The Best Road Trips For Curious Travellers - 5 Road Trips You Need To Drive
Explore five unforgettable road journeys around the world and learn why planning with an experienced travel professional turns a good trip into a great one.
Explore these five road trip around the world and learn why planning with an experienced travel professional turns a good trip into a great one.
1. USA: California’s Pacific Coast Highway
Few drives feel as cinematic as California’s Pacific Coast Highway. Now open again after a period of being closed, this iconic route gives you ocean vistas, golden beaches and clifftop roads that hug the shoreline. Include classic stops like Santa Barbara, Big Sur and Carmel to give a mix of elegant towns, arty enclaves - perfect for combining with wine country, city breaks in San Francisco or Los Angeles, or even national parks.
Why it is a must do: The route feels built for driving: winding coastal roads, scenic pull-outs, and plenty of characterful motels, luxury resorts and farm-to-table restaurants along the way.
2. South Africa: The Garden Route
Offers a brilliant balance of ocean, forests, wildlife and charming small towns, all connected by an easy-to-drive coastal highway. Activities from whale watching, to hiking and wine tasting, plus it can be combined with a safari in the Eastern Cape for that bucket list wildlife experience.
Why it is a must do: Driving distances are manageable, roads are good, and there is a fantastic choice of boutique guesthouses and stylish lodges along the way. It feels adventurous yet reassuringly comfortable.
3. Australia: The Great Ocean Road
The Great Ocean Road is one of Australia’s most famous drives, lining the dramatic Southern Ocean.
Discover the iconic landmarks like the Twelve Apostles, London Arch and Loch Ard Gorge, with coastal towns with laid-back surf culture, cafés and galleries what is there not to love. With opportunities to spot koalas in the wild and enjoy rainforest walks inland, finish off with a stay on Kangaroo Island for a true Aussie experience.
Why it is a must do: It is compact enough to experience in a few days but rich in photo stops, wildlife, and side trips. Perfect if you want a taste of Australia’s big landscapes without huge driving days.
4. Norway: The Fjord & Mountain Routes
A little more off the beaten track, drive Norway’s western fjords which offer some of Europe’s most dramatic scenery, with jaw-dropping viewpoints over sapphire fjords, waterfalls and snow-dusted peaks. The scale of the mountains is surreal.
Scenic roads like the Trollstigen and Atlantic Ocean Road create a real sense of journey, and the charming harbour towns and historic wooden villages add culture to the natural beauty of this country.
Why it is a must do: Driving becomes part of the adventure: hairpin bends, mountain passes and car ferries across the fjords. It is ideal if you love dramatic landscapes, have a passion for photography, and are up for an outdoor adventure in the crisp, clean air. Beware though the water is freezing, even in the Summer!
5. New Zealand: South Island Loop
New Zealand’s South Island is made for road trips yet still feels wonderfully wild and spacious. Imagine: turquoise lakes, glaciers, alpine passes, coastal wildlife and vineyards. Iconic spots like Queenstown, Lake Tekapo and Fiordland paired with quieter towns and hidden bays will make you slow down & take advantage of the endless opportunities for hiking, stargazing, and wine tasting.
Why it is a must do: The roads are scenic and relatively quiet, and every stretch seems to reveal a new “postcard” view. It is perfect if you long for freedom, nature and a sense of being far from the everyday life.
