The best Aussie road trip that is the perfect length for kids
If you've ever taken a road trip with kids in the back seat, you know it can sometimes be a real slog.
There's the endless chorus of "are we there yet?", the requests for snacks, and the squabbling over personal space.
Parents know that most of the time, two hours is about the limit.
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Short road trips are better for everyone. Getty
With spring holidays well underway, and summer just around the corner, Aussie families are on the hunt for quick escapes.
John Walsh, a veteran Getaway expert and 9Travel columnist, swears by short, two-hour road trips, whether you have kids or not.
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"Two hours is a comfortable distance to drive. You won't get there too late and you'll really appreciate it on the way home, when three or four hours can be a huge chore," he wrote.
Hertz car hire has pulled together a set of short, sharp road trips that are kid-approved, parent-friendly, and - best of all - under three hours' drive.
The Blue Mountains is a short and easy drive. Getty Images/iStockphoto
First up, Sydney to the Blue Mountains.
Even if you've visited before, there's always plenty to do here for everyone - from cable car rides at Scenic World to a trip to the old-fashioned lolly shop in Leura.
There's great coffee for the parents, heaps of short, kid-friendly hikes, and lookouts galore.
Phillip Island has it all. Getty Images/iStockphoto
For those in Melbourne, the two-hour drive to Phillip Island is great for day trips or weekend getaways.
The penguin parade is the obvious draw, but kids will also love the Koala Conservation Reserve boardwalks.
Parents can break up the trip with a stop at San Remo for fish and chips by the jetty.
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There's heaps to do on the Gold Coast. Getty
Brissy to the Gold Coast is an obvious one for Queenslanders. Hit up the theme park trifecta or just spend the day by the beach.
Burleigh Pavilion or North Burleigh Surf Club are great options for a late lunch (and a glass of wine) before heading home.
If you're in Adelaide, the short and sweet 80-minute drive to Victor Harbour should be on your radar.
Little ones will lose it over the horse-drawn tram to Granite Island. And a perk for the parents: the route is dotted with wineries that have playgrounds, making it a win-win pit stop choice.
Take the horse-drawn tram in Victor Harbour. Getty
Finally, Perth to Swan Valley is an easy 40-minute drive that feels like you're so far from the city.
This one's perfect for kids, with Margaret River Chocolate Factory, animal farms, and adventure playgrounds all on offer, while parents can stock up the car with local produce and wines.
The best short road trips in Australia:
- Sydney → Blue Mountains (90 mins)
- Melbourne → Phillip Island (2 hrs)
- Brisbane → Gold Coast (1 hr)
- Adelaide → Victor Harbor (80 mins)
- Perth → Swan Valley (40 mins)
