7 Coastal Road Trips in Australia That Rival the Great Ocean Road + FREE Maps
Yes, the Great Ocean Road is iconic. But it’s far from the only coastal stunner in Australia.
From the wild red cliffs of the Kimberley to the crystal coves of Tasmania, these 7 coastal road trips might just outshine Victoria’s famed route.
1. The Coral Coast (WA: Perth → Exmouth)
Drive north from Perth and you’ll pass the Pinnacles, Kalbarri’s cliffs, Shark Bay, and the mind-blowing Ningaloo Reef.
Where you can snorkel straight from the beach with turtles, mantas, or even whale sharks (seasonal).
- Coral Bay, a small but beautiful town where you can snorkel straight off the beach in the Ningaloo Reef.
- Kalbarri National Park, don’t miss the Skywalk, Nature’s Window and the Z-Bend!
- The Pinnacles, an otherworldly limestone desert just outside Cervantes.
- Hutt Lagoon, a massive pink lake for the most epic photos.
- Shark Bay & Monkey Mia, famous for dolphins and a beach made out of shells!
Exmouth itself has some truly beautiful beaches, plus there are epic hikes in the iconic Cape Range National Park.
But the best thing to do there is swimming with whale sharks (from early April to late June)!
Map – Perth to Exmouth road trip:
2. South West Edge (WA: Perth → Esperance)
Arguably WA’s best-kept secret.
This route snakes through forests, wineries, and national parks before spilling out onto some of the most beautiful beaches in the country.
Think ancient tingle trees, surfer towns, and kangaroos on white sand.
And the BEST way to get there from Perth is via the Margaret River Region. There are several bucket-list stops between Perth and Esperance, including:
- Margaret River, the heart of the region. Great wine, epic surfing, and so much to do!
- Yallingup, home to the Insta-famous Injidup Natural Spa.
- Denmark, home of the iconic Greens Pool & Elephant Rocks.
- Bremer Bay and its orcas (from January to April).
- Albany, a historical town with heaps of natural wonders and whale-watching opportunities (from July to October).
- Augusta, where the Southern and Indian Oceans meet.
- Busselton, with its iconic jetty!
You’ll want at least 10–15 days to do this entire road trip. But if you’d rather drive from Perth to Esperance directly, 5 days is enough for the round trip.
🤩 Read More: Road Trip from Perth to Esperance: Perfect Itinerary
Map – Perth to Esperance road trip itinerary:
3. Dampier Peninsula (WA: Broome → Cape Leveque)
This one’s off the grid and better for 4WDs, but it’s a wild and rewarding drive.
Red pindan cliffs, pristine beaches, and strong Aboriginal cultural experiences. The sunsets here hit different.
What to see along the way:
- Coconut Well
- Beagle Bay Church
- Middle Lagoon camping + fishing
- Kooljaman Beach
- Pearl farms + Bardi Jawi cultural tours
- Gumbanan bush camp views
🤩 Related: Epic Broome To Darwin Road Trip
4. Grand Pacific Drive (NSW: Sydney → Kiama)
This one’s short but sweet and wildly scenic.
Hug the cliffs south of Sydney, cross the Sea Cliff Bridge, and stop in on ocean pools, blowholes, and sleepy beach towns.
What to see along the way:
- Royal National Park (coast track, Figure 8 Pools)
- Bald Hill lookout
- Sea Cliff Bridge
- Kiama Blowhole
- Austinmer + Thirroul cafes
5. Eyre Peninsula Coast (SA: Port Augusta → Port Lincoln)
Remote and rugged, this drive delivers big ocean energy. You’ll wind past sand dunes, coastal cliffs, and sleepy fishing towns with some of the freshest seafood in Australia.
What to see along the way:
- Cactus Beach (legendary surf)
- Talia Caves
- Whalers Way scenic drive
- Shark cage diving in Port Lincoln
- Tumby Bay silo art
6. The Sapphire Coast (NSW: Jervis Bay → Eden)
Often skipped in favour of the more popular Pacific Coast, this stretch of NSW is wild, quiet and packed with natural beauty.
You’ll pass sea cliffs, coastal lakes, oyster farms and quiet surf beaches with barely a soul in sight.
What to see along the way:
- Blue Pool at Bermagui
- Tathra Wharf + beach
- Mimosa Rocks National Park
- Merimbula oyster tastings
- Killer whale museum in Eden
7. Great Eastern Drive (TAS: Hobart → Bay of Fires)
A wildly underrated coastline with turquoise water, empty beaches, and sleepy fishing towns. Tasmania’s east coast is made for slow travel — best with a detour through Freycinet National Park.
What to see along the way:
- Maria Island (no cars, wombats galore)
- Wineglass Bay hike
- Bicheno Blowhole
- Friendly Beaches
- Bay of Fires rock formations
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