over 160 years of experience. This means we get access to one of the largest repair networks in the country.

This is general advice only and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs (“your personal circumstances”). Before using this advice to decide whether to purchase a product, you should consider your personal circumstances and the relevant Product Disclosure Statement. Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determination are available from rollininsurance.com.au. Insurance issued by Insurance Australia Limited ABN 11 000 016 722 AFSL 227681 trading as Rollin’ Insurance.