As the weather cools down, it’s the perfect time to go on a road trip and explore some of the popular places in Australia. Autumn is one of the busiest time of the year as families plan their holidays and school breaks so make sure to book a car hire or campervan rental ahead of time so you can take advantage of cheaper rates and more vehicle selection.
With heaps of fun things to do and wonderful places to see during the autumn season, some people have a hard time choosing where to go. Thanks to our travel blogger friends, finding the best autumn road trip destination is now easy. Find out what their favourite place to visit in autumn and get some useful tips as well.
Along the way you’ve got some amazing places to stop for the night, including Torquay, Lorne and Apollo Bay. And of course the crème de la crème of the trip is the 12 Apostles! Make sure you head down to the beach to really appreciate their size. If you have a bit more cash to splash, a scenic helicopter flight is something you’ll remember for a long time.
For those camping en route, a stay at Princetown Recreation Reserve and Camping allows you to easily take in a sunset and sunrise at the Apostles as well as pitching a tent amongst the friendly kangaroos that spend the evening grazing there! An epic road trip full of beaches, Aussie vibes and good times! Watch Chris’ road trip adventure at the Great Ocean Road below:
When we lived in Australia, road tripping was our favourite way to see the country. We tried to hit the road almost every weekend, escaping our home in Brisbane to explore destination near and far. One of our favourite road tips was an adventure around Tasmania, an outdoor lovers destination that’s often overlooked by those visiting Australia.
Sunny days and crisp cool evenings make autumn an ideal time to visit Tasmania. You can start your road trip in Launceston and make a loop around the island, while visiting beautiful spots like the Walls of Jerusalem National Park, Cradle Mountain National Park, Freycinet National Park, and the Bay of Fires, to name just a few. If you have more than a week to explore Tasmania, you can also visit some of our favourite off the beaten path destinations.
Our favourite time of the year in Australia is Autumn; warm, crisp and big blue skies and what better than a short road trip from Sydney to the scenic south coast of NSW and the Shoalhaven region that provides many experiences in one destination.
First stop from Sydney on the scenic south coast road trip is Kiama. Kiama is a spot of beauty made famous by its blowhole, which is one of the largest in the world. When the winds are running south east, water enters the blow hole and as you hear an “oomph” sound a large plume of water rushes up spectacularly, and if you stand too close you may get a soaking.
24km down the road from Kiama is the rural town of Berry which is not short on character. Berry in the Shoalhaven region is famous for its arts and crafts, teahouses, local produce and galleries. If you visit on the first Sunday of the month you will be in for a treat when the local market is in full swing between 8am and 2pm.
Continue your drive to Jervis Bay and the towns of Huskisson and Vincentia — they are perfect spots to enjoy a few nights. As you venture into the Booderee National Park head for the turquoise blue beaches of Green Patch and Murray’s Beach. Don’t forget to walk the beach at Green Patch it has the squeakiest whitest sand in Australia.
When it comes to road tripping in Australia, autumn is my favourite time of year, for many reasons. Weather is more predictable. March to April temps are milder throughout the country, while the landscapes get the golden nuances make everything so special. I have done quite a lot of road trips in my Australian adventures and many during the autumn season.
One of my favourites is the road trip in South Western Australia from Perth to Albany. This is a truly special region, which combines a rugged coastline, one of the tallest forests in the world, spectacular rock formations, sand-dunes and a truly unique eco-system. If you love nature and food this is one of the most beautiful and pristine regions of Australia.
You can start your trip in Perth and drive along the coast to first visit Margaret River. Here there are over 150 wineries and top-notch restaurants and food artists. Continue your trip along beautiful coast, amidst tall Karri trees, secluded beaches down south to reach the lovely villages of Pemberton, Denmark.
Further down you reach Albany with its majestic harbour, probably one of the largest and most picturesque in Australia. There are many things to do in Albany, if you love nature, this is going to be a true paradise for hiking, walking, fishing and many more naturalistic 4WD adventures.
Autumn is arguably the best month to visit Victoria's famous Great Ocean Road. While you’re certainly not guaranteed great swimming weather, you also won’t be subjected to the crowds that the summer months attract. Not to mention there’ll be less mosquitoes, flies and snakes. The weather is mostly stable and balmy with crisp mornings and sunny (occasionally even hot) days. Photographers love the Great Ocean Road’s autumn sunsets, so make sure you bring a camera.
The Great Ocean Road is dotted with charming beach towns, well equipped with cafes and restaurants due to their close proximity to Melbourne, but I’m more attracted by the outdoor adventures. Whether you’re a surfer, would rather canoe on Lake Mackenzie with the platypus, or get off the beaten track on the many hiking trails, you need to get off the road and out of the car here.
