Australia by roadAustralia by road for the over 50 baby boomer Following are some sample routes: Sample 1. The Great Southern Route Start & End: Melbourne, Victoria Distance: 807 kilometres This self-drive tour offers the very best of Victoria’s attractions, coastal scenery, cities and towns, history and heritage. Starting from Melbourne, the route can be travelled clockwise or anti-clockwise, and provides unlimited opportunities to take side trips at any point to explore even more of the region’s extraordinary attractions. Begin or end at the Great Ocean Road: Geelong, less than an hour from Melbourne, is beautifully nestled on the shores of Corio Bay. The city’s new waterfront is a popular highlight. You can take a pleasant detour to the seaside village of Queenscliff. Then drive the spectacular Great Ocean Road from Torquay, Australia’s surf capital, through the Mediterranean-style resort of Lorne to Apollo Bay, paradise by the sea, and the Great Otway National Park. As the Great Ocean Road continues into the rugged Shipwreck Coast region, where scores of ships have been wrecked in the treacherous coastal waters, the majesty of the Port Campbell National Park, home of the famous Twelve Apostles, begins to unfold. Blowholes roar while the sea boils around towering rock stacks. The Grampians: The Great Southern Route leaves the coast near Port Fairy and heads north toward the Grampians National Park. Towns along the way provide a glimpse of Australian rural life. Nearing the Grampians, the enormity of the ranges becomes apparent as they begin to dominate the horizon. Ballarat Gold fields and spa Country: Following the Western Highway into the major regional city of Ballarat. Gold was first discovered in the 1850s, leaving a lasting legacy of beautiful streetscapes in the region’s cities and towns. Australia by road, five Days on the Great Southern Route Day 1 Melbourne to Lorne 140 kms Day 2 Lorne to Warrnambool 208 kms Day 3 Warrnambool to Halls Gap 196 kms Day 4 Halls Gap to Ballarat 148 kms Day 5 Ballarat to Melbourne 115 kms ................................................................ Sample 2. Australia by road. Melbourne - Adelaide Route Route: Melbourne to Adelaide Distance: 1,073 kilometres (coast) 1,018 kilometres (inland) Suggested Time: 4 Days From Melbourne, travel along the Great Ocean Road through the coastal towns of Lorne, Apollo Bay, Port Campbell and Warrnambool. The drive reveals dramatic coastal scenery, especially near Port Campbell where the famous Twelve Apostles are located. Continue to Mount Gambier, surrounded by ancient volcanic sinkholes and crater lakes, including the spectacular Blue Lake. From Mount Gambier, choose to travel along the coast or venture inland. Coast Visit small fishing ports of Port MacDonnell, Beachport and Robe, centres for lobster-fishing fleets. Follow the road beside the Coorong National Park, a haven for bird-life, and on the way stop to learn about the local Aboriginal culture. Continue through Meningie to Wellington where you cross the Murray River and travel to Strathalbyn. Inland Travel north to the historic town of Penola and the world-famous Coonawarra wine district, known for its red wine varieties. Visit the Naracoorte Caves World Heritage Fossil Site, to see the latest Australian mega fauna unearthed in this active fossil site. Continue onto Tailem Bend to cross the Murray River and travel to Strathalbyn. From Strathalbyn travel to Goolwa and join a river cruise that takes you to the mouth of the Murray River and into the Coorong. Visit the popular seaside town of Victor Harbor and catch the Horse Drawn Tram to Granite Island, renowned for its Little Penguin colony. Continue onto Adelaide, via McLaren Vale with plenty of opportunities to sample local produce and wine, or travel to Kangaroo Island via the ferry which departs from Cape Jervis. ............................................................... Sample 3. Australia by road. Grand Pacific Drive Sydney to Wollongong and Beyond Start: Royal National Park (Sydney) End: Bomaderry/Nowra Distance: 140 Kilometers Grand Pacific Drive is the award winning coastal drive encompassing 140km of some of the most spectacular scenery and coastline in NSW. From the Royal National Park (world’s second oldest) to Wollongong and onto Shellharbour, Kiama and the Shoalhaven, the route traverses through dramatic coastal scenery, quaint villages, over the iconic Sea Cliff Bridge and through the bustling city of Wollongong. Experience Grand Pacific Drive’s ‘beyond’ into the Southern Highlands, Canberra and the South Coast. Must See & Do: • Drive through the spectacular Royal National Park • Stop at the magnificent ‘Bald Hill’ lookout • Park and walk over the Sea Cliff Bridge • Enjoy Wollongong’s beaches and thriving restaurant/ cafes • Visit Nan Tien Temple – the largest Buddhist temple in the Southern Hemisphere • Visit Kiama Blowhole or try some local wine at nearby wineries • Visit the spectacular Seven Mile Beach • Enjoy some side trips to Mt Keira, Minnamurra Rainforest or Lake Illawarra. Grand Pacific Drive Sample Itinerary Day 1 Sydney (CBD) to Wollongong(overnight Wollongong) 90 kms Day 2 Wollongong to Shoalhaven(overnight Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama or Shoalhaven) 77 kms Day 3 Shoalhaven to Southern Highlands via Berry & Kangaroo Valley(overnight Southern Highlands) 72 kms Day 4 Southern Highlands to Canberra(overnight Canberra or return to Sydney) 174 kms .................................................................. Sample 4. Australia by road. The Great Alpine Road
Route: Bairnsdale to WangarattaDistance: 308 kilometres Experience the Great Alpine Road, one of the great Australia by road routes. For more than 300 kilometres, discover the splendour of valleys, mountains, forests, rivers and ocean; one of the finest and most diverse combinations of scenery imaginable in the country. It’s adventure and it’s one of the great touring experiences. Highlights: • Touring Routes: Six touring routes on sealed roads reveal many sights and experiences which are often just a short drive from the main road. History, regional food and wine, mountain vistas, adventure activities, little-known back country roads and the southern hemisphere’s biggest network of inland waterways just waiting to be discovered. • Summer in the High Country: Victoria’s alpine areas are the height of adventure in summer, with activities ranging from downhill thrills on mountain bikes to mastering the art of fly fishing in alpine streams. • Explore the National Parks: The Alpine National Park is the high point of your Great Alpine Road journey which peaks at 1825m over Mt Hotham. Just 30 minutes from the Great Alpine Road, the Mt Buffalo National Park is one of Australia’s oldest. • Ride or Walk the Rail Trails: The Murray to Mountains and East Gippsland Rail Trails promise spectacular rural scenery, superb local produce and a living history easily accessible from the Great Alpine Road. Gourmet Food and Wine Drive 130 kms Golden Heritage Drive 140 kms Great Alpine Discovery Drive 90 kms (36km unsealed) Mt Buffalo Drive 54 kms Wine and Gold Drive 27 kms Gippsland Lakes Drive 88 kms ................................................................. Sample 5. Australia by road. The Matilda Highway Start: Sydney, New South Wales End: Karumba, Gulf of Carpentaria Distance: 2,725 kilometres The Matilda Highway is a place of colourful characters, remarkable history and a landscape endless in time and space. This is a place where dinosaurs left their footprints, ancient culture was recorded on rock faces and people will say g'day and share a yarn. ................................................................... Sample 6. Australia by road. Savannah Way Touring Route
4WD Adventures - The Savannah Way Start: Cairns, Tropical North Qld End: Broome, Western Aust Distance: 3,609 kilometres The Savannah Way is one of Australia's ultimate adventure drives, linking Cairns in Tropical North Queensland with the historic pearling town of Broome in Western Australia, via the natural wonders of Katherine in the Northern Territory.Cairns to Cape York Touring Route ...................................................................... Sample 7. Australia by road. 4WD Adventures - Cairns to Cape York Start: Cairns, Tropical North Qld End: Cape York Distance: 921 kilometres If you love bushwalking, four wheel driving, wildlife, fishing, birdwatching or camping then Cape York is the place for you. The Cape York region is one of the largest wilderness areas in the world that remains relatively untouched, maintaining its original beauty and a variety of sights. ......................................................................... Sample 8. Australia by road. Pacific Coast Touring Route Start: Port Douglas, Tropical North Qld End: Gold Coast, South East Qld Distance: 1,928 kilometres From swaying palm trees to sandy white beaches, the Pacific Coast Touring Route is a drive that will put you in touch with Australia's love affair with the ocean. Learn to dive, snorkel with turtles, watch humpback whales, try white water rafting or even sail a yacht. On the Pacific Coast Touring Route the journey truly is the destination! ...................................................................... Sample 9. Australia by road. The Great Murray Touring Route Start: Melbourne, Victoria End: Broken Hill, Outback New South Wales Distance: 768 kilometres Mildura & Murray Outback will overwhelm your senses. From the outback city of Broken Hill stretching south through the ancient deserts to Mildura and Swan Hill on the shores of the Murray River, this region has so much to offer.
........................................................................ Sample 10. Australia by road. The Overlander's Way Start: Townsville, North Queensland End: Tennant Creek, Central Australia Distance: 1,563 kilometres (2,071 kms to Alice Springs) Linking the Great Barrier Reef to Outback Queensland, The Overlander's Way will give you a unique insight into Australia's proud pioneering history and culture that gives Australia its charm. The fully sealed highway travels into the heart of Northern Territory, offering adverture seekers an unforgettable journey from the reef all the way to the 'rock' (Uluru), in the centre of Australia. ......................................................................... Sample 11. Australia by road. The Great Inland Touring Route Start: Sydney, New South Wales End: Cairns, Tropical North Qld Distance: 2,653 kilometres The only way to really appreciate the size and history of this big country is to head inland. Travel from Sydney to Dubbo in central New South Wales all the way to Cairns in Tropical North Queensland. The Great Inland Way will show you sprawling rural homesteads, outback country pubs, gold mining towns, craggy volcanic peaks and ancient rock art. Go from Australia by road to domestic travel Go to Australian travel advice Go to S A Tourism website Go to South Australia pages including Adelaide |
