The Australian outback is a dream for overlanders in search of adventure. Even those who prefer road based Australia overlanding holiday won’t be missing out on the excitement as many roads are remote and challenging.
Perhaps the best way of experiencing Australia overland is by 4×4 or SUV. This allows you to get to places others can’t, and get up close to the natural wonders on this vast continent. Sleeping in your vehicle off road is also a great way of saving money with most National Parks offering free of very cheap facilities. This also gives you the best chance of experiencing the animals unique to Australia from wombats to wallabies and kangaroos to koalas.
One of the most popular desert roads is the Canning Stock Route. This leads from the famous Uluru rock near the centre of Australia to Hallas Creek near the Northern coast after venturing West to Wiluna. It’s characterised by red dirt desert, gigantic sand dunes and clay pans. Before going on any Australian stock routes make sure your bush survival skills are up to scratch as you may be the only person to drive the stretch of road in weeks.
Not every overland trip in Australia involves the outback however. Given the vast distances between the cities even coastal roads offer a great overland style adventure. Some of the most popular, although only a day or two long, are the The Legendary Pacific Coast Road between Sydney to Brisbane and the Great Ocean Road between Melbourne and Adelaide.
For the truly adventurous with time to spare the ultimate overland route here is the Grand Circle that takes you across and around Australia. The route is relatively easy, except in undeveloped parts of the North, but the duration itself is a challenge. It follows Australia’s ‘Highway One’ around the island – 4×4 rental facilities available in all major cities the route can be started anywhere – but don’t expect to fit it into a short visit!
