Everyone says the great Aussie road trip is dead. They’re wrong

Let’s face it, fuel costs are not going to come down any time soon. And while everyone (including us) thought this could spell the end of the great Aussie road trip, it turns out, we might have been wrong.

At least, that was my experience when I set off with my family to do exactly that. A big lap to the centre of Australia and back. And what we saw while away genuinely surprised me.

Not only were we far from the only people on the road, but I’d go as far to say some of the places we set up camp were packed to the brim.

On more than one occasion we were actually snagging the last available spots at a campground or holiday park for the night.

And we weren’t just surrounded by the stereotypical retirees or “grey nomads” (though there were plenty), but also families, friends groups, and solo women.

Stacey Davis, chief operating officer at Apollo Motorhomes, said she wasn’t surprised by this observation.

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“Despite ongoing cost of living pressures, including fuel prices, the desire to get out and explore Australia remains high,” Stacey told nine.com.au.

“Some of the trends we’re seeing among road trippers include staying a little longer in places and making the most of each destination, but there is no evidence that this behaviour is linked to cost.

“What you observed on your trip is absolutely in line with what we’re seeing, the keys are still in the ignition and the spirit of the great Aussie road trip is still very much alive.” 

Fuel costs not stopping Aussies from hitting the road

Surging fuel costs have been a constant headline since conflict in the Middle East sent fuel prices surging across the country.

Motorists have been warned to “strap in” for at least another two months of high average fuel prices that are likely to exceed $2.50 per litre for petrol and $3 for diesel, as the conflict continues to impact oil supply.

Yet, despite Aussie travellers clocking up fuel costs well into the thousands, they are still on the road.

Stacey said Apollo Motorhomes rental bookings were up compared to last financial year.

“And projections have that trend continuing by roughly 20 per cent for future travel periods,” she said. “This shows that Australian’s are not letting any cost get in the way of their road trip holidays.” 

Sydneysiders Susan and Dave have also just returned from a two-week road trip up to Queensland in their caravan.

While the cost of diesel was on their mind throughout, they said they just tried to be smart about where and when to fill up.

“With the Fuel Spy app we could get the best price and plan a bit around do we get diesel now or the next town,” Dave told nine.com.au.

“We also do a lot of free camping to keep costs down, and did more of these stays this time. Free camping also means that we are more likely to spend some money in the nearest town.

“Pub camps are great however as we then spend the money on food and drinks that’s not as cheap, but we like to do this as it helps businesses.”

A recent survey commissioned by Webjet also revealed that 15 per cent – or roughly one in seven – Aussie women said they were planning to book campervan and campsite accommodation this summer.

Melbourne woman Catherine and her friends caught the road trip bug after a four-day campervan trip through Victoria’s Goldfields and Bendigo last year.

The holiday was such a hit, the group is already planning their next one – this time down the Great Ocean Road in the next few months.

“While fuel costs are higher than when we travelled in 2025, split between three or four friends it’s manageable for us,” Catherine tells nine.com.au.

As the owner of a skincare business, Catherine has always been one for overseas holidays. However, she’s found a different kind of joy in road trips now, and sees them as the more cost-effective holiday option.

“[There is] less stress, less travel time involved, low cost and ideal for a mini-break,” she said.

“It turns something that was impossible (like two weeks in Europe) into something low-cost, simple to plan, and easy to manage.”

How much did it cost to do a three-week road trip around Australia?

Our own trip began in Sydney and took us through country NSW and Queensland, to Birdsville and across the Simpson Desert.

We then drove through the Northern Territory to Alice Springs, Kings Canyon, and Uluru before heading south.

In South Australia we stopped in Coober Pedy and Adelaide, before making our way back home via Mildura and Wagga Wagga.

All up we were on the road for just over three weeks. Our total fuel costs were $3233. The most we paid for diesel was $3.80 at Mount Dare after crossing the desert. The cheapest after leaving Sydney was in Nyngan at $2.45 and $2.47 in Balranald both in NSW.

We kept an eye on prices along the way and tried to make smart decisions about where to fill up.

We also had jerry cans with extra fuel so if it was too expensive in one area we could keep going.

Long live the ‘Great Aussie Road Trip’

As in everyone’s case, keen travellers are just making it work.

“When you consider the cost of a road trip versus any other type of holiday, they’re still an economical choice, particularly for families,” Stacey said.

“For starters, your accommodation is built in, which changes the overall cost.

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“But what really continues to put the great Aussie road trip ahead of other holiday choices is the flexibility to change your plans along the way and spend more time in the places that catch your eye, rather than being tied to a fixed itinerary.”

Stacey said for many the road trip is much more than a holiday.

“There’s a real nostalgia attached to it, for many Aussies, family road trips are core memories. Whether it’s arguing over what music to play, or where to stop, road trip memories are more than the places you visit, they are the combination of the little moments together in the vehicle along the way.”

It looks like we’re not ready to let them go any time soon.