6 Places to Visit on an Australian Road Trip
Of all the countries to explore on a road trip, Australia might seem the most difficult to conquer. The vast country is virtually a continent in itself, with endless deserts, sun-kissed beaches and even the odd rainforest – so it might seem a bit intimidating for a first-time visitor. However with a bit of planning and allocation of sufficient free time, it simply means one can see the very best of the Land Down Under in just a couple of weeks. Even though flights between the different cities are not too expensive, driving through the country is the ideal way to encounter the authentic Australian lifestyle.
Melbourne
Australia former capital provides the great starting point for a road trip. The laid-back, modern city has a young feel and plenty of hip neighbourhoods. St. Kilda is one of the country’s most gorgeous beaches. It’s well-connected and avoids the unbearably hot temperatures of the north of the country, and it’s famous for its brunch and coffee scene – Melbourne is, in fact, the birthplace of the flat white. If you’re into stronger stuff, the city’s bar and club scene is probably Australia’s most fun.
– Tourism Victoria via Flickr
Melbourne is also the beating heart of Australia’s incredible sports scene. Whatever time of year you’re travelling, there’s certain to be a big sporting event going on in the city. The Australian Open at the start of the year gives you a chance to watch greats like Federer, Nadal and Murray take to the court, while the Melbourne Cricket Ground is a mecca of sport which any fan should check out. The 100,000-seater stadium hosts AFL and cricket games and the major bookmakers like Paddy Power and William Hill offer free bets through sites like Oddschecker, so even if you’re not an expert on the sport, you’ll be able to back your new side with ease.
Bondi Beach
Fancy some sun? The best way to enjoy the laid-back Australian way of life is to get in on it yourself – and Bondi Beach is undoubtedly the spot for that. Feel the sand between your toes and the sun on your neck; you can even enjoy a barbecue on the famous site near Sydney. Make sure you stay around for sunset, too, and have your camera at the ready. There’s no shortage of bars and restaurants along the beach either, so there are certainly worse places to spend a day.
Sydney Harbour
Sydney Harbour – ncburton via Flickr
One of the most famous sites in the world, you’d be forgiven for thinking Sydney Harbour is just another overrated tourist site – but you’d be wrong. Apart from enjoying the beauty of the Sydney Opera House, the harbour is surrounded by beautiful hills and offers calm waters to take a cruise on. You can even climb up inside the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and get a view of the whole scene that you won’t forget soon. Sydney is a young and hip city with plenty of great eating spots, so make sure you spend a least a couple of days to take it all in.
Great Barrier Reef
Any trip up the Australian east coast simply must include the dive into one of the world’s most majestic sites. Sprawling reefs, colourful flora and the most unique creatures in the world sit just metres below the surface off the coast of Cairns. There is no shortage of boat trips and packages available and you can find the best one when you arrive – with many offering the options to dive, snorkel or sail on a glass-bottomed boat. It’s especially important to see the reef while you can – the incredible site is sadly disappearing more and more by the week, and in a few years not much will remain.
The Great Barrier Reef – Kyle Taylor via Flickr
If you are staying in nearby Cairns, it is also worth taking a day to enjoy a tour of the Daintree Rainforest. The sprawling location is unlike anywhere else in the country – you can travel up by cable car and observe some rather incredible fauna. In additional, Cape Tribulation on the outskirts of the locale has the distinction of being the only place in the world where a World Heritage Site rainforest meets a beach.
Uluru
To say it is awkward to get to is an understatement – Uluru, formerly Ayers Rock, is about as far from any city as it is possible to be. However, that does not mean you should make the mistake of crossing it off your itinerary. The stunning site is worth a view in itself, being a historically significant and aesthetically remarkable rock formation. But a visit to Uluru is all about the experience of driving through Australia’s outback, passing the small towns along the way and basking in the baking sun and wide-open road. If it’s the real Australia you’re after, a visit to the centre is a must.
Perth
It might be worth driving up to Darwin from Uluru or ditching the car at this point and get on a cheap domestic flight out to Perth to spend your final days in the country. The city does not get enough tourist attention given its distance from the more commonly-visited east coast, but it boasts some of the best surfing in the world and will make a claim for having the country’s most stunning beaches too. After all, there is no better way to end a holiday of a lifetime than relaxing by the sea and reflecting on the journey.
Categories: Oceania Region
Such a nice places. I hope someday i can go there