Australia’s Ultimate Bucket List Road Trips You Have to Do at Least Once

Australia isn’t just a destination, it’s a country best experienced from behind the wheel. With vast distances, dramatic coastlines and landscapes that shift wildly from one region to the next, road trips are the perfect way to experience an Australian adventure.

From tropical beaches and world-famous coastal highways to red desert heartlands and remote wilderness, these bucket list Australian road trips represent journeys every traveller should experience at least once. Europcar’s convenient locations and wide range of vehicles, makes us the perfect partner for your Australian road trip dream.

Whether you’re planning your first Australian road trip or looking to tick off another lifelong travel dream, these routes showcase the very best of the country, one state at a time.

Brisbane to the Gold Coast and Beyond

Queensland’s south-east coast is pure summer road trip territory. Starting in Brisbane, this iconic drive heads towards the Gold Coast, where long sandy beaches, surf culture and sunshine set the tone.

Thrill seekers should add a stop at Dreamworld to the bucket list. As one of Australia’s most famous theme parks, a stop here brings a fun, high-energy experience to your road trip. From rollercoasters to wildlife encounters, Dreamworld has something for everyone.

Take to the surf in the waters of Burleigh Heads. If you’re a beginner, the sheltered waters of the main beach are perfect, or join a surf lesson to master your skills. The nearby Tallebudgera Creek is ideal for stand up paddle boarding.

Prefer land? Wander through Burleigh Heads National Park, or through the boutiques on the main street. You’ll find some of the Gold Coast’s best food and drinks in Burleigh, make sure you stop for a coffee or a tipple.

Continuing south, the road slips into northern New South Wales and the relaxed vibe of Byron Bay, where sunrise lighthouse walks, swimming beaches and coastal cafes create an unforgettable east coast experience.

Sydney to Port Stephens and the Hunter Coast

For an iconic New South Wales road trip that feels distinctly Australian, head north from Sydney towards Port Stephens and the Hunter Coast. This route blends easy coastal driving with wildlife encounters and dramatic natural landscapes.

Port Stephens is famous for its calm bays, dolphin-rich waters and the vast Stockton Sand Dunes, the largest moving sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere. Exploring the dunes, swimming in sheltered beaches or spotting marine life makes this a standout bucket list destination.

In your car, continue on to Newcastle’s surf beaches, ocean baths and quirky art scene. Loop inland through the Hunter Valley for vineyard lunches great wine. If you want to sample multiple wineries, leave the car at home for the day and book yourself on a private wine tour.

This north coast road trip balances coastal adventure and food and wine, all only three hours from Sydney.

Melbourne to the Great Ocean Road

Few road trips anywhere in the world are as recognisable as Victoria’s Great Ocean Road. Carved into cliffs above the Southern Ocean, this drive is famous for its sweeping coastal views and natural landmarks. Leaving Melbourne, the route passes towns like Torquay and Lorne. Stop and watch surfers at the famous Bells Beach, or sample one of the trendy cafes and restaurants in town.

Wind along the coastline, stopping in at the towns along the way, before reaching the towering limestone stacks of the Twelve Apostles. For a particularly spectacular view, visit at sunrise or sunset to see the dramatic colours change.

In summer, longer daylight hours mean more time for rainforest walks or chasing waterfalls in the Otways. Foodies will love sampling local delights, or for something a bit fancy, one of the hatted restaurants in the region.

Immerse yourself in Indigenous culture at UNESCO listed Budj Bim Cultural Landscape. Join a guided tour of the landscape and sample Tae Rak Aquaculture Centre’s signature dish of Kooyang (eel).

Driving this route yourself is what makes it special, stopping when the light is perfect, detouring to quiet beaches and experiencing one of Australia’s most iconic journeys at your own pace.

Adelaide to the Fleurieu Peninsula

South Australia’s bucket list road trips are all about understated beauty and slow travel. The drive from Adelaide to the Fleurieu Peninsula combines rolling vineyards, dramatic coastline and classic seaside towns.

Passing through McLaren Vale wine country, stop in to one of the many award-winning wineries and restaurants to sample why this region is so famous. For something a little different, don’t miss the d’Arenberg cube and combine art and wine.

Home to some of Australia’s most beautiful beaches, you can take your pick on the Fleurieu Peninsula. Visit Port Willunga, where golden cliffs frame calm water or snorkel, dive and kayak in Rapid Bay’s crystal clear water.

Further south, Victor Harbor offers coastal walks, island views and relaxed summer vibes. Don’t forget to visit the Fairy Penguins on Granite Island.

This is the kind of road trip that rewards curiosity. With a car, it’s easy to pair beach swims with cellar doors (with a designated driver), discover quiet coastal roads and enjoy a gentler but deeply memorable Australian journey.

Perth, Rottnest Island and the Sunset Coast

Western Australia’s bucket list road trips are defined by space, freedom and landscapes that feel a world away from the city, often less than an hour’s drive from Perth. Starting in the CBD, this road trip follows the coastline north, where beaches stretch longer, crowds thin out and the road becomes part of the experience.

One of the most iconic stops is Lancelin, approximately 1.5 hours north of Perth and virtually impossible to reach without a car. Along the drive, pass pristine beaches and if you’re visiting in spring, beautiful wildflowers. Famous for its vast white sand dunes, Lancelin is a playground for sandboarding, four-wheel driving and wide-open coastal views. Even without an adrenaline activity, standing atop the dunes with the Indian Ocean in the distance feels like a true Western Australian bucket list moment.

Back in Perth, drive south along the Sunset Coast, stopping at beaches like Scarborough and Cottesloe for swimming and late-afternoon light over the ocean. If you’re visiting between March to May and August to December, don’t miss the chance to see the ocean’s majestic giants on a whale watching tour. From nearby Fremantle, park the car and take the ferry to Rottnest Island, where cycling between secluded bays, snorkelling in clear water and spotting quokkas rounds out the experience.

Combining coastal driving, remote landscapes and iconic Australian wildlife creates a road trip that can only really be done by car, capturing the laid-back spirit that makes Western Australia so unforgettable.

Hobart to Tasmania’s East Coast

Tasmania’s east coast feels wild, untouched and deeply rewarding to explore by car. Starting in Hobart, this bucket list route follows quiet coastal roads north towards Freycinet National Park and beyond. This is a route to slow down, take in the views, explore the secluded beaches and sample fresh food and local wine.

The walk to Wineglass Bay lookout is one of Australia’s most iconic short hikes, revealing a perfect curve of white sand against vivid blue water. Walk along the beach or join a boat tour to admire the views from the sea, where you may be joined by dolphins.

Further north, the town of Bicheno provides the opportunity to sample fresh seafood and spot wildlife including Tasmanian Devils and penguins. Oyster lovers can get right to the source on a tour where you will harvest, shuck and eat oysters straight from the racks in the ocean.

Driving Tasmania’s east coast allows you to travel slowly, stop often and enjoy the kind of road trip where the journey itself becomes the highlight.

The Red Centre Way

No Australian bucket list road trip list would be complete without the Red Centre Way. Looping from Alice Springs, this outback journey takes in the West MacDonnell Ranges (Tjoritja), Kings Canyon and Uluru–Kata Tjuta National Park. This is Australia at its most powerful with vast desert landscapes, deep gorges and sacred cultural sites that leave a lasting impression.

One of Australia’s most iconic landmarks, Uluru is spectacular from every angle, particularly at sunrise or sunset. The Anangu people are Uluru’s traditional custodians, living in the area for at least 22,000 years. A visit to the Cultural Centre allows you the opportunity to learn more about the Anangu culture and purchase local artwork.

Book a dining experience under the stars with Uluru at sunset as your backdrop, sampling delicious menus of native Australian ingredients.

Just a three hour drive from Uluru, head to Watarrka National Park and marvel at the sandstone formation of Kings Canyon. Spend a few days so you can walk the lush valley floor and enjoy the scenic views of the canyon rim walk.

Returning to Alice Springs, visit the West MacDonnell Ranges (Tjoritja), explore walking trails and take a dip in one of the national park’s waterholes.

Driving through the Red Centre is about embracing distance, silence and scale, making it one of the most unforgettable road trips in the country.

Image credit: Tourism Australia.