How Long Does It Take to Do a Road Trip Around Australia?

By Michael Ferguson

If you’re planning to embark on a road trip around Australia, the first question that comes to mind is – how long will it take? The answer to this question, however, isn’t straightforward.

The duration of your road trip will depend on several factors such as the route you choose, the number of stops you make, and how much time you spend in each place. In this article, we’ll explore these factors to give you a better idea of how long it might take to do a road trip around Australia.

Factors That Affect the Duration of Your Road Trip

There are several factors that can influence the length of your road trip around Australia. Here are some of the most significant ones:

The Route You Choose

The route you take around Australia will have a significant impact on how long your trip takes. If you take the most direct route along the coast between Sydney and Perth, for example, you could complete the journey in about three weeks. However, if you want to explore more remote regions like the Kimberley or Cape York Peninsula, your journey could take several months.

The Number of Stops You Make

Another factor that can affect how long your road trip takes is how many stops you make along the way. If you’re happy to drive for long periods without stopping too often, your journey will be faster than if you want to explore every town and city along the way.

How Much Time You Spend in Each Place

The amount of time you spend in each place also affects how long your road trip takes. If you only spend a night or two in each location, your journey will be faster than if you spend a week or more exploring every town and city along the way.

Sample Itinerary for a Road Trip Around Australia

To give you an idea of what a road trip around Australia might look like, here’s a sample itinerary based on the most popular route:

Sydney to Melbourne

  • Distance: 880 km
  • Driving time: around 10 hours
  • Recommended stops: Canberra, Lakes Entrance, Wilsons Promontory National Park

Melbourne to Adelaide

  • Distance: 725 km
  • Driving time: around 8 hours
  • Recommended stops: Great Ocean Road, Grampians National Park, Coorong National Park

Adelaide to Perth

  • Distance: 2,700 km (via Nullarbor Plain)
  • Driving time: around 30 hours
  • Recommended stops: Eyre Peninsula, Cape Le Grand National Park, Margaret River region

Perth to Darwin (via Broome)

  • Distance: around 5,000 km (depending on route)
  • Driving time: around two weeks (depending on stops)
  • Recommended stops: Broome, Gibb River Road, Bungle Bungle Range, Kakadu National Park

The Bottom Line – How Long Will Your Road Trip Take?

In conclusion, the duration of your road trip around Australia will depend on several factors. However, if you take the most popular route and make a few recommended stops along the way, you can expect your journey to take between six and eight weeks.

Of course, this is just a rough estimate, and you should plan your trip based on your own interests, budget, and timeline. Happy road tripping!