Discover Australia via the roads less travelled
Whether you have your own caravan and RV or are looking to hire one, we have some of the best Australian roadtrips that you can travel at your leisure.
Queensland
Your starting point is the Queensland border down of Hebel where, in the great Australian tradition, the centre of town happens to be the local pub where you’ll find plenty of character in both the décor and the people. Just down the road from the pub is the Hebel General Store and Caravan Park which is the perfect place to stay the night.
About 350kms north, on the Carnarvon Highway, is the sizable outback town of Roma, home to the largest cattle saleyards in the southern hemisphere. Explore Queensland’s history and visit the Mount Abundance homestead, built in 1860 on the first settlement site in the region. While you’re there, check out The Big Rig oil and gas interpretative centre.
Stretch your legs at Injune or stay a little longer and use the town as a base to enjoy the wonders of Carnarvon Gorge or press on another 330km to Emerald which is rich in history as well as gemstones. Stop to look at some of the fascinating historic buildings or try your luck fossicking at nearby Sapphire or Rubyvale.
Clermont is just another 115km up the road and is well worth the stop.
Settled in 1861, it soon received an influx of people thanks to the discovery of gold. In 1916 however, the town was wiped off the map after a devasting flood in which 65 people died. The town, now resituated a safer distance away from Hood’s Lagoon, features several historical reminders, including the famous ‘piano in the tree’ – a reconstruction of the aftermath of the flood when three pianos were found lodged in trees.
A good 380km further on will bring you to Charters Towers. Described as Queensland’s most beautiful inland town, its impressive historic buildings serve as a reminder of its importance as a gold mining town – it even boasted its own stock exchange and the first ambulance station outside of Brisbane. There is plenty of heritage to enjoy.
Now you’re in tropical North Queensland and the next leg of your journey is longest at 465km where the next stop is Ravenshoein the Atherton Tableland. Stop and relax for a few days, taking in the Millstream Falls National Park and check out the quirky furniture and artwork at The Barn.
This is the last stretch of your road trip. The journey from Ravenshoe to Cairns is only 147km but what sights you’ll see! If you time your arrival into Atherton for August, you’ll be there for the Maize Festival which includes a parade of decorated floats. Mareeba is a coffee drinkers and nature lovers delight with Granite Gorge National Park, Emerald Creek Falls, Jaques Coffee Plantation and Coffee Works as its attractions. Then it is time to unwind and take your time exploring Cairns where the Great Barrier Reef and Kuranda Scenic Railway are sure to impress.
New South Wales
Explore the hidden treasures of central New South Wales down to the Victorian border in this 1142km journey that follows the Darling River. This road trip will take you down some corrugated dirt roads so do ensure your vehicle is suitable.
We start at Bourke on the banks of the historic Darling River, one of the most important river ports of the 19th century. Take the time to savour the history from its ancient Indigenous past at the Mulgowan Aboriginal rock art site to the Bourke Historic Wharf and enjoy a relaxing paddle steamer tour.
Make your next stop south at Cobar, a mining town rich in history as well as copper ore. The self-guided heritage walk lets you explore the town’s historical buildings at your own pace. Also worth a 70km detour is Mount Grenfell and the beautifully preserved Aboriginal wall art from this culturally significant site.
Your next stop will be Wilcannia. In the riverboat heyday, this little town boasted one of the largest river ports on the Darling. Located on the edge of the region’s opal fields, this place has preserved many of its historic buildings including its heritage-listed centre-lift bridge.
The highway further west will take you to Broken Hill, but head south for another 180 or so kilometres to the Kinchega National Park. Stop for a few days and enjoy the camping at Emu Lake. There’s no need to hurry, just take in the serenity and observe the wildlife. Don’t forget to check out the old woolshed near the visitor’s centre.
The village of Pooncarie, just 150km to the south, is worth a stop for a meal at the Pooncarie Telegraph Hotel. As of December 2023, the road between Menindee and Pooncarie is paved, making for easier travel.
Lake Mungo is the next stop, with a landscape that looks out of this world. The sand-sculpted lunette sand dunes and ‘Walls of China’ formation will leave you awestruck.
Learn more about the Mungo Man and Mungo Woman, the oldest human remains ever found in
Australia that date back more than 50,000 years.
Stretch your legs at Balranald and stop at the award-winning Balranald Discovery Centre and enjoy a bite in one of the local eateries including a bakery-cafe or the charming RSL.
Your final stop is Swan Hill on the southern bank of the Murray River. This small inland city features galleries as well as boutique food producers offering all sorts of gourmet delights. Spend a few days and experience the Pioneer Settlement and book for the nighttime laser light show.
Victoria
Experience large-scale artwork on Victoria’s Silo Art Trail, a 700km roadtrip that takes in picturesque rural towns. While it is the shortest of our roadtrips, don’t be in a hurry to move from one destination to another. Take your time and spend two or three days exploring the region.
The trail begins two hours’ drive west of the historic gold mining city of Bendigo. The town of Rupanyup hosts the southern-most part of the art trail. Experienced travellers recommend seeing the silos in the morning to get the most sunlight on the silos and to appreciate the detail of the artwork.
With an early start you can easily fit in Rupanyup, Sheep Hills, Brim, Rosebery and Nullawil in a morning but don’t forget to make time to stop at other attractions along the way such as the Woods’ Farming and Heritage Museum at Rupanyup.
Your first day’s travel is 417km from Bendigo to the town of Sea Lake. Make it an overnight stop and enjoy a 1km hike from the platform overlooking Lake Tyrell, down to the water’s edge. If you time your trip for November, you can enjoy the Sea Lake Astro Fest where members of the Astronomical Society of Victoria will have telescopes at the ready to show you the wonders of the night sky.
The next day head west, taking in the art silos at Lascelles, Patchewollock and Albacutya – a 173km drive. If spotting native birds is on your must-do list, Lake Albacutya is a mostly dry lake with red gum and black box woodlands. These are home to colourful parrots including the red-rumped and regent parrots, and the sulphur crested and Major Mitchell cockatoos.
The 82km drive from Albacutya brings you to Arkona. This surreal looking silo features what appears to be an invisible man playing tennis. In fact, it plays homage to Roley Klinge, a local legend.
This is another place to break the journey by spending time in the town of Dimboola which is 10km south of the silo. Perhaps best known for its namesake comedy play, there is more to explore in Dimboola.
The town itself has another claim to fame. Artist Sidney Nolan, best known for his Ned Kelly paintings, was stationed at Dimboola during World War Two and painted several works about the town. However, its national attractions are quite spectacular too. The Pink Lake gets its vibrant colour from salt tolerant algae and is at its most spectacular after fresh rain. You can even try the Pomponderoo Hill Nature Walks, a 1km hike which offers views across the Wimmera River and meanders through the desert environment that blooms with colour in the spring.
The next day, head out to see the Kaniva Silo art. This 78km drive west puts you within 20km or so of the South Australian border. Stretch your legs and check out the 900-metre-long sheep art trail from the silo to the wetlands and fauna park.
Goroke is your next stop. It received its name from the local Wotjobaluk Aboriginal word for magpie, which you can see takes pride of place on the silo art.
Horsham is your final destination where, in addition to the silo art, there is plenty for nature lovers to see and do including the Mount William Creek Nature Rail, Wartook Gardens or learn more about the local history at the Horsham Historical Society. Pick up a souvenir from your tour at one of the local shops including The Big Koala found at Dadswell Bridge between Horsham and Stawell.
