Catch theme-park thrills or adventures in nature with road trips from Sydney
Sydney is one of the most popular cities in Australia and the world beyond, but occasionally, you just need some time away from the city. Fortunately, you won’t have to travel far if you’re looking to get out of town with your family for a while. The variety of things to do around Sydney allows for plenty of fun stops along the way to your ultimate road trip destination. You’ll find much to see and do no matter where you’re heading from Sydney, so all you really need is a car and a plan.
Where to go on road trips from Sydney
When you’re looking for the best road trips from Sydney, there is no single correct answer. The best option will largely depend on the kind of experience your family is looking for. With young kids, for example, you may not want to travel too far. Older kids, however, may love long trips that take them to some place entirely new. Take a look at some of the most popular road trip ideas from Sydney to decide if they would work for your family’s unique needs and interests.
Book a Sydney to Melbourne road trip
Sydney to Melbourne road trips are among the most popular options for Sydney residents. Not only does Melbourne have much to offer with unique attractions you won’t find in Sydney, but it’s less than 900 kilometres away. While that may seem quite substantial if you’ve never been on a road trip before, it’s relatively tame compared to some other destinations in the country. All in all, it should take a little less than 9 hours of drive time to reach Melbourne and enjoy its towering viewpoints, fascinating museums and theme parks.
Take a Sydney to Gold Coast road trip
Gold Coast is a popular destination for all kinds of travellers, though the sandy beach is always the star of the show. Fortunately, a Sydney to Gold Coast road trip is relatively easy and offers plenty to see and do along the way. With roughly 9 hours of drive time if you take the coastal roads, you’ll find yourself travelling through destinations like Newcastle, Coffs Harbour and Byron Bay. When you finally arrive in Gold Coast 845 kilometres later, you can enjoy inviting beaches and a thriving metropolis with fun for the whole family, including restaurants, shopping and museums.
Go on a Sydney to Brisbane road trip
A Sydney to Brisbane road trip is one of the quintessential East Coast road trip experiences in the country. The trip itself is about 9 and a half hours long across more than 900 kilometres, so make sure you take advantage of the scenic stops along the way. For example, you’ll find yourself passing through destinations like Newcastle, Woolgoolga and Byron Bay. Upon reaching Brisbane proper, you can enjoy the dense urban playground while still keeping close to the coast.
Drive the ultimate Sydney to Adelaide road trip
When you embark on a Sydney to Adelaide road trip, you’ll find yourself on a journey spanning nearly 1,400 kilometres. Heading west, you’ll travel for about 14 and a half hours across a span that’s more than the length of Victoria all the way into South Australia. Along the way, you’ll find yourself passing by destinations like Wagga Wagga, the Big Desert Wilderness Area and Tooleybuc. In Adelaide, you can enjoy the rich culture and historical monuments among other attractions.
Consider the road trip length
One of the most important factors on your adventure is the length of your road trip. Many of the popular destinations that are closer to Sydney still take about 9 hours of drive time to reach after traversing hundreds of kilometres. You’ll want to bring enough entertainment to keep your family happy on the road. Additionally, you’ll want to bring extra supplies for long road trips like the ones to Northern Queensland, for example. That means snacks, drinks and potentially blankets and pillows to keep your family comfortable and rested throughout the drive.
Prepare well for long road trips
Long road trips can be absolutely unforgettable experiences, but they can take their toll on the unprepared. For example, a Sydney to Perth road trip takes 41 hours of drive time at best, and it covers nearly 4,000 kilometres. This is a multiday endeavour, and it should be treated as such. Make sure your kids are prepared for that kind of adventure, and consider holding off if your kids are especially young. When you do go for it, however, you’ll find yourself exploring vast lands you may have never seen before, with destinations like Port Augusta, Ceduna and Norseman on the way.