Whether you haven’t yet landed in Australia or you’ve already been here a while, the country’s vastness means there is always something new to discover. Australia is home to some of the world’s best scenery, friendliest people, and most exhilarating, once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
Australia’s unique geography and origins have shaped the psyche of this incredible country. It’s home to some of the world’s highest per-capita incomes, most competitive athletes, rich and diverse cultures, innovative design, delicious wine, scrumptious food, gorgeous beaches and unspoilt landscapes. It’s almost impossible to discover it all, but these four main routes are a great place to start.
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Centre: Adelaide to Darwin
Mount Olsen Bagge, a section of Wilpena Pound
Make like one of Australia’s most accomplished explorers, John McDouall Stuart, and travel from Adelaide to Darwin along the Explorer’s Highway. Find cellar doors and vine-lined chateaus alongside rugged ranges and traditional opal mines. Take in the outback town of Alice Springs and tour Uluru and its surrounds with an Aboriginal guide. Discover ancient rock art, swim in crystal clear pools of water, shop at outdoor markets and marvel at early settler sites. It’s all here in this unbeatable Australian route.
Places to stop at include:
Wilpena Pound: A natural amphitheatre of mountains that offers rugged scenery, peaceful gorges, a huge array of wildlife and flora, and the chance to learn about the Aboriginal Adnyamathanha people.
Lake Eyre: Australia’s lowest natural point at 15m below sea level. 2015 has seen new life brought into the area thanks to heavy rainfall.
Coober Pedy: A traditional opal mining town built underground to manage the extremely inhospitable environment.
Uluru & Kings Canyon: Two of Australia’s most famous outback sites and the heart of the Red Centre. Enjoy gorges and valleys, amazing sunsets and the rich history of the area.
Katherine Gorge: A deep gorge carved through ancient sandstone by the Katherine River. Home to unrivalled swimming holes and intense natural beauty.
Litchfield National Park: Covering 1500km² and home to woodlands, waterfalls and tall termite mounds.
Darwin: The capital of the Northern Territory is built on a low bluff overlooking the harbour and is the ancestral home of the Larrakia people. Having been rebuilt twice (following Japanese air raids and Cyclone Tracy), it’s one of Australia’s most modern capitals.
East Coast – Sydney to Cairns
Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsundays
If picturesque beaches and lush hinterland is your thing, you’ll love the Legendary Pacific Coast. From the beautiful inlets of Port Stephens and wineries of the Hunter Valley, to the colourful Byron Bay and bright lights of the Gold Coast, the scenery is vast and full of adventure just waiting to be explored. Whether you’re after sweeping beaches, sleepy villages, mossy rainforests, whale watching, relaxation or excitement, you’ll find it en route from Sydney to Cairns.
Places to stop at include:
Nundle: A quaint historic gold mining town that’s home to The Dag Sheep Station, where you will find original wool sheds, shearer’s quarters and eat in a traditional mess hall before trying your hand at some shearing.
Byron Bay: With a reputation as an alternative hippie town, the colours and vibrancy of this coastal town is like no other. Take a surf lesson, hit the shops, kayak with dolphins or simply enjoy the beach.
Brisbane: Queensland’s capital is home to great food, cultural South Bank and the mighty Brisbane River. Eat, drink, swim, shop and play in this exciting city.
Fraser Island: Home to one of the best 4×4 adventures in Australia, Fraser Island is the world’s largest sand island. Come face-to-face with dingoes, camp under the stars and swim in the exquisite Lake Wabby.
Whitsunday Islands: Anchor off a secluded island and snorkel the reefs amongst the world’s most colourful fish. While you’re there, enjoy a night of dancing in the vibrant town of Airlie Beach.
Cairns/Cape Tribulation: Just north of the backpacker-friendly town of Cairns is Cape Tribulation, a village where two of the world’s most spectacular World Heritage sites meet – the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef.
West Coast: Perth to Exmouth
Monkey Mia Beach
Western Australia’s Coral Coast takes you on a journey through 45,000 years of history and 1,100 kilometres of stunning coastline. Discover uninterrupted stretches of white sand, untouched coral reefs, breathtaking gorges and some of the world’s largest fish – the whale shark.
Places to stop at include:
Lancelin: Nestled between a large, safe bay and two large islands, Lancelin is a great place to try your hand at sandboarding or visit the spectacular Pinnacles Desert.
Kalbarri National Park: Boasting incredible diverse landscapes from dramatic river gorges, secluded beaches, surf breaks and whale watching spots.
Monkey Mia: Get up-close-and-personal with bottlenose dolphins at Shark Bay World Heritage Area. In the afternoon, enjoy an Aboriginal canoe tour.
Navy Pier: An aquarium without the glass and a world-renowned dive site home to reef sharks, large cods and gropers, stone fish and whale sharks.
Uluru to the Great Ocean Road
The Twelve Apostles
Taking this route combines the very best of Australia’s outback with the very best of Australia’s coastal landscapes. Take in rugged terrain and red sands, before switching to coastal rock stacks, rainforests and world-renowned surf beaches. If it’s contrast you’re after, this is the route for you.
Places to stop at include:
Alice Springs: Having taken in the spectacular sunrise over Uluru, learn about the Aboriginal culture in one of the many cultural centres around Alice Springs.
Adelaide: Enjoy one of Australia’s oldest wine regions, the Barossa Valley, or marvel at wildlife on Kangaroo Island. Alternatively, simply enjoy the pretty city of Adelaide.
Grampians: Discover grand and rugged mountain ranges, spectacular wildflowers and a wealth of Aboriginal rock art sites.
Warrnambool: Home to incredible surf breaks, a rainforest walk and the Twelve Apostles, Warrnambool sums up the wonder of the Great Ocean Road.
If you’d like to take a group tour through one of these amazing routes, check out G Adventures routes here.
