Drives and road trips

7 epic road trips for 2026

Deciding to take a trip is one thing; choosing where to go and what to do on that trip is another thing entirely. Our friends at Roady have been there, done that, just about everywhere around the country and have the tips to help you plan your next great adventure.

Roady and their app help people discover epic locations so you can spend less time planning and make the most of your time on the road seeing amazing sights and discovering places off the beaten path.

As experts on the road, Roady has provided their suggestions for 7 epic road trips to tackle in 2026 below, so scroll on to find your next getaway.

Introducing Roady

Roady began back in 2017 as a way for founder Roscoe Price Moor to document his travels online with a simple goal of helping people find incredible places and make the most of their time on the road.

‘What started in New Zealand has since grown into one of Australasia’s leading travel discovery platforms, inspiring travellers to explore beyond the obvious,’ says Roscoe. In a fairly short period, Roscoe and the Roady crew has visited over 40 BIG4 parks around the country so far.

Valley of the Giants, Tingledale, Western Australia

Roady's 7 must-do road trips

Find your next adventure from Queensland to Western Australia, whether you're after adventure, relaxation or little known swimming holes, you'll find a road trip for you.

1. QLD: Cairns to the Atherton Tablelands

Just inland from Cairns, the Atherton Tablelands are one of the most rewarding road trips in Tropical North Queensland.

Works as a one‑day loop or a multi‑day wander.
Waterfalls close together: Milla Milla, Zillie, Ellinjaa.
Volcanic crater lakes worth the detour: Lake Eacham and Lake Barrine.
Expect major highlights without long hours in the car.

Roady's inside scoop: ‘What makes the Atherton Tablelands so special is the number of incredible experiences all in such close proximity. It’s home to three of Queensland’s best waterfalls, with Zillie Falls being my absolute fav — standing beneath the falls, with water thundering around you, is unreal. Lake Eacham is also a sweet spot to park up and relax… just keep an eye out for the famous freshwater croc who calls it home.’ - Roscoe

📍Parks to stay at: BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Cairns Coconut Resort, Tasman Holiday Parks - Cairns Cool Waters, NRMA Atherton Tablelands Holiday Park

Milla Milla Falls, QLD. Find more Queensland Roady adventures here.

2. NSW: Gold Coast to Yamba (Northern Rivers)

Just over the border from the Gold Coast, this short coastal road trip packs an impressive amount of scenery, surf culture and laid‑back charm into a small stretch of coastline.

As you roll south, the vibe quickly shifts from city buzz to relaxed surf towns, open beaches and scenic headlands.
Ride horses along the sand in Byron Bay with Zephyr Horses..
Explore the quirky Crystal Castle tucked away in the hinterland.
Continue on to Yamba, a cruisy coastal town filled with great spots to discover.
Take a dip at the Angourie Blue and Green Pools — and try a rock jump if you're feeling brave.
Enjoy long stretches of epic coastline that deliver big coastal energy without needing weeks on the road.
Want to stretch the adventure? Keep heading south to Sawtell.

Roady's inside scoop: 'This is one of my favourite short road trips from the Gold Coast, there’s a different energy down in the Northern Rivers that really just invites you to slow down.' - Roscoe

📍Parks to stay at: Parks in the Northern Rivers, Parks on the Gold Coast

Angourie Blue & Green Pools, NSW. Explore more of NSW with Roady.

3. VIC: The Great Ocean Road

The Great Ocean Road is one of Australia’s most iconic drives, offering a perfect blend of headline landmarks and lesser‑known detours.

Coastal stops like Apollo Bay, Wye Beach, the Twelve Apostles and London Bridge deliver dramatic ocean scenery.
Venture inland to Jebb’s Pool, Beauchamp Falls and Phantom Falls for rainforest walks and refreshing freshwater swims.
This road trip beautifully balances bucket‑list moments with plenty of room for exploration.

Roady's inside scoop: 'The Great Ocean Road always lives up to the hype, but it’s the small detours that really make it. Jebb’s Pool was a nice surprise, and Beauchamp Falls was seriously impressive after rain. My biggest tip is to take your time, this is a road trip where slowing down makes all the difference.' - Roscoe

📍Parks to stay at: Parks along the Great Ocean Road

The unparalleled Great Ocean Road, Victoria. Check out more of Roady's Great Ocean Road adventure.

4. WA: Perth to Esperance

This long-distance journey from Perth delivers some of Australia’s most diverse landscapes, from vineyards and caves to forests and postcard‑perfect beaches.

Head south through Margaret River to explore limestone caves like Lake Cave, world‑class wineries and stunning beaches such as Meelup.
Continue east into the Boranup Karri Forest before reaching the dramatic coastal scenery around Denmark.
Walk among the treetops in the Valley of the Giants, swim at William Bay and Elephant Rocks, and soak up the spectacular coastline.
Finish strong at Cape Le Grand National Park near Esperance, where Lucky Bay and Hellfire Bay showcase some of the whitest sand and bluest water in the country.

Roady's inside scoop: 'This road trip is visually next level from start to finish. Elephant Rocks near Denmark would be up there with one of my fav spots I’ve visited in the whole of Aus – swimming between giant boulders in crystal-clear water was the absolute dream. WA really rewards the extra kilometres.' - Roscoe

📍Parks to stay at: BIG4 Perth Midland Tourist Park, Perth Central Caravan Park, Bathers Paradise Caravan Park - Esperance, RAC Esperance Holiday Park

Elephant Rock, William Bay National Park, Western Australia. Find wineries and white sand beaches in South West WA with Roady.

5. TAS: Hobart to Stanley

Tasmania’s compact size makes it perfect for a road trip that delivers a huge variety across short distances.

Start in Hobart with panoramic views from the summit of Mount Wellington.
Head north toward Freycinet National Park, where the steep climb up Mount Amos rewards you with sweeping views over Wineglass Bay.
Continue on to the vivid orange coastline of the Bay of Fires before reaching Launceston to explore the easily accessible Cataract Gorge.
Shift landscapes again at Cradle Mountain, with walks around Dove Lake and the chance to spot wombats at Ronny Creek.
Finish in Stanley with a walk up The Nut, a dramatic volcanic plug rising straight from the ocean.

Roady's inside scoop: 'This road trip captures everything Tasmania does best - wild landscapes, big views and constant variety. If you’re up for an early start, hiking Mount Amos at sunrise is something I’d highly recommend. A 4am wake-up might sound brutal, but the light over Wineglass Bay at sunrise is next level and absolutely worth the effort.' - Roscoe

📍Parks to stay at: BIG4 Hobart Airport Tourist Park, BIG4 Iluka on Freycinet Holiday Park, BIG4 Launceston Holiday Park, BIG4 Tassie Getaway Parks Stanley

6. NT: Darwin to Katherine

The Top End offers a road trip unlike anywhere else in Australia, blending heat, water and vast landscapes into one epic journey.

Begin in Darwin with a jumping crocodile cruise and a classic Mindil Beach sunset.
Head south to Litchfield National Park, where Florence Falls, Tjaetaba Falls and Wangi Falls serve up some of the best swimming spots in the country.
Around Katherine, paddle through Nitmiluk Gorge on a kayak tour, soak in the Katherine Hot Springs, and cool off with a swim at Edith Falls.
This adventure-filled route balances dramatic scenery with refreshing water stops and big open skies.

Roady's inside scoop: 'What surprised us most was just how much water there is – we were constantly swimming, kayaking or floating down rivers. When you picture NT you often think red dirt and heat, but this trip is all about finding water to cool off, which made for an incredibly fun and refreshing time' - Roscoe

📍Parks to stay at: BIG4 Hidden Valley Holiday Park - Darwin, BIG4 Howard Springs Holiday Park, BIG4 Breeze Holiday Parks - Katherine, Mary River Wilderness Retreat

Florence Falls, Litchfield National Park, Northern Territory. Chase waterfalls, gorges and sunsets in the NT with Roady.

7. QLD: Brisbane to the Glass House Mountains Loop

The Glass House Mountains prove you don’t need long distances to create a road trip packed with standout moments.

Just north of Brisbane, this compact loop delivers lookouts, challenging hikes and some of Queensland’s most recognisable photo spots—perfect for a weekend escape or an add‑on to a Sunshine Coast trip.
Enjoy sweeping views from Glass House and Wild Horse Mountain Lookouts.
Stop at the famous Marshs Road photo point for that classic mountain backdrop.
Tackle a range of hikes, from the exposed climb of Mount Tibrogargan to the more accessible summit of Mount Ngungun.
For experienced hikers, Mount Beerwah and Mount Tibberoowuccum offer an added challenge and fresh perspectives of the volcanic peaks.

Roady's inside scoop: 'What I love about the Glass House Mountains is how much variety you can fit into a short drive. It’s the kind of road trip that works perfectly over a weekend, but also slots in well to a longer Queensland adventure.' - Roscoe

📍Parks to stay at: BIG4 Sandstone Point Holiday Resort, BIG4 Caloundra Waterfront, BIG4 Maroochy River, Bribie Island Caravan Park

Glass House Mountains Lookout, Queensland

There’s an app for that

‘In 2022, we launched the Roady app to bring discovery, planning, and sharing together in one place,’ explains Roscoe. ‘Since then, users have completed over 350,000 experiences by uploading photos as they tick locations off their list.’

Roady and their smartphone app have now expanded into Australia with 1,400+ curated spots across the country, from iconic road trip stops to those off the beaten path, well worth checking out.

In Australia, the free app gives you access to 370 locations, covering beaches, walks, waterfalls, lookouts, wildlife experiences, and more. The low-cost paid upgrade unlocks all 1,400+ spots and is ideal for travellers who want the full map as their main planning tool. Paid users can also create unlimited lists and tick off as many locations as they like to track their travels and climb the Roady leaderboard against other travellers.

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Tips from the pros for planning your adventures

Roscoe and the Roady crew have been on countless trips, so they have plenty of know-how to help you on your next getaway. These are their tips for a great road trip:

Keep your driving days realistic. A trip feels fun when you’re not spending the whole day in the car.
Book your anchors early (accommodation in peak times, big ticket tours), but leave space for detours.
Plan one main thing per day, not five. Don’t overload yourself, the best moments are usually the unplanned ones.
Always have a backup plan for weather, especially if your trip is beach heavy.
Don’t push the limits with fuel and reception. In parts of Australia, distances are no joke. Download maps and top up earlier than you think.
Be sure to download the Roady app to help you plan your dream trip and find epic locations while out on the road

Katherine Hot Springs, Northern Territory

Roady’s favourite BIG4s

Roady has visited more than 40 BIG4 Holiday Parks across Australia, and while each one has its own personality, the locations and staff standards of the parks are consistently excellent.

‘Some of our favourites have been BIG4 Sandstone Point Holiday Resort for a bit of luxury, BIG4 Denmark Ocean Beach Holiday Park for the wildlife (chilling with the kangaroos), and BIG4 Sawtell Beach Holiday Park - right on the beach,’ says Roscoe.

‘BIG4 parks have made for the perfect base for all of our adventures around Australia.’