When we’re planning our summer road trips, it’s tempting to flick through touristy guidebooks and travel down roads which have been travelled many times before.

But we believe the best journeys are sometimes those which are slightly more off the beaten track. Here are three driving route suggestions for those of us who want to see Australia in a completely new way.

Freemantle to Newman

1,200km, 13 hours

Checklist:

• Visit the RAAF Base Pearce in Bullsbrook, constructed in 1935.
• Visit the Bullsbrook Nature reserve
• Stop off at Lake Chittering and Lake Needonga
• Overnight in the small town of Dalwallinu
• See what’s left of salt water Lake Austin and Lake Anneen
• If you’re brave, visit the old abandoned ghost town Nannine
• Visit Collier Range National Park

Once you get to Newman, be sure to stop for a swim at the Ophthalmia Dam. The closest thing you’ll find to an oasis in the middle of the desert, it’s a popular swimming and recreation spot amongst the locals.

Esperance, WA to Alice Springs, NT

3,136 km, 1 day 10 hours

The true journey through the red centre of Australia, this trek will take you from Esperance through every kind of landscape Australia has to offer – coast, bush and desert. Stay overnight in Ceduna and Port Augusta West to break up the trip in to thirds, as it is a whopping 25 hour drive from start to finish. There are plenty of huge nature parks and reserves along this trip, including Nullarbor National Park, Wahgunyah Conservation Reserve, Yumburra Conservation Park, Yellabinna Regional Reserve, Pureba Conservation Park, Koolgera Conservation Reserve, Pinkawillinie Conservation Park and Lake Gilles Conservation Park.

Checklist:

• See the Australian Arid Land Botanic Garden in Port Augusta West
• Visit Monalena Lagoon and Lake Hart
• Stop over at Coober Pedy, the famous Opal Capital of the world

Broome, WA to Darwin, NT

1,945km, 1 day 1 hour

If you prefer to drive between two locations you’ve more than likely heard of. Perfect for those who love big, long stretches of road, this drive from Broome to Darwin will take you all the way through the north end of Australia. Overnight in Fitzroy Crossing and Katherine to break up the trip, and tick of our checklist of suggestions along the way.

Checklist:

• Bungle Bungle National Park at Halls Creek (Australia’s version of the rocky landscapes of Arizona)
• Keep River National Park
• Manton Dam Recreation Area
• Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Darwin

Remember, when you’re travelling such long distances, it’s important to have the right vehicle. Your tiny little car that you use to zip around the city just won’t survive on the wide open road and rugged terrain of the Australian outback. Consider browsing used car websites to find dealers or private sellers where you can pick up an affordable and reliable 4WD or van for your trip.

Where is Broome?

Broome is located in the remote north, west coast of Australia in the State of Western Australia. Its European settlement history started out as pastoralists arrived and carved up the land for farming leases. Later it was a pearling port for Japanese pearlers in the sea off Broome during the 1880′s. Today only a handful of boats operate but still it produces some of the finest pearls in the world.

Broome has become known as the travel destination that offers that sense of relaxation on Cable Beach, remoteness (being more than 2,200km north of Perth) and providing the access to the Australian Outback experience of The Kimberley. This area is worthy of its own post at a later date!

Be prepared for those amazing sunsets with this Canon PowerShot light weight camera.

Map

TravelTipsPlus Google Map of Broome

One Great Reason to Visit Broome

One great reason to visit Broome is to experience what so many of the tour brochures depict, a camel ride on Cable Beach at Sunset.

Broome – The Gem of the North West

For More Information

Wikipedia

Broome – Official Tourism Site

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Esperance, Australia

Flinders Ranges, Australia

Kakadu, Australia

Cairns, Australia

Where are the Flinders Ranges?

The Flinders Ranges are located in the state of South Australia, approximately 430km north of Adelaide. I’ve been fortunate to travel in the region on two occassions and found it the most beautiful and peaceful of destinations. It’s world renowned for its geological history and impressive fossil remains. Its main attraction is Wilpena Pound, a natural amphitheatre that was used by early pastoralists. Its an easy walk, following the Wilpena Creek from the camp ground into the Pound itself where you can visit the historic homestead of the early settlers.

The area invites visitors from all over the world and now caters to this, having all accommodation types from a 5 star hotel, to unpowered camp sites. Some stay a night or two and see what that can whilst on an organised tour, and others stay much longer, allowing time to walk/hike the many trails. There are trails leading to aboriginal painting sites, scenic lookouts and picturesque dry river beds. Four wheel driving is also very popular and imperative if you want to go off the sealed roads and be more adventurous.

You will be delighted by the wildlife here. During my trip in 2008, I saw scores of kangaroos, wallabies, emus, wedgetail eagles, parrots and a shingleback lizard.

Map

TravelTipsPlus Google Map of the Flinders Ranges

One Great Reason to Visit

One great reason to visit the Flinders Ranges is the sheer beauty of the isolated ranges rich in colour and texture.

Flinders Ranges, South Australia

For More Information

Wikipedia

Flinders Ranges – Official Site

You Might Also Enjoy The Following Travel Destinations

Esperance, Australia

Broome, Australia

Kakadu, Australia

Cairns, Australia

Byron Bay, Australia