Australia, the country fascinates so many. The land of kangaroos is renowned for its diverse landscapes, distinctive wildlife, and flora, and is considered one of the top destinations for a once-in-a-lifetime road trip experience.
Where does Australia get this reputation? Why, when we think of a road trip, do we think of Australia?
That is the goal of this article, to show in 7 points that Australia is indeed a must-visit destination, if not the must-visit destination, for an unforgettable road trip experience, whether you’re traveling alone, with friends, or with family!
1. The diversity of landscapes
When you think of a road trip in Australia, you envision yourself cruising on endless beaches, traversing the iconic Red Center to view Uluru, or traversing the Gold Coast on the East coast, with a surfboard on your car’s roof. These 3 images are however only a small part of the diversity of Australian landscapes.
With a total area of nearly 8,000,000 km² (14 times larger than France), you will never tire of the Australian landscape.
Moreover, depending on the length of your trip, the season and your desires, Vanz Travel is always happy to advise you on the best regions to explore!
One of the unique features of Australia is that within a single day, you can travel from a tropical rainforest to a picturesque bay of white sand and turquoise water.
And this unparalleled experience is a must-have at least once in a lifetime!
2. Australia will delight all types of travellers
The diversity of landscapes means that there is something for everyone!
Australia welcomes all types of travellers every year; backpackers on a working holiday visa, world travellers, families, couples, or groups of friends, all with the goal of creating an unforgettable journey.
The beauty of Australia is that it can be explored and enjoyed in various ways, accommodating all budget (especially when renting a converted vehicle, which we will discuss in the next point).
Thus, Australia will also appeal to adventurers, hikers, those who wish to sunbathe on one of the 10,000 Australian beaches, diving enthusiasts, and fans of majestic cities like Sydney or Melbourne.
Melbourne, and so on!
And the best part? It is the simplicity of being able to switch up activities and experiences!
3. Adapted vehicles for all !
As I was saying just now, all travelers will find what they came for “Down Under”!
Of course, not everyone has the same needs, the same desires, nor the same budget!
This is why, for a road trip, choosing the right vechicle is essential.
On one hand, it represents a significant portion of your travel budget, but also, and more importantly, it must meet your needs so that you can fully enjoy your trip.
A young couple of graduates will not have the same needs as a family with young children, or a young couple of retirees who want to enjoy a comfortable trip.
And that, at Vanz Travel, we understand! That’s why we offer 4 different types of vehicles, all with the possibility to adapt the equipment:
4. An almost unlimited number of campsites
Since to road trips and camping being popular activities in Australia, there are a plethora of campsites throughout the country.
There are 2 main types of campsites:
- Private/municipal campsites: these campsites charge and offer many services and facilities (kitchen, showers, toilets, swimming pools for some, etc.). They are also maintained daily.
There is a “sub-category” of private camping: national park campsites, which are mandatory if you want to explore protected nature reserves for several days. - Free campsites: these are free camping areas. You will be able to spend one or more nights there (with a limit of 48h or more, it can vary). They may be more basic and minimalistic (with little or no amenities), but they are abundant and free of charge, and this is one of the reasons why Australia is considered a prime destination for road trips!
In Australia, the wealth is the ability to travel freely.
You can alternate between using free and paid campsites, allowing you to do things like do laundry or spend a peaceful day by the pool.
The most important thing to remember is that there are campsites almost everywhere in Australia, which allows for great flexibility in your itinerary.
There are of course maps that list the different campsites, but also a very practical community mobile application, Wikicamps Australia!
5. Free (and clean!) infrastructure and equipment.
Australia has built a worldwide reputation as a top road trip destination, and is doing everything to keep it!
Campsites are just one aspect of the infrastructure and accommodations available for travellers on the road.
It is true that in Europe, for example, public areas like free campsites are limited, and unfortunately tend to be neglected and poorly maintained.
BUT Australia is fascinating because it offers many clean public places that are free to use.
You will find free places for barbecues, sanitary facilities, showers and “outdoor” gyms everywhere.
There is this phenomenon where, when everything is clean, people want it to stay that way. Thus, after each use, travellers will clean there area and leaving it pleasurable for the next. This is also the spirit of the Australian way of travelling!
6. An ideal climate
It would be an oversight not to bring up the weather conditions in Australia.
If there is one thing that makes all the difference on a road trip, it is a sunny climate!
After all, you don’t go to the other side of the world to stay in your car (as nice as it is!)
Australia is known for its vast open spaces, beaches with crystal clear waters, and ample opportunities to spend time outdoors and soak up Vitamin D.
Since the seasons in Australia are opposite to those in Europe and the country is so vast, it is not always intuitive to know where and when to travel. But you should know that all year round, summer and winter, you can find sunshine if you are in the right place!
Our role is to guide and advise you, ensuring that you make the most of your trip.
7. The unique fauna and flora
How can we not finish this article without mentioning the Australian fauna and flora! Australia is probably the country with the most unique biodiversity in the world.
Did you know that more than 80% of the mammals, reptiles, fish and insects found in Australia are endemic?
Kangaroos, koalas, quokkas, wombats and platypuses are among the mythical species in Australia!
This incredible diversity is due to the different ecosystems that Australia is home to; rainforests, reefs or desert areas are just some of the Australian wonders to discover!
What if it was your turn to discover Australia?
The experience of a road trip in Australia can hardly be shared or explained, it is lived!
If you would like to receive information, ask questions or obtain a budget estimate for your trip to Australia, please write to us. The Vanz Travel team will be happy to answer your questions and discuss them with you!
In the meantime, we hope you enjoyed this article!
See you soon !