Scenic Driving Routes in Australia

Historical context of Australia

Nineteenth-century maritime settlement concentrated the population along the southeastern coast, leading to dense, interconnected road networks between major ports. Early inland tracking followed livestock stock routes and telegraph lines, which established the groundwork for modern highway corridors through the interior. Government infrastructure programs later paved these transcontinental paths to link isolated mining hubs and agricultural regions, resulting in a system where modern highway driving directly follows the expansive routes used by early overland transport parties.

Geography of Australia

The Great Dividing Range runs parallel to the eastern coast, creating a physical barrier that requires winding road designs and steep gradients to reach the interior. Beyond these mountains, the geography flattens into the vast, low-lying central depression and western plateau, where the absence of natural obstacles allows for exceptionally straight highway configurations. River networks in the interior are largely seasonal, meaning road placements must account for dry creek crossings that transform during regional weather shifts.

The driving experience splits sharply between the populated coastal margins and the remote interior. Coastal highways feature multi-lane configurations, frequent service stations, and high traffic density. In contrast, inland routes consist of long, single-lane asphalt ribbons or corrugated dirt surfaces where the distance between fuel stops can exceed two hundred miles. Heavy multi-trailer freight vehicles dominate these long-distance corridors, requiring significant clearance space from passing drivers.

Interesting facts about Australia

• Interior highways follow old livestock stock routes, tracing the only reliable water sources across the arid plains.
• The 90 Mile Straight on the Eyre Highway contains no turns, reflecting the completely flat, featureless limestone terrain.
• Coastal mountain roads require specialized civil engineering to prevent asphalt erosion from high annual tropical rainfall.

Why take a road trip in Australia?

Driving through Australia is one of the best ways to experience its landscapes. Many of the most beautiful places are not accessible by public transport, which makes road trips the most flexible and rewarding way to explore.

The real value is not just in destinations, but in the journey itself — long empty roads, unexpected viewpoints, and small stops that don’t appear in guidebooks.