Affordable road trips across Australia

What to expect

There are a host of amazing road trips to do and holiday experiences to be had in Australia, from apple picking to surfing, and the best bit is they are all within an easy drive from the nation's biggest urban centres. Here are five affordable road trips which are just a scenic drive away from major cities.

Blue Mountains, New South Wales

The mountains are not just for crackling fireplaces and winter mornings. Head there in the warmer months to experience clear, stunning vistas and wonderful bushwalks.

Three Sisters, Katoomba NSW (Photo credit: ©2015 Richard Sharrocks)

Getting there

Head up the M4 from Sydney, taking the Great Western Highway stopping at leisure at villages including Leura, Katoomba and Wentworth Falls.

Eat

Head to Megalong Valley Tearooms for a warm reuben toastie or traditional scones with jam and cream. For dinner, head to the Leura Garage, where you can get shared plates, including a large, shared serving of a Moroccan vegetable hot pot for $40.

Play

Check out the Three Sisters rock formation at Echo Point, then ride the steepest passenger railway formation in the world at Scenic World, which includes other attractions like the Cableway and access to the valley floor. Loop back down through Bells Line Road for seasonal fruit picking in Bilpin.

Stay

The Blue Mountains YHA in Katoomba has excellent shared and private rooms with ensuite. There is a large shared kitchen, and it is walking distance to the high street.

Phillip Island, Victoria

Toss your surfboard in the car, pick up food fresh from the farm gate, and take in a breath of fresh island air on Phillip Island. Outside of the occasional international motor event, there are plenty of chances to see wildlife including koalas, seals and the island’s iconic penguins.

Boardwalk, Phillip Island VIC

Getting there

Take the Monash Freeway to the South Gippsland Highway, and then turn onto the Bass Highway – a journey of around two hours.

Eat

Newly opened coffee and sandwich shop G’day Tiger in Cowes slings fresh sandwiches and coffee; at night, head to Ocean Reach Brewery, which has a food van serving up American-style burgers.

Play

For a buzz, head to Phillip Island Go Karts, which is located on a replica track right next to the southern bend of the official Grand Prix track. Of course, you can’t go to Phillip Island without gathering with the masses to watch the penguin parade at dusk.

Stay

NRMA Phillip Island Beachfront Holiday Park has self-contained cabins that sleep four from $128 per night.

Ferguson Valley, Western Australia

While there’s much (deserved) fuss made about the nearby Margaret River, Ferguson Valley wine region boasts not just a dozen wineries, but its very own Gnomesville, home to over 5000 garden gnomes.

Wellington National Park, WA

Getting there

Located two hours south of Perth, take the Kwinana Freeway and State Forrest Highway before turning into Boyanup-Picton Road from Bunbury.

Eat

Grab an award-winning stone-baked pizza at Ferguson Falls Wines Cafe.

Play

While most people come to Ferguson Valley to visit its wineries, don’t miss Wellington National Park with 40 kilometres of mountain biking trails, wild swimming at Honeymoon Pool and the world’s largest dam mural, painted on the walls of the Wellington Dam.

Stay

Couples can stay in The Cottage at Glen Mervyn Lodge in Preston Valley at $180 per night.

Scenic Rim, Queensland

A favourite with motorcyclists, outdoor enthusiasts and hikers, the Scenic Rim offers visitors six national parks, an incredible food scene and plenty of free natural attractions for the budget-conscious to explore.

Lamington National Park, QLD

Getting there

From Brisbane, head south on Pacific Motorway, turn onto the Logan Motorway, then left onto Beaudesert Rd. From the Gold Coast, it's 45 minutes up the Pacific Highway.

Eat

Wet your whistle at the Scenic Rim Brewery in Mount Alford, where you can sample their Wurst German sausage share platter. If you’re self-catering, order a Scenic Rim Farm Box filled with your choice of ready meals, pastries and local produce delivered to your accommodation.

Play

Head to Lamington National Park to take in waterfalls and hike through rainforest. Over at Tamborine Mountain, head deeper underground with a glow worm caves tour, an ethical tour option that allows you to experience the rainforest’s tiniest glowing members without disturbing their habitat.

Stay

Sleep among the treetops at Binna Burra Lodge, where compact safari tents sleep up to three people from $75.

Clare Valley, South Australia

From the pink salt flats at Lake Bumbunga to the giant painted silos, boutique galleries and artist’s studios along the Clare Valley Art Trail, there’s more to Clare Valley than just the riesling.

Clare Valley, SA (Photo credit: Ben Goode)

Getting there

Head north from Adelaide on the Northern Expressway, joining the Horrocks Highway after the Gawler bypass, around 90 minutes.

Eat

For an authentic country pub experience, head to Sevenhill Hotel, where you can pick up a house made chicken schnitty with slaw and fries for $23.

Play

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