The ultimate road trip you can do on one full tank (and one full charge)

Franki Hobson | Presented by Chery Motor Australia

See more, explore more and experience more on one tank and a boot load of fun.

It's meant to be about the journey, right? Not petrol prices, the next servo stop or how far you've got left in the tank.

For sisters Eliza and Liberty, a real Aussie road trip had been on their list for years. Not just ticking off destinations, but seeing what sits in between. The kind of trip where you follow the coastline, pull over when something catches your eye and say yes to whatever comes next.

"We were pumped to visit parts of Australia we'd never seen before, or only experienced as kids," they say. "The idea of having a crack at new and challenging activities also excited us. Well, it excited Liberty… Eliza is a giant wuss."

Best known for their humour and contagious energy on The Block (2023), the pair finally set out to do just that on a coastal drive from Sydney to Noosa.

To make it work, they needed the right car. The pair turned to car expert Trent Nikolic, who recommended the Chery Tiggo 9 Super Hybrid, a long-range super hybrid designed for this kind of distance. "This car will do up to 1,250km without refuelling or recharging," he says.

First up, a quick roadtest. Eliza and Liberty agree: "It's the perfect car for the perfect journey."

With that, the tone of the trip was set for bucket list adventure, awesome new experiences and unforgettable of moments just beyond the turn-off.

Sydney to Port Stephens: sand, speed and surprise

The trip begins in Sydney, quickly giving way to ocean air and long stretches of coastline. Port Stephens is the first major stop and one that catches them off guard.

"Port Stephens has never been on our radar, but it absolutely blew us away," they say. "The sand dunes there are magical."

"The beautiful Birubi Beach was another standout. We'll be back for sure."

At Worimi Conservation Lands, the landscape shifts dramatically. Coastal greens give way to rolling dunes that feel closer to the desert than the shoreline. It's the perfect landscape for quad biking.

The ride starts with nerves and quickly moves to full-blown excitement. "That's epic," says Liberty. "I reckon this is one of the most beautiful, spectacular things I've ever seen."

Then comes another new adventure – camel riding.

"They're fascinating and actually quite cute," says Liberty. "It wasn't as bumpy as I thought it would be."

Port Stephens to Port Macquarie: cruising into the journey

Making time for small detours is the whole point of roadtripping, so Eliza and Liberty included a stop at the Big Tree. "It's a towering red bloodwood that has stood for more than 200 years," Liberty explains. "This is some serious girth!"

Back on the road, the drive itself becomes part of the experience. Windows down, ocean air drifting in, moments of quiet between the chaos.

"Hello Chery, please close the sunroof," the sisters request. Seconds later, it slides shut. "Oh my god. That is epic."

"Cruising through sleepy surf towns on our way north was awesome," they say. "We couldn't believe how diverse and striking the backdrops were from one kilometre to the next."

By the time they reach Port Macquarie, the day winds down with fresh prawns by the water. "Port Macquarie, you have absolutely delivered," Liberty says. "So stunning."

Detours: where the trip opens up

Somewhere along the way, the trip takes a turn. With a driving range of up to 1,250 kilometres, the Tiggo 9 Super Hybrid removes the usual need to plan fuel stops or keep one eye on the dashboard. There's time for scenic routes, spontaneous detours and the kind of stops you'd usually bypass.

"We didn't have to plan our movements around fuel stops," they say. "It took all the anxiety out of travelling and helped us avoid those sneaky petrol station snacks."

With that mental load gone, the focus shifts gears – less on logistics, more on what's around them.

Port Macquarie to Byron Bay: Hemsworths, icons and hidden gems

This stretch blends the familiar with the unexpected. There is the classic Big Prawn, a roadside icon that leans into nostalgia, before the landscape softens into lush hinterland.

A short detour leads to Killen Falls, where water flows into a cool, shaded basin beneath dense forest. "It's one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen," Liberty says.

Liberty swears this is the waterfall that inspired TLC's hit song, but Eliza's not fooled.

Back on the coast, Byron Bay delivers its usual mix of movement, celebrity spotting and calm. Beach swims, a slow wander through town and a sunset that pulls everything into pause. Eliza and Liberty joke about how they'll spend their time with the Hemsworth brothers.

Byron Bay to Noosa: the final stretch

The final leg crosses into Queensland, but not before one last pit stop to spend the morning on the water.

Kayaking offshore at Cape Byron brings a mix of nerves and excitement. Liberty takes on the waves, but a few dunks had Eliza paddling back to shore.

Then it is on to Noosa. And plenty of rain. But that wasn't enough to dampen the sisters' experience. They took to the water, riding electric hydrofoil surfboards on the Noosa River, before unwinding in a hydrotherapy pool.

"I know I said the camels were the best part of this, but I've changed my mind," says Eliza. "It's hydrotherapy."

A new way to see the coast

The route delivers more than expected, from sand dunes and waterfalls to coastal towns often passed by.

What stays with you is not just the places, but how easy the journey feels. Without the usual constraints of regular (and expensive) fuel stops, curiosity reigns. The kind that leads you down a longer road, into a quieter town or towards something unplanned and unforgettable.

Learn more about the Chery Tiggo 9 Super Hybrid and stream One Tank Holiday now on 9Now.

Dreaming of your own One Tank Holiday? Thanks to Chery Motor Australia, you could be driving away in the Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid Urban – the sophisticated SUV designed to go the distance without compromise. Enter here for the chance to win.