Concrete jungles may have their monumental sky-scraping beauty, their ever-changing culture, and as life bustles between the streets of a city, day and night, this cultivated environment can eventually feed up and bore its citizens, because what we truly feel connected to is nature and all her wilderness. So if you want to unwind, get yourself in tune with your senses and surroundings, an open road can get you anywhere, and Australia is full of places to visit, landscapes to behold. All you need is a good car, a spare tire and, let’s face it, a decent amount of fuel, because this continent is vast. Since travelling cleanses the soul, here are some of the most rewarding driving experiences Australia can offer…

The Great Ocean Road, Victoria

This coastal route lives up to the reputation as one of the greatest areas to drive by and relish the natural scene. The 12 Apostles stand like sculptured static giants, as they stick out from the coast to greet the passers-by. Alongside beautiful beaches, there are also countless historic shipwrecks, magnificent rainforests and places to grab some good food and relax.

Road from Sydney to Melbourne

Simply follow the ocean between these two populated urban zones and you will find yourself passing through a string of coastal towns, rich with turquoise colored lagoons on one side of the road and lush preserved national parks on the other. This region is full of fishing spots, birdlife, Aboriginal culture, camping spots and wild scenery, as kangaroos pose for photographing, especially at Pebbly Beach.

The Nullarbor Plain, Western Australia

You will definitely need a four-wheel-drive vehicle for this adventure if you plan on abandoning the highway, because the road to Perth, or should I say – all the way to the shores of the Indian Ocean, is an expanse that’s dry and harsh for newly-bred adventurers. Bear in mind, this is not entirely a desert, but series of plateaus covered with bluebush and wedge-tailed eagles that soar the skies.

The Heritage Highway, Tasmania

Way down south, on the island of Tasmania, between Hobart and Launceston are a series of stone villages, emitting an old atmosphere in the lovely green countryside. Excellent local food can be found here, even though, historically speaking, this region was established and built by convicted gangs and criminals who preyed and looted on these highways.

The Alpine Way, New South Wales

If you ever wanted to camp among wombats and wallabies near the Snowy River, this is the place! The hills of Corryong in Victoria are an alpine sight to behold, especially when the snow melts and spring awakens nature from its slumber. Then you can ride mountain bikes to hurtle through the scenery, or grab a good walking stick to explore the forest trails by foot.

Kangaroo Island, South Australia

You can board a ferry with your car from Adelaide to reach this island full of wild animals – kangaroos (obviously), fur seals, penguins, koalas, etc. Alongside remarkable flora and fauna in Flinders Chase National Park, you can also visit rock formations which have been sculpted by wind-erosion. This is where nature is kept in its most pristine state, so explore its beauty at your leisure.

Great Alpine Road, Victoria

From Wangaratta you can embark this trip on a previously used railway track, which is now a haven for bicyclists and reach valleys full of wineries and alpacas. Up on Mount Buffalo you can mount a horse to witness the specific rock formations and waterfalls, while at the bottom, along Ovens Rover you can find many local breweries.

Uluru to Kings Canyon, Northern Territory

Now this is a real treat, because if you want to cross this red earth with your car, you should supply yourself for a multi-day drive. Make sure to choose from wide variety of tyres if you ever wish to challenge yourself on the road. This journey starts off at Alice Springs, in the middle of the continent, and for five days you can stop at old towns and ancient sites where Aboriginal art is displayed on the rock walls. Also, watch out for wild camels, because they can pop out of nowhere along the route.

Grand Pacific Drive, New South Wales

Not far from Sydney, you can find the Royal National Park if you follow this route. Beautiful beaches, white sands, blooming blowholes at Kiama, cliffs and mesmerising lookouts. Nothing could be more perfect, since this raw nature is really close to an urban jungle and doesn’t require much strain and preparation to get there.

I’m sure you’re pretty much familiar with all of these locations, but words can never fully describe what eyes can witness. So prepare your car, or rent an appropriate one if terrain requires such conditions and go get your lifetime experience. Don’t miss the chance to enjoy the natural beauty Australia possesses, since it’s undisputedly, without much needed discussion, one of the leading continents in terms of biodiversity and uniqueness.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 12th, 2015 at 6:30 am and is filed under Australasia. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.