6 BEST FAMILY ROAD TRIPS IN AUSTRALIA IN 2020

It is no secret we love driving.

It is also no secret Australia is home to some of the world’s best road trips routes, thanks to its geographic diversity and beauty.

And what not to love about it? On top of getting to know the country better, a family road trip can be a very special way to bond with relatives.

If you live here and has set the goal to explore more in 2020 or if you are a traveling to see more of Australia, we can help you.

Check out our favourite road trips for you to enjoy with your family.

1. Brisbane to Cairns (or to Cape York)

From tropical rainforests to pristine white sand beaches, and from big cities to islands accessible from the road, this is a trip of a lifetime. The Pacific Coast Way that connects Cairns to Brisbane and vice versa makes the perfect scenario for a family road trip. 

Passing some of the country’s most impressive natural highlights, the road is well maintained with sections so close to the coast you can almost skim the water’s edge.

How long?

At least two weeks so you and the family can enjoy a relaxed time and see all the highlights.

The highlights:

• explore the world’s largest sand island, Fraser Island;
• see the sunrise at Cape Hillsborough National Park, where kangaroos and wallabies go every morning to eat on the beach;
• a day at Airlie Beach;
• day trip to the Whitsundays;
• visit Wallaman Fall, the tallest free-falling waterfall in Australia;
• hold koalas and wombats at Billabong Animal Sanctuary;
• day trip to the Daintree Rainforest;
• snorkel or scuba dive on the Great Barrier Reef;
• explore Cairns city centre and its great restaurants.

2. Gibb River Road

If your family is for a little adventure and history, the Gibb River Road is a great idea. The road was constructed in the ’60s to transport cattle stock and it’s best tackled in a 4WD, which can be hired with all the camping equipment if this is what you’re in for.

It’ll take you to a magnificent and remote wilderness cutting right through the belly of WA’s Kimberley from Derby to Wyndham. Be ready to see waterfalls, cattle stations, ancient gorges and sacred Aboriginal sites.

Be aware to the fact that petrol tends to be very expensive on this road. Also, it tends to be crowded at school holidays.

How long?

Can be done in a shorter time if you make a short list of must-see highlights, but we recommend 2 weeks of adventure immersion.

Highlights:

• explore Tunnel Creek;
• spot crocs sunbathing at Windjana George;
• take a dip at Bell George’s pools;
• helicopter flight to the Mitchell Falls;
• stay at The Home Valley Station;
• discover El Questro palm-fringed waterholes.

3. The Great Ocean Road

The Great Ocean Road is one of the world’s most scenic drives, which is reason enough to board on this adventure.

With easy access from Melbourne, the starting point is at the popular surf Town, Torquay.

Our tip is to split this trip in two full days and to don’t rush it to The Twelve Apostles, there is plenty of beauty to see before and after it.

If you can stay for the weekend, start early on the first trip day, see the sunset in The Twelve Apostles and sleep the first night in Apollo Bay. On the second morning, take some time to explore the waterfalls inland before continuing the trip.

How long?

You can drive this 250km road in 3 to 4 hours, but we recommend being gone for the weekend so to enjoy everything in a relaxed pace.

The highlights: 

• visit Torquay and Bells Beach;
• take a photo at the Great Ocean Road sign;
• take a peak at Erskine Falls; Sunset at the Twelve Apostles;
• visit Hopetoun and Falls Triplet Falls in the Great Otway National Park;
• have a panoramic view at the Otway Fly Treetop;
• go down the cliffs on Gibson Steps;
• admire Loch Ard Gorge;
• sunset at Bay of Islands.

4. The Waterfall Way

Another great family road trip in Australia to be done in the weekend is The Waterfall Way.

Beautiful all year around, it is a great option in summer as you can avoid the crowds and leave the steamy humidity behind and wind your way through the rainforest.

You’ll find plenty of waterfalls along the way, which are at their best after summer rains. Expect many scenic drives and of course, cold turquoise pools.

How long?

Great trip for the weekend, you can cover most of it’s 200km in only 2 days.

The highlights: 

• admire Wollomombi Falls, the highest waterfall in South Wales, with 220m;
• have a panoramic view of  the unspoilt wilderness at Point Lookout inside the New England National Park (tip: on a clean day you can even see out to the Pacific Ocean)
• pay a visit to see the striking granite tors and boulder piles at the Cathedral Rock National Park;
• take a picture at the gorgeous Ebor Falls;
• visit Dorrigo National Park to see its ancient rainforest and dramatic waterfalls;

5. Pacific Coast

Roadtripping up the east coast from Sydney north to Byron Bay or beyond to the Gold Coast is a classic summertime trip, but battling holiday traffic can be a bore. Put the joy back into the journey and get off highway – go for a paddle in the Great Lakes near Forster, see koalas in Port Macquarie and surf the country’s most famous right-hand break at Crescent Head.  Snap at selfie at the Big Banana in Coffs (and have a choc-coated frozen banana on a stick while you’re there), stretch the legs on a stroll through World Heritage-listed rainforest in Iluka and cool off with another swim at Brunswick Heads. It might take twice as long to get there but it will be much more fun.

6. Or South Coast

This coastal drive starts at the Royal National Park (just south of Sydney) and ends up at the coastal town of Eden. Eden is 478km from Sydney and takes around 6 to 7 hours to drive. Jervis Bay is approximately half way and holds the Guinness World Record for having the whitest sand in the world. You can swim with seals at Montague Island and go whale watching at Eden. And as you’ll be passing fishing towns and villages, shell out for some cheap local oysters – yum!

Extra tip

We know it can be especially hard to keep your vehicle organised if you work on it as you might need to carry many belongings, or if your kids are going through it regularly as they might need distraction and food while on the journey.

We advise to create on-the-go kits with everything you might need. Also, add a bin bag for the eventual waste produced. For both purposes, we have to recommend our eco-friendly car tidy bags. They work great as a bin bag since it is waterproof and bacteria proof, and works very well as a car organiser given it’s cool design.

Your Roo bags will keep your car tidy and, at the same time, you will help our precious environment by keeping rubbish in its place! 🙂