Join the self-drive vacation trend and explore Australia on your own terms. Together, we can create a route that satisfies your wanderlust and goes at your pace. Go by car, go by RV, go by four-wheel-drive - just go! There are ready-made itineraries from which to choose, too, all carefully researched and curated by teams local to Australia - so you know they know what they’re talking about! While there are self-drive holidays all over the continent, here’s a look at one example - use it as inspiration for your own trip.
Self-Drive Along Australia’s Pacific Coast
Photo by Photoholgic on Unsplash
- Discover the Hunter Valley, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast as you drive from Sydney to Cairns. Spend a few days at either end, exploring what these enticing cities have to offer.
- This east coast adventure takes you through the Hunter Valley, one of Australia’s top wine-making regions. Stop at as many vineyards as you like - better yet, build in an overnight stay so you can relax and enjoy.
- From Hunter Valley, you’ll make your way to the coast and Port Stephens, where you might choose to take a dolphin-spotting cruise or head out into the sand dunes in a four-wheel-drive buggy.
- Stop in Port Macquarie to learn about interesting convict history, pass through Coffs Harbour, and visit the laid-back, surfer haven of Byron Bay.
- Explore the Gold Coast at your leisure, taking your time in Coolangatta for shopping, dining, entertainment and hours on the beautiful beach.
- Make your way to the Sunshine Coast, passing the Glass House Mountains and the arts and crafts town of Montville. Visit with the prolific wildlife and relax on the beach in Fraser Island.
- Head up to the tip of the Great Barrier Reef to the Whitsunday Islands and gasp in awe at the stunning Whitehaven Beach. Drive to Townsville and Mission Beach, then take a water taxi to Dunk Island. Finally, in Cairns, explore the lush rainforest and more of the Great Barrier Reef.
What Are Some Other Top Australia Self-Drive Itineraries?
Curiously piqued? Consider any of these choose-your-own-adventure Australia self-drives:
Adelaide to Alice Springs by 4WD
Adelaide to Darwin by 4WD
Coastal Drive from Sydney to Melbourne
Tasmania’s East Coast
Queensland with Rainforest and Wildlife
Will My Driver’s License Work in Australia?
You may drive with a foreign (English language) license for three months in Australia. If your license is not in English, you’ll need to acquire an International Driving Permit from the Automobile Association in your home country before arrival in Australia. You’ll also need a minimum of compulsory third-party personal (CTP) and car insurance.
What Else Do I Need to Know About Driving in Australia?
A few notes about driving Down Under - when we plan your self-drive holiday, we’ll review everything you need to know.
Driving is on the left side of the road.
Driver’s seats are on the right side in most Australian cars.
The rightmost lane is only for passing. Slower vehicles must stay in the leftmost lane.
Unless posted otherwise, it is illegal to make a U-turn.
Unless posted otherwise, it is illegal to make a left turn at a red light.
Rural gas stations are sporadic and quite a distance from each other, and not open at night, so plan accordingly.
Ready to drive Down Under? Let’s chat. Request a consultation here or sign up for my weekly newsletter below.