Spring is here but you might still be feeling a chill in the air. Wherever you are in Australia, there’s an awesome road trip just waiting for you, and what a great way to shake off the cold. The below ‘winter’ road trip ideas are perfect for this time of year – cosy but fresh!
Before we dive in, how confident are you in your packing skills? Find some great packing car trip holiday tips – here. You might also want to check out the 5 holiday road trip hacks everyone should know. Now, let’s jump straight into our favourite winter road trips!
In this article
Vacationing in Victoria, our top winter road trip
The incredibly popular and serenely scenic Great Ocean Road is a must mention vacation getaway.
What we love is that this stretch of road offers so many beautiful spots to stop off that you can really make this trip work for you. You can take it slow and visit each of the beautiful towns and lookout points. Or, you can make it a weekend winter road trip to one particular spot.
You’ll be sure to experience some of the most incredible coastlines Australia has to offer while exploring the 243km of road. There are plenty of lookouts and towns along the road so plan ahead where you want to stay over so you can get the most out of this winter road trip.
Interestingly, this road was built by soldiers after they returned home and it’s dedicated to those who bravely fought in World War I. Be sure to take a few months of silence to breathe it all in and say thank you.
PS: Remember to check out these top tips for protecting your car from winter weather before you set off!
Whale watching in Western Australia
If you’ve never experienced the miracle that is whale watching, consider a winter road trip to Albany, the whale watching capital of Australia.
With several protected whale watching viewpoints, you’ll get to experience some beautiful coastline scenery. Just note that the whale watching season is between June and October. So if that’s what piques your interest then you can plan for that timing – which is right now!
The history of this place is wonderfully rich and you’ll even find a museum in one of the former whale stations. Luckily it’s been out of production for a very long time because commercial whaling was banned way back in 1978. You can find some more West Coast Australia road trip ideas – here.
Away from whales and towards New South Wales
If you’re into nature and live anywhere near NSW then this winter road trip is the perfect vacation. The Blue Mountains is an wonderful winter road trip idea, packed with exquisite mountain paths to explore on foot.
There are some fabulously unique activities here, such as trying to spot glow worms in the underground caves. Otherwise there’s plenty of walking paths to explore the natural beauty of the endless vistas.
And if you’d prefer to catch your breath on a quiet retreat, you can indulge in the more luxurious side of the Blue Mountains with a wilderness retreat. It’s hard to go past Love Cabins – look at these amazing photos.
PS: No matter which route you choose, make sure you bring snacks for the drive; here’s the best healthy practical car snacks for kids.
A winter road trip for the foodies in South Australia
If you’re a foodie then you’ve probably already heard of the Prairie Hotel in the Flinders Ranges. Now is the time to make it your vacation destination on a wonderful winter road trip.
This historic hotel was originally opened in 1876! That’s wild, and even wilder when you see what it looks like. At the Prairie Hotel you’ll find an on-site gourmet restaurant, bar, and an art gallery. It’s also ideally located for exploring the Flinders Ranges, the largest mountain range in South Australia.
Here are more things to do while you’re in this world-renowned area.
An unassuming winter road trip in Tasmania
You might not be familiar with Cradle Mountain in Tasmania. If you’re not, it’s definitely time to be. It’s the sixth tallest moment in Tasmania and offers breathtaking scenery and adventure.
Cradle Mountain has a lot to offer, like the gorgeous Dove Lake. First time and hardcore hikers alike love this spot because there’s a bunch of beautiful hiking trails and it’s filled with wildlife. You’ll be able to see wombats, echidnas and, if you’re lucky, a platypus or Tasmanian devil!
If that’s not hair-raising enough for you, well what about a 65km walk through the Tasmanian wilderness? Yes, that’s a long walk; in fact it’ll see you through six days of exploring beautiful, natural world heritage.
Check out these unmistakable signs you’re driving in Australia (yes, some are quirky).
Dipping into the divine in Queensland
There’s something special about waterfalls, and if you agree that a picnic spot surrounded by spectacular waterfalls is time well spent then look no further than Cedar Creek.
This spot is less of a getaway adventure and more a day trip. With an abundance of wildlife, you’ll find beautiful rock pools with fish, turtles, lizards, butterflies and a whole lot more.
And if you’d like to add a bit more to your journey, Conway National Park is right around the corner. You’ll find a peaceful coastal park with rainforest-clad hills, secluded beaches and panoramic outlooks, perfect for a winter road trip getaway.
If none of these spots check the boxes, head over to our list of family road trip destinations, plus our ultimate Australian road trip ideas for even more. We’ve even listed more of our favourite winter weekend getaways that are perfect to get you ready for spring.
Wherever you go, go safely
One of the best things about car insurance is no matter where in Australia you go, it travels with you. So you can adventure far and wide with the comfort of car insurance.
At PD we have plenty of options so you can find the right fit, starting with comprehensive car insurance offering you the most protection. Then we have its younger siblings, Third Party Fire and Theft and Third Party Property Damage.
Our three policies give you the flexibility to choose what works best for your budget and individual needs. Why not get a quote today?