What’s There to Do in Australia? Start With a Road Trip
When you ask yourself what’s there to do in Australia, don’t expect a short answer. The country is vast, impossibly vast, and that’s exactly where the magic lies. Australia isn’t a destination you tick off. It’s a place you drive through, slowly, letting it unfold through heat-hazed highways, rainforest curves, and the kind of silence only the Outback can teach you.
In this guide, you’ll follow the rhythm of the road. From the misty mountains of Tasmania to the sun-bleached cliffs of the west coast, this isn’t just a checklist of places, it’s a story of how to feel Australia. Ready to find out what there really is to do here? Let’s go.
Wake Up on the Road: Why Driving Changes Everything
Flying skips the good stuff. Trains glide past it. But driving? Driving lets you stop. Talk to people. Smell eucalyptus in the heat. Buy mangoes from a roadside stand. That’s how you meet the real Australia.
You don’t need a massive van or 4x4, though you’ll love the freedom if you do. Even a modest rental car will take you far. The point is not speed, but space. The space to change your plans. To follow that turn-off to a blue bay with no name. That’s where Australia hides her best answers.
Wild Places to Find Along the Way
Australia is stitched together by roads that carve through extremes. Here's what you’ll pass, if you know where to look.
The East Coast: Crowds, Cliffs & Secret Corners
Yes, you’ll find beaches. But not just any beaches. Drive from Sydney to Byron Bay and you’ll pass rainforest canopies, ancient volcano remnants, and surf towns that feel like time forgot them.
Pull off at Yuraygir National Park. Camp under paperbark trees. Hike above crashing waves. Further north, the Glass House Mountains rise like fossilized time near the Sunshine Coast. Go slow here, this stretch rewards wanderers.
Tasmania: Cold Air & Wild Soul
If you think Australia is only red dirt and heat, drive Tasmania. It’s misty, green, and deeply raw. You’ll pass silent lakes, wombats waddling across the road, and mountain huts begging for a tea stop.
Drive from Hobart to Cradle Mountain via the western route. It’s slower, but the kind of slow that rewires your nervous system. Bring warm socks. Stay in tiny towns. Let the fog roll in.
The Red Centre: Dust, Silence & Something Sacred
Nothing prepares you for the Outback. The road from Alice Springs to Uluru seems empty until you realize it’s not. Kangaroo tracks cross the sand. Dust devils dance at noon. And then, Uluru rises like a heartbeat.
Camp near Kings Canyon. Walk at dawn. Feel how vastness can be quiet, not lonely. This is not about attractions. This is about presence.
Western Australia: Edges of the Map
Few travelers make it west. That’s your chance. Start in Perth and head north toward Ningaloo Reef. Swim with whale sharks if the season’s right. Sleep near the ocean in your car. Watch stars flicker above red earth.
Or go south to Margaret River: vineyards, forests, empty beaches. This region whispers, it never shouts, and that’s what makes it unforgettable.
What to Do in Australia That You Didn’t Expect
Not every memory needs a tourist sign. Some of the best things to do in Australia are moments.
- Chase sunrise at Mount Warning in New South Wales
- Find an empty campsite in the Flinders Ranges, South Australia
- Eat banana bread on the side of the road with truckies
- Shower under a waterfall near Litchfield National Park
- Watch an emu walk through your campground like it owns the place
Australia is made for this kind of travel. No rush. No plan. Just long roads and little surprises.
When’s the Best Time to Visit?
Australia doesn’t do one season fits all.
Summer (Dec–Feb): Great for Tasmania & the southern coast, but hot and stormy up north
Autumn (Mar–May): Arguably perfect—mild temps, quiet roads
Winter (Jun–Aug): Ideal for Outback & tropical north, but cold in the south
Spring (Sep–Nov): Wildflowers, wildlife, and comfortable temps everywhere
Plan around the region, not the date. It’s always “the right time” somewhere.
Tips for Your Road Trip Across Australia
Fuel: Fill up early and often, especially inland
Camping: Use a mix of free camps, national parks, and wild bush spots
Safety: Watch for kangaroos at dawn/dusk—they appear fast
Apps: Download offline maps (or use the Woopies guide—everything’s pre-pinned)
Weather: Always check fire danger ratings in summer
Local rules: Respect Indigenous lands, leave no trace, and ask before entering private roads
What’s There to Do in Australia? The Better Question Is: How Will You Feel?
You’ll get salt in your hair. Dust on your boots. You’ll eat noodles from a camp stove while watching the sun fall behind eucalyptus trees. You’ll meet travelers who share their mangoes, rangers who share directions, and wallabies who share your tent pad (uninvited, but forgiven).
You won’t just “do” things in Australia. You’ll remember how it felt to do nothing in the right place.
Let Woopies World Guide You There
The Woopies World Australia & Tasmania Travel Guide is built for road trippers like you. With over 1,200 locations pinned inside Google Maps, you’ll never waste time searching. Find campsites, hikes, hidden beaches, and real local food spots, without signal or stress.
This isn’t a tour. This is freedom.
Download your guide, load your maps, and follow the road. Australia is waiting.