How to get around Australia

Author: Chris Hawkins, Programme Director

I get asked this question almost every day: "What's the best way to get around Australia?" And after years of crafting itineraries and exploring this incredible country, my answer is always the same: it depends entirely on the kind of traveller you are, and there's no single "right" way.

What I will say is this: Australia rewards those who slow down. It's the sixth largest country on Earth, and you don't want to arrive somewhere at 9pm, sleep, and leave after breakfast the next morning having seen precisely nothing. My rule of thumb, built from years of watching itineraries succeed and fail, is at least two nights in any place you stop – more if you can manage it. Give yourself room to find the parts of a destination that don't make the postcards.

Here's how I'd break down your options, honestly, including where each one falls short.

Escorted Tours

If you like the reassurance of good company and someone else doing the thinking, our escorted coach tours are hard to beat. You'll travel with a knowledgeable local guide, see Australia's headline sights alongside some brilliant detours you'd likely miss on your own, and the day-to-day logistics simply disappear.

The trade-off is flexibility. If you're the sort who wants to linger an extra hour somewhere or skip a stop that doesn't interest you, a fixed group itinerary can feel restrictive. Browse our full range of escorted tours and we'll help you find one that suits your pace, not just your route.

Private escorted flying safaris

This is the one I always tell people they haven't thought of – and the one that becomes addictive once you've tried it. Seeing Australia's outback and coastline from the air gives you a sense of scale that's genuinely hard to describe until you've watched the Bungle Bungle domes or the Kimberley coastline unfold beneath the wing. We build these as fully private, tailor-made itineraries, and also offer small-group escorted flying safaris for those who'd rather share the experience.

It's not the budget option, and it's not for everyone – but for a certain kind of traveller, particularly those revisiting Australia and wanting to see it differently, it's transformative. Give our specialists a call on 01342 310 580 and we can talk through whether it fits your trip.

DIY Flying between destinations

For many of our clients, this is the sensible middle ground: basing yourself in a handful of locations and flying between them on one of Australia's internal carriers, rather than driving the vast distances in between (some of which, frankly, would eat days you don't have). I like this option because it lets you properly settle into a place – Sydney for three or four nights, then Cairns, then Uluru – and explore each one on day trips, rather than spending your holiday watching the odometer climb.

The one thing I'd flag honestly: it can feel like a series of "greatest hits" rather than a continuous journey, so if seeing the country unfold gradually matters to you, weigh that against one of the driving or rail options below.

Trains

Australia isn't really a train-holiday country in the way Europe is, and I'll be upfront about that. But there are two exceptions, and they're both genuinely special rather than just "nice to say you've done."

The Indian Pacific runs coast to coast between Sydney and Perth, with a join point in Adelaide, crossing the vast, otherworldly Nullarbor Plain along the way. There's a particular stillness to waking up with nothing but horizon in every direction – it's a genuinely different way to understand how big this country is. Our Perth to Sydney on the Indian Pacific tour includes stops in Kalgoorlie and the near-ghost-town of Cook.

The Ghan runs between Darwin and Adelaide, cutting straight through the Red Centre with the chance to break your journey at Uluru. We offer this as part of our Darwin to Adelaide on The Ghan itinerary.

Either journey adds something a flight simply can't, and I'd recommend both without hesitation – see our full range of rail holidays for more.

Self-Drives

This is the option closest to my own heart, and the one I chose for my own southeast Australia trip a couple of years back – you can read my favourite moments from that drive if you want the unfiltered version. The 1,000-mile coastal run from Sydney to Melbourne, in particular, is one of the genuine highlights of my travelling life – February and March are your best window, when the sea's at its warmest and the coast road is at its most forgiving.

Self-driving in Australia is more approachable than people expect: quiet roads outside the cities, and driving on the left, which UK and Irish travellers settle into within a day. The appeal, for me, is total control – turn left instead of right, find a bay nobody mentioned to you, stay an extra night somewhere that surprises you. We build itineraries that manage the vast distances sensibly, with well-placed stops and accommodation booked throughout, so you get the freedom without the stress of planning it solo.

Worth knowing before you book: distances between stops can be genuinely long in the outback and Western Australia, so this suits confident drivers happy with several hours behind the wheel some days – it's not the right fit if you'd rather not drive at all.

Motorhomes

For the backpacker-at-heart who never quite let go of that freedom, motorhoming is our most flexible option of all. We can arrange quality motorhomes for as long as you need, and Australia has some genuinely stunning campgrounds in locations you couldn't get a hotel room in if you tried – pull up, get the chairs out, pour a cool glass of local Australian wine, and watch the light change over somewhere remote and beautiful. It demands a bit more of a sense of adventure than our other options, and isn't the choice for travellers who want fixed plans and guaranteed hot showers every night, but for the right person, nothing else compares.

Most of our best client trips actually mix two or three of these – a few nights self-driving the Great Ocean Road, a flight up to Cairns, a train leg through the Red Centre. Whatever combination appeals, my team and I would genuinely love to talk it through with you. Give us a call on 01342 310 580, browse our current Australia deals, or request your free Australia travel guide to start building your trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it better to self-drive or take an escorted tour in Australia?
It genuinely depends on your travel style. Self-driving gives you total flexibility and is well suited to confident drivers who don't mind long stretches on the road, particularly outside the cities. Escorted tours suit travellers who'd rather have logistics, local knowledge and remote-region navigation handled for them. Many of our clients choose one for part of their trip and the other for the rest.

What's the best time of year to drive the Sydney to Melbourne coast road?
From my own experience, February and March are ideal – the sea's at its warmest and conditions along the coast are at their most settled. It's a roughly 1,000-mile route, so we'd always recommend allowing enough days to stop properly rather than rushing it.

Do I need an international driving permit to self-drive in Australia?
UK and Irish licence holders can generally drive in Australia using their full home licence for tourist visits, though requirements can vary slightly by state. We always advise clients to check current requirements for their specific route before travelling, and our team can point you in the right direction when you book.

Is the Indian Pacific or The Ghan better for first-time visitors?
The Ghan is often the better fit for first-timers, as it takes in the Red Centre and allows a stop at Uluru – one of Australia's must-see sites. The Indian Pacific suits those who want the fuller east-west crossing experience and don't mind a longer journey with fewer headline stops along the way.

How far in advance should I book an Australia self-drive or escorted tour?
We'd recommend booking flights and key accommodation at least six to nine months ahead, particularly for peak season (Australian summer, December to February, and the dry season in the north, May to October) when popular lodges and train cabins sell out. Our specialists can advise on the best timing for your specific route.