The Best Australian Road Trips for Motorhome Travellers

Australia was made for road trips – not the rushed, tick-the-box kind, but the slow-burn journeys where your best plans happen after you’ve pulled over for an unexpected lookout or stayed an extra night. Travelling in a motorhome, you’re not hunting for check-in times or hauling bags in and out of accommodation. Your kitchen is with you. Your bed is with you. Your “I need quiet time” is on tap, so you can chase the weather, follow your curiosity, and build your own itinerary.

Below are some of the best Australian road trips for motorhome travellers, from iconic coastal drives to outback mysteries. With the right planning, each trip is RV-friendly and reflects Winnebago’s approach to travel: comfort, ease, and the freedom to take the long way round.

Before You Go: The Motorhome Road Trip Checklist

An amazing road trip starts long before you turn the key. It begins with planning your route and a few smart decisions before you leave. These are the practical basics that make great Australian road trips: 

• Choose a route that matches your travel style. Want beach towns and seafood? Go coastal. Prefer wide skies and red dirt? Head inland. Like a bit of both? Build a loop. 
• Plan your fuel rhythm, not just your route. In remote areas, fill up when you can. Australia is known for long distances between towns. Keeping your fuel tank topped up reduces stress and gives you more flexibility on the road. Consider carrying a spare jerry can of petrol, so you’re not scrambling if plans change. 
• Know your dump points and water top-ups. Apps like WikiCamps and CamperMate make it easier to locate services once you’re travelling beyond major centres, where options can be limited. 
• Check road conditions and weather. This is non-negotiable for outback legs and during wet seasons. It only takes one detour or closure to derail your whole plan. Book popular stays in peak periods. You can be spontaneous most of the year, but some regions (and school holiday windows) fill fast, especially beachfront parks and places near national parks. 
• Give yourself “slow days”. One of the best parts of motorhome travel is the ability to linger. Build in recovery days, so you can enjoy the driving days more.

The Best Australian Road Trips for RV Travellers

Here are standout routes that consistently deliver – not just in scenery, but in the kind of travel flow that works beautifully when you’ve got your home on wheels.

1) Sydney to Adelaide: City-to-City “Choose Your Own Adventure”

The road trip from Sydney to Adelaide is often overlooked, as many people assume it’s a direct transit route. It isn’t. It’s a flexible motorhome trip that can be shaped in many different ways: alpine detours, wine regions, river towns, historic country hubs, and coastal legs.

Why it works in a motorhome:

It’s easy to pace, offering plenty of facilities, and is perfect for travellers who like variety without going fully remote.

Great ways to shape this route:

• Add the Snowy Mountains for crisp alpine air, walking tracks and expansive views.
• Drift through the Riverina for quieter country stretches. 
• Loop through wine country: the Barossa, Clare Valley, and McLaren Vale make great “linger longer” zones.

RV tip:

This is the kind of trip where you’ll enjoy it more if you stop early in the day. Aim to arrive at your overnight spot with enough daylight left to turn your campsite into part of the experience, not just a place to sleep.

2) Melbourne to Canberra: Food, Culture and High-Country Calm

Melbourne to Canberra is a road trip with a surprisingly refined feel. It’s perfect for travellers who like good coffee, farm-gate stops, galleries, and towns with character but still want open-road breathing room.

Why it works in a motorhome:

Shorter drive days, plenty of serviced stays, and a route that rewards a slower pace. It’s also a great “practice” trip if you’re new to longer campervan travel.

Highlights to build your trip with:

• Historic towns and country bakeries (the good kind). 
• Detour through alpine regions for the serenity of high-country scenery. 
• Canberra’s museums and galleries will add a mid-trip cultural reset.

RV tip:

Canberra is a seamless stop in a motorhome if you expect that parking in the city centre will be tight. Choose accommodation with good city access, and use local transport or rideshares for day trips.

3) Perth to Monkey Mia: Dolphins, Dunes and Deep Blue Water

If you’ve never done Western Australia in a motorhome, this Coral Coast route is a stunning place to start. You’ll move from city comfort into open coastlines, bright turquoise water, and those big WA skies for a clearer sense of perspective.

Why it works in a motorhome:

It’s a coastal adventure with enough facilities to stay comfortable, and enough space to feel like you’ve truly escaped. Monkey Mia’s native wildlife helps make it a genuinely memorable destination – not just a “nice beach” on another Aussie road trip.

Don’t miss:

• The coastal towns north of Perth offer a relaxed start. 
• Kalbarri region detours for magnificent nature moments. 
• Monkey Mia’s famous dolphins and sunrises and sunsets over the water.

RV tip:

WA distances might look okay on a map, but travel days often stretch longer than anticipated. It helps to keep daily drive targets realistic, and plan stops around comfort as much as kilometres.

4) Melbourne Road Trips: Short Drives That Feel Like Proper Getaways

Not every Australian road trip needs to be two weeks long. One of the best parts of owning a motorhome is how easy it is to take short breaks that pack in rest and play. A quick coastal run, a wine region weekend, and a national park escape with your own bed await.

Why it works in a motorhome:

You can leave after lunch, travel comfortably, and still arrive somewhere beautiful with time to unwind.

Ideas for quick, high-reward escapes:

• Coastal towns for beach wanders and fresh seafood. 
• Regional wine areas for long lunches and even slower afternoons. 
• National parks stays when you want nature without roughing it.

RV tip:

Short trips are where you’ll really feel the lifestyle value: no packing dramas, no hotel check-in timelines, and the freedom to change your mind mid-drive.

5) Perth Road Trips: Coastline, Country Towns and Wide-Open Adventure

Perth is the gateway to some of Australia’s most spectacular road travel – from the south-west’s forests and beaches to the north’s sunlit coastline and outback rim. The key is choosing the style of road trip you want: lush and green or bold and sun-bleached.

Why it works in a motorhome:

From Margaret River to the Ningaloo Reef, WA is made for self-contained travel. Once you’re in the rhythm of fuel, water and rest days, it becomes one of the most rewarding places to travel in a motorhome or campervan.

RV tip:

Pace matters in WA. Mix longer drives with easy days, and the journey feels relaxed, not relentless.

6) The Great Ocean Road: Cliffs, Surf Towns, and Rainforest

And no list of Australian road trips would be complete without the Great Ocean Road. With its surf beaches, rugged cliffs, and national parks, it’s one of the country’s most iconic coastal drives. 

However, conditions in this region can change due to weather events and fire activity, including recent seasonal impacts, so it’s important to check current road access and local alerts before setting out.

Why it works in a motorhome:

Distances between towns are manageable, there’s plenty of established accommodation, and you can shape your days to match the weather. Think sunrise beach strolls, long lunches, rainforest detours, sunset lookouts.

Don’t miss:

• Torquay and Bells Beach for a strong surf culture and coastal walks. 
• Use Apollo Bay as a relaxed coastal base for stocking up, with easy access to the Otways. 
• Great Otway National Park for waterfalls, rainforest tracks and short hikes.
•  he 12 Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge at golden hour. 
• Port Fairy for a slower, more charming coastal finish.

RV tip:

Drive east to west if you can. The coastal views tend to open up beautifully that way, and it feels like the trip builds as you go.

Find Your Ultimate Road Trip in Australia to Match Your Travel Style

The best Australian road trip isn’t the one with the most famous landmarks — it’s the one that matches your “lifestyle on the road”.

Ask yourself:

• Do I want coastal charm, or outback panoramas? 
• Do I prefer moving every day, or staying put and exploring locally? 
• Am I travelling for adventure, rest, or a mix of both? 
• How many road hours can I manage while still enjoying the drive? 

Motorhome travel is at its best when you give yourself room to adjust. If the weather changes, you can reroute. If you love a place, you can stay. And if your idea of luxury is simply waking up somewhere new without sacrificing comfort, you’re already doing it right.

Final Thoughts: The Winnebago Way to Road Tripping Australia

Australia rewards travellers who don’t rush. It’s a country of endless horizons and unique surprises: empty beaches at the end of a dusty road, unexpected farm gates, and roadside lookouts you’ll remember for years. 

With the right motorhome, the best road trip routes in Australia become less about logistics and more about flexibility. Travel on your own terms, along with your everyday comforts. If this article has sparked your interest in an open-road escape, find your nearest Winnebago dealer and talk to our team today.