Australian Road Trip: Popular Routes
From the deserts of Western Australia to the Great Barrier Reef on the eastern coast
, Australia is a country packed full of contrasting landscapes, varying climates and different cultures.
Exotic plants and animals, thousands of miles of top class coast and many more miles of undiscovered outback make Australia a challenging location when it comes to deciding on where you want to go and what you want to do when there.
A popular road to follow when in the Australian tropics is the Great Tropical Drive, taking you through Queensland.
This is the only place on Earth where two World heritage listed sites exist side-by-side; the Great Barrier Reef and the rainforest of Daintree and Cape Tribulation. If you plan to drive further north than Cape Tribulation you will need a 4WD to navigate the unsealed roads.
Cairns is a good starting place for this road trip. A lively and bustling city that is known as the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, you can hire or buy a car here and take care of any other practicalities.
Head north out of the city on the Captain Cook Highway. You may want to stop in Port Douglas, about an hour's drive out of Cairns, a fashionable and picturesque town popular with residents and tourists alike.
The coastal track from Bloomfield, going towards Cooktown, is particularly spectacular. Expect sharp intakes of breath as you catch glimpses of unspoiled beach through the tropical rainforest foliage lining the road.
Another coastal road classic can be found in Victoria, along the Great Ocean Road. This dramatic ocean drive is meant to be savoured so allow at least a few days to enjoy the laid-back beach towns you will pass en route.
National Parkland and the world famous Twelve Apostles mean there are plenty of natural wonders to marvel at. After Apollo Bay you will find yourself in the eucalyptus-blanketed Otway National Park and Melba Gully State Park. This route winds up in Port Fairy.
If you just want to see the outback, seek out the Mereenie Loop in the Northern Territory where never-ending blue skylines clash with the red dust of the desert. You can stop to see the world's largest monolith, Uluru.
This circular drive begins, and ends, in Alice Springs. Allow a few days to cover the 93km comfortably. If you fancy a longer road trip then investigate the possibility of crossing the Nullarbor in South and Western Australia.
This is a 2,000km drive so give yourself at least 16 days to get the most from it. The drive starts in Perth, passing through the gold town of Kalgoorlie-Boulder. Next, you could stop off at the town of Norseman before preparing for the Ninety Mile Straight, where great stretches of red-orange beaches tempt you at every turn.
This is a challenging route so remember to take spare petrol water and supplies. Insurance is important and keep roadside assistance numbers handy for all eventualities, such as
car windscreen repair or engine trouble.
Australian Road Trip: Popular Routes
By: andrew.regan.2006@googlemail.com
Changing Seasons & Car Covers The Carolina Coast Is Stunning Right Now Get Suggestions On How To Score The Most Affordable Prices Obtaining an Online Engineering Degree Best Places Of Accommodations To Sample While Vacationing At Houston And Participate In The Fun The Learn Spanish Abroad Tips To Get The Best Vacation Rental In Manhattan Engineering Jobs And Living In Qatar 8 Ford Figo siblings to be brought by Ford India The Next Best Small Car - The Micra? Enjoy vacations at Condos in playa del Carmen Affordable Inns To Try While Day Trip At Gatlinburg And Experiencing The Adrenaline-packed Activitie Free Online Doctor Consultaion for Medical Treatment & Surgery Abroad Want Education Loan For Study Abroad