Australia

Road trip through Australia by Campervan: from the east coast to the outback.

A road trip through Australia in a Campervan gives you the ultimate feeling of freedom, adventure and peace. Think endless beaches, tropical rainforests and the rugged outback. Australia has it all.

At the same time, the country is enormous. That's precisely why it's important to think carefully beforehand about which route you choose, what you want to see and how much time you have.

Road Trip Australia: The Ultimate Route

Is there one ultimate route for a road trip through Australia? The short answer: no.

Australia is simply too large to see everything in one trip. During my years in Australia I experienced this myself. I made multiple road trips, with Campervans and 4WDs, and even after a complete lap around the country there are still places I haven't seen.

That's why it's not about the perfect route, but about the route that suits you. What do you want to get out of your trip?

To get you started, I've put together the most popular routes for you:

Check out '4 Week East Coast Australia Itinerary'

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Campervan routes through Australia

Popular Campervan routes through Australia: from coastal drive to inland.

East Coast

Cairns → Brisbane/Sydney

Perfect if you love sun, beaches and cosy spots with a lively atmosphere.

Snorkelling or diving at the Great Barrier Reef
The Whitsunday Islands with the famous Whitehaven Beach
Fraser Island (K'gari), the world's largest sand island
Surfing and relaxing in Byron Bay
Rainforests such as Daintree National Park

View the full itinerary East Coast

West Coast

Perth → Exmouth/Broome

Ideal for rugged nature, fewer crowds and unique landscapes.

Swimming with whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef (Exmouth)
The gorges and waterfalls of Karijini National Park
The Pinnacles Desert near Cervantes
Turquoise Bay and Coral Bay
Endless deserted beaches and outback landscapes

View the full itinerary West Coast

South Coast

Adelaide → Melbourne/Perth

For wildlife, impressive coastlines and diverse nature.

The Great Ocean Road with the Twelve Apostles
Kangaroo Island, famous for wildlife and nature
Wine regions such as the Barossa Valley
Whale watching (seasonal)
National parks and rugged coastlines

The best route depends on your wishes. Therefore, ask yourself the following questions:

Do you mainly want sun, beach and relaxed vibes?
Are you looking for adventure and rugged nature?
Or do you want to spot as much wildlife as possible?

Are you looking to travel around Australia in a Campervan for completely different reasons? By thinking about this in advance, you'll make choosing your route a lot easier.

It's completely normal if you find this difficult. Australia isn't a destination you visit every year, so you want to get it right first time.

Check out '3 Week West Coast Australia Itinerary'

Why a road trip through Australia?

A road trip through Australia is a dream journey for many travellers. The country is enormous, diverse and made to be discovered by Campervan. From tropical rainforests and endless beaches to rugged national parks and the red outback, every region feels completely different.

The biggest advantage of travelling with a Campervan is the freedom. You decide your own route, pace and overnight stops. Do you like a place? Then you stay longer. Do you come across a beautiful beach or viewpoint along the way? Then you simply stop.

A Campervan trip through Australia is ideal because you:

combine transport and accommodation
are less dependent on hotels or fixed routes
can cook for yourself and therefore save costs
can stay overnight in the middle of nature
easily make spontaneous stops
experience the country in a much more adventurous way

On top of that, Australia has an excellent network of campsites, holiday parks and free rest areas. This means you can make your trip as basic or as comfortable as you like.

For me, a Campervan is the best way to truly experience Australia. Not just because of the famous highlights, but especially through the unexpected moments along the way: waking up by the sea, kangaroos next to your Campervan, or a sunset somewhere in the outback.

With a Campervan, Australia becomes not just a destination, but an adventure.

How much time do you need for your road trip through Australia?

This is a question I get asked often, and at the same time one of the hardest to answer. Australia is enormous and it's simply impossible to see everything in one trip.

To make a good estimate of your travel time, it's important to first determine which route you want to drive. Just as important is not to overplan your route. Many travellers underestimate the distances and plan too many kilometres, which means they end up sitting in the Campervan for hours every day. That comes at the expense of your experience.

My rule of thumb

What I stick to myself: allow at least 3 weeks between two major cities. Think of routes such as:

Cairns → Brisbane
Brisbane → Sydney
Sydney → Melbourne
Melbourne → Adelaide
Adelaide → Perth
Perth → Broome
Broome → Darwin
Darwin → Cairns

These are general guidelines, but they give you a good idea of the distances in Australia. With roughly three weeks per route, you'll have enough time to see highlights, make stops and really enjoy your road trip, without having to drive long distances every day.

Got more time?

You can of course combine multiple routes and create a longer road trip. It's especially important then to build your route logically and plan in sufficient rest moments.