Australia is the largest island and smallest continent that we know of. Along the 16 000 miles of coast or through the immense mainland where people to this day continue to look for gold, any person with a hint of enthusiasm and adventure spirit will have the opportunity to witness the incredible, alien-like landscapes, without the trouble of still impossible space travel. The options for road trips are many.

Great Central Road (1126 km)

Destinations: Laverton, Yulara (Lasseter’s Cave, Kata Tjuta, Uluru)

In the northern territory of central Australia is a natural monument Uluru, the largest monolith in the world. This Inselberg will demagnetize your compasses and even corrupt GPS devices, so be careful. Great Central Way route is perfect for all of you who long to travel through areas that look like hybrids of the planet Mars and images of Salvador Dali. Uluru-Kata Tjuta is the national park where you might notice some members of the living world you’ve never seen before and maybe you’ll even spot the mythical Bunyip.

Nature’s Way (815 km)

 Destinations: Darwin, Kakadu National Park, Katherine, Litchfield (Ubirr, Mamukala Wetlands, Yellow Water Billabong)

The second best route on this list surely must include Kakadu National Park. It would be wise to find an excellent guide to follow through the deepest tracks of this site between Alligator Rivers in the Northern Territory, 171 km south of Darwin. In addition to Mamukala Wetlands and other highlights, in the center of the park is also the most productive uranium mine in the world.

East Coast Escape Tasmania (252 km)

Destinations: Bay of Fires, Freycinet Peninsula, Maria Island (Winglass Bay, Swansea, Freycinet Vineyard)

Bay of Fires was discovered and named in 1773 by Captain Tobias Furneaux after Aboriginal fires that served the captain as the lighthouse. It is decorated with fascinating pieces of granite that are orange like fire. Winglass Bay is part of Freycinet National Park, established in 1916 – the oldest in Tasmania. Here you will see a lot of colorful rocks: Devonian granite, pink feldspat, Jurassic dolerite, black mica and white quartz. It’s worth to try Tasmanian wine, which is the best product in Freycinet district.

The Warlu Way (2480 km)

Destinations: Coral Bay, Karijini, Millstream-Chichester National Park, Burrup Peninsula, Broome (Shark Bay, Eighty Mile Beach, Ningaloo Reef)

Another protected site is Shark Bay in the Gascoyne region of Western Australia, 800 km north of Perth. It is the westernmost part of the Australian continent. Early Aboriginal settlements have been found on the Peron Peninsula & Dirk Hartog Island. Ningaloo Reef, 400 kilometers to the north, is another among the World Heritage Sites, and one of the few places where you can find harmless whale sharks.

Gondwana Rainforests Way (650 km)

Destinations: Brisbane, Woodenbong, Gold Coast, Nerang, Boonah, Murwillumbah, Dunoon, Dorroughby, Antarctic Beech (Tooloom National Park, The Channon markets, Pinnacle Lookout)

Among North Rivers in New South Wales, 616 kilometers north of Sydney, is Tooloom National Park, filled with prehistoric forests. If there’s a chance, see Antarctic Beech as well. You can take a look at Lophozonia Moore, a relic from the time before the continents themselves declared independence.

SnowyMountains (519 km)

Destinations: Gundagai, Tumut and Tumbarumba (Kosciuszko National Park)

If you want to find landscape similar to Oz and Middle-earth, Kosciuszko National Park is the place for you. 6 900 square kilometers of alpine climates, the highest mountain peak of mainland Australia and the highest town in Australia are waiting for you there.

Great Southern Touring Route (777 km)

Destinations: Melbourne, Apollo Bay, Port Fairy, Halls Gap (Great Ocean Road, Twelve Apostles, Grampians National Park)

On the coast of another national park – Port Campbell, stand 12 stone Apostles. The Grampians national park is filled with eroded cliffs of sandstone – in short, a paradise for hikers. Anywhere you turn, you will see a fascinating panorama. In this place there is a famous Manja – Cave of the Hands.

The Great Alpine Road (308 km)

Destinations: Wangaratta, Bright, Omeo, Bairnsdale (Alpine National Park, High Country vineyards)

Through the Central Plateau and the Alpine region in Victoria, far to the southeast, extends the Alpine National Park. In this area there are no trees at heights greater than 1 800 meters and the plateau is covered only with grass and dwarf shrubs. Here, you can try another famous wine from the Land Down Under.

Sydney Melbourne Coastal Drive (1270 km)

Destinations: Melbourne, Wilsons Prom, Sale, Lakes Entrance, Batemans Bay, Nowra, Sydney (Jervis Bay, Montague Island, Eden)

This is not a Garden of Eden but a coastal city. But the city as seen in Western movies. If that’s not enough motivation, Montague Island will surely be. There are dwarf penguins and fur seals there.

The Long Paddock (610 km)

Destinations: Moama, Wilcannia, Echuca (Bourke, Broken Hill and White Cliffs)

Broken Hill, an isolated mining town in New South Wales has very interesting architecture. White Cliffs is a desert town while Bourke looks like Shire. This route is perfect for quiet contemplation.

Before you embark on any of these magnificent routes, be prepared. Bring appropriate clothes and footwear, enough food and water and check your car. Maintaining your car before the trip will ensure definite savings on car service. You don’t want your vehicle breaking down in the middle of your trip. When everything is packed and ready, all that’s left is for you to enjoy this priceless experience.