4WD Destinations
Cooper Tires has gained a reputation for being the tyres that can take you anywhere, from the vast outback to forest trails to sandy beaches. In celebration of our range of tyres for SUV highway driving with mileage warranties of up to 80,000km, we’ve put together a list of Australia’s most iconic road trips to inspire your next adventure.
QUEENSLAND
Great Tropical Way – 1,470km
Allocate roughly two weeks to travel this route so you have time to explore the many side trips that this drive offers. A loop from Cairns, it takes in the magnificent Daintree Rainforest, pretty country towns and picturesque north Queensland beaches including Cape Tribulation. This drive is still great in summer if you don’t mind humidity, as the waterfalls will be thundering from the rain.
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NEW SOUTH WALES
Pacific Coast Drive – 950km
This route between Brisbane and Sydney has near-legendary status as Australia’s top touring drive. There are plenty of things to see and do so it’s a great choice for trips that need to accommodate a few travellers with different tastes: there’s food and wine trails, heritage trails, national parks and over 30 surf beaches to choose from.
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Waterfall Way – 191km
This is the scenic route between Coffs Harbour and Armidale that will take you through rolling plains, the countryside and the rainforest to the state’s famous waterfalls including Mihi Falls, Ebor Falls, Wollomombi Falls and Dangar Falls. Be sure to do the skywalk at Dorrigo National Park and make time to spend in the high plateau gorge country.
VICTORIA
The Great Ocean Road – 243km
Probably one of the best-known touring routes in Australia and in the world, the Great Ocean Road is an absolute must-do. Officially stretching from Torquay to Allansford, you can also incorporate it as part of a bigger road trip between Adelaide and Melbourne. Notable photo opportunities include the 12 Apostles, London Bridge and Loch Ard Gorge.
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The Great Alpine Road – 303km
Less publicised than its coastal cousin, the Great Alpine Road is the highest all-weather access sealed road in the country. It is a stunning loop that will take you across the Victorian Alps through the snowfields, mountain ash, stringy bark tree forests and rolling hills including Mt Hotham. Equally beautiful in winter or summer, it’s worth visiting in both seasons.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Indian Ocean Drive – 1,003km
Travel along the coastline of WA from Perth to Exmouth for some spectacular scenery. The sights you can take in along this route include Kalbarri National Park, the Pinnacles, Shark Bay Marine Park, Lake Thetis and seaside towns. Give yourself around four days so you don’t need to rush through the delights of the Coral Coast. See here for a 4 Day Itinerary of Indian Ocean Drive.
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SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Southern Ocean Drive – 750km
Travelling along the state’s south coast is truly enjoyable for a variety of reasons: what other route lets you taste wine and produce, do some beach driving, go caving and mingle with wildlife on Kangaroo Island? The Southern Ocean Drive runs from Adelaide to Mount Gambier near the Victorian border, so it’s an easy addition to your itinerary if you’re planning a longer road trip in the south.
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TASMANIA
East Coast Escape – 295km
One of the country’s most beautiful coastal drives, the scenery on Tasmania’s east coast is dramatic and breathtaking. This drive takes in some of the state’s most-photographed landscapes including the Bay of Fires and the Freycinet peninsula. If you have time, take the ferry out to Maria Island so you can see the Painted Cliffs and Fossil Cliffs.
West Coast Wilderness Way – 277km
The wild west coast way incorporates three World Heritage Areas: Cradle Mountain, Lake St Clair and the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers plus numerous tourist attractions including the Sarah Island penal settlement. There’s additional 4WDing trails to be had here too if your vehicle is suitably equipped.
GETTING OUT THE DOOR, AND ON THE ROAD
A few days before you set off, do a quick vehicle safety check so you have time to fix any problems or book in an appointment with a mechanic. If you’re travelling with kids, be sure to check out our touring tips for families to keep the trip fun and stress-free.
Remember before hitting the road to make sure your tyres are up to scratch by choosing something suitable from our range of quality Car & SUV tyres.