The Best Family Road Trips in Australia

Before the destinations, a quick word on what actually keeps everyone happy on the road. After a few trips it comes down to a few simple things, and getting these right matters more than picking the “perfect” route.

• Short drive days. Three to four hours of driving is plenty with young kids. Break it into legs with a stop in between and you’ll all enjoy the day more.
• Stops with space. Somewhere to run, swim or climb every couple of hours does more for morale than any amount of in-car entertainment.
• A loose plan. Book the big things, leave room for the rest. Some of our best days have been the ones we didn’t plan at all.
• Weather awareness. Kids feel the heat and cold more than we do. Travel the right region in the right season and half the work is done for you.
• Snacks, always. A hungry kid is a grumpy kid. We keep a stash within reach and stop for proper meals somewhere they can move around.

These are the regions I’d point any family toward first: good roads, plenty of stops, and a real mix of things to do. Each one suits a relaxed pace, which is exactly what you want travelling with kids.

The East Coast: Northern NSW to the Sunshine Coast

Byron Bay to Noosa  ·  flexible over 1–2 weeks  ·  easy sealed roads

This is my home patch, and it’s about as family-friendly as Australia gets. Calm beaches, holiday parks with pools, and short hops between towns mean you’re never stuck in the car for long. There’s a swim, a playground or an ice cream around every corner.

Break it into easy stages, Byron Bay, the Gold Coast, then up to the Sunshine Coast, with none of the legs much over a couple of hours. The patrolled beaches make swimming straightforward, and there’s enough going on that even a rainy day is easy to fill.

Why it works with kids

• Plenty of patrolled, gentle-surf beaches for little swimmers.
• Holiday parks with pools and playgrounds at most stops.
• Short drives, so no one’s asking “are we there yet?” for long.
• Wildlife parks and easy walks to break up the days.

The Great Ocean Road, Victoria

Torquay to the Twelve Apostles  ·  2–3 days  ·  nearest city Melbourne

A brilliant first big drive with kids because the highlights come thick and fast, you’re never far from the next thing to see. Wildlife, beaches and the famous limestone stacks keep everyone interested, and you can do it in easy stages rather than one long push.

Kennett River is just about a guaranteed koala sighting, which is a real thrill for little ones. Apollo Bay makes a natural overnight with a calm beach and a playground, and the Otways behind the coast add waterfalls and short forest walks if you want a change from the sand.

Why it works with kids

• Koala-spotting at Kennett River is a guaranteed hit.
• Apollo Bay is an easy overnight with a calm beach.
• Short legs between stops keep drive days gentle.

South West Western Australia

Perth to Margaret River and the Capes  ·  1 week  ·  good roads

An easy, comfortable loop with a lovely mix of forest, beach and gentle adventure. The driving is straightforward and the distances are kind, so it suits families who want variety without big days behind the wheel.

The limestone caves are a hit with older kids, the calm bays around Dunsborough are perfect for a safe swim, and a wander through the towering Boranup karri forest is the kind of thing that sticks with them. There’s good, casual food everywhere, which makes mealtimes simple.

Why it works with kids

• Easy limestone caves the kids can walk through.
• Tall-tree forests at Boranup for a run-around picnic.
• Calm, sheltered bays for a safe swim.

Tasmania

Loop from Hobart or Launceston  ·  10–14 days  ·  short distances, winding roads

Tassie is compact, which is exactly why it works with kids. You’re rarely more than a couple of hours between stops. Wildlife, history and beaches are all close together, and the cooler climate suits families who don’t love the heat.

The roads are winding rather than long, so plan shorter days than the map suggests. Wildlife parks let the kids meet Tasmanian devils and wombats up close, and there are plenty of pram-friendly walks and easy beaches to fill the days between drives.

Why it works with kids

• Wildlife parks and sanctuaries throughout the island.
• Short legs between very different landscapes.
• Plenty of easy, pram-friendly walks and beaches.

The Red Centre (for older kids)

Loop from Alice Springs  ·  5–6 days  ·  best for ages 7+

Once the kids are a bit older, the desert is an extraordinary family trip. Uluru, Kings Canyon and waterholes you can actually swim in. The scale of it leaves a real impression, and there’s genuine learning in the cultural side of the landscape.

The trick here is the heat: walk early in the morning, rest in the middle of the day, and save the big lookouts for sunset. Carry plenty of water, and keep the walks short and shaded for younger ones. It’s a trip for school-age kids rather than toddlers.

Why it works with kids

• Swimming waterholes in the West MacDonnell Ranges.
• Sunset at Uluru, seriously a moment they won’t forget.
• Hands-on culture and history they’re old enough to take in.

Adelaide Hills and the Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia

Loop from Adelaide  ·  3–5 days  ·  short, easy drives

A gentle, underrated family loop within easy reach of Adelaide. The Hills bring native-wildlife parks and the storybook village of Hahndorf, while the Fleurieu adds calm swimming beaches and rolling farmland. Distances are short, so it suits younger kids and a relaxed pace.

It’s a good one for mixing things up without long drives, a morning meeting koalas and kangaroos, an afternoon on a quiet beach, and a German-bakery lunch in between. Everything sits close together, which keeps the days simple.

Why it works with kids

• Native-wildlife parks where kids can get close to koalas and kangaroos.
• Calm Fleurieu beaches for an easy swim.
• Very short drives between stops.

With under-fives, the magic word is easy: easy drives, easy walks, easy wins. Keep the days short and the stops frequent and you’ll have a lovely time. These are the trips I’d choose with little ones in tow:

• Northern NSW and the Sunshine Coast: calm beaches, playgrounds and short hops between towns.
• The Great Ocean Road in stages: wildlife and beaches without long drives.
• Yarra Valley and Black Spur, Victoria: Healesville Sanctuary plus a short, beautiful forest drive close to Melbourne.

At this age, a holiday park with a pool and a playground can be the highlight of the whole trip, and that’s completely fine. Let the days be simple.

Once they’re a bit older, you can stretch the days and add some adventure. This is the age where a road trip really opens up, and where the bigger landscapes start to land.

• The East Coast, Sydney to the Whitsundays: snorkelling, islands and a real sense of a journey.
• The Red Centre, Northern Territory: Uluru, Kings Canyon and scenery that sticks with them. Walk early, before the heat.
• South West WA: caves, surf beaches and a bit of independence between stops.

Older kids can help plan, too. Giving them a stop to choose or a map to follow keeps them invested, and it takes a little of the load off you.

Short on time, or testing the waters before a bigger adventure? A long weekend close to a city is the perfect starter. Pick somewhere with a beach or a national park and keep the driving to a couple of hours each way. Our short road trips guide has options by city, and our coastal road trips guide is full of beachy family ideas.

• A weekend on the South Coast of NSW: Jervis Bay’s white sand is hard to beat, and the water is calm and clear.
• Melbourne to the Great Ocean Road for two or three days of wildlife and beaches.
• Perth down to Dunsborough and the Margaret River beaches.

Got a couple of weeks or more? These are the trips that become the family story for years.

• The East Coast end to end: the classic, and the easiest big trip to do with kids.
• A Tasmania loop: huge variety, gentle distances, two relaxed weeks.
• South West WA at a slow pace: forest, coast and caves with no rush.

Honestly, this is the bit that changed family travel for us. Everything you need comes with you: beds, kitchen, the kids’ gear, so there’s no packing and repacking, and no hunting for a room at the end of a long day. You can cook a familiar dinner with a view, and naps happen wherever you happen to be.

It also makes the trip more affordable, which matters when you’re travelling as a family of four or five. Your transport and accommodation roll into one, and cooking your own meals saves a small fortune on eating out. Just as importantly, having your own space each night means the kids settle quickly, same bed, same routine, new view out the window.

• One home base the whole trip, so kids settle quickly each night.
• Cook your own meals: easier on fussy eaters and on the budget.
• Stop when the kids need to, not when a booking says you must.
• Plenty of room to choose a layout that fits your family’s size and ages.

You don’t need much, but a few things make camper life with kids far smoother. Our full campervan packing list has the detail; here’s the family-specific shortlist:

• A box of easy snacks and a refillable water bottle for each child, kept within reach.
• Sun protection: hats, sunscreen and a shade option for stops.
• Layers for cool mornings and evenings, even in summer.
• A few quiet activities for the car: books, cards, a download or two.
• Beach and outdoor bits: bucket and spade, a ball, swimmers always at the ready.
• A small first-aid kit and any regular medications.

Where you stop shapes the whole day. Here’s what I look for when I’m planning ours.

• Room to move. A beach, park or grassy rest area every couple of hours resets everyone.
• Shade and facilities. Toilets, water and a shady spot for lunch make stops genuinely restful.
• Something to do, not just see. Kids want to climb, paddle and explore. Pick stops with an activity, not only a view.
• Holiday parks with pools. A pool at the end of a drive day is the easiest win there is.
• Wildlife and water. Animals and a safe swim are reliable highlights at any age.

What is the best family road trip in Australia?

For most families, the East Coast between northern NSW and the Sunshine Coast is the easiest and most rewarding, calm beaches, short drives and plenty for kids of every age. The Great Ocean Road is the best shorter option, and Tasmania is wonderful for a relaxed couple of weeks.

How far should you drive in a day with kids?

As a rule, three to four hours of driving is plenty, broken into legs with a proper stop in between. Some days you’ll do less, and that’s fine, the days you remember are usually the ones with more stopping than driving.

Is a campervan good for travelling with young children?

It’s one of the easiest ways to travel as a family. Your own beds and kitchen mean familiar routines, naps on the move, and no packing and unpacking at every stop. Choosing a layout with the right sleeping and seating setup for your kids’ ages makes all the difference.

What’s the best age to take kids on a road trip?

Any age works with the right plan. Under-fives do best with short drives and simple beach-and-playground days; school-age kids can handle bigger trips like the Red Centre and get more out of the scenery and culture. The trip flexes to suit whoever’s coming.

How do you keep kids happy on long drives?

Keep the legs short, stop somewhere they can run, and have snacks within reach. A few quiet activities help for the stretches in between, but the real trick is simply not asking them to sit still for too long.

Ready to hit the road?

Planning a family trip takes a bit of work, and that’s exactly what we’re here to take off your plate. Tell us your dates and who’s travelling, and we’ll match you to a camper with the right space and setup for your crew, and suggest stops that keep the kids happy along the way.

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