How to plan an Australia road trip: everything you need to know

A road trip in Australia is one of the great travel experiences available anywhere in the world. The distances are vast, the landscapes are endlessly varied, the roads are (mostly) excellent, and the freedom of having your own vehicle and no fixed schedule is particularly intoxicating in a country this size. But planning an Australian road trip requires a different mindset than planning a European driving holiday — the scale, the isolation, and the practical realities are unlike anything most first-time visitors expect.

I’ve done road trips all over Australia — up the Queensland coast, around Tasmania, through the Red Centre, along the Great Ocean Road, across the Nullarbor. Each one has been unforgettable in its own way, and each one has taught me something new about how to plan and execute a long-distance drive in this country. This guide distils everything I’ve learned into practical advice you can actually use.

Let’s start planning your Australian road trip.

📋 TL;DR — the quick version

• 🚗 Choose the right vehicle: a standard sedan works for sealed roads, but a 4WD opens up far more of the country.
• 📍 Best road trip routes: Queensland East Coast, Great Ocean Road, Red Centre Way, Tasmania circuit, Gibb River Road (Kimberley).
• ⛽ Fuel planning is critical: remote outback service stations can be 300+ kilometres apart — never let your tank drop below half.
• 📱 Get a satellite communicator: mobile coverage disappears fast outside cities and major towns.
• 🗓️ Allow more time than you think: everything in Australia takes longer than a map suggests — the distances are deceptive.
• 🦘 Don’t drive at night: kangaroos and other large animals on roads at dawn, dusk, and after dark cause thousands of accidents annually.
• 💰 Budget AUD $150–250 per day for a couple in a hired vehicle including fuel, accommodation, and food.

🚗 Choosing the right vehicle

The vehicle you choose determines what kind of road trip you can do. Australia has a hierarchy of roads — from excellent multi-lane highways to graded gravel tracks to genuine four-wheel-drive-only tracks — and your vehicle determines which ones you can safely use.

1. Standard car (2WD sedan or hatchback). Fine for sealed highway routes like the Queensland East Coast, Sydney to Melbourne, and the Great Ocean Road. Not suitable for unsealed roads, desert tracks, or anything marked “4WD only.” Most major car hire companies have good fleets of standard vehicles at competitive rates.
2. SUV or AWD crossover. Better clearance and slightly more off-road capability than a sedan, but still not a genuine 4WD. Suitable for well-graded gravel roads in dry conditions, but don’t push them beyond their limits. Good for Tasmania, where many roads are sealed but gravel side roads are common.
3. 4WD (high-clearance, dual-range). Genuinely capable off-road and essential for routes like the Gibb River Road in the Kimberley, the Old Telegraph Track in Cape York, the Oodnadatta Track, and many other outback adventures. Hire a proper 4WD if you plan to leave sealed roads in remote areas. Budget more for fuel — these vehicles are heavy and thirsty.
4. campervan rental in Australia. The most popular choice for first-time Australia road trippers and for good reason — you combine transport and accommodation in one, which saves money and adds enormous flexibility. Campervans are limited to sealed roads and are relatively slow (cruise at 90 km/h rather than 110 km/h), but for the East Coast or major touring routes, they’re excellent value and incredibly convenient.
5. 4WD camper. The ultimate Australia road trip vehicle — a capable off-road 4WD with a roof tent or a purpose-built camper body. Gives you total freedom to go anywhere, stay anywhere, and spend as long as you want in remote places. Expensive to hire but worth every cent if adventure is the priority.

🗺️ The best road trip routes in Australia

🌊 The Queensland East Coast — the classic backpacker route

The Queensland East Coast drive from Brisbane or Sydney to Cairns is Australia’s most popular road trip for good reason. It’s about 2,800 kilometres from Brisbane to Cairns and can be done in as little as a week (if you don’t stop much) or stretched across a month (if you do it properly). The route passes through the Gold Coast, Byron Bay, the Sunshine Coast, Noosa, the Whitsundays, Townsville, Mission Beach, and dozens of other spots, each with its own character and attractions.

The road is entirely sealed, there are petrol stations in regular supply, and accommodation ranges from backpacker hostels to luxury resorts depending on your budget. This is a great route for first-time Australian road trippers — the infrastructure is excellent, the scenery is beautiful, and the social aspect of the East Coast traveller scene means you’ll meet people along the way.

🌊 Great Ocean Road, Victoria — the world-class coastal drive

The Great Ocean Road from Torquay to Allansford (about 240 kilometres) is one of the world’s great coastal drives and can be done as a two or three-day trip from Melbourne. The road hugs spectacular clifftops, passes through surf towns and rainforest, and culminates at the Twelve Apostles limestone stacks. It’s entirely sealed, very accessible, and offers excellent accommodation at every stop.

🏜️ Red Centre Way — the outback heart

The Red Centre Way connects Alice Springs to Uluru via Kings Canyon — about 1,100 kilometres of outback driving through some of Australia’s most ancient and awe-inspiring landscape. Some sections are sealed, others are well-graded gravel that can be handled in a regular 4WD but are best done in a high-clearance vehicle. Allow five to seven days minimum to do this route justice, and go in the dry season (May to September) when temperatures are manageable.

🏝️ Tasmania circuit

Tasmania is the perfect road trip destination for those who want dramatic scenery, excellent food, and manageable distances. The island is roughly the size of Ireland and can be circumnavigated in a week, though two weeks is better. The roads are generally good, the distances are short by Australian standards, and the accommodation is excellent. Don’t miss the Freycinet Peninsula, Cradle Mountain, the Huon Valley, Port Arthur, and the wild South-West — a UNESCO World Heritage wilderness that’s one of the most remote and spectacular places in Australia.

👉 Book Great Ocean Road and Victoria road trip tours on GetYourGuide →

⛽ Fuel planning for remote Australia

Fuel planning is one of the most critical practical considerations for any Australian road trip that ventures away from the coast. In remote outback areas, petrol stations can be 300 to 500 kilometres apart. Running out of fuel in the outback is not just inconvenient — in summer heat, it can be life-threatening.

1. Know your vehicle’s range. Before you leave, fill your tank and calculate your range on a full tank — most vehicles will do 600 to 800 kilometres on a full tank at highway speeds. If service stations on your route are further apart than your range, you need to carry a jerry can of extra fuel.
2. Never let your tank drop below half in remote areas. This is the golden rule of outback driving. Refuel every time you have the opportunity, even if your tank is still three-quarters full.
3. Remote fuel is expensive. Fuel prices in outback roadhouses can be 50 to 100 cents per litre more than city prices. Budget accordingly — a 4WD doing 12 litres per 100 kilometres and a journey of several thousand kilometres adds up fast.
4. Check service station hours. Some remote roadhouses have limited hours or close on Sundays. Call ahead if you’re arriving outside normal business hours — arriving at a closed roadhouse when you’re nearly empty is a serious problem.
5. Use the WikiCamps or GasBuddy app. These apps provide updated information on fuel prices, service station locations, and user reviews that can be invaluable for planning fuel stops.

📱 Communication in remote areas

Australian mobile coverage is excellent along the coast and in cities, but disappears very quickly once you move inland. Most of the Outback has zero mobile coverage — which means if you break down, have an accident, or need help, you have no way of calling for assistance unless you have alternative communication.

A Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) is essential for remote area travel. These devices send a distress signal via satellite to emergency services and are available to hire or buy from camping stores. They require no subscription and cover you anywhere in Australia for life-threatening emergencies. Hire a satellite phone for trips where non-emergency communication from remote areas might be needed. Satellite messaging devices like the Garmin inReach allow you to send text messages via satellite — excellent for keeping in touch with family and checking weather forecasts when off the grid.

🦘 Wildlife on the roads — a serious hazard

Wildlife collisions are one of the biggest road safety hazards in Australia. Kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, cattle (on unfenced outback roads), and other large animals cause thousands of accidents every year, and a collision with a large kangaroo at highway speed can total a vehicle and seriously injure its occupants.

The most important rule is simple: do not drive at dawn, dusk, or after dark on rural roads if you can avoid it. This is when wildlife is most active and most likely to be on or near roads. If you absolutely must drive at night, slow down significantly, use high beams where possible, and be prepared to stop suddenly. Kangaroo whistles (ultrasonic devices attached to the front of your vehicle) have mixed evidence for effectiveness but are widely used. Bull bars and protective front-end equipment make practical sense for outback driving where large animals on unfenced roads are common.

🏕️ Where to stay on an Australia road trip

Accommodation options on an Australian road trip range from free camping under the stars to luxury eco-lodges. The key is knowing your options and planning accordingly.

• 🌿 Free camping: Australia has an excellent network of free or low-cost campsites on national park and state forest land, managed by parks authorities. Apps like WikiCamps and Campermate list thousands of free sites with user reviews. Some require booking in advance (particularly in national parks), so plan ahead.
• 🏕️ Caravan parks and campgrounds: Commercial campgrounds are found in virtually every town and tourist area, offering powered and unpowered sites, amenities, and often a pool. Nightly rates range from around AUD $30 for a basic site to $60+ for a premium powered site in a well-equipped park.
• 🏨 Roadhouses and outback pubs: In remote areas, roadhouses often have basic rooms or a small motel attached. The pub accommodation in outback towns is often surprisingly comfortable and always atmospheric.
• 🏡 Holiday rentals: For longer stays in beachside towns or popular destinations, a holiday house or apartment via Airbnb or Stayz often offers better value and more space than a motel, particularly if you’re travelling with a group.

📋 Essential items for an Australian road trip

1. Water — more than you think you need. Carry at least 10 litres per person for any journey on remote roads. In the event of a breakdown in summer heat, water is your most critical survival resource.
2. A tyre repair kit and knowledge of how to use it. Punctures on gravel roads are common. A basic plug-and-inflate repair kit, plus the knowledge to use it, can get you out of a serious situation.
3. Paper maps or an offline GPS app. Don’t rely solely on your phone’s maps — mobile coverage disappears in remote areas. Download offline maps before you leave using Google Maps or Maps.me, and carry a paper map of the region as a backup.
4. A first aid kit. Basic first aid supplies are essential, including wound care, antiseptic, antihistamines, pain relief, and a SAM splint for immobilising fractures. Remote area first aid training is worth doing before any serious outback adventure.
5. A spare tyre (or two, for genuine outback routes). Check your spare before you leave — it should be properly inflated and in good condition. For remote outback routes, two spares is standard practice.

💡 Final planning tips

The single biggest mistake most Australian road trippers make is trying to cover too much ground in too little time. Australia is enormous, and distances are genuinely deceptive on a map. A “short” drive of 400 kilometres can take five hours on a road where the limit is 110 km/h, with rest stops, fuel, and the inevitable time spent pulling over to look at things.

Build slack into your itinerary — ideally one or two days per week that are genuinely flexible, where you can stay an extra night somewhere you love or detour to something you discovered along the way. The best road trip moments are almost always unplanned. Leave room for them.

👉 Book guided Australia road trip experiences and tours on GetYourGuide →