AKA: Adventures, snacks, and a few backseat meltdowns – memories incoming.
Whether you’re a seasoned road tripper or just brave enough to load the kids into the car and see what happens, these family-friendly routes across Australia offer up a little magic (and a lot of ice cream).
1. Sydney to the South Coast (NSW)
Best for: Toddlers and “are we there yet?” energy.
White sand beaches, wild dolphins, and small-town sweet snack shops? Tick, tick, and tick. This stretch of the South Coast is ideal if you’re travelling with toddlers – the drive isn’t too long, and there are plenty of places to stop and stretch little legs (and your sanity). Keep an eye out for kangaroos hanging out near the beach. A true Aussie moment.
2. Sunshine Coast Circuit (QLD)
Best for: Young kids who love animals, trees, and touching everything.
This one’s got it all – wildlife parks, walk-through aviaries, kid-friendly waterfalls, and the kind of shallow rock pools that double as natural babysitters (almost, always keep an eye out!). There’s enough here to keep the kids entertained and give parents a chance to actually exhale. The laid-back vibes are strong, and the coffee isn’t half bad either.
3. Melbourne to the Grampians (VIC)
Best for: Active families with endless energy (or snacks).
The Grampians = adventure central. Think: family hikes, waterfalls, kayaking, and even rock climbing (safely, don’t worry). You can hang out with dingoes (also, safely, from a distance), discover Aboriginal rock art, cool trains that even Sheldon would love (IYKYK), and generally wear the kids out by bedtime. A win for everyone.
4. Perth to Esperance (WA)
Best for: School-aged kids and curious teens.
This road trip wins the “most likely to end up as someone’s phone background” award. Expect turquoise water, soft sand, and a few kangaroos sunbathing on the beach like locals. The drive is dotted with national parks, weird and wonderful stops (Stonehenge replica, anyone?), and enough wide-open space to reset everyone’s brains. OMG, and Quokkas. QUOKKAS! Unquestionably, the cutest social media posts waiting to happen.
5. Adelaide to the Eyre Peninsula (SA)
Best for: Older kids with a taste for adventure (and hot chips).
This one’s got range. One minute you’re spotting sea lions, the next you’re staring down a great white shark from a cage (editor note: this is absolutely on my bucket list). It’s a choose-your-own-adventure kind of trip. And when the adrenaline wears off, unwind with some classic beachside fish and chips.
6. Tasmania’s Wild West Coast
Best for: Families who don’t mind a bit of mud and a lot of magic.
If your idea of fun includes unplugging, hiking through mossy forests, and being wowed by nature in its purest form. Tasmania’s west is where it’s at. Cradle Mountain, white-water rafting, misty waterfalls – it’s all here.
Ready to lock-it in? Select your pick-up, drop-off location, and dates above and have something to look forward to. See you soon!