Australia's Best Road Trips Revealed

Australia is a road tripper’s paradise, offering diverse landscapes, vibrant cities, and a route to match every traveller's passion. From sun-drenched coastal highways to rugged outback tracks, every journey promises adventures, breathtaking scenery and unforgettable experiences. 

To find out which road trips offer the ultimate experience, premium pizza oven brand Gozney has analysed 40 of our country's most popular routes, evaluating them based on the number of campsites, hiking trails, viewpoints, beaches, and national parks along the way1. 

Travellers will find plenty of spots along the way to stop, fire up, and cook during their adventures. As part of the research, Gozney also commissioned a qualitative study on Australian outdoor eating asking what was the nation’s favourite thing to cook outdoors; 43% of Australians believe snags belong on the barbie while 32% prefer a good old fashioned bacon fry up. 

When it comes to the places most travelled, taking the top spot as Australia’s best road trip is the drive from Perth to Kalbarri National Park, located along Western Australia's stunning coastline. This route feels like a living postcard at every turn, and swept the competition in terms of the number of camping spots, national parks, and beaches along the route. Jurien Bay is one of the route's many highlights, perfect for snorkeling in turquoise waters and camping under the stars Sandy Bay Recreation Park. The final destination, Kalbarri National Park is itself a masterpiece of nature. For a culinary adventure, travellers should stop off at Lucky Bay Campground just 30 minutes south of Kalbarri, where visitors can set up a BBQ or pizza oven and get cooking. 

In second place is the Sydney to Byron Bay Coastal Drive, scoring highly for its beaches, hiking trails, and campsites. It’s a journey where you can surf at sunrise, hike through lush rainforests by midday, and unwind around a campfire under the stars. Key stops include Sydney, the bustling harbor city; Port Stephens where you can kayak with dolphins; and Byron Bay, a relaxing finale to an 

1When identifying the list of top locations, each amenity was assigned a score out of 10 reflecting the abundance of choices, which was then averaged out to determine an overall score. They have also included a ranking of foodie road trips, highlighting routes filled with culinary exploits such as wine tastings and top-rated restaurants.

unforgettable trip. It’s on this road trip where you’ll discover unforgettable dining experiences from restaurants like Pasta Di Porto, Manna Haven and Fig Tree Restaurant. 

In third place is The Legendary Pacific Coast route, for those looking to explore some superb national parks. Wyrrabalong National Park is ideal for dolphin spotting, while Dorrigo National Park’s ancient Gondwana rainforests invite you to hike beneath cascading waterfalls. To fuel your body for adventure, travellers can make their way to Crowdy Bay National Park and find Diamond Head Campground to set up an outdoor cooking masterpiece, as long as they bring an off-the-ground brazier to cook on. 

“Al fresco dining is no longer just a novelty—it’s becoming a lifestyle. People are embracing the joy and adventure of cooking outdoors, and portable pizza ovens are at the heart of this movement. With millions of TikTok videos tagged ‘campfire cooking,’ food lovers are taking their meals beyond the kitchen. Cooking outdoors isn’t just about convenience, it’s about creating unforgettable moments, savoring local flavors, and making any location, from a campsite to a backyard, feel like a gourmet experience," said Christian Pohio, Gozney Australia’s General Manager. 

The Great Sunshine Way and Pacific Coast Way, both stretching across Queensland’s coast, round out the top five. 

When it comes to the ultimate state for road trips, Western Australia takes the crown. Four of the top 10 routes call this state home, including first place Perth to Kalbarri National Park. Its remote charm means fewer crowds, endless camping spots beneath star-studded skies, and plenty of opportunities for outdoor cooking. 

Renowned chef and outdoor cooking enthusiast Analiese Gregory knows firsthand the magic of creating meals outside. With a passion for open-fire cooking and a deep appreciation for seasonally sourced ingredients, she has spent years exploring how food connects us to places. 

"There's a deep connection between travel, food, and place—some of the best meals are made while you're out on a journey. Australia's road trips, in particular Tasmania’s many adventure trails, provide the perfect opportunity to embrace a certain way of cooking, connecting us to the land and the seasons in a way that restaurant kitchens never can. It’s a chance to slow down, explore, and savour food in its most elemental form," said Ms Gregory. 

Queensland and New South Wales also shine as road-trip hotspots. Renowned for their stunning golden and white-sand beaches—like those in the Whitsundays, Gold Coast, and Byron Bay—these states perfectly blend natural beauty with urban energy, thanks to their vibrant capital cities, Brisbane and Sydney. 

For food lovers, Australia’s road trips are as much about the flavours as the views, and Perth to Margaret River Wine Region will provide a perfect experience for these people. Margaret River is

one of Australia’s most famous wine regions, home to over 200 vineyards and wineries serving up exceptional Cabernet and Shiraz. This includes one of the region’s first vineyards, Vasse Felix, with an impressive Google rating of 4.6. 

The Legendary Pacific Coast excels once again. From Sydney’s world-class dining and freshly shucked oysters to Byron Bay’s farmers markets and artisan goods, there is something for every palate. The highlight, however, is the Hunter Valley, where fine dining at restaurants like the 4.6 Google-rated Muse, and the near perfectly rated EXP (4.8), pairs perfectly with the region’s renowned Sémillon. 

The Tasmanian Loop and Barossa Valley Wine Trail are true havens for food and wine enthusiasts. The Tasmanian Loop showcases the island’s finest, from true hunting adventures at The Truedore in Lower Barrington, to self-guided salmon farm tours, offering a taste of its unique local flavours. Meanwhile, the Barossa Valley Wine Trail delivers unforgettable moments, including hot air balloon rides over breathtaking vineyards, paired with bold Shiraz and elegant Riesling. Visitors should make sure they add Artisans of Barossa to their itinerary, with a Google rating of 4.3 and reviews calling the atmosphere “heavenly”. 

For the full report on Australia's best road trips and outdoor cooking inspiration, visit here.