G'day! Tips for planning a road trip Down Under.

Let's not start by underestimating how big Australia truly is, it is a huge country (approximately 37 times the size of the UK) with wildly varying landscapes, climates, wildlife and potential road trip routes to try out. Unless you have a significant chunk of time off work to use, chances are you probably won't fit all of Australia and everything you would like to see in your first trip. But that's okay, with this handy road trip blog series I will try and help you figure out where to begin your Down Under adventure and what route/s might be best suited to you and your holiday tastes. 

A self-drive holiday in Australia suits those who will love the scenery, wildlife and coastal views  and combine legendary cities with lesser-known gems along the way. The road system in Australia is essentially made up of mostly well-maintained highways, connecting rural areas to major cities. The road conditions can vary however especially the more remote and outback you get- some roads can simply wind up being dirt or gravel tracks...Which makes route planning absolutely essential! A few things to note when driving in Australia;

A) They also drive on the left hand side of the road (bonus right?!)

B) A GPS system is absolutely necessary

C) Fuel prices are generally cheaper but you will be driving considerably longer distances than in the UK so preparation is key for this (hint: plan your fuel stops in advance!)

D) It should go without saying that safe driving is paramount, familiarise yourself with the Aussie rules of the road and law's before getting behind the wheel. Drivers need to be over 21 to rent a car in Australia with a valid license. 

So, where do you start your Aussie road trip?

If travelling from the UK, you generally have your pick of airports to begin your road trip from with major airlines flying in to a number of airports. Lucky us. 

In this blog series, I am going to highlight some iconic routes and must-do stops and experiences to include along the way. I have personally travelled the first route and I hope it inspires you to start plotting out your very own Aussie road trip adventure!

We begin this one in Sydney...

One of the world's most iconic cities, Sydney has to be seen and experienced to be believed. I would recommend at least 4/5 nights based in the city to really enjoy everything it has to offer and include some of her surrounding areas. I would recommend staying the city centre, somewhere close to the historic Rocks or on the Harbourfront to really feel a part of the city's infectious atmosphere. Both of these locations are well connected by the great transport network allowing you more time to explore be that by boat, train or bus. 

During your Sydney stay, I recommend booking day trip's up to the Blue Mountains and to the Hunter Valley for views, wildlife and wine experiences. Make sure you also grab the train or a local bus over to the Eastern suburb of Bondi and walk the coastal route over to Coogee or head out to Watson's Bay for some legendary fish and chips. Celebrity spot in Double Bay and of course, check out Sydney's staple architecture such as the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. If your staying on a weekend  then make sure you head down to Darling Harbour on a Saturday night for a vibrant, family friendly firework show.  The Rocks markets also run on a Saturday and Sunday's which offer unique artwork, music and eats which is perfect for a morning walk. 

Sydney  to Cairns: Beaches, Hinterland and Reef (4/5 Nights Sydney Stay + 10 day road/fly trip)

You can absolutely slow down this route but this is pretty much a like for like of my journey - I absolutely would recommend extending your stay's in Port Macquarie and Byron Bay. If you are into your wine I'd highly recommend that before you head to Port Stephen's add in a stop in the Hunter Valley  in a village such as Pokolbin so you can visit many a cellar door...It's oh so much fun!)

Car hire can be arranged from the CBD of Sydney with many reputable car rental companies. The road trip below is based on hiring a standard car and staying at hotels/motels on route.

I recommend checking out the following hotels to stay at in Sydney before beginning your road trip:

-  Harbour Rocks Hotel, Sydney 

- Sydney Harbour Hotel

- Marriot Sydney Harbour at Circular Quay

- Shangri La Sydney Harbour

Day 1: Sydney to Port Stephen's (Approx driving time: 3 Hours)

- Optional stop in Newcastle en route for a coffee and a coastal walk

- Afternoon in Port Stephen's either taking a dolphin-watching cruise or perhaps try sandboarding on the dunes of Stockton Beach.

Day 2: Port Stephens to Port Macquarie via Maitland (Hunter Valley) (Approx driving time: 4.5 hours)

-  Early start today! First, head inland for a slight detour to Maitland and have breakfast in this quirky, often overlooked historical town 

- Visit the local Koala Hospital of New South Wales to visit the patients and support this great wildlife charity and it's volunteers.

- Enjoy a local seafood dish on one of the many waterfront restaurants

Day 3: Port Macquarie to Coffs Harbour (Approx driving time 2.5 hours)

- Scenic driving through forested sections of the Mid North Coast

- Stroll along the jetty and marina and visit nearby beaches such as Diggers beach

Day 4 & 5: Coffs Harbour to Byron Bay (Approx 3-3.5 hours)

- Optional stops en route at Yamba or Lennox Head for great food and beach views

- Wander through the quirky town of Byron Bay and explore the various boutiques, cafes and bars and enjoy a drink overlooking the ocean.

- Highly recommend extending your stay in Byron for 2 nights to really get the feel for the place and add on an optional drive out to the alternative lifestyle capital that is the town of Nimbin. Or perhaps stick around Byron and try your hand at catching a wave with a surf lesson!

Day 6: Byron Bay to the Gold Coast/Brisbane then fly to Cairns

- If heading for the Gold Coast your driving time will be approx 1.5 hours

- If heading to Brisbane your driving time will be approx 2.5 hours. 

- Take a scenic lunch stop at Burleigh Heads or Coolangatta before dropping the car at your airport for the rest of your trip. 

Day 6 Evening: Stopover in Cairns at a central hotel and dinner on the Esplanade

Day 7: Cairns to Port Douglas (scenic coastal drive approx 1 hour driving time)

- Stop along the way at scenic spots such as Ellis Beach and Palm Cove

- Check out the bustling resort of Port Douglas and enjoy a drink on the harbour

- Stroll along Four Mile Beach 

- For wildlife lovers, Hartleys Crocodile Adventures is worth a visit and is great educational fun for the whole family

Day 8: Port Douglas: Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef

- Catch a catamaran or private boat tour to the reef and enjoy snorkelling or diving in the world's largest coral reef

- Take a helicopter ride and see the reef from above

Day 9: Daintree Rainforest & Cape Tribulation

- Enter the world's oldest tropical rainforest and see the place where 'the reef meets the rainforest'

- Self drive or take part in an arranged tour from Port Douglas and experience highlights such as crossing the Daintree River by cable ferry and walking on elevated boardwalks through lush rainforest. 

- Stop at local cafes and ice cream stalls and taste the tropical fruits of the region

Day 10: Final night in Port Douglas or Cairns before flying onwards to your next destination

Optional add on: We decided to stay in a remote rainforest tree house for a night just outside of the Daintree Village- not for the faint of heart especially if you aren't keen on creepy crawlies!

In just over 2 week's we have covered Sydney's sights and sounds and experienced the best of the New South Wales and Queensland coast and regions. Known fondly as the backpacker trail, this is possibly one of the most popular routes for an Aussie road trip due to it taking in 3 iconic cities and coastal hot spots. If you would like to extend your time on the road, consider driving between Brisbane and Cairns along the Bruce Highway and take in the Sunshine Coast and the Whitsundays. This would add on approximately another 7-8 days on to your itinerary to really enjoy the sights and locations along the way. 

Ready to start planning your very own Aussie road trip adventure? Stay tuned for part 2 of this blog series where we travel from Melbourne across 2 states across to Adelaide. If you need a hand crafting your very own bespoke itinerary give me a call and let's have a chat!