The Best Scenic Drives in Australia for Retirees

Few countries in the world offer road trip experiences as extraordinary as Australia. From dramatic coastal cliffs and ancient rainforests to the vast, otherworldly beauty of the outback, the country rewards those who take the time to see it from behind the wheel. For retirees with the time and flexibility to genuinely savour the journey rather than rush from one destination to the next, Australia’s scenic drives offer some of the most memorable travel experiences available anywhere in the world. Here are the best ones worth adding to your list.

The Great Ocean Road, Victoria

Distance: 243 kilometres from Torquay to Allansford Best time to visit: Year round, though spring and autumn offer the most comfortable temperatures

The Great Ocean Road is arguably Australia’s most iconic drive — and it genuinely lives up to its reputation. Winding along Victoria’s southwest coast, it passes some of the country’s most dramatic coastal scenery, including the extraordinary Twelve Apostles limestone stacks rising from the Southern Ocean.

Don’t miss:

• The Twelve Apostles — best seen at sunrise or sunset when the light is extraordinary and the crowds are thinner
• Loch Ard Gorge — just minutes from the Twelve Apostles, equally beautiful and often less crowded
• The rainforests of the Otway Ranges — a dramatic contrast to the coastal scenery and genuinely stunning
• Lorne and Apollo Bay — charming coastal towns perfect for a lunch stop or overnight stay

Practical tip: The road is narrow and winding in sections — take your time and pull over frequently rather than trying to drive it quickly. The best experiences happen when you stop.

The Great Alpine Road, Victoria

Distance: 308 kilometres from Wangaratta to Bairnsdale Best time to visit: Spring through autumn — sections close or become challenging in winter snow

Victoria’s highest sealed road winds through the Victorian Alps, passing through alpine villages, ancient snowgum forests, and some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in southeastern Australia.

Don’t miss:

• Bright — one of Australia’s most beautiful alpine towns, particularly spectacular during autumn when the European trees turn gold and red
• Mount Hotham and Dinner Plain — stunning high country scenery without needing to ski
• Omeo — a charming historic gold rush town in the valley below

The Gibb River Road, Western Australia

Distance: Approximately 660 kilometres through the Kimberley Best time to visit: May to October — the road is often impassable during the wet season

One of Australia’s great adventure drives, the Gibb River Road cuts through the heart of the Kimberley — one of the world’s last great wilderness areas. This is not a drive for standard vehicles or those wanting sealed roads — it requires a genuine 4WD and some off-road experience.

Don’t miss:

• El Questro Wilderness Park — extraordinary gorges, thermal springs, and remote camping
• Manning Gorge — a beautiful swimming hole accessible with a short walk
• Tunnel Creek and Windjana Gorge — extraordinary geological and historical significance

Practical tip: This drive requires genuine preparation — vehicle checks, fuel planning, water supplies, and communication equipment. The reward is access to some of the most spectacular and remote scenery in Australia, but the Kimberley demands respect.

The Great Northern Highway and Coral Coast, Western Australia

Distance: Varies depending on route — the Coral Coast stretch alone covers several hundred kilometres Best time to visit: April to October

Western Australia’s Coral Coast drive from Perth north to Exmouth is one of Australia’s most rewarding road trips — combining stunning coastal scenery, extraordinary wildlife encounters, and the otherworldly beauty of the outback meeting the Indian Ocean.

Don’t miss:

• Monkey Mia — one of the few places in the world where wild dolphins come to shore daily
• Shell Beach — a beach made entirely of tiny shells, stretching for kilometres
• Ningaloo Reef near Exmouth — arguably the most accessible and unspoiled coral reef in the world, with whale shark swimming available in season
• Kalbarri National Park — dramatic gorges and stunning coastal cliffs

The Flinders Ranges and Outback Drive, South Australia

Distance: Varies — typically 500-700 kilometres depending on route Best time to visit: April to October — summer temperatures are extreme

The Flinders Ranges offer one of Australia’s most dramatic inland drives — ancient mountain ranges, vast open skies, and a profound sense of the age and scale of the Australian landscape.

Don’t miss:

• Wilpena Pound — a natural amphitheatre of ancient mountains, genuinely unlike anywhere else in Australia
• Blinman — Australia’s highest town, with a beautifully preserved historic pub
• Rawnsley Park — spectacular views and excellent accommodation options for those wanting comfort without sacrificing scenery

The Pacific Coast Touring Route, New South Wales

Distance: Approximately 900 kilometres from Sydney to the Queensland border Best time to visit: Year round, though spring and autumn are particularly pleasant

Following the NSW coast north from Sydney, this drive takes in some of the country’s most beautiful beaches, charming coastal towns, and lush hinterland — all within easy reach of the highway.

Don’t miss:

• The Hunter Valley — world class wine country just inland from the coast
• Port Stephens — beautiful bay with dolphins and exceptional beaches
• Coffs Harbour — particularly the Big Banana and beautiful hinterland drives
• Byron Bay — iconic, beautiful, and worth the visit despite the crowds

The Savannah Way, Northern Australia

Distance: Approximately 3,700 kilometres from Cairns to Broome Best time to visit: May to October

One of Australia’s great epic drives, the Savannah Way crosses the entire top of Australia from Queensland to Western Australia — passing through some of the country’s most remote and spectacular landscapes.

Don’t miss:

• Undara Lava Tubes — extraordinary ancient volcanic tubes accessible from the highway
• Lawn Hill Gorge — a remote oasis of extraordinary beauty in outback Queensland
• Katherine Gorge — one of Australia’s most spectacular gorge systems

Practical tip: The Savannah Way is a serious undertaking — sections are remote, unsealed, and require genuine preparation. For those with the time and the right vehicle, it offers access to parts of Australia most people never see.

The Tasman Peninsula, Tasmania

Distance: Approximately 100 kilometres from Hobart Best time to visit: Year round — Tasmania’s cool climate is actually pleasant in all seasons

A shorter but genuinely spectacular drive from Hobart, the Tasman Peninsula takes in some of Australia’s most dramatic coastal scenery alongside one of the country’s most significant and sobering historic sites.

Don’t miss:

• Port Arthur Historic Site — one of Australia’s most significant convict heritage sites and genuinely moving to visit
• Cape Hauy and Tasman Arch — extraordinary coastal geological formations
• Remarkable Cave — a natural sea cave accessible at low tide

The Mornington Peninsula, Victoria

Distance: A loop of approximately 130 kilometres from Melbourne Best time to visit: Year round — summer for beaches, autumn and winter for wineries

An easy day drive from Melbourne, the Mornington Peninsula offers beautiful coastal scenery, world class wineries, hot springs, and charming villages — all within easy reach of the city.

Don’t miss:

• Peninsula Hot Springs — a genuinely special experience, particularly in cooler months
• Red Hill and Merricks — beautiful winery country with stunning views across the bay
• Point Nepean National Park — the dramatic tip of the peninsula with extraordinary views back toward Melbourne

Practical Tips for Scenic Drives

Plan stops rather than just destinations The best scenic drives reward those who stop frequently — at lookouts, at small towns, at unexpected signs that point somewhere interesting. Build in more time than you think you need.

Travel in the cooler parts of the day Particularly in outback and tropical regions, early morning and late afternoon driving is significantly more comfortable and often more beautiful — the light is better, the temperatures are lower, and wildlife is more active.

Check road conditions before you go Australian road conditions can change significantly with weather — particularly on outback and unsealed routes. Always check current conditions before heading out on unfamiliar roads.

Carry more water than you think you need Particularly on outback and remote drives — water is the most important safety item in any Australian road trip, regardless of the season.

As I wrote in how to plan a Big Lap of Australia — the best grey nomad experiences almost always happen when you slow down, stop more often, and resist the urge to cover maximum distance each day.

The Bottom Line

Australia’s scenic drives are among the most extraordinary in the world — and retirement is genuinely the best time to do them properly, with the time to stop, explore, and savour every kilometre rather than rushing to a destination.

Pick one that calls to you. Plan it properly. And then go.

What’s your favourite scenic drive in Australia? Share your recommendation in The Good Years Club community — we’d love to build a list together 💙

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