The best short road trips in Australia you can tackle on a long weekend
Nothing screams 'road trip' like a long weekend.
When you've got three days to spare (or more, if you're strategic with your annual leave), it's a great excuse to pack up the car and enjoy a little getaway.
But if you want to spend more time exploring and having fun than behind the wheel, you'll have to choose your route wisely.
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Grand Pacific Drive has plenty of scenic stops. Destination NSW
iSelect has compiled a list of the best short road trips around the country, which strike the perfect balance of being short and scenic, with plenty to do.
The best short road trip for families, according to the research, is the Grand Pacific Drive, just south of Sydney.
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Spanning 140km between the Royal National Park and Kiama, it offers dramatic views, a trip across the iconic Sea Cliff Bridge, and plenty of family-friendly beaches, eateries, and parks along the way.
If you want, you can even extend the trip and head into the Southern Highlands, making tracks for the cute town of Berry.
Cape to Cape travels past beaches that are great for surfers, and sheltered lagoons for swimming. Getty
If you're travelling alone, however, the best short road trip is the Cape to Cape route in Western Australia. Though it takes in some remote parts of the state, it has full phone coverage and travels down the coast, past Margaret River's famous wineries and through the stunning Boranup Karri Forest.
The route also got a nod as the best road trip for couples, thanks to the boutique accommodation options and celebrated restaurants along the way.
Found just south of Perth in the Margaret River region, it travels from Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin, and can easily be done in a day.
Of course, it could be extended with longer stops for a more laid-back journey.
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Great Ocean Road has stunning views the whole way. Getty
Great Barrier Reef Drive came in second for family trips, followed by Great Ocean Road. Though this iconic Victorian route can be stretched over a week or more, it can also easily be divided up into sections.
In fact, the Great Ocean Road was recently crowned the best road trip for families in all of Australia.
For couples, The Epicurean Way in South Australia took second place. The route takes you past the state's best wineries and restaurants, allowing you to sample incredible artisanal produce along the way.
The Epicurean Way is heaven for foodies. South Australia Tourism
The best short road trips for families
- Grand Pacific Drive, NSW
- Great Barrier Reef Drive, Qld
- Great Ocean Road, Vic
- Heritage Highway, Tas
- Legendary Pacific Coast, NSW
The best short road trips for couples
- Cape to Cape, WA
- Epicurean Way, SA
- Great Ocean Road, Vic
- Great Beach Drive, Qld
The best short road trips for solo travellers
- Cape to Cape, WA
- Grand Pacific Drive, NSW
- Epicurean Way, SA
- Heritage Highway, Tas
- Great Ocean Road, Vic
