You could easily spend a year in Australia and still not see all of its remote corners. It’s the sixth largest country in the world, yet many visitors think they can get in and out in a week or two while still seeing all the hotspots.
However, it is possible to drive from coast to coast in just five days, as illustrated in the image to the left. It highlights the stats of journalist Feann Torr’s ride from Brisbane to Perth in a Mazda 6, covering a distance of over 4,500 kilometers. It’s an epic ride that’s not unlike the annual Mongol Rally.
If you’re interested, you can read more about the Mazda 6’s ability to withstand a road trip of this nature, and see just how much fuel Torr used, how many cans of cola he drank, and even the type of road kill spotted along the way. If you’re into road trips it’s definitely something worth checking out.
How To Choose Your Pit Stops
When you’re covering a land mass as big as Australia in less than a week, how do you decide where to stop and what to see along the way?
Part of the fun of any road trip is spontaneity, so you don’t want to over-plan your journey. But when you’re pressed for time, as most of us usually are, you’ll need to sit down and make a list of what’s most important to you. If you have two weeks to see Australia, define your priorities. Are you mainly interested in Australia’s cities, its beaches, the Outback, or its wildlife? Narrowing down your “must-sees” allows you to spend more quality time in each destination.
But if I were to recommend a few awesome places, definitely don’t miss Ayers Rock, Alice Springs, the Gold Coast, and Darwin if you can.
How To Choose Experiences Right For You
Just as there’s a wide range of sights to see, there’s also a vast variety of experiences to have. Whether you’re into hiking through ancient rainforests, mountain biking, surfing, attending a yoga retreat in the desert, wine tasting, or dancing the night away in a trendy club, Australia pretty much offers it all. To figure out the best experience for you, you’ve gotta ask yourself, what have I always dreamed of doing?
If you ask me, it’s all about the Australian walk about with a local aborigine. It doesn’t get more cool or quintessentially Australian than that.
The Bottom Line
When you’re short on time on a visit to Australia, you may need to be brutal about slashing one destination in favour of another. But rest assured, no matter which itinerary you choose, you’re going to have unforgettable experiences on the road.
As the Torr’s trip shows through the image on the left, a road trip through Australia is bound to be epic no matter what. Despite the time constraints, Torr managed to see a load of supersized landmarks on his caffeine-fuelled adventure. If his trip doesn’t inspire you to hit the road, nothing will. For more advice on road trips, check out this article, “Road Trip Tips.”
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