Planning a road trip in Australia

Choosing a destination

From golden coasts and sparkling cities to lush rainforests and native wildlife, Australia offers unique landscapes and habitats found nowhere else on earth. Plus, the great infrastructure, spectacular scenery and well-trodden routes make it a hugely popular road trip destination.

The most famous road trips in Australia

East Coast

On your coastal adventure from Sydney to Cairns you’ll find iconic beaches, cosmopolitan cities and tropical rainforests.

After soaking up the sights of Sydney – think Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Opera House and Bondi Beach – head towards Port Stephens for national parks and mountainous rainforest. Then stop by Coffs Harbour for stunning beaches and a photo opportunity with the Giant Banana.

As you travel up the coast to Brisbane, don’t miss a stop off at the famous surfer’s paradise of Byron Bay. Let your hair down and enjoy the Sunshine Coast as the route leads to Noosa, and make the most of sun, sand and surf.

Other popular spots on your way to Cairns include Airlie Beach, Townsville and Mission Beach. Once you’ve rolled into in Cairns, stick around to experience the party atmosphere and the spectacular Great Barrier Reef to finish up your East Coast Australia road trip.

Great Ocean Road

One of Australia’s most-loved road trips, the Great Ocean Road spans over 240km and winds along the coast from Torquay to Allansford. The combination of dense rainforest and glittering coastal views makes this a route to remember.

Torquay is the official start of the Great Ocean Road, and this trendy spot is considered Australia’s surfing capital. Enjoy the beach, learn to surf or hit the shops. You can visit Point Addis Marine National Park and Aireys Inlet, home to the Split Point Lighthouse, on your route to Lorne – another cool costal town.

Other popular overnight spots along the Great Ocean Road include Apollo Bay and Port Campbell – where you can see the famous Twelve Apostles limestone stacks. Plan a visit at sunrise or sunset to avoid the crowds. If time allows, continue to Peterborough or all the way to Allansford.

Red Centre

This desert road trip starts and finishes in historic Alice Springs and unearths the fabric that defines Australia. From Alice Springs, journey on to Uluru – but make a detour to Rainbow Valley. The spectacular rock formation is the first of many you’ll discover on this route and deserves a spot on your Australia road trip.

Allocate a couple of days to explore Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and Kata Tjuta (The Olgas). The rock formations need to be seen to be believed and are best captured with the glow of a fiery red sunrise or sunset.

Don’t miss a stop at Kings Cannon and hop on a sunrise trek at Watarrka National Park. If road conditions allow, get on the Mereenie Loop – think red earth and panoramic skies.
Then, enjoy the winding roads through the Tjoritja West MacDonnell Ranges on the way to Glen Helen, before finishing your trip back in Alice Springs.

Western Australia

If you’re ready to stray from the tourist trail, try Western Australia. The much less visited route from Perth to Broome takes you through the bush to the North West coast of Australia.

Head to Nambung National Park to discover The Pinnacles Desert – a must-see on your Western Australia road trip. Along your journey to Broome you can also plan stops to experience Shell Beach, Mandu Mandu Gorge and more natural wonders.

Karijini National Park is another highlight, where you can explore countless walking trails across the national park. Enjoy respite at Eighty Mile Beach before finishing your trip in Broome.

Accommodation for your trip

There’s plenty of choice for accommodation on your Australia road trip. From hotels, hostels and motels to campsites and RV parks, there’s an option for every traveller.

Hotels are the most luxurious accommodation choice and can be an option if you fancy splashing out after a day of driving. Hostels are a more affordable alternative and can be a great way to meet people – especially in so-called ‘party cities’ like Sydney. They also often have communal cooking areas, so you can save money by cooking instead of eating out.

Or embrace the outdoor lifestyle and kick back under the stars at a campsite. Plan your road trip along great camping spots so you can make the most of being immersed in breathtaking scenery – 24 hours a day. When looking for the best spots, make sure to consider safety and what facilities they have – some may have toilets and BBQs and others, nothing at all.

Hiring a campervan is the ultimate way to travel on your road trip around Australia – and campervan or RV parks could be your best bet at getting some shut eye on the road. It’ll also give you a chance to meet other likeminded travellers.

When to go on your Australian road trip

When planning your road trip, consider the best times to travel. Australia is a beautiful country in all seasons, so when you travel is up to you. While summer brings scorching weather, and the sea will never look more inviting, the winters still offer plenty of sunshine – even if they are cooler and less sunny.

High season lasts from December to February and is the most expensive time to travel according to Tourism Australia. Try to make bookings in advance to avoid missing out on any activities. You’re also more likely to encounter other travellers – especially at great photo spots.

September to November and March to May are great times to visit. The weather is less extreme, either warming up or cooling down, and international flights are often more affordable than during the summer months, according to Tourism Australia.

Organising Travel Insurance for your road trip around Australia

Before you head off on your Australia road trip the last thing you want to think about is something going wrong. But things can happen outside of your control, and travel insurance could bring comfort knowing that you’re covered.

There are different types of cover to choose from, including medical, trip cancellation and theft protection. Your travel insurance needs to be suited to your trip. If you plan on embarking on any adventure sports while you’re down under, you’ll need to check the terms and conditions of your policy to make sure you’re covered.

At Sainsbury’s Bank we like to give you options, so you can choose the policy that works best for your wanderlust. Plus, Nectar members can enjoy discount on our travel insurance options. Choose between:

• Single trip – cover for one big holiday
   
• Multi-annual trip – designed for travel multiple times a year, including UK staycations
   
• Extended trip – a policy for longer trips and sorts you for up to 548 days of cover

Travel money for your Australian road trip

Budgeting for your trip is a key part of road trip planning. This style of travel will come with the extra cost of buying or hiring the car, van, or campervan, as well as fuel costs. The exact costs will vary depending on the model of vehicle, where you’re travelling in Australia and how far you plan to go.

Accommodation and food costs will differ based on where you choose to eat your meals and stay overnight. To reduce accommodation costs you may decide to stay in hostels or campsites. Choosing a place to stay with a kitchen will also help you save money on food.
It’s also worth putting some money aside for any excursions on the trip that catch your eye. If you’re on an East Coast Australia road trip, you might want to see how much guided tours or activities on Fraser Island or The Whitsundays will set you back. You’ll also have to pay when visiting Australia’s beautiful National Parks, so it’s worth pricing these up before you go.

Wherever your Australian road trip takes you, getting Australian dollars before you arrive down under can save you time on your adventure. Let us handle the currency, and you can get back to planning the trip of a lifetime.

A travel money card can also help you budget along the way and help you avoid any non-sterling transaction fees you might incur with a debit or credit card. Simply load it up with GBP and transfer it to AUD on the app to spend as you please in Australia. Use chip and PIN, contactless or withdraw cash at ATMs anywhere in Australia.